Characterization testing of a 40 ampere hour bipolar nickel—hydrogen battery

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 341 - 354
• Main Authors: Brewer, Jeffrey C., Manzo, Michelle A., Gemeiner, Russel P.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Legacy CDMS Elsevier B.V 01.02.1990; Elsevier Sequoia
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-7753(90)85009-2

Extensive characterization testing has been done on a second 40 ampere hour (A h), 10-cell, bipolar nickel—hydrogen (Ni—H 2) battery to study the effects of operating parameters such as charge and discharge rates, temperature, and pressure on capacity, A h and watt hour (W h) efficiencies, end-of-charge (EOC), and mid-point discharge voltages. Testing to date has produced many interesting results, with the battery performing well throughout the test matrix except during the high-rate (5 C and 10 C) discharges, where poorer than expected results were observed. The exact cause of this poor performance is, as yet, unknown. Small scale 2 in. × 2 in. battery tests are to be used in studying this problem. Low earth orbit (LEO) cycle life testing at a 40% depth of discharge (DOD) and 10 °C is scheduled to follow the characterization testing.