Hybrid Battery Ultracapacitor System For Human Robotic Systems

The objective of this proposal is to develop a hybrid battery-ultra capacitor storage system that powers human-robotic systems in space missions. Space missions involving human-robotic systems utilizing battery based electrical power often undergo numerous operations within each complete cycle. During Phase I of this program Yardney in collaboration with Maxwell Technologies propose to develop a hybrid system consisting of a high energy Li-ion battery, high power ultracapacitor (UCAP) and the electronic interface control module. The hybrid system to be developed in this program will provide electrical energy to human-robotic systems for advanced next generation space missions.

Li-ion/UCAP hybrid systems with high power and long life will benefit all DoD, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) spacecraft applications, military and commercial communication satellites and even Hybrid Electric Vehicles.

The target application for this Li/UCAP hybrid system is to supply electrical energy to remote human-robotic systems in space missions. Such a hybrid system will meet the power requirements of the robotic systems at various operations. Employing ultra capacitor and batteries in a hybrid systems will enable high power during short duty cycles without adversely impacting the high energy Li-ion battery. Hybrid system will have superior electrochemical performance at high and moderate duty operations due to the integration of a high energy Li-ion battery, high power ultra capacitor and the electronic interface control unit module. A hybrid battery-UCAP system can be used where mobility and ground operations, long life, safety, longer cycle life, and long-term stability are required.

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