Active Battery Management System with Physics Based Life Modeling Topology

Status: Completed

Start Date: 2021-03-25

End Date: 2022-03-01

Description: The flight-certifiable Active Battery Management System (ABMS) technology Electric Power Systems is working to integrate that model predictive control, physics-based, and life control algorithms on emerging cell technology into an advance control architecture that dynamically balances cells. These integrated technologies have the ability to improve cycle life of high capacity, high voltage, energy storage systems. The ABMS also has the ability to improve charging time. A network of DCDC converters shuffles current dynamically to the "weakest" virtual cell, verses passive based control approaches, that bleed off excess balancing current via resistor. The result is less energy used during the charge cycle, and reducing onboard waste heat.
Benefits: The ABMS technology could be applied to any NASA program that requires a battery and battery management system. For example, Revolutionary Vertical Lift Takeoff (RVLT) programs or Space programs, such as Artemis, could incorporate ABMS technology into their applications. The ABMS may also be used in the X57 Maxwell program. EPS already provides the Energy Storage System for this Aircraft, and could update the ESS if NASA chose to demonstrate the technology on this aircraft.

The Active Battery Management System (ABMS) technology is well suited for ubiquitous applications across all Electric Power Systems’ target markets since it can be applied to any system that requires battery management capabilities. Specific applications include Bell Nexus, Embraer Sky, and Boeing Personal Air Vehicle

Lead Organization: Electric Power Systems, Inc.