Description: EP Systems has been developing Active Balancing Technologies for aerospace application with NASA for more than five years. The focus of these efforts has included cell life algorithms development, airworthy battery management system (BMS) controls, elimination of balancing circuit stabilization capacity, and DC/DC balancing converter design, build, and testing. This effort has built upon collaborations between EP Systems and its university partners and their prior research efforts funded by the NSF. Additionally, the Active Battery Management System (ABMS) also leveraged Battery Control Computer (BCC) technologies developed through the NASA X57 program funding as well as continued EP Systems internal funding. In parallel Electric Power Systems’ focus is working with airframe partners on the development of hybrid-electric and all-electric air vehicles. This includes the development of large fixed-wing hybrid air vehicles, which would be certified under FAR Part 25 regulations. It also encompasses the developments of small-fixed wing and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air vehicles, targeting certification under FAR part 23. This includes the development of a standard product battery module and reconfigurable and scalable system solution called EPiC (Electric Propulsion Ion Core). The proposed technology maturation tasks for this CCRPP program are three-fold: first, perform V&V of the BCC software and hardware; second, revise the standard BCC design for appropriate DAL level and lessons learned from Phase IIE; and third, update the Phase IIE balancing circuit design for the EPiC modules.

Benefits: Potential NASA applications of the target technology include NASA hybrid demonstrator aircraft programs NASA electric aircraft GSE and charging infrastructure for vehicle testing NASA X57 Maxwell future upgrades

Existing Fixed wing applications of the target technology include: Diamond eDA40 Ampaire Eco-Caravan VoltAero Cassio Aura Aero Integral E Potential eVTOL applications (amongst others): Skydrive Supernal Potential GSE applications: Flight schools targeting use of eDA40 and other electric aircraft platforms