Nickel-hydrogen multicell common pressure vessel battery development update

Flight qualification of the multicell common pressure vessel (CPV) nickel-hydrogen (Ni-H/sub 2/) battery is discussed. The battery has completed full flight qualification, including random vibration at 19.5 g for two minutes in each axis, electrical characterization in a thermal vacuum chamber, and mass-spectroscopy vessel leak detection. A first launch is scheduled in 1992. Several design variations, ranging from 9 Ah to 125 Ah and 12 to 32 V, have been developed and prototypes fabricated. Designs for smaller capacity, smaller diameter (6.4-8.9 cm), and higher voltage (up to 100 V) are in progress. The CPV battery offers cost and weight savings of up to 30% as compared to traditional nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) and individual pressure vessel (IPV) Ni-H/sub 2/ batteries. The fully qualified design provided a 50% weight savings over its Nd-Cd predecessor for the same application. Its reduced volume also provides a significant advantage over IPV technology. Resistance data show a further advantage.<>