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Battery sizing

The important parameters are:

1. Depth of Discharge(DOD)
2. Weight, Size, shape of the batteries.
3. The output voltage of the batteries

Energy Storage

Rechargeable batteries are used to run satellite equipment in eclipse, when there is no sunlight.
Spacecraft batteries use either nickel cadmium (NiCd) or nickel hydrogen (NiH2) technology.
NiCd cells consist of nickel and cadmium electrodes connected to form a rectangular box. NiH2 cells are
cylindrical shaped since they experience hydrogen gas pressure upto 30 atm. They are usually cylindrical
pressure vessels with spherical tops and bottoms. In both the cell technologies, the cell voltage is
typically 1.2 V during the level part of the discharge cycle. Multiple cells are connected in series to yield
the required bus voltage.

One of the important parameter in battery sizing is the charge/discharge management of the batteries
to guarantee maximum lifetime in orbit. Depth of discharge (DOD) is another important factor. For a
GEO spacecraft, the allowed depth of discharge (DOD) of NiCd batteries is around 60% of the rated
capacity while 80% DOD is acceptable for NiH2 batteries. The permissible DOD for satellites in low orbits
is significantly lower due to the increased charge/discharge frequency. See the figure below.

Another factor in sizing is the weight of the batteries. The energy yield for NiCd is 40 Wh/kg and its 60
Wh/kg for NiH2. Hence, the mass of a NiCd battery required to supply a GEO satellite drawing 3200 W in
maximum eclipse (1.2 hrs) would be 160kg. A NiH2 battery on the same satellite would weigh 120kg.

Both battery technologies have a limit to store. Their capacity reduces over time at a rate which
depends on the management of the charge/discharge cycles. The deterioration has 2 components: one
that is reversible through reconditioning and another which is permanent. Reconditioning consists in
fully discharging the battery at a high rate across a purpose-made load. This is a delicate procedure as it
risks running the battery into short circuit and destroying it.

The choice between NiCd and NiH2 technologies is influenced by the type of orbit and the bus
regulation technique. NiCd is favoured in low earth orbit applications where eclipse transits are long and
frequent, since this technology performs best when DOD is shallow. The output voltage is relatively
constant during the discharge cycle in NiCd batteries, hence reducing the need for voltage stabilization
in eclipse. NiH2 batteries with their preference for deeper DOD and fewer discharge cycyles are
frequently found onboard geostationary satellites where eclipse transits are limited to max 72 minutes
during a 45 day window around spring and autumn equinox. The voltage drop is significant during the
discharge cycle than in case of NiCd, making full bus regulation desirable.

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