Charging systems for the military

摘要

The advances in the secondary battery chemistries such as Nickel-Metal Hydride and Lithium-ion have resulted in volumetric energy densities in excess of seventy percent of the Lithium/Sulfur Dioxide system. As a result CECOM awarded Bren-Tronics,Inc. a contract in 1995 for the delivery of increased capacity versions of four existing rechargeable batteries. The batteries of interest were the BB-590/U, BB-588/U, BB-516/U and the BB-503/U. In addition, a new rechargeable battery was included, theBB-2847/U, Lithium-ion, an alternative to the BA-5847/U, LiSO{sub}2, primary battery.The contract also required the design and delivery of a low cost charger capable of charging two units of the same type within two hours. The charger must be capable of operating from vehicle power as well as universal AC supply, i.e. 110V/220V, 50-60 Hz.In 1997 Bren-Tronics, Inc. received a contract for additional chargers to be mounted in the various vehicles used by the U.S. Army. The first charger was an extension of the universal charger and was meant for use while the vehicle was in motion or atrest. This charger, however, must be capable of accommodating two batteries of different types with the same two hour restriction. The charger was nicknamed the "Charger on the Move".The second charger was to maintain a float charge for the vehicle lead acid battery when not in use. This will insure that the vehicle will start after extended storage.