The capacity of the cells ranged from 3.58 to 3.97 amperehours during the three capacity tests. Three cells were removed from test, due to high pressure, during the C/10, 24-hour charge at room ambient temperature. The voltage requirement of 1.480 volts was exceeded by the cells during the C/10, 24-hour charge at 20 C, although the end-of-charge voltage was below this value (1.466-1.475 volts). Average capacity out during the 20 C charge efficiency test was 0.84 AH which represents 48% and is below the minimum requirement of 55%. The cells exhibited no pressure decay during the open-circuit stand portion of the pressure versus capacity test, as all cells reached their voltage limit (1.550 volts) before their pressure reached 20 psia with the highest pressure being 8 psia during charge

Harkness, J. D.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

for tv :00 n W
for
SECONDARY SPACECRAFT CELLS i°r
INITIAL EVALUATION TESTS 1 n
OF 0
EAGLE-PICHER INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
3.0 AMPERE-HOUR NICKEL-CADMIUM SPACECRAFT CELLS i,
prepared for
GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER
CONTRACT S-23404-G
ui : -4
QUALITY EVALUATION AND ENGINEERING LABORATORY
NAD CRANE, INDIANA
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19740005650 2020-03-23T12:04:01+00:00Z
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
NAVAL AMMUNITION DEPOT
CRANE, INDIANA 47522 -IN REPLY REFER TO:
3053-JDH:wh
8900
18 DEC 1973
From: Commanding Officer, Naval Ammunition Depot, Crane, Indiana
To: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space
Flight Center (761, Mr. T. J. Hennigan), Greenbelt,
Maryland 20771
Subj: Evaluation program for secondary spacecraft cells; initial
evaluation tests of 3.0 ampere-hour nickel-cadmium spacecraft
cells manufactured by Eagle-Picher Industries, Incorporated
Ref: (a) NASA Purchase Order S-23404-G
Encl: (1) Report QEEL/C 73-380
1. In compliance with reference (a), enclosure (1) is forwarded for
informati on and retention.
D. G. MILEY .
By direction
Copy to:
Distribution List
711.
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
NAVAL AMMUNITION DEPOT
QUALITY EVALUATION AND ENGINEERING LABORATORY
CRANE, INDIANA 47522
EVALUATION PROGRAM
FOR
SECONDARY SPACECRAFT CELLS
INITIAL EVALUATION TESTS
OF
EAGLE-PICHER INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
3.0 AMPERE-HOUR NICKEL-CADMIUM SPACECRAFT CELLS
QEEL/C 73-380 29 October 1973
PREPARED BY
J. D. HARKNESS
PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF APPROVED BY
D. E. MAINS D. G. MILEY
Manager, Space Satellite Cell By direction
Program Branch
77- . Enclosure ()
QEEL/C 73-380
REPORT BRIEF
EAGLE-PICHER INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
3.0 AMPERE-HOUR NICKEL-CADMIUM SPACECRAFT CELLS
Ref: (a) NASA P.O. S-23404-G
(b) Initial Evaluation Test Procedure for Nickel-Cadmium
Sealed Space Cells: NAD 3053-TP324, 10 Apr 1973
I. TEST ASSIGNMENT BRIEF
A. The purpose of this evaluation test program is. to insure that
all cells put into the life cycle program are of high quality by the
screening of cells found to have electrolyte leakage, internal shorts,
low capacity, or inability of any cell to recover its open circuit
voltage above 1.150 volts on the cell short test.
B. The five cells were purchased by Philco-Ford under contract
NAS5-71575 for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
Goddard Space Flight Center, from Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc.,
Joplin, Missouri. The cells are to be evaluated for a proposed
flight battery on the Synchronous Meteorological Satellite to be
launched in 1974. These cells are rated at 3.0 ampere-hours
(EP Lot #4), contain double ceramic seals, and were fitted with
pressure transducers prior to testing. The testing was funded in
accordance with reference (a).
C. Test limits specify those values in which a cell is to be
terminated from a particular charge or discharge. Requirements are
referred to as normal expectant values based on past performance of
aerospace nickel-cadmium cells with demonstrated life characteristics.
A requirement does not constitute a limit for discontinuance from
test.
II. SUMMARY OF RESULTS
A. The capacity of the cells ranged from 3.58 to 3.97.ampere-
hours during the three capacity tests.
B. Three cells were removed from test, due to high pressure,
during the C/10, 24-hour charge at room ambient temperature.
C. The voltage requirement of 1.480 volts was exceeded by the
cells during the C/10, 24-hour charge at 20"C, although the end-of-
charge voltage was below this value (1.466-1.475 volts).
QEEL/C 73-380
D. Average capacity out during the 200C charge efficiency test
was 0.84 All which represents 48% and is below the minimum requirement
of 55%.
E. Two cells exceeded the voltage limit (1.560 volts) during the
00C overcharge test and the other cells exceeded the voltage requirement
of 1.520 volts.
F. All cells were terminated from charge during the 35*C overcharge
test when their pressure reached 93 psia. One cell failed to meet the
minimum requirement of 55 percent of capacity out as was obtained during
capacity test #3*.
G. The cells exhibited no pressure decay during the open-circuit
stand portion of the pressure versus capacity test, as all cells
reached their voltage limit (1.550 volts) before their pressure
reached 20 psia with the highest pressure being 8 psia during charge.
III. RECOMMENDATIONS
A. It was recommended that these cells be placed on a synchronous-
type orbit test program for evaluation since there is no previous test
data on cells of this type, manufacture and test-regime.
B. On 5 September 1973, these cells began a synchronous orbit test
at the beginning of the shadow period.
ii
QEEL/C 73-380
RESULTS OF INITIAL EVALUATION TESTS
OF
3.0 AMPERE-HOUR NICKEL-CADMIUM SPACECRAFT CELLS
MANUFACTURED BY
EAGLE-PICHER INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
I. TEST CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURE
A. All evaluation tests were performed at room ambient (R.A.)
pressure and temperature (25C + 2*C) unless otherwise specified,
and in accordance with reference (b) and consisted of the following:.
1. Phenolphthalein leak tests (2).
2. Three capacity tests, third at 20*C; with internal
resistance measurements during second charge/discharge.
3. Internal short test.
4. Charge efficiency test, 200C.
5. Overcharge tests, 00 C and 35*C.
6. Pressure versus capacity test.
7. Phenolphthalein leak test.
See Appendix I for summary of test procedure.
II. CELL IDENTIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION
A. The cells were identified by the manufacturer's serial numbers
and placed in a pack configuration (Pack 227A) for testing as follows:
Serial Number - 361 364 369 379 383
Cell Number - 1 2 3 4 5
B. The 3.0 ampere-hour cell is rectangular with an average
weight and physical dimension as follows:
Weight (9) Height (in.) Length (in.). Width (in.)
168.1 2.489 0.805 2.079
QEEL/C 73-380
C. The cell containers and covers are made of stainless steel.
The positive and negative terminals are insulated from the cell
cover by ceramic seals and protrude through the cover as solder-type
terminals.
III. RESULTS--THE FOLLOWING WAS CONDENSED FROM TABLES I THROUGH V
A. Leak Tests--No leaks indicated before or after testing.
B. Average Capacity (ampere-hours, AH):
Type of Charge AH Out
C/20, 48 hrs. RA 3.94
C/10, 24 hrs. RA* 3.67
C/10, 24 hrs. 200C** 3.77
*Cells 1, 2 and 3 removed from charge due to high pressure.
**All cells exceeded requirement of 1.480 volts during charge.
C. Average Internal Resistance Measurements (milliohm):
Measurement Taken Resistance
30 min. before end of charge (Cycle 1) 7.64
1 hr. after start of discharge (Cycle 2) 8.18
2 hrs. after start of discharge (Cycle 2) 8.12
D. Twenty-four hour average cell voltage following a 16-hour
short period was 1.156 volts.
E. Average capacity out following the 20*C charge efficiency test
was 0.84, which represents 48% efficiency and is lets than the minimum
requirement of 55%.
F. Average capacity out following the OOC and 35%C overcharge
tests was 3.52 and 2.12 respectively. All cells exceeded the require-
ment of 1.520 volts during the OOC test and two cells were removed
from charge during the 350C test because of high pressure and one celldid not meet the requirement of capacity out.
G. During the pressure versus capacity test, all the cells were
removed from charge when their voltage reached 1.550, with an average
capacity input of 4.78 ampere-hours. Three cells reached a pressure
of 8 psia during charge and there was no pressure decay exhibited
during the one-hour OCV stand following the charge. The ampere-hours
out on discharge ranged from 3.44 to 3.66.
2
QEEL/C 73-380
APPENDIX I
I. TEST PROCEDURE
A. Phenolphthalein Leak Tests:
1. This test is a-determination of the condition of the
welds and ceramic seals on receipt of the cells and following the
last discharge of the cells (Cycle #7).
2. The cells were initially checked with a one-half of one
percent phenolphthalein solution applied with a cotton swab and then
placed in a vacuum chamber and exposed to a vacuum of 40 microns of
mercury or less, for 24 hours. Upon removal they were rechecked for
leaks and then received a final check following test completion.
The requirement is no red or pink discoloration which indicates a
leak.
B. Capacity Tests:
1. The capacity test is a determination of the cells'
capacity at the C/2 discharge rate to 0.75 volt per cell, where C
is the manufacturer's rated capacity. This type discharge follows
all charges of this evaluation test.
2. The charges for the capacity tests are as follows:
a. C/20, 48 hours, room ambient (R.A.), Cycle 0, with
a test limit of 1.52 volts or pressure of 100 psia.
b. C/10, 24 hours, R.A., Cycle 1, with a test limit of
1.52 volts or 100 psia pressure and a requirement of maximum voltage
(1.48) or pressure (65 psia).
c. C/10, 24 hours, 200C, Cycle 2, with the same limits
and requirements as the charge Cycle 1.
C. Internal Resistance:
1. Measurements are taken across the cell terminals one-
half hour before the end-of-charge (EOC) on Cycle 1 and one and
two hours after the start-of-discharge of Cycle 2. These measure-
ments were made with a Hewlett-Packard milliohmmeter (Model 4328A).
1i
QEEL/C 73-380
D. Internal Short Test:
1. This test is a means of detecting slight shorting conditions
which may exist because of imperfections in the insulating materials,
or damage to element in handling or assembly.
2. Following completion of the third capacity discharge,
the cells are shunted with a 0.5-ohm, 3-watt resistor for 16 hours.
At the end of 16 hours the resistors are removed and the cells stand
on open-circuit-voltage (OCV) for 24 hours. A minimum voltage of 1.15
is required at the end of 24 hours.
E. Charge Efficiency Test, 20*C:
1. This test is a measurement of the cells' charge efficiency
when charged at a low current rate.
2. The cells are charged at C/40 for 20 hours with a test limit
of 1.52 volts or 100 psia pressure. They were then discharged and the
requirement was that the minimum capacity out equal 55 percent of capacity
in during the preceding charge.
F. Overcharge Test #1, O.C:
1. The purpose of this test is to determine the degree to
which the cells will maintain a balanced voltage, and to determine
the cells' capability to be overcharged without.overcharging the
negative electrode.
2. The cells are charged at C/20 for 60 hours. The test
limits are a cell voltage of 1.56 or greater for a continuous time
period of 2 hours or a pressure of 100 psia. The requirement is a
voltage of 1.520 or a pressure of 65 psia. The cells are then
discharged and 85 percent capacity out of that obtained in Cycle 3
is required.
G. Overcharge Test #2, 350C:
1. This test is a measurement of the cells' capacity at a
higher temperature when compared to its capacity at 20*C. This test
also determines the cells' capability of reaching a point of pressure
equilibrium, oxygen recombination at the negative plate at the same.
rate it is being generated at the positive plate.
2. The cells are charged at C/10 for 24 hours with a test
limit of 1.52 volts or 100 psia pressure and a requirement of 1.45
volts or 65 psia pressure. The cells then are discharged with a
requirement that capacity out equal 55 percent capacity out as obtained
in discharge Cycle 3.
2
QEEL/C 73-380
H. Pressure Versus Capacity Test:
1. The purpose of this test is to determine the capacity "to
a pressure and the pressure decay during charge and open circuit stand
res pecti vely.
2. Each cell is charged at C/2 to either a pressure of 20
psia or a voltage of 1.550. Recordings are taken on each cell when
it reaches 5,... 10, 15 and 20 psia pressure. The cells then stand OCV
for 1 hour with 30-minute recordings and then are discharged, shorted
out, and leak tested.
3
QEEL/C 73-380
TABLE I
PHENOLPHTHALEIN LEAK TESTS
Initial Following Hi Vac ollowing Test Completion
SERIAL WEIGHT HEIGHT LENGTH WIDTH Terminals Fill Other Terminals Fill Other Te Fill Other
,UMBER (Grams) (Inches) (Inches) (Inches) + - Tube + - Tube + - Tube
36/ /6'q. _ , .47O . c3_;:
3I '/ /67./ 25/. 7 5 A1 - -
3 7, /677 ,. 92. 
-__ .77 
_
3 . / . .-PRESS 4 75 .. " ._s _
i4
_____________ ______________ ______________ . __ ___ __ _ I _ __ _ ________ __________ ___________IT- ___ ___ ____ ---
.__ ___ __ 1*___I- __- _ _I~ES i ,~vs - _ _ __ - -__ _ I____
__ ct __ _
_______ V ______ -- ____ - - ___
TABLE II QEEL/C 73-380
CAPACITY CHECK DATA
FIRST CAPACITY CHECK SECOND CAPACITY CHECK THIRD CAPACITY CHECK (20 0 )
END-OF-CHARGE END-OF-DISCHARGE END-OF-CHARGE END-OF-DISCHARGE END-OF-CHARGE END-OF-DISCHIARGE
SERIAL AUX CAPAC- AUX AUX CAPAC- AUX AUX APAC- AUX
NUMBER CELL ELECT PRESS ITY ELECT PRESS CELL ELECT PRESS ITY ELECT PRESS CELL ELECT PRESS ITY ELECT PRESS
(Volts) (Volts) (PSIA) (ah) (Volts) PSIA) (Volts) (Volts) PSIA) (ah) (Volts) (PSIA) (Volts) (Volts) (PSIA) (ah) (Volts) PSIA)
36/ A.2 Nv s j -. / A /F /o, . /A /9b7 /A j .373 21; / /
3&q, A/v5eo _y 1 3, 57 A- 3f_ S 7
36g /.4/5o 3 3, 90 L /413/7 " 3, 6 61/ 7/ 73 3.75
37q 6 /0 3/o 3,577 /l / 3447 9o 33 37 7 19
3_ 3 5/ 33 3, 97 _ ___3 76 3._79 73 /._75 53 3,43 33
i -r T rs CCLLS 1 Fmore. ) Ro m_ ARc. W. wo 4 5-W, A///4 uT.,
h ALL fLs EXeEE.D / yori oL L24 /v/0 'hzaRe r,
5
y vacuum- ile p.
TABLE III QEEL/C 73-380
INTERNAL RESISTANCE AND SHORT TEST DATA
INTERNAL RESISTANCE (MILLIOHMS) INTERNAL SHORT TEST
SERIAL AFTER 16 AFTER 24 HOUR'
NUMBER ONE HOUR AFTER TWO HOURS AFTER HR SHORT OCV STANDEND-OF-CHARGE START-OF-DISCHARGE START-OF-DISCHARGE
CELL CELL PRESS
3, 7.o , g.,/ 8. _ . pI' /./S- 33
u 70 m., . •-
383 7., 7,8 .6// //, 3/
_1_93 7,1 Y" _, y___ ._ _ 6. /.- / 1
6
TABLE FV QEEL/C 73-380
CHARGE EFFICIERE AND OVERCHARGE DATA
CHARGE EOFICIENCY (200C) OVEIHARGE TEST (OoC) OVERCHARGE TEST (350C)
END-OF-CHARGE END-OF-DISCHARGE END-OF-CHARGE END-OF-DISCHARGE END-OF-CHARGE END-OF-DISCHARGE
SERIAL AUX CAPAC- AUX A AUX CAPAC- AUX ~s AUX CAPAC- AUX
NUMBER CELL ELECT PRESS ITY ELECT PRESS CELL ELECT PRESS ITY ELECT PRESS CELL ELECT PRES S  ITY ELECT PRESS
(Volts) (Volts) (PSIA) (ah)4 (Volts) (PSIA) (Volts) (Volts) (PSIA) (ah) (Volts) PSIA) (Volts) (Volts) PSIA) (ah) (Volts) (PSIA)
34/ 1376 "'/A A4 .13 vlh .2; 2. A3 !t/4 32z / A/A A e i/A 1
3t /375 84 ,. __ 32 35y I- JS 8 1,3 _ _ f3 _.,/o 
3 /, ns "S_ ,, _ _ - 3 ,Y /,7, /, _ Y6" _ "
/Y , /o AQY / LA' £ 
CGUS _  y 5-. 9) Z,, r To // Yo1a4a E .
+-K LL C LLS FF 5_ea.R 4 F /,/ rF_/ PR e s ~ e ,
_ 7
TABLE V QEEL/C 73-380
PRESSURE VS. CAPACITY TEST DATA
Serial No. 36,/ 3(4 34 379- JS3
Start-of-Charge, Press. 0 0 Z 0 y
AH in to 5 PSIA Al, 73 9. 76 /16
Cell (volts) /550 /, - _ /, _ /
Aux (volts)
AH in to 10 PSIA
Cell (volts)
Aux (volts) .
AH in to 15 PSIA
Cell (volts)
Aux (volts)
AH in to 20 PSIA
Cell (volts)
Aux (volts) --
AH in to V/L (1.55V) /,43 4. 87 9~87 z'.7 9 
_._
Aux (volts) A/4 h/ / 
Press (PSIA) 5 ..
30 Min OCV, Cell /. 3,7 /.3 31/ 1,38 1-,?38
Aux (volts) K/A 2/4  4 -
Press (PSIA) ' -"
I hour ocV. Cell ,. /3F 383 /,384 /3?O Ao A.
Aux (volts) "/'V '/ 4  I A j/
Press (PSIA) F 5 '-
EOD AH out $ 6 3.66 4, 3 3,4o .3_ ,
Aux (volts) N/A A A /A
Press (PSIA) - 1 9 ___ '
/V.A.- Ivor YA/.4,'iLE
* CELLS '9 S Y E S1S3 & -/7 -v/7 yorLTS)
8


Evaluation program for secondary spacecraft cells.  Initial evaluation tests of Eagle-Picher Industries, Incorporated 3.0 ampere-hour nickel-cadmium spacecraft cells

Evaluation program for secondary spacecraft cells. Initial evaluation tests of Eagle-Picher Industries, Incorporated 3.0 ampere-hour nickel-cadmium spacecraft cells

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server