Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Glueck, Peter R..
The Magellan Spacecraft's mission to map Venus's surface provides a unique application for Nickel-Cadmium batteries. An overview of the spacecraft, power subsystem, battery, and mission requirements are presented. The reliability and performance of the batteries were extensively studied with a comprehensive test and analysis program. Actual data for cruise and a limited number of mapping orbits is also presented.
A porous electrode modeling technique is discussed which is considered a viable means for quantitatively predicting Ni-Cd cell performance. The authors describe the integration of the cell model into a battery model useful in the design and operation of aerospace applications. Test data from a sealed boilerplate cell are presented for constant current charge and discharge conditions. Performance predictions for similar cases have been performed, and a comparison to the boilerplate data is made. Areas for further development are also noted.
A common failure mode for nickel-cadmium batteries involves a nonuniform degradation of the performance of individual cells. This behavior is manifested as a divergence in voltage during cyclic operation. An empirically based performance model is presented which simulates a battery composed of heterogeneous cells. Battery performance is studied as a function of the distribution of cell performance characteristics. The technique has successfully predicted cell voltage divergence behavior observed during cycle life testing. It is noted that this work enhances understanding of life-test results and may improve life-test design and data analysis.