QUINCY, Mass., April 3 (UPI) -- A lithium battery for use on the hovering autonomous underwater vehicle system has received safety approval from the U.S. Navy.
The battery, Bluefin Robotics' 1.5 kWh Subsea Battery, uses a LiCoO2 cathode in a pouch cell format. In testing last year by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, it demonstrated consistent amount of energy without significant capacity fade and that its safety devices were highly effective with respect to voltage, current and temperature.
When the battery was cycled under high-current conditions, it experienced high temperatures, which activated the safeties and prevented the battery from further charging, preventing high temperature conditions, Bluefin Robotics said.
"We are very pleased with the results of the testing," said Richard Wilson, director of Power Systems at Bluefin Robotics. "The approval adds to our safety reputation for sub-sea battery technology and highlights the quality and effort we put into all our battery systems, both for our military and commercial clients."
The HAUV is a portable hovering AUV equipped with high-resolution imaging sonar for inspecting the hulls of ships as well as other sub-sea structures.
