Universal Non-Intrusive Battery Monitoring and Failure Prediction System Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Topic No.: N161-047 Topic Title: Universal Non-Intrusive Battery Monitoring and Failure Prediction System Proposal No.: N161-047-0308 Firm: Luna Innovations Incorporated 301 1st Street SW Suite 200 Roanoke, Virginia 24011 Contact: Matt Davis Phone: (540) 558-1696 Web Site: http://www.lunainc.com Abstract: Luna is proposing to develop a miniaturized and low power High Definition Fiber Optic Sensing (HD-FOS) system for battery fault detection and early warning. This system would address the issue of thermal runaway where an internal fault initiates heating and an uncontrolled positive feedback loop results in overheating, fire, or explosion. If detected early, warnings can be transmitted before the problem grows, allowing personnel to complete preventive actions. Luna will build a sensing suite consisting of fiber optic strain and temperature sensors. With a measurement point every 0.64mm, the high spatial density will ensure the timely capture of hot spots as well as strain concentrations due to pressure increase. The sensor suite will be interrogated with a ruggedized miniaturized controller that relays warnings to a remote alarm panel. During Phase I, Luna will demonstrate the system's feasibility with repeated simulated conditions. During Phase II, Luna will develop a prototype that satisfies the size, weight, and power envelope (400 cm3, 1 kg, 25 W), and demonstrate accurate fault detection and indication with repeated actual battery charge-discharge schemes. The Phase III effort will support the Navy in transitioning the technology to Advanced Undersea Systems use. Benefits: The proposed system will meet the Navy's need for a compact and non-intrusive sensor suite that monitors the health of the battery pack, detects failure at its onset, and relays this warning to an alarm panel. By continuously monitoring the physical state (temperature distribution and strain profile) of the cells within the battery pack at a very high spatial density, a failure warning can be triggered in a timely manner, and unmanned vessels can be operated more safely and confidently. In addition to unmanned underwater vehicles, this technology can be applied to other military manned and unmanned vehicles, both in the air and on the ground, as vehicle systems increasingly adopt battery technology. This ensures safety as the primary focus in the deployment of battery-operated systems. In the commercial space, high profile battery failures in the airline and automotive industries coupled with increasing production volume, has triggered intense investigation into battery failure warning systems, as safety is paramount. Ultimately a proven safety track record enhances customer and consumer satisfaction and feeds into commercial entities' bottom line. Once the technology has been successfully transitioned to the Navy, Luna will work with commercial partners to begin marketing the technology for commercial applications. Return