Marine Portable Power Unit
Navy SBIR FY2006.2


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2006.2
Topic No.: N06-105
Topic Title: Marine Portable Power Unit
Proposal No.: N062-105-0155
Firm: Acumentrics
20 Southwest Park
Westwood, Massachusetts 02090
Contact: Andrew Barnett
Phone: (781) 461-8521
Web Site: www.acumentrics.com
Abstract: Many military missions involve the use of equipment that requires small batteries for power where AC grid power is unavailable. Also, there is a need for a high quality power output device that conditions a power input to make it suitable to power sensitive communications equipment. The weight of this equipment is also a factor which affects Its usefullness in quick moving military situations. Maintaining uninterrupted power at these locations can be critical in some situations. In the event of a power generation failure, there needs to be a carry-through period where the batteries in the power conditioning equipment can satisfy load requirements. The generators that supply power are often off-line unexpectedly and/or for random periods of time. Failure of this equipment can affect the ability of a military group to carry out its mission. An Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) is needed that supplies backup, has flexible input and output options, does not add significant weight or logistical burden to a mission and is rugged and able to withstand extremes of physical and environmental conditions. The currently available commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) UPS's are not suitable solutions for the above-described problem. These COTS units do not have variable input and output options, are not rugged and use valve regulated lead acid batteries that are heavy and make the unit inflexible for other applications. The research contemplated by this proposal would lead to the development of a Marine Portable Power Unit (MPPU) that can serve as both an UPS and a battery charging station. The unit should be designed around currently deployed military batteries so as to enhance its flexibility of use. The MPPU ideally would be under 50 pounds in weight. It should have multiple input and output power configurations, specifically 12 VDC, 24 VDC, and 120 VAC single phase 60 Hz capability. The unit should use the BB-2590/U Lithium Ion battery and be able to safely handle batteries in multiple series/parallel configurations. The system should be able to act as both an UPS and a battery recharging station with batteries easily able to hot swap in-and-out.
Benefits: The development of the MPPU as defined in this proposal would provide the military with a device that: ,h Can be used to charge a multiplicity of devices that are carried on military missions and act as a UPS, ,h Has a Lithium Ion battery pack that is interchangeable with those used in similar devices in the field, specifically the BB-2590/U or the equivalent, and is hot swappable, ,h Has a weight of under 50 pounds and is easily transportable, ,h Is rugged and already tested to meet military specifications for vibration and environmental conditions, ,h Is adaptable for use in a wide array of military applications and programs, ,h Has a 12VDC, 24VDC and 120VAC-1 phase 60 Hz output capability, and ,h Can be developed rapidly and with a high degree of certainty because of the available Acumentrics Rugged-UPS,� 1251 platform.

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