Energy storage systems for large scale vehicles

The first large scale vehicle, KOKANEE (LSV-1), a 3000HP, 155 long ton autonomous submarine model, was assembled at Southwest Research Institute and delivered to the Navy in October 1987. Operated in support of advance submarine propulsor development at the Navy's Acoustic Research Detachment in Bayview, Idaho, KOKANEE has several thousand hours underway, using two variants of valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) powering a conventional DC motor. A second large-scale vehicle, CUTTHROAT (LSV-2), a 6000HP, 210 long-ton submarine model, is currently undergoing acceptance trials. CUTTHROAT employs a permanent magnet motor. The requirements for, and design of, the two energy storage systems, as well as the charge and discharge management process, is described. The maintenance experience for this choice of energy storage method, and the considerations that lead to continued use of VRLA cells is explained.