The design, construction and testing of valve-regulated lead/acid cells with grid designs optimised for high-rate partial state-of-charge cycling for hybrid electric vehicles are described. Computer modelling was used to develop the grid designs. This showed that designs with opposed tabs and terminals on the top and bottom of the cell were likely to have the best performance not only in terms of grid conductivity but also for uniformity. | Journal of Power Sources 195 2010 4520-4524 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Power Sources journal homepage locate jpowsour pr 1 SbbiMitS Short communication The optimisation of grid designs for valve-regulated lead acid batteries for hybrid electric vehicle applications . May3 N. Maleschitzb H. Diermaierb T. Haeuplb a FOCUS Consulting 126 Main Street Swithland Loughborough Leics LE12 8TJ UK b Banner GmbH Salzburger Strasse 298 A-4021 Linz Austria ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history Received 6 October 2009 Accepted 29 October 2009 Available online 5 November 2009 Keywords Lead acid Valve-regulated Cyclic performance Hybrid electric vehicles The design construction and testing of valve-regulated lead acid cells with grid designs optimised for high-rate partial state-of-charge cycling for hybrid electric vehicles are described. Computer modelling was used to develop the grid designs. This showed that designs with opposed tabs and terminals on the top and bottom of the cell were likely to have the best performance not only in terms of grid conductivity but also for uniformity of active material utilisation. Prototype cells were built and tested. Low rate performance was in line with the designs and the high-rate performance was substantially enhanced compared with conventional constructions. The cells were then tested to a shallow cycling regime and to a simplified hybrid electric vehicle cycle. The results showed excellent life under these conditions without the benefit of carbon or graphite additives to the negative active material that have also been shown to improve cycle life under these conditions. 2009 Elsevier . All rights reserved. 1. Introduction The development of valve-regulated lead acid VRLA batteries for application in hybrid electric vehicles HEVs has been directed towards the resolution of problems arising from the need to operate the battery in a partially discharged state in order to be able to accept .
