Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing the construction and application of batteries by providing a battery system comprising at least one electrochemical panel with at least one electrochemical cell disposed therein, which is configured to enable multi-purpose functionality and applicability of the battery system. Embodiments provide for electrodes and/or current collectors of each electrochemical cell that are transversely orientated with respect to each face of an electrochemical panel. Some embodiments provide for a separator pouch disposed about at least one electrode and/or current collector to electrically insulate the electrode and/or current collector from a structure component of the device. Each electrochemical panel is configured to enable electrical communication with another electrochemical panel and/or an ancillary electric circuit. Each electrochemical panel is configured enable utilization thereof as a structural component of an ancillary structure.

Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing the operating lifetime of an energy storage system including a battery pack with a plurality of battery cells. The method includes: measuring the temperature of the battery pack by means of a sensor unit; and measuring at least one further parameter representing an indication of the operating lifetime of the battery pack. Furthermore, the method includes the steps of: detecting whether the parameter reaches a predetermined threshold value indicating that the battery pack is in a condition close to an end of its expected operating lifetime; and, in the event that the threshold value is reached, initiating heating of the battery pack, thereby increasing the temperature of the battery pack to a predetermined value so as to prolong the operating lifetime of the battery pack. A system for optimizing the operating lifetime of an energy storage system is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing the operating lifetime of an energy storage system including a battery pack with a plurality of battery cells. The method includes: measuring the temperature of the battery pack by means of a sensor unit; and measuring at least one further parameter representing an indication of the operating lifetime of the battery pack. Furthermore, the method includes the steps of: detecting whether the parameter reaches a predetermined threshold value indicating that the battery pack is in a condition close to an end of its expected operating lifetime; and, in the event that the threshold value is reached, initiating heating of the battery pack, thereby increasing the temperature of the battery pack to a predetermined value so as to prolong the operating lifetime of the battery pack. A system for optimizing the operating lifetime of an energy storage system is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing the construction and application of batteries by providing a battery system comprising at least one electrochemical panel with at least one electrochemical cell disposed therein, which is configured to enable multi-purpose functionality and applicability of the battery system. Embodiments provide for electrodes and/or current collectors of each electrochemical cell that are transversely orientated with respect to each face of an electrochemical panel. Some embodiments provide for a separator pouch disposed about at least one electrode and/or current collector to electrically insulate the electrode and/or current collector from a structure component of the device. Each electrochemical panel is configured to enable electrical communication with another electrochemical panel and/or an ancillary electric circuit. Each electrochemical panel is configured enable utilization thereof as a structural component of an ancillary structure.

Abstract: A method for controlling reorientation of a spacecraft's spin from a minor axis spin bias to a desired major axis spin after spin transition. A control system monitors rotational rates about the principal axes to detect a separatrix crossing of a polhode path therein. Controlled thruster firings resulting from spin rate information successively decrease and increase a characteristic parameter and capture the spacecraft during a spin transition to a desired major bias orientation. It is possible to monitor only .omega..sub.1 and .omega..sub.3 in an alternate embodiment.

Abstract: A method for controlling reorientation of a spacecraft's spin from a minor axis spin bias to a desired major axis spin after spin transition. A control system monitors rotational rates about the principal axes to detect a separatrix crossing of a polhode path therein. Controlled thruster firings resulting from spin rate information successively decrease and increase a characteristic parameter and capture the spacecraft during a spin transition to a desired major axis bias orientation. It is possible to monitor only .omega..sub.1 and .omega..sub.3 in an alternate embodiment.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus to control a pointing trajectory of an aim point with respect to one or more targets for a momentum bias spacecraft in an orbit inclined relative to an equatorial geosynchronous orbit wherein the spacecraft is provided with an onboard computer capable of using orbit information available to the spacecraft and spacecraft hardware to move the aim point according to a predetermined tracking model which may be either time-varying or invariant. The tracking model allows the controller to remove short-term nutational and long-term orbit rate dynamical disturbances, beyond simple-order sinusoidal functions having a single frequency.