SBIR-STTR Award

Fuel is the second-highest battlefield throughput commodity behind water. In fact, ~65% of the fuel consumed in the theatre is for fuel transportation to the battlefield. To improve the fuel consumption and the quantity of forward-deployed fuel, Techno-Sciences, Inc. (TSi) proposes innovative, open architecture software that implements optimal hybrid control algorithms for intelligent power management of ground combat vehicles with anti-idling technology (Hybrid Intelligent Power Controller ? HIPCo). HIPCo will target the no-idle requirements, while increasing battery life and improving fleet efficiency. HIPCo will also reduce fuel consumption by at least 10%. In the battlefield, another advantage of HIPCo will be during silent watch by reducing exhaust emissions, noise and thermal signatures.

Keywords:
Power Management, Anti-Idling, Battery Management, Hybrid Control.

The Army requires a set of new vehicle technologies that will: Increase fuel efficiency to extend operational capabilities and reduce costs Support higher electrical loads including instantaneous demand optimization Enable extended silent watch missions including rules based load shedding Enhance the soldiers knowledge about the battery state of charge and health A key component in realizing this vision is a small embedded computing device to run the fuel saving anti-idle and charge control algorithms. The development of these algorithms and the device to run them on was the objective of this effort. For the purposes of this SBIR, this embedded device was termed a Power Management Controller (PMC). The PMC will intelligently manage the battery, alternator, and engine control unit (ECU), all using the vehicles CANBUS network. Innovative approaches are required to deliver a PMC and algorithms that will be flexible enough to be easily integrated in current and future vehicles that utilize a wide array of engines, alternators, and battery monitoring systems.