November-December 2022 - 40

PRODUCT FOCUS: BAT TER IES
Saft: Powering Aviation
Yesterday, Today
and Tomorrow
by Rebecca Kanable
S
aft batteries have been in aircraft since 1932.
Primarily, their role has been to start engines
and provide emergency backup power.
A subsidiary of TotalEnergies, Saft specializes in
advanced technology battery solutions.
First-generation nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries
were replaced in 1938 by Saft's Voltabloc batteries that
used a sintered-plate process and had five times more power. Thin
sintered-plate batteries followed 20 years later.
Saft ULM (ultra-low maintenance) Ni-Cd batteries with lightweight
plastic-bonded electrode (PBE) technology debuted in
1996. An improvement over sinter technology, the combination
of plastic-bonded electrodes and superior separator systems
reduces overcharge current at both high and low temperatures.
This reduces water consumption, slows battery aging and provides
added safety, especially at high temperatures.
" The primary advantage of the ULM technology over the existing
batteries at that time had to do with increasing maintenance
intervals, " said Chuck Schofield, vice president, Saft Aviation Sales
& Marketing Aerospace, Defense and Performance (ADP) Division.
" In other words, expanding the time that the carriers or the operators
of the batteries were required to do maintenance. In many
cases, the ULM technology doubled or in some applications was
up to four times the existing technology. "
The design features are found within the electrochemistry, he
said. " These subtle design benefits aren't always obvious to the
eye, " he continued. " Because Saft designs to the molecular level, we
have a unique ability to tailor to the OEM performance criteria. "
Without question, Schofield said the primary benefit of the
ULM battery has been expanding reliability by applying a proven
design to multiple applications.
The first aircraft to use a Saft ULM battery was the Gulfstream
V. Today, more than 60 ULM batteries are in serial production
40 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
for jetliners, military
jets, regional jets,
turboprops, business jets, helicopters
and even drones.
By expanding the maintenance
ULM (ultra-low
maintenance) Ni-Cd
batteries are designed
to reduce maintenance
and extend battery life.
SAFT
intervals, the Saft ULM product
became more attractive to operators looking to reduce costs
across all segments including business aviation, commercial
and military, Schofield said.
For new installations or retrofits, no aircraft modification
is required.
With proper maintenance, a Saft ULM battery can last up to
10 years.
" As long as the Saft CMM (component maintenance manual)
requirements are followed, a Part 145 repair facility with the
proper capabilities should be able to maintain Saft batteries, "
he said. " This proper battery care will allow operators to achieve
the best product lifecycle possible. "
Many of the batteries in aircraft today could be considered
mature technology.
" There is a transition going on in the market both in the traditional
aviation market, and as we enter in the emerging market
of advanced air mobility, " Schofield said. Both are furthering not
only Ni-Cd in many applications, but also lithium technologies.
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY
November-December 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November-December 2022
