In an effort to explore deeper into the planet the United States Deep Caving Team and its international colleagues have continually pushed the limits of human endurance. Ultimately, to go deeper, one must cut as many logistics ties to the surface as possible. One of the most serious is that of portable power - both for light in a land of eternal darkness, as well as for signifi cant levels of current and voltage for operating rotary impact drills used for setting rock bolts needed to rig kilometers of rope.

Stone Aerospace has been working to develop rugged, impact-resistant, waterproof lithium-ion and lithiumpolymer power packs for the Team, along with in-cave recharging systems, including associated micro-hydropower turbine systems and surge voltage regulators.

We have developed compact “smart” battery controllers for control of both the charging and discharge cycle for the battery packs that are fi eld proven (see photo at right, taken at Camp 2A, in the J2 system at a depth of -800 meters, 5 kilometers from the entrance. In this image, surplus mil-spec primary lithium packs (which are current limited) are used to charge the high current Li-polymer packs used to run the Team’s drills. Kilogram for kilogram the performance is outstanding.

Stone Aerospace will design and manufacture custom Lipolymer and Li-ion portable power systems to customer performance specifi cations.

Contact us for further information.