Plain English Meaning
A rechargeable battery. It holds electrical energy as chemical energy and gives it back as electricity when you need it, then can be refilled by charging.
Full Definition
A secondary-cell electrical device that stores energy in chemical form and releases it as direct current when connected to a load. It can be recharged by passing current through it in the opposite direction of discharge, reversing the chemical reaction. In aircraft, the most common types are lead-acid and nickel-cadmium.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft electrical-system descriptions, preflight checks, engine starting, and emergency power discussions.
Derivation
Storage' comes from the Latin 'staurare,' meaning to set up or establish a supply. The name highlights what makes this kind of battery different from a single-use one: it stores energy that can be put back in, not just drained out.
Why Pilots Care
It provides starting power and emergency electrical supply when the engine-driven generator is not running.
Grounding Statement
With the engine off, the storage battery may be the only source of electrical power available in the aircraft.
Intuition Check
A storage battery is not simply a battery sitting in storage. In this context, it means a rechargeable battery that stores energy inside it for later use.
Example Sentence 1
Before engine start, the storage battery powers the avionics and the starter motor.
Example Sentence 2
A weak storage battery prevented the starter from turning the engine over.