The commercial market for drones is ever growing, ranging from delivering your pizza or shoes to supplying medical equipment to rural and inaccessible areas.
Just Batteries’ design, development and production capabilities give it the professional capability to support the drone market, particularly in new ventures and enterprises.
3D rendering of the battery pack.
With a specific set of parameters and specifications, the company created a large format lithium-ion battery pack with a high power capability for a lifting drone. Some of the design parameters were:
• Output voltage of 48 V (14S), output current of 300 A for up to 5 minutes. This equates to 14 400 Watts – about the same power as five 150 litre geysers.
• The weight had to be as low as possible and Just Batteries managed to build it under 14 kilograms.
• The peak power capability is in the region of 400 A for a few seconds (19 200 Watts).
Thermal image of the battery pack during testing.
Component and other design considerations
With very high energy density and low internal resistance, the Samsung 25R cells, that can deliver 20 A continuously, were chosen. The power control module (PCM) used is specified at 260 A continuous with much higher peak current capabilities.
Multiple spot-welding techniques were performed and analysed to ensure that the required current capabilities were met.
Testing
Vigorous testing had to be done. Knowing the risks involved and what was at stake, possible accidents and pack limitations had to be considered to constrain battery rupture and thermal runaways which could have possibly catastrophic consequences.
During the final load testing, Just Batteries analysed the power performance and temperature increase on various components of the pack. This was done using a welding load bank with a load current capability of 500 A.
This testing process would not have been possible without the professional help of some third-party providers. Smarter Welding provided the load bank and Comtest supplied the respected Fluke Thermal Imager 401 Pro.
The role of bidirectional charging in the evolving energy landscape Avnet Silica
Power Electronics / Power Management
As reliance on renewable sources like wind and solar continues to grow, the need for efficient energy flow and storage solutions has become more critical than ever.
Read more...How to calculate a buck converter’s inductance
Power Electronics / Power Management
In the buck circuit, the inductor design is a key element that is closely related to system efficiency, the output voltage ripple, and loop stability.
Read more...High-current EMI filters Accutronics
Power Electronics / Power Management
TDK has introduced 20 and 40 A, 80 V DC board-mount EMI filters, reducing differential mode conducted emissions for switching power supplies with high input current requirements.
Read more...Isolated SMD DC-DC converters iCorp Technologies
Power Electronics / Power Management
MinMax has launched a series of isolated SMD DC-DC converters, the MSU01 series delivering 1 W, while the MSU02 series offers 2 W output.
Read more...Next-gen power meter Electrocomp Express
Power Electronics / Power Management
The VT-PWR-LV is a next-gen Vista Touch power meter from Trumeter for single, split, and three-phase systems.
Read more...Advanced PMIC for high-performance AI applications ASIC Design Services
Power Electronics / Power Management
Microchip Technology has announced the MCP16701, a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) designed to meet the needs of high-performance MPU and FPGA designers.
Read more...New SiC power MOSFET Future Electronics
Power Electronics / Power Management
STMicroelectronics’ SCT012H90G3AG is a robust, automotive-grade SiC MOSFET, engineered for demanding power electronics, featuring a 900?V drain-source voltage and exceptionally low on-resistance of 12?mO at 60?A.
Read more...Fundamental motor control design challenges and solutions
Power Electronics / Power Management
Mouser Electronics has announced a new eBook in collaboration with Qorvo, featuring industry experts providing key insights into methods, power efficiency and integration solutions available for motor control applications.
Read more...Power management IC for battery products
Power Electronics / Power Management
The nPM1304 PMIC complements Nordic’s nPM1300 PMIC with a highly integrated, ultra-low power solution and precision fuel gauging for small size battery applications.
Read more...Powering Innovation eBook: Changing what’s possible
Power Electronics / Power Management
This exclusive read, entitled ‘Changing what’s Possible,’ delves into how power dense Vicor modules enable many world-changing innovations across various sectors.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version