Product category: Capacitors
News Release from: Maxwell Technologies | Subject: BCAP0310
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 18 May 2006
Ultracapacitors smooth automotive power sags
Ultracapacitor cells, packs and modules provide high-performance 'life-of-the-system' alternatives to batteries for automotive electrical power network stabilisation
Maxwell Technologies has introduced power-type versions of its Boostcap 'D-Cell' ultracapacitor cells, packs and modules to provide high-performance 'life-of-the-system' alternatives to batteries for automotive electrical power network stabilisation and industrial applications. Dr Richard Balanson, Maxwell's President and Chief Executive Officer, said that the new, flashlight battery size, BCAP0310 P250 310F cell and compact, fully integrated, six-cell 15V packs and modules provide simple, low-cost, backup power solutions to avoid malfunctions that occur when multiple simultaneous electrical power demands cause a 'voltage sag' that can upset microprocessors that manage electrical subsystems in modern vehicles.
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 18 May 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Industrial applications include power on demand for robotic systems and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
'With more than 60 million new cars rolling off assembly lines around the world each year, and the proliferation of power-consuming luxury and safety features in current and future vehicles, automotive power network stabilisation represents an immediate and very sizeable opportunity for ultracapacitor-based solutions, so we continue to move aggressively to capitalise on Maxwell's position as the global technology leader', Balanson said.
Dr John M Miller, Maxwell's Vice President for Advanced Transportation Applications, said that the BCAP0310 P250 is the latest addition to company's line of power-type ultracapacitor products whose versatility and high performance make them a compelling alternative to battery-based solutions for hybrid drive systems, idle stop-start, all-electric braking and steering and other applications in addition to power network stabilisation.
'Automakers are turning to ultracapacitors for solutions that optimise efficiency, ensure reliable cold starting, better manage power flows, stiffen and smoothen the power distribution network and provide fail-safe backup for critical safety systems', Miller said.
'Maxwell's Power products have the lowest equivalent series resistance (ESR) and highest efficiency available with current ultracapacitor technology'.
Further reading
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Compact, fully integrated 125V Boostcap ultracapacitor module provides an easy-to-integrate building block for scalable energy storage and power delivery solutions for electric vehicles
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Speedy access to custom ultracapacitor packs
A new programme offers shipment within 14 days of receipt a customer purchase order for custom-configured multicell energy storage and power delivery solutions
Other new Boostcap Power products include cells ranging in capacitance from 650 to 2600F and 10 fully integrated modules based on the new cells.
All the cells with a capacitance of 650F or greater operate at 2.7V, enabling them to store more energy and deliver more power per unit volume than any other commercially available ultracapacitor products.
Maxwell also offers a line of low-cost Energy-type products for lighter duty industrial, UPS, telecommunications and consumer electronics applications.
'All of these products meet or exceed demanding transportation and industrial application requirements for both watt-hours of energy storage and watts of power delivery per kilogram and will perform reliably for more than one million discharge-recharge cycles', Miller said.
'The proprietary architecture and material science on which these product families are based also significantly reduce manufacturing cost, positioning Maxwell to compete favourably with batteries and other competing technologies'.
Miller noted that Maxwell's multicell modules for automotive applications are encased in rugged, splash-proof aluminium chassis and include internal cell balancing that give designers 'plug and play' solutions, plus module-to-module balancing that makes them versatile building blocks for systems with higher voltage
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