Discover’s AMR Battery Chemistry and Long Service Life Meet AGV and AMR Application Requirements

The right battery chemistry and a long service life are essential for any AMR or AGV application. Discover’s performance and safety tested lithium solutions meet these requirements.

Li-SOCl2 batteries offer high energy density, excellent temperature characteristics and low self discharge rates – all of which make them ideal for AMR applications. But their one major drawback is a phenomenon called ‘passivation’.

High Voltage

Battery choice is important when designing an AMR system. It must provide the required pulse currents at a high rate and with long operating life under extreme conditions. It also needs to be safe and reliable. This means it must be made from a high quality electrolyte and be produced using advanced battery manufacturing methods.

The battery must also provide the right voltage for the application. This is because most AMR systems have a high-voltage load such as sensors, lights, relay coils and other equipment that requires a constant power supply to operate. This is often done by a high-voltage charger that maintains the battery in a fully charged state, usually between 120 and 240 volts DC.

However, if the voltage is too low, it can cause serious damage to the motor and electronics. To protect these components, contactors are used to open and close the reconnection circuit when charging or discharging the battery. These contactors must be designed and tested carefully to meet the vehicle’s safety requirements, as well as to comply with the specifications of the electrical system.

Batteries are also able to reduce their own power loss when the input voltage is reduced by a certain percentage. This feature is useful for applications such as automatic gate gates or automated meter reading (AMR) systems that AMR Battery require a high level of speed control over the output shafts.

A battery can be made of various materials, but the best choice will depend on the application and environment. Lithium ion batteries are known for their superior performance, with their highest energy density and lowest self-discharge rates.

The optimum battery will also have a high capacity, which is necessary for high-current pulses. This is achieved by incorporating a capacitor into the battery, which is charged by the AMR system before each pulse. This prevents the passivation layer from growing while the battery is in storage.

In addition, a battery’s self-discharge rate is governed by its electrolyte composition, the production processes used in manufacturing and environmental considerations. This means that the battery’s service life varies greatly depending on how it is manufactured.

High Capacity

The AMR battery is an important component in the automated meter reading system, supplying pulses of energy to power two-way communication between the utility company and the customer. These pulses need to be high enough to power a data transmitter, while also maintaining long-term operating life in the most demanding environments including temperatures, humidity and dust.

There are many different chemistries available to suit AMR applications, but lithium thionyl chloride (Li-SOCl2) is the most suitable choice for this type of application. It offers high energy density, a low self discharge rate and excellent temperature characteristics. It is also the most compatible chemistry with electronics circuitry, allowing a single lithium cell to provide power for several electronic devices, rather than using separate cells of lower voltage.

Li-SOCl2 cells are also available in a wide range of sizes from 1/2AA up to DD, so there should be one suitable for any AMR application. They are also the best choice for AMR systems installed in cold areas, as they are less prone to overheating than some other chemistries.

Another advantage of Li-SOCl2 batteries is their low self discharge rate, meaning they are much more durable and can be used for a longer service life. This is especially true of the larger AA size cells, which are commonly found in AMRs.

AMRs can be a big help for utility companies, delivering the information needed to manage their customer relationships and reduce service calls by giving complete visibility into consumption, tariffs and usage profiles. However, these systems can be complex to integrate into an existing metering system, and require a reliable and durable battery to keep them running smoothly over time.

Batteries are often the first part of an AMR system to fail and they can have a major impact on the customer experience. This is why it is so important to choose the right battery chemistry for the job.

It is also crucial to work with a battery provider who can provide the right technology to deliver safe and robust Li-ion battery systems for AGVs/AMRs. This should include a battery management system that allows useful performance data on the AGV/AMR to be recorded and communicated to optimize job site functionality.

Long Lifespan

A long lifespan of an AMR battery is a key factor for a reliable system that delivers a consistent level of performance and value. The battery must be able to withstand long periods of use, and this is especially true when working in harsh environments, such as outdoor meters that operate at extreme temperatures (e.g. -30degC) or inside utility rooms, where the ambient temperature can vary greatly.

The long life of the AMR battery is a result of several factors, including its chemistry and battery management. The chemistry is one of the most important, as it influences both the current discharge potential and self-discharge rate, which can be up to 1% per year for certain cells.

Bobbin-type LiSOCl2 batteries are the most commonly used lithium chemistries for AMR applications because of their high capacity, low self-discharge and ability to operate over a wide range of temperatures (-80 to 125 degC). They can also be designed with different passivation layers, depending on current discharge needs.

Another factor that contributes to a longer battery life is the chemistry of the electrolyte. Most bobbin-type LiSOCl2 batteries feature an organic liquid electrolyte, which is less toxic than the conventional solvents. A high-quality organic electrolyte is also more stable than an acidic solution.

Other factors that impact the overall battery lifespan include operating temperature and how the battery is charged. An AMR battery that is exposed to high ambient temperatures for long periods of time can experience major losses in its capacity and performance.

It is critical to select an AMR battery that operates over a wide temperature range, as this will minimize the impact of operating temperatures AMR Battery on its life. The ambient temperature will affect both the chemistry and the battery management system of the battery.

If the battery is to be operated at a constant temperature, it must be designed with an effective heat dissipation system to prevent thermal shock from the underlying metals and chemicals in the cell. This can be achieved through the addition of special additives to the cell’s liquid electrolyte that help to control passivation and regulate the temperature of the electrolyte.

Fast Charging

The ability to fast charge an AMR battery is a key factor in their efficiency and lifespan. Lead-acid batteries take up to 10 hours to charge, while lithium ion can reach full strength in five minutes or less. Intelligent telematics systems can send data to the AGV/AMR software system, helping it identify gaps in its workflow and spending those downtimes at the nearest available charger.

Lithium-ion batteries also have a much lower depth of discharge than lead-acid batteries, which means they can be charged faster. They can be recharged at a rate of around 35-40 Amperes per hour, compared to a lead-acid battery that can only be recharged at around 25-30 Amps per hour.

Another advantage of lithium batteries is that they don’t produce hydrogen gas during charging. This makes them safe to use.

To ensure the maximum lifespan of the battery, it is important to keep the temperature down as much as possible. During charge cycles, gel, AGM and Lithium batteries can generate a fair amount of heat which must be removed quickly.

One of the best ways to prevent the formation of this harmful gas is by using a battery charger that has good voltage regulation and produces a ripple voltage that is below 100 mV. This is a major advantage over conventional battery chargers, which often produce excessive ripple voltage and can cause equipment to malfunction.

The latest battery chargers from Mastervolt are able to achieve an excellent voltage regulation, so the ripple current produced is as low as possible. This prevents the occurrence of premature defects in the battery.

Wireless charging without contacts for autonomous mobile robots helps to eliminate downtimes that could interrupt production or logistical processes – and saves money in the process. For instance, Wiferion’s etaLINK wireless charging technology allows “in-process” charging for autonomous mobile robots, enabling them to receive short intermediate charges during the ongoing production or logistics process and keeping their energy level constant.

Whether it’s for material handling, assembly or logistics, AGVs and AMRs require a power source that can deliver the power and energy density needed to get the job done efficiently. That’s why working with a battery provider with the power and energy density, fast charging, and smart balance-of-system integration functionality you need is crucial to AGV/AMR success.