• • • BATTERIES & CHARGERS • • •
rate of charge can be controlled to ensure the battery is kept within its optimal operating conditions. For instance, if the battery is too hot or too cold, the rate of charge can be reduced to prevent damaging the internal cell structure. To support users throughout the charging
process, Vanguard has developed its own app to allow users to charge their batteries on the go. The app enables them to ensure their battery packs are charging, a crucial step if the battery is located on the machine in an inaccessible area where any displays or interfaces cannot be seen. The app provides confirmation that charging is in-progress and provides the user with real-time insight to the charging rate. The user can see the exact charging current and voltage, and even explore charging history so they can understand their charging performance over time. It also provides additional benefits such as enhanced battery SOH (state of health) estimations. With most users likely to always have a mobile
cells. The prevention of over-charging is a core part of battery maintenance due to the inherent risks of over-charging their impact on reducing the overall battery performance and its life. A charger that has been developed with the
battery in mind can help to counteract this by utilising the battery management system (BMS) to control the rate of charge and the distribution of electrical energy throughout the charging process. The BMS is attached to the battery and works to intuitively direct the current that enters the battery via the charger. Through constantly communicating with the
charger and monitoring current flow and pack temperature, the BMS can optimise the C-rate (Charging-rate) helping to speed up charge times without causing battery degradation. This allows for maximum charging power, while preserving the life requirements of the pack. The result is the shortest charge time that will maintain both the safety and long-life expectations for the battery. When it comes to using batteries in parallel,
using an effective BMS is crucial to ensuring that no single battery pack’s safety is compromised
throughout the charging process. Our unique development process focuses on different ways batteries are used to meet the needs of OEMs and has seen us develop a range of diverse applications that focus on the connection between the battery and the charger, a key element throughout the development of the machine. For instance, our work with ARGO to develop the
Integrator Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), an amphibious all-terrain vehicle designed to for use in rugged and challenging environments. The requirement for a robust solution extended beyond the capabilities of the battery housed with the UGV to include how the UGV would be charged between uses in extreme environments around the world. Facing different conditions from dust to rain and vast temperature windows, the charger needed to be able to work effectively regardless of the location. Built-in features can enhance safety measures
in extreme conditions by ensuring that the battery and charger are in constant communication, this enables for the safest charging at high and low ambient temperatures. Using an effective BMS, the
device on them, making use of an app is easy and useful, helping to support the battery ecosystem by ensuring that charging is done in an effective manner. If for some reason there were to be a system fault, the app can be used to remotely troubleshoot common issues (like AC power brownout) allowing the user to swiftly restore the system so that charging can be resumed swiftly and efficiently. It is advised that, whenever it comes to charging
a battery pack, a certified charger is used for a multitude of reasons. For instance, the user can gain access to high-power, high efficiency charging to enable extended battery life, which will ensure that their investment in battery powered solutions results in a high return. Finding a battery supplier that can support your individual needs is central for transitioning to new energy solutions. As OEMs move increasingly towards battery
power, focusing on the integrated battery ecosystem is a vital step towards ensuring effective and efficient charging over the course of the battery’s lifetime. Creating an effective ecosystem will help to maintain battery health regardless of the size of the battery or the number of batteries that are being used in parallel. It is about creating a robust solution that supports on and off-board charging that ultimately supports the customer and enables them to meet their power needs.
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • JULY/AUGUST 2022 15
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