Advantages of Supercapacitors in AGV/AMR Applications

A supercapacitor’s rapid charge/discharge efficiency, long, maintenance-free lifetime, high power density, enhanced safety and robust design make them an ideal energy storage solution for autonomous ground vehicles.
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Powering AGVs/AMRs & Supercapacitors

Powering AGVs/AMRs & Supercapacitors

Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) include warehouse transferring robots that carry loads from point A to point B, as well as production line or sorting robots that are consistent performers for monotonous, difficult or dangerous parts of a production process. Both have advantages, including increased production speed and efficiency and 24/7 operation with minimal supervision.

Challenges

  • Charge time that places the AGV/AMR in pause mode for hours
  • Associated capital assets like charging stations and batteries
  • Frequent battery replacement
  • High peak power demands on the grid
  • Malfunctions and damage to robot and/or production line from power outages

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    Why Supercapacitors? 

    From Maxwell Technologies, a UCAP Company

    Power Density

  • High charge / discharge efficiency
  • No cooling required
  • Low equivalent series resistance (ESR)

    • Lifetime

  • Maintenance free
  • Cycle Life (rated to one million cycles)
  • Designed for the life of the product

    • Safety

  • No thermal runaway (unlike Lithium batteries)
  • No electronic safety management necessary
  • No under voltage discharge failure modes

    • Weight

  • 50-60% weight savings compared to batteries

    • Reliability

  • Robust, designed for high vibration environment
  • Hermetically sealed to operate under varying conditions
  • Mature, field–tested and automotive proven technology

    • Temperature

  • Wide operating temperature range (-40C to + 65C)
  • Increases flexibility, reduces system integration cost

    • Safety

  • Manufactured in IATF-16949 compliant facility
  • High volume demonstrated with stable, reliable supply chain

    • Featured Supercapacitors for Robotic Systems

    Cornell Dubilier  

    Product
    Description
    Availablity
    3.8V Hybrid/Lithium-ion Supercapacitor
    VMF (10F – 220F) and VPF (40F-220F) Features:
    • High Voltage – Very Fast Charge/Discharge – High Power Density
    • High pulse power extending battery life
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    Eaton 

    Product
    Description
    Availablity
    XTM-18R0626R
    18 V, 61.7 F Module. Features:
    • Long life energy storage, up to 20 years*
    • Very low Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR)
    • Wide operating temperature range
    • Cost effective backup power and large energy recapture
    • High efficiency (> 98%) under broad operating conditions
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    KYOCERA AVX 

    Product
    Description
    Availablity
    SCM Series
    Offer high pulse power capability, low ESR and low leakage current.
    Order / Learn More

    LICAP 

    Product
    Description
    Availablity
    3.8V Hybrid/Lithium Ion Capacitors
    LICAP’s 200F and 800F LIC cells are axial lead configurations, and can be connected using a spot-welding process similar to lithium-ion battery connections.
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    Maxwell Technologies 

    Product
    Description
    Availablity
    BMOD0165P048C0B
    Features
    • Up to 1,000,000 duty cycles or 10 year DC life
    • 48V DC working voltage
    • Active cell balancing
    • Temperature output
    • Overvoltage outputs available
    • Compact, rugged, fully enclosed splash-proof design that meets ISO 16750-3 Table 12 and IEC 60068-2-27, -29 standards
    Order / Learn More

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    Robotics Fields

    Communications

    Enables robots to work together in teams, share data and resources by communicating through networks (LAN)/(WAN).

    Learn More

    Positioning & Navigation

    Allows robots to move locations, while accurately performing tasks and determining its position relative to its surroundings.

    Learn More

    Payload Handling System

    Payload Handling is the ability of a robot to manipulate and move objects of various sizes and weights.

    Learn More

    Sensor System

    Sensors provide input to the robot's control system and enable robots to perceive and interact with their environment.

    Learn More

    Interconnect

    Enables elements like cameras, sensors and antennas with coaxial connectors, adapters and cable assemblies.

    Learn More

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    About our Team of Experts

    Our team of global applications engineers are available to answer your questions to ensure your power conversion or energy storage system design meets your performance expectations. If you’re transitioning from silicon to gallium nitride (GaN) or silicon carbide (SiC), we’ll help identify the right switching device to achieve the power density and increased efficiency your application requires.
     
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