Remote monitoring devices demand high-performance batteries due to their unique working conditions and operational requirements. These devices often require extended periods of uninterrupted power, sometimes lasting a year or even longer. Lithium-ion batteries are widely favored for their high voltage, compact size, lightweight nature, impressive energy density, lack of memory effect, environmental friendliness, minimal self-discharge, and long cycle life. Compared to nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium-ion batteries are 30% to 40% lighter and boast a 60% higher energy ratio.
However, lithium batteries have their fair share of drawbacks, primarily revolving around two key aspects:
Safety
Lithium batteries have been associated with safety concerns, occasionally leading to explosions and other defects. Particularly, lithium cobalt oxide batteries, often used as the positive electrode material, exhibit poor safety when subjected to high current discharges. Furthermore, almost all types of lithium batteries suffer irreversible damage when overcharged or over-discharged. Lithium batteries are highly sensitive to temperature, with high temperatures causing electrolyte breakdown, combustion, or even explosions, while low temperatures degrade their performance, affecting device functionality. Due to variations in manufacturing, each battery cell's internal resistance and capacity differ. When multiple cells are connected in series, this leads to inconsistent charge and discharge rates, reducing the overall battery capacity utilization. Consequently, lithium batteries typically require specialized protection systems to monitor their health and manage their usage effectively.
Maintainability
The poor capacity retention and difficulty in predicting battery levels at low temperatures diminish the maintainability of devices powered by lithium batteries. Long-term online instruments necessitate regular battery replacements, often in remote locations, resulting in substantial labor and high costs. To alleviate maintenance burdens and reduce costs, a battery management system must accurately estimate the charge status, allowing for timely and purposeful battery replacements. Additionally, a low self-power consumption in the battery management system is essential to decrease maintenance frequency and extend battery lifespan. Therefore, for remote monitoring instruments requiring prolonged power supply, a well-designed battery management system plays a crucial role in device maintenance.
However, aligning the operational characteristics of remote monitoring instruments with the inherent traits of lithium batteries poses considerable challenges. Several factors contribute to this complexity:
Firstly, remote monitoring instruments typically alternate between periods of dormancy and wakefulness to conserve power. Their operating currents vary dynamically, with wake phases demanding significantly higher current levels than sleep states, but these wake phases are significantly shorter.
Secondly, lithium battery discharge curves are remarkably flat, with the majority of the energy concentrated above 3.6V voltage levels. Consequently, remote instruments cannot rely on battery voltage to provide low-battery warnings.
Lastly, lithium battery self-discharge rates fluctuate widely with temperature variations. Instruments operating in the great outdoors are exposed to extreme temperature conditions, further complicating accurate battery level predictions. Existing battery management systems struggle to meet these functional and performance demands.
In conclusion, the development of battery management systems tailored to meet the specific requirements of remote monitoring instruments, given their unique operational characteristics and the challenges presented by lithium batteries, remains a formidable task.
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Email : Kaylee@kelannrg.com
Phone : +8619136133273
