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Contents
A5 Six ways VFDs can improve
motion control applications
Inverter and variable motor control technologies are
being used to solve application challenges and improve
efficiency and cost-effectiveness in unexpected ways.

A8 Powering automation A5
and IIoT wirelessly
Battery-powered solutions are expanding the
realm of industrial automation to virtually all A8
external environments, enabling remote wireless
devices to thrive throughout the Industrial
Internet of Things (IIoT).

C OMMENT
Connecting the dots

V
ariable frequency drives (VFDs) and bat-
teries that power wireless devices and
the technologies that drive the Industrial
Internet of Things (IIoT) appear to have
nothing in common. It would be a challengeif
not an impossibilityto connect those dots.
However, with automation, there is usually a way.
The common thread between these fields is that
Jack Smith of a continuous push to improve. As with every
Editor automation technology thats worth its salt, its
the advances that connect the dots.
This issues cover story describes six ways
VFDs can improve motion control applications.
According to the author, Regardless whether
theyre used in material handling, machining, or
pump and fan applications, VFDs are an afford-
able option that can help optimize performance,
save energy, and permanently lower machine
and robotic lifecycle costs. It is the more complex
or unusual uses for VFDs that reveal a whole
host of potential efficiencies available to creative
OEMs and end users. Newer ways of using VFD
technology can help solve specific motion control
application challenges or make them more eco-
nomical and profitable.
The second story in this issue explains the dif-
ference between industrial- and consumer-grade
batteries and why thats important. The more
remote the application, the more likely the need
for industrial-grade lithium batteries. Inexpensive
consumer-grade batteries may suffice if the
device is easily accessible and operates within a
moderate temperature range, writes the author.
However, the cost of replacing a consumer-
grade battery can far exceed the price of the bat-
tery itself, causing the total cost of ownership to
rise dramatically. For example, imagine having to
replace a battery in a seismic monitoring system
sitting on the ocean floor or in a stress sensor
attached to a bridge abutment.

ON THE COVER In applications where motors are spread out or in a system where a moving component shares a common power rail with other
moving components, having the inverter drive integrated into the motor just makes sense. Courtesy: Lenze Americas Corp.

Applied Automation October 2017 A3

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 C o v e r s t o ry

Six ways VFDs can improve

motion control applications
Inverter and variable motor control technologies are being used to solve application
challenges and improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness in unexpected ways.

By Craig Dahlquist
Lenze Americas Corporation

V
ariable frequency drive (VFD) technologies
also called inverters, variable speed drives,
or ac driveshave been used to control
many machine tasks and automated robot-
ics in everything from manufacturing and
processing plants to warehouses and other
logistics facilities.
Regardless whether theyre used in material handling,
machining, or pump and fan applications, VFDs are an
affordable option that can help optimize performance,
save energy, and permanently lower machine and robotic
lifecycle costs. VFDs are available in a range of basic
voltage models, with 3-phase power operating a 230 V,
480 V, or 600 V motor. Machine drive selection is contin-
gent on motor type, voltage, current rating, input source,
and input/output (I/O) requirements. Sizing depends on a
number of application-specific factors, including the full-
load rating and maximum voltage under full load condi-
tions for the motor.
By varying the frequency and voltage supplied to an
electric motor, VFDs, in their most basic applications, allow
operators to match motor speed to load requirements,
operate motors at the most efficient speed for a specific
application, and reduce energy consumption.
It is the more complex or unusual uses for VFDs, how-
ever, that reveal a whole host of potential efficiencies
available to creative OEMs and end users. Newer ways
of using VFD technology can help solve specific motion
control application challenges or make them more eco-
nomical and profitable. Here are six real-world use cases
for tackling advanced motion control applications with VFD
solutions:
1. Conveyors with changing loads
From airports to factories, conveyors with changing loads
are a chronic challenge and a significant drain on energy
resources. Conveyors that run empty dont need full power,
but do need to be responsive as they get loaded over time
and the demands on the motor change.
Figure 1: Conveyors with changing loads can be run with VFDs to greatly
reduce power consumption. Inverters sense lighter loads and adjust the
power factor of the motor to run efficiently even at low load cycles.
All graphics courtesy: Lenze Americas Corp.
Conveyors with changing loads can be run with VFDs
to greatly reduce power consumption (see Figure 1).
Inverters sense lighter loads and adjust the power factor
of the motor to run efficiently even at low load cycles. This
kind of eco-mode minimizes the amount of power used
when not required and allows the motor to power up and
run at peak performance when a heavier load is added.
For large factories or automated systems that are
spread out, decentralized VFDs eliminate the time and
cost (both material and labor) required to run cables back
to a control cabinet. Additionally, it is easierand most
cost effectiveto drop power from a power bus as close to
the motor as possible.
2. Simplifying inter-logistics
While VFDs are essential for some use cases, some sys-
tems can be optimized with an even simpler solution. New
inverters that have multiple fixed speed selections rather
than an automatically variable speed can reduce greatly
the number of different geared motor combinations in inter-
logistic applications by the ability to vary the motor speeds.

Applied Automation October 2017 A5

 C o v e r s t o ry
In the case of a big warehouse where all the conveyors
are connected in a large network, requirements include dif-
ferent conveyor speeds at different locations. Historically,
this has meant numerous gearboxes installed at various
sections of the system with unique power ratios to make
each section of conveyor run at the right speed. The
result, however, is that a lot of different gearbox ratios are
being used to support the same power requirements.
Rather than employing 20 different gearbox sizes in
such a situation, just four or five inverter/motor/gearbox
combinations might suffice. The frequency can be adjusted
to control the speed, allowing operators to optimize each
combination rather than relying on across-the-line single
speed motor contactors.
3. Operate induction motors
at higher frequencies
Normal induction motors are designed to run off the
line at 60 Hz, but that isnt necessarily the most optimal
design for an application. With VFDs, OEMs can design
a motor that goes down to 20 Hz, for winding applications
for example, or all the way up to 100 to 600 Hz for a much
higher power density.
In other words, because power is a factor of speed
times torque, OEMs can design motors that are smaller
but with the same power as a traditional induction motor.
These higher frequency motors are, on average, two motor
sizes smaller than their 50/60 Hz counterparts but with the
same amount of power. Additionally, with less inertia in the
motor, VFD-enabled induction motors have the ability to
offer more dynamic system capabilities.
4. Run induction motors in servo mode
Servo control requires high precision of speed and posi-
tion. It requires accuracy. As such, permanent magnet
Figure 2: In applications where motors are spread out or in a sys-
tem where a moving component shares a common power rail with
other moving components, having the inverter drive integrated
into the motor just makes sense.
A6 October 2017 Applied Automation
motors are the equipment of choice when it comes to per-
forming servo functions. But, as they rely on rare metals,
they also are very expensive.
With the proper feedback, inverter-controlled induction
motors can be run in servo mode, offering a much less
expensive alternative to the traditional permanent magnet
servo motor. While VFDs are most often used in open-loop
speed control and are not necessarily considered excep-
tionally precise, the technology sufficiently can control the
motor rotor position for many servo applications.
The power density isnt quite as good and the motor will
be slightly larger, so it is essential to carefully consider
system needs, motor size, and capabilities. For example, a
VFD induction servo motor cant accelerate as quickly as a
permanent magnet motor, but does your application really
require that capability?
While the solution might be slightly less dynamic, the
substantial cost savings could provide a significant advan-
tage in the marketplace.
5. Run permanent magnet motors
without feedback
Permanent magnet motors are some of the most effi-
cient motors in the common marketplace but have tradi-
tionally required feedback to keep track of the pole posi-
tion and properly commutate the motor.
VFD technology now can run permanent magnet motors
without feedback and still attain positioning accuracy within
5 degrees. With VFDs, the pole positions are calculated
when the motor is in a stopped position and the motor can
then be commutated for proper control.
Positioning applications without any feedback eliminates
the need for a cable and a more expensive servo inverter,
replacing both with a less expensive and more efficient
VFD. Powered permanent magnet motors with VFD tech-
nology also means applications can be run in a speed
mode when reducing power consumption is more critical.
6. Reduce panel space, cable length
One of the simplest and most overlooked ways to use
VFDs is in space-saving efforts. Integrated motor-drive
combinations offer the ability to reduce control panel space
and motor cable length on the facility floor. In applications
where motors are spread out or in a system where a mov-
ing component shares a common power rail with other
moving components, having the inverter drive integrated
into the motor just makes sense (see Figure 2).
Rather than running all cables back to a central cabi-
net, system engineers can realize a decentralized system
that relies on individually driven motors with only control
cables run from a main control out to the different parts
of the machinery.
Craig Dahlquist has been an application engineer at
Lenze Americas Corp., Uxbridge, Mass. for the past 14
years.
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 B at t e r i e s

Powering automation
and IIoT wirelessly
Battery-powered solutions are expanding the realm of industrial automation to
virtually all external environments, enabling remote wireless devices to thrive throughout
the industrial internet of things (iiot).

By Sol Jacobs hard-wiring severely restricted the deployment of HART-

Ta d i r a n B a t t e r i e s enabled devices due to high initial expense, as it costs

I
ndustrial automation no longer is constrained to the
factory floor. With the help of wireless communications
and advanced lithium battery technology, the landscape
is expanding rapidly to incorporate increasingly remote
and hostile environments.
The explosion of wireless technology has fueled
rapid expansion of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT),
allowing billions of wireless devices to become seamlessly
networked and integrated while being liberated from the
power grid. Battery-powered devices have brought wire-
less connectivity to virtually all industrial sectors, including
process control, asset management, machine-to-machine,
systems and systems control and data automation, trans-
portation infrastructure, energy production, environmental
monitoring, manufacturing, distribution, health care, and
smart buildings, to name a few.
Critical to this growth surge has been the evolution of
low-power communications protocols, such as
ZigBee, WirelessHART, and LoRa (a long-
range, low-power wireless platform), and
related technologies that permit two-way
wireless communications while also
extending battery life.
For example, the highway
addressable remote transducer
(HART) communications protocol
has been providing a criti-
cal link between intelligent
field instruments and
host systems for
decades, employing
the same the caller
ID technology found in
analog telephony and oper- Figure 1: Lithium thionyl chloride
ating via traditional 4-20 mA (LiSOCL2) batteries either are wound
analog wiring. However, in spirally or of bobbin-type construction. The photo shows several
the past, requirements for LiSOCL2 batteries. Graphics courtesy: Tadiran Batteries
roughly $100 per foot to install any wired connection, even
a basic electrical switch. This cost barrier becomes far more
problematic in remote, environmentally sensitive locations,
where complex logistical, regulatory, and permitting require-
ments cause expenses to skyrocket. Development of the
WirelessHART protocol has eliminated all these constraints.
Choosing the ideal power source
The vast majority of remote wireless devices are powered
by primary (non-rechargeable) lithium batteries. In addition,
certain applications are well-suited to be powered by an
energy harvesting device in conjunction with a rechargeable
lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery to store the harvested energy.
The more remote the application, the more likely the
need for industrial-grade lithium batteries. Inexpensive
consumer-grade batteries may suffice if the device is eas-
ily accessible and operates within a moderate temperature
range. However, the cost of replacing a consumer-grade
battery can far exceed the price of the battery itself, caus-
ing the total cost of ownership to rise dramatically. For
example, imagine having to replace a battery in a seismic
monitoring system sitting on the ocean floor or in a stress
sensor attached to a bridge abutment.
Specifying an industrial-grade battery
involves multiple parameters, such as
energy consumed in active mode
(including the size, duration,
and frequency of pulses);
energy consumed in
dormant mode (the
base current); stor-
age time (as normal
self-discharge during
storage diminishes capac-
ity); thermal environments
(including storage and in-
field operation); equipment
cutoff voltage (as battery
capacity is exhausted, or

A8 October 2017 Applied Automation

in extreme temperatures, voltage can drop to a point too
low for the sensor to operate); battery self-discharge rate
(which can be higher than the current draw from average
sensor use); and cost considerations. Industrial-grade
lithium batteries most commonly are recommended for
applications that demand the following:
Reliability: The remote sensor is in a hard-to-reach
location where battery replacement is difficult or
impossible, and data links cannot be interrupted by
bad batteries.
Long operating life: The self-discharge rate of the bat-
tery can be more than the device usage of the battery,
so initial battery capacity must be as high as possible.
Wide operating temperatures: Especially critical for
extremely hot or cold environments.
Small size: When a small form factor is required, the
batterys energy density must be as high as possible.
Voltage: Higher voltage requires fewer cells.
Lifetime costs: Replacement costs over time must be
taken into account.
Tradeoffs often are inevitable, so it is important to priori-
tize your list of desired battery performance attributes.
Choosing among primary lithium batteries
Lithium battery chemistry is preferred for long-term
deployments due its intrinsic negative potential, which
exceeds that of all other metals. Lithium is the lightest
non-gaseous metal, and offers the highest specific energy
(energy per unit weight) and energy density (energy per
unit volume) of all available battery chemistries. Lithium
cells, all of which use a non-aqueous electrolyte, with a
normal operating current voltage ranging between 2.7 and
3.6 V. The absence of water allows lithium batteries to
endure more extreme temperatures.
Numerous primary lithium chemistries are available
including lithium iron disulfate (LiFeS2), lithium manganese
dioxide (LiMnO2), lithium thionyl chloride (Li-SOCl2), and
lithium metal oxide chemistry (see Table 1: Primary lithium
chemistry comparisons).
Consumer grade LiFeS2 cells are relatively inexpen-
sive, and can deliver the high pulses required to power a
camera flash. These batteries have limitations, including a
narrow temperature range of -4F to 140F, a high annual
self-discharge rate, and crimped seals that may leak.
LiMnO2 cells, including the popular CR123A, provide a
space-saving solution for cameras and toys, as one 3-V
LiMnO2 cell can replace two 1.5-V alkaline cells. LiMnO2
batteries can deliver moderate pulses, but suffer from low
initial voltage, a narrow temperature range, a high self-
discharge rate, and crimped seals.
Li-SOCl2 batteries are manufactured two ways: spirally
wound or bobbin-type construction (see Figure 1). Of the two,
bobbin-type Li-SOCl2 batteries are better suited for long-life
applications that draw low average daily current, such as
tank level monitoring, asset tracking, and environmental sen-
sors that must endure extreme temperature cycling.

Table 1: Primary lithium chemistry comparisons

Li metal Li metal
Li-SOCL2 Li-SOCL2 Alkaline LiFeS2 LiMnO2
oxide oxide
Bobbin-type
Modified for Modified for Lithium iron
Primary cell with hybrid layer Bobbin-type CR123A
high capacity high power disulfate
capacitor
Energy density
1,420 1,420 370 185 600 650 650
(Wh/1)
Power Very high Low Very high Very high Low High Moderate
Voltage 3.6 to 3.9 V 3.6 V 4.1 V 4.1 V 1.5 V 1.5 V 3.0 V
Pulse amplitude Excellent Small High Very high Low Moderate Moderate
Passivation None High Very low None N/A Fair Moderate
Performance at
elevated Excellent Fair Excellent Excellent Low Moderate Fair
temperature
Performance at
Excellent Fair Moderate Excellent Low Moderate Poor
low temperature
Operating life Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Moderate Moderate Fair
Self-discharge rate Very low Very low Very low Very low Very high Moderate High
-67F to 185F;
Operating can be extended
-112F to 257F -49F to 185F -49F to 185F 32F to 140F -4F to 140F 32F to 140F
temperature to 221F for a
short time
Source: Tadiran Batteries

Applied Automation October 2017 A9

 B at t e r i e s
Bobbin-type Li-SOCl2 batter-
ies feature the highest capacity
and highest energy density of any
lithium cell, along with an extremely
low annual self-discharge rate
less than 1% per year, enabling
certain cells to operate mainte-
nance-free for up to 40 years.
Bobbin-type Li-SOCL2 batteries
also feature a glass-to-metal
hermetic seal, and deliver the wid-
est possible temperature range
(-112F to 257F).
A prime example is the medi-
cal cold chain, where wireless
sensors are used monitor the
transport of frozen pharma-
ceuticals, tissue samples, and
D-size cells each (18 cells total) can be replaced by
transplant organs at carefully
a pack containing six AA-size TLI series rechargeable
controlled temperatures as low
as -112F. Certain bobbin-type Li-ion batteries. Courtesy: Tadiran Batteries
Li-SOCL 2 batteries have been
demonstrated to operate successfully under prolonged
test conditions at -148F, which far exceeds the maxi-
mum temperature range of alkaline cells and consumer-
grade lithium batteries.
Bobbin-type Li-SOCl2 batteries also are deployed in virtu-
ally all meter transmitter units (MTUs) used in AMI/AMR
metering applications for the water and gas utility industry.
The extended battery life of a bobbin-type Li-SOCl2 cell is
essential to AMI/AMR metering applications because large-
scale system-wide battery failures can create potential
chaos by disrupting billing and customer service operations.
Bobbin-type Li-SOCl2 batteries installed in MTU units during
the mid-1980s were tested nearly 30 years later and shown
to have plenty of remaining available capacity.
Battery operating life is largely influenced by the cells
annual energy usage along with its annual self-discharge
rate. Battery operating life can be extended further by
operating the device in a standby mode that draws little or
no current, then periodically querying to data to awaken
only if certain preset data thresholds are exceeded. If
properly conserved, it is not uncommon for more energy
to be lost through annual battery self-discharge than
through actual battery use.
When specifying a bobbin-type Li-SOCl2 battery, be
aware that actual operating life can vary significantly
based on how the cell was manufactured and the qual-
ity of its raw materials. For example, the highest quality
bobbin-type Li-SOCl2 cells can feature a self-discharge
rate as low as 0.7% annually, thus retaining nearly 70%
of their original capacity after 40 years. By contrast, a
lesser quality bobbin-type Li-SOCl2 cell can have a self-
discharge rate of up to 3% per year, causing nearly 30%
of available capacity to be lost every 10 years due to
annual self-discharge.
A10 October 2017 Applied Automation
Though bobbin-type Li-SOCl2 bat-
teries are not created equal, perfor-
mance differences may not become
apparent for years. Thus, due dili-
gence is required when specifying
a battery for long-term deployment
in remote applications. Engineers
must look beyond theoretical data
to demand fully documented long-
term test results along with actual
performance data from the field.
Factoring in high-pulse
requirements
Standard bobbin-type Li-SOCl2
Figure 2: Three large packs of cell are not designed to deliver
high pulses, which can be over-
supercapacitors consisting of six
come by combining a standard
bobbin-type Li-SOCl2 cell with a
patented hybrid layer capacitor
(HLC). The standard Li-SOCl2
cell delivers the low background
current needed to power the device during sleep mode.
The HLC works like a rechargeable battery to store and
deliver the high pulses needed to initiate data interroga-
tion and transmission.
Alternatively, supercapacitors can be used to store high
pulse energy in an electrostatic field. While widely used in
consumer products, supercapacitors generally are not rec-
ommended for industrial applications because of inherent
limitations, such as the ability to provide only short-duration
power, linear discharge qualities that do not allow for use
of all the available energy, low capacity, low energy den-
sity, and high annual self-discharge rates (up to 60% per
year). Supercapacitors linked in series also require the
use of cell-balancing circuits that draw additional current.
Growth opportunities exist for energy harvesting
A growing number of industrial automation applications
are deploying energy harvesting devices in conjunction
with Li-ion rechargeable batteries. Photovoltaic cells are
the most common form of energy harvesting, with equip-
ment vibration and ambient RF/EM energy being used for
niche applications.
Consumer-grade rechargeable Li-ion cells can be used
to store harvested energy if the device is easily acces-
sible, requires a maximum service life of no more than
five years and 500 recharge cycles, within a moderate
temperature range (32F to 104F), and with no high pulse
requirements.
Industrial grade energy harvesting applications typically
demand a far more reliable power source, such as an
industrial grade Li-ion battery that can operate for up to
20 years and 5,000 full recharge cycles, with an expanded
temperature range of -40F to 185F. These industrial
grade cells also can deliver the high pulses (5 A for an
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 B at t e r i e s
Table 2: Battery comparisons the movement of all 50,000 mirrors. Making
TLI-1550 (AA) Li-Ion this application truly wireless eliminates the
Units expense, complexity, and reliability concerns
Industrial grade 18650
associated with installing and maintaining
Diameter (maximum Inches 0.59 0.73
miles of wire and cable.
Length (maximum) Inches Three possible energy storage solutions
Volume Inches3 0.58 1.08 were considered at the Ashilim project:
Nominal voltage Volts 3.7 3.7 industrial grade rechargeable Li-ion batter-
Maximum ies, consumer grade Li-ion batteries, and
C-rate* 15C 1.6C
discharge rate supercapacitors.
Maximum continuous Industrial grade Li-ion batteries were pre-
Amps 5 5
discharge current ferred over consumer grade Li-ion batteries
Capacity mAh 330 3,000 because they served to reduce the total cost
Energy density Wh/liter 129 627
of ownership by eliminating the expense of
having to change out all 50,000 consumer
Power (RT) W/liter 1,950 1,045
grade batteries every five years. In addition,
Power (-4F) W/liter Greater than 630 Less than 170 the risk of a large-scale battery failure could
Operating
Deg. F -40F to 194F -4F to 140F
severely compromise the reliability of the
temperature entire power grid, potentially impacting all
Charging temperature Deg. F -40F to 185F 32F to 113F 120,000 households and businesses.
Self-discharge rate Percent/year Less than 5% Less than 20% Selecting an industrial grade Li-ion bat-
Cycle life 100% DoD ~5,000 ~300
tery also made sense in light of the extreme
environmental conditions of the desert, as
Cycle life 75% DoD ~6,250 ~400
these cells feature an extended temperature
Cycle life 50% DoD ~10,000 ~650 range (-40F to 185F), and are more stur-
Operating life Years More than 20 Less than 5 dily constructed.
Source: Tadiran Batteries Supercapacitors were also considered
*C-rate is a measure of the rate at which a battery is being discharged. It is defined as the discharge current but not chosen for the Ashilim power facility.
divided by the theoretical current draw under which the battery would deliver its nominal rated capacity in
one hour. While popular for use in consumer applica-
tions, such as providing memory backup for
AA-size cell) required for two-way wireless communica- mobile phones, laptops, and digital cameras, supercapaci-
tions, and are more ruggedly constructed with a hermetic tors have inherent drawbacks that make them ill-suited
seal that is superior to the crimped seals found on con- for industrial applications. These drawbacks include short
sumer-grade rechargeable batteries, which may leak (see duration power, linear discharge characteristics that do not
Table 2: Battery comparisons). allow for use of all the available energy, low capacity, low
energy density, very high self-discharge (up to 60% per
Powering 50,000 heliostats year), and the need for cell balancing for supercapacitors
A prime example of an industrial grade energy harvesting linked in series.
application is the Ashilim power station in Israel, a futuristic By comparison, industrial grade rechargeable Li-ion bat-
solar power station that will use the suns energy to sup- teries offer:
ply 121 MW of clean renewal energy, enough electricity to
power more than 120,000 households, becoming the fifth Higher practical capacity: 330 mAh (the equivalent
largest facility of its kind in the world. pseudo capacitance is 1,200 F). A supercapacitor hav-
The Ashilim facility will feature 50,000 mirrors, called ing the same volume has about 10 F max. (3.6 V).
heliostats, which are controlled individually via wireless Lower self-discharge: 1 to 2 A of self-discharge cur-
communications to actuate and control servo motors that rent compared to 20 to 50 A of discharge current for a
allow each mirror to rotate and tilt precisely to concentrate supercapacitor having about the same external volume.
energy toward a boiler that sits atop a tower. The concen- Higher number of cycles: AA-size industrial Li-ion
trated solar energy boils water inside the tower to create cell can be charged and discharged for 35,000 cycles
high-temperature steam that powers conventional turbine between 2.8 V and 3.9 V (80% depth of discharge
engines that can produce up to 121 MW of electricity. [DoD]). The accumulated capacity during this study is
Each heliostat will be equipped with a small solar energy approximately 8,750 Ah. This value is equivalent to:
harvesting device along with a small battery pack con- 8.750 x 3.6/10 F 9, equal to 3.2 million complete cycles
sisting of six AA-size rechargeable Li-ion batteries. The for an equivalent sized AA-sized 10 F capacitor.
rechargeable Li-ion battery will power the servo motors Cell impedance: during 35,000 cycles, cell impedance
as well as power wireless communications to establish a increases by only 25% from initial value of 40 mOhm to
mesh network that relays the data needed to synchronize 50 mOhm after 35,000 cycles.

A12 October 2017 Applied Automation

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 B at t e r i e s

Figure 3: Parking meters are networked
wirelessly to a web-based informa-
tion management system that provides
motorists and municipalities with a
wealth of real-time data. Each meter is
self-powered by combining a built-in
photovoltaic panel with industrial grade
Li-ion batteries used to store the har-
vested energy. These batteries offer up to 20 years of operating
life to ensure long-term system reliability. Courtesy: IPS Group Inc.
Low temperature performance: industrial Li-ion cells
show excellent low temperature performance, with cell
voltage that is significantly higher than that of a super-
capacitor under a long or high current pulse.
A smaller footprint: Supercapacitors are much bulkier
than comparable industrial grade Li-ion batteries
(see Figure 2).
Powering municipal parking meters
In another IIoT application, industrial grade Li-ion bat-
teries are being used in solar-powered parking meters,
thus saving millions of dollars by eliminating the need to
hard-wire many miles of metropolitan sidewalks (see Figure
3). These wirelessly networked solar-powered parking
meters offer state-of-the-art functionality, including multiple
payment system options, access to real-time data, integra-
tion to vehicle detection sensors, and user guidance and
enforcement modules, all linked to a comprehensive web-
based management system.
Small photovoltaic panels gather solar energy, with
industrial grade rechargeable Li-ion batteries used to
store energy and to deliver the high pulses required for
advanced, two-way wireless communications, thus ensur-
ing 24/7/365 system reliability for up to 20 years.
Looking to the future
These case studies provide a glimpse into the future
of industrial automation and the IIoT that will be driven
increasingly by electronic devices that are truly wireless,
with industrial grade lithium batteries providing long-term
support for technology convergence and interoperability.
Wireless devices now are able to operate maintenance-free
for decades, with extended battery life translating into a
higher return on investment (ROI).
Sol Jacobs, is vice president and general manager of
Tadiran Batteries.

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A14 October 2017 Applied Automation

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