Inrush Current Control Technology Boosts Power Converter Reliability

Special Feature
Powering Board and Box-Level Systems
Advanced Battery Technology
Shrinks Military Energy Costs
The transition to more advanced military battery technologies provides a variety of
benefits. Not least among these is a reduction in mil vehicle fuel costs.
David McShane, Executive V.P. of Business
Development and Engineering
International Battery
According to a study completed by
the U.S. Army in 2007, one out
of eight U.S. Army casualties in
Iraq was a result of protecting a fuel
convoy-related mission. Keeping forward
operating bases (FOBs) running
takes an immense amount of energy
derived from diesel-fuel generators;
from communications and electronic
systems to environmental systems, everything
needs to be powered 24/7. A
recent Deloitte study on “Energy Security”
has the U.S. military consuming
22 gallons of oil per day per soldier.
With fuel cost estimates running between
$30 and $300 a gallon resulting
in approximately $16 billion in costs
per year, these factors have the military
exploring alternative fuel options more
aggressively than ever. The integration
of green technology is the key to
lowering oil consumption and keeping
troops safe.
The armed forces have already
taken the first steps to lower their carbon
footprints. Installing wind turbines
and solar systems at military bases has
been a common practice for years, and
like with other technologies, the U.S.
[ 20 ] COTS Journal November 2011
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Figure 1
Lithium-Ion Advantages Over Lead-Acid Technology
military is an innovative front runner
in pushing energy efficient technology
to far reaching places. The goal for a
more fuel efficient military vehicle is
not that far off: biofuels have already
begun to power several test projects including
HMMWVs (military Humvees)
and aircraft. But advanced battery systems
are likewise playing a key role in
reducing the fuel consumption within
military operations.
Dramatic weight reduction, up to 80 percent in high C-Rate applications
Footprint/volume reduction, up to 65 percent in high C-Rate applications
Dramatically longer cycle life
Use 100 percent of capacity of lithium battery without shortening rated cycle
life, vs. 40-60 percent of capacity for lead-acid
No service for the lifetime of the battery
Shorter charge times (1.5-2 hours vs. 5-8 for lead-acid)
Lower effective capacity loss at high rates of discharge
Lower total life cost
Many integrators are turning to advanced chemistries such as Lithium-ion for more energydense
applications, driven by the many advantages they have over lead-acid batteries.
New Advanced Battery
Chemistries
When powering vital communications
systems, diesel generators and
lead-acid batteries have long been the
military’s main power sources. In efforts
to cut down on fuel consumption, there
has been a move to using generators as a
secondary power source and depending
on energy storage as a means to reduce
fuel consumption. And while the low