All-solid-state batteries | Applications and collaborations case studies
| Solving issues in equipment monitoring system | ||
| Stand-alone powered sensor systems combined with energy harvesting |
Background
In the manufacturing and plant industries, equipment monitoring system (condition monitoring system) is attracting attention as one of the technologies to avoid unexpected stoppages of equipment, reduce the frequency of inspections by operators, and lower maintenance costs by predicting failures and defects in advance. Various sensors are used for equipment monitoring system to measure temperature, vibration, pressure, and other parameters. For installations where connection to power supplies is difficult, the system is generally configured as a stand-alone powered system using a primary battery. However, high temperature resistance is an issue for systems containing batteries installed in harsh environments where heat sources such as motors are nearby. In such an environment, it is also difficult to perform periodic battery replacements, therefore the systems are required to continue operating for a long period of time without battery replacement.
Issues
(1) No power supply available
(2) Harsh installation environments where maintenance is difficult
(3) Frequent battery replacement
For example, the primary batteries commonly used in stand-alone power sensor systems for equipment monitoring system have an operating temperature range of -40 to +85 deg. C (in case of Maxell’s cylindrical type lithium manganese dioxide batteries), which limits the usable temperature environment. Another issue with the systems that use primary batteries as the power source is that the batteries need to be replaced periodically, which places a heavy burden on operators to replace them in the harsh, high-temperature environment.
Solution
Maxell's all-solid-state batteries have a long battery life of 20 years*1 and do not need to be replaced periodically. Therefore, when the batteries are used as the power source for a stand-alone power supply system for equipment monitoring system, the frequency of battery replacement can be reduced. All-solid-state batteries are also suitable for installation in harsh temperature environments because of their wide dischargeable temperature range of -50 to +125 deg. C. By taking advantage of these features, stand-alone powered systems can be realized in which energy-harvested power from sunlight, indoor light, vibration, heat, etc. can be stored in all-solid-state batteries to power sensors.
For example, in industrial equipment such as pumps, boilers and compressors, vibration can be monitored by attaching an independent power supply system and a sensor to them. If there is something wrong with the equipment that is causing unusual vibration and the vibration can be detected as a predictive sign of failure, maintenance can be performed before the equipment breaks down and equipment downtime can be avoided.
- Long battery life of 20 years: Predicted life at room temperature determined from the acceleration factor.
An example of equipment monitoring system: boiler monitoring system with a stand-alone power supply system combined with energy harvesting and an all-solid-state battery
Other applications
