New monitoring solution to detect unstable lithium-ion battery cells

Brady Corporation has developed a new monitoring solution that can detect unstable cells in warehoused lithium-ion batteries.

Self-adhesive, battery-free UHF RFID labels, with integrated temperature sensors, are used alongside RFID readers with up to 16 antennae and an RFID software platform. The labels can be attached in battery cell containers or directly to each battery cell, to detect temperature changes as quickly as possible.

US-based specialist equipment manufacturer Brady Corp. says temperature differences of 0.5 C per second can be measured automatically by its product.

The RFID antennae and readers automatically communicate with the labels and sensors within range every second and record temperature measurements with an accuracy of 0.5 C, stated Brady Corp. The measurements are recorded on the software platform together with the storage location of affected batteries.

Customers can set individual temperature limits and when they are reached, the software platform triggers third-party devices via a standard application programming interface (API), said Brady Corp. Staff are notified by text message or email. Another option is to attach warning LEDs to the shelves, which can be triggered by raised temperatures. Unstable battery cells can then be isolated and removed from storage.

Brady Corp. says the API can also be set up so that an autonomous vehicle is sent to a storage location to remove batteries.

The manufacturer says its solution is more cost-effective than monitoring with active RFID labels or infrared cameras. The UHF RFID labels and associated temperature sensors are operated wirelessly via the RFID antennae and readers. The devices are low-maintenance and do not require batteries. The number of RFID readers required to monitor a warehouse depends on how storage is organized. With Brady’s solution, up to 16 antennae can be connected to a single RFID reader. That means temperature can be precisely monitored at all storage locations in a rack arrangement 12 m wide and 4 m high. At the same time, the system could also be used for automated inventory management.

From pv magazine Deutschland.