Saft Launches Line of High Power Li-ion Batteries
Saft announced that it is manufacturing what is claimed to be the highest power lithium ion (Li-ion) cells in the world. The VLV range of cells are said to exhibit a specific power double that of typical high power cells that are available for defense applications and hybrid electric military vehicles.
Saft’s high power VLV line consists of three sizes of cells (VL4V, VL8V, and VL12V), which comprise what is claimed to be the highest power cells commercially available in the world today. New for 2007, will be the VL6A, a high power cell designed for civil applications that require peak power, such as windmill blade pitch control.
"Our VLV cells are already being manufactured and are currently in use on military fighter aircraft providing emergency back-up power to operate flight controls and to start the APU," said Dr. Kamen Nechev, Manager of Advanced Development, Saft Space and Defense Division. "The VL6A is an exciting addition to our portfolio of very high power cells and will satisfy the power demands of many emerging technologies. We are in a unique position because Saft is the only supplier offering cells of this high level of power."
Saft’s portfolio includes 6, 8 and 12A hour cells with a max charge voltage of 4.1V and an average voltage of 3.6V. Specific power exceeds 9kW/kg for two second long pulses and 12kW/kg for 100ms long pulses. The cells are capable of continuous discharge of 6kW/kg. The cells are used in battery products ranging from 28V to as high as 600V.
Saft developed the cells complete with electrical hardware and software monitoring capabilities to provide a completely safe power solution for its customers. The cells can be used for a variety of applications, including emergency power for military fighter aircraft, supplemental acceleration and breaking in military hybrid electric vehicles, as well as intermediate energy storage in directed energy systems. The full line is available now.
