Repetitive pulse power characteristics of batteries made with thin metal film (TMF(R)) technology

Abstract

Energy storage devices for pulse-power applications must be able to deliver a high current for significant periods of time with a stable voltage. The time response must be very rapid and the waveform voltage distortion must be minimal. Most energy storage devices such as supercapacitors and conventional batteries suffer with several drawbacks, which include dropping voltage during discharge, low specific energy, expensive for most applications, or are under the development stage. The ideal candidate for pulse power would be an energy storage device capable of delivering extremely high currents with good voltage performance and rapid recharge capability without temperature excursion. BOLDER Technologies Corporation (BOLDER) has developed an ultra-thin plate, valve-regulated, lead-acid battery based on their patented TMF technology that meets or exceeds many of the above requirements. In addition to being valve regulated, it differs from conventional lead acid batteries in that it has been developed primarily to deliver and accept extremely high-power levels without significant increase in temperature. The purpose of this paper is to present pulse power delivery characteristics of TMF technology. The repetitive pulse-power characteristic from 1 A to 1000 A along with temperature profiles of single cell and 12 V battery are presented in this paper representing applications such as engine start, power tools, flash camera, and other portable devices.