Ultracapacitors for Automotive Use

This paper by Maxwell makes the case for ultracapacitors in automotive applications.  The paper is very informative about the uses of ultracapacitors, much moreso than I could be in a post.

Ultracapacitors offer pulse power and power cycling capability for vehicular use far in excess of electrochemical batteries. The migration to electronic control for vehicle applications in safety critical systems such as steer, brake and drive by wire has been delayed due to technical inadequacy in these cost sensitive systems. Similarly, the electrification of key functions like engine cranking and electromechanical valve actuation has also been slowed. This paper re-assesses safety critical and power train systems by exploring the use of distributed energy storage modules in the vehicle electrical distribution system to satisfy the requirements for power supply redundancy.

For the rest of the technical paper, please click here.

Technorati tags: energy storage, ultracapacitors, energy, technology

Comments

[JesseJenkins]

Thanks for the link to the article, Jim.

[Fritz]

Ultracapacitors are used for race cars. A buddy of mine keeps one of these huge caps in his office. It's a thing of beauty.

There's more than "technical inadequacy" to converting to drive-by-wire systems. The 12 volt systems typically used in automobiles results in large voltage drops unless big cables are used. More electronics means more wires which means more weight leading to decreased fuel economy and greater expense. The automotive world has been talking about 42 volt systems forever, but with long design cycles these things take time. So basically, the main reason we don't see a lot of drive-by-wire technology is momentum.

(I write software for electronic gizmos used to regulate automotive power, among other things).

[sale]

This is a great site with lots of useful links

Good work keeps it up!

[Alex]

But then, as we're thinking in terms of completely redesigning the vehicle, we may as well do the electrical system whilst we're at it. Think systems!