Active Inverter Technology - Battery Charging Technology that Pays
The main focus of the CeMAT 2011 fair will be the newly developed Active Inverter Technology, which Fronius launched a few years ago. The words on everyone's lips at present with regard to battery charging systems for electrically-powered forklift trucks are 50 Hz transformer technology and high-frequency technology (HF technology). 50 Hertz transformer technology is robust, reliable and inexpensive. High-frequency technology is synonymous with longer battery service life and higher energy efficiency, but is more error-prone and not as robust due to the more sensitive technology it employs. The Active Inverter Technology developed by Fronius combines the best of each technology: the advantages of the long-lived and robust 50 Hertz transformer technology and the efficiency and cost effectiveness of high-frequency technology.
Efficient battery charging technology
The subject of cost effectiveness addresses the ongoing operating costs associated with the charging of traction batteries. Fronius battery charging systems with Active Inverter Technology offer a wealth of unbeatable benefits: they ensure that the charge level of the battery is always optimised, thus lengthening battery service life by around 25% - an important factor in terms of battery costs in fleets of more than ten forklifts.
Using a special calculation tool, the potential for savings and the speed with which the Active Inverter Technology pays for itself are demonstrated with the goal of persuading visitors of the advantages of this investment from a macroeconomic viewpoint.
Energy efficiency & sustainability
Energy efficiency and sustainability are currently hot topics in intralogistics and are suggested in the tagline for this year's CeMAT - "Sustainability in Intralogistics". The subject will therefore be well to the fore on the Fronius stand. Thousands of batteries are charged every day to supply the energy needed by electrically-powered forklift trucks. This means that it really pays to consider intelligent charging technologies that are highly energy efficient, deliver constant output levels throughout the charging process, and hence have less of an impact on the environment. Selectiva battery charging systems with Active Inverter Technology return efficiency figures of up to 96 per-cent.
Two solutions for the forklift service engineer
Fronius is presenting some features under the heading of flexibility that will warm the hearts of forklift service specialists and technicians in the workshop: two of the standard products, Selectiva Plus 8070 and 4050, will be demonstrated in a wide variety of applications. The 8070 is designed for 80 Volt batteries and the 4050 for 48 Volt batteries, but both can also be used to charge smaller batteries, as their charging voltages can be reduced from 80 V and 48 V respectively to just 2 V. The charging currents can also be set to between 0 and 50 A (4050) or 0 and 70 A (8070) respectively. This enables individual battery cells to be charged. The selectable deep discharge characteristic can revitalise even heavily sulphated batteries. Their compact dimensions and light weight make both battery charging systems the perfect choice for every workshop or service vehicle application.
Alternative drive solutions
Fronius will be providing updates and demonstrating the progress that has been made on its energy cell. In addition to the World Energy Globe 2008, Fronius has now been awarded the VDI Innovation Prize for Logistics 2010 for its "HyLog" project (an acronym for "Hydrogen powered Logistic System"), a completely emission-free and efficient logistics operation within a real industrial environment - in this case the Fronius facility in Sattledt.
World premiere of new Corporate Design
Fronius unveils its new Corporate Design, just in time for CeMAT. The umbrella brand that covers the three divisions within the group, battery charging systems, welding technology and solar electronics, will in future be more visible externally and reinforced even more.
Sales expansion
As part of its expansion across Europe, Fronius is looking for more potential sales partners, particularly battery dealers in the northern, southern and eastern European economic areas.
Press pictures
Enquiries:
Boris Ringwald
Fronius International GmbH
Froniusplatz 1, A-4600 Wels
Tel. +43 / (0)7242 / 241 6436
Fax +43 / (0)7242 / 241 95 2560
E-Mail: ringwald.boris@fronius.com