New battery for robotics, medical and defence applications

Ultralife Corporation has launched the URB24200 – a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery pack – to power lightweight motorised and data backup applications. Such applications can be found in industrial, medical, and defence settings. The new battery joins a range of ten LiFePO4 batteries that offer uniform voltage during discharge and are significantly lighter than SLA batteries of the same capacity, delivering a sought-after balance of size, weight, and power.

The device is a secondary (rechargeable) battery pack with an average voltage of 25.6V and a rated capacity of 20Ah. Up to two batteries can be connected in series to produce 48V, and up to ten units can be connected in parallel, increasing the capacity to 228Ah. Each battery is more than three times lighter than SLA alternatives, weighing 8.1kg (17.9lbs) compared with up to 45kg (100lbs). This makes it ideal for applications including wheelchairs, UPS battery replacements, and AGV.

Housed in metal to supply high structural strength and impact resistance, the internal cells and components are protected from mechanical damage. The metal housing material also delivers stronger heat dissipation than plastic, enabling the battery to conduct heat more effectively during high-load operations.

The new battery can also store energy generated by any compatible renewable energy source, including solar panels and wind turbines, providing a green, environmentally friendly option.

“Ultralife is adding to its portfolio of SLA replacement packs with its first 24V option,” explained Robert Brown, marketing executive at Ultralife. “This allows us to expand further into robotics, energy storage and other traditional lead acid markets.”

“The URB24200 can be embedded into devices in a ‘fit-and-forget’ way, as it does not become gaseous during use,” added Brown. “Unlike SLA batteries, it can also maintain its nominal voltage over a wider temperature range. The total cost of ownership is lower than SLA too, especially when you consider that it can be fully cycled up to 2,500 times compared to 300-500 for SLA, potentially quadrupling service life.”

Finally, the URB24200 is compatible with two-phase SLA chargers, avoiding the need to purchase dedicated LiFePO4 chargers.