Murata VTC6 Drones Safety and risk management - particularly around overheating and thermal runaway during flight.
Explore the Murata VTC6 cell for drones, optimised for safety and performance in thermal management during flight. Ideal for UAV applications.
Value Propositions
Cylindrical 18650 form factor with nominal capacity of 11.232 Wh.
Volumetric energy density of 653 Wh/l, top-quartile vs median of 542 Wh/l.
Gravimetric energy density of 241 Wh/kg, around median of 210 Wh/kg.
Maximum continuous discharge of 30 A, top-quartile vs median of 30 A.
Standard charge current of 3.0 A, around median of 2 A.
About the Cell
The Murata VTC6 is a cylindrical 18650 lithium-ion cell designed for high-performance applications, particularly in drone technology. With a nominal capacity of 11.232 Wh and a nominal current of 3.12 Ah, it provides a robust solution for UAV battery pack design. The cell boasts a volumetric energy density of 653 Wh/l, placing it in the top-quartile compared to the median of 542 Wh/l in the database. Additionally, its gravimetric energy density of 241 Wh/kg is around the median of 210 Wh/kg, ensuring a lightweight yet powerful option for drone applications. The maximum continuous discharge rate of 30 A aligns with the top-quartile performance, making it suitable for high discharge rate UAV batteries. Furthermore, the standard charge current of 3.0 A is around the median of 2 A, facilitating efficient charging processes. Overall, the VTC6 is engineered for optimal performance in demanding environments, particularly where safety and thermal management are critical.
Application Challenges
In the context of drones, safety and risk management are paramount, especially concerning overheating and thermal runaway during flight. Drones operate in various environments, often requiring long endurance capabilities. The Murata VTC6 cell's high energy density is crucial for extending flight times, which is a significant challenge in UAV battery pack design. Overheating can lead to catastrophic failures, making it essential to select cells that not only provide sufficient energy but also manage thermal conditions effectively. The VTC6's design addresses these challenges by offering a balance of energy capacity and thermal stability, ensuring reliable performance even under demanding conditions. The need for lightweight drone battery packs further complicates the design process, as operators seek to maximise payload while maintaining safety standards.
Why this Cell
The Murata VTC6 cell is specifically tailored for drone applications, addressing the critical challenge of safety and risk management. With a maximum continuous discharge rate of 30 A, it is positioned in the top-quartile compared to the median of 30 A in the database, ensuring it can handle high discharge rates required for dynamic flight operations. Its volumetric energy density of 653 Wh/l is a significant advantage, providing more energy in a compact form, which is essential for long endurance drone batteries. Furthermore, the cell's gravimetric energy density of 241 Wh/kg, while around the median, still offers a competitive edge in weight-sensitive applications. The standard charge current of 3.0 A supports efficient charging, crucial for rapid turnaround times in UAV operations. Overall, the VTC6 cell's specifications make it an ideal choice for custom UAV battery packs, optimising both performance and safety.
How Model-Based Design Helps
Simulation and model-based design play a vital role in optimising the performance of the Murata VTC6 cell for drone applications. By modelling load profiles, engineers can predict how the cell will behave under various conditions, including thermal rise and voltage sag. This predictive capability allows for the selection of the most suitable cell for specific mission profiles, ensuring that the drone can deliver the required thrust and energy throughout its flight envelope. For instance, simulating the thermal behaviour of the VTC6 under different discharge rates helps identify potential overheating issues, enabling engineers to implement effective battery thermal management strategies. Additionally, using cell-specific data to model energy consumption across different flight speeds aids in determining the optimal cruising velocity, thus standardising energy use and improving overall drone efficiency. This approach not only enhances safety by preventing thermal runaway but also maximises mission success rates by ensuring reliable performance in challenging environments.
