The vendor of (fuel) cell voltage monitoring systems, Smart Testsolutions, has developed a new product generation of its cell voltage monitoring (CVM) for series. Compared to its predecessor G5S, the new G6S product platform is characterised by a more compact design and lower costs.
Like all solutions for cell voltage monitoring on electrochemical cells from the Stuttgart, Germany, based vendor, the G6S design follows a modular approach. A measuring module comprises 54 channels; up to nine measuring modules can be connected in series. All in all, a CVM system based on the G6S offers up to 486 measuring channels. The measuring modules are supplemented by a target market-specific head module, which is equipped with the data interfaces prevailing in the respective target market. In addition to automotive, Smart Testsolutions addresses the marine, aerospace and electrolysis markets.
By using the same measurement modules in all application areas, economies of scale are achieved in production. Further cost advantages result from the use of integrated circuits instead of a discrete structure. A microchip is used as the technology basis for data acquisition on each measuring module. The measured values recorded by the ASIL-D-certified ICs are collected in a central microcontroller on the head module.
Other components of a CVM G6S system from Smart Testsolutions are the assembly parts for the mechanical integration of the CVM near the cell stack, the necessary connection cable harnesses and the cell contacting units that are required for tapping the voltages at the individual bipolar plates. The cell voltage pickups must be designed differently depending on the nature of the cell stack. Smart Testsolutions currently has several variations up its sleeve. All solutions were on display in the form of demonstrators at Hydrogen + Fuel Cells Europe trade fair in Hanover.
