Ultracapacitors Help Revolutionize Common Plumbing Tools And Procedures - Maxwell Technologies - #1

Superior Toot

By John Dispennette, Maxwell Technology

Charles Mintz, Superior Tool Company

Superior Tool Company, manufacturers of professional plumbing equipment for over 50 years, wanted to design an automatic pipe-cutting tool to replace the old-style, manual tubing cutter that had been In use for decades. To adequately replace the old-style cutter and gain product acceptance from plumbers, the company knew it needed to find a battery-like solution that would provide sudden bursts of high power and offer a longer life than what conventional battery systems could offer. Ideally, because plumbers can make up to 100 cuts in one working day, the power cutter would need to store power and recharge quickly, with lifetime capable of performing at least a hundred cuttings before the need to recharge. To provide mobility, the solution would need to be cordless, but with greater power performance than battery only cordless power tools on the market.

Ultracapacitors were then evaluated for implementing in parallel with batteries as a means of supplying the Initial peal< loads rather than the battery. Trials with this methodology enabled a significant improvement in battery life with all chemistries tested and enabled the ability to design the product with alkaline batteries. After several tests with a variety of power options, Superior chose to design with San Diego-based Maxwell Technologies' BOOSTCAP® ultracapacitors together with a battery. Trials with this methodology enabled a significant improvement in battery life with all chemistries tested and enabled the ability to design the product with alkaline batteries. The solution was developed in conjunction with Maxwell Technologies, and their marketing and distribution partner, Tecate Industries, a division of the Tecate Group headquarters In Poway, California.

Plans were made to produce tools capable of using either primary alkaline cells or rechargeable NiMH cells. The initial target specification for the cutting tool necessitated a Vj" copper pipe to be cut in less than 10 seconds with the ability to make at least 100 cuts utilizing either primary alkaline cells or rechargeable NIMH cells as the energy source. Lab testing determined the work required to cut a piece of W copper tubing in ten seconds to be on the order of 50 watt-sec. Initial calculations determined four series connected alkaline AA cells could provide the

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