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Airports International: Looking Back at 2022: Green GSE

While aviation struggles to find its post-pandemic feet, the GSE sector has its sights firmly set on the environment, finds Tom Batchelor. For the aviation industry to meet its ambitious, self-imposed climate targets, a cross-sector effort is required, encompassing changes both in the air and on the ground.

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Green Cubes Announces Patent Award for Battery Management System with Dual CAN Messaging

Latest generation of the Battery Management System is built for reliability and service features

Green Cubes, the leader in producing Lithium-ion (Li-ion) power systems that facilitate the transition from lead-acid batteries and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) power to green Li-ion battery power, today announced a patent award for its Battery Management System with dual CAN messaging. Rechargeable Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery power for industrial motive applications, such as those used in material handling and ground support aviation equipment, require large battery arrays supported by a Battery Management System (BMS) that must communicate via a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus communication to optimize battery utilization. Dual CAN enables Green Cubes’ Lithium SAFEFlex batteries to communicate to both the industrial truck that is powered by the battery and the charger that charges the battery.

While CAN messaging for a charger interface and a vehicle interface is possible with only a single transceiver on the BMS circuit board, it is not optimal or efficient for industrial trucks like forklifts, pallet jacks and reach trucks. Adding a second CAN transceiver to a BMS consumes a lot of overhead in terms of circuit board, software, firmware design, testing and integration. In Green Cubes’ solution, the BMS comprises dual CAN transceivers; a first CAN transceiver for the lift truck, a second CAN transceiver for a charger, and a computer program operable to communicate with both that toggles back and forth between messaging states to improve battery operating efficiency. The use of two transceivers along with accompanying software provides the BMS with improved ability to determine baud rate settings automatically. This eliminates the need for a common baud rate between vehicle and charger.

“As the only manufacturer of both Li-ion batteries and chargers for material handling equipment, it is imperative that we provide seamless integration with robust communication between the lift truck, the Li-ion battery and the industrial charger in order to optimize performance,” said Nicola Cinagrossi, Chief Technology Officer of Green Cubes, “the use of dual CAN transceivers represents a breakthrough in the approach to this complex problem.”

As a leader motive power, Green Cubes continues to invent new and better technology, like the dual CAN bus communication. The technology roadmap includes the introduction of new features such as multi-voltage fast charging, wireless IoT features, industrial chargers and high voltage solutions. Green Cubes is committed to continuous improvements.

About Green Cubes Technology

Green Cubes Technology develops and manufactures a complete portfolio of lithium power systems that enable its OEM and enterprise customers to transition from Lead Acid and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) power to Lithium-ion battery power. Green Cubes utilizes proven hardware and software platforms to build the most reliable lithium battery systems in its industries. With over 300 employees across six countries, Green Cubes has been producing innovative, high-performance, and high-quality products since 1986.

Mission Critical: Why Do Batteries Fail When You Need Them?

This timeless expression applies to so many situations, situations — ever rushed. Ever rushed to the doctor’s office just to wait forever before they call you back? Most batteries live their entire life in this perpetual purgatory just waiting for their moment to shine. Usually they are in a flashlight, remote control, or garage door opener, but batteries also backup mission critical systems, telecom equipment, and other critical appliances we need when the grid goes down. Too often, though, many of these batteries don’t work when they are needed the most. These batteries fail, and there are many reasons why. Most importantly, there are a few things we can do to prevent these failures and make sure the lights stay on.

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New Equipment Digest: NED Innovation Awards: Meet the Class of 2022!

Lithium SAFEFlex Battery Charger winner of the 2022 class of NED Innovation Award. The Lithium SafeFlex Battery Charger is designed to operate with material handling and other industrial equipment Lithium-ion batteries. Each model supports up to three simultaneous charging ports and performs voltage auto-detect, so it can charge a variety of industrial trucks simultaneously. This charger has CANBus communications with the battery and a touchscreen display.

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Green Cubes Technology
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