ケーススタディ:Sewer inspection robot

軽量・低ノイズのソリューション

PDF

お客様の課題

Improved sensors, autonomy, mobility and AI (allowing deep learning) is enabling inspection robots to replace humans, especially in hazardous or confined areas like inside pipelines or in storage tanks. Manufacturers are looking for smaller, more robust solutions with ever improved resolution, repeatability and operating range. This manufacturer of tethered sewer inspection robots was looking to improve the sensor resolution and quality of video images without increasing the size of the platform. The key goals were:

Allow easier handling and room for more sensors by reducing power supply size and weight
Minimize interference with cable carrying video feed
Reliable operation in a harsh environment

Vicorソリューション

The 48V (SELV) supply to the tether was provided by a PFM AC-DC converter. On board the robot the three rails were provided by three individual regulators.

主な利点

ZVS buck and buck-boost regulators offered high power density and low weight (0.8g)

Low noise ZVS topology minimized filtering required

High efficiency (up to 92.5%) reduced heat, increasing reliability in high ambient temperatures

電力供給ネットワーク (PDN)

The power delivery network: The 48V tether supply was provided by a PFM AC-DC converter. At the robot the low power 5V and 3.3V rails were provided by ZVS Buck regulators. The higher power 12V motor supply rail was provided by an array of three ZVS Buck-Boost converters that compensated for large voltage drops in the 600m tether. To analyze this power chain go to the Vicor Whiteboard online tool.

Learn more about the modular approach power.