ESTIMATE OF A BATTERY'S ENERGY STATE

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for estimating the energy state of a battery cell, as well as an associated computer program, device and aircraft. Technological background

[0002] The state of energy (SOE) of a battery cell indicates the amount of energy available in the cell. This concept differs from the total stored energy, since some of the total stored energy may not be usable and therefore available.

[0003] The SOE can be expressed as an absolute value (Wh) or relative to the maximum energy the battery can have (%). The SOE is not a measurable quantity, so it must be estimated from available measurements on the cell: current exchanged through the cell terminals, voltage across the cell terminals, and cell temperature.

[0004] To achieve this, a neural network is known to provide the SOE at a given time based on the current, voltage, and temperature at that time. Examples include US document 2016 / 083932 and IEEE document XP011682138.

[0005] However, such a neural network is not a deterministic system. Obtaining certification in the aeronautical field is very difficult, especially for hybrid or fully electric aircraft where the battery is used for propulsion.

[0006] The invention therefore aims to provide an alternative method for estimating the energy state of a battery cell, for which certification can be obtained. Summary of the invention

[0007] A method is therefore proposed for estimating the energy state of a battery cell at a given instant, the cell having two terminals, characterized in that it comprises:receiving measurements for the given time of a cell temperature, a voltage across the cell terminals and a current exchanged by the cell through its terminals; an estimate of an internal resistance of the cell for the given time; an estimate of an open-circuit voltage of the cell for the given time from the measured voltage and current, and the estimated internal resistance, for example by adding to the measured voltage, a voltage of the internal resistance resulting from a passage of the measured current through the internal resistance; an estimate of a total energy delivered by the cell up to the given time, from the measured temperature and current, and the estimated open-circuit voltage, using predefined associations between values ​​of total energy delivered by the cell and values ​​of temperature, current and open-circuit voltage;an estimate of the maximum energy that can be delivered by the cell, using predefined associations and assuming that the temperature and current remain constant at their measurements for the given time; and an estimate of the cell's energy state for the given time, by subtracting the estimated total energy delivered from the estimated maximum energy.

[0008] The invention may further include one or more of the following additional features, in any technically feasible combination.

[0009] Advantageously, the estimation of the internal resistance for the given moment is carried out by a volt-amperometric measurement.

[0010] Also advantageous is that the estimation of internal resistance at a given moment includes: a prior estimate of the internal resistance for the given instant from the temperature and current measured at the given instant, using predefined associations between values ​​of the internal resistance and values ​​of temperature and current; a correction of the prior estimate by multiplying it by a correction ratio between: an estimate of the internal resistance at an earlier instant from a volt-amperometric measurement, and an estimate of the internal resistance at the earlier instant from the temperature and current measured at the earlier instant, using predefined associations between values ​​of the internal resistance and values ​​of temperature and current.

[0011] Advantageously, the estimation of the internal resistance at a given moment is carried out independently of the cell's state of charge.

[0012] Also advantageously, the predefined associations between values ​​of total energy delivered by the cell and values ​​of temperature, current and open circuit voltage are in the form of a table.

[0013] Also advantageously, the table gives the total energy delivered as a function of the open circuit voltage, at constant temperature and current, for several combinations of temperature and current.

[0014] Advantageously also, the maximum energy is the total energy delivered for a minimum open-circuit voltage predicted by the predefined associations, at the temperature and current measured at the given time.

[0015] Also proposed is a computer program downloadable from a communication network and / or recorded on a computer-readable medium, characterized in that it includes instructions for executing the steps of a process according to the invention, when said program is executed on a computer.

[0016] Also proposed is a device for estimating the energy state of a battery cell at a given instant, the cell having two terminals between which an electrical system is connected, characterized in that it comprises: a receiving module, for the given time, of measurements of a cell temperature, a voltage across the cell terminals and a current exchanged by the cell through its terminals; a module for estimating an internal resistance of the cell for the given time; a module for estimating an open-circuit voltage of the cell for the given time from the measured voltage and current, and the estimated internal resistance, for example by adding to the measured voltage, a voltage of the internal resistance resulting from a passage of the measured current through the internal resistance; a module for estimating a total energy delivered by the cell from the measured temperature and current, and the estimated open-circuit voltage, using predefined associations between values ​​of total energy delivered by the cell and values ​​of temperature, current and open-circuit voltage;and a module for estimating the maximum energy that can be delivered by the cell, assuming that the temperature and current remain constant at their measurements for the given time; and a module for estimating the energy state of the cell for the given time, by subtracting the estimated total energy delivered from the estimated maximum energy.

[0017] An aircraft is also proposed that includes: a battery comprising at least one cell having two terminals; a sensor for the temperature of the cell; a sensor for the current exchanged by the cell through its terminals; a sensor for the voltage between the terminals of the cell; and a device for estimating the energy state of the cell, according to the invention. Brief description of the figures

[0018] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: there figure 1 is a functional view of an aircraft in which the invention is implemented, the figure 2 is a functional view of modules of a computer program for a device estimating the energy state of a cell in an aircraft battery. figure 1 , there figure 3 is a graph illustrating the evolution of the total energy delivered by the cell as a function of the open-circuit voltage of that cell, for several combinations of temperature and current exchanged by the battery, the figure 4 is an electrical diagram of a model of the battery cell, the figure 5 is a block diagram of a method for calculating associations between total energy and open-circuit voltage, for several combinations of temperature and current, based on the model of the figure 4 , and the figure 6 is a block diagram of a process for estimating the energy state of the battery. Detailed description of the invention

[0019] With reference to the figure 1 An example of an aircraft 100 in which the invention is implemented will now be described.

[0020] Aircraft 100 includes first of all a turbomachine 102 having an output shaft 104.

[0021] The aircraft 100 further includes a fan 106 designed to propel the aircraft 100. The fan 106 is in particular connected to the output shaft 104 of the turbomachine 102 in order to be driven by the latter.

[0022] The aircraft 100 further comprises an electric machine 108 designed for example to operate as an electric motor to drive the output shaft 104, either instead of or in addition to the turbomachine 102. Alternatively or in addition, the electric machine 108 is designed to operate as a generator to supply electrical energy from the rotation of the output shaft 104.

[0023] The aircraft 100 further comprises a battery 110 having at least one cell 111. In the example described, only one cell 111 is provided. The cell 111 has two terminals 112, 114 between which an electrical system is connected. The electrical system is designed to selectively act as an electrical load and be powered by the battery 110, and to act as an electrical source for recharging the battery 110. Alternatively, the electrical system can always act as an electrical load or always as an electrical source. The electrical system includes, for example, the electric machine 108.

[0024] Aircraft 100 also includes a cell monitoring system 116 111.

[0025] The monitoring system 116 includes first of all a sensor 118 of a temperature T of the cell 111.

[0026] The monitoring system 116 further includes a sensor 120 of a current I exchanged (i.e. supplied or received) by the cell 111 through its terminals 112, 114.

[0027] The monitoring system 116 further includes a sensor 122 of a voltage U between the terminals 112, 114 of the cell 111.

[0028] Sensors 118, 120, 122 are designed to provide measurements of temperature T, current and voltage U respectively, these measurements being either direct or indirect by deduction from one or more other physical quantities.

[0029] The monitoring system 116 further includes a monitoring device 124 for cell 111. The monitoring device 124 is in particular designed to estimate a state of charge (from the English "State Of Charge", also designated by the acronym SOC) of the cell 111, from the temperature T, the current I and the voltage U, respectively measured by the sensors 118, 120, 122.

[0030] In the example described, the data processing device 124 is a computer system comprising a data processing unit 126 (such as a microprocessor) and a main memory 128 (such as RAM, or Random Access Memory) accessible by the data processing unit 126. The computer system further comprises, for example, a network interface and / or a computer-readable medium, such as a local medium (such as a local hard drive 130) or a remote medium (such as a remote hard drive accessible via the network interface through a communication network) or a removable medium (such as a USB flash drive, or a CD, or Compact Disc, or a DVD, or Digital Versatile Disc) readable by means of an appropriate reader of the computer system (such as a USB port or a CD and / or DVD disc drive).A computer program 132 containing instructions for the data processing unit 126 is stored on the storage medium 130 and / or downloadable via the network interface. This computer program 132 is intended, for example, to be loaded into the main memory 128 so that the data processing unit 126 can execute its instructions. To facilitate the description of the computer program 132, the instructions will subsequently be described as organized into software modules. However, this presentation does not prejudge the form of the computer program, which may be of any type.

[0031] Alternatively, all or part of these modules could be implemented as hardware modules, i.e. as an electronic circuit, for example micro-wired, not involving a computer program.

[0032] With reference to the figure 2An example of the implementation of computer program 132 will now be described.

[0033] The computer program 132 includes, firstly, a module 202 designed to receive, from the sensors 118, 120, 122, measurements T(t), U(t), I(t) for the time t of the temperature T, the voltage U and the current I respectively. For example, these measurements T(t), U(t), I(t) are acquired at time t. Alternatively, one or more of these measurements could be acquired prior to time t and reused for time t.

[0034] The computer program 132 further includes a module 204 designed to estimate an internal resistance R of the cell 111 for the time t, for example from the measurement T(t) of the temperature T and the measurement I(t) of the current I, preferably independently of a state of charge (from the English "State Of Charge" also designated by the acronym SOC) of the cell 111.

[0035] Preferably, module 204 is designed, for at least some instants t, to estimate the internal resistance R by a volt-amperometric measurement, for example by dividing a variation of the measured voltage U by a variation of the measured current I: R t = ΔU t / ΔI t

[0036] For example, computer program 132 may include a table 205 associating values ​​of the internal resistance R with values ​​of the temperature T and the current I, for example for a predefined and arbitrary state of charge (SOC) of the cell 111, for example 50%. Table 205 is presented, for example, in the form (the current I is expressed as the nominal current of the cell, denoted C for current rate): [Table 1] R (Ω) T (°C) I (C) 0,1 25 1 ... ... ...

[0037] Module 204 can then be designed to calculate a correction ratio K between the estimate R(t) of the resistance R and another table estimate R(t) obtained using table 205 from the measurement T(t) of the temperature T and the measurement I(t) of the current I, for example by interpolation: K = R t / R table t

[0038] In this case, for other times t, module 204 is designed, for example, to perform a preliminary estimate Rtable(t) of the internal resistance R for the given time t, based on the temperature measurement T(t) and the current measurement I(t), using table 205. For example, module 204 is designed to determine the preliminary estimate Rtable(t) by interpolation. Module 204 can then be designed to correct the preliminary estimate Rtable(t) by multiplying it by the ratio K previously obtained as explained above: R t = K ⋅ R table t

[0039] It will be appreciated if the estimates of the internal resistance R from table 205 are thus made assuming that the state of charge SOC of cell 111 is at a predefined and arbitrary value, even if the actual state of charge of cell 111 at the time considered is different.

[0040] In addition, alternatively, the associations could take the form, instead of table 205, of a formula linking the internal resistance R, the temperature T and the current I.

[0041] Because the internal resistance R is measured at least at certain times, it is possible to quickly account for the unpredictable changes in internal resistance R over time, resulting from the aging of cell 111, and therefore from the way battery 110 is used. This rapid accounting would not be possible with a neural network, which is a "black box" and therefore does not have a modifiable parameter representative of the internal resistance. At best, it would be necessary to retrain the neural network during its use, but this would be time-consuming and would not allow for tracking changes in internal resistance R.

[0042] Computer program 132 further includes a module 206 designed to estimate an open-circuit voltage OCV of cell 111 at time t, from the measurement U(t) of voltage U, the measurement I(t) of current I, and the estimate R(t) of internal resistance R. In particular, module 206 is designed to add, to the measurement U(t) of voltage U, a voltage across the internal resistance R resulting from the passage of current I through this internal resistance R: OCV t = U t + R t ⋅ I t where OCV(t) is the estimate of the open circuit voltage OCV for time (t).

[0043] Computer program 132 also includes, for example, a table 208 associating values ​​of the total energy Etot delivered by cell 111 with values ​​of temperature T, current I, and open-circuit voltage OCV. Preferably, the table gives the total energy delivered Etot as a function of the open-circuit voltage OCV, at constant temperature T and current I, for several combinations of temperature T and current I. Table 208 is presented, for example, in the form: [Table 2] E tot (Wh) OCV (V) T (°C) I (C) N / A 3,12 0 1 8,724 3,13 0 1 ... ... ... ... 0,082 4,15 0 1 N / A 4,16 0 1 N / A 3,08 10 1 9,023 3,09 10 1 ... ... ... ... 0,185 4,15 10 1 N / A 4,16 10 1 ...

[0044] According to the table above, the minimum open circuit voltage OCV at a temperature T of 0°C and a current I of 1C is 3.13 V and is associated with a total delivered energy E tot (corresponding therefore to the maximum energy E max that can be delivered) of 8.724 J, since no energy is associated (box "NA") with the previous value (3.12 V) of open circuit voltage OCV.

[0045] Alternatively, the associations could take the form, instead of table 208, of a formula linking the total energy delivered E tot to the temperature T, the current I and the open circuit voltage OCV.

[0046] Computer program 132 further includes a module 210 designed to estimate the total energy E tot (t) delivered by cell 111 up to time t, from the measurement T(t) of the temperature T, the measurement I(t) of the current I and the estimation OCV(t) of the open circuit voltage OCV, using table 208. For example, module 210 is designed to estimate the total energy E tot (t) by interpolation.

[0047] Computer program 132 further includes a module 212 designed to estimate, at time t, the maximum energy Emax(t) that can be delivered by cell 111, assuming that the temperature T and current I remain constant at their measurements T(t), I(t) for time t. For example, module 212 is designed to use Table 208. Indeed, for each combination of temperature T and current I, the open-circuit voltage OCV decreases while the total delivered energy Etot increases, down to a minimum value below which cell 111 is no longer able to supply electrical energy. Thus, the maximum energy Emax is the total delivered energy Etot for the minimum open-circuit voltage OCVmin, at the given temperature T and current I.Thus, the maximum energy E max can be deduced from Table 208 by looking in the latter, for the temperature T and the current I at their measurements T(t), I(t), for the minimum open circuit voltage OCV min and the associated total energy delivered E tot.

[0048] Computer program 132 also includes a module 214 designed to estimate the energy state SOE(t) of cell 111 at time t, by subtracting the total energy delivered E tot (t) from the maximum energy E max (t): SOE t = E max t − E tot t

[0049] With reference to the figure 3 Examples of curves relating the total energy delivered Etot to the open-circuit voltage OCV, for several combinations of temperature T and current I, are illustrated. These curves therefore represent the data recorded in Table 208.

[0050] With reference to the figure 4 An example of a 400 model of cell 111 will now be described.

[0051] Model 400 has blocks connected in series between the two terminals 114, 116. Cell 111 presents the voltage U between these terminals 114, 116 and exchanges the current I through these terminals 114, 116.

[0052] A first block includes a voltage source U oc representing the open circuit voltage of cell 111, that is, the voltage that this cell 111 presents when it is completely relaxed.

[0053] A second block includes a series resistance Rs representing all purely resistive contributions, such as electrolyte, current collectors, and contact resistances.

[0054] A third block comprises a resistance Rsurf and a capacitance Csurf in parallel, representing the surface resistance and capacitance related to the voltage drop between the surface of the active material and the electrolyte due to charge transfer and the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). The resistance Rsurf and the capacitance Csurf thus define a time constant τsurf = RsurfCsurf related to surface phenomena (charge transfer, SEI, and double layer). This is a rapid dynamic, typically less than one second.

[0055] n blocks (n greater than or equal to 1) each have a resistance Rdiff and a capacitance Cdiff representing the diffusion phenomena of lithium ions in the electrolyte and of lithium atoms in the two electrodes. The resistance Rdiff and the capacitance Cdiff of each of these n blocks define a time constant τdiff = Rdiff - Cdiff related to the diffusion phenomena. This is a slow dynamic, on the order of several seconds or minutes.

[0056] All these parameters depend on the state of charge SOC of cell 111, the temperature T of cell 111 and the current I in cell 111, with the exception of the voltage source Uoc which does not depend on the current I. The model 400 thus includes, for example, a table for each of them, giving the value of the parameter in question as a function of the state of charge SOC, the temperature T and, where applicable, the current I.

[0057] Thus, in model 400, the internal resistance R of cell 111 is equal to the sum of the resistances Rs, Rsurf and Rdiff of the n blocks: R = R s + R surf + R diff , 1 + ⋯ + R diff , n

[0058] With reference to the figure 5 , an example of method 500 for determining table 208 will now be described.

[0059] During a step 502, a temperature value T and a current value I are selected.

[0060] During a step 504, a complete discharge of cell 111 is simulated using model 400, keeping the temperature T and current I constant at their selected values.

[0061] During step 506, the electrical energy supplied to the cell and the thermal energy dissipated by Joule heating over the simulation time are calculated from the simulation results. The total energy delivered, Etot, at each of several instants in the simulation is then calculated as the sum of the electrical energy supplied and the thermal energy dissipated at the considered simulation instant.

[0062] During step 508, the open circuit voltage OCV is also calculated for each of the simulation instants, from the simulation result.

[0063] During a step 510, for each of the instants of the simulation, the values ​​of total energy delivered E tot and associated open circuit voltage OCV are recorded in table 208, with the values ​​of temperature T and current I.

[0064] Process 500 then returns to step 502 for the selection of new temperature T and current I values.

[0065] With reference to the figure 6 , an example of a 600 method for estimating the SOE(t) energy state of cell 111 at time t, will now be described.

[0066] During a step 602, the module 202 receives the measurements T(t), U(t), I(t) of the temperature T, the voltage U and the current I, for the time t.

[0067] During a step 604, module 204 estimates the internal resistance R(t) of cell 111 for time t.

[0068] During a step 606, module 206 estimates the open circuit voltage OCV of cell 111 for time t, from the measurement U(t) of the voltage U, the measurement I(t) of the current I and the estimation R(t) of the internal resistance R.

[0069] During a step 608, module 210 estimates the total energy delivered E tot (t) by cell 111 up to time t, from the measurement T(t) of the temperature T, the measurement I(t) of the current I and the estimation OCV(t) of the open circuit voltage OCV.

[0070] During a step 610, module 212 estimates, for time t, the maximum energy E max (t) that can be delivered by cell 111, assuming that the temperature T and the current I remain constant.

[0071] During a step 612, module 214 estimates, for time t, the energy state SOE(t) of cell 111, by subtracting the total energy delivered E tot (t) from the maximum energy E max (t).

[0072] In conclusion, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above, in light of the information just provided.

Claims

1. A method (600) for estimating a state of energy (SOE) of a cell (111) of a battery (110) for a given instant (t), the cell (111) having two terminals (114, 116), the method being characterized in that it comprises: - receiving (602) measurements for the given instant (t) of a temperature (T) of the cell (111), a voltage (U) at the terminals (112, 114) of the cell (111) and a current (I) exchanged by the cell (111) across its terminals (114, 116); - estimating (604) an internal resistance (R) of the cell (111) for the given instant (t); - estimating (606) an open circuit voltage (OCV) of the cell (111) for the given instant (t) from the measured voltage (U) and current (I), and from the estimated internal resistance (R), for example by adding to the measured voltage (U) a voltage of the internal resistance (R) resulting from a passage of the measured current (I) through the internal resistance (R); - estimating (608) a total energy (Etot) delivered by the cell (111) up to the given instant (t), from the measured temperature (T) and current (I), and from the estimated open circuit voltage (OCV), using predefined associations (208) between values of total energy (Etot) delivered by the cell (111) and values of temperature (T), current (I) and open circuit voltage (OCV); - estimating (610) a maximum energy (Emax) that may be delivered by the cell (111), using the predefined associations (208) and assuming that the temperature (T) and the current (I) remain constant at their measurements for the given instant (t); and - estimating (612) the state of energy (SOE) of the cell (111) for the given instant (t), by subtracting the estimated total delivered energy (Etot) from the estimated maximum energy (Emax).

2. The method (600) according to claim 1, wherein the internal resistance (R) is estimated for the given instant (t) on the basis of a volt-amperometric measurement.

3. The method (600) according to claim 1, wherein the estimation (604) of the internal resistance (R) at the given instant (t) comprises: - a prior estimation of the internal resistance (R) for the given instant (t) from the temperature (T) and current (I) measured at the given instant (t), using predefined associations (205) between values of the internal resistance (R) and values of temperature (T) and current (I); - a correction of the prior estimation by multiplying it by a correction ratio (K) between: ∘ an estimation of the internal resistance (R) at a previous instant by a volt-amperometric measurement, and ∘ an estimation of the internal resistance (R) at the previous instant from the temperature (T) and current (I) measured at the previous instant, using the predefined associations (205) between values of the internal resistance (R) and values of temperature (T) and current (I).

4. The method (600) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the estimation (604) of the internal resistance (R) at the given instant (t) is carried out independently of a state of charge (SOC) of the cell (111).

5. The method (600) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the predefined associations (208) between values of total energy (Etot) delivered by the cell (111) and values of temperature (T), current (I) and open circuit voltage (OCV) are in the form of a table.

6. The method (600) according to claim 5, wherein the table gives the total energy delivered (Etot) as a function of the open circuit voltage (OCV), at constant temperature (T) and current (I), for several combinations of temperature (T) and current (I).

7. The method (600) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the maximum energy (Emax) is the total energy delivered (Etot) for a minimum open circuit voltage (OCVmin) provided by the predefined associations (208), at the temperature (T) and current (I) measured at the given instant (t).

8. A computer program (132) downloadable from a communications network and / or recorded on a computer-readable medium, characterized in that it comprises instructions for executing the steps of a method (600) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, when said program is executed on a computer.

9. A device for estimating a state of energy (SOE) of a cell (111) of a battery (110) for a given instant (t), the cell (111) having two terminals (114, 116) between which an electrical system (108) is connected, the device being characterized in that it comprises: - a module (202) for receiving, for the given instant (t), measurements of a temperature (T) of the cell (111), a voltage (U) at the terminals (112, 114) of the cell (111) and a current (I) exchanged by the cell (111) across its terminals (112, 114); - a module (204) for estimating an internal resistance (R) of the cell (111) for the given instant (t); - a module (206) for estimating an open circuit voltage (OCV) of the cell (111) for the given instant (t) from the measured voltage (U) and current (I), and from the estimated internal resistance (R), for example by adding to the measured voltage (U) a voltage of the internal resistance (R) resulting from a passage of the measured current (I) through the internal resistance (R); - a module (210) for estimating a total energy (Etot) delivered by the cell (111) from the measured temperature (T) and current (I), and from the estimated open circuit voltage (OCV), using predefined associations (208) between values of total energy (Etot) delivered by the cell (111) and values of temperature (T), current (I) and open circuit voltage (OCV); - a module (212) for estimating a maximum energy (Emax) that may be delivered by the cell (111) assuming that the temperature (T) and the current (I) remain constant at their measurements for the given instant (t); and - a module (214) for estimating the state of energy (SOE) of the cell (111) for the given instant (t), by subtracting the estimated total delivered energy (Etot) from the estimated maximum energy (Emax).

10. An aircraft (100) comprising: - a battery (110) comprising at least one cell (111) with two terminals (112, 114); - a sensor (118) for measuring a temperature (T) of the cell (111); - a sensor (120) for measuring a current (I) exchanged by the cell (111) across its terminals (112, 114); - a sensor (122) for measuring a voltage (U) between the terminals (112, 114) of the cell (111); and - a device for estimating a state of energy (SOE) of the cell (111), according to claim 9.