3D Dielectric Energy Storage Structure Against Short Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage devices are prone to short circuits and voltage breakdown, which affect their efficiency and cost, making them less effective for meeting the increasing demand for renewable energy storage.
Innovation Solution
The energy storage device employs a three-dimensional array of peaks and troughs with a high dielectric material that stores electrical potential energy in the form of chemical, electrostatic, and pseudocapacitance, featuring a gap between conductors to prevent short circuits and distribute voltage across multiple troughs, reducing the risk of voltage breakdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing energy storage devices are used, then energy storage is provided, but they are prone to short circuits and voltage breakdown which reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the conductor into multiple isolated sections using dielectric material. Each conductor segment is separated by insulating material, preventing continuous electrical contact and potential short circuits. This segmentation isolates voltage breakdown risks to individual segments rather than affecting the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
Dielectric material is introduced as an intermediary substance between the conductor segments. This intermediary provides electrical insulation while allowing the device to maintain its energy storage function, effectively preventing direct contact that would cause short circuits or voltage breakdown.
2Reliability
If conventional capacitor structures are used, then energy storage is achieved, but voltage breakdown occurs more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor is divided into multiple isolated segments by dielectric material, creating discrete storage regions. This segmentation prevents voltage breakdown from propagating across the entire conductor, confining it to individual segments if it occurs, thereby improving overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric material serves as an intermediary insulating layer between conductor segments, providing electrical isolation that prevents voltage breakdown and short circuits. This intermediary protects the conductive paths from direct contact that would cause failure.
3Quantity of substance
If material fills the troughs completely or overfills, then capacitance is increased, but short circuit risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Dielectric material acts as an intermediary substance filling the troughs and separating conductor segments. This intermediary provides electrical insulation even when completely filling or overfilling the troughs, allowing maximum capacitance without creating direct conductive paths that would cause short circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric material can be structured to fill the troughs effectively while maintaining its insulating properties. The material's structure allows it to occupy the space between conductors without creating conductive pathways, balancing capacitance enhancement with short circuit prevention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances the reliability and efficiency of energy storage by minimizing short circuits and voltage breakdown, allowing for increased capacitance and reduced costs, thereby improving the effectiveness of renewable energy storage solutions.
Implementation Method 1
The material for storing electrical potential energy may store the electrical potential energy in the form of one or more of chemical energy, electrostatic energy, pseudocapacitance and electrostatic double layer capacitance (EDLC)
Implementation Method 2
The material for storing electrical potential energy may store the electrical potential energy in the form of one or more of chemical energy, electrostatic energy, pseudocapacitance and electrostatic double layer capacitance (EDLC)
Implementation Method 3
The material for storing electrical potential energy may be and/or may be part of and/or may comprise a battery. When the material for storing electrical potential energy may be and/or may be part of and/or may comprise a battery, the material typically stores the electrical potential energy in the form of chemical energy
Implementation Method 4
The capacitor may be a high dielectric capacitor. It is normally a high dielectric capacitor in the troughs
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The invention relates to an energy storage device (10) comprising a substrate (12) having a three-dimensional array of peaks(14) and troughs (16); each trough (116) having a first and a second face (118a, 118b); the first and/or second face of the troughs having a conductor (120) thereon; and the troughs containing a material for storing electrical potential energy (199). The invention further relates to a method of conditioning a substrate.