Analog Supercapacitor Balancing with Dual Voltage Comparators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Supercapacitors connected in series for energy storage modules face inefficiencies due to manufacturing and aging differences, leading to uneven charging rates and energy loss during voltage maintenance or rest phases, which reduces the overall efficiency and autonomy of the storage module.
Innovation Solution
An analog balancing system with a bypass circuit and dual voltage comparators is implemented for each supercapacitor, allowing for controlled switching based on balancing and decommutation voltages, preventing unnecessary discharge into bypass circuits and enhancing balancing precision and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a bypass circuit is used to balance voltage across series-connected supercapacitors, then voltage homogeneity is improved, but energy loss increases during voltage maintenance or rest phases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the state of bypass circuits themselves to generate the control signal. When all bypass circuits are closed, the common node voltage naturally drops to ground potential, which automatically triggers the opening of bypass circuits through the comparator, eliminating the need for external control signals or additional energy input
Solution Approach 2:
A voltage comparator monitors the voltage at the common node connecting all bypass circuits and uses this feedback to control the switching state of bypass circuits. The comparator compares the common node voltage with a reference voltage and automatically adjusts bypass circuit states to maintain voltage homogeneity while minimizing energy loss
2Stability of the object's composition
If bypass circuits remain closed during voltage maintenance phase, then voltage homogeneity is maintained, but autonomy is reduced due to continuous energy discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass circuits transition from a static closed state during charging to a dynamic state where they automatically open during voltage maintenance phase. The system adapts its configuration based on the operational phase, using the comparator to detect when charging is complete and automatically switching bypass circuits to the open state to preserve energy and extend autonomy
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 solution reduces energy losses, increases the efficiency and autonomy of the storage module by preventing unnecessary discharge during voltage maintenance or rest phases, while maintaining robustness and flexibility in the balancing process.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage comparator, said first comparator, arranged to control said bypass circuit, in an open or closed state, as a function of the voltage at the terminals said storage device and a predetermined voltage, called balancing voltage
Implementation Method 2
A supercapacitor stores electrical energy by capacitive effect
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an analogue system (300) for equilibrating an assembly (100) for storing electrical power comprising a plurality of devices (DC1-DCn) for storing electrical power via a capacitive effect, said devices being connected together in series, said system comprising, for each storage device (DCi), an equilibrating device (302i) including: - a circuit (304i) for bypassing said storage device (DCi), said circuit being controllable between a closed state and an open state; and - a first voltage comparator (106i) for controlling said bypass circuit (304i) into an open or closed state depending on an equilibration voltage; and - a second voltage comparator (206i) for controlling said bypass circuit (304i) into an open or closed state depending on a switch-off voltage.