Battery Auto-Cycler Switching for Heat Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable batteries used in spacecraft, such as those in the International Space Station, experience capacity loss due to the memory effect and generate excessive waste heat during auto-cycling, which is difficult to dissipate with limited cooling capacity.
Innovation Solution
A battery charger system with a switch and power supply that cycles two batteries through a series of operational positions to fully charge and discharge them in sequence, using a current regulator to manage charging and discharging currents, thereby reducing energy waste and heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional auto-cycling is used to recondition batteries, then battery capacity is restored, but excessive waste heat is generated that is difficult to dissipate in spacecraft with limited cooling capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two batteries into a single integrated system where one battery charges the other during auto-cycling. Instead of dissipating energy as heat through resistive devices, the system combines the energy from discharging one battery to charge the second battery, thereby eliminating waste heat generation while maintaining battery reconditioning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat that would normally be generated during battery discharge into a beneficial resource by using the discharged battery's energy to charge the second battery. The energy that would have been wasted as heat is instead put to productive use, reconditioning the second battery simultaneously
2Use of energy by moving object
If batteries are not fully discharged every time to preserve capacity, then immediate discharge capacity is maintained, but capacity is quickly lost over time due to memory effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic full discharge and recharge cycles for each battery individually through the alternating switch positions. While one battery is being fully discharged to recondition it, the other battery is being charged or is available for use. This periodic full cycling restores and maintains battery capacity over time without requiring both batteries to be fully cycled simultaneously, thus preserving long-term discharge capacity
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
The system effectively conserves energy and minimizes waste heat by discharging one battery to charge another, ensuring efficient battery reconditioning without overheating, even in environments with limited cooling capacity.
Implementation Method 1
Non-rechargeable batteries and rechargeable batteries produce current the same way, which is through an electrochemical reaction involving an anode, cathode and electrolyte
Implementation Method 2
Equipment that is designed to recondition a battery in this way simply discharges the battery through a current resistive device and 'wastes' the energy by converting the energy to heat
Data Source
AI summary
A battery charger system includes a power supply and a switch connected to the power supply wherein the switch has a first switch half and a second switch half. First and second batteries are selectively connected to the power supply via the switch. The first and second switch halves are moved between a plurality of operational positions to fully charge the first battery, discharge the first battery into the second battery, discharge the second battery into the first battery, and fully charge the second battery.