Battery Backup Units With Dynamic Voltage Regulation For Current Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information handling systems face challenges with uneven current sharing among multiple battery backup units, leading to premature discharge and inability to support power events, particularly during data-saving processes, due to limited effectiveness of traditional passive current sharing methods.

Innovation Solution

A battery backup unit configured to generate a regulated output voltage with a first magnitude for a short period to provide high power, then reduce to a lesser magnitude based on its continuous maximum power capacity, ensuring balanced power distribution and extended battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If multiple battery backup units are used in parallel, then the power capacity and backup duration are improved, but current sharing imbalance causes uneven discharge and reduces reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower capacityVSAvoiddischarge balance

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes the output voltage parameter of battery backup units based on their state of charge and load conditions. By adjusting voltage magnitudes differently across units, the system achieves balanced current sharing without complex communication protocols, resolving the contradiction between increased power capacity and discharge balance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Each battery backup unit autonomously adjusts its own output voltage based on local measurements of its state of charge and the overall system conditions. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for complex centralized control while maintaining current sharing balance, allowing the system to scale power capacity without compromising reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If passive current sharing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but current sharing effectiveness is insufficient leading to premature discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol complexityVSAvoidcurrent sharing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs simple voltage magnitude adjustments rather than complex current control mechanisms. By changing the voltage parameter dynamically based on battery state, the system achieves effective current sharing with minimal added complexity, overcoming the limitations of traditional passive sharing methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where each battery unit monitors its own state of charge and adjusts its output voltage accordingly. This local feedback approach provides effective current sharing without requiring complex centralized control, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If battery backup units provide high power immediately after AC loss, then data saving capability is improved, but the battery may drop below expected state of charge and fail to support subsequent power events

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata saving capabilityVSAvoidbackup duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic or staged power delivery where battery units provide high power initially for data saving, then transition to a sustained lower power mode. This temporal variation in power output ensures critical operations are completed while preserving enough charge for subsequent power events, resolving the contradiction between immediate productivity and long-term duration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 approach effectively manages power distribution, preventing premature discharge and ensuring reliable operation during power events by limiting power output according to the battery's maximum capacity, thereby extending battery life and supporting system requirements.

Implementation Method 1

A battery backup unit may be capable of, immediately after removal of the AC source to the power supply unit, providing electrical energy at its output for a period of time using stored charge within battery cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS10158247B2Systems and methods for enabling multiple battery backup units in a system

Publication Date: 2018.12.18 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A battery backup unit for supplying electrical energy in response to a power event affecting an ability of a power supply unit to deliver electrical energy may be configured to, in response to the power event, generate a regulated output voltage having a first voltage magnitude for a first period of time to limit power generated by the battery backup unit to a first power magnitude during the first period of time, and after the first period of time, generate the output voltage having a second voltage magnitude lesser than the first voltage magnitude for a second period of time to limit power generated by the battery backup unit to a second power magnitude lesser than the first power magnitude, wherein the second power magnitude is a function of a continuous maximum power supported by the battery backup unit based on characteristics of the battery backup unit.