Battery Bus Switching for Grid-Independent EV Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging systems for electric vehicles require inverters and converters, increasing manufacturing costs and system size, and create dependency on utility power grids.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage system with an AC bus, DC bus, batteries, and breakers, controlled by a supervisory controller, that adjusts breaker configurations to discharge and charge batteries directly, eliminating the need for inverters and converters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If inverters and converters are implemented to charge energy storage systems from AC power lines, then the system can accommodate different power applications and convert AC to DC power, but the manufacturing cost and system size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the inverter and DC-to-DC converter components from the charging system. Instead of using these complex conversion devices, the system directly charges batteries from AC power lines through simplified circuitry, extracting only the essential charging function while eliminating unnecessary complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage system performs its own power conversion and regulation functions through intelligent control of the charging process. The system self-adjusts to accommodate different power applications without requiring external inverters or converters, making the components serve themselves rather than relying on separate dedicated devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If inverters and converters are implemented to charge energy storage systems, then the system can convert AC power to DC power and accommodate different voltage levels, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates expensive inverter and converter components from the manufacturing bill of materials. By using a simplified charging architecture that directly charges batteries from AC sources, the system reduces component count and manufacturing complexity while maintaining voltage adaptation capabilities through smart control.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system is designed to handle multiple voltage levels and power applications using a single unified charging circuit. This universal charging approach eliminates the need for separate inverters and DC-to-DC converters, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability across different applications.
3Device complexity
If typical chargers charge batteries from utility power grid, then the charging function is simple, but the dependency on utility power grid increases and it may be non-economical
Solution Approach 1:
The system charges energy storage batteries during off-peak hours or when electricity rates are lower, storing energy in advance for later use during peak demand periods. This preliminary charging action reduces dependency on real-time utility power and provides energy independence when needed most.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage system serves itself by charging during economical times and discharging during expensive periods, making its own energy management decisions. This self-service capability reduces dependency on the utility grid while maintaining simple charging architecture, achieving both simplicity and energy independence.
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
Reduces manufacturing costs and system size by eliminating the need for inverters and converters, while allowing flexible and efficient charging of electric vehicles and other devices, including simultaneous charging of multiple loads.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of batteries, a plurality of breakers, a plurality of inverters
Implementation Method 2
an inverter which converts AC power to direct current (DC) power to charge the energy storage system
Data Source
AI summary
Energy storage systems for charging an electronic device and methods of operating the same are disclosed. The energy storage system includes an AC bus, a DC bus, a plurality of batteries, a plurality of breakers, a plurality of inverters, and a controller operatively coupled with the batteries and the breakers. The method includes calculating, by the controller, an amount of power necessary to charge the electronic device; operating, by the controller, the breakers such that the batteries of a discharging station is configured to discharge through a charging station; and charging the electronic device using the batteries.