Battery-Capacitor Output Extension Circuit for Longer Runtime
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable batteries have limited power duration before needing recharging, necessitating larger numbers or sizes to meet application demands, which increases cost and weight, and there is a need to extend the time they can power loads.
Innovation Solution
A battery output extension circuit utilizing a capacitor to store energy from a charged battery, alternatingly charging and discharging it to power a load while the other battery recharges, with voltage boosters to increase efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If larger numbers or sizes of rechargeable batteries are used to extend power duration, then the power duration is improved, but the cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines rechargeable batteries with capacitors in a hybrid energy storage system. The capacitor stores energy from the battery and releases it rapidly to power the load, while the battery provides sustained energy supply. This merging allows extension of power duration without proportionally increasing battery weight, as the capacitor handles peak power demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the battery and the load. It receives energy from the battery during charging phases and delivers energy to the load during discharging phases, mediating the energy transfer and allowing the battery to operate at optimal charge/discharge rates while extending overall power duration.
2Duration of action of moving object
If larger numbers or sizes of rechargeable batteries are used to extend power duration, then the power duration is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges battery energy storage with capacitor energy storage to create a hybrid system. The capacitor's ability to rapidly charge and discharge complements the battery's sustained energy supply, together extending power duration without requiring additional batteries or increasing battery quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the energy storage parameters by introducing a capacitor with different charge/discharge characteristics than the battery. The capacitor provides high power density for short durations while the battery provides high energy density for long durations, creating a complementary hybrid system that extends overall power duration efficiently.
3Power
If more rechargeable batteries are used to meet power demands, then the power capacity is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor serves as an intermediary that handles peak power demands and rapid energy transfer between batteries and loads. This allows the battery system to operate at lower, more efficient power levels while the capacitor provides the high power bursts needed, improving power capacity without proportionally increasing battery weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic charging and discharging cycles where the capacitor is charged from the battery and then discharged to power the load. This periodic energy transfer allows the battery to replenish the capacitor repeatedly, providing sustained high power capacity without requiring the battery to continuously deliver maximum power, thus reducing required battery weight.
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
Extends the power duration of rechargeable batteries by efficiently alternating charging and discharging capacitors to power loads, reducing the number and size of batteries required, thereby lowering cost and weight.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing energy that is stored in a capacitor due to an electric field created by a voltage that is applied across the plates of a capacitor
Implementation Method 2
energy that is stored in a capacitor due to an electric field created by a voltage that is applied across the plates of a capacitor
Implementation Method 3
with voltage boosters to increase efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
The battery output extension circuit has a switch to supply energy from a first rechargeable battery to charge a capacitor and a second rechargeable battery and then interrupt that supply of energy. The battery output extension circuit has another switch to subsequently enable energy to be discharged from the capacitor to power a load. The sequential charging of the capacitor and the second rechargeable battery, interruption of the charging, and subsequent discharging of the capacitor to power a load is repeatedly performed. A switching configuration can reverse the direction of charging such that the second rechargeable battery supplies the energy to perform a similar repeatedly performed sequential charging of the capacitor and the first rechargeable battery, interruption of the charging, and subsequent discharging of the capacitor to power the load.