Hybrid Battery-Capacitor Terminal Coupling for Fast Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage devices, such as batteries and capacitors, face limitations including long charge times, high self-discharge rates, environmental concerns, and safety hazards, with lithium-ion batteries being particularly problematic due to mining and disposal issues, as well as fire risks.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage assembly comprising a first and second energy storage component mechanically and electrically coupled using elongate members and cavities, allowing for efficient energy transfer and management, with an energy management system that includes hardware processors to optimize energy storage and distribution, reducing the need for wires and enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lithium-ion batteries are used for energy storage, then energy density is improved, but charge time becomes long and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the energy storage system into multiple modular battery packs that can be independently charged and connected. Each battery pack is a separate unit with its own charging circuit, allowing parallel charging operations to reduce overall charge time while maintaining high energy density through optimized cell configuration within each module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical wire-based electrical connections with magnetic coupling mechanisms. Magnets embedded in the battery packs create automatic electrical contact through magnetic attraction, enabling rapid connection and disconnection without manual wiring operations, thus significantly reducing charging time and improving safety.
2Loss of time
If ultracapacitors are used for energy storage, then charge time is improved, but self-discharge rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ultracapacitor modules with battery modules in a hybrid energy storage system. The ultracapacitors handle high-rate charging and discharging operations, while the batteries provide stable long-term energy storage. This merging allows the system to achieve fast charging capability without suffering from the high self-discharge rate of pure ultracapacitor systems.
3Quantity of substance
If lithium-ion batteries are used for energy storage, then energy density is improved, but environmental harm and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes harmful elements from the battery system by implementing separate modular units with individual protective enclosures. Each battery module is isolated with fire-resistant barriers and thermal management systems that prevent the propagation of fire or thermal runaway to other modules, thereby reducing overall environmental and safety hazards while maintaining high energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates inert protective atmospheres within battery enclosures by filling them with fire-retardant gases or applying protective coatings that prevent oxygen access to battery components. This inert environment significantly reduces fire risk and environmental harm while allowing the use of high-energy-density lithium-ion cells.
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 solution enables efficient energy storage and management, reducing self-discharge, improving charge times, and addressing environmental and safety concerns by optimizing the coupling of energy storage components and using a smart energy management system, thereby enhancing the overall performance and safety of energy storage systems.
Implementation Method 1
The elongated cavity can receive the elongate member to mechanically couple the first energy storage component to the second energy storage component
Implementation Method 2
the second energy storage component further includes a magnet configured to magnetically attract the magnet of the first energy storage component
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is directed to methods and systems for an energy storage system having a capacitor module configured to store energy as an electric field of the capacitor module, the capacitor module including a capacitor terminal, and a battery configured to store energy as a chemical form of the battery, the battery including a battery terminal, and the battery terminal including a cavity. The cavity of the battery terminal is configured to receive a portion of the capacitor terminal to mechanically couple the capacitor module to the battery and to electrically couple the capacitor module to the battery. The electrical coupling allows for energy to flow from the capacitor module to the battery via the terminal to provide voltage to the battery.