Battery Jar Charge Balancing via Temperature Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery charging systems fail to accurately account for temperature variations among individual jars in a string, leading to uneven charging, potential overheating, and increased risk of thermal runaway, which can degrade battery performance and lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes battery monitors and a controller to detect voltage and temperature of each jar, adjusting the charging current to maintain optimal float voltage based on temperature and preventing thermal runaway by shunting current from overheating jars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional battery charging systems use total voltage monitoring only, then the charging system is simple to implement, but individual jars are not charged uniformly leading to uneven charging and potential overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery into individual jars and implements separate voltage monitoring and temperature compensation for each jar. The bypass circuit is also segmented to allow individual jar isolation. This segmentation enables precise control of charging current for each jar, ensuring uniform charging while maintaining system manageability through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies temperature-specific float voltage compensation to each individual jar based on its local temperature conditions. Each jar receives customized charging parameters according to its specific state, rather than applying a uniform charging regime to the entire battery string. This local quality approach ensures optimal charging for each jar while preventing overheating.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If temperature compensation is not applied, then the charging system operates simply with fixed voltage, but temperature variations cause uneven charging and reduce battery lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the float voltage parameter for each jar based on its temperature reading. The system changes charging parameters (voltage and current) according to temperature conditions, applying temperature-specific compensation to extend battery lifespan. This parameter adaptation prevents overcharging of warm jars and undercharging of cool jars.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements temperature feedback monitoring for each jar, where temperature readings continuously inform charging control decisions. The system uses this feedback to adjust charging current in real-time, preventing thermal runaway and extending battery life. The feedback mechanism creates a closed-loop control system that responds to actual battery conditions.
3Reliability
If charging current is not monitored individually per jar, then the charging system is easier to control, but thermal runaway risk increases due to inability to detect overheating jars
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring and control functions to operate at the individual jar level. Each jar has dedicated voltage monitoring, temperature sensing, and bypass control. This segmentation enables precise detection of thermal runaway conditions in specific jars without requiring complex system-wide monitoring, improving reliability while maintaining control simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temperature as an intermediary parameter that mediates between charging current and battery safety. Temperature readings serve as the basis for adjusting charging current to prevent thermal runaway. This intermediary mechanism provides a simple yet effective way to monitor battery health and prevent catastrophic failures.
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
Ensures each jar is maintained at its optimal charge capacity, extends battery lifespan, and reduces the risk of thermal runaway by providing individual temperature compensation and monitoring, thereby improving overall battery performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the battery monitors detect the voltage and temperature of each jar in a string of jars
Implementation Method 2
The battery monitors also include a bypass circuit capable of shunting a current around each jar
Implementation Method 3
The system also monitors the battery temperature to ensure that the jars do not exceed a temperature threshold and to ensure that thermal runaway does not occur
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of the present disclosure involve a system and method for load balancing a string of jars. The temperature and voltage of each jar is measured and a target voltage for the jar is set based on the measured temperature. A current is supplied to the jar in order to maintain, increase, or decrease the jar's voltage.