Battery Pack Discharge Control Across System Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems lack efficient methods for rapidly discharging rechargeable battery packs, especially when they require servicing, replacement, or end-of-life management, leading to prolonged discharge times that can disrupt operations and complicate safe storage and shipment.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a controller actively discharges a rechargeable battery pack by suspending main input power and forcing power from the battery pack to the system load, allowing for rapid discharge within minutes, rather than hours, by controlling the power supply circuit and battery management system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the battery pack discharges through normal power supply operation, then the system maintains stable power delivery, but the discharge process takes hours to complete
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of battery packs requiring servicing and proactively initiates rapid discharge before removal, ensuring the battery is safely discharged and ready for service without disrupting system operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the discharge function from the normal power supply path by creating a separate forced discharge circuit that can independently discharge identified battery packs without affecting the main power delivery to the load
2Loss of time
If the system forces rapid discharge of battery packs, then discharge time is reduced to minutes, but this requires suspending main input power and actively controlling the power supply circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a controller as an intermediary that monitors battery status, identifies packs requiring service, and coordinates the forced discharge process by switching power paths and controlling the power supply circuit
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the state of charge and discharge progress of battery packs, using this feedback to control the discharge process and determine when the battery pack is ready for removal
3Reliability
If battery packs remain charged for extended periods before servicing, then operational readiness is maintained, but safe storage and shipment become compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary discharge of battery packs identified for servicing before they are removed from the system, ensuring they are in a safe charged state for storage and shipment while maintaining system reliability through continuous monitoring and selective discharge
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
Enables rapid discharge of battery packs, facilitating safe storage and shipment, reducing downtime, and improving operational efficiency by ensuring battery packs are ready for removal or replacement quickly, while maintaining system stability.
Implementation Method 1
a rechargeable battery pack includes a plurality of rechargeable cells arranged in a series or parallel configuration to define an operating voltage and current output
Data Source
AI summary
Selective discharging of a rechargeable battery pack across a power supply system load is provided, which includes determining occurrence of a condition within the power supply system, the power supply system including a power supply circuit and a backup energy source. The power supply circuit receives main input power, and the backup energy source is operatively coupled to the power supply circuit to supply backup power to the system load when main power input to the power supply circuit is unavailable. Based on determining occurrence of the condition within the power supply system, a controller actively discharges a rechargeable battery pack of the backup energy source. The actively discharging includes controlling the power supply circuit to force discharging of power from the rechargeable battery pack to the power supply system load by suspending the main input power within the system from powering the system load.