Battery Self-Heating System Using Impedance and Resonant Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery heating systems for solid electrolyte batteries, such as Lithium Polymer, face inefficiencies and potential damage due to external heating sources, and existing self-heating solutions either draw power from the battery or require complex components that are not suitable for internal implementation.
Innovation Solution
A battery self-heating system that uses a self-resonant energy transfer mechanism with minimal energy storage elements, such as inductors or capacitors, to direct energy back into the battery, leveraging the battery's impedance to generate heat internally, with a switching circuit to manage energy flow and protect the battery from over-discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If external heating elements are placed against the battery casing, then the battery can be heated from external sources, but thermal stress and damage occur to the battery and the heating elements are fragile causing system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The battery heats itself by utilizing its own stored energy to power an internal heating element, eliminating the need for external heating sources that cause thermal stress and fragility issues. The battery's chemical energy is converted to electrical energy to drive the heater, making the system self-contained and reliable.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is removed from external placement against the battery casing and relocated to an internal position within the battery structure. This extraction from external placement eliminates thermal stress on the battery casing and protects the fragile heating element from external damage.
2Temperature
If the battery heater is powered automatically when the battery is subjected to an external load, then the battery can be heated, but the heater draws power from the battery which compromises performance when supplying large loads in cold temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is heated in advance before the external load is applied, so that by the time the load requires power, the battery is already at optimal temperature and can deliver full power without compromise. The heating occurs during a pre-conditioning phase when the load is not yet demanding energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating operation is performed periodically or in cycles before load application, rather than continuously during load operation. This periodic heating approach ensures the battery is warm when needed without continuously drawing power during load supply.
3Loss of energy
If a four step resonant energy transfer process is used with inductor and capacitor, then energy can be transferred back to the battery, but the system is complicated requiring additional components not well suited for installation within the battery casing and suffers from poor efficiency at high power levels
Solution Approach 1:
The complex four-step resonant energy transfer process involving separate inductors and capacitors is removed and replaced with a simplified direct energy transfer mechanism. The patent extracts the unnecessary intermediate energy storage elements and implements a more efficient direct connection approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The separate inductor and capacitor components are merged into a simpler switching circuit configuration that directly transfers energy from the battery to the heating element. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple discrete components and reduces system complexity while improving efficiency.
4Temperature
If the battery heater draws power from the battery during cold operation, then the battery can be heated, but the terminal voltage drops below safe levels causing irreversible damage to the battery
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is heated in advance before the heavy load is applied, so that the terminal voltage remains above safe levels during the heating phase. By the time the load is applied and heavy current is drawn, the battery is already warm and can maintain adequate terminal voltage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors battery terminal voltage and temperature to control the heating operation. When terminal voltage approaches unsafe levels or temperature reaches optimal range, the heating is automatically adjusted or stopped, preventing battery damage from excessive 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
This system efficiently generates heat within the battery cells, minimizing external component losses and preventing damage, while operating effectively at low temperatures without the need for external power sources or discrete heater elements.
Implementation Method 1
Internal heating of the battery is accomplished by a cycle comprising the out flux and influx of energy through the impedance of the battery
Implementation Method 2
A battery self-heating system that uses a self-resonant energy transfer mechanism with minimal energy storage elements, such as inductors or capacitors
Data Source
AI summary
A battery self heating system for batteries that experience battery impedance or internal battery resistance when temperature drops. The system comprises an energy storage element applied to the battery terminals to draw energy from the battery. The energy is stored in a magnetic or capacitive storage device. The system is self-resonant so that energy transfer from the storage device to the battery will occur at a frequency and load level that is compatible with the current state of the battery. Internal heating of the battery is accomplished by a cycle comprising the out flux and influx of energy through the impedance of the battery. Energy losses due to battery impedance are converted to heat thereby heating the battery internally.