Battery Self-Heating via Voltage Differential Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Batteries in electronic equipment cabinets often experience temperature drops during cold soaks, leading to reduced performance and the inability to provide sufficient power, as existing heating systems may fail to maintain optimal temperatures efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising rectifiers and a controller that raises the output voltage of a battery above the rectifier's output voltage when the battery temperature falls below a threshold, causing current to flow through the battery's internal resistance and warm it from the inside, potentially combined with external heating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional external heating systems are used to warm batteries during cold soaks, then the batteries can maintain operational temperature, but the heating systems are inefficient and fail to warm batteries quickly enough
Solution Approach 1:
The battery warms itself by controlling its own voltage to be higher than the rectifier voltage, causing current to flow through its internal resistance and generate heat internally. This self-heating mechanism eliminates the need for external heating systems and provides rapid temperature increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically adjusts the battery's output voltage parameter, raising it above the rectifier's output voltage when temperature drops below a threshold. This parameter change creates a voltage differential that drives current through the battery, converting electrical energy to thermal energy via internal resistance.
2Temperature
If the battery voltage is raised above rectifier voltage to warm the battery, then the battery warms faster, but there is a risk of excessive capacity drain
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors battery temperature and voltage conditions, and dynamically adjusts the battery's voltage output. When temperature drops below a threshold, the controller raises the voltage above rectifier voltage to induce warming current. When temperature is sufficient, the controller reduces or stops this voltage elevation, creating a feedback-controlled system that prevents excessive capacity drain while maintaining effective warming.
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 method effectively warms the battery faster and more efficiently than traditional heating methods, ensuring the battery can provide specified power levels sooner and reducing the risk of excessive capacity drain.
Implementation Method 1
raising the output voltage of the battery above the output voltage of the one or more rectifiers so that current flows from the battery, thereby warming the battery via an internal resistance of the battery
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for warming batteries are generally disclosed. According to one aspect, a system for warming a battery includes one or more rectifiers each having an input for receiving an input voltage and an output configured to provide an output voltage to a load. The system also includes at least one battery having an input for receiving an input voltage to charge the battery. The battery is coupled to the load and configured to provide an output voltage to the load. The system also includes a controller coupled to the battery and configured to raise the output voltage of the battery above the output voltage of the one or more rectifiers so that current flows from the battery, thereby warming the battery.