Battery String Rotation for Base Station Power Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery management systems in base stations constantly charge backup batteries, leading to reduced battery life, increased maintenance costs, and environmental impacts due to chemical erosion and pollution, while also making it difficult to test for failures effectively.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a battery management system that rotates batteries between active and parked states, where parked batteries are intermittently charged and tested without full discharge, allowing for reduced charging frequency and extended battery life, and utilizing both fully charged and partially charged batteries during power outages to increase operational time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If batteries are constantly charged to ensure backup power availability, then power reliability is improved, but battery life is reduced due to chemical erosion
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple strings that can be independently managed. The controller selectively connects or disconnects individual battery strings from the charging circuit based on their state of charge and health, allowing some strings to rest while others are charged, thereby extending overall system life while maintaining power availability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous charging, the system implements periodic charging cycles where battery strings are charged intermittently based on their charge levels and system needs. This periodic action reduces cumulative chemical stress on batteries while ensuring power availability is maintained through strategic charging of available strings.
2Reliability
If all battery strings are kept fully charged, then power availability is maximized, but maintenance costs and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different battery strings are treated differently based on their individual states. The controller assesses each string's charge level, age, and health, then applies customized charging strategies. Some strings may be charged while others are left at lower charge states or disconnected, optimizing both reliability and environmental impact locally for each string.
3Reliability
If battery strings are frequently cycled to test for failures, then system reliability is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring and assessment of battery string states during normal operation without requiring full discharge cycles. The controller continuously tracks charge levels, voltage characteristics, and other parameters to detect potential failures early, avoiding the need for stressful full cycling tests that would reduce battery life.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for managing battery circuits in systems such as wireless communications service base stations are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a battery circuit having multiple strings of one or more serially connected batteries. The apparatus may be configured to rotate between battery strings such that one or more strings are maintained at or near an upper threshold while other string(s) are disconnected from the maintained string(s). The apparatus may also be configured to charge the battery circuit, to test the battery circuit, and to handle power failures.