Reconfigurable Battery Strings With Surge Current Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reconfigurable battery systems face reliability issues due to surge currents during mode switching, leading to component attenuation and system failures, particularly when dealing with voltage imbalances and non-homogeneous battery modules.
Innovation Solution
An online reconfigurable battery system with surge protection modules (SPM) that includes variable resistors and switches to manage surge currents, allowing for real-time reconfiguration and energy saving by smoothing transient current changes, and enabling safe operation through buffering or disconnecting battery modules during overcurrent conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If real-time reconfiguration is implemented in the battery system, then system adaptability and performance are improved, but surge currents are generated during mode switching causing component attenuation and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The surge protection module is activated before mode switching occurs to preemptively protect against incoming surge currents. The control unit detects the impending mode switch and pre-activates the SPM, ensuring protection is in place before the harmful surge current can damage components.
Solution Approach 2:
The surge protection module acts as an intermediary component between the battery modules and the load. It intercepts and dissipates surge currents through its variable resistor before these currents can reach and damage the battery modules, enabling safe real-time reconfiguration.
2Reliability
If surge protection modules are added to protect battery modules, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surge protection module is integrated with the existing battery module structure rather than being a completely separate system. The SPM shares the same physical housing and control unit as the battery module, and its switches are coordinated with the enable/bypass module switches, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The surge protection module serves multiple functions: it protects against surge currents during mode switching, provides overcurrent protection during normal operation, and can isolate faulty battery modules. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protection systems.
3Ease of operation
If surge currents are allowed to flow during reconfiguration, then ease of operation is maintained, but heat generation increases causing energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The variable resistor in the surge protection module converts the harmful surge current into useful heat energy in a controlled manner. By deliberately dissipating the surge energy as heat in the variable resistor, the system protects components while managing the energy conversion safely.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable resistor dynamically changes its resistance value during the surge event. The resistance is high initially to limit surge current, then gradually decreases as the surge subsides, allowing normal current flow to resume. This dynamic parameter adjustment optimizes both protection and energy management.
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
The system effectively prevents short-circuit damage and enhances stability by smoothing surge currents, reducing heat generation, and allowing for safe maintenance by intercepting or bypassing affected battery modules, thereby improving the overall performance and usability of the battery system.
Implementation Method 1
a variable resistor, a third switch, and a fourth switch; the third switch and the variable resistor being connected in series, and then connected in parallel with the fourth switch to control the buffering of the surge current
Data Source
AI summary
An online reconfigurable battery system with current surge protection modules (SPM), including: a plurality of battery module strings connected in parallel. The battery module string further includes: an SPM and a plurality of enable/bypass battery modules (EBM) connected in series; where the EBM further includes: a battery, a first switch, and a second switch; the first switch and the battery are connected in series, and then connected to the second switch in parallel to form an EBM that can be enabled or bypassed; the SPM further includes: a variable resistor, a third switch, and a fourth switch; the third switch and the variable resistors are connected in series, and then connected in parallel with the fourth switch to buffer the surge current.