Capacitive Energy Storage System with Parallel Branch Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current capacitive energy storage systems for electric vehicles are inefficient due to their architecture, which is not tolerant of internal failures, lacks fine management of supercapacitors, and has high conduction losses, making maintenance difficult and energy recovery less effective.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive energy storage system with multiple branches in parallel, each containing current conversion and capacitive storage means, with voltage regulation and current limiting capabilities, allowing for continuous adjustment of the optimum operating point to maximize energy recovery and extend component lifespan, while enabling modular architecture and independent branch operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a single high-power reversible converter is used with series-parallel supercapacitor arrangement, then the system can store energy, but the system suffers from high conduction losses and low energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single high-power converter into multiple independent low-power converters, each associated with a separate parallel branch of supercapacitors. This segmentation reduces conduction losses in each converter and improves overall energy efficiency while maintaining the required power capacity through parallel operation of multiple branches.
2Reliability
If a single converter system is used, then the system architecture is simple, but the system is not tolerant of internal electronic failures and maintenance is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent parallel branches, each with its own converter and supercapacitor modules. This modular architecture allows individual branches to be isolated, maintained, or replaced without affecting other branches, thereby improving reliability through redundancy and facilitating easier maintenance access to specific components.
Solution Approach 2:
The parallel branch architecture provides built-in redundancy where if one branch fails, other branches can continue operating. This beforehand cushioning against failure ensures system availability is maintained even when individual components or branches experience electronic failures.
3Ease of operation
If series-parallel supercapacitor arrangement is used with single converter, then energy storage is achieved, but fine management of supercapacitors is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The supercapacitor system is segmented into multiple parallel branches, each managed by its own converter. This allows independent control and fine management of each branch's charge state, enabling precise energy distribution and optimization without requiring complex series-parallel switching arrangements.
4Power
If large-caliber switching electronic components are used in the converter, then high power handling is achieved, but electrical and economic efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The high power handling requirement is met by parallel connection of multiple low-power converters rather than using a single high-power converter with large-caliber components. Each small-caliber component operates more efficiently, reducing conduction losses while the parallel arrangement achieves the required total power capacity.
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 solution enhances energy storage efficiency, reduces conduction losses, and facilitates maintenance by allowing each branch to operate independently, thereby increasing the system's availability and extending the lifespan of supercapacitors while maximizing energy transfer.
Implementation Method 1
at least one storage means capacitor
Data Source
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AI summary
Capacitive energy storage system (5) able to be linked to an electrical power distribution network (4) which comprises at least one means for converting current and at least one means for capacitive storage of energy, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of branches (9) disposed in parallel each comprising means for converting current and means of capacitive storage, the converting means being disposed in series with the capacitive storage means, each branch (9) comprising means for regulating the voltage of the capacitive storage means, the voltage regulating means being associated with means for limiting current as a function of voltage and each branch (9) comprising means for regulating the input voltage (UF) so as to continuously tailor the optimum operating point.