Capacitor Bank Voltage Leveling for Compact Backup Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

As electronic equipment becomes smaller, providing adequate backup power from compact power supplies becomes increasingly difficult, posing challenges for maintaining reliable power in smaller enclosures.

Innovation Solution

An energy storage module comprising one or more capacitor banks, including supercapacitors, with a voltage regulator and leveling circuit, and an output circuit with a control unit to provide regulated backup power during power failures, ensuring data integrity in solid-state storage systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the power supply units are made smaller to fit smaller enclosures, then the equipment size is reduced, but the ability to provide adequate backup power deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenclosure sizeVSAvoidbackup power capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The backup power system is segmented into multiple capacitor banks (first capacitor bank, second capacitor bank, etc.) connected in parallel. Each capacitor bank is independently charged and can independently provide backup power. This segmentation allows the system to achieve adequate backup power capacity while keeping individual capacitor banks compact, thus resolving the contradiction between small enclosure size and adequate backup power capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple capacitor banks are merged/combined in parallel configuration to provide adequate backup power. The combined capacity of multiple smaller capacitor banks achieves the required backup power level while maintaining compact individual unit sizes. The merging of multiple energy storage elements solves the contradiction by distributing the total capacity requirement across several smaller components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple capacitor banks are used to provide adequate backup power, then the backup power capacity is improved, but the voltage imbalance between banks worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackup power capacityVSAvoidvoltage balance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A voltage leveling circuit with feedback control is implemented to monitor and adjust voltage levels across multiple capacitor banks. The circuit includes voltage detection circuitry that continuously monitors the voltage of each capacitor bank and controls charge transfer between banks to maintain voltage balance. This feedback mechanism resolves the voltage imbalance issue that arises when multiple capacitor banks are used for adequate backup power capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A voltage leveling circuit acts as an intermediary between multiple capacitor banks to maintain voltage balance. The leveling circuit includes charge transfer paths and control circuitry that mediate the voltage differences between banks, transferring charge from higher-voltage banks to lower-voltage banks. This intermediary mechanism resolves the voltage instability contradiction while maintaining adequate backup power capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If voltage leveling circuits are added to maintain voltage balance, then the voltage stability is improved, but the circuit complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage balanceVSAvoidcircuit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage leveling circuit is designed to be self-regulating, automatically balancing voltages between capacitor banks without requiring external intervention or complex control systems. The circuit uses inherent electrical properties and automatic feedback mechanisms to maintain voltage balance, reducing the need for additional complex control circuitry and resolving the contradiction between voltage stability and circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 energy storage module effectively provides a reliable backup power solution for solid-state storage systems, enabling data protection and system stability during power outages by maintaining voltage levels and ensuring data integrity.

Implementation Method 1

one or more capacitor banks, each including one or more capacitors, such as supercapacitors for example, for storing energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a first voltage regulator coupled to the one or more capacitor banks that may, during a normal mode of operation, provide a regulated direct current (DC) voltage to charge the one or more capacitors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Regulation:

Implementation Method 3

a passive leveling portion having a plurality of bleed resistors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule Heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS8154258B2Backup energy storage module with voltage leveling
Publication Date: 2012.04.10 ORACLE AMERICAN INC
  • US8154258B2 patent drawing
  • US8154258B2 patent drawing
  • US8154258B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An energy storage module for providing backup power to electronic systems includes one or more capacitor banks, each including one or more capacitors for storing energy. The energy storage module also includes a first voltage regulator that may, during a normal mode of operation, provide a regulated direct current (DC) voltage to charge the one or more capacitors of each capacitor bank. In addition, each of the capacitor banks may include a voltage leveling circuit that may maintain a specific voltage on the capacitors. Further, the energy storage module includes an output circuit that may, during a backup mode of operation, provide an output voltage derived from an output of each of the one or more capacitor banks. The output circuit includes a control unit configured to regulate and combine the output of each of the one or more capacitor banks.