Cell Removal Circuit for Defective Energy Storage Array Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
A single defective energy storage cell in an array can cause the entire array to fail, leading to data loss and improper operation of electronic devices during power outages, as it can short-circuit and affect other cells, resulting in reduced available energy.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a cell removal circuit that identifies and removes defective energy storage cells by providing current to cause them to become an open circuit, preventing further damage to the array and maintaining the functionality of the remaining cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single defective energy storage cell is present in an array, then the array structure remains intact, but the entire array fails due to short-circuit propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing defective energy storage cells from the array through a cell removal circuit. The circuit detects defective cells and provides current to cause them to become open circuits, effectively extracting the harmful defective cells from the array while preserving the functional cells. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the short-circuit propagation source while maintaining array structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cell removal circuit acts as an intermediary between the defective cell and the rest of the array. It detects the defective cell's presence and intervenes by providing current to convert the short-circuit condition into an open-circuit condition, preventing the harmful effect from propagating to other cells while maintaining array integrity.
2Reliability
If current is provided to remove defective cells, then defective cells are isolated from the array, but additional circuit complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cell removal circuit performs multiple functions: it monitors the array for defective cells, identifies which cells are defective, and provides current to remove them. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate monitoring and removal systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cell removal circuit enables the array to self-diagnose and self-repair by automatically detecting defective cells and removing them without external intervention. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex external monitoring and manual maintenance systems.
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 solution effectively prevents the failure of the energy storage array by isolating defective cells, ensuring that the remaining cells can provide sufficient power for proper operation and data protection during power outages.
Implementation Method 1
A cell removal circuit may be configured to remove a defective energy storage cell from an energy storage array that includes a plurality of energy storage cells
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for removing a defective energy storage cell from an energy storage array is described. An apparatus includes an energy storage array including a plurality of energy storage cells, and a cell removal circuit coupled to the energy storage array. The cell removal circuit is configured to prevent a defective energy storage cell of the plurality of energy storage cells from causing other energy storage cells of the plurality of energy storage cells to become defective. A method includes receiving power at a charging node of an energy storage array, the energy storage array including a plurality of energy storage cells. Responsive to failure of an energy storage cell of the plurality of energy storage cells, current is provided through the defective energy storage cell, and responsive to the defective energy storage cell becoming an open circuit, discontinuing provision of the current through the defective energy storage cell.