Appliance-Level DC Picogrid for Reducing Conversion Losses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy management approaches for consumer electronics and appliances result in energy losses and high capital expenditures due to conversion inefficiencies and the need for significant resources during power cuts or outages, particularly when using central DC batteries and generators.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a decentralized energy storage system, known as a DC picogrid, which uses real-time sensing of AC power sources and Hidden Markov Models to optimize battery charging and discharging, minimizing load on local power sources and reducing conversion losses by scheduling battery charging based on grid signals and user preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a central DC battery storage system is installed to run loads during power cuts, then power supply reliability during outages is improved, but conversion losses increase due to AC-DC conversion requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply reliability during outagesVSAvoidconversion losses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized battery storage system into distributed storage units at the appliance level. Each DC-powered device gets its own small battery, eliminating the need for large-scale AC-DC conversion infrastructure and reducing conversion losses while maintaining power supply reliability during outages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical AC-DC conversion system with direct DC storage and distribution. By using DC batteries at the appliance level that directly match the DC requirements of modern electronics, the system eliminates inefficient AC-DC conversion stages and reduces energy losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If large-scale diesel generators are deployed to power entire structures during outages, then power supply reliability is improved, but capital expenditure and operational costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply reliability during outagesVSAvoidcapital expenditure for generator deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the large-scale generator system into small, distributed battery units at each appliance. This eliminates the need for expensive diesel generators while maintaining power supply reliability, as each device has its own independent storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses inexpensive, replaceable DC batteries at the appliance level instead of expensive, complex diesel generators. These small battery units are much cheaper to deploy and can be easily replaced or recharged, significantly reducing capital expenditure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If central DC battery storage is used to minimize load during power cuts, then load management is improved, but device complexity and system costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload management efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables each DC-powered appliance to manage its own power storage and load requirements independently through integrated control circuits. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system by eliminating complex centralized management infrastructure while maintaining effective load management during power cuts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the complex centralized battery management system into simple, independent control units at each appliance. Each device manages its own small battery, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining load management efficiency during outages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 DC picogrid system reduces conversion losses and capital expenditures by efficiently managing energy storage at the appliance level, ensuring higher availability and lower costs, while coexisting with AC UPS systems without drawing power from them.

Implementation Method 1

determining a storage scheme for storing direct current power, converted from alternating current power input from the identified alternating current power source, in a local storage component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAC to DC conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS10630099B2Reducing conversion losses and minimizing load via appliance level distributed storage

Publication Date: 2020.04.21 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Techniques, systems, and articles of manufacture for reducing conversion losses and minimizing load via appliance level distributed storage. A method includes identifying an alternating current power source associated with a direct current-powered device, determining a storage scheme for storing direct current power, converted from alternating current power input from the identified alternating current power source, in a local storage component associated with the direct current-powered device, and managing output of direct current power to the direct current-powered device based on the storage scheme and the identified alternating current power source.