Distributed Battery Control via DC Characteristics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated control systems for batteries face challenges in managing conflicting constraints and goals, particularly in controlling multiple batteries where uncertainty about internal temperature and chemical state exists, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage to batteries.
Innovation Solution
A cooperative distributed control system that uses DC-to-DC amplifiers to control DC power output from batteries in real-time, optimizing battery operation by varying current and voltage to maintain optimal internal states, and coordinating control across multiple batteries to satisfy power requests while extending battery longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated control systems use traditional architectures to manage battery operations, then control functionality can be implemented, but the systems face difficulties in managing large numbers of conflicting constraints and operating in a coordinated manner with other systems
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent control modules, each responsible for specific control functions. This modular architecture allows the system to manage conflicting constraints by distributing decision-making across specialized modules rather than requiring a single complex control unit to handle all constraints simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary coordination layer is introduced that mediates between multiple control modules and the battery system. This intermediary manages the conflicting constraints by prioritizing and reconciling competing requirements, enabling automated control without overwhelming system complexity.
2Productivity
If battery control systems attempt to control multiple batteries with uncertain internal states, then power output can be managed, but uncertainty about internal temperature and chemical state leads to inefficiencies and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors battery parameters and uses feedback loops to adjust control actions. By incorporating real-time feedback on battery state, the system can detect deviations from safe operating conditions and correct them, maintaining reliability even when internal states are uncertain or difficult to measure directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessments and predictions of battery state before executing control actions. By estimating internal temperature and chemical state in advance and preparing appropriate control strategies, the system prevents potential damage before it occurs, rather than reacting after problems arise.
3Adaptability or versatility
If DC power output from batteries is controlled in real-time by varying current and voltage, then optimal battery operation can be maintained, but the system must coordinate control across multiple batteries to satisfy power requests
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts current and voltage parameters for each battery based on real-time conditions and power requests. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize battery operation by varying operating points, while the coordinated architecture manages multiple batteries through standardized dynamic control interfaces rather than fixed complex connections.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques are described for implementing automated control systems to control operations of specified physical target systems, such as with one or more batteries used to store and provide electrical power. Characteristics of each battery's state may be used to perform automated control of DC power from the battery, such as in a real-time manner and to optimize long-term operation of the battery. In some situations, multiple batteries are controlled by using multiple control systems each associated with one of the batteries, and with overall control being coordinated in a distributed manner using interactions between the multiple control systems. A system that includes one or more batteries to be controlled may further include additional components in some situations, such as one or more electrical sources and/or one or more electrical loads, with one non-exclusive example of a type of such system being one or more home electrical power systems.