Distributed Battery Management via Blockchain Nodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centralized battery management systems face challenges in accurately controlling large numbers of batteries due to processing and communication limitations, and are susceptible to single points of failure, which can lead to inaccurate control and potential battery degradation.

Innovation Solution

A distributed battery management system utilizing a blockchain computer network with multiple nodes that store and manage a battery management blockchain, allowing for secure, accurate, and scalable control of batteries by collectively reading and adjusting operating parameters based on telemetry data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a centralized battery management architecture is used, then control simplicity is maintained, but the system cannot accurately control large numbers of batteries due to processing and communication limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery control accuracyVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized battery management system into multiple distributed control nodes, each responsible for managing specific subsets of batteries. This segmentation allows the system to scale to large numbers of batteries while maintaining control accuracy, as each node can process data locally without overwhelming a single central processor. The distributed architecture eliminates processing bottlenecks inherent in centralized systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a centralized battery management architecture is used, then system structure is simple, but the system is susceptible to single points of failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the centralized management function into multiple independent control nodes, the patent eliminates the single point of failure inherent in centralized architectures. Each node operates independently, so if one node fails, others continue to manage their respective battery subsets. This segmentation transforms the system from vulnerable centralized control to resilient distributed control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements redundant control nodes that can take over if a primary node fails. This beforehand cushioning ensures continuous battery management operation even when individual nodes experience failures, thereby improving system reliability without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Quantity of substance

If the number of batteries under control scales up, then system capacity increases, but centralized battery management becomes infeasible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of batteriesVSAvoidcontrol accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the large battery fleet into multiple zones or groups, each managed by dedicated control nodes. This segmentation allows the system to handle thousands of batteries by distributing the control load across multiple nodes, each processing a manageable subset. The modular approach maintains control accuracy regardless of total battery quantity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-dimensional centralized control model to a multi-dimensional distributed control architecture. By adding the dimension of spatial distribution across multiple nodes, the system can scale to large battery quantities while maintaining control accuracy through localized processing and coordinated management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If distributed control nodes are implemented, then system reliability improves by mitigating single points of failure, but data security challenges arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoiddata security risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces blockchain technology as an intermediary layer between distributed control nodes and the central management system. This intermediary provides secure, immutable data storage and verification, allowing distributed nodes to communicate reliably while protecting against data tampering and unauthorized access. The blockchain acts as a trusted mediator that maintains system reliability without compromising data security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11822402B2Distributed battery management system using blockchain based data storage

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A distributed battery management system for a plurality of batteries is controlled by a blockchain computer network comprising a plurality of computer nodes. A computer node is configured to store a battery management blockchain including a plurality of blocks. The blocks of the battery management blockchain include battery telemetry data for the plurality of batteries. The distributed battery management system is operated according to a computer-implemented method including computer-reading the battery management blockchain stored at the computer node of the blockchain computer network and computer-adjusting an operating parameter of a selected battery of the plurality of batteries based on such computer-reading of the battery management blockchain.