Energy Storage Monitoring via Localized Sensor Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storage units for electrical energy, such as batteries and capacitors, are prone to severe damage from short circuits and malfunctions, necessitating a quick and reliable detection method for malfunctions like temperature or pressure increases.
Innovation Solution
A storage unit with sensors for detecting physical variables like temperature and pressure, positioned in the immediate vicinity of the storage element, which provide a signal when a predefinable change over time is exceeded, allowing for rapid identification of malfunctions like short circuits or overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If monitoring systems are added to detect malfunctions in storage units, then reliability of detection improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into multiple independent sensor units, each assigned to detect specific physical variables (temperature, pressure) at different locations within the storage unit. This segmentation allows the system to achieve comprehensive monitoring coverage and high reliability without creating a single complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensor units as intermediary elements that indirectly detect malfunction conditions by measuring physical variables (temperature, pressure) rather than directly detecting electrical faults. These sensors act as mediators between the storage elements and the monitoring system, simplifying the detection mechanism while improving reliability.
2Speed
If sensors are positioned in the immediate vicinity of storage elements, then detection speed improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage unit is divided into multiple zones with sensor units positioned in the immediate vicinity of individual storage elements or groups of elements. This spatial segmentation enables rapid local detection of malfunctions while maintaining a modular structure that avoids excessive overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensor units are pre-positioned in optimal locations within the storage unit before operation begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that sensors are already in the immediate vicinity of storage elements when needed, enabling instant detection of malfunctions without requiring complex real-time positioning mechanisms.
3Reliability
If multiple physical variables are monitored simultaneously, then reliability of detection improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into multiple sensor units, where each unit is dedicated to detecting specific physical variables (temperature, pressure). This functional segmentation allows simultaneous monitoring of multiple parameters while keeping each sensor unit relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor units are designed with multi-functionality, capable of detecting different physical variables (temperature, pressure) using the same basic sensor structure. This universality allows the system to monitor multiple parameters simultaneously without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
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
Enables quick and reliable detection of malfunctions, ensuring the reliable operation of storage units by providing an early warning system that can interrupt energy supply and prevent further damage, such as fires or explosions.
Implementation Method 1
a means for detecting physical variables, in particular a pressure or a temperature, is assigned to the storage element in the immediate vicinity
Implementation Method 2
a means for detecting physical variables, in particular a pressure or a temperature, is assigned to the storage element in the immediate vicinity
Data Source
AI summary
A frequency converter includes a storage element for storing electrical energy and a detector connected to the storage element and including a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. The detector detects a physical variable in immediate vicinity of the storage element and provides a signal in accordance with an electrical resistance of the detector when a predefinable change over time of the physical variable is exceeded, with the electrical resistance representing an output of the detector. A housing encloses or substantially encloses the detector and the storage element. Communicating with the detector is an evaluation facility to detect the predefinable change over time of the physical variable. The evaluation facility and/or the detector is/are connected to a higher-level security system designed to decouple and/or to divert the electrical energy from the storage element when the predefinable change over time of the physical variable is exceeded.