Exceptional Charge Event Detection in Series Battery Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery pack systems face challenges in detecting and responding to exceptional charge events in series-connected energy storage elements, particularly lithium-ion batteries, where voltage monitoring and balancing systems may malfunction, leading to overcharge or overdischarge hazards due to individual cell imbalances.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a data acquisition system to determine charge-dependent parameters for each battery element, a controller to establish characterization patterns, and an exceptional charge event detector to identify overcharge or overdischarge events using distinct detection modalities, enabling appropriate responses such as inhibiting charging, bleeding charge, or adjusting SOC targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If series element voltages are monitored and balancing is performed, then charge balance is improved, but individual elements can still experience exceptional charge events due to natural variations and measurement limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously analyzing voltage drift trends before exceptional charge events occur. The system establishes expected voltage drift rates during normal charging operations and compares real-time measurements against these expectations. When the actual voltage drift exceeds the expected drift rate by a threshold margin, the system triggers an alarm condition, enabling preventive action before overcharge occurs. This preliminary detection mechanism addresses the inherent limitations of conventional balancing by providing early warning of abnormal charge behavior.
2Measurement precision
If additional detection systems are added to identify exceptional charge events, then detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the exceptional charge event detection system to utilize existing voltage measurement infrastructure and processing resources. The voltage drift analysis is performed using the same data acquisition channels and control logic that manage conventional voltage monitoring and balancing operations. This approach enables enhanced detection capability without requiring completely separate measurement systems, thereby improving measurement precision while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for identifying and responding to exceptional charge events of series-connected energy storage elements. An exceptional charge event detector for an energy storage system having a plurality of series-connected battery elements, comprising: a data acquisition system determining, for each battery element of the plurality of series-connected battery elements, a series of charge dependent parameters during an operational period of the energy storage system; a controller, coupled to said data acquisition system, establishing a characterization for each battery element of the plurality of series-connected battery elements from said series of charge dependent parameters; wherein said characterization includes either a normal characteristic pattern or an exceptional characteristic pattern for each time segment of a plurality of time segments spanning said operational period; and wherein said controller detects an exceptional charge event for a selected one battery element whenever said characterization for said selected one battery element includes an exceptional characteristic pattern in any particular time segment where a normal characteristic pattern is expected.