Hybrid Energy Controller Regeneration Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid energy systems often waste regenerated energy through heat dissipation due to overcharging of energy storage devices, as existing methods do not efficiently manage energy distribution among various sources and loads.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid energy system with a controller that determines energy regeneration and storage levels, and directs excess energy to auxiliary loads based on operating conditions and energy valuations, optimizing energy distribution to maximize payback and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If regenerated energy is stored in the energy storage device beyond its capacity limit, then energy recovery is maximized, but the storage device may be damaged and excess energy is wasted as heat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregenerated energy wasteVSAvoidstorage device damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts energy distribution based on real-time storage device state. When the storage device approaches capacity or exhibits signs of stress, the controller automatically redirects excess regenerated energy to auxiliary loads, preventing overcharging damage while maximizing energy recovery utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary between the energy storage device and auxiliary loads. It monitors storage device capacity and health status, then intelligently routes regenerated energy either to the storage device when safe or to auxiliary loads when the storage device is near capacity, thereby preventing damage while minimizing energy waste

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If regenerated energy is dissipated as heat to prevent storage device damage, then storage device reliability is maintained, but energy recovery efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage device protectionVSAvoidregenerated energy waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of simply dissipating excess regenerated energy as waste heat, the system converts this potentially harmful excess energy into useful work by directing it to auxiliary loads. This transforms what would be wasted energy into beneficial contributions for systems like HVAC, lighting, or water heating, thereby maintaining storage device protection while eliminating energy waste

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If a simple energy management system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to optimize energy distribution among multiple sources and loads is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system simplicityVSAvoidenergy distribution efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a simple protective switch and as an intelligent optimization engine. It monitors storage device state, calculates optimal energy distribution, manages multiple energy sources, and coordinates auxiliary loads all through a single control unit, thereby maintaining relative simplicity while achieving high energy distribution efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8062169B2System for controlling a hybrid energy system

Publication Date: 2011.11.22 CATERPILLAR INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling a hybrid energy system including a method of storing energy within a hybrid energy system. The hybrid energy system includes a traction load and a first energy consuming system configured to maintain a first criteria within a first operating range. The method includes receiving energy into the hybrid energy system from the traction load and distributing a first energy to the first energy consuming system when the first criteria is within the first operating range.