Hybrid Energy Storage Segmentation for Power Density Trade-offs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy storage systems face a trade-off between power density and energy density, making it difficult to simultaneously achieve high peak power and high energy endurance, which is necessary for applications like autonomous vehicles with varying mission segments.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple energy storage devices with different energy densities and peak power ratings, optimized for specific mission segments, such as a high-capacity, low-peak power cruise battery and a low-capacity, high-peak power hover battery, to power different propulsion systems in autonomous vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a battery is designed for energy density to store high amount of energy, then specific energy is improved, but peak power delivery capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage system is divided into multiple battery modules, each optimized for different power density requirements. This segmentation allows the system to store high total energy while providing high peak power when needed, as each module can be independently sized and configured for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the energy storage system are assigned different characteristics - some batteries are optimized for high energy density (endurance) while others are optimized for high power density (peak performance). This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each component to excel at its specific function rather than requiring a single battery to compromise both.
2Power
If a battery is designed for power density to deliver high peak power, then peak specific power is improved, but mass efficiency for endurance operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power delivery function across multiple batteries with different power densities. High-power batteries are used only when peak power is needed, while high-energy batteries handle sustained lower-power operations, improving overall mass efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different battery modules based on power requirements. During endurance operations, only the necessary high-energy batteries are activated, while during peak power events, high-power batteries are engaged. This dynamic allocation optimizes mass efficiency across varying operational demands.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single energy storage system is designed to meet both high peak power and high energy endurance requirements, then system versatility is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than designing one complex battery to handle all mission requirements, the system segments functionality across multiple simpler battery modules. Each module has a specific optimization (high energy or high power), reducing individual complexity while achieving overall mission versatility through modular combination.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for power an apparatus during a mission includes powering the apparatus with a first energy storage device during a first mission segment of the mission. The first energy storage device has a first energy density and a first peak power rating. The apparatus is powered with a second energy storage device, distinct from the first energy storage device, during a second mission segment of the mission. The second energy storage device has a second energy density lower than the first energy density and a second peak power rating that is greater than the first peak power rating.