Hypercapacitor Assembly for Fast Charging and Low Self-Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage devices, such as batteries and capacitors, face limitations including long charge times, susceptibility to self-discharge, and environmental hazards, particularly with lithium-ion batteries.
Innovation Solution
A hypercapacitor system integrating ultracapacitors and energy storage devices in a single assembly, allowing for fast charging, stable voltage retention, and high energy storage capacity without self-discharge, and eliminating the use of environmentally harmful lithium-ion batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If batteries are used for energy storage, then energy storage capacity is improved, but charge time becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a capacitor module and an energy retainer module into a single hypercapacitor system. The capacitor module provides fast charging capability while the energy retainer module provides high energy storage capacity, resolving the contradiction between fast charging and high energy storage that exists in standalone batteries or capacitors.
2Loss of time
If ultracapacitors are used for energy storage, then charge time is reduced, but self-discharge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges a capacitor module (ultracapacitor) with an energy retainer module. The capacitor module enables fast charging while the energy retainer module accepts energy from the capacitor and provides resistance to self-discharge, thus resolving the contradiction between fast charging and energy retention.
3Quantity of substance
If lithium ion batteries are used, then energy storage capacity is improved, but environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameters of the energy storage system by using a capacitor module with electrodes and electrolyte instead of lithium-ion battery chemistry. This substitution eliminates the environmental hazards associated with lithium mining and disposal while maintaining high energy storage capacity through the electrochemical capacitor design.
4Loss of energy
If batteries are used, then self-discharge resistance is improved, but charge time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a capacitor module and an energy retainer module into an integrated hypercapacitor system. The capacitor module enables rapid energy acceptance from charging sources while the energy retainer module provides long-term energy storage with minimal self-discharge, thus resolving the contradiction between fast charging and self-discharge resistance that plagues standalone battery systems.
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
The hypercapacitor provides rapid charging, long-term energy retention, and high energy storage per weight, replacing traditional energy storage devices while reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
store the inbound energy as a first energy in an electric field of the capacitor module
Implementation Method 2
The energy retainer may be electrically coupled to the capacitor module via one or more outbound diodes
Data Source
AI summary
A hypercapacitor energy storage system or device facilitates fast charging, stable energy retention, high energy to weight storage and the like. The hypercapacitor comprises an ultracapacitor in electrical connection with an energy retainer which may comprise a battery, a battery field, a standard capacitor and/or the like. The electrical connection between the ultracapacitor and energy retainer may stabilize the energy retention of the hypercapacitor and provide for long-term energy storage and prevent self-discharge. The hypercapacitor may be electrically couplable to an energy source such as the utility grid via a low voltage outlet (e.g., 110V or 220V) or other charging system and may undergo fast charging. The hypercapacitor may be electrically couplable to and/or integrated with various systems or devices requiring energy storage and/or usage and may provide energy thereto.