Hypercapacitor Switch Control for Battery Voltage Drop Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage devices, such as batteries and capacitors, face limitations including long charge times, high self-discharge rates, environmental concerns, and safety hazards like fires, due to their inherent characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an ultracapacitor and a battery electrically coupled via a switch, controlled by a controller that transitions between open and closed states based on voltage and current thresholds, allowing energy transfer between the ultracapacitor and battery to optimize energy storage and discharge, and utilizing diodes to manage energy flow from the power grid during outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If ultracapacitors are used for energy storage, then charge time is reduced, but self-discharge rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ultracapacitor and battery into a hybrid energy storage system. The ultracapacitor handles high-rate charging and discharging operations, while the battery provides long-term energy storage. This merging allows the system to achieve fast charge capability without suffering from the ultracapacitor's high self-discharge rate, as the battery maintains the energy when not in active use.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the ultracapacitor and battery, managing energy flow based on system needs. It directs charging current to the ultracapacitor for rapid energy capture, then transfers energy to the battery for storage, preventing the ultracapacitor from discharging its own stored energy due to self-discharge while maintaining system responsiveness.
2Quantity of substance
If batteries are used for energy storage, then energy density is improved, but charge time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging function between two devices: the ultracapacitor handles the initial rapid charging phase, accepting high current without significant voltage rise, then transfers energy to the battery at a controlled rate. This segmentation allows the battery to achieve its high energy density benefit while avoiding the long charge time penalty, as the ultracapacitor pre-charges the system.
3Quantity of substance
If lithium ion batteries are used, then energy storage capacity is improved, but environmental harm and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ultracapacitor serves as an intermediary that buffers high-rate charging and discharging operations, protecting the lithium ion battery from extreme current loads that can generate heat and trigger safety hazards. By handling peak power demands, the ultracapacitor reduces thermal stress on the battery, thereby mitigating fire risks and extending battery life while maintaining high energy storage capacity.
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 system enhances energy storage efficiency by reducing self-discharge and charge times, mitigates environmental and safety issues, and provides reliable power during outages by effectively managing energy transfer between ultracapacitors and batteries.
Implementation Method 1
an ultracapacitor configured to store a first energy as an electric field of the ultracapacitor
Implementation Method 2
a battery configured to electrically couple to the ultracapacitor and configured to receive energy therefrom to store as an energy of the battery
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is directed to methods and systems for a battery configured to store a first energy in a chemical form of the battery at a battery voltage level; an electrical load configured to draw an electrical current from the battery in response to an energy requirement of the electrical load, wherein the battery voltage level is configured to decrease in response to the electrical current being drawn from the battery by the electrical load; and a capacitor module in electrical communication with the battery and configured to store a second energy as an electric field of the capacitor module at a capacitor voltage level. The capacitor module can be in electrical communication with the load via the battery and can be configured to convey at least a portion of the second energy to the battery or to the load in response to a voltage differential between the capacitor voltage level and the battery voltage level exceeding a threshold to prevent the battery voltage level from dropping below a battery voltage threshold.