Inductive Coupling for Electrical Storage Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems with multiple cells face issues such as imbalance during charging, system failures due to mismatched internal impedances, and difficulty in swapping out failed cells or accommodating changes in cell capacity or operating characteristics, especially in electrical coupling configurations.
Innovation Solution
An energy distribution system that uses a magnetic core with a detachable segment and power converters to couple energy storage cells to an energy source or load, allowing for flexible and safe swapping of cells and dynamic power management through processors, enabling inductive coupling without direct electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electrical coupling among cells is used, then energy transfer efficiency is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to imbalance during charging and vulnerability to cell failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic coupling mechanism as an intermediary between power converters and energy storage cells. This magnetic coupling allows indirect energy transfer without direct electrical connections between cells, eliminating the imbalance problem during charging while maintaining efficient energy transfer. The magnetic field acts as a mediator that decouples the electrical connections while preserving the energy transfer function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the magnetic coupling into detachable segments that can be independently controlled for each cell. This segmentation allows individual cell replacement or maintenance without affecting other cells, improving system reliability. Each power converter can be independently coupled or decoupled from its associated cell through the segmented magnetic structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If permanent electrical coupling among cells is used, then system stability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates due to difficulty in swapping out failed cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic coupling where the magnetic connection between power converters and cells can be changed from coupled to decoupled state. This dynamic capability allows cells to be easily removed or replaced by simply decoupling the magnetic connection, while maintaining system stability when cells are properly connected. The coupling state can be changed without disrupting other cells in the system.
3Speed
If direct electrical connections among cells are used, then power transfer speed is improved, but device complexity increases due to switching and protection circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct electrical connections with magnetic coupling, substituting electromagnetic induction for direct conductive paths. This substitution maintains fast power transfer capability through the magnetic field while eliminating the need for complex switching and protection circuits that would be required for direct electrical connections. The magnetic coupling inherently provides electrical isolation, simplifying the overall system architecture.
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
This solution enhances system reliability by allowing individual cell replacement and flexible configuration, reducing vulnerability to cell failures, and enabling efficient energy transfer while ensuring safe handling and maintenance, suitable for applications like electric vehicle charging.
Implementation Method 1
inductive coupling for an electrical storage system
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic core containing a magnetic circuit shared among the first set of windings
Data Source
AI summary
An energy distribution system and methods for coupling a plurality of energy storage cells to an energy source or load by replaceable insertion of a segment within a magnetic circuit common to the cells. An energy storage cell interface couples each of the cells to the source or load, and a separate power converter is coupled through the interface to each one of the energy storage cells. The energy distribution system has a magnetic core containing a magnetic circuit shared among multiple windings, where the magnetic core includes a detachable segment replaceably insertable into the magnetic circuit.