Magnetic Busbar Clasp Layout for Damping Battery Equalizing Currents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reconfigurable batteries with modular multilevel converters face high equalizing currents when switching between modules with voltage differences, which existing methods fail to adequately address without increasing impedance, leading to material and cost inefficiencies and dynamic losses.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising two magnetic clasps connected to busbars, forming an eight-shaped enclosure with a specified spacing to generate counter-coupled inductance that dampens equalizing currents without affecting load currents, using magnetic materials like ferrite or soft magnetic composites to manage magnetic flux effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If inductances are incorporated to reduce equalizing currents, then the amplitude of equalizing current is lowered, but the maximum achievable dynamic and frequency components are significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inductance function is segmented into two separate inductors (L1 and L2) positioned on opposite sides of the battery module, each handling equalizing currents in opposite directions. This segmentation allows selective damping of equalizing currents while preserving load current dynamics, as each inductor only affects currents flowing through its specific path.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductors are placed locally at specific connection points on the battery module terminals, creating localized impedance only where equalizing currents occur. This local placement ensures that the inductance effect is applied selectively to equalizing current paths while minimizing impact on overall system dynamics and frequency response.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If inductances are incorporated to reduce equalizing currents, then equalizing current amplitude is lowered, but connection points and busbars become correspondingly large and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The inductors serve multiple functions simultaneously: they dampen equalizing currents, provide magnetic coupling between opposite current paths, and can be integrated with existing busbar structures. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall connection architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductors are merged with the busbar structure, combining the current-conducting function of busbars with the current-dampening function of inductors into a single integrated component. This merging eliminates the need for separate discrete inductance components and reduces connection complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If inductances are incorporated to reduce equalizing currents, then equalizing current is dampened, but the total load current must also be magnetic and designed thermally and magnetically
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful equalizing current component is extracted and handled separately from the useful load current. The inductors are positioned and configured to affect only the equalizing current paths while allowing load current to pass through with minimal magnetic interaction, thus reducing the total magnetic material required.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling between inductors L1 and L2 is dynamic and current-direction-dependent. The inductors provide strong magnetic coupling when equalizing currents flow in opposite directions, but the coupling effect is minimized for load currents, allowing the system to adapt its magnetic properties based on the current state.
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 solution effectively suppresses equalizing currents while minimizing material usage, design complexity, and costs, maintaining dynamic performance and frequency components, and reducing thermal and magnetic stress on the system.
Implementation Method 1
An apparatus for magnetic flux generation on two parallel extending busbars (203)... two clasps (111, 112) that are connected to one another, which are formed from a magnetic material... generate counter-coupled inductance that dampens equalizing currents
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for magnetic flux generation on two parallel extending busbars, the apparatus including two clasps that are connected or are to be connected to one another, which are formed from a magnetic material. A respective clasp of the two clasps includes at its two ends a respective connection region for contacting the respective other clasp of the two clasps. When the two clasps are connected to one another, a central region of the respective clasp has a specified spacing from the central region of the respective other clasp. The respective clasp is formed such that, if the respective clasp is inserted perpendicular to and between the parallel extending busbars, a first part of the respective clasp extends below one of the two busbars and a second part of the respective clasp extends above another of the two busbars.