Marine Battery Charge Control Device With Dynamic Voltage Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In marine vessels, the main battery can become over-discharged due to improper charging regulation, especially when accessory battery voltage reaches a regulation voltage, causing the main battery to stop charging and leading to voltage decreases, exacerbated by manufacturing tolerance variations in control circuits across multiple propulsion devices.
Innovation Solution
A battery charge control device with a switching element that short-circuits the power generator when main or accessory battery voltages exceed set limits, using distinct control periods and units to manage charging and prevent over-discharge, with the second control period being longer to regulate accessory battery voltage and increase main battery charging opportunities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the control period for accessory battery regulation is short, then the voltage regulation responds quickly, but the main battery charging opportunities are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control periods for the two batteries: the first control unit uses a shorter control period for the main battery to ensure frequent charging opportunities, while the second control unit uses a longer control period for the accessory battery. This dynamic adjustment of control periods allows the system to balance between quick voltage regulation response and maintaining adequate charging frequency for the main battery.
2Power
If multiple propulsion devices are used, then the vessel has greater power, but manufacturing tolerance variations cause inconsistent charging regulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns a dedicated control unit to each propulsion device, with each control unit independently managing its own main battery and sharing access to the accessory battery. This segmentation ensures that manufacturing tolerance variations in one control circuit do not affect the charging regulation of other propulsion devices, as each control unit operates independently with its own control logic.
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 effectively prevents main battery over-discharge by regulating accessory battery voltage, ensuring stable charging and maintaining main battery voltage, even with manufacturing tolerance variations in control circuits across multiple propulsion devices.
Implementation Method 1
a switching element which is arranged to short-circuit the power generator, a first control unit which is arranged to execute first control to short-circuit the power generator by driving the switching element when a voltage of the main battery exceeds a first upper limit
Data Source
AI summary
A battery charge control device for a marine vessel is arranged to control charging of a plurality of batteries, which include a main battery arranged to supply power for operating an engine of a propulsion device, and an accessory battery which is arranged to supply power for devices other than the engine. The main battery and the accessory battery are connected in parallel to a power generator attached to the engine. The charge control device includes a switching element arranged to short-circuit the power generator, a first control unit arranged to execute first control to short-circuit the power generator by driving the switching element when a voltage of the main battery exceeds a first upper limit, in a first control period, and a second control unit arranged to execute second control to short-circuit the power generator by driving the switching element when a voltage of the accessory battery exceeds a second upper limit, in a second control period which is longer than the first control period.