Modular Battery Inverter Units With Synchronized AC Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery management systems and inverters for DC energy storage face challenges in miniaturization, cost reduction, and efficient energy density, particularly in high-performance applications where precise control and high current ratings are required, often leading to increased costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The approach involves a control logic and apparatus with interchangeable units, each containing a battery management system and an inverter, configured to provide AC power through a string cell inverter setup, allowing for efficient use of space and reduced component costs by distributing units across compartments, with synchronized impedance control for precise AC output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single battery management system manages large numbers of cells to increase energy density, then cost is reduced and volume is minimized, but control complexity and measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple interchangeable units, each containing a subset of battery cells and a battery management system. This segmentation allows each BMS to manage fewer cells with appropriate measurement precision while the collective system achieves high energy density through parallel configuration of multiple units.
2Device complexity
If a single inverter bridge with multiple legs is used to reduce cost and compactness, then device complexity is reduced, but precise control of sub-microsecond timing accuracy across multiple AC phases becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The inverter function is segmented across multiple interchangeable units, each containing its own inverter bridge. This allows each inverter to be designed and controlled independently with precise timing, while the collective system provides the required multi-phase AC output. The segmentation enables modular control that maintains sub-microsecond timing accuracy without requiring a single complex inverter bridge.
3Power
If high performance batteries are used to increase energy density, then power capability is improved, but mechanical shock protection and sophisticated battery management are required, increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
High performance battery cells are segmented into multiple smaller groups, each housed in its own interchangeable unit with dedicated mechanical protection and battery management. This segmentation reduces the handling complexity for each unit while maintaining the overall power capability through parallel configuration. Each unit can be manufactured and tested independently, simplifying the manufacturing process.
4Volume of moving object
If batteries are miniaturized to increase energy density, then volume is reduced, but mechanical shock protection becomes more critical, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical protection features and battery management system are merged into the interchangeable unit housing along with the miniaturized battery cells. This integration provides comprehensive protection for the small battery while maintaining compact dimensions. The unit design combines protection mechanisms with the battery itself, avoiding additional separate protection components that would increase overall complexity.
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 enables efficient and controlled AC power delivery, reduces component costs, and improves energy density by allowing interchangeable units to be easily swapped, while maintaining precise control and extending battery life, thus addressing the challenges of miniaturization and cost reduction.
Implementation Method 1
an inverter comprising a plurality of voltage controlled impedances for providing a power supply to the AC output based on energy from the battery
Data Source
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AI summary
A unit for installation in a complex product comprising an electric machine requiring an AC power supply. The unit comprises: a housing carrying an AC output; a battery in the housing comprising at least one battery cell; an inverter in the housing, the inverter comprising a plurality of voltage controlled impedances, VCIs, for providing a power supply to the AC output based on energy from the battery; wherein the housing carries a timing signal input configured to receive a timing signal from outside the housing; and wherein the timing signal input is coupled to control the VCIs so that changes in the impedances of the VCIs are synchronised with the timing signal.