Modular Energy Storage Module Voltage Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current battery energy storage systems are unreliable due to the need for high-voltage approvals for maintenance and the inability to individually control batteries, leading to system failures if one battery malfunctions, and lack preventive maintenance capabilities.

Innovation Solution

An electrical energy storage module with a reversible energy conversion device, filtering capacitors, and monitoring capabilities that allows for voltage balancing and modular connection, enabling independent control and isolation of faulty modules, thus improving reliability and facilitating maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If batteries are connected in series to reduce current in cables, then voltage increases and cable current decreases, but high-voltage approvals are required for maintenance and replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable currentVSAvoidmaintenance approval requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is divided into multiple independent modules, each operating at low voltage (less than 1500V). This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to work on individual modules without requiring high-voltage approvals, while the modules can be connected in series to achieve the desired total voltage for reducing cable current.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If batteries are connected in series to reduce current in cables, then voltage increases and cable current decreases, but medium or high-voltage approval is required for consignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable currentVSAvoidconsignment approval requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed as modular units with each module operating at low voltage. This allows standard consignment procedures to be applied to each module independently, avoiding the need for special medium or high-voltage consignment approvals while still achieving low cable current through series connection of multiple modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If all batteries are connected in series, then voltage increases and current decreases, but system reliability decreases because the system fails if one battery malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable currentVSAvoidsystem operational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is segmented into independent modules with isolation switches. If one module fails, the switch can open to isolate the faulty module while keeping other modules operational. This maintains system reliability while allowing series connection of modules to reduce cable current.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Isolation switches are installed in advance in each module to provide protective functionality. When a battery malfunction occurs, these pre-positioned switches enable rapid isolation of the faulty module, preventing system-wide failure and cushioning the impact on overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Loss of energy

If all batteries are connected in series, then voltage increases and current decreases, but individual control of batteries for preventive maintenance becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable currentVSAvoidindividual battery control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into independent modules, each with its own control and monitoring capabilities. This segmentation enables individual control of each module for preventive maintenance while maintaining series connection to reduce cable current. Each module can be monitored and maintained independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances the reliability of energy storage systems by allowing for modular operation and independent control of each energy storage unit, ensuring continued functionality even if one module fails, and simplifies maintenance by enabling low-voltage regulation and voltage balancing.

Implementation Method 1

a reversible electrical energy conversion device intended to be connected to an electrical energy source and an electrical energy storage device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a first branch comprising two filtering capacitors in series

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3605775B1Electrical energy storage module and associated system and method
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD(GB)
  • EP3605775B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3605775B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3605775B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The electrical energy storage module includes a reversible electrical energy conversion device (17) intended to be connected to an electrical energy source and an electrical energy storage device (18). The storage device includes a first branch comprising two filter capacitors in series and a second branch comprising two identical electrical energy storage means connected in series, the common node of the two capacitors and the common node of the two energy storage means being connected by an impedance, a first end of the first and second branches being connected to the electrical energy conversion device, a second end of the first and second branches being connected to the electrical energy conversion device.