Multi-Bank Energy Storage System for Hybrid Vehicle Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery-based power systems in electric and gas/electric hybrid vehicles face suboptimal performance due to the need for compromise among factors like power discharge, rapid charging, and longevity, leading to premature battery life reduction from frequent charge cycling.
Innovation Solution
A bi-directional energy storage system with multiple independently operable energy banks of different chemistries or technologies, managed by a power management system that selects the appropriate bank based on energy transfer requirements, optimizing power transfer and reducing charge cycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a single type of secondary battery cell is used to provide high power discharge during acceleration and rapid power uptake during regenerative braking, then power transfer performance is improved, but battery longevity deteriorates due to frequent charge cycling
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple independently operable battery banks, each capable of being selectively engaged based on operational requirements. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for power transfer during acceleration and regenerative braking while minimizing charge cycling frequency, thereby extending battery longevity.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack is designed to perform multiple functions through different battery banks: one bank optimized for high power discharge during acceleration, another for rapid power uptake during regenerative braking, and a third for sustained power discharge during normal driving. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing each bank to specialize in specific tasks.
2Power
If battery cells are designed for heavy power discharge during acceleration, then acceleration performance is improved, but performance during other operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different battery banks are designed with different local qualities optimized for specific functions: one bank with high power density for acceleration, another with high charge acceptance for regenerative braking, and a third with balanced characteristics for sustained driving. This local quality differentiation allows each bank to excel at its designated task while the system as a whole achieves versatility across all operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an energy storage system and related method. According to one embodiment, such a system comprises a power management system and a plurality of energy banks coupled to the power management system, wherein each of the plurality of energy banks is capable of being independently discharged through the power management system. The power management system is configured to select at least one of the plurality of energy banks to transfer energy between the energy storage system and a machine powered using the energy storage system. According to one embodiment, the method comprises determining an energy transfer requirement of the machine powered by the energy storage system, selecting at least one of the plurality of energy banks for responding to the energy transfer requirement, and transferring energy between the selected energy bank(s) and the machine according to the energy transfer requirement.