Multi-Level Battery Protection for AUVs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) face battery failure due to high current events during charging, leading to fuse blowouts and requiring frequent module openings for replacement, which is inefficient and risky.
Innovation Solution
A multi-level battery protection system is implemented, comprising junction box fuses, a current limiting circuit, and a microprocessor circuit at the battery level, which senses and limits current, monitors voltage and current, and controls battery discharge and charge to prevent failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fuse protection is used at battery level, then battery failure is protected against, but frequent fuse replacement is required during high current events
Solution Approach 1:
The protection system is segmented into multiple levels: junction box level with first fuses and current limiting circuit, and battery level with second fuses and microprocessor circuit. This segmentation allows the current limiting circuit to handle transient high currents before they reach the fuses, preventing unnecessary fuse blowouts and maintenance interventions.
2Reliability
If high current protection is implemented, then battery failure is prevented, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection approach transitions from a single-dimensional fuse-based system to a multi-dimensional system operating at different time scales and current levels. The current limiting circuit operates on a faster time scale to limit transient currents, while the microprocessor circuit operates on a slower time scale for monitoring and control, creating a hierarchical protection architecture.
3Reliability
If current limiting circuit is added, then short duration high current events are prevented, but response time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The current limiting circuit acts as an intermediary between the battery and the load, actively regulating current flow during transient events. By placing this circuit at the junction box level, it provides intermediate protection that limits currents before they can cause damage, buying time for the microprocessor circuit to respond and for the system to maintain stability.
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 system effectively prevents battery failures by limiting high current events, monitoring and managing battery health, and controlling discharge and charge operations, thereby extending battery life and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a current limiting circuit, wherein the current limiting circuit is arranged to sense and limit the electrical current in less time than a preconfigured transient time period
Implementation Method 2
a microprocessor circuit at a battery cell, wherein the microprocessor circuit monitors at least one of a voltage and a current of the battery cell
Implementation Method 3
one or more first fuses at a junction box, wherein the one or more first fuses are rated at a first current rate and configured to blow when an electrical current through the one or more first fuses exceeds the first current rate for a first time period
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described herein for a multi-level battery protection system. In some embodiments, a multi-level battery protection system can include multiple levels at the junction box level and multiple levels at the battery level. In some embodiments, at the junction box level, the multi-level battery protection system can include junction box fuses and a current limiting circuit. In some embodiments, at the battery level, the multi-level battery protection system can include battery fuses and a microprocessor circuit.