Partial Discharge Battery Capacity Estimation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Backup battery units in critical electrically powered systems can fail latently, rendering them incapable of providing adequate backup power when utility power is lost, especially when they are at an empty charge level, as traditional full discharge cycle checks consume energy and leave no power reserve.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a partial discharge cycle method where the battery outputs direct current power at a controlled rate, combined with variable AC power, to accurately determine energy capacity without depleting the battery, ensuring energy is supplied to the system load and not wasted as heat, and using a battery management unit to estimate total capacity based on output voltage and energy discharged during the partial cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a full discharge cycle is used to check battery capacity, then measurement precision is improved, but the battery is depleted and cannot provide power during actual failure events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by conducting a partial discharge cycle instead of a full discharge cycle to measure battery capacity. The battery is discharged to a predetermined state of charge (e.g., 50% discharge) rather than completely depleting it. This allows the battery to retain sufficient charge to provide backup power during actual failure events while still obtaining adequate measurement data to assess capacity and detect latent failures.
2Measurement precision
If traditional full discharge cycle checks are performed, then battery capacity can be assessed, but energy is wasted and no power reserve remains for system protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial discharge to assess battery capacity, discharging the battery only to a predetermined state of charge rather than completely depleting it. This partial action approach allows sufficient energy to remain in the battery to provide backup power during actual failure events, preventing the energy waste and power reserve loss that would occur with full discharge cycle testing.
3Reliability
If partial discharge cycle is used, then battery remains charged for backup power, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the battery management unit monitors voltage, current, and state of charge during the partial discharge cycle. By analyzing the battery's response during this controlled partial discharge and using feedback from these measurements, the system can accurately assess battery capacity and detect latent failures without requiring a full discharge cycle, thus maintaining both power availability and measurement precision.
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 approach allows for the detection of latent failures and ensures backup battery units can provide significant energy during partial discharge cycles, maintaining system functionality even when one unit is at zero charge, by accurately assessing and maintaining the total capacity of backup batteries.
Implementation Method 1
the battery outputs direct current power at a controlled rate
Implementation Method 2
using a battery management unit to estimate total capacity based on output voltage and energy discharged during the partial cycle
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and related systems conduct a capacity check of a battery via a partial discharge cycle. A method of estimating a total capacity of a battery includes partially discharging the battery at a controlled discharge rate so as to discharge an amount of energy from the battery over a period of time. An output voltage of the battery is measured during the period of time. A total capacity of the battery is estimated based on the amount of energy discharged from the battery during the partial discharge cycle and the output voltage of the battery measured during the partial discharge cycle.