Series Battery Charging with Bidirectional Energy Storage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery formation systems are energy intensive and capital intensive, with high upfront costs and energy waste due to slow charging rates and parallel channel arrangements, which can lead to overcharging or undercharging issues and inefficient energy utilization.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a battery module, an energy storage system, a power source, and a controller that allows bi-directional energy transfer between the energy storage system and the battery module, enabling efficient charging and discharging of batteries in series or parallel configurations, with monitoring and control mechanisms to optimize energy use and prevent overcharging/undercharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional parallel channel arrangements are used for battery charging, then charging can be performed on multiple batteries simultaneously, but energy waste occurs due to slow charging rates and overcharging or undercharging issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between series and parallel configurations based on real-time monitoring of battery states. During series charging, batteries are connected in series to achieve faster charging rates when voltage thresholds are not critical. When voltage thresholds are approached, the system transitions to parallel configuration or adjusts charging current, enabling adaptive optimization of both charging speed and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between series and parallel connection configurations. In series configuration, the total voltage is the sum of individual battery voltages allowing faster charging. In parallel configuration, voltage remains the same but current is distributed, preventing overcharging. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting the charging mode to real-time conditions
2Productivity
If series charging configuration is used, then charging speed increases, but voltage thresholds may be exceeded causing overcharging issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time voltage monitoring of each battery in the series string. When a battery approaches its voltage threshold, the control system receives feedback and automatically adjusts the charging current or switches to parallel configuration, preventing overcharging while maintaining high charging rates during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the charging configuration based on real-time voltage measurements. During series charging, if any battery approaches its voltage threshold, the system transitions to parallel mode or reduces current, ensuring voltage control reliability while maximizing charging rate during safe operating conditions
3Productivity
If parallel channel arrangements are used, then multiple batteries can be charged simultaneously, but capital expenditures and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges series and parallel charging capabilities into a single integrated system. Instead of requiring separate parallel charging channels, the system uses a single set of charging equipment that can operate in series mode for fast charging or switch to parallel mode for simultaneous charging of multiple batteries, reducing capital expenditures and system complexity while maintaining simultaneous charging capability
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 reduces energy consumption and capital expenditures by allowing simultaneous charging and discharging of multiple batteries, optimizing energy transfer, and minimizing energy waste through efficient monitoring and control of charging states.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storage system electrically coupled to the battery module... in which energy is transferred from the energy storage system to the battery module to charge the battery module
Implementation Method 2
a second operating state in which energy is transferred from the battery module to the energy storage system to discharge the battery module
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for charging and discharging a plurality of batteries are described herein. In some embodiments, a system includes a battery module, an energy storage system electrically coupled to the battery module, a power source, and a controller. The energy storage system is operable in a first operating state in which energy is transferred from the energy storage system to the battery module to charge the battery module, and a second operating state in which energy is transferred from the battery module to the energy storage system to discharge the battery module. The power source electrically coupled to the energy storage system and is configured to transfer energy from the power source to the energy storage system based on an amount of stored energy in the energy storage system. The controller is operably coupled to the battery module and is configured to monitor and control a charging state of the battery module.