Portable Solar System with AGM Battery and Charge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar power systems for generating AC power in off-grid or disaster scenarios lack efficient energy storage and conversion solutions, leading to battery degradation and unreliable power supply.
Innovation Solution
A portable solar energy system utilizing a sealed lead acid battery with Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) technology and a DC-to-AC inverter, coupled with charge control circuitry to manage charging and prevent deep discharge, along with a mobile frame for easy deployment and protection from environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional solar power systems use a battery to store energy and power an inverter, then AC power can be generated for appliances, but the battery degrades quickly due to overcharging and deep discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements charge control circuitry that continuously monitors battery voltage and current flow, providing feedback to regulate charging operations. The system detects when the battery is fully charged and automatically stops or reduces charging current to prevent overcharging. Similarly, it monitors discharge levels to prevent deep discharge conditions, thereby extending battery life while maintaining reliable AC power generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces charge control circuitry as an intermediary component between the battery and the inverter system. This intermediary actively manages energy flow, preventing harmful direct connections that could cause overcharging or deep discharge. The charge controller acts as a protective mediator that regulates electrical interactions to preserve battery health while enabling continuous AC power generation.
2Device complexity
If the solar panel directly charges the battery without current control, then charging is simple, but excessive current causes physical changes inside the battery that reduce battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The charge control circuitry incorporates current sensing and feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the charging current from the solar panel. When current exceeds safe thresholds, the system automatically reduces or stops charging flow, preventing damaging physical changes in the battery. This feedback-based current regulation extends battery life while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
3Device complexity
If the system lacks protection circuitry, then the design is simpler, but the battery can discharge into the solar panel cells when illumination is insufficient, damaging the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places protective circuitry as an intermediary between the battery and solar panel, acting as a one-way valve for current flow. This protection circuitry allows charging current to flow from the solar panel to the battery when illumination is sufficient, but blocks reverse current flow from the battery to the solar panel when illumination drops below the threshold needed for charging. This simple intermediary component prevents system damage without adding significant complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection circuitry implements preliminary anti-action by preemptively blocking potential harmful reverse current flow before it can damage the solar panel or battery. The circuit is designed to detect and prevent the condition where insufficient solar illumination could cause the battery to discharge into the panel cells, thereby preventing damage before it occurs.
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 stores and converts solar energy into reliable AC power, extending battery life and ensuring a stable power supply by preventing overcharging and deep discharge, while being portable and resistant to environmental hazards.
Implementation Method 1
a solar panel (24) and an energy storage and conversion unit (22). The system (20) provides power to an appliance (26)... solar panel 24 comprises an array of solar cells mounted to a frame
Implementation Method 2
The portable solar energy system stores electrical energy generated by a solar panel, which is made of an array of photovoltaic cells, in a dc storage battery
Implementation Method 3
The inverter converts the stored energy of the battery, supplied at a low dc voltage, into ac voltage and current required for supplying conventional appliances
Data Source
AI summary
The portable solar energy system stores electrical energy generated by a solar panel, which is made of an array of photovoltaic cells, in a dc storage battery, and upon demand converts the dc voltage of the battery to an ac output suitable for supplying conventional electrical appliances. The battery is a sealed lead-acid type and may be an Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery. The system includes an energy storage and converting unit, which houses the battery and a dc-to-ac inverter. The inverter converts the stored energy of the battery, supplied at a low dc voltage, into the ac voltage and current required for supplying conventional appliances. A charge controller manages the flow of current from the solar panel to optimize the state of charge of the battery and to maximize the useful life of the battery. Additional circuitry monitors the discharge level of the battery to limit deep discharging.