Energy Storage Swelling Detection for Moisture vs Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy storage devices such as capacitors and batteries face issues with size changes due to moisture absorption, which can lead to hygroscopic swelling, reduced insulation resistance, and potential damage, making it difficult to distinguish between moisture-induced and temperature-induced changes, resulting in false alarms and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A method that measures size changes and temperature on disjoint surfaces of energy storage devices to estimate their quality, using sensors like strain gauges and thermistors, and outputs a quality evaluation to prevent false alarms and predict maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If size change measurement is used to detect moisture absorption, then quality assessment capability is improved, but false alarms increase due to temperature-induced swelling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the size change detection into two separate measurement components: one for moisture-induced swelling and another for temperature-induced expansion. By using disjoint surfaces for measurement and separately evaluating temperature effects, the system can isolate and accurately detect moisture absorption without being confounded by temperature variations, thus reducing false alarms while maintaining quality assessment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temperature as an intermediary parameter to mediate between the size change measurement and quality assessment. By measuring temperature and using it to compensate for or subtract temperature-induced dimensional changes, the system can isolate the moisture-related size changes, thereby improving measurement precision for quality assessment while reducing false alarms caused by thermal expansion.
2Measurement precision
If multiple measurement parameters are used to improve quality assessment, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the size change measurement system multi-functional by using the same measurement apparatus to detect both moisture-induced swelling and temperature-induced expansion. By programming the evaluation unit to differentiate between these two effects based on measurement patterns and environmental data, the system achieves high-quality assessment accuracy without requiring separate dedicated sensors for each parameter, thus avoiding excessive complexity.
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 method effectively assesses the quality of energy storage devices by distinguishing between moisture-induced and temperature-induced changes, reducing the risk of false alarms and enabling predictive maintenance, thereby extending the lifespan and safety of the devices.
Implementation Method 1
moisture absorption by the energy storage device. The moisture absorption may lead to hygroscopic swelling
Implementation Method 2
a capacitor, whose metallic components are covered, coated, or laminated with a film comprising polymer, is exposed to humidity or moisture, water may be incorporated into the polymer
Implementation Method 3
a change of size, e.g. a swelling, of the capacitor may also be caused, e.g., by a higher temperature of the energy storage device
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3b
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AI summary
The invention relates to the field of energy storage devices, particularly for capacitors or accumulators. A method for estimating a present quality of the energy storage device (10) comprises the steps of: measuring a first size change of a first surface of the energy storage device (10); measuring a temperature and/or a second size change of a second surface of the energy storage device (10); and estimating the present quality of the energy storage device (10), based on the first size change combined with the temperature and/or the second size change of the energy storage device (10).