Strand Segmented Energy Supply Device with Galvanic Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy-supply devices are expensive to produce due to limited configurability and lack of robustness against failures, as they require individual control of fuel-cell stacks and lack galvanic isolation between energy storage elements.
Innovation Solution
The energy-supply device is designed with usage units divided into strands, each connected in series with a DC converter and galvanically separable switching units, allowing for flexible configuration and robustness through individual control of each strand and usage unit, with a diagnostic unit to manage wear and parameter differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If individual control of fuel-cell stacks is implemented to achieve flexible configurability, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The energy supply device is divided into multiple strands, each containing multiple usage units connected in series. Each strand can be independently controlled and configured, allowing flexible adaptability without requiring individual control of every single usage unit. The strand-level segmentation enables manageable complexity while maintaining configurability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple strands with identical or similar structures can perform the same function, allowing them to be used interchangeably. This universality reduces the need for complex individual control mechanisms, as any strand can replace another, simplifying the overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Reliability
If galvanic isolation between energy storage elements is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into independent strands that can be galvanically isolated from each other. This segmentation allows reliability improvements through isolation without requiring complex isolation mechanisms between every individual usage unit, as the isolation is implemented at the strand level only.
3Reliability
If replacement usage units are provided for continued supply, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent strands, where each strand contains usage units that can operate independently. If one usage unit fails, other strands can continue to supply energy, providing built-in redundancy without requiring separate replacement units. This segmentation-based redundancy improves reliability while avoiding the complexity of managing individual replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple strands are combined into a single energy supply system, where the collective output of all strands provides the required energy supply. This merging allows the system to maintain reliability through redundancy while managing complexity at the strand level rather than requiring separate replacement mechanisms for each usage unit.
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 configuration enables flexible and reliable energy management, allowing for adjustable current and voltage settings, efficient operation, and extended service life by evenly distributing wear across usage units.
Implementation Method 1
Each strand contains a few of the usage units. In each strand, the usage units are connected in series. The series connection is connected via a DC converter with a strand end of the strand
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an electrical energy-supply device including several usage units, wherein each usage unit is adapted to generate or temporarily store electrical energy, and wherein a control means is adapted to control an exchange of power (E) between the energy-supply device and at least one device, The invention provides that the usage units of the energy-supply device are divided into strands and the usage units of each strand are connected to a series connection and the series connection is connected via a DC converter and at least one galvanically isolable switching unit is connected to a busbar arrangement.