Structural Energy Storage Assemblies with Embedded Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-functional composite materials fail to adequately combine structural support with energy storage capabilities, charge storage capacity, and manufacturing ease, particularly with the use of carbon nanotubes which have not lived up to their potential in enhancing properties of electrical storage devices.
Innovation Solution
The development of structural energy storage assemblies that incorporate an insulating layer with openings for energy storage devices, electrically connected to each other, and disposed between stress-carrying layers, allowing for both structural integrity and energy storage functionality while maintaining comparable weight and mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If carbon nanotubes are used to enhance electrical storage devices, then charge storage capacity and mechanical strength are improved, but manufacturing complexity and weight control become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the energy storage system into multiple discrete energy storage devices (such as batteries or capacitors) that are individually placed within openings in the insulating layer. Each device can be manufactured and tested separately, then assembled into the composite structure. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing processes compared to attempting to create a fully integrated carbon nanotube-enhanced energy storage material, while still achieving high charge storage capacity through the cumulative effect of multiple devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If energy storage devices are integrated into structural composite materials, then multi-functionality is achieved, but structural integrity and manufacturing ease are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates energy storage devices into the composite structure during the initial manufacturing process, before the final structural assembly is completed. The energy storage devices are placed within openings in the insulating layer while the composite material is being formed, allowing them to become an integral part of the structure. This preliminary integration ensures structural integrity is maintained while achieving multi-functionality, and avoids the need for complex post-manufacturing modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material that simultaneously provides structural support and energy storage capabilities. The stress-carrying layers provide mechanical strength while the energy storage devices embedded in the insulating layer provide electrical energy storage. This universal design allows a single material system to perform multiple functions that were previously required separate components, achieving versatility without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
3Quantity of substance
If energy storage devices are placed within openings in an insulating layer, then charge storage density is improved, but structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material structure consisting of stress-carrying layers (such as carbon fiber reinforced polymers) combined with an insulating layer containing energy storage devices. The stress-carrying layers are specifically designed to bear mechanical loads and maintain structural strength, while the insulating layer provides a matrix for embedding energy storage devices. This composite approach allows the structure to maintain high strength properties while achieving high charge storage density through the integrated energy storage devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are multi-functional composite materials containing energy storage assemblies that can be significantly resistant to tension/compression stress. The energy storage assemblies can contain at least one energy storage layer that contains an insulating layer having a plurality of openings arranged in a spaced apart manner, and a plurality of energy storage devices, each energy storage device being contained within one of the openings. The energy storage devices can be electrically connected to one another. The energy storage layer can contain a support material upon which electrical connections are formed. One or more energy storage layers can be disposed between two or more stress carrying layers to form an energy storage assembly that can have significant resistance to tension/compression stress. Energy storage devices suitable for use in the energy storage assemblies can include, for example, batteries, capacitors and/or supercapacitors. Methods for producing the energy storage assemblies are also described.