Switched Battery Control for DC Bus Voltage Without DC-DC Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery systems in power generation systems require DC-DC converters, which increase complexity and reduce efficiency by 5-15%, necessitating a more efficient power system design that omits these converters.
Innovation Solution
A battery control system (BCS) with a series arrangement of switched controllable units that can source and sink power to control voltage dynamically, eliminating the need for DC-DC converters and optimizing power transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If DC-DC converters are used in battery systems, then proper charging voltage control and load voltage matching are achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the DC-DC converter from the battery system architecture. Instead of using a separate voltage conversion device, the battery control system directly controls the battery cells' connection configuration (series/parallel arrangements) to achieve the required voltage levels for charging and loading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic voltage control by reconfiguring the battery cell connections in real-time. The battery control system dynamically switches between series and parallel cell arrangements to match voltage requirements, replacing the static voltage transformation function of traditional DC-DC converters.
2Ease of operation
If DC-DC converters are used in battery systems, then voltage matching is achieved, but overall system efficiency decreases by 5-15%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the DC-DC converter component that causes energy losses. By directly controlling battery cell connections, the system avoids the conversion inefficiencies inherent in traditional voltage conversion devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery system performs its own voltage matching through internal cell reconfiguration rather than relying on external conversion equipment. The battery control system manages the connection topology to directly provide required voltage levels, eliminating intermediate energy conversion steps.
3Ease of operation
If conventional battery systems with DC-DC converters are used, then voltage control is achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the DC-DC converter hardware, thereby eliminating its associated costs. The system achieves voltage control through software-controlled switching of battery cell connections, reducing both component costs and assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery control system performs multiple functions including voltage control, current management, and cell configuration optimization without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function. This multi-functionality reduces overall system cost while maintaining control capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A DC power system includes a first interface to a DC source and a second interface coupled to the first interface and to a load. A battery control system (BCS) has an input/output interface coupled to the first interface and to the second interface, and a series arrangement of switched controllable units of one or more battery cells, each switchably bypassable according to a control signal. The BCS selectively sources and sinks power to variably control a voltage at the input/output interface utilizing the plurality of switched controllable units under control of a BCS processor that produces the control signal. The BCS sources power from the switched controllable units to supply power to the load in addition to, or in lieu of, the DC source, and regulates performance of an external circuit by dynamic variation of the voltage at the input/output interface according to the control signal.