Switched Energy Buffering with Alternating Capacitor Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy storage solutions, such as electrolytic capacitors, have limitations in terms of lifetime, temperature constraints, and energy utilization due to their thermal and RMS current limitations, making them unsuitable for applications requiring long life and high energy buffering efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system employing at least two energy storage elements with a switch module that continuously switches between charging and discharging these elements to compensate for voltage variations, increasing available electrical energy and improving energy utilization, particularly in high power factor converters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If electrolytic capacitors are used for energy buffering, then energy density is improved, but lifetime and reliability deteriorate due to thermal and RMS current limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the energy storage function into multiple parallel capacitor banks instead of using a single electrolytic capacitor. Each capacitor bank can be independently managed, allowing the system to distribute thermal and current stresses across multiple components, thereby extending overall system lifetime while maintaining required energy density
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple capacitor types (electrolytic and film/ceramic) in a hybrid configuration. The electrolytic capacitors provide high energy density while the film/ceramic capacitors provide long lifetime and high reliability, creating a complementary system that achieves both high energy density and extended operational life
2Quantity of substance
If electrolytic capacitors are used for energy buffering, then energy density is improved, but temperature constraints worsen due to thermal limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal management burden across multiple capacitor banks with independent thermal paths. Each capacitor operates within its own thermal zone, preventing heat accumulation from affecting the entire energy storage system, thereby allowing higher operating temperatures without compromising the electrolytic capacitors' temperature constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces active control circuitry as an intermediary that monitors and manages the thermal state of each capacitor bank. This control system adjusts charging/discharging patterns to prevent thermal runaway and maintain operation within safe temperature ranges, enabling the system to achieve high energy density without violating temperature constraints
3Quantity of substance
If electrolytic capacitors are used for energy buffering, then energy density is improved, but energy utilization deteriorates due to narrow charge and discharge range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching control that actively manages the charge and discharge cycles of each capacitor bank. The system dynamically adjusts which capacitors are charging or discharging based on real-time voltage and current conditions, maximizing the utilization of stored energy by keeping each capacitor operating within its optimal charge range rather than allowing it to saturate or deplete
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by maintaining at least one capacitor bank in a usable charge state at all times. The control system coordinates charging and discharging across multiple banks to prevent any single capacitor from entering a non-productive state, thereby maximizing overall energy utilization and ensuring continuous power delivery capability
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and method herein provide for energy buffering. In one embodiment, a system includes an energy buffer comprising at least two energy storage elements. Each energy storage element is operable to buffer electrical energy. The system also includes a switch module operable to charge a first of the at least two energy storage elements while discharging a second of the at least two energy storage elements, and to discharge the first energy storage element while charging the second energy storage element after charging the first energy storage element. The switched charging of the energy storage elements compensates voltage variations between the energy storage elements to increase available electrical energy from the energy buffer.