Ultra-Capacitor EV Charging From Standard Low-Power Outlets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging systems face limitations due to the need for specialized outlets and high-capacity connections, which are costly and not always available, especially in residential and remote areas, and often underutilized, as they require higher voltage and current than typical power outlets can provide.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing ultra-capacitors to charge electric vehicle batteries, which includes an input for power, an array of ultra-capacitors, an ultra-capacitor charger, and a controller to manage charging and discharging, allowing for efficient power supply to batteries even with low-power sources, and enabling fast charging without specialized outlets by storing energy and releasing it quickly when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If specialized outlets with high voltage and current are installed to enable fast charging, then charging speed is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary energy storage by charging ultra-capacitors from available power sources before the actual battery charging begins. This preliminary action allows the system to accumulate sufficient energy in the ultra-capacitors to deliver high-power charging pulses without requiring specialized high-capacity outlets, thereby achieving fast charging with standard electrical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Ultra-capacitors serve as an intermediary energy storage device between the power source and the battery. They buffer the power transfer, accepting energy from low-power sources and releasing it at high power rates when needed for battery charging. This intermediary component enables the system to decouple the charging speed from the power source capacity, allowing fast charging without specialized outlets.
2Power
If high-capacity power connections are installed to support Level 3 charging, then charging power is improved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-charges ultra-capacitors from available power sources before delivering high-power charging to the battery. This preliminary energy accumulation allows the system to achieve high charging power (up to 120 kW or more) without requiring permanent installation of high-capacity power connections, thereby reducing installation costs while maintaining charging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Ultra-capacitors act as an intermediary that bridges the gap between low-power available sources and high-power charging demands. They temporarily store energy and release it at high power rates, enabling the system to deliver Level 3 charging power through standard electrical outlets without requiring expensive high-capacity infrastructure installation.
3Reliability
If specialized charging infrastructure is deployed, then charging capability is improved, but availability in remote areas worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to work with universal, standard electrical outlets available in any location, rather than requiring specialized charging infrastructure. The ultra-capacitor-based architecture enables the system to function reliably with common power sources found in remote areas, campsites, and locations without dedicated charging stations, thereby greatly expanding location availability while maintaining charging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Ultra-capacitors serve as a portable, self-contained energy buffer that enables reliable battery charging using any available power source. This intermediary energy storage system allows the charger to accumulate sufficient energy from low-power sources in remote areas and then deliver high-power charging to the battery, making the system adaptable to any location with basic electrical infrastructure.
4Ease of operation
If standard power outlets are used for charging, then ease of use is improved, but charging speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary energy accumulation by charging ultra-capacitors from standard power outlets before battery charging begins. This preliminary action allows the ultra-capacitors to store sufficient energy to deliver high-power charging pulses, enabling fast charging speeds even when using conventional, easily accessible electrical outlets without specialized infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Ultra-capacitors function as an intermediary energy buffer between standard power outlets and the battery. They accept energy from low-power, easily accessible outlets and release it at high power rates during battery charging, thereby decoupling outlet accessibility from charging speed and enabling fast charging with standard infrastructure.
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
Enables efficient and fast charging of electric vehicle batteries using available power sources, including low-voltage and low-current inputs, and allows for charging in remote areas without specialized connections, reducing the demand on the power grid and utilizing energy storage effectively.
Implementation Method 1
an array of ultra-capacitors; an ultra-capacitor charger connected to the input and configured to receive power from the input, the ultra-capacitor charger connected to the array of ultra-capacitors and configured to supply power to control charging and discharging of the array of ultra-capacitors
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a system for charging an electric vehicle using ultra-capacitors. The system may include an input to receive power from a power source. An ultra-capacitor charger may be connected to the input and may receive power from the input. The ultra-capacitor charger may be connected to an array of ultra-capacitors and may supply power to control charging and discharging of the array of ultra-capacitors. An output may be connected to the array of ultra-capacitors. The output may include a current controller, a voltage controller, any combination thereof, and/or the like configured to supply power to at least one battery. A method and computer program product are also disclosed.