Ultracapacitor Trickle-Charge Circuit for Cold Engine Starts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle batteries face insufficient capacity during engine start-ups, especially in low ambient temperatures and when the engine is stopped, and they suffer from increased pressure due to frequent start cycles, while ultra capacitors offer high power density but limited energy density, necessitating a more efficient integration.
Innovation Solution
An electrical system enhancer comprising an array of ultra capacitors and an intelligent trickle charge circuit controllably connected to a chemical storage battery, allowing for efficient power delivery and isolation during charging, with a microprocessor managing the connection and disconnection based on predefined conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lead acid batteries are used to power vehicle electrical systems, then they can provide stable energy storage, but they suffer from insufficient capacity during engine start-ups and significant capacity loss in low ambient temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a conventional lead acid battery with an ultracapacitor module to create a hybrid electrical system. The ultracapacitor handles high-power transient demands during engine start-up and recovers energy during regenerative braking, while the battery provides stable energy storage. This merging resolves the contradiction by compensating for the battery's temperature-sensitive capacity loss with the ultracapacitor's temperature-insensitive high-power delivery capability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is stopped frequently to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel consumption decreases, but the number of engine start cycles increases putting additional pressure on the battery
Solution Approach 1:
The ultracapacitor module is pre-charged during regenerative braking events and engine operation to prepare for subsequent high-power start cycles. By accumulating energy in advance during low-demand periods, the system ensures that sufficient power is available for engine start-up without relying on the battery to handle repeated high-current demands, thus preserving battery durability while enabling frequent stop-start operation for fuel efficiency.
3Power
If ultra capacitors are used to provide high power density for engine start-up, then they can deliver bursts of high amperage current, but they have limited energy density requiring larger capacity for sustained operation
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical energy storage system is segmented into two distinct components with specialized functions: the ultracapacitor module handles high-power transient demands during engine start-up and regenerative braking, while the conventional battery handles sustained energy storage and lower-power continuous loads. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal performance range, resolving the contradiction by using the ultracapacitor's high power density for brief peaks while the battery provides the quantity of energy needed for sustained operation.
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
The system provides a reliable additional power source for vehicle starters, reducing battery size and weight, enhancing vehicle electrical systems' reliability, and enabling quick recharging of the ultra capacitors for multiple engine start attempts.
Implementation Method 1
Ultra capacitors, sometimes referred to as super capacitors or double-layer capacitors, are capacitors with very high energy densities compared to conventional capacitors and very high power density compared to conventional lead acid batteries
Implementation Method 2
an intelligent trickle charge circuit; said array of ultra capacitors controllably, switchably, electrically connectable to the chemical storage battery under the control of the trickle charge circuit
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrical system enhancer for an electrical system; the electrical system including a chemical storage battery; said, enhancer comprising an array of ultra capacitors arid an intelligent trickle charge circuit; said array of ultra capacitors controllably, switchably, electrically connectable to the chemical, storage battery under the control of the trickle charge circuit. Also disclosed is a method of enhancing performance of a vehicle electrical system by interconnecting a storage battery of said vehicle with an array of ultra capacitors; said array of ultra capacitors controllably, switchably electrically connected to the vehicle electric chemical storage battery by means of an intelligent trickle charge circuit. In a particular preferred form the trickle charge circuit includes a microprocessor programmed to connect and disconnect the chemical storage battery to and from the array of ultra capacitors under pre-defined conditions whilst retaining electrical connection between the battery and the trickle charged circuit.