Ultracapacitor Short Circuit Detection via Module Voltage Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for detecting short-circuited ultracapacitor cells in ultracapacitor packs are costly, complex, and require measuring individual cell voltages, which is inefficient and impractical for widespread implementation.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that performs cell balancing among ultracapacitor modules, measures module voltages before applying a load, and determines short-circuited cells based on voltage comparisons, eliminating the need to measure individual cell voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual cell voltage measurements are performed to detect short-circuited ultracapacitor cells, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary measurement information by measuring module voltages instead of individual cell voltages. By measuring the voltage across each module (containing multiple cells) and comparing these module voltages, the system detects short circuits without requiring individual cell measurement circuitry, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the voltage measurement system multi-functional by using module voltage measurements for both cell balancing control and short circuit detection. The same voltage measurements used to determine when balancing is needed also provide the data necessary to detect short circuits, eliminating the need for separate detection hardware and software
2Measurement precision
If individual cell voltage measurements are performed to detect short-circuited ultracapacitor cells, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary measurement information by measuring module voltages instead of individual cell voltages. By measuring the voltage across each module (containing multiple cells) and comparing these module voltages, the system detects short circuits without requiring individual cell measurement circuitry, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive individual cell measurement hardware with simpler, lower-cost module-level voltage measurements. The approach uses basic voltage measurement and comparison logic that can be implemented with inexpensive components or even software-based solutions, significantly reducing the cost barrier for manufacturing
3Device complexity
If module voltage measurements are performed after cell balancing, then short circuit detection is simplified, but measurement timing constraints are added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs voltage measurements at a specific predetermined time (after cell balancing is complete but before load is applied) when the system is in a known stable state. This preliminary measurement approach ensures accurate baseline data for short circuit detection without requiring continuous monitoring during operation, reducing complexity while managing timing constraints through protocol-based measurement scheduling
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting a short-circuited ultracapacitor cell in a machine is disclosed. The system may have a memory that stores instructions and one or more processors capable of executing the instructions. The one or more processors may be configured to perform cell balancing among ultracapacitor cells arranged within two or more ultracapacitor modules, each ultracapacitor module including at least two ultracapacitor cells connected in series. The one or more processors may be further configured to measure a module voltage generated by each of the plurality of ultracapacitor modules after performing the cell balancing and before applying a load of the machine to the ultracapacitor modules, and determine whether an ultracapacitor cell among the plurality of ultracapacitor cells is short-circuited based on a comparison of the measured module voltages.