EP1661226A2 - Chargeur rapide pour ultracondensateurs - Google Patents

Chargeur rapide pour ultracondensateurs

Info

Publication number
EP1661226A2
EP1661226A2 EP04777367A EP04777367A EP1661226A2 EP 1661226 A2 EP1661226 A2 EP 1661226A2 EP 04777367 A EP04777367 A EP 04777367A EP 04777367 A EP04777367 A EP 04777367A EP 1661226 A2 EP1661226 A2 EP 1661226A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
power module
level
energy source
power
charging
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04777367A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1661226A4 (fr
Inventor
Guy C. Thrap
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Maxwell Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Maxwell Technologies Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/611,420 external-priority patent/US7170260B2/en
Application filed by Maxwell Technologies Inc filed Critical Maxwell Technologies Inc
Publication of EP1661226A2 publication Critical patent/EP1661226A2/fr
Publication of EP1661226A4 publication Critical patent/EP1661226A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/34—Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering
    • H02J7/342—The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to energy storage systems. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and systems for charging energy storage systems that incorporate ultracapacitors.
  • Ultracapacitors can be an excellent source of energy in many applications, They offer several advantages over other types of energy storage systems such as batteries. For example, once depleted, ultracapacitors can be recharged at a significantly faster rate than batteries. Under ideal conditions, the recharge rate can be as high as the discharge rate.
  • Existing recharges for ultracapacitors generally provide a constant current into the ultracapacitor to provide recharging energy. Although this provides a constant recharge rate, the rate is limited by the output current of the recharging energy source.
  • an energy source for recharging may be a 50-volt, 20-ampere, direct current source, The recharging current is limited to the 20-ampere current from the source.
  • the time to recharge the ultracapacitor to 100% of capacity is dictated by the output current level of the source. In many circumstances, it would be desirable to achieve a recharge rate greater than that achieved at the current level of the energy source.
  • the disclosed embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for recharging an ultracapacitor at a faster rate than allowed by the constant-current configuration described above. Thus, faster recharging of a depleted ultracapacitor can be achieved.
  • the invention provides an arrangement for charging a power module.
  • the arrangement includes a power module comprised of one or more ultracapacitors and an energy source connected to the power module.
  • a positive terminal of the energy source is connected to a positive terminal of the power module, and a negative terminal of the energy source is connected to a negative terminal of the power module.
  • a control circuit is adapted to maintain a constant power level at the power module as the voltage level across the power module increases.
  • a "power module” may be a bank of ultracapacitors, such as twenty-two 2700-farad ultracapacitors connected in series.
  • the power module may be implemented as a rack-mountable package containing the bank of ultracapacitors.
  • Ultracapacitors are well-known to those skilled in the art. Ultracapacitors are also known as double-layer capacitors and supercapacitors, but will be referred to herein as ultracapacitors. Ultracapacitors generally include two current collecting plates, each having a corresponding electrode and being separated by a separator. Energy is stored in the form of a charge at the separated electrodes. For more detail on ultracapacitors, reference may be made to U.S. Patent Nos, 5,621 ,607, 5,777,428, 5,862,035, 5,907,472, 6,059,847, 6,094,788 and 6,233,135, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • the control circuit includes a pulse-width modulator and an inductor connected in series with the power module.
  • the pulse-width modulator can control a charge level of the inductor.
  • the charge level may correspond to a current level which is in accordance with a desired power level at the power module and an instantaneous voltage level across the power module.
  • the pulse-width modulator may be adapted to limit a current level through the power module to a predetermined peak level.
  • the control circuit is adapted to provide a current level through the power module greater than a current level from said energy source during at least a portion of a charging period.
  • the invention provides a constant-power charging circuit for an ultracapacitor power module.
  • the circuit includes a pulse-width modulator and an inductor connected in series with the pulse-width modulator the said power module.
  • the pulse-width modulator is adapted to control the charge level of the inductor.
  • the invention includes a method of charging an ultracapacitor power module.
  • the method includes charging an inductor connected in series between an energy source and the power module.
  • the charge level of the inductor is controlled to achieve a desired current level through the power module.
  • control step includes modulating the current from the energy source to the inductor through a pulse-width modulator,
  • the desired current level may correspond to a desired power level at the power module.
  • the power level may be constant during charging of the power module.
  • an arrangement for charging a power module comprises: a power module including one or more capacitors; an energy source; and a control circuit coupled to the power module and to the energy source to provide a higher current level to said power module than output by said energy source for at least a portion of a charging period.
  • the control circuit may be adapted to maintain a constant power level at the power module as the voltage level across the power module increases.
  • the control circuit may include a pulse-width modulator and an inductor connected in series with said power module.
  • the pulse-width modulator may control a charge level of said inductor,
  • the charge level may correspond to a current level which is in accordance with a desired power level at said power module and an instantaneous voltage level across said power module.
  • the inductor may be adapted to limit a current level through said power module to a predetermined peak level.
  • the control circuit may be adapted to provide a current level through said power module greater than a current level from said energy source during at least a portion of a charging period.
  • the one or more capacitor may comprise an ultracapacitors.
  • the one or more capacitor may comprise a value greater than about 1 Farad.
  • a constant-power charging circuit for an ultracapacitor power module comprises: a pulse-width modulator; and an inductor connected in series with said pulse- width modulator and said power module; wherein said pulse-width modulator is adapted to control the charge level of said inductor.
  • the charge level may correspond to a current level which is in accordance with a desired power level at said power module and an instantaneous voltage level across said power module.
  • the inductor may be adapted to limit a current level through said power module to a predetermined peak level.
  • the control circuit may be adapted to provide a current level through said power module greater than a current level from said energy source during at least a portion of a charging period.
  • a method of charging a capacitor power module comprises charging an inductor connected in series between an energy source and said power module; and controlling a charge level of said inductor to achieve a desired current level through said power module,
  • the controlling may include modulating the current from said energy source to said inductor through a pulse-width modulator.
  • the desired current level may correspond to a desired power level at said power module.
  • the power level may be constant during charging of said power module.
  • the desired current level through said power module may be greater than a current level from said energy source during at least a portion of a charging period.
  • a constant power charge module comprises a power module including one or more capacitors; an energy source; a voltage sense circuit, the voltage sense circuit adapted to sense a voltage of the energy source and to output a signal when the voltage is sensed; and a control circuit adapted to provide a higher current level to said power module than output by said energy source for at least a portion of a charging period of the constant power charge module and the signal.
  • the one or more capacitors may comprise a capacitance of about 1 Farad or more.
  • a constant power charge module comprises: one or more capacitor; energy source means for providing a signal; and control circuit means for provide a higher current level to the capacitor than output by said energy source for a least a portion of a charging period of the constant power charge module and the signal.
  • a method for charging a capacitor comprises the steps of: providing an energy source for charging the capacitor over a charging period; and providing a higher current to the capacitor than output by the energy source for at least a portion of the charging period.
  • a regenerative apparatus comprises: one or more capacitors; an energy source; a voltage sense circuit, the voltage sense circuit adapted to sense a voltage of the energy source and to output a signal when the voltage is sensed; and a control circuit adapted to provide a higher current level to said one or more capacitor than output by said energy source for at least a portion of a charging period of the one or more capacitors and the signal.
  • the capacitors may comprise ultracapacitors.
  • the energy source may comprise a regenerative braking motor, The braking motor may comprise a hybrid vehicle braking motor.
  • Figure 1 A is a schematic illustration of a prior-art, constant-current charging circuit
  • Figure 1 B is a chart illustrating the charge profile for an ultracapacitor power module using the charging circuit of Figure 1 A;
  • Figure 2A is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a constant-power charging circuit according to the present invention.
  • Figure 2B is a chart illustrating the charge profile for an ultracapacitor power module using the charging circuit of Figure 2A.
  • Figure 3 illustrates, in detail, one embodiment of a constant-power charging circuit illustrated in Figure 2A.
  • Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment wherein a fuel cell is provided as an energy source.
  • the present invention is generally directed to rapid charging systems and methods for recharging ultracapacitor power modules.
  • the present invention allows the rapid charging of ultracapacitors, thereby significantly reducing the time required for recharging, for example, a bank of ultracapacitors or other storage devices.
  • a system and method for charging charge storage devices at a higher current than a source current allows that recharging time is reduced.
  • ultracapacitors are described further herein in embodiments, it is understood that the scope of the present invention extends to other types of storage devices, for example, conventional capacitors and rechargeable batteries. Ultracapacitors are well known to those skilled in the art as an efficient energy storage system.
  • Ultracapacitors are typically provided with values of about 1 Farad and above.
  • Ultracapacitor power modules can include a bank of ultracapacitors connected in series to provide a desired voltage level for the particular application.
  • One attractive feature of ultracapacitors (and capacitors in general) as an energy source is their ability to be recharged in a relatively short period of time once the ultracapacitors are completely or partially depleted.
  • Ultracapacitors are capable of providing a large capacitance in a small form factor, for example, about 500 Farads can be provided by a D-Cell sized capacitor.
  • a constant-current circuit 106 is provided to regulate the current being supplied to the power module 104.
  • the power module 104 receives a constant current, typically equal to the output current of the source 102.
  • I constant current
  • capacitance of the power module 104 it is apparent that the charge rate, dV/dt is also constant.
  • An exemplary charge profile for this arrangement is illustrated in Figure 1B.
  • the current through the power module should be increased.
  • a circuit to provide a constant power to the power module achieves this goal.
  • Figures 2A and 2B illustrate one such embodiment.
  • the arrangement 200 includes an energy source 202 for recharging an ultracapacitor power module 204.
  • the positive terminal of the energy source 202 is connected to the positive terminal of the power module 204, and the negative terminal of the energy source 202 is connected to the negative terminal of the power module 204.
  • the energy source 202 may be, for example, a fuel cell, a battery or other power source.
  • the energy source 202 includes an AC power grid with a DC converter to provide direct current.
  • the energy source 202 is a 20-ampere, 50-volt power source. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the size of the energy source may vary according to requirements.
  • the ultracapacitor power module 204 may be a single ultracapacitor or a bank of ultracapacitors connected in series, for example.
  • the power module includes a bank of twenty-two 2700-farad ultracapacitors connected in series,
  • the power module 204 typically has a rated voltage when the power module 204 is fully charged.
  • a constant-power circuit 206 provides a constant power to the power module 204.
  • power is the product of current and voltage.
  • the current level is relatively high if the power is constant.
  • FIG. 3 provides a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a constant-power charging circuit 206.
  • the charging circuit 206 includes a current measuring device 208, for example, a Hall effect device, which provides an input to a pulse-width modulator 210.
  • Current measuring or detection devices 208 are well-known to those skilled in the art, as are pulse-width modulators, which are also known as pulse-duration modulators.
  • the pulse-width modulator 210 actuates a switch 212 through which the pulse-width modulator allows pulses of current to pass. The width of the pulses can be modulated to provide a current profile associated with a desired power level for the power module.
  • a capacitor 218 is provided across the input from the source 202.
  • the capacitor 218 is preferably capable of storing a small amount of energy, and should be sized to achieve the desired output result.
  • the capacitor 218 serves to protect the source 202 from experiencing fluctuations during operation of the pulse-width modulator 210.
  • An inductor 216 is provided in series with the power module 204.
  • the inductor is sized to minimize the voltage dissipated.
  • the inductor 216 serves to provide an average current through the power module 204 while the pulse-width modulator 210 is operating, as described below, [35]
  • the inductor 216 is first charged to a current level associated with the instantaneous voltage level across the power module 204 and the desired constant-power level. For example, if the present voltage across the power module 204 is 40 volts and the desired constant- power level is 1000 watts, the inductor 216 is charged to a peak current of 25 amperes.
  • the initial voltage across the power module 204 may be very low or zero.
  • the constant-power level dictates an extremely high peak current level. Such a level may be dangerous to certain components in the system.
  • the peak current level may be limited to a pre-selected level, such as 50 amperes.
  • the inductor may be charged to a level of 50 amperes until the voltage across the power module 204 reaches 20 volts.
  • the pulse-width modulator 210 opens and closes the switch 212 to control the charge level of the inductor 216 and, therefore, control the current level through the power module 204.
  • the switch 212 When the switch 212 is closed, energy from the source 202 is directed to the inductor 216, thereby charging the inductor 216.
  • the switch 212 When the switch 212 is open, the current in inductor 216 flows through diode 214 to continue to provide charge current to the power module 204.
  • the operation of the pulse-width modulator 210 thus provides a peak current level that may be limited to, for example, 50 amperes in the illustrated example. Depletion of energy from the inductor allows a peak current greater than the source current. [39] As the voltage level across the power module 204 increases, the pulse-width modulator 210 can reduce the current level through the power module 204 by decreasing the charge level of the inductor 216.
  • the inductor may be provided with a high current-level charge.
  • the high level may be maintained by the pulse-width modulator by providing energy from the source 202.
  • a lower current level through the power module 204 is desired.
  • the pulse-width modulator 210 provides constant energy from the source 202 to the inductor 216, causing the current level of the inductor to decrease as the power module voltage increases.
  • the ratio of capacitor charging voltage to the source voltage sets the duty cycle for the pulse-width modulator. The result is increased charge current into the power module 204 and reduced charging time.
  • the pulse-width modulator operates at a 50%-duty cycle.
  • the inductor will charge to 40A for 50% of the time to draw 20A from the source.
  • the 40A will flow into the power module 204.
  • the current profile resulting from the operation of the pulse-width modulator 210 is a series of current pulses.
  • the pulse-width modulator 210 operates at a frequency of 50 KHz.
  • the pulses of current are between zero and 20 microseconds in duration.
  • the overall average from the pulses is equal to the current from the source, or 20 amperes in the illustrated example.
  • the current at the outset may be substantially greater that the source current, while the later current may be substantially lower when the voltage across the power module is relatively high.
  • a diode 214 is provided across the power module 204. The diode 214 provides a current path for the inductor current to continue to flow when switch 212 is open.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment, wherein a fuel cell is provided as an energy source. In some embodiments, it may be necessary to operate with an energy source 202 that does not have a full current capability, for example, the full current demand of a constant power charging circuit 211.
  • a constant-power charging circuit 211 includes a voltage sense circuit 213.
  • voltage sense circuit 213 comprises an under voltage circuit that utilizes a voltage comparator.
  • Voltage sense circuit 213 may be configured to reduce the charge current provided to an ultracapacitor power module 204 until the output voltage of an energy source 202 is above some minimum threshold voltage.
  • voltage sense circuit 213 is configured to detect an output voltage of the energy source 202, and based on the output voltage to cause a change in operation of the pulse-width modulator 210.
  • a duty cycle of the modulator 210 is altered based on detection of the output voltage of the energy source 202.
  • a charge current provided to ultracapacitor power module 204 is reduced by altering the duty cycle of the modulator 210 until energy source 202 achieves some threshold voltage, at which point the constant-power charging circuit 211 resumes operation as described previously above.
  • ultracapacitors are disclosed, it is understood that the present invention will find use with other types of devices, for example, conventional capacitors, including electrolytic, etc; and secondary batteries. Also, fuel cell and regenerative applications are only representative of some, but not all, applications envisioned for use of embodiments of the invention.
  • resistors capacitors, inductors, and diodes disclosed herein may be implemented using surface mount, thru hole, and other components known by those skilled in the art; comparator, op amp, control circuits may be implemented by those skilled in the art using other circuits, amplifiers, transistors, resistors, and other components know to those skilled in the art; and transistors, may be implemented using amplifiers, FETs, NPN, PNP, and other components known to those skilled in the art. It is also envisioned that one or more components disclosed herein may implemented in analog form or digital form, including as PLD, firmware, or software implementations.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
  • Dc-Dc Converters (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne circuit de charge rapide permettant de charger un bloc d'alimentation. Le bloc d'alimentation contient un ou plusieurs condensateurs. Il est chargé au moyen d'une source d'énergie raccordée au bloc. Le circuit de charge comprend un circuit de régulation permettant de maintenir un niveau de puissance constant dans le bloc d'alimentation pendant la charge lorsque le niveau de tension aux bornes du bloc d'alimentation augmente. Le circuit de régulation comprend un modulateur d'impulsions en durée et une bobine d'inductance montés en série avec le bloc d'alimentation. Le modulateur d'impulsions en durée permet de réguler le niveau de charge de la bobine d'inductance. Ce niveau de charge peut correspondre à un niveau de courant défini en fonction d'un niveau de puissance recherché pour le bloc de puissance, et à un niveau de tension instantané aux bornes du bloc d'alimentation. La bobine d'inductance peut en outre être conçue pour limiter le niveau de courant passant dans le bloc d'alimentation à un niveau maximal prédéterminé. Le circuit de régulation peut être conçu pour faire passer dans le bloc d'alimentation un courant d'une intensité supérieure à celle provenant de ladite source d'énergie pendant une partie au moins de la période de charge.
EP04777367A 2003-06-30 2004-06-29 Chargeur rapide pour ultracondensateurs Withdrawn EP1661226A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/611,420 US7170260B2 (en) 2003-06-30 2003-06-30 Rapid charger for ultracapacitors
US50195703P 2003-09-10 2003-09-10
PCT/US2004/021146 WO2005006466A2 (fr) 2003-06-30 2004-06-29 Chargeur rapide pour ultracondensateurs

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1661226A2 true EP1661226A2 (fr) 2006-05-31
EP1661226A4 EP1661226A4 (fr) 2007-07-04

Family

ID=34068475

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04777367A Withdrawn EP1661226A4 (fr) 2003-06-30 2004-06-29 Chargeur rapide pour ultracondensateurs

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1661226A4 (fr)
JP (1) JP2007521790A (fr)
WO (1) WO2005006466A2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8970064B2 (en) 2008-11-25 2015-03-03 Bull Sas Direct current uninterruptible power supply device for a data-processing system with at least one processor

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5399924B2 (ja) * 2007-02-23 2014-01-29 ソシエテ ドゥ テクノロジー ミシュラン 容量性負荷の放出方法
KR100973142B1 (ko) * 2010-04-01 2010-07-29 이대교 고용량 커패시터를 이용한 차량 전기부하의 전력보상장치 및 방법
DE102010040728A1 (de) * 2010-09-14 2012-03-15 Sb Limotive Company Ltd. Verfahren und Schaltungsanordnung zur Aufladung eines Zwischenkreiskondensators
US9800075B2 (en) 2014-06-04 2017-10-24 Societe Bic Smart charging cable and method for operating a portable electronic device

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5498951A (en) * 1993-06-30 1996-03-12 Jeol Ltd. Method and apparatus for charging electric double layer capacitor
EP1013506A2 (fr) * 1998-12-21 2000-06-28 Audi Ag Réseau de bord d'un véhicule
DE19903427A1 (de) * 1999-01-29 2000-08-03 Bosch Gmbh Robert Einrichtung zur Ladung eines Kondensators
US20020084767A1 (en) * 2000-12-28 2002-07-04 Nec Corporation Solar power charging system

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US5604426A (en) * 1993-06-30 1997-02-18 Asahi Glass Company Ltd. Electric apparatus with a power supply including an electric double layer capacitor
KR950024400A (ko) * 1994-01-05 1995-08-21 김광호 다중출력을 위한 직류/직류 컨버터

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5498951A (en) * 1993-06-30 1996-03-12 Jeol Ltd. Method and apparatus for charging electric double layer capacitor
EP1013506A2 (fr) * 1998-12-21 2000-06-28 Audi Ag Réseau de bord d'un véhicule
DE19903427A1 (de) * 1999-01-29 2000-08-03 Bosch Gmbh Robert Einrichtung zur Ladung eines Kondensators
US20020084767A1 (en) * 2000-12-28 2002-07-04 Nec Corporation Solar power charging system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO2005006466A2 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8970064B2 (en) 2008-11-25 2015-03-03 Bull Sas Direct current uninterruptible power supply device for a data-processing system with at least one processor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2005006466A3 (fr) 2005-09-09
JP2007521790A (ja) 2007-08-02
WO2005006466A2 (fr) 2005-01-20
EP1661226A4 (fr) 2007-07-04

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