WO2020223758A1 - Energy storage device management system - Google Patents

Energy storage device management system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020223758A1
WO2020223758A1 PCT/AU2020/050441 AU2020050441W WO2020223758A1 WO 2020223758 A1 WO2020223758 A1 WO 2020223758A1 AU 2020050441 W AU2020050441 W AU 2020050441W WO 2020223758 A1 WO2020223758 A1 WO 2020223758A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
energy storage
ptc
storage devices
electrical
sets
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2020/050441
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Lance Maul
Nathan Coad
Scott MONAHAN
Original Assignee
Gelion Technologies Pty Ltd
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 AU2019901539A external-priority patent/AU2019901539A0/en
Application filed by Gelion Technologies Pty Ltd filed Critical Gelion Technologies Pty Ltd
Priority to AU2020269077A priority Critical patent/AU2020269077A1/en
Publication of WO2020223758A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020223758A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES, LIGHT-SENSITIVE OR TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE DEVICES OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
    • H01G11/00—Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodes; Electric double-layer [EDL] capacitors; Processes for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof
    • H01G11/14—Arrangements or processes for adjusting or protecting hybrid or EDL capacitors
    • H01G11/18—Arrangements or processes for adjusting or protecting hybrid or EDL capacitors against thermal overloads, e.g. heating, cooling or ventilating
    • 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
    • H02J7/0013—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially
    • H02J7/0024—Parallel/serial switching of connection of batteries to charge or load circuit
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/50—Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
    • H01M50/572—Means for preventing undesired use or discharge
    • H01M50/574—Devices or arrangements for the interruption of current
    • H01M50/581—Devices or arrangements for the interruption of current in response to temperature
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
    • H02H5/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal non-electric working conditions with or without subsequent reconnection
    • H02H5/04—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal non-electric working conditions with or without subsequent reconnection responsive to abnormal temperature
    • H02H5/042—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal non-electric working conditions with or without subsequent reconnection responsive to abnormal temperature using temperature dependent resistors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
    • H02H9/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for limiting excess current or voltage without disconnection
    • H02H9/02—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for limiting excess current or voltage without disconnection responsive to excess current
    • H02H9/026—Current limitation using PTC resistors, i.e. resistors with a large positive temperature coefficient
    • 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
    • H02J7/0013—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially
    • 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
    • H02J7/0029—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries with safety or protection devices or circuits
    • H02J7/00304—Overcurrent protection
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01C—RESISTORS
    • H01C1/00—Details
    • H01C1/14—Terminals or tapping points or electrodes specially adapted for resistors; Arrangements of terminals or tapping points or electrodes on resistors
    • H01C1/1406—Terminals or electrodes formed on resistive elements having positive temperature coefficient
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01C—RESISTORS
    • H01C1/00—Details
    • H01C1/16—Resistor networks not otherwise provided for
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES, LIGHT-SENSITIVE OR TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE DEVICES OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
    • H01G11/00—Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodes; Electric double-layer [EDL] capacitors; Processes for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof
    • H01G11/14—Arrangements or processes for adjusting or protecting hybrid or EDL capacitors
    • H01G11/16—Arrangements or processes for adjusting or protecting hybrid or EDL capacitors against electric overloads, e.g. including fuses
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/425—Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing
    • H01M2010/4271—Battery management systems including electronic circuits, e.g. control of current or voltage to keep battery in healthy state, cell balancing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2200/00—Safety devices for primary or secondary batteries
    • H01M2200/10—Temperature sensitive devices
    • H01M2200/106—PTC
    • 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
    • H02J7/14—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle
    • H02J7/16—Regulation of the charging current or voltage by variation of field
    • H02J7/18—Regulation of the charging current or voltage by variation of field due to variation of ohmic resistance in field circuit, using resistance switching in or out of circuit step by step
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to an energy storage device and, in particular, to managing the charge and discharge of electrically parallel connected elements within the energy storage device.
  • Fig. 1 shows a conventional circuit arrangement of sets of energy storage devices 110A to 110C, 120A to 120C, 130A to 130C where the energy storage devices in each set (e.g., 110A to 110C) are connected in series.
  • the 120A to 120C, 130A to 130C are then connected in parallel for providing/receiving electrical power to an electrical load or source 140.
  • the sets of energy storage devices 110A to 110C, 120A to 120C, 130A to 130C discharge to provide electrical power to an electrical load 140 or are charged by receiving electrical power from an electrical source 140.
  • both the electrical load and the electrical source are referred to as 140.
  • the energy storage devices 110A to 110C, 120A to 120C, 130A to 130C typically have different impedances, due to the internal and external characteristics of the individual energy storage devices 110A to 110C, 120A to 120C, 130A to 130C.
  • each set of energy storage devices e.g., 110A to 110C
  • each set of energy storage devices would deliver / receive different electrical current to/from the electrical load/source 140. This would result in disparate states of charge and heat generation within each of the energy storage devices 110A to 110C, 120A to 120C, 130A to 130C.
  • an energy storage device management system comprising: sets of first receptacles, each of the sets of the first receptacles being configured to connect a set of energy storage devices in series, the sets of first receptacles being connected in parallel to an electrical load or an electrical source; and electrical components, wherein each of the electrical components is connected in series to each of the sets of energy storage devices, the electrical components being configured to balance the electrical current provided to the electrical load from the sets of energy storage devices or received from the electrical source to the sets of energy storage devices.
  • an energy storage module comprising: energy storage devices connected in series; and an electrical component connected in series to the energy storage devices, wherein a resistance of the electrical component increases with a current flowing through the electrical component.
  • the increase in resistance may be achieved by a material with a current-temperature-resistance relationship, such as a thermistor.
  • Other embodiments may include a switching device in combination with current sensing and controller to limit current transfer via a Pulse Width Modulation technique.
  • an energy storage module comprising: sets of energy storage devices connected in series, wherein the sets of energy storage devices are connected in parallel; and an electrical component connected in series to each of sets of energy storage devices, wherein a resistance of the electrical component increases with a current flowing through the electrical component.
  • FIG. 1 shows a prior art arrangement of series-connected energy storage devices that are connected in parallel for providing electrical power to an electrical load
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an aspect of the present disclosure for an energy storage device
  • FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a battery management system according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 4 shows examples of the energy storage devices of Fig. 2 or the battery management system of Fig. 3 in use.
  • FIG. 2 shows an energy storage module 200 having a set of energy storage devices 210A, 210B, 210C and an electrical component 220.
  • the energy storage devices 210A, 210B, 210C and the electrical component 220 are connected in series.
  • Examples of the energy storage devices 210A, 210B, 210C are Zinc Bromide or other Metal-Halide batteries.
  • Examples of the electrical component 220 are a positive temperature-coefficient thermistor (PTC) 220 (such as polymeric PTC), a PTC equivalent circuit, a switching circuit with current feedback and control for PWM function (such as a FET with current shunt, micro-processor and FET driver), a switching circuit with current feedback and control for a device with a voltage or current controlled resistance (such as a transistor or FET with a current shunt, micro-processor, FET driver, with the transistor or FET operated like a variable resistor) and the like.
  • PTC positive temperature-coefficient thermistor
  • PTC positive temperature-coefficient thermistor
  • Each of the energy storage devices 210A, 21 OB, 210C provides electrical power when the energy storage module 200 is connected to an electrical load (e.g., the electrical load 140).
  • an electrical load e.g., the electrical load 140.
  • Fig. 2 only shows three energy storage devices 210A, 210B, 210C being connected in series, the number of series-connected energy storage devices may be less (i.e., 2) or more (i.e. , more than 3).
  • the PTC 220 increases in resistance when the temperature of the PTC 220 increases. Due to the series connection, the current provided by the energy storage devices 210A, 210B, 210C passes through the PTC 220 and causes the temperature of the PTC 220 to increase. When more current flows through the PTC 220, the temperature of the PTC 220 also increases, which in turn increases the resistance of the PTC 220. For example, the electrical load demands more current from the series-connected energy storage devices 210A, 210B, 210C.
  • the temperature and resistance of the PTC 220 increase due to the increased current, which in turn limit the current being delivered to the load.
  • the operation of the energy storage module 200 will be described further in relation to Fig. 4.
  • the resistance of the PTC 220 is also dependent on the ambient temperature.
  • the PTC 220 has a linear relationship between temperature and resistance. For example, when the temperature of the PTC 220 increases by 1°C then the resistance of the PTC 220 increases by 100W. In this arrangement, as the amount of current flowing through the PTC 220 increases, the resistance of the PTC 220 increases linearly.
  • the PTC 220 has a maximum temperature threshold beyond which the resistance of the PTC 220 increases rapidly.
  • the PTC 220 has a maximum temperature threshold of 60°C.
  • the PTC 220 may be operating as described immediately above. However, when the amount of current provided by the energy storage devices 210A, 210B, 210C increases such that the temperature of the PTC 220 reaches the maximum temperature threshold, then the resistance of the PTC 220 increases rapidly. For example, in a linear relationship, a temperature increase of 1°C increases the resistance of the PTC 220 by 100W, but, beyond the temperature threshold, a temperature increase of 1°C increases the resistance of the PTC 220 by 1000W.
  • the PTC 220 acts like a fuse beyond the maximum temperature threshold.
  • the PTC 220 has a minimum temperature threshold under which the resistance of the PTC 220 is not affected by temperature.
  • the PTC 220 has a minimum temperature threshold of 40°C.
  • the PTC 220 may have a constant resistance that is not affected by changes in the temperature of the PTC 220.
  • the resistance of the PTC 220 increases accordingly.
  • the resistance of the PTC 220 may increase linearly above the minimum temperature threshold.
  • the energy storage module 200 can be connected in parallel to other energy storage modules 200.
  • the circuit configuration for this connection is shown is Fig. 4 and will be discussed below.
  • Fig. 3 shows an energy storage management system 300 having first receptacles with electrodes 310A to 3101, 320A to 3201, a second receptacle with electrodes 330, 340, and electrical components 220A, 220B, 220C.
  • the first receptacles receive energy storage devices where the cathodes of the energy storage devices are disposed on the electrodes 320A to 3201 while the anodes of the energy storage devices are disposed on the electrodes 310A to 3101.
  • the first receptacles are divided into sets (e.g., 310A to 310C with corresponding 320A to 320C) where the energy storage devices in a set are connected in series.
  • the electrodes (e.g., 310A to 310C, 320A to 320C) in one set of the first receptacles are connected such that energy storage devices disposed in one set of first receptacles are connected in series.
  • the sets of series-connected first receptacles are then connected in parallel.
  • each series-connected set of first receptacles has the same circuit configuration as shown in Fig. 2.
  • each series-connected set of first receptacles would operate like the energy storage module 200.
  • the second receptacle receives an electrical load to which the energy storage devices (disposed in the first receptacles) discharge.
  • the electrical load is connected to the electrodes 330, 340 of the second receptacle.
  • Fig. 3 shows three first receptacles for each set, any number (i.e., 2 or 4 or more) of first receptacles can be provided in a series-connected set. Further, any number of sets of first receptacles can be connected in parallel.
  • FIG. 4 The operation of the energy storage management system of Fig. 3 when the energy storage devices are installed in the first receptacles is shown is Fig. 4 and will be discussed below.
  • Fig. 4 shows sets of series-connected energy storage devices 410A to 4101 connected in parallel. Electrical components 220A, 220B, 220C are connected in series to each set of series-connected energy storage devices (e.g., 410A to 410C). The energy storage devices 410A to 4101 then discharge electrical current to an electrical load 140. Each of the electrical components 220A, 220B, 220C is the same component as the electrical component 220, as described above.
  • FIG. 4 The illustration shown in Fig. 4 is only an example to illustrate the operation of a circuit with the PTC 220A to 220C balancing the current provided by each set of series-connected energy storage devices (e.g., 410A to 410C) to the electrical load 140. Therefore, the circuit of Fig. 4 does not limit the number of energy storage devices that are connected in series or the number of sets that are connected in parallel.
  • each set of the series-connected storage devices 410A to 410C with the corresponding electrical component 220A can be configured using one energy storage module 200.
  • three energy storage modules 200 are then connected in parallel.
  • the 3 parallel-connected energy storage modules are then connected to the electrical load 140.
  • any number of energy storage devices can be connected in series and any number of sets of series-connected energy storage devices can be connected in parallel.
  • corresponding electrical components 220A, 220B, 220C can be configured using the energy storage management system of Fig. 3 where energy storage devices are disposed in the first receptacles and the electrical load 140 is disposed in the second receptacle. As described above, any number of energy storage devices can be connected in series and any number of sets of series-connected energy storage devices can be connected in parallel. [0035] In yet another arrangement, the circuit of Fig. 4 can be provided as a module that can be connected to an electrical load or electrical source 140.
  • the corresponding PTC 220A increases in temperature and current flowing through that set decreases.
  • the resistance of the PTC 22A may increase linearly with the temperature of the PTC 220. If the current increases such that the temperature of the PTC 220A exceeds the maximum temperature threshold, the PTC 220A then increases in resistance rapidly such that the current flowing through the set descreases accordingly. Due to the rapid increase in resistance, the current is effectively cut off and the energy storage devices (e.g., 410A to 410C) of the set stop charging or discharging.
  • Such an arrangement provides a passive feedback to each set of series-connected energy storage devices (e.g., 410A to 410C; 410D to 410F; and 410G to 4101) to balance the current provided to the electrical load 140 by each set of series-connected storage devices (e.g., 410A to 410C; 410D to 410F; and 410G to 4101). Further, the PTC 220A to 220C also act as a circuit-breaker should a severe overcurrent or over ambient temperature event occur.
  • the ambient temperature affects the PTC 220A to 220C.
  • the ambient temperature should be fairly uniform for the PTC 220A to 220C, the current flowing through a given PTC 220A to 22C is the main factor contributing to the resistance of each of the PTC 220A to 220C.
  • the minor effect of ambient temperature can still be influential in protecting against high current operation in high temperature conditions.
  • the circuit configuration shown in Fig. 4 effectively balances the current discharge of each set of series-connected energy storage devices (e.g., 410A to 410C) in the circuit.
  • the current balancing of the energy storage devices 410A to 4101 mitigates failure of energy storage devices 410A to 4101, increases discharge energy available to the electrical load 140, and extends the life of the energy storage devices 410A to 4101.
  • the PTC 220 is also a low-cost, simple, and passive solution to a complex current balancing between parallel connected sets of energy storage devices 410A to 4101.
  • the above noted advantages outweigh the reduced energy efficiency caused by the resistance of the PTC 220. The reduced energy efficiency however is minimised when more energy storage devices are used.
  • the word“comprising” means“including principally but not necessarily solely” or“having” or“including”, and not“consisting only of”. Variations of the word “comprising”, such as“comprise” and“comprises” have correspondingly varied meanings.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Secondary Cells (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an energy storage device management system (300) comprising: sets of first receptacles, each of the sets of the first receptacles being configured to connect a set of energy storage devices in series, the sets of first receptacles being connected in parallel for providing electrical current from the energy storage devices to an electrical load or for receiving electrical current from an electrical source to the energy storage devices; and electrical components (220A, 220B, 220C), wherein each of the electrical components (220A, 220B, 220C) is connected in series to each of the sets of energy storage devices, the electrical components (220A, 220B, 220C) being configured to balance the electrical current provided to the electrical load from the sets of energy storage devices or received from the electrical source to the sets of energy storage devices.

Description

ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates generally to an energy storage device and, in particular, to managing the charge and discharge of electrically parallel connected elements within the energy storage device.
Background
[0002] Fig. 1 shows a conventional circuit arrangement of sets of energy storage devices 110A to 110C, 120A to 120C, 130A to 130C where the energy storage devices in each set (e.g., 110A to 110C) are connected in series. The sets of energy storage devices 110A to 110C,
120A to 120C, 130A to 130C are then connected in parallel for providing/receiving electrical power to an electrical load or source 140. In normal operation, the sets of energy storage devices 110A to 110C, 120A to 120C, 130A to 130C discharge to provide electrical power to an electrical load 140 or are charged by receiving electrical power from an electrical source 140. For simplicity sake, both the electrical load and the electrical source are referred to as 140. However, the energy storage devices 110A to 110C, 120A to 120C, 130A to 130C typically have different impedances, due to the internal and external characteristics of the individual energy storage devices 110A to 110C, 120A to 120C, 130A to 130C. Therefore, each set of energy storage devices (e.g., 110A to 110C) would deliver / receive different electrical current to/from the electrical load/source 140. This would result in disparate states of charge and heat generation within each of the energy storage devices 110A to 110C, 120A to 120C, 130A to 130C.
[0003] Such differences would result in one or more of the sets of energy storage devices 110A to 110C, 120A to 120C, 130A to 130C being charged or discharged faster or being completely charged or discharged before the other sets. If left unmitigated, this can result in damage to the energy storage device and/or a loss in system efficiency and capacity.
Summary
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages of existing arrangements. [0005] Disclosed are arrangements which seek to address the above problems by using electrical components connected to each of the sets of energy storage devices to balance the electrical current provided to the electrical load from the sets of energy storage devices.
[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an energy storage device management system comprising: sets of first receptacles, each of the sets of the first receptacles being configured to connect a set of energy storage devices in series, the sets of first receptacles being connected in parallel to an electrical load or an electrical source; and electrical components, wherein each of the electrical components is connected in series to each of the sets of energy storage devices, the electrical components being configured to balance the electrical current provided to the electrical load from the sets of energy storage devices or received from the electrical source to the sets of energy storage devices.
[0007] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an energy storage module comprising: energy storage devices connected in series; and an electrical component connected in series to the energy storage devices, wherein a resistance of the electrical component increases with a current flowing through the electrical component. The increase in resistance may be achieved by a material with a current-temperature-resistance relationship, such as a thermistor. Other embodiments may include a switching device in combination with current sensing and controller to limit current transfer via a Pulse Width Modulation technique.
[0008] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an energy storage module comprising: sets of energy storage devices connected in series, wherein the sets of energy storage devices are connected in parallel; and an electrical component connected in series to each of sets of energy storage devices, wherein a resistance of the electrical component increases with a current flowing through the electrical component.
[0009] Other aspects are also disclosed.
[0010] The same principles can be applied to an energy storage device at the module level to regulate current between parallel connected modules.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[001 1] Some aspects of the prior art and at least one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings and appendices, in which: [0012] Fig. 1 shows a prior art arrangement of series-connected energy storage devices that are connected in parallel for providing electrical power to an electrical load;
[0013] Fig. 2 illustrates an aspect of the present disclosure for an energy storage device;
[0014] Fig. 3 shows a diagram of a battery management system according to an aspect of the present disclosure; and
[0015] Fig. 4 shows examples of the energy storage devices of Fig. 2 or the battery management system of Fig. 3 in use.
Detailed Description
[0016] Where reference is made in any one or more of the accompanying drawings to steps and/or features, which have the same reference numerals, those steps and/or features have for the purposes of this description the same function(s) or operation(s), unless the contrary intention appears.
[0017] It is to be noted that the discussions contained in the "Background" section and that above relating to conventional arrangements relate to discussions of documents or devices which form public knowledge through their respective publication and/or use. Such should not be interpreted as a representation by the present inventor(s) or the patent applicant that such documents or devices in any way form part of the common general knowledge in the art.
[0018] Fig. 2 shows an energy storage module 200 having a set of energy storage devices 210A, 210B, 210C and an electrical component 220. The energy storage devices 210A, 210B, 210C and the electrical component 220 are connected in series. Examples of the energy storage devices 210A, 210B, 210C are Zinc Bromide or other Metal-Halide batteries. Examples of the electrical component 220 are a positive temperature-coefficient thermistor (PTC) 220 (such as polymeric PTC), a PTC equivalent circuit, a switching circuit with current feedback and control for PWM function (such as a FET with current shunt, micro-processor and FET driver), a switching circuit with current feedback and control for a device with a voltage or current controlled resistance (such as a transistor or FET with a current shunt, micro-processor, FET driver, with the transistor or FET operated like a variable resistor) and the like. For ease of description, the electrical component 220 will be described as the PTC 220 hereinafter. [0019] Each of the energy storage devices 210A, 21 OB, 210C provides electrical power when the energy storage module 200 is connected to an electrical load (e.g., the electrical load 140). Although Fig. 2 only shows three energy storage devices 210A, 210B, 210C being connected in series, the number of series-connected energy storage devices may be less (i.e., 2) or more (i.e. , more than 3).
[0020] The PTC 220 increases in resistance when the temperature of the PTC 220 increases. Due to the series connection, the current provided by the energy storage devices 210A, 210B, 210C passes through the PTC 220 and causes the temperature of the PTC 220 to increase. When more current flows through the PTC 220, the temperature of the PTC 220 also increases, which in turn increases the resistance of the PTC 220. For example, the electrical load demands more current from the series-connected energy storage devices 210A, 210B, 210C.
In such a case, the temperature and resistance of the PTC 220 increase due to the increased current, which in turn limit the current being delivered to the load. The operation of the energy storage module 200 will be described further in relation to Fig. 4. The resistance of the PTC 220 is also dependent on the ambient temperature.
[0021] In one arrangement, the PTC 220 has a linear relationship between temperature and resistance. For example, when the temperature of the PTC 220 increases by 1°C then the resistance of the PTC 220 increases by 100W. In this arrangement, as the amount of current flowing through the PTC 220 increases, the resistance of the PTC 220 increases linearly.
[0022] In another arrangement, the PTC 220 has a maximum temperature threshold beyond which the resistance of the PTC 220 increases rapidly. For example, the PTC 220 has a maximum temperature threshold of 60°C. Before reaching the maximum temperature threshold, the PTC 220 may be operating as described immediately above. However, when the amount of current provided by the energy storage devices 210A, 210B, 210C increases such that the temperature of the PTC 220 reaches the maximum temperature threshold, then the resistance of the PTC 220 increases rapidly. For example, in a linear relationship, a temperature increase of 1°C increases the resistance of the PTC 220 by 100W, but, beyond the temperature threshold, a temperature increase of 1°C increases the resistance of the PTC 220 by 1000W.
In this arrangement, the PTC 220 acts like a fuse beyond the maximum temperature threshold.
It also provides an overtemperature protection function to limit battery current in high ambient temperatures.
[0023] In another arrangement, the PTC 220 has a minimum temperature threshold under which the resistance of the PTC 220 is not affected by temperature. For example, the PTC 220 has a minimum temperature threshold of 40°C. Before reaching the minimum temperature threshold, the PTC 220 may have a constant resistance that is not affected by changes in the temperature of the PTC 220. However, when the amount of current provided by the energy storage devices 210A, 210B, 210C increases such that the temperature of the PTC 220 reaches the minimum temperature threshold, then the resistance of the PTC 220 increases accordingly. For example, the resistance of the PTC 220 may increase linearly above the minimum temperature threshold.
[0024] When the current flowing through the PTC 220 decreases, the temperature of the PTC 220 cools down accordingly and the resistance of the PTC 220 decreases accordingly. This effectively prevents an overcurrent event to the energy storage module 200.
[0025] The energy storage module 200 can be connected in parallel to other energy storage modules 200. The circuit configuration for this connection is shown is Fig. 4 and will be discussed below.
[0026] Fig. 3 shows an energy storage management system 300 having first receptacles with electrodes 310A to 3101, 320A to 3201, a second receptacle with electrodes 330, 340, and electrical components 220A, 220B, 220C. The first receptacles receive energy storage devices where the cathodes of the energy storage devices are disposed on the electrodes 320A to 3201 while the anodes of the energy storage devices are disposed on the electrodes 310A to 3101. The first receptacles are divided into sets (e.g., 310A to 310C with corresponding 320A to 320C) where the energy storage devices in a set are connected in series. The electrodes (e.g., 310A to 310C, 320A to 320C) in one set of the first receptacles are connected such that energy storage devices disposed in one set of first receptacles are connected in series. The sets of series-connected first receptacles are then connected in parallel.
[0027] The electrical components 220A, 220B, 220C are connected in series to the respective series-connected sets of first receptacles so that each series-connected set of first receptacles has the same circuit configuration as shown in Fig. 2. In other words, each series-connected set of first receptacles would operate like the energy storage module 200.
[0028] The second receptacle receives an electrical load to which the energy storage devices (disposed in the first receptacles) discharge. The electrical load is connected to the electrodes 330, 340 of the second receptacle. [0029] Although Fig. 3 shows three first receptacles for each set, any number (i.e., 2 or 4 or more) of first receptacles can be provided in a series-connected set. Further, any number of sets of first receptacles can be connected in parallel.
[0030] The operation of the energy storage management system of Fig. 3 when the energy storage devices are installed in the first receptacles is shown is Fig. 4 and will be discussed below.
[0031] Fig. 4 shows sets of series-connected energy storage devices 410A to 4101 connected in parallel. Electrical components 220A, 220B, 220C are connected in series to each set of series-connected energy storage devices (e.g., 410A to 410C). The energy storage devices 410A to 4101 then discharge electrical current to an electrical load 140. Each of the electrical components 220A, 220B, 220C is the same component as the electrical component 220, as described above.
[0032] The illustration shown in Fig. 4 is only an example to illustrate the operation of a circuit with the PTC 220A to 220C balancing the current provided by each set of series-connected energy storage devices (e.g., 410A to 410C) to the electrical load 140. Therefore, the circuit of Fig. 4 does not limit the number of energy storage devices that are connected in series or the number of sets that are connected in parallel.
[0033] In one arrangement, each set of the series-connected storage devices 410A to 410C with the corresponding electrical component 220A can be configured using one energy storage module 200. In this arrangement, three energy storage modules 200 are then connected in parallel. The 3 parallel-connected energy storage modules are then connected to the electrical load 140. As described above, any number of energy storage devices can be connected in series and any number of sets of series-connected energy storage devices can be connected in parallel.
[0034] In another arrangement, the energy storage devices 410A to 4101 with the
corresponding electrical components 220A, 220B, 220C can be configured using the energy storage management system of Fig. 3 where energy storage devices are disposed in the first receptacles and the electrical load 140 is disposed in the second receptacle. As described above, any number of energy storage devices can be connected in series and any number of sets of series-connected energy storage devices can be connected in parallel. [0035] In yet another arrangement, the circuit of Fig. 4 can be provided as a module that can be connected to an electrical load or electrical source 140.
[0036] When a set of series-connected energy storage devices (e.g., 410A to 410C) are connected in parallel to other sets of series-connected energy storage devices (e.g., 410D to 41 OF), differences in resistances of the PTC 220A to 220C lead to different current being drawn from each set of series-connected energy storage devices (e.g., 410A to 410C). As described above in relation to Fig. 2, the current flowing through each set also flows through the corresponding PTC (i.e. , 220A, 220B, or 220C).
[0037] When the current flowing through one set of series-connected energy storage devices (e.g., 410A to 410C) is such that the temperature of the corresponding PTC (e.g., 220A) is below the minimum temperature threshold, then the PTC 220A has a constant resistance.
When the current flow increases such that the temperature of the PTC 220 exceeds the minimum temperature threshold, the corresponding PTC 220A increases in temperature and current flowing through that set decreases. As described above, the resistance of the PTC 22A may increase linearly with the temperature of the PTC 220. If the current increases such that the temperature of the PTC 220A exceeds the maximum temperature threshold, the PTC 220A then increases in resistance rapidly such that the current flowing through the set descreases accordingly. Due to the rapid increase in resistance, the current is effectively cut off and the energy storage devices (e.g., 410A to 410C) of the set stop charging or discharging.
[0038] Such an arrangement provides a passive feedback to each set of series-connected energy storage devices (e.g., 410A to 410C; 410D to 410F; and 410G to 4101) to balance the current provided to the electrical load 140 by each set of series-connected storage devices (e.g., 410A to 410C; 410D to 410F; and 410G to 4101). Further, the PTC 220A to 220C also act as a circuit-breaker should a severe overcurrent or over ambient temperature event occur.
[0039] As discussed above, the ambient temperature affects the PTC 220A to 220C.
However, as the ambient temperature should be fairly uniform for the PTC 220A to 220C, the current flowing through a given PTC 220A to 22C is the main factor contributing to the resistance of each of the PTC 220A to 220C. The minor effect of ambient temperature can still be influential in protecting against high current operation in high temperature conditions.
[0040] The circuit configuration shown in Fig. 4 effectively balances the current discharge of each set of series-connected energy storage devices (e.g., 410A to 410C) in the circuit. The current balancing of the energy storage devices 410A to 4101 mitigates failure of energy storage devices 410A to 4101, increases discharge energy available to the electrical load 140, and extends the life of the energy storage devices 410A to 4101. The PTC 220 is also a low-cost, simple, and passive solution to a complex current balancing between parallel connected sets of energy storage devices 410A to 4101. The above noted advantages outweigh the reduced energy efficiency caused by the resistance of the PTC 220. The reduced energy efficiency however is minimised when more energy storage devices are used.
Industrial Applicability
[0041] The arrangements described are applicable to the energy storage device industries and particularly for managing the discharging of the energy storage devices.
[0042] The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention, and modifications and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.
[0043] In the context of this specification, the word“comprising” means“including principally but not necessarily solely” or“having” or“including”, and not“consisting only of”. Variations of the word "comprising", such as“comprise” and“comprises” have correspondingly varied meanings.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. An energy storage device management system comprising:
sets of first receptacles, each of the sets of the first receptacles being configured to connect a set of energy storage devices in series, the sets of first receptacles being connected in parallel to an electrical load or an electrical source; and
electrical components, wherein each of the electrical components is connected in series to each of the sets of energy storage devices, the electrical components being configured to balance the electrical current provided to the electrical load from the sets of energy storage devices or received from the electrical source to the sets of energy storage devices.
2. The energy storage device management system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical components comprise passive devices.
3. The energy storage device management system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical components comprise positive temperature coefficient thermistors (PTCs).
4. The energy storage device management system of claim 3, wherein the PTCs have a maximum temperature threshold wherein resistances of the PTCs increase rapidly when temperatures of the PTCs exceed the maximum temperature threshold.
5. The energy storage device management system of claim 3 or 4, wherein the PTCs have a minimum temperature threshold wherein resistances of the PTCs are constant when temperatures of the PTCs are below the minimum temperature threshold.
6. An energy storage module comprising:
energy storage devices connected in series; and
an electrical component connected in series to the energy storage devices, wherein a resistance of the electrical component increases with a current flowing through the electrical component.
7. The energy storage module of claim 6, wherein the electrical component comprises a passive device.
8. The energy storage module of claim 6, wherein the electrical component comprises a positive temperature coefficient thermistor (PTC).
9. The energy storage module of claim 8, wherein the PTC has a maximum temperature threshold wherein the resistance of the PTC increases rapidly when the temperature of the PTC exceeds the maximum temperature threshold.
10. The energy storage module of claim 8 or 9, wherein the PTC has a minimum
temperature threshold wherein the resistance of the PTC is constant when the temperature of the PTC is below the minimum temperature threshold.
11. An energy storage module comprising:
sets of energy storage devices connected in series, wherein the sets of energy storage devices are connected in parallel; and
an electrical component connected in series to each of sets of energy storage devices, wherein a resistance of the electrical component increases with a current flowing through the electrical component.
12. The energy storage module of claim 11 , wherein the electrical component comprises a passive device.
13. The energy storage module of claim 11 , wherein the electrical component comprises a positive temperature coefficient thermistor (PTC).
14. The energy storage module of claim 13, wherein the PTCs have a maximum
temperature threshold wherein resistances of the PTCs increase rapidly when temperatures of the PTCs exceed the maximum temperature threshold, wherein the temperature of each PTC is dependent on the current flowing through the PTC.
15. The energy storage module of claim 13 or 14, wherein the PTCs have a minimum temperature threshold wherein resistances of the PTCs are constant when temperatures of the PTCs are below the minimum temperature threshold, wherein the temperature of each PTC is dependent on the current flowing through the PTC.
PCT/AU2020/050441 2019-05-06 2020-05-04 Energy storage device management system WO2020223758A1 (en)

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6060864A (en) * 1994-08-08 2000-05-09 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Battery set structure and charge/discharge control apparatus for lithium-ion battery
US20110003182A1 (en) * 2009-07-06 2011-01-06 Amperex Technology Limited Connection scheme for multiple battery cells
US20130196182A1 (en) * 2010-07-02 2013-08-01 Tyco Electronics Japan G.K. PTC Device and Secondary Battery Having the Same
CN104600827A (en) * 2014-12-05 2015-05-06 超威电源有限公司 Composite power supply and control method thereof and electric vehicle with same
US20180166817A1 (en) * 2014-12-26 2018-06-14 Fdk Corporation Externally-attached ptc element and tubular battery

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6060864A (en) * 1994-08-08 2000-05-09 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Battery set structure and charge/discharge control apparatus for lithium-ion battery
US20110003182A1 (en) * 2009-07-06 2011-01-06 Amperex Technology Limited Connection scheme for multiple battery cells
US20130196182A1 (en) * 2010-07-02 2013-08-01 Tyco Electronics Japan G.K. PTC Device and Secondary Battery Having the Same
CN104600827A (en) * 2014-12-05 2015-05-06 超威电源有限公司 Composite power supply and control method thereof and electric vehicle with same
US20180166817A1 (en) * 2014-12-26 2018-06-14 Fdk Corporation Externally-attached ptc element and tubular battery

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