METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR MODIFYING THE STATE OF CHARGE (SOC) AND STATE OF HEALTH (SOH) OF A BATTERY

• US 20090015200A1
• Filed: 02/01/2007
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Martin Wieger
• Original Assignee: Martin Wieger
• Inventors: Wieger, Martin
• Application Number:
  US12/162,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20090015200A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/130
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/06 Lead-acid accumulators semi-lead accumulators H01M10/20
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/42 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4207 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4214 Arrangements for moving electrodes or electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/441 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/70 Arrangements for stirring or circulating the electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0069 Charging or discharging for charge maintenance, battery initiation or rejuvenation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A high state of charge results in reduced ageing and less wear of and to a rechargeable battery. Furthermore, acid stratification occurs in rechargeable batteries, primarily as a result of the influence of the force of gravity on the electrolyte, leading to a significant reduction in the performance of the rechargeable battery. The subject matter of the invention describes a method and an arrangement for varying the state of charge and state of health of rechargeable batteries, in which a separate electric current (i) is applied individually to at least one cell (Z) in the multicell rechargeable battery (1), this current (i) being superimposed on a working current (i_A), and with this current (i) acting on this at least one cell (Z) in order to charge or discharge this cell (Z).

Claims

1. Method for varying the state of charge and state of health (SOC, SOH) of multicell rechargeable batteries (1), whereas one cell (Z) in the multicell rechargeable battery (1) has a separate electric current (i) applied to it, with this current (i) being superimposed on a working current (i_A) of the rechargeable battery, and with this current (i) acting on this one cell (Z) in order to charge this cell (Z), characterized in that, the cell (Z) has an electric current (i) applied to it which leads to gassing of the cell (Z).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cells (Z) in the multicell rechargeable battery (1) are subdivided into at least two subunits (TE1, TE2), each comprising at least one cell (Z), and at least one subunit (TE1, TE2) has an electric current (i) applied to it in order to charge or discharge the cell or cells (Z) contained therein.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the rechargeable battery (1) is formed from a combination circuit comprising a plurality of individual rechargeable battery elements connected in series or in parallel, and the cells (Z) in the rechargeable battery (1) are subdivided into at least two subunits (TE1, TE2), each comprising at least one cell (Z) of the rechargeable battery, and at least one subunit (TE 1, TE2) has an electric current (i) applied to it in order to charge or discharge the cell or cells (Z) contained therein.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that a plurality of rechargeable battery elements are subdivided into at least two subunits (TE1, TE2) comprising at least one cell (Z), and at least one subunit (TE1, TE2) has an electric current (i) applied to it in order to charge or discharge the cell or cells (Z) contained therein.

5. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the cell or cells in at least one subunit (TE1, TE2) has or have an electric current (i) applied thereto which leads to gassing of the cell or cells (Z).

6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that all the cells (Z) or all the subunits (TE) have a current (i) applied to them.

7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that different cells (Z) or subunits (TE) have different electric currents (i) applied to them.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that at least some of the different electric currents (i) are applied in different directions.

9. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two cells (Z) or at least two subunits (TE) have a current (i) applied to them alternately.

10. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric currents (i) which are applied comprise direct, alternating or mixed currents.

11. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy to produce the current (i) that is intended to be applied or the currents that are intended to be applied is taken from the rechargeable battery (1).

12. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, at least at times, the energy to produce the current (i) that is intended to flow or the currents that are intended to flow is supplied via an external voltage supply.

13. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the current (i) which is intended to be applied or the currents which are intended to be applied are produced in a resonant circuit arrangement.

14. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in addition to an electric current (i) being applied into individual cells (Z) or subunits (TE), the battery state (SOC, SOH) is monitored, and/or energy management is carried out for these cells or subunits.

15. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the rechargeable battery (1) is mechanically moved while an electric current (i) is being applied to a cell (Z) or a subunit (TE).

16. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the rechargeable battery (1) is subjected to additional electrolyte circulation, which is caused mechanically or electromagnetically, while an electric current (i) is being applied to a cell (Z) or a subunit (TE).

17. Arrangement for carrying out a method for varying the state of charge and state of health (SOC, SOH) of multicell rechargeable batteries (1), characterized in that a separate electrical connection (8) is provided on at least one cell (Z) in the multicell rechargeable battery (1) and is passed out of the rechargeable battery (1), and via which a separate electric current (i), which is superimposed on a working current (i_A), can be applied to the cell (Z), and this current (i) acts on this at least one cell (Z) in order to charge this cell (Z) for causing gassing of the cell (Z).

18. Arrangement according to claim 17, characterized in that the multicell rechargeable battery is subdivided into at least two subunits, each comprising at least one cell of the rechargeable battery, and a separate electrical connection is provided on one of these subunits, and is passed out of the rechargeable battery, and via which a separate electric current can be applied to the subunit for charging or discharging of the subunit.

19. Arrangement according to claim 17, characterized in that a plurality of individual rechargeable battery elements are connected in series or in parallel with a rechargeable battery, and the rechargeable battery is subdivided into at least two subunits, each comprising at least one cell of the rechargeable battery, and a separate electrical connection is provided on one of these subunits and is passed out of the rechargeable battery, and via which a separate electric current can be applied to the subunit for charging or discharging of the subunit.

20. Arrangement according to claim 19, characterized in that a plurality of rechargeable battery elements are subdivided into at least two subunits, comprising at least one cell, and a separate electrical connection is provided on one of these subunits and is passed out of the rechargeable battery, and via which a separate electric current can be applied to the subunit for charging or discharging of the subunit.

21. Arrangement according to claim 17, characterized in that a separate electrical connection is provided on each cell or each subunit and is passed out of the rechargeable battery, and via which a separate electric current can be applied to each individual cell or each individual subunit for charging or discharging of the subunit.

22. Arrangement according to claim 17, characterized in that a resonant circuit is provided in which the cell or cells, or subunit or subunits to which an electric current is to be applied is or are included.

23. Arrangement according to claim 17, characterized in that a control unit is provided in order to produce the electric current to be applied, and is connected to the separate electrical connection or to the separate electrical connections.

24. Arrangement according to claim 23, characterized in that the control unit is connected to the two poles of the rechargeable battery.

25. Arrangement according to claim 23, characterized in that the control unit takes the energy to produce the electric current to be applied or the electric currents to be applied from the rechargeable battery.

26. Arrangement according to claim 23, characterized in that a connection for an external voltage supply is provided on the control unit.

27. Arrangement according to claim 17 characterized in that a monitoring unit and/or an energy management unit is provided.

28. Arrangement according to claim 17, characterized in that a device is provided for mechanical movement of the rechargeable battery (1) while an electric current (i) is being applied to a cell (Z) or to a subunit (TE).

29. Arrangement according to claim 17, characterized in that a circulation device is provided in the rechargeable battery or in a rechargeable battery element, for mechanical or electromagnetically produced electrolyte circulation while an electric current (i) is being applied to a cell (Z) or to a subunit (TE).