System and method of forming capacitor-based electrical energy storage modules

• US 6,518,734 B1
• Filed: 06/18/2002
• Issued: 02/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: AEP Emtech LLP
• Inventors: Hayes, Raymond M., Nourai, Ali, Provanzana, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US10/173,917
• Time in Patent Office: 238 Days
• Field of Search: 320/166, 320/121, 320/116, 320/120, 320/126, 320/167, 307/110, 363/89
• US Class Current: 320/166
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/08 Housing; Encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/062 for AC powered loads

Abstract

A system and method for creating capacitor-based electrical energy storage modules and electrical energy storage systems assembled therefrom. Submodules having a plurality of capacitors capable of storing electrical energy are used in different combinations to create electrical energy storage modules. Preferably, a number of submodules are placed into corresponding receptacles within an enclosure or cabinet, wherein the submodules become electrically connected. The number of submodules installed in a cabinet is determined by the power output desired, and the space constraints of the area in which the cabinet will be located. One cabinet of one or more submodules, or a plurality of interconnected cabinets of one or more submodules, may form an electrical energy storage module. The module may be designed to output either DC or AC electric power, and is preferably equipped with a power conversion system and/or communication and control electronics to control the charging and discharging thereof. A plurality of capacitor-based electrical energy storage modules may be connected to form an electrical energy storage system of greater storage capacity.

Claims

1. A system for creating a capacitor-based electrical energy storage module, comprising:

at least one capacitor-containing submodule of predetermined electrical energy storage capacity;

at least one enclosure having at least one receptacle for receiving and housing said at least one submodule;

connecting means within said enclosure for placing said at least one submodule in electrical communication with other submodules that are located in said enclosure;

power conversion means for controlling the charging and discharging of said submodules; and

control and communication means for monitoring and controlling the operation of each module;

wherein a plurality of enclosures, each containing one or more of said submodules, may be connected to provide a module of desired power output.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said module produces a DC power output.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said DC power output is at a regulated voltage.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said module produces an AC power output.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein multiple enclosures having multiple submodules are connected to increase the power output of said module.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one enclosure having said at least one submodule is substantially encapsulated within a protective housing.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein multiple enclosures, each having at least one submodule, are arranged on one or more racks.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising grasping means located on said submodule for assisting in the installation and/or removal of said submodule to or from said at least one enclosure.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said module is for residential use.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said module is for commercial use.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said module is for industrial use.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said module is for telecommunications use.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said module is for use by a utility.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transformer for changing the output voltage of said module.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said capacitors are of electrochemical design.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power conversion system located on each submodule.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said power conversion system is detachable from said submodule.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising a synchronous signal in each module for ensuring that AC outputs of each of said submodules located therein are in phase with each other.

19. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said modules connected together to form a module of greater storage capacity and power output.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein said module is transportable.

21. A modular, capacitor-based electrical energy storage system, comprising:

at least one capacitor-based electrical energy storage module, said at least one capacitor-based electrical energy storage module further comprising;

a plurality of interchangeable, capacitor-based electrical energy storage submodules, each having a multitude of capacitor cells residing within a container of predetermined size;

at least one enclosure having one or more receptacles for releasably housing said submodules;

a means of electrically interconnecting each of said plurality of submodules installed within an individual enclosure;

a power conversion means located in said at least one enclosure and in electrical communication with said submodules housed therein, said power conversion means capable of converting incoming AC electric power into DC electrical energy for storage in said submodules, and of converting said DC electrical energy stored in said submodules into AC or DC electric power for output from said module; and

a control and communication means for monitoring and controlling the condition of said module and for allowing communication between each module of a multiple-module system;

wherein the power output or longevity of a module can be increased by adding additional submodules thereto, and the power output or longevity of said electrical energy storage system can be increased by employing and connecting a greater number of modules.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said modular, capacitor-based electrical energy storage system produces a DC power output.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein said DC power output is at a regulated voltage.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein said modular, capacitor-based electrical energy storage system produces an AC power output.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein each module of said modular, capacitor-based electrical energy storage system is substantially encapsulated within a protective housing.

26. The system of claim 21, further comprising a transformer for changing the output voltage of said system.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein said capacitors are of electrochemical design.

28. The system of claim 21, further comprising a power conversion system located on each submodule.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein said power conversion system is detachable from said submodule.

30. The system of claim 21, further comprising a synchronous signal in each module for ensuring that AC outputs of each of said submodules located therein are in phase with each other.

31. The system of claim 21, further comprising a DC/DC converter for converting DC electrical energy stored in said submodules into a regulated DC output from said system.

32. The system of claim 21, wherein said control and communication means utilizes a serial interface to accomplish communication between modules.

33. The system of claim 21, wherein communication between modules is LAN-based.

34. The system of claim 21, wherein said control and communication means includes a communications microprocessor.

35. The system of claim 21, further comprising a central controller in communication with each module in said system.

36. The system of claim 35, further comprising a wireless network for facilitating communication between said central controller and said modules.

37. The system of claim 35, further comprising redundant nodes at each of said modules and said central controller.

38. The system of claim 21, wherein said system is transportable.

39. The system of claim 21, wherein the power output of said system is automatically adjusted in response to changing demand.

40. A method of forming capacitor-based electrical energy storage modules, comprising:

providing one or more interchangeable submodules having multiple capacitor cells located therein, said submodules able to store a predetermined amount of electrical energy;

providing at least one enclosure adapted to receive one or more of said submodules;

providing a means within said at least one enclosure for electrically connecting said submodules upon their installation to said enclosure;

locating a power conversion means within said at least one enclosure for converting incoming AC electrical power into DC electrical energy for storage in said one or more submodules, and for inverting said DC electrical energy stored in said submodules into AC electric power for output to a load;

locating a control and communication means within said at least one enclosure for monitoring and controlling the charging and discharging of said one or more interchangeable submodules, and for allowing communication between modules in multiple-module systems.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein more than one enclosure having one or more submodules is used to form a module, said enclosures electrically connected to one another in order to provide a predetermined power output.

42. The method of claim 40, further comprising converting said DC electrical energy stored within said submodules into a regulated DC output from said module.

43. The method of claim 40, further comprising connecting the output of said module to an electric power transmission and distribution grid.

44. The method of claim 40, further comprising locating a power conversion means on each submodule.

45. The method of claim 40, further comprising providing a communication means on each module for communicating with a central controller.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein said communication means employs wireless communication.

47. The method of claim 40, further comprising providing a transformer for increasing the output voltage of the module.

48. The method of claim 40, wherein said module is transportable.