Configurable power tank

• US 7,696,729 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2006
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GAINIA INTELLECTUAL ASSET SERVICES, INC
• Original Assignee: Advanced Desalination Inc.
• Inventors: Nishikawa, Harumoto, Chen, Min-Chu, Chen, Willis F., Shiue, Lih-Ren
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ARUN C
• Application Number:
  US11/415,231
• Publication Number:
  US 20070258188A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,442 Days
• Field of Search: 320/104, 320/117, 320/166, 320/167, 320/124, 320/130
• US Class Current: 320/166
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/28 characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/08 Structural combinations, e.g. assembly or connection, of hybrid or EDL capacitors with other electric components, at least one hybrid or EDL capacitor being the main component
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/10 Multiple hybrid or EDL capacitors, e.g. arrays or modules housings, cases, encapsulations or mountings thereof H01G11/78
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/76 specially adapted for integration in multiple or stacked hybrid or EDL capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/26 Structural combinations of electrolytic capacitors, rectifiers, detectors, switching devices, light-sensitive or temperature-sensitive devices with each other
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/28 Structural combinations of electrolytic capacitors, rectifiers, detectors, switching devices with other electric components not covered by this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 Energy storage using capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/92 Energy efficient charging or discharging systems for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors specially adapted for vehicles

Abstract

A plurality of supercapacitor elements is arranged in rows and columns within a single housing. The elements have no physical connection until they are configured into series, parallel or combinatory matrix by a configuration circuit composing of switches, a driver and a controller. Under the manipulation of the configuration circuit, the elements can be assembled in a broad voltage range to deliver the desired powers to automobiles, heavy machineries, power tools, appliances, or consumer electronics in real-time responses. When the loads present energy for recovery, the elements can also be immediately grouped in the voltage and capacity ranges corresponding to the power levels of the energy to be harvested. Using the present invention, the efficiency of DC and AC energy utilization can be significantly improved.

Claims

1. A configurable power tank, comprising:

a plurality of supercapacitor elements arranged in rows and columns within a single housing body, said plurality of supercapacitor elements connected a charging circuit; and

a configuration circuit located on the outer or inner surface of a housing cover, and an integrated module by joining said housing body with said housing cover hermetically, wherein said configuration circuit configure said supercapacitor elements in a specific connection, and a CD swing switches between two groups of supercapacitor elements for charging and discharging, when one group is discharging while the other group is charging or re-charging, and wherein said configuration circuit comprises;

a control means for monitoring, registering, storing, calculating, deciding and commanding;

a switch for providing an electronic paths requires for said configuration circuit;

a plurality of sensors for detecting the charge status of said plurality of supercapacitor elements; and

a driver for executing the command of said control means to configure said plurality of supercapacitor elements through a horizontal data bus.

2. The configurable power tank according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of supercapacitor elements includes two electrodes and two separators soaked in an electrolyte.

3. The configurable power tank according to claim 1, wherein said single housing body is made of plastic or metal.

4. The configurable power tank according to claim 1, further comprising a charging source connected with said charge circuit and said configuration circuit.

5. The configurable power tank according to claim 4, wherein said charging source is selected from the group consisting of a battery, a fuel cell, a solar cell, a wind mill, a generator, an engine and a utility grid through direct/indirect electromagnetic induced wireless transmission.

6. The configurable power tank according to claim 1, wherein said specific connection is selected from the group consisting of a series connection, a parallel connection, and some other combinatory connections.

7. A power tank system for delivering and storing power, said power tank system comprising:

a plurality of supercapacitor groups and a charging source in a parallel connection through reciprocal switching device individually;

a plurality of relays for enabling said reciprocal switching device individually between open and close states for charging and discharging; and

a configuration circuit connected with said plurality of relays to configure said plurality of supercapacitor groups through said reciprocal switching device, wherein said plurality of supercapacitor groups are configured to deliver consistent peak powers through said reciprocal switching of said plurality of supercapacitor groups between charging and discharging, and wherein said configuration circuit comprises;

a control means for monitoring, registering, storing, calculating, deciding and commanding;

a switch for providing an electronic paths required for said configuration circuit;

a plurality of sensors for detecting the charge status of said plurality of supercapacitor elements; and

a driver for executing the command of said control means to configure said plurality of supercapacitor elements through a horizontal data bus.

8. The power tank system according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of supercapacitor group comprises a plurality of supercapacitor elements arranged in rows and columns within a single housing body.

9. The power tank system according to claim 8, wherein said housing body is made of plastic or metal.

10. The power tank system according to claim 7, wherein said configuration circuit located on the outer or inner surface of a housing cover, and an integrated module by joining said single housing body with said housing cover hermetically.

11. The power tank system according to claim 7, wherein said specific connection is selected from the group consisting of a series connection, a parallel connection or some other combinatory connections.

12. The power tank system according to claim 7, wherein said relay is a double-pole double-throw (DPDT) mechanical switching device.

13. The power tank system according to claim 7, wherein said charging source be selected from the group consisting of a battery, a fuel cell, a solar cell, a wind mill, a generator, an engine and a utility grid through direct/indirect electromagnetic induced wireless transmission.