Maximizing life of capacitors in series modules
US9209653B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 28, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02J7/345
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A device (1) monitors and/or balances an ultracapacitor (3) and/or a module (4) comprising a plurality of ultracapacitors (3) connected in series, the module (4) being connectable in series or in parallel with other modules (4). The device comprises an electronic board (2) comprising digital control and/or command means, such as a microcontroller (5), executing a program for monitoring and balancing the ultracapacitor (3) and/or the module (4). The relative capacitances of the capacitors are measured, and this information is employed to determine when to carry out a controlled discharge of particular capacitors. Temperature information is also employed to determine when to carry out a controlled discharge of particular capacitors. In this way the lifetime of any particular capacitor is, desirably, extended to be no shorter than the lifetime of other longer-lived capacitors in the module.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.