Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to energy storage systems and, in particular, to a portable and modular battery system.
Portable energy storage systems comprise at least one battery and circuitry to charge and discharge the at least one battery. The charging circuit may include an external power converter to convert 120/240 VAC power to 12/28 VDC power. The DC voltage is then applied to the at least one battery to charge the battery. The discharge circuitry generally comprises an inverter to convert the battery DC power to an AC output, e.g., 120 VAC or 240 VAC.
Currently available portable battery systems are a single storage unit with a charge/discharge circuit. There is no modularity to enable the system to be adapted to various use cases, i.e., campground lighting, laptop charging, appliance power during a blackout, etc. Each use case may require different amounts of power. A single, non-modular system may have too much power for some use cases (laptop charging) or too little power in other use cases (powering a refrigerator during a blackout).
Therefore, there is a need for a portable and modular battery storage system that flexibly connects to DC and AC sources and uses modular sub-systems that may be independently charged and discharged.
A portable and modular battery storage system is provided substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.
These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure may be appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the present disclosure, along with the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a particular description of the invention, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Embodiments of the present invention comprise a portable and modular battery storage system. The system comprises a main enclosure for supporting a plurality of removeable power modules. Each module may be charged and discharged separate from the main enclosure and features AC, DC, USB and solar power connectors. In one particular embodiment, a module may comprise USB-C and AC connectors. Alternatively, the power modules may be inserted into the main enclosure and charged via electronics in the main enclosure. The main enclosure also features AC, DC, USB and solar power connectors.
The housing 102 defines an interior space 206 within which are supported a plurality of power modules 208, at least one control circuit board 210, a fan 211 and air flow baffles 212. The fan 211 provides air flow to circulate air through the gap 204 and into the baffles 212 which direct the flow of air through internal components of the system 100. The plurality of power modules 208 shall be described in detail below. The at least one control circuit board 210 comprises circuitry for controlling power distribution between the enclosure connectors 108, 110, 112, 118 and the plurality of power modules 208 such that the modules are properly charged and discharged. The at least one control circuit board 210 also controls the fan 210 and the display 116.
One end 402 of the module 208 comprises input/output connectors 406. These connectors 406 may comprises, for example, but are not limited to, one or more of an NEMA 5-15 AC outlet 408, USB Type A connector 410, USB Type C connector 412, and a 12 VDC connector 414. Other connectors for AC and/or DC input/output may be used. These connectors 406 are bidirectional such that they can be used to charge the module 208 or discharge the module 208. Consequently, the module 208 may standalone separately from the enclosure 114 and be operated as a standalone power source. Or, alternatively, the module 208 may be inserted into the system enclosure 114 where the enclosure 114 comprises matching connectors (male connectors) within each channel such that the module 208 may charge or discharge via the enclosure 114. Additionally, circuitry within the enclosure 114 may combine output power of the modules 208 to produce a high power and/or long-lived output at the enclosure connectors 108, 110, 112, 118. In one example, individual modules 208 may be removed and used to light various lights around a campground or charge mobile devices. In other example uses, the modules may be combined into the enclosure 114 to provide a high-power source to power an appliance during a power outage. A module 208 may also be removed when its state of charge is low and, because of its portability, may be carried and charged elsewhere, or swapped instantly with a spare module 208 holding a full charge.
In one specific exemplary embodiment, the module 208 is approximately 143 mm wide, 314 mm long and 31 mm thick. Such a module may utilize a 200-250 W AC/DC inverter to convert DC to AC and AC to DC in a bidirectional manner. The module may utilize a battery pack comprising nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery cells with 21700 cells forming each battery in the pack. In one embodiment, the pack 504 may comprise twelve 5 Ah batteries to create a 216 Wh module. One exemplary battery pack may comprise model 50E batteries manufactured by Samsung. Spring terminals may be used to connect the batteries with the pack 504 such that the batteries may be replaced upon failure.
Here multiple examples have been given to illustrate various features and are not intended to be limiting. Any one or more of the features may not be limited to the particular examples presented herein, regardless of any order, combination, or connections described. In fact, it should be understood that any combination of the features and/or elements described by way of example above are contemplated, including any variation or modification which is not enumerated, but capable of achieving the same. Unless otherwise stated, any one or more of the features may be combined in any order.
As above, figures are presented herein for illustrative purposes and are not meant to impose any structural limitations, unless otherwise specified. Various modifications to any of the structures shown in the figures are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention presented herein. The invention is not intended to be limited to any scope of claim language.
Where “coupling” or “connection” is used, unless otherwise specified, no limitation is implied that the coupling or connection be restricted to a physical coupling or connection and, instead, should be read to include communicative couplings, including wireless transmissions and protocols.
Where conditional language is used, including, but not limited to, “can,” “could,” “may” or “might,” it should be understood that the associated features or elements are not required. As such, where conditional language is used, the elements and/or features should be understood as being optionally present in at least some examples, and not necessarily conditioned upon anything, unless otherwise specified.
Where lists are enumerated in the alternative or conjunctive (e.g., one or more of A, B, and/or C), unless stated otherwise, it is understood to include one or more of each element, including any one or more combinations of any number of the enumerated elements (e.g., A, AB, AC, ABC, ABB, etc.). When “and/or” is used, it should be understood that the elements may be joined in the alternative or conjunctive.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/338,088 filed 4 May 2022 entitled “Portable and Modular Battery System,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63338088 | May 2022 | US |