Abstract

A triple-active bridge (TAB) converter and methods to optimize the same is disclosed. The TAB converter includes a high-frequency three-winding transformer and three active full bridges, each coupled to the high-frequency transformer through a different passive network. The converter also includes a centralized controller providing gating pulses to semiconductor switches within the active full bridges, a power pulsating buffer (PPB) configured to reduce capacitor requirements on the DC port, and an unfolder stage to convert rectified AC voltage to a pure sine wave. The centralized controller may optimize performance by varying at least one of a switching frequency, a duty cycle of bridge voltages, and a phase shift between bridge voltages. The PPB may include a buck active power decoupler with a half-bridge, inductor, and capacitors, and also a primary full bridge and a power transfer impedance block.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02M 3/22 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output with intermediate conversion into AC
• H02M 1/15 - Arrangements for reducing ripples from DC input or output using active elements
• H02M 3/34 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output with intermediate conversion into AC by dynamic converters

Abstract

A power converter. In some embodiments, the power converter includes: a low-voltage switching circuit including a first port of the power converter; a transformer, having: a first winding connected to the low-voltage switching circuit, and a second winding; and a high-voltage switching circuit including a second port of the power converter and being connected to the second winding, wherein: the power converter is capable, for a first set of control parameter values, of transmitting power from the first port to the second port, with an efficiency of at least 90%, the first port being at a first voltage and the second port being at a voltage at least 50 times the first voltage.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02M 3/335 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output with intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate AC using devices of a triode or a transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only
• H01F 27/28 - CoilsWindingsConductive connections
• H02M 1/00 - Details of apparatus for conversion
• H02M 3/00 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output

Abstract

A method for processing used lithium-ion batteries includes disassembling a used lithium-ion battery configured for a high-load application, inspecting cells of the used lithium-ion battery, charging the cells, and assessing a state-of-health of each of the cells by running a discharge test to determine an internal resistance and a capacity, comparing the internal resistance and the capacity with manufacturer specifications, and determining the state-of-health based on the comparison. The method also includes categorizing each of the cells into a reuse category, a repurpose category, or a recycle category based on the state-of-health of the cells and reusing the cells categorized in the reuse category in a battery configured for a high-load application, repurposing the cells categorized in the repurpose category into a battery configured for a low-load application, and recycling the cells categorized in the recycle category.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01M 10/48 - Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte
• H01M 10/44 - Methods for charging or discharging
• G01R 31/392 - Determining battery ageing or deterioration, e.g. state of health
• H01M 10/0525 - Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodesLithium-ion batteries