鋰電池充電器設計技巧:從太陽能電池獲取更大功率
太陽能(neng)是為便攜式設備(bei)供(gong)電(dian)的(de)有吸引力的(de)能(neng)源。一段(duan)時間以來,它一直被廣泛地用(yong)(yong)于諸如(ru)計算器和航天飛機這樣的(de)應(ying)用(yong)(yong)。最(zui)近,人們(men)正考慮把(ba)太陽能(neng)用(yong)(yong)于包括移動電(dian)話(hua)充電(dian)器這樣的(de)范圍(wei)更寬廣的(de)消(xiao)費電(dian)子應(ying)用(yong)(yong)。
然而,太陽能電池板所提供的功率高度依賴于工作環境。這包括諸如光密度、時間和位置之類的因素。因此,電池通常被用作能量存儲單元。當來自太陽能板的電能有余的時候,就可以對電池充電;當太陽能板提供的電能不足時,電池就可以為系統供電。我們如何設計鋰離子電池充電器以(yi)便(bian)從太陽(yang)(yang)(yang)能電(dian)池中(zhong)獲取最多的功率并有效地對鋰電(dian)池充(chong)電(dian)呢?首先(xian),我(wo)們(men)將討論太陽(yang)(yang)(yang)能電(dian)池的工(gong)作(zuo)原理(li)和電(dian)氣輸出特性(xing);然(ran)后,我(wo)們(men)將討論電(dian)池充(chong)電(dian)系統要求(qiu)以(yi)及匹配太陽(yang)(yang)(yang)能電(dian)池特性(xing)的系統解決方案,以(yi)便(bian)從太陽(yang)(yang)(yang)能電(dian)池獲取最大(da)的功率。
太陽能I-V特性
一(yi)般地說,太陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)電池(chi)由p-n結構成,其(qi)中的光能(neng)(neng)(光子(zi))引(yin)起電子(zi)和空穴的重新組(zu)合(he),產(chan)生電流。因為p-n結的特性(xing)類似(si)于(yu)二極管的特性(xing),如圖1所示的電路(lu)通常被用于(yu)簡化太陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)電池(chi)的特性(xing)。
電(dian)流(liu)源IPH產生的(de)電(dian)流(liu)正比于落在(zai)(zai)太(tai)陽能(neng)電(dian)池(chi)上的(de)光量。在(zai)(zai)沒有負載連接的(de)時候(hou),幾乎所有產生的(de)電(dian)流(liu)都(dou)流(liu)過二極管(guan)D,其(qi)正向(xiang)電(dian)壓(ya)決定太(tai)陽能(neng)電(dian)池(chi)的(de)開路電(dian)壓(ya)(VOC)。該電(dian)壓(ya)的(de)變化嚴格地取決于每一種類(lei)型的(de)太(tai)陽能(neng)電(dian)池(chi)。但(dan)是,對于大多數硅電(dian)池(chi),其(qi)0.5V到0.8V之間(jian)的(de)電(dian)壓(ya)范圍恰好就(jiu)是p-n結(jie)二極管(guan)的(de)正向(xiang)電(dian)壓(ya)。
并聯電(dian)阻(RP)代(dai)表(biao)實(shi)際太(tai)陽(yang)能電(dian)池中(zhong)出(chu)現(xian)的微小泄漏電(dian)流,Rs代(dai)表(biao)連接損耗(hao)。隨(sui)著(zhu)負(fu)(fu)載電(dian)流增加,由太(tai)陽(yang)能電(dian)池所(suo)產生的大部分電(dian)流被分流到二極管并進入負(fu)(fu)載。對于大多負(fu)(fu)載電(dian)流的數值(zhi),這只對輸出(chu)電(dian)壓有很小的影響。
圖2所(suo)示為(wei)太(tai)陽能(neng)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)輸(shu)出特性,由于(yu)二(er)極(ji)管的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)I-V特性存在(zai)微小的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)變(bian)(bian)化,串聯電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)阻(Rs)上(shang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓降(jiang)也存在(zai)微小的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)變(bian)(bian)化,但是,輸(shu)出電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓保(bao)持很大的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)恒定(ding)。然而,在(zai)一(yi)些點通過(guo)(guo)內部二(er)極(ji)管的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)是如(ru)此(ci)之(zhi)小,以至于(yu)它(ta)變(bian)(bian)得偏置(zhi)不夠,并且(qie)(qie),隨著(zhu)負載電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)增(zeng)加,跨越它(ta)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓快(kuai)速減(jian)少。最后,如(ru)果所(suo)有產(chan)生的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)流(liu)(liu)(liu)過(guo)(guo)負載并且(qie)(qie)不流(liu)(liu)(liu)過(guo)(guo)二(er)極(ji)管的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)話(hua),輸(shu)出電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓就為(wei)零。該電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)被(bei)稱為(wei)太(tai)陽能(neng)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)短路電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)(ISC),它(ta)與VOC一(yi)道是定(ding)義工作性能(neng)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)主(zhu)要(yao)參數之(zhi)一(yi)。因此(ci),太(tai)陽能(neng)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)被(bei)認為(wei)是“電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)受限”的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)源。當(dang)輸(shu)出電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)增(zeng)加的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)時候,其輸(shu)出電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓降(jiang)低,直到(dao)最終減(jian)少為(wei)零,如(ru)果負載電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)達(da)到(dao)其短路電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)話(hua)。
在(zai)(zai)大(da)多數應用中,人們期望從太陽能(neng)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)獲取盡可(ke)能(neng)多的(de)功(gong)率(lv)。因(yin)為(wei)(wei)輸出(chu)功(gong)率(lv)是輸出(chu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)和(he)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)的(de)乘積,有必要確(que)定電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)的(de)哪一(yi)(yi)部分的(de)工(gong)作區(qu)域產生的(de)輸出(chu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)和(he)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)的(de)乘積的(de)數值最大(da),這一(yi)(yi)點被稱為(wei)(wei)最大(da)功(gong)率(lv)點(MPP)。在(zai)(zai)一(yi)(yi)種(zhong)極(ji)(ji)端(duan)情況(kuang)(kuang)下(xia)(xia),輸出(chu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)為(wei)(wei)其最大(da)數值(VOC),但是,輸出(chu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)為(wei)(wei)零(ling);在(zai)(zai)其它極(ji)(ji)端(duan)情況(kuang)(kuang)下(xia)(xia),輸出(chu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)位其最大(da)值(ISC),但是,輸出(chu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)為(wei)(wei)零(ling)。在(zai)(zai)兩種(zhong)情況(kuang)(kuang)下(xia)(xia),輸出(chu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)和(he)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)的(de)乘積都是零(ling)。因(yin)此,MPP必須位于兩種(zhong)極(ji)(ji)端(duan)情況(kuang)(kuang)之間的(de)某處。
可以容易(yi)地證明:在(zai)任何應用中(zhong),MPP實際上出(chu)現在(zai)太陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)電(dian)池(chi)的輸出(chu)特性(見圖3)下(xia)半部的某個位置。實際上,問題在(zai)于太陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)電(dian)池(chi)的MPP的嚴(yan)格位置會根據(ju)光線和環境溫度變化(hua)。因(yin)此,所設計的系統要產生最大的太陽(yang)能(neng)(neng),就必須動(dong)態(tai)地調節太陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)電(dian)池(chi)輸出(chu)的電(dian)流,以便它在(zai)實際工(gong)作條件下(xia)位于或接近MPP工(gong)作。
優(you)化充電(dian)器設計以從(cong)太陽能板獲得(de)最大(da)的(de)功率(lv)。
跟(gen)蹤(zong)太陽能板系(xi)統(tong)的(de)(de)(de)MPP的(de)(de)(de)途徑有多種,這些常常相當(dang)復雜,特(te)別是在(zai)(zai)諸如衛星通信(xin)這樣的(de)(de)(de)重要任(ren)務(wu)系(xi)統(tong)中。然而,在(zai)(zai)許多對成本(ben)敏感的(de)(de)(de)應(ying)用中,極(ji)其精(jing)確的(de)(de)(de)MPP跟(gen)蹤(zong)方(fang)案(an)卻是不(bu)必(bi)要的(de)(de)(de)。所有的(de)(de)(de)要求就是以(yi)簡單(dan)、低成本(ben)的(de)(de)(de)解決方(fang)案(an)儲存大約(yue)90%的(de)(de)(de)可用能量。充電(dian)控制系(xi)統(tong)如何(he)使太陽能電(dian)池以(yi)接近MPP的(de)(de)(de)方(fang)式工作呢?
動態功率路徑管理(DPPM)技術可以(yi)滿(man)足跟蹤MPP所面(mian)臨的(de)這種(zhong)挑戰。圖4顯示(shi)了從太陽(yang)(yang)能板獲得(de)最大功率的(de)鋰離子電(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)應用(yong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)路,其中,MOSFET Q2被用(yong)于調節電(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)、充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓或(huo)系統總線電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓。太陽(yang)(yang)能板被用(yong)做為(wei)單顆鋰離子電(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)的(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)源。太陽(yang)(yang)能板由若(ruo)干串(chuan)在一起(qi)的(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)組成,每一串(chuan)具有11個串(chuan)聯的(de)硅電(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi),其行為(wei)就像(xiang)電(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)受到限制的(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓源,其中,電(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)限度由太陽(yang)(yang)能板的(de)大小以(yi)及照射在上(shang)面(mian)的(de)光(guang)通量(liang)來確(que)定。
DPPM監測因電流受限電源引起的系統總線電壓(VOUT)降。連接到系統總線上的電容(CO)開始放電,一旦系統所需要的電流和電池充電器的(de)(de)電(dian)流大(da)于太(tai)陽能(neng)板所(suo)提供的(de)(de)電(dian)流,就會造成系統(tong)的(de)(de)總線(xian)(xian)電(dian)壓(ya)開(kai)始下降。當(dang)系統(tong)總線(xian)(xian)電(dian)壓(ya)跌落到預(yu)設(she)的(de)(de)DPPM閥值的(de)(de)時候,電(dian)池充電(dian)控(kong)制(zhi)系統(tong)就把系統(tong)總線(xian)(xian)電(dian)壓(ya)調(diao)節到DPMM閥值。
從(cong)這個(ge)(ge)太(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)板(ban)獲(huo)得的(de)(de)(de)(de)最(zui)大輸出(chu)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)(ya)(ya)(VOC)通常(chang)在5.5V到6V之間。因(yin)為(wei)該電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)(ya)(ya)低于(yu)預設(she)的(de)(de)(de)(de)6V輸出(chu)調節電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)(ya)(ya),MOSFET Q1被(bei)完(wan)全關閉。如果系(xi)統和電(dian)(dian)池充(chong)電(dian)(dian)器所需(xu)要的(de)(de)(de)(de)總電(dian)(dian)流超過(guo)太(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)電(dian)(dian)池的(de)(de)(de)(de)輸出(chu)電(dian)(dian)流―取決于(yu)光線強弱―能(neng)(neng)力,太(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)板(ban)的(de)(de)(de)(de)輸出(chu)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)(ya)(ya)將下跌,從(cong)而使(shi)輸出(chu)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)(ya)(ya)(VOUT)下降。當VOUT下降到VDPPM―也(ye)是太(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)板(ban)的(de)(de)(de)(de)輸出(chu)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)(ya)(ya)―的(de)(de)(de)(de)時候(hou),充(chong)電(dian)(dian)電(dian)(dian)流就下降了(le)。太(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)板(ban)現(xian)在將在接(jie)近其MPP的(de)(de)(de)(de)狀(zhuang)態(tai)下工作,如果VDPPM被(bei)設(she)置為(wei)接(jie)近MPP的(de)(de)(de)(de)話。通過(guo)恰當地把RDPPM編程到一(yi)個(ge)(ge)電(dian)(dian)平,就容許VOUT保持在最(zui)小(xiao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)4.5V,從(cong)而實現(xian)這一(yi)點。這個(ge)(ge)VDPPM數值(zhi)就被(bei)人們(men)所采用,因(yin)為(wei)它相(xiang)當符(fu)合太(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)板(ban)的(de)(de)(de)(de)MPP。
假設跨越MOSFET Q1的電壓降為300mV,那么,跨越每一個電池的電壓將等于436mV,從而把太陽能板的功率輸出最大化。如果VOUT大于4.5V,DPPM功能毫無作用―要把太陽能板從其MPP移開。但是,這只能發生在如果系統及電池充電器所(suo)(suo)需要的功率(lv)(lv)小于(yu)太(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)板(ban)能(neng)夠(gou)提(ti)供(gong)的功率(lv)(lv)的情(qing)況(kuang)下。在這(zhe)種情(qing)況(kuang)下,降(jiang)(jiang)(jiang)低(di)(di)效率(lv)(lv)不是那么重(zhong)要。如(ru)圖(tu)3所(suo)(suo)示,隨著輸(shu)出(chu)功率(lv)(lv)逼近MPP,輸(shu)出(chu)功率(lv)(lv)曲線變得十分平坦(tan),然后,突(tu)然急劇下降(jiang)(jiang)(jiang)。因此,把VDPPM設置得稍(shao)高比設置得稍(shao)低(di)(di)要好。這(zhe)樣(yang)做將把不正確的工作點對輸(shu)出(chu)功率(lv)(lv)的影響最小化。如(ru)果太(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)板(ban)提(ti)供(gong)的功率(lv)(lv)不足以為系(xi)統供(gong)電(dian)(dian),甚(shen)至當電(dian)(dian)池(chi)充(chong)電(dian)(dian)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)已經被降(jiang)(jiang)(jiang)低(di)(di)到零的時(shi)候,MOSFET Q2就(jiu)導通(tong),VOUT下降(jiang)(jiang)(jiang)到剛(gang)好低(di)(di)于(yu)電(dian)(dian)池(chi)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)VBAT,并且(qie)電(dian)(dian)池(chi)提(ti)供(gong)太(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)板(ban)所(suo)(suo)不能(neng)提(ti)供(gong)的電(dian)(dian)流(liu)。
如果充電器工(gong)(gong)作在(zai)DPPM狀(zhuang)態,內部安(an)全(quan)(quan)定(ding)時(shi)器就自動地延(yan)長(chang)時(shi)間。因(yin)此,當(dang)考(kao)慮(lv)諸如(ru)低(di)光線或無光條件(jian)(jian)之類的(de)特殊工(gong)(gong)作條件(jian)(jian)時(shi),電(dian)池(chi)充電(dian)就非常低(di),或電(dian)池(chi)可(ke)能(neng)(neng)甚(shen)至(zhi)工(gong)(gong)作在(zai)放(fang)電(dian)模式。要(yao)設置覆蓋所有(you)應(ying)用的(de)合(he)適的(de)充電(dian)安(an)全(quan)(quan)定(ding)時(shi)器幾乎是(shi)不可(ke)能(neng)(neng)的(de)。否則,就可(ke)能(neng)(neng)產生一個虛假(jia)的(de)安(an)全(quan)(quan)定(ding)時(shi)器錯(cuo)誤。因(yin)此,解決這(zhe)個問題的(de)一個選項就是(shi)禁止安(an)全(quan)(quan)定(ding)時(shi)器工(gong)(gong)作。
太(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)板(ban)所提供的電(dian)(dian)源被認為是“電(dian)(dian)流(liu)受限(xian)”的電(dian)(dian)壓源。太(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)板(ban)對鋰電(dian)(dian)池的最大(da)充電(dian)(dian)功(gong)率的實現途徑(jing)是:當系統和(he)(he)電(dian)(dian)池充電(dian)(dian)所需要的總電(dian)(dian)流(liu)超過(guo)太(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)板(ban)的輸(shu)出電(dian)(dian)流(liu)能(neng)力時(shi),要通(tong)過(guo)降低充電(dian)(dian)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)來調節MPP附近的系統總線電(dian)(dian)壓。對于設計(ji)一個(ge)可能(neng)的太(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)板(ban)供電(dian)(dian)的系統來說(shuo),關鍵(jian)的元素就是系統功(gong)率和(he)(he)電(dian)(dian)池充電(dian)(dian)功(gong)率控制(zhi)架(jia)構。
