鋰電池充電器設計技巧:從太陽能電池獲取更大功率
太陽(yang)能(neng)是為便攜式設備供電(dian)的(de)有吸引力的(de)能(neng)源。一段時間以來,它(ta)一直(zhi)被廣泛地用(yong)于諸如計(ji)算器和航天飛機這樣的(de)應(ying)用(yong)。最(zui)近,人們正考慮把太陽(yang)能(neng)用(yong)于包括移動(dong)電(dian)話充電(dian)器這樣的(de)范圍(wei)更寬廣的(de)消費電(dian)子應(ying)用(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)便從(cong)(cong)太(tai)陽(yang)能電(dian)(dian)池(chi)中獲取(qu)最多的(de)(de)功(gong)率并有效地(di)對鋰電(dian)(dian)池(chi)充電(dian)(dian)呢(ni)?首先(xian),我們將(jiang)討論太(tai)陽(yang)能電(dian)(dian)池(chi)的(de)(de)工作(zuo)原理(li)和(he)電(dian)(dian)氣輸出特(te)性;然后(hou),我們將(jiang)討論電(dian)(dian)池(chi)充電(dian)(dian)系(xi)統要求以(yi)及匹配(pei)太(tai)陽(yang)能電(dian)(dian)池(chi)特(te)性的(de)(de)系(xi)統解決方案,以(yi)便從(cong)(cong)太(tai)陽(yang)能電(dian)(dian)池(chi)獲取(qu)最大的(de)(de)功(gong)率。
太(tai)陽能(neng)I-V特性
一(yi)般地說,太陽(yang)能(neng)電池由p-n結(jie)構(gou)成,其中(zhong)的(de)(de)光能(neng)(光子)引起(qi)電子和空穴(xue)的(de)(de)重新組合,產生(sheng)電流。因為p-n結(jie)的(de)(de)特(te)性類似于二極(ji)管的(de)(de)特(te)性,如圖1所示(shi)的(de)(de)電路(lu)通常被用于簡化太陽(yang)能(neng)電池的(de)(de)特(te)性。
電(dian)(dian)流源(yuan)IPH產(chan)生的(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)流正比于落(luo)在太陽(yang)能電(dian)(dian)池(chi)(chi)(chi)上的(de)(de)(de)光(guang)量。在沒有負(fu)載連接的(de)(de)(de)時候,幾(ji)乎所有產(chan)生的(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)流都流過二極管(guan)D,其正向(xiang)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)決定(ding)太陽(yang)能電(dian)(dian)池(chi)(chi)(chi)的(de)(de)(de)開路電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(VOC)。該(gai)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)的(de)(de)(de)變化嚴格地取(qu)決于每一(yi)種類(lei)型的(de)(de)(de)太陽(yang)能電(dian)(dian)池(chi)(chi)(chi)。但(dan)是(shi),對于大多數硅電(dian)(dian)池(chi)(chi)(chi),其0.5V到0.8V之(zhi)間的(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)范圍恰好就是(shi)p-n結二極管(guan)的(de)(de)(de)正向(xiang)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)。
并聯電阻(zu)(RP)代表(biao)實(shi)際太(tai)陽能電池(chi)中出現的微小泄漏電流,Rs代表(biao)連接損耗。隨(sui)著負載(zai)電流增加,由(you)太(tai)陽能電池(chi)所(suo)產生的大部分電流被(bei)分流到二極管并進入負載(zai)。對于大多負載(zai)電流的數值(zhi),這只對輸出電壓(ya)有(you)很小的影響。
圖2所示為(wei)太陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)電(dian)(dian)池的(de)(de)輸出(chu)(chu)(chu)特性,由(you)于(yu)二(er)(er)(er)極管(guan)的(de)(de)I-V特性存在微小(xiao)(xiao)的(de)(de)變化,串聯電(dian)(dian)阻(zu)(Rs)上的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)降(jiang)也存在微小(xiao)(xiao)的(de)(de)變化,但是(shi)(shi),輸出(chu)(chu)(chu)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)保持(chi)很(hen)大的(de)(de)恒定。然而(er),在一些(xie)點通過內部二(er)(er)(er)極管(guan)的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)(liu)是(shi)(shi)如(ru)此(ci)之小(xiao)(xiao),以至于(yu)它變得偏置(zhi)不(bu)夠,并且,隨著(zhu)負(fu)載電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)(liu)的(de)(de)增加,跨越它的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)快速(su)減(jian)(jian)少(shao)。最后,如(ru)果(guo)所有(you)產(chan)生的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)(liu)流(liu)(liu)(liu)(liu)過負(fu)載并且不(bu)流(liu)(liu)(liu)(liu)過二(er)(er)(er)極管(guan)的(de)(de)話(hua),輸出(chu)(chu)(chu)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)就為(wei)零(ling)。該(gai)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)(liu)被稱為(wei)太陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)電(dian)(dian)池的(de)(de)短路電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)(liu)(ISC),它與(yu)VOC一道是(shi)(shi)定義(yi)工(gong)作性能(neng)(neng)的(de)(de)主(zhu)要參數之一。因此(ci),太陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)電(dian)(dian)池被認(ren)為(wei)是(shi)(shi)“電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)(liu)受限”的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)源。當輸出(chu)(chu)(chu)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)(liu)增加的(de)(de)時候(hou),其輸出(chu)(chu)(chu)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)降(jiang)低,直到(dao)最終(zhong)減(jian)(jian)少(shao)為(wei)零(ling),如(ru)果(guo)負(fu)載電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)(liu)達(da)到(dao)其短路電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)(liu)的(de)(de)話(hua)。
在大多數應用中,人們期(qi)望從太陽(yang)能(neng)電(dian)池獲取(qu)盡可能(neng)多的(de)(de)功率。因為(wei)(wei)輸(shu)(shu)(shu)出(chu)(chu)功率是輸(shu)(shu)(shu)出(chu)(chu)電(dian)壓和(he)電(dian)流的(de)(de)乘(cheng)積(ji),有必(bi)要確定電(dian)池的(de)(de)哪(na)一(yi)部分的(de)(de)工作區域產生的(de)(de)輸(shu)(shu)(shu)出(chu)(chu)電(dian)壓和(he)電(dian)流的(de)(de)乘(cheng)積(ji)的(de)(de)數值(zhi)最(zui)(zui)大,這(zhe)一(yi)點被稱為(wei)(wei)最(zui)(zui)大功率點(MPP)。在一(yi)種極(ji)端情(qing)(qing)況下(xia),輸(shu)(shu)(shu)出(chu)(chu)電(dian)壓為(wei)(wei)其最(zui)(zui)大數值(zhi)(VOC),但是,輸(shu)(shu)(shu)出(chu)(chu)電(dian)流為(wei)(wei)零;在其它極(ji)端情(qing)(qing)況下(xia),輸(shu)(shu)(shu)出(chu)(chu)電(dian)流位其最(zui)(zui)大值(zhi)(ISC),但是,輸(shu)(shu)(shu)出(chu)(chu)電(dian)壓為(wei)(wei)零。在兩種情(qing)(qing)況下(xia),輸(shu)(shu)(shu)出(chu)(chu)電(dian)壓和(he)電(dian)流的(de)(de)乘(cheng)積(ji)都是零。因此(ci),MPP必(bi)須位于兩種極(ji)端情(qing)(qing)況之間的(de)(de)某處(chu)。
可以容易地證明:在任何應(ying)用(yong)中,MPP實際(ji)上(shang)出現(xian)在太陽(yang)能(neng)電(dian)池的(de)(de)(de)輸出特(te)性(見圖3)下半部(bu)的(de)(de)(de)某(mou)個位置。實際(ji)上(shang),問(wen)題在于太陽(yang)能(neng)電(dian)池的(de)(de)(de)MPP的(de)(de)(de)嚴格位置會(hui)根(gen)據光線和環境溫度變化。因此,所設計(ji)的(de)(de)(de)系統要產(chan)生(sheng)最大的(de)(de)(de)太陽(yang)能(neng),就必須動態地調節太陽(yang)能(neng)電(dian)池輸出的(de)(de)(de)電(dian)流,以便(bian)它(ta)在實際(ji)工(gong)作條件下位于或接近MPP工(gong)作。
優化充電器設計(ji)以(yi)從太陽能板獲得最大的功率。
跟(gen)蹤(zong)太陽能板系(xi)統的(de)(de)MPP的(de)(de)途(tu)徑(jing)有(you)多種,這(zhe)些(xie)常常相(xiang)當復雜,特(te)別是(shi)在諸(zhu)如(ru)衛星通信(xin)這(zhe)樣(yang)的(de)(de)重要(yao)任務系(xi)統中。然而,在許多對(dui)成本敏(min)感的(de)(de)應(ying)用中,極其精確的(de)(de)MPP跟(gen)蹤(zong)方案卻是(shi)不(bu)必要(yao)的(de)(de)。所有(you)的(de)(de)要(yao)求就是(shi)以(yi)簡單(dan)、低成本的(de)(de)解決方案儲存大約(yue)90%的(de)(de)可用能量(liang)。充電控制(zhi)系(xi)統如(ru)何使太陽能電池以(yi)接近MPP的(de)(de)方式工作呢?
動(dong)態功率路(lu)徑管理(DPPM)技術可以(yi)滿足(zu)跟(gen)蹤(zong)MPP所面臨的(de)(de)這種挑戰。圖4顯示(shi)了從太(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)板獲(huo)得最大功率的(de)(de)鋰離子(zi)電(dian)(dian)池(chi)充電(dian)(dian)應用電(dian)(dian)路(lu),其(qi)中,MOSFET Q2被用于調節電(dian)(dian)池(chi)充電(dian)(dian)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)、充電(dian)(dian)電(dian)(dian)壓或系統總線電(dian)(dian)壓。太(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)板被用做為(wei)單顆(ke)鋰離子(zi)電(dian)(dian)池(chi)充電(dian)(dian)的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)源(yuan)。太(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)板由若干串在一(yi)起的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)池(chi)組成,每一(yi)串具有11個串聯的(de)(de)硅電(dian)(dian)池(chi),其(qi)行為(wei)就像電(dian)(dian)流(liu)受到限制的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)壓源(yuan),其(qi)中,電(dian)(dian)流(liu)限度由太(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)板的(de)(de)大小以(yi)及(ji)照射在上面的(de)(de)光(guang)通(tong)量來(lai)確定。
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)(dian)(dian)流(liu)大(da)于太(tai)陽能板所提供(gong)的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu),就會造成系統(tong)的(de)(de)總(zong)線(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)開始下降。當系統(tong)總(zong)線(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)跌落到(dao)預設的(de)(de)DPPM閥值的(de)(de)時候,電(dian)(dian)(dian)池充電(dian)(dian)(dian)控制系統(tong)就把系統(tong)總(zong)線(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)調節到(dao)DPMM閥值。
從(cong)這(zhe)個太(tai)(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)(neng)(neng)板獲(huo)得的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)最(zui)大輸(shu)(shu)出(chu)(chu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(VOC)通常在5.5V到(dao)6V之間。因為(wei)該電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓低(di)于預設(she)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)6V輸(shu)(shu)出(chu)(chu)調節(jie)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓,MOSFET Q1被完全關閉。如果系統和電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)池充電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)器所需要的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)總電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)超過太(tai)(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)(neng)(neng)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)池的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)輸(shu)(shu)出(chu)(chu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)―取決于光(guang)線(xian)強(qiang)弱―能(neng)(neng)(neng)(neng)力,太(tai)(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)(neng)(neng)板的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)輸(shu)(shu)出(chu)(chu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓將(jiang)下(xia)跌,從(cong)而(er)使輸(shu)(shu)出(chu)(chu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(VOUT)下(xia)降(jiang)(jiang)。當(dang)VOUT下(xia)降(jiang)(jiang)到(dao)VDPPM―也是太(tai)(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)(neng)(neng)板的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)輸(shu)(shu)出(chu)(chu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓―的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)時候(hou),充電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)就下(xia)降(jiang)(jiang)了。太(tai)(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)(neng)(neng)板現在將(jiang)在接近其MPP的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)狀態下(xia)工作(zuo),如果VDPPM被設(she)置為(wei)接近MPP的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)話。通過恰當(dang)地把RDPPM編程到(dao)一個電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)平,就容許VOUT保(bao)持(chi)在最(zui)小的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)4.5V,從(cong)而(er)實現這(zhe)一點。這(zhe)個VDPPM數值就被人們(men)所采用,因為(wei)它相當(dang)符合太(tai)(tai)陽(yang)能(neng)(neng)(neng)(neng)板的(de)(de)(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需要的(de)(de)(de)功(gong)(gong)率(lv)小于太(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)(neng)板(ban)能(neng)(neng)夠(gou)提(ti)供(gong)(gong)的(de)(de)(de)功(gong)(gong)率(lv)的(de)(de)(de)情況(kuang)下(xia)。在這種情況(kuang)下(xia),降低(di)效率(lv)不是那么(me)重(zhong)要。如(ru)圖3所示,隨著輸(shu)出功(gong)(gong)率(lv)逼(bi)近MPP,輸(shu)出功(gong)(gong)率(lv)曲線變(bian)得十(shi)分(fen)平坦,然后(hou),突(tu)然急劇下(xia)降。因(yin)此,把VDPPM設置得稍高(gao)比設置得稍低(di)要好(hao)。這樣(yang)做(zuo)將(jiang)把不正確(que)的(de)(de)(de)工作點對輸(shu)出功(gong)(gong)率(lv)的(de)(de)(de)影響最(zui)小化(hua)。如(ru)果(guo)太(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)(neng)板(ban)提(ti)供(gong)(gong)的(de)(de)(de)功(gong)(gong)率(lv)不足以為系統供(gong)(gong)電(dian),甚(shen)至當電(dian)池(chi)充電(dian)電(dian)流已經被降低(di)到零的(de)(de)(de)時候,MOSFET Q2就導通,VOUT下(xia)降到剛好(hao)低(di)于電(dian)池(chi)電(dian)壓VBAT,并且電(dian)池(chi)提(ti)供(gong)(gong)太(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)(neng)板(ban)所不能(neng)(neng)提(ti)供(gong)(gong)的(de)(de)(de)電(dian)流。
如果充電器工作在DPPM狀態,內部安(an)全(quan)定(ding)時器就自動地(di)延長時間。因(yin)此(ci),當考慮諸如低光(guang)線或(huo)無光(guang)條件之類的(de)特(te)殊工作條件時,電(dian)池充電(dian)就非常低,或(huo)電(dian)池可(ke)能(neng)甚至(zhi)工作在放電(dian)模式(shi)。要設(she)置(zhi)覆蓋所有應(ying)用(yong)的(de)合適(shi)的(de)充電(dian)安(an)全(quan)定(ding)時器幾乎是不(bu)可(ke)能(neng)的(de)。否則,就可(ke)能(neng)產生一(yi)個(ge)虛假的(de)安(an)全(quan)定(ding)時器錯(cuo)誤。因(yin)此(ci),解決這個(ge)問題的(de)一(yi)個(ge)選(xuan)項就是禁止安(an)全(quan)定(ding)時器工作。
太(tai)陽(yang)能板(ban)(ban)所提供的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)源被(bei)認為是(shi)“電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)受限”的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓源。太(tai)陽(yang)能板(ban)(ban)對(dui)鋰電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)的(de)(de)最大充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)功(gong)率的(de)(de)實(shi)現途徑是(shi):當系(xi)統(tong)(tong)和電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)所需(xu)要(yao)的(de)(de)總(zong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)超過太(tai)陽(yang)能板(ban)(ban)的(de)(de)輸出電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)能力時(shi),要(yao)通過降低充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)來調(diao)節MPP附近的(de)(de)系(xi)統(tong)(tong)總(zong)線電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓。對(dui)于設計(ji)一個可能的(de)(de)太(tai)陽(yang)能板(ban)(ban)供電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)的(de)(de)系(xi)統(tong)(tong)來說,關鍵的(de)(de)元素(su)就是(shi)系(xi)統(tong)(tong)功(gong)率和電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)功(gong)率控制(zhi)架構。