鋰電池充電器設計技巧:從太陽能電池獲取更大功率
太(tai)陽能是為便攜式設備(bei)供電(dian)的(de)有吸引力的(de)能源。一段時(shi)間以來,它一直(zhi)被廣(guang)泛地用于諸如(ru)計算器和航天飛機(ji)這樣的(de)應(ying)用。最近,人們正(zheng)考慮把太(tai)陽能用于包括移動電(dian)話充(chong)電(dian)器這樣的(de)范圍更寬廣(guang)的(de)消費電(dian)子(zi)應(ying)用。
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便從太陽(yang)能(neng)電(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)中(zhong)獲取最多的(de)功(gong)率并有(you)效(xiao)地對鋰電(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)呢(ni)?首先,我(wo)們將(jiang)(jiang)討論太陽(yang)能(neng)電(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)的(de)工作原理和(he)電(dian)(dian)(dian)氣(qi)輸出特性;然后,我(wo)們將(jiang)(jiang)討論電(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)系統要求以及匹配太陽(yang)能(neng)電(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)特性的(de)系統解(jie)決方案,以便從太陽(yang)能(neng)電(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)獲取最大的(de)功(gong)率。
太陽能I-V特性
一般地說,太(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)電池(chi)由p-n結構成,其中的(de)光(guang)能(neng)(光(guang)子(zi))引起(qi)電子(zi)和空穴的(de)重新(xin)組合(he),產生(sheng)電流。因為p-n結的(de)特性(xing)類似于(yu)二極(ji)管的(de)特性(xing),如圖(tu)1所示(shi)的(de)電路通常(chang)被用于(yu)簡化太(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)電池(chi)的(de)特性(xing)。
電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)源IPH產(chan)生的電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)正比(bi)于(yu)(yu)落在太陽(yang)能電(dian)(dian)池(chi)上的光量。在沒有負(fu)載(zai)連接的時候,幾乎所有產(chan)生的電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)都流(liu)(liu)過二極(ji)管D,其正向電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)決定太陽(yang)能電(dian)(dian)池(chi)的開路(lu)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)(VOC)。該電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)的變化嚴格地取決于(yu)(yu)每一種類型的太陽(yang)能電(dian)(dian)池(chi)。但是,對于(yu)(yu)大多(duo)數硅電(dian)(dian)池(chi),其0.5V到0.8V之(zhi)間的電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)范圍(wei)恰好就是p-n結(jie)二極(ji)管的正向電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)。
并(bing)(bing)聯(lian)電阻(zu)(RP)代表(biao)實(shi)際太(tai)陽能(neng)(neng)電池中出現的(de)微(wei)小泄漏電流,Rs代表(biao)連接(jie)損耗(hao)。隨(sui)著負(fu)載(zai)電流增加,由太(tai)陽能(neng)(neng)電池所產生的(de)大部分電流被(bei)分流到二極管(guan)并(bing)(bing)進入負(fu)載(zai)。對于大多(duo)負(fu)載(zai)電流的(de)數值,這(zhe)只對輸出電壓有很小的(de)影響。
圖2所(suo)示為(wei)(wei)太(tai)(tai)(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)電(dian)(dian)池(chi)(chi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)輸出(chu)特(te)(te)性(xing),由(you)于(yu)二(er)(er)極(ji)管的(de)(de)(de)(de)I-V特(te)(te)性(xing)存(cun)在微小(xiao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)變(bian)化,串聯(lian)電(dian)(dian)阻(Rs)上的(de)(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)壓降(jiang)也(ye)存(cun)在微小(xiao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)變(bian)化,但(dan)是(shi),輸出(chu)電(dian)(dian)壓保(bao)持很大的(de)(de)(de)(de)恒定。然而,在一(yi)些點(dian)通過內部二(er)(er)極(ji)管的(de)(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)是(shi)如此之(zhi)小(xiao),以至于(yu)它(ta)變(bian)得偏置不夠,并且(qie),隨著負(fu)載電(dian)(dian)流(liu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)增加,跨(kua)越它(ta)的(de)(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)壓快速(su)減少。最(zui)后,如果(guo)(guo)所(suo)有產生的(de)(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)流(liu)過負(fu)載并且(qie)不流(liu)過二(er)(er)極(ji)管的(de)(de)(de)(de)話,輸出(chu)電(dian)(dian)壓就為(wei)(wei)零(ling)。該電(dian)(dian)流(liu)被稱為(wei)(wei)太(tai)(tai)(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)電(dian)(dian)池(chi)(chi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)短路(lu)(lu)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(ISC),它(ta)與(yu)VOC一(yi)道是(shi)定義工(gong)作性(xing)能(neng)的(de)(de)(de)(de)主(zhu)要(yao)參數之(zhi)一(yi)。因(yin)此,太(tai)(tai)(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)電(dian)(dian)池(chi)(chi)被認為(wei)(wei)是(shi)“電(dian)(dian)流(liu)受限”的(de)(de)(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)源。當輸出(chu)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)增加的(de)(de)(de)(de)時候,其輸出(chu)電(dian)(dian)壓降(jiang)低(di),直(zhi)到最(zui)終減少為(wei)(wei)零(ling),如果(guo)(guo)負(fu)載電(dian)(dian)流(liu)達到其短路(lu)(lu)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)話。
在(zai)大(da)多數應用(yong)中,人們期望(wang)從太陽能(neng)電池獲取盡可(ke)能(neng)多的(de)功(gong)率(lv)(lv)。因(yin)為(wei)輸(shu)(shu)(shu)出(chu)功(gong)率(lv)(lv)是(shi)輸(shu)(shu)(shu)出(chu)電壓(ya)和電流(liu)的(de)乘積,有(you)必(bi)要確定電池的(de)哪一(yi)部分的(de)工作區域產生的(de)輸(shu)(shu)(shu)出(chu)電壓(ya)和電流(liu)的(de)乘積的(de)數值最大(da),這(zhe)一(yi)點被稱為(wei)最大(da)功(gong)率(lv)(lv)點(MPP)。在(zai)一(yi)種極端(duan)情(qing)況(kuang)下(xia),輸(shu)(shu)(shu)出(chu)電壓(ya)為(wei)其最大(da)數值(VOC),但是(shi),輸(shu)(shu)(shu)出(chu)電流(liu)為(wei)零(ling);在(zai)其它極端(duan)情(qing)況(kuang)下(xia),輸(shu)(shu)(shu)出(chu)電流(liu)位(wei)其最大(da)值(ISC),但是(shi),輸(shu)(shu)(shu)出(chu)電壓(ya)為(wei)零(ling)。在(zai)兩(liang)種情(qing)況(kuang)下(xia),輸(shu)(shu)(shu)出(chu)電壓(ya)和電流(liu)的(de)乘積都是(shi)零(ling)。因(yin)此,MPP必(bi)須(xu)位(wei)于兩(liang)種極端(duan)情(qing)況(kuang)之(zhi)間的(de)某處。
可以容易地證明:在(zai)(zai)(zai)任何應用中(zhong),MPP實(shi)際(ji)上(shang)出現在(zai)(zai)(zai)太(tai)陽(yang)能電(dian)池的輸(shu)出特性(xing)(見圖3)下半部(bu)的某個位(wei)置。實(shi)際(ji)上(shang),問題在(zai)(zai)(zai)于太(tai)陽(yang)能電(dian)池的MPP的嚴格位(wei)置會根(gen)據光線和(he)環境(jing)溫度(du)變化。因此,所(suo)設計的系(xi)統要產生最大的太(tai)陽(yang)能,就(jiu)必須動態(tai)地調節太(tai)陽(yang)能電(dian)池輸(shu)出的電(dian)流,以便它在(zai)(zai)(zai)實(shi)際(ji)工作條件下位(wei)于或接近(jin)MPP工作。
優(you)化(hua)充電器設計以從太陽能板獲得最大(da)的功率(lv)。
跟(gen)蹤太(tai)陽能板系(xi)統(tong)的(de)MPP的(de)途徑有多(duo)種,這些(xie)常常相當(dang)復雜,特別是(shi)(shi)在(zai)諸如(ru)衛星通(tong)信這樣的(de)重要(yao)(yao)任務系(xi)統(tong)中(zhong)(zhong)。然而(er),在(zai)許(xu)多(duo)對(dui)成本敏感(gan)的(de)應用中(zhong)(zhong),極其精(jing)確的(de)MPP跟(gen)蹤方案(an)卻是(shi)(shi)不必(bi)要(yao)(yao)的(de)。所有的(de)要(yao)(yao)求就(jiu)是(shi)(shi)以簡單、低成本的(de)解決方案(an)儲存大約90%的(de)可(ke)用能量。充電(dian)(dian)控制系(xi)統(tong)如(ru)何(he)使(shi)太(tai)陽能電(dian)(dian)池以接近MPP的(de)方式工(gong)作呢?
動態(tai)功(gong)(gong)率(lv)路徑管理(li)(DPPM)技(ji)術可以滿足跟蹤MPP所面臨(lin)的(de)這種挑戰(zhan)。圖(tu)4顯示了從太陽能板獲得(de)最大功(gong)(gong)率(lv)的(de)鋰(li)離子(zi)電(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)應用(yong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)路,其中(zhong),MOSFET Q2被用(yong)于(yu)調(diao)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(ya)或系(xi)統總線電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)。太陽能板被用(yong)做為單顆(ke)鋰(li)離子(zi)電(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)的(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)源。太陽能板由若(ruo)干(gan)串在(zai)一起的(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)組成,每(mei)一串具有11個串聯的(de)硅電(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi),其行(xing)為就(jiu)像電(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)受到限(xian)制的(de)電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)源,其中(zhong),電(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)限(xian)度由太陽能板的(de)大小以及(ji)照(zhao)射在(zai)上面的(de)光通量來確定(ding)。
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)流大于太陽能板所提(ti)供的(de)(de)電(dian)(dian)流,就會(hui)造成(cheng)系(xi)統的(de)(de)總線電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)開始下(xia)降。當系(xi)統總線電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)跌落到預(yu)設的(de)(de)DPPM閥值(zhi)的(de)(de)時(shi)候,電(dian)(dian)池充電(dian)(dian)控制系(xi)統就把系(xi)統總線電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)調節到DPMM閥值(zhi)。
從這個太(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)板(ban)(ban)(ban)獲得的(de)(de)最大輸(shu)出(chu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)(VOC)通常在5.5V到6V之(zhi)間。因為(wei)該電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)低(di)于預(yu)設(she)的(de)(de)6V輸(shu)出(chu)調(diao)節電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya),MOSFET Q1被完全關閉。如(ru)果系統和電(dian)(dian)(dian)池充電(dian)(dian)(dian)器所(suo)(suo)需要的(de)(de)總電(dian)(dian)(dian)流超過太(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)電(dian)(dian)(dian)池的(de)(de)輸(shu)出(chu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)流―取(qu)決于光線強弱―能(neng)力(li),太(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)板(ban)(ban)(ban)的(de)(de)輸(shu)出(chu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)將(jiang)下跌,從而使輸(shu)出(chu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)(VOUT)下降。當(dang)(dang)VOUT下降到VDPPM―也是太(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)板(ban)(ban)(ban)的(de)(de)輸(shu)出(chu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)―的(de)(de)時候,充電(dian)(dian)(dian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)流就(jiu)(jiu)下降了。太(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)板(ban)(ban)(ban)現(xian)在將(jiang)在接近其MPP的(de)(de)狀(zhuang)態下工作,如(ru)果VDPPM被設(she)置為(wei)接近MPP的(de)(de)話。通過恰當(dang)(dang)地把RDPPM編程到一個電(dian)(dian)(dian)平(ping),就(jiu)(jiu)容許VOUT保持在最小(xiao)的(de)(de)4.5V,從而實現(xian)這一點(dian)。這個VDPPM數(shu)值就(jiu)(jiu)被人(ren)們所(suo)(suo)采(cai)用,因為(wei)它相當(dang)(dang)符(fu)合太(tai)陽(yang)(yang)能(neng)板(ban)(ban)(ban)的(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)需要(yao)的(de)(de)(de)功率(lv)(lv)(lv)小于(yu)太陽(yang)能板能夠(gou)提供(gong)的(de)(de)(de)功率(lv)(lv)(lv)的(de)(de)(de)情況下。在這種情況下,降(jiang)低(di)(di)效(xiao)率(lv)(lv)(lv)不(bu)(bu)是那么重要(yao)。如圖3所(suo)示,隨著輸出功率(lv)(lv)(lv)逼近MPP,輸出功率(lv)(lv)(lv)曲線變得(de)十(shi)分(fen)平(ping)坦,然(ran)(ran)后,突(tu)然(ran)(ran)急(ji)劇下降(jiang)。因此(ci),把(ba)(ba)VDPPM設置得(de)稍高比設置得(de)稍低(di)(di)要(yao)好。這樣做將把(ba)(ba)不(bu)(bu)正確的(de)(de)(de)工作點對輸出功率(lv)(lv)(lv)的(de)(de)(de)影響(xiang)最小化。如果太陽(yang)能板提供(gong)的(de)(de)(de)功率(lv)(lv)(lv)不(bu)(bu)足以(yi)為系統供(gong)電(dian),甚至當電(dian)池(chi)(chi)充電(dian)電(dian)流已經被(bei)降(jiang)低(di)(di)到零的(de)(de)(de)時候(hou),MOSFET Q2就導通(tong),VOUT下降(jiang)到剛好低(di)(di)于(yu)電(dian)池(chi)(chi)電(dian)壓VBAT,并且電(dian)池(chi)(chi)提供(gong)太陽(yang)能板所(suo)不(bu)(bu)能提供(gong)的(de)(de)(de)電(dian)流。
如果充電器工(gong)(gong)作在DPPM狀態,內部安全(quan)定時(shi)(shi)器(qi)就(jiu)自動地延長時(shi)(shi)間。因此(ci),當(dang)考(kao)慮諸(zhu)如低(di)光線或無光條件之(zhi)類的(de)特殊(shu)工(gong)(gong)作條件時(shi)(shi),電(dian)(dian)池充(chong)電(dian)(dian)就(jiu)非常低(di),或電(dian)(dian)池可能甚至(zhi)工(gong)(gong)作在放電(dian)(dian)模式。要設(she)置覆蓋所有應(ying)用的(de)合(he)適的(de)充(chong)電(dian)(dian)安全(quan)定時(shi)(shi)器(qi)幾乎(hu)是不可能的(de)。否則,就(jiu)可能產生一個虛假(jia)的(de)安全(quan)定時(shi)(shi)器(qi)錯誤。因此(ci),解決(jue)這個問題的(de)一個選(xuan)項就(jiu)是禁(jin)止安全(quan)定時(shi)(shi)器(qi)工(gong)(gong)作。
太(tai)(tai)陽能(neng)(neng)板(ban)所(suo)提(ti)供的電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)源被認為是(shi)(shi)“電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)受限(xian)”的電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)源。太(tai)(tai)陽能(neng)(neng)板(ban)對鋰電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)的最大充(chong)(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)功(gong)率的實現途徑(jing)是(shi)(shi):當(dang)系統(tong)和(he)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)充(chong)(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)所(suo)需要的總電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)超過太(tai)(tai)陽能(neng)(neng)板(ban)的輸出電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)能(neng)(neng)力時,要通(tong)過降(jiang)低充(chong)(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)流(liu)來(lai)調節MPP附近(jin)的系統(tong)總線(xian)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)壓(ya)。對于設計一個(ge)可能(neng)(neng)的太(tai)(tai)陽能(neng)(neng)板(ban)供電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)的系統(tong)來(lai)說,關鍵的元(yuan)素(su)就是(shi)(shi)系統(tong)功(gong)率和(he)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)池(chi)充(chong)(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)功(gong)率控制架構。