Patent Publication Number: US-11658349-B2

Title: Link device for coupling energy storage devices having disparate chemistries

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/889,044, filed Jun. 1, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/579,718, filed Sep. 23, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/735,396, filed Sep. 24, 2018, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Different energy storage solutions have varying characteristics. Some characteristics lend themselves to long-term energy storage while others lend themselves to short-term energy storage. Traditionally, batteries having disparate battery chemistries are incompatible. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment relates to an energy system. The energy system includes an energy storage device and a link device. The energy storage device includes a housing and a battery disposed within the housing. The battery has a first chemistry. The link device is configured to facilitate electrically coupling the energy storage device to an external battery having a second chemistry different than the first chemistry, receive input power from the external battery, and regulate a power profile of the input power received from the external battery such that the energy storage device can accept the input power from the external battery. The energy storage device is configured to receive the input power from the external battery having the second chemistry through the link device and provide output power to a load using the input power received from the external battery having the second chemistry. 
     Another embodiment relates to an energy system. The energy system includes a housing, a battery disposed within the housing, and a link device. The battery has a first chemistry. The link device is configured to facilitate electrically coupling the battery to an external source having a second chemistry different than the first chemistry, receive an input from the external source, and regulate the input received from the external source such that the battery can accept the input from the external source. The battery is configured to receive the input from the external source having the second chemistry through the link device, store the input as stored energy, and provide an output to a load using the stored energy including the input. 
     Still another embodiment relates to an energy system. The energy storage system includes an energy storage device and a link device. The energy storage device includes a housing and a battery disposed within the housing. The battery has a first chemistry. The link device has a first interface and a second interface. The first interface is configured to selectively couple to the energy storage device. The second interface is configured to selectively couple to an external battery having a second chemistry different than the first chemistry. The link device is configured to facilitate electrically coupling the energy storage device and the external battery together, receive first power from the external battery and provide the first power to the energy storage device, and receive second power from the energy storage device and provide the second power to the external battery. The energy storage device is configured to receive the first power from the external battery through the link device, provide the second power to the link device to charge the external battery, and at least one of (i) provide third power to a load using the first power directly or (ii) store the first power in the battery as stored energy and provide the third power to the load using the stored energy. 
     This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of an energy storage and power supply device, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of the energy storage and power supply device of  FIG.  1   , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the energy storage and power supply device of  FIG.  1    with a lid thereof selectively reconfigured in an open orientation, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of the energy storage and power supply device of  FIG.  3    having a linking module coupled thereto, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the energy storage and power supply device of  FIG.  1    coupled to a plurality of external energy sources, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic diagram of an external energy source of the plurality of external energy sources of  FIG.  5   , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic diagram of the linking module of  FIG.  4   , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic diagram of an energy system including the energy storage and power supply device, the linking module, and the external energy source, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic diagram of an energy system including the energy storage and power supply device, the linking module, and the external energy source, according to another exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, a linking device is configured to facilitate electrically coupling an energy storage and power supply device including an energy storage unit having a first energy storage chemistry (e.g., lithium-ion batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries, etc.) with an external energy source having a second, different energy storage chemistry (e.g., lead-acid batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries, a rechargeable fuel cell system, etc.). In some embodiments, the linking device is configured to facilitate electrically coupling a plurality of external energy sources to the energy storage and power supply device. The plurality of external energy sources may each have the same energy storage chemistry (i.e., the second energy storage chemistry) or at least one of the plurality of external energy sources may have third energy storage chemistry. 
     Such a linking device advantageously facilitates repurposing or retrofitting an energy storage and power supply device that would otherwise not be suitable for various applications including home power backup. By way of example, the energy storage and power supply device may include lithium-ion batteries and/or lithium iron phosphate batteries that are relatively light weight such that the energy storage and power supply device is highly portable. However, to provide suitable battery capacity for a home power backup application may require numerous energy storage and power supply devices, which given the battery chemistries thereof, can be rather expensive. Accordingly, the linking device facilitates linking one or more relatively cheaper and/or heavier external power sources (e.g., lead acid batteries, a rechargeable fuel cell, etc.) to the energy storage and power supply device to provide the extra power capacity needed to adequately provide for home power backup. The linking device therefore facilitates selectively coupling and decoupling the energy storage and power supply device to/from the one or more relatively cheaper and/or heavier external power sources when desired (e.g., to facilitate taking the energy storage and power supply device camping, tailgating, etc.), while the cheaper and/or heavier external power sources can remain in the designated location (e.g., in a basement of a residence where the connection to the power grid of the residence is located, etc.). 
     According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS.  1 - 5   , an energy storage and power supply device (e.g., a solar generator, a hybrid combustion and solar generator, etc.), shown as energy storage and power supply device  10 , is configured to receive and store electrical power from a power source for future use (e.g., in a remote location where electricity is not readily available, during a power outage to power a residence, etc.). The power source may include a solar panel system, a combustion generator (e.g., a gasoline-fueled generator, etc.), a power supply (e.g., a 120 Volt (“V”) AC wall charger, a 220V AC wall charger, a 240V AC wall charger, etc.), a 12V car adapter, and/or an external energy storage source (e.g., an energy tank, etc.). The stored electrical power may be provided to a load device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, an E-reader, a computer, a laptop, a smartwatch, a portable and rechargeable battery pack, appliances, a refrigerator, lights, display monitors, televisions, an electrical grid of a residence or building, etc.) to at least one of charge and power the load device. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the energy storage and power supply device  10  includes a housing, shown as housing  20 , and a body, shown as top  50 . In one embodiment, the top  50  is integrally formed with the housing  20  (e.g., a unitary structure, extends therefrom, etc.). In another embodiment, the top  50  is detachably coupled to the housing  20  (e.g., with fasteners, etc.). As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the housing  20  includes a first face, shown as front wall  22 , an opposing second face, shown as rear wall  24 , a first sidewall, shown as right sidewall  26 , and an opposing second sidewall, shown as left sidewall  28 . As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the energy storage and power supply device  10  includes an energy storage unit, shown as battery  30 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the front wall  22 , the rear wall  24 , the right sidewall  26 , and the left sidewall  28  cooperatively define an internal cavity of the energy storage and power supply device  10  that receives the battery  30 . The battery  30  may include one or more lithium-ion cells. According to an exemplary embodiment, the battery  30  includes a 10.8V nominal  lithium-ion battery. In some embodiments, the battery  30  includes a plurality of batteries (e.g., two or more batteries connected in series, etc.). In some embodiments, the battery  30  additionally or alternatively includes another type of battery (e.g., a lead-acid battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery, etc.) or another energy storage unit (e.g., one or more capacitors, a rechargeable fuel cell, etc.). In some embodiments, the battery  30  is configured to operate at different voltages (e.g., 24V nominal , 36V nominal , 48V nominal , etc.) to improve the efficiency of circuitry and wiring. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the energy storage and power supply device  10  includes an interface, shown as user interface  40 , disposed along the front wall  22 . In other embodiments, at least a portion of the user interface  40  is disposed on and/or along the rear wall  24 , the right sidewall  26 , the left sidewall  28 , and/or the top  50 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , the user interface  40  includes a first portion, shown as first panel  42 , a second portion, shown as second panel  44 , and a third portion, shown as third panel  46 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , the first panel  42  includes a first plurality of interfaces, the second panel  44  includes a second plurality of interfaces, and the third panel  46  includes a third plurality of interfaces, shown as input/output (“I/O”) ports  48 . The I/O ports  48  are electrically coupled to the battery  30 , according to an exemplary embodiment. According to an exemplary embodiment, (i) at least a portion of the I/O ports  48  are configured to receive electrical energy from a power source (e.g., a solar panel system, a combustion generator, a power supply, a 12V car adapter, etc.) for storage by the battery  30 , (ii) at least a portion of the I/O ports  48  are configured to provide the stored electrical energy within the battery  30  to a load device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, an E-reader, a computer, a laptop, a smartwatch, a portable and rechargeable battery pack, appliances, a refrigerator, lights, display monitors, televisions, a power grid of a residence or building, etc.) with a power and/or charging cable connected therebetween, and/or (iii) at least a portion of the I/O ports  48  are configured to receive and provide electrical energy (i.e, operate as dual functioning ports). 
     According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG.  2   , the I/O ports  48  of the first panel  42 , the second panel  44 , and the third panel  46  include alternating current (“AC”) inverter ports (e.g., having a 110V outlet port, etc.), direct current (“DC”) inputs and/or outputs, USB ports, a 6 millimeter (“mm”) port, a 12V car port, a 12V powerpole port (e.g., an Anderson Powerpole, etc.), a charging port (e.g., a solar panel charging port, a combustion generator charging port, a power supply charging port, a powerpole charging port, etc.), and/or a chaining port (e.g., to electrically couple two or more of the energy storage and power supply devices  10  in series, a powerpole chaining port, etc.). In some embodiments, the I/O ports  48  include a linking port (e.g., similar to the linking carriage of the present disclosure, etc.) configured to facilitate selectively coupling one or more external power sources to the energy storage and power supply device  10  that have a disparate energy storage chemistry relative to the battery  30  of the energy storage and power supply device  10 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , the second panel  44  includes a display, shown as display  49 . The display  49  may provide various information regarding the state and/or operation of the energy storage and power supply device  10  and/or the battery  30  (e.g., a battery level, a current input power, a current input voltage, a current input current, a current output power, a current output voltage, a current output current, an estimated time until a full charge of the battery  30  is reached, an estimated time until full and/or permitted depletion of the battery  30  is reached, a battery temperature, an insignia, a notification, a warning, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3   , the top  50  defines a recess, shown as cavity  60 . The energy storage and power supply device  10  includes a cover, shown as lid  90 . The lid  90  is positioned to facilitate selectively accessing and enclosing the cavity  60 , according to an exemplary embodiment. An operator of the energy storage and power supply device  10  may thereby engage a front portion, shown as front lip  92 , of the lid  90  to selectively reposition the lid  90  between a first orientation (e.g., a closed orientation shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , etc.) and a second orientation (e.g., an open orientation shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , etc.) to selectively access the cavity  60 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the cavity  60  includes one or more ports, shown as I/O ports  86 . The I/O ports  86  are electrically coupled to the battery  30 , according to an exemplary embodiment. The I/O ports  86  may include a port similar to and/or different from one of the I/O ports  48  of the user interface  40  (e.g., a specialty connector, a high voltage DC output, a fast charging input, etc.). As shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the cavity  60  defines a first slot, shown as left slot  70 , and a second slot, shown as right slot  72 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , the left slot  70  is configured to selectively (e.g., removably, detachably, interchangeably, etc.) receive a first module, shown as first carriage  100 , and the right slot  72  is configured to selectively receive a second module, shown as second carriage  120 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the first carriage  100  and/or the second carriage  120  are interchangeable (e.g., with different types of modules, with each other, are modular adapters, etc.). In other embodiments, the first carriage  100  and/or the second carriage  120  are fixed or integrally formed within the cavity  60 . 
     In some embodiments, the first carriage  100  and/or the second carriage  120  are selectively replaceable with a different type of module. The different types of modules may include a chaining carriage, an interface and communication carriage, a generator carriage, a high capacity output carriage, a fast charging or high capacity input carriage, and/or a linking carriage, among other alternatives. The various carriages may be configured to electrically couple the energy storage and power supply device  10  and/or the battery  30  using the I/O ports  86  to a power source (e.g., a power supply, a combustion generator, a solar panel system, a battery array, an external power source having a disparate energy storage chemistry, etc.) and/or a load device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, an E-reader, a computer, a laptop, a smartwatch, a portable and rechargeable battery pack, appliances, a refrigerator, lights, display monitors, televisions, a power grid of a residence, etc.). In other embodiments, the modules hold and/or support a load device facilitating use thereof with the energy storage and power supply device  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , a linking device or module, shown as link carriage  200 , is disposed within the left slot  70  of the cavity  60  of the energy storage and power supply device  10 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the link carriage  200  is selectively (e.g., removably, detachably, interchangeably etc.) received by the left slot  70 . In other embodiments, the link carriage  200  is selectively received by the right slot  72 . In an alternative embodiment, the link carriage  200  is integrally formed within the cavity  60  and/or to another portion of the energy storage and power supply device  10 . According to the exemplary embodiment, the link carriage  200  is configured to connect to the battery  30  of the energy storage and power supply device  10  via the I/O ports  86  within the cavity  60 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the link carriage  200  is configured to facilitate electrically coupling the energy storage and power supply device  10  to one or more external energy storage sources having a disparate type of energy storage (e.g., a battery having a disparate battery chemistry, etc.). As shown in  FIG.  5   , the link carriage  200  is configured to facilitate coupling the energy storage and power supply device  10  to one or more first external energy storage sources (e.g., reserve tanks, etc.), shown as first energy tanks  300 , and/or one or more second external energy storage sources, shown as second energy tanks  350 . The first energy tanks  300  and/or the second energy tanks  350  may be used to charge and/or increase the storage capacity of the battery  30  of the energy storage and power supply device  10 . Such an arrangement may allow for the expandability of energy storage, as greater storage capacity can be achieved by adding external energy storage sources, whilst maintaining the portability of the energy storage and power supply device  10  (e.g., by decoupling the energy storage and power supply device  10  therefrom, etc.). 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the first energy tanks  300  have a first energy storage chemistry and the second energy tanks  350  have a second energy storage chemistry, different than the first energy storage chemistry. At least one of the first energy storage chemistry and the second energy storage chemistry is different than the energy storage chemistry of the battery  30  of the energy storage and power supply device  10 , according to an exemplary embodiment. By way of example, the battery  30  of the energy storage and power supply device  10  may have a lithium ion battery chemistry and the first energy tanks  300  and/or the second energy tanks  350  may be or include a lead-acid battery, a lithium phosphate battery, a fuel cell, and/or another type of energy storage device and/or chemistry. According to an exemplary embodiment, the link carriage  200  facilitates providing an energy system (e.g., the combination of the energy storage and power supply device  10 , the first energy tanks  300 , the second energy tanks  350 , etc.) having a hybrid energy storage array that captures the advantageous characteristics of disparate battery chemistries in one assembly, mitigating the negative characteristics of each when standing alone (e.g., a hybridized energy storage system that combines the characteristics of multiple individual systems to capture the best features of each, etc.). 
     In some embodiments, the first energy tanks  300  and/or the second energy tanks  350  are dependent or passive devices that rely on the energy storage and power supply device  10  to receive power from a power source and to deliver power to a load. In other embodiments, the first energy tanks  300  and/or the second energy tanks  350  are capable of being independent or self-sufficient. By way of example, the first energy tanks  300  and/or the second energy tanks  350  may be implemented as part of a permanent installation that remains operational even when the energy storage and power supply device  10  is decoupled therefrom. 
     According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG.  6   , the first energy tank  300  (and similarly the second energy tank  350 ) includes one or more first interfaces, shown as inputs  310 , one or more second interfaces, shown as outputs  320 , an energy storage unit, shown as energy storage  330 , and a display, shown as display  340 . The display  340  may provide various information regarding the state and/or operation of the first energy tank  300  and/or the energy storage  330  (e.g., a battery level, a current input power, a current input voltage, a current input current, a current output power, a current output voltage, a current output current, an estimated time until a full charge of the energy storage  330  is reached, an estimated time until full and/or permitted depletion of the energy storage  330  is reached, a battery temperature, an insignia, a notification, a warning, etc.). In some embodiments, the first energy tank  300  does not include the display  340 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  6   , the inputs  310  and the outputs  320  are electrically coupled to the energy storage  330 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the inputs  310  are configured to receive electrical energy from a power source (e.g., a solar panel system, a combustion generator, a power supply, a 12V car adapter, a linked battery, a linked supply, the energy storage and power supply device  10 , etc.) for storage by the energy storage  330 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the outputs  320  are configured to provide the stored energy within the energy storage  330  to a load device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, an E-reader, a computer, a laptop, a smartwatch, a portable and rechargeable battery pack, appliances, a refrigerator, lights, display monitors, televisions, a linked energy tank, etc.) and/or the energy storage and power supply device  10  (e.g., through the link carriage  200 , etc.). The inputs  310  and/or the outputs  320  of the first energy tank  300  may include AC inverter ports, DC inputs and/or outputs, USB ports, a 6 mm port, a 12V car port, a charging port (e.g., a solar panel charging port, a combustion generator charging port, a power supply charging port, a link carriage charging port, etc.), and/or a chaining port (e.g., to electrically couple two or more of the first energy tanks  300  in series, etc.). 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the energy storage  330  is or includes a 12V lead-acid battery. In other embodiments, the energy storage  330  operates at a different voltage (e.g., 24V, 36V, 48V, etc.). In some embodiments, the energy storage  330  includes a plurality of batteries (e.g., two or more batteries connected in series, an array, etc.). In some embodiments, the energy storage  330  additionally or alternatively includes another type of battery (e.g., a lithium iron phosphate battery, a lithium ion battery, etc.) or another energy storage unit (e.g., one or more capacitors, a rechargeable fuel cell, etc.). It should be noted that the description herein regarding the first energy tanks  300  may similarly apply to the second energy tanks  350 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  4  and  7   , the link carriage  200  includes a pair of interfaces, shown as first interface  210  and second interface  220 , a pair of regulators, shown as first regulator  212  and second regulator  222 , a display, shown as display  230 , a communications interface, shown as communications interface  240 , and a control system, shown as link controller  250 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the first interface  210  is configured to electrically couple to the battery  30  of the energy storage and power supply device  10  (e.g., by way of the I/O ports  86 , etc.). The second interface  220  is configured to electrically couple to one or more of the first energy tanks  300  and/or one or more of the second energy tanks  350 . In some embodiments, the first interface  210  and/or the second interface  220  includes one or more sensors (e.g., a voltage sensor, a current sensor, etc.) configured to measure electrical characteristics (e.g., voltage, current, etc.) regarding power provided thereto or thereby (e.g., by the energy storage and power supply device  10 , the first energy tank(s)  300 , the second energy tank(s)  350 , etc.). By way of example, the sensor may measure the nominal voltage of a connected battery using a specialized circuit (e.g., digital multi-meter, operational amplifier, voltmeter, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the first regulator  212  is electrically coupled to the first interface  210 , the second regulator  222  is electrically coupled to the second interface  220 , and the first regulator  212  and the second regulator  222  are electrically coupled. In another embodiment, the first regulator  212  and the second regulator  222  are not coupled, but rather, (i) the first regulator  212  is connected between the first interface  210  and the second interface  220  independent of the second regulator  222  and (ii) the second regulator  222  is connected between the first interface  210  and the second interface  220  independent of the first regulator  212 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the first regulator  212  is configured to facilitate regulating characteristics (e.g., current, voltage, etc.) of a first power flow received from and/or provided to the energy storage and power supply device  10 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the second regulator  222  is configured to facilitate regulating characteristics (e.g., current, voltage, etc.) of a second power flow received from and/or provided to the first energy tanks  300  and/or the second energy tanks  350 . In one embodiment, each of the first regulator  212  and the second regulator  222  is or includes DC-DC regulated circuits. 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , the display  230  includes an LED indicator array. In other embodiments, the display  230  additionally or alternatively includes a display screen. The display  230  may provide various information regarding the state and/or operation of the energy storage and power supply device  10 , the first energy tanks  300 , and/or the second energy tanks  350  (e.g., a battery level or state of charge, a current input power, a current input voltage, a current input current, a current output power, a current output voltage, a current output current, an estimated time until a full charge is reached, an estimated time until full and/or permitted depletion is reached, a battery temperature, an insignia, a notification, a warning, etc.). 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the communications interface  240  is configured to communicate with the energy storage and power supply device  10  to send data therebetween (e.g., by way of the I/O ports  86 , a wireless transceiver, etc.). In some embodiments, the communications interface  240  is configured to additionally or alternatively communicate with the first energy tanks  300  and/or the second energy tanks  350 . Such communications may include power regulation parameters such as power profiles, scheduling commands, minimum and maximum charge levels, active load management such as charge/discharge prioritization, and/or operational data. In some embodiments, the communications interface  240  is configured to additionally or alternatively communicate with a user device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, router, computer, smartwatch, etc.) to facilitate providing such information to the user device (e.g., rather than directly on the unit, etc.). 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the link controller  250  is configured to selectively engage, selectively disengage, control, and/or otherwise communicate with components of the link carriage  200 , the energy storage and power supply device  10 , the first energy tanks  300 , and/or the second energy tanks  350 . As shown in  FIG.  7   , the link controller  250  is coupled to the first interface  210 , the first regulator  212 , the second interface  220 , the second regulator  222 , the display  230 , and the communications interface  240 . In other embodiments, the link controller  250  is coupled to more or fewer components. By way of example, the link controller  250  may send and receive signals with the first interface  210 , the first regulator  212 , the second interface  220 , the second regulator  222 , the display  230 , and/or the communications interface  240 . The link controller  250  may be configured selectively control the first regulator  212  and/or the second regulator  222  to “force” the energy storage and power supply device  10 , the first energy tanks  300 , and/or the second energy tanks  350  to be compatible, despite the disparate energy storage chemistries thereof (e.g., by manipulating the power profiles thereof, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the link controller  250  includes a processor  252  and a memory  254  (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash Memory, hard disk storage, etc.). The processor  252  may be implemented as a general-purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), one or more field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”), a digital signal processor (“DSP”), a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components. The memory  254  may include multiple memory devices. The memory  254  may store data and/or computer code for facilitating the various processes described herein. Thus, the memory  254  may be communicably connected to the processor  252  and provide computer code or instructions to the processor  252  for executing the processes described in regard to the link controller  250  herein. Moreover, the memory  254  may be or include tangible, non-transient volatile memory or non-volatile memory. Accordingly, the memory  254  may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described herein. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the link controller  250  is configured to control the flow of power into and/or out of the energy storage and power supply device  10 , the first energy tanks  300 , and/or the second energy tanks  350  through the link carriage  200 . In one embodiment, the link controller  250  is configured to prioritize charge and discharge to/from the energy storage and power supply device  10 , the first energy tanks  300 , and/or the second energy tanks  350  such that the energy storage and power supply device  10  is charged first and discharged first. In another embodiment, the link controller  250  is configured to prioritize charge and discharge to/from the energy storage and power supply device  10 , the first energy tanks  300 , and/or the second energy tanks  350  such that the first energy tanks  300  and/or the second energy tanks  350  are charged first and discharged first. In still another embodiment, the link controller  250  is configured to prioritize charge and discharge to/from the energy storage and power supply device  10 , the first energy tanks  300 , and/or the second energy tanks  350  such that (i) the energy storage and power supply device  10  is charged first and (ii) the first energy tanks  300  and/or the second energy tanks  350  are discharged first. In yet another embodiment, the link controller  250  is configured to prioritize charge and discharge to/from the energy storage and power supply device  10 , the first energy tanks  300 , and/or the second energy tanks  350  such that (i) the first energy tanks  300  and/or the second energy tanks  350  are charged first and (ii) the energy storage and power supply device  10  is discharged first. In still yet another embodiment, the link controller  250  is configured to prioritize charge and discharge to/from the energy storage and power supply device  10 , the first energy tanks  300 , and/or the second energy tanks  350  such that the energy storage and power supply device  10 , the first energy tanks  300 , and/or the second energy tanks  350  are simultaneously charged and discharged. In some embodiments, the battery  30  of the energy storage and power supply device  10  is altogether bypassed in charge and/or discharge (e.g., the energy storage and power supply device  10  acts as a conduit for power transfer, etc.). In some embodiments, when the input power to the energy storage and power supply device  10  exceeds the output power demand, the link controller  250  is configured to charge the battery  30  of the energy storage and power supply device  10  and the first energy tanks  300 , and/or the second energy tanks  350  with the excess power (e.g., with priority given to the battery  30 , etc.). 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the link controller  250  is configured to control the first regulator  212  and/or the second regulator  222  to control the power profile (e.g., voltage, current, etc.) of power flowing in both directions through the link carriage  200 : (i) from the energy storage and power supply device  10  to the energy tanks to charge the energy tanks (e.g., up to 10 amps, etc.) and (ii) from the energy tanks to the energy storage and power supply device  10  to charge the battery  30  and/or supply power to a load (e.g., up to 100 amps, etc.). Various factors may come into consideration when controlling the first regulator  212  and/or the second regulator  222  including, but not limited to, state of charge, battery temperature, ambient temperature, type of energy storage chemistry, current power demand by the load, permissible charging rates, and/or permissible discharging rates. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the link controller  250  is configured to detect the type of energy storage chemistry (e.g., a lead-acid battery chemistry, a lithium ion battery chemistry, a lithium iron phosphate battery chemistry, a fuel cell chemistry, etc.) and/or the voltage of (i) the battery  30  of the energy storage and power supply device  10  coupled to the first interface  210  of the link carriage  200  and/or (ii) the first energy tanks  300  and/or the second energy tanks  350  coupled to the second interface  220  of the link carriage  200 . By way of example, the link controller  250  may be configured to detect the type of energy storage chemistry by matching the electrical characteristics of power received by the first interface  210  and/or the second interface  220  to a list of known characteristics (e.g., nominal battery operating voltage, stored in the memory  254 , etc.). For example, a user may connect a 12V lead-acid battery as the external energy storage source to the link carriage  200  through the second interface  220 . The link controller  250  may be configured to detect that the 12V lead-acid has been coupled to the link carriage  200  and determine the nominal voltage of the lead-acid battery (e.g., based on sensor readings, etc.). The link controller  250  may then be configured to match the nominal voltage to that of a lead-acid battery (e.g., using a look-up table, etc.) to identify the type of the energy storage chemistry. According to an exemplary embodiment, the link controller  250  is configured to implement an appropriate power profile based on the detected type of energy storage chemistry (e.g., relative to that battery  30  of the energy storage and power supply device  10 , etc.). 
     In some embodiments, the link controller  250  is configured to actively manage the power supplied by the energy storage and power supply device  10  and/or the one or more external energy storage sources to a load in order to optimize for battery efficiency and life. By way of example, a 12V load could be powered directly from the one or more external energy storage sources with no need for regulation. Alternatively, a high AC load could be powered from the energy storage and power supply device  10  configured with a 48V lithium battery, which is more efficient because of the higher voltage thereof and also its capability to handle high C-rating discharges with a low Peukert&#39;s constant. 
     In some embodiments, the link controller  250  is configured to schedule usage of the energy storage and power supply device  10  and the one or more external energy storage sources to maximize cost savings on the grid (e.g., charge when electricity costs are low, discharge when electricity costs are high, etc.). In some embodiments, the link controller  250  is configured to automatically detect the chemistry of the one or more connected external energy storage sources and apply a power profile that intelligently uses chemistries that can handle high cycle counts. In other embodiments, the link controller  250  is configured to set maximum and minimum charge levels of the external energy storage sources based on chemistry to maximize cycle life. In other embodiments, the link controller  250  is configured to implement other intelligent algorithms. 
     According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG.  8   , a first energy system, shown as energy system  400 , includes the link carriage  200  electrically coupling the energy storage and power supply device  10  to one or more of the first energy tanks  300  and, optionally, one or more of the second energy tanks  350 . In some embodiments, the link carriage  200  electrically couples a single first energy tank  300  to the energy storage and power supply device  10 . In some embodiments, the link carriage  200  electrically couples a plurality of the first energy tanks  300  to the energy storage and power supply device  10  (e.g., a chain of first energy tanks  300 , etc.). In some embodiments, the link carriage  200  electrically couples a single second energy tank  350  to the energy storage and power supply device  10 . In some embodiments, the link carriage  200  electrically couples a plurality of the second energy tanks  350  to the energy storage and power supply device  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  8   , an input power source, shown as input power source  110 , is configured to couple to the energy storage and power supply device  10  (e.g., through the I/O ports  48 , etc.). The input power source  110  is configured to provide power to the energy storage and power supply device  10  to at least one of charge (i) the battery  30  of the energy storage and power supply device  10 , (ii) charge the energy storage  330  of the first energy tanks  300 , and (iii) charge the energy storage of the second energy tanks  350 , according to an exemplary embodiment. The input power source  110  may be or include a solar panel system, a combustion generator, a mains power connection, a vehicle alternator, and/or another suitable power source. As shown in  FIG.  8   , the energy storage and power supply device  10  is coupled to a load through a load interface, shown as home integration transfer switch  140 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the home integration transfer switch  140  couples the energy system  400  to the power grid of a home, residence, or other building to operate as a power backup system. In other embodiments, the energy system  400  is implemented in a non-building application. For example, the energy system  400  may be used for an outdoor event that has an electrical demand greater than what the energy storage and power supply device  10  may be capable of providing independently. 
     According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG.  9   , a second energy system, shown as energy system  500 , includes all of the components of the energy system  400 , but further includes an interface, shown as interface  370 , that allows one or more energy tanks (e.g., one or more of the first energy tanks  300 , one or more of the second energy tanks  350 , etc.) to connect to (i) a second load interface, shown as home integration transfer switch  380 , and (ii) a second input power source, shown as input power source  390 . The interface  370  may be integrated into each respective energy tank or an external unit. The input power source  390  may be or include a solar panel system, a combustion generator, a mains power connection, and/or another suitable power source. According to an exemplary embodiment, the interface  370  enables the first energy tanks  300  and/or the second energy tanks  350  to operate as stand-alone units, independent of the energy storage and power supply device  10 . The first energy tanks  300  and/or the second energy tanks  350  may therefore be able to receive and supply power to accommodate a load demand if and when the energy storage and power supply device  10  is decoupled from the energy system  500 . 
     As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims. 
     It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples). 
     The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic. 
     References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. 
     The hardware and data processing components used to implement the various processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some embodiments, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device) may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage) for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory, and may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit or the processor) the one or more processes described herein. 
     The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions. 
     Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps. 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the energy storage and power supply device  10 , the link carriage  200 , the first energy tank(s)  300 , the second energy tank(s)  350 , the energy system  400 , the energy system  500 , and the components thereof as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of an element from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized in another embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated or utilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.