FR3099647A1 - Li / MnO2 module power supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical power supply system (1, 10) comprising: N identical power supply modules (M_i), each module comprising several Li / MnO2 type cells, A central unit (CPU) connected to the measurement means of voltage, configured to receive and process voltage measurement data coming from the voltage measurement means and to: Determine the state of each module between a first state (ST1) for which its voltage is greater than a first threshold value, a second state (ST2) for which its voltage is between the first threshold value and a second threshold value and a third state (ST3) for which its voltage is less than the second threshold value, Determine an operating configuration taking into account in particular , of the state of each module, Controlling control means associated with each module to apply the determined operating configuration. Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 5B

Description

Power supply system with Li/MnO2 modules

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a power supply system. This power supply system has the particularity of comprising supply modules with Li/MnO ₂ (Lithium/Manganese Dioxide) cells.

State of the art

The lithium-manganese dioxide (Li/MnO ₂ ) battery was one of the first solid-cathode lithium batteries to be used commercially, as early as 1976, due to its interesting characteristics in terms of performance, but also its cost. . These primary batteries have the major drawback of not being rechargeable but have the advantage of having a high energy density. The manganese oxide leads to a battery whose voltage is around 3 V in open circuit. This high voltage gives it a high specific energy, at least twice that of conventional alkaline batteries. For equivalent battery format and voltage (two cells in series for conventional saline and alkaline systems), while alkaline batteries have discharge times approximately double those obtained with saline batteries, Li/MnO ₂ batteries allow discharge at least twice that of alkaline batteries.

As shown in figure 1, the discharge curve of these batteries is generally between 3.2 V and 2.0 V whatever the operating regime (500mA to 1mA in figure 1).

When the discharge of these batteries is pushed to a lower potential (close to 0 Volt), the Manganese dioxide MnO ₂ can present an additional discharge capacity which is very interesting because it makes it possible to reach approximately 2500 mAh/g of MnO ₂ . However, the use of this additional discharge capacity leads to irreversible phase changes. Such a cell cannot therefore be used within a battery, but only for a primary cell. As is known, the different phase changes associated with these reactions below 0.5 V are as follows:

LiMnO ₂ + Li ⁺ + e ^- => Li ₂ MnO ₂ +2Li ⁺ + 2e ^- => Mn + 2Li ₂ O

MnO ₂ => Mn ₂ O ₃ (via the presence of Li ₂ O)

3 Mn ₂ O ₃ + 2 Li ⁺ + 2nd ^- => 2 Mn ₃ O ₄

Mn ₃ O ₄ + Li ⁺ + e ^- => LiMn ₃ O ₄

LiMn ₃ O ₄ + Li ⁺ + e ^- => 3 MnO + Li ₂ O

This range of discharge voltage is currently never used within energy systems because it is too low to ensure the operation of electronic systems. The complete discharge curve between 3.3 V and 0.3 V of a battery made up of the Li/MnO ₂ pair is shown in figure 2.

The object of the invention is to propose an electrical power supply system adapted to power supply modules using primary cells of the Li/MnO ₂ type, this system making it possible to adapt easily to the application to be powered.

This object is achieved by an electrical power supply system comprising:

• N identical power supply modules, N being greater than or equal to 2, each module comprising several Li/MnO ₂ type cells,
• Voltage measurement means at the terminals of each module,
• A central unit connected to the voltage measurement means, configured to receive and process voltage measurement data from the voltage measurement means,
• Control means for connecting/disconnecting each module,

The central unit being configured for:

• Acquire the voltage measured at the terminals of each module,
• Compare the voltage measured at the terminals of each module with a first threshold value and with a second threshold value lower than said first threshold value,
• Determine the state of each module between a first state for which its voltage is greater than the first threshold value, a second state for which its voltage is between the first threshold value and the second threshold value and a third state for which its voltage is less than the second threshold value,
• Memorize the state of each module,
• Determine an operating configuration taking into account the state stored for each module, one or more setpoint powers applied at the input, one or more setpoint voltages applied at the input,
• Control the control means associated with each module to apply the determined operating configuration.

According to one feature, the operating configuration is also determined taking into account the various units to be powered, and their individual power and voltage requirements.

According to another feature, for each module, the control means (100_i) comprise a first switch arranged in series with the module and a second switch arranged in parallel with said module.

According to another feature, the system comprises a remote voltage converter assigned to each module

According to another feature, the system includes a central voltage converter to which the remote voltage converter associated with each module is connected.

According to another feature, the central unit is configured to take account of the state of charge of each module in determining the operating configuration.

According to another feature, the central unit is configured to send an alert message when no more module among the N modules is in the first state.

According to another feature, the central unit is configured to send an alert message when a module is in the third state.

According to another feature, the system includes a separate remote management unit assigned to the management of each module.

According to another feature, the first threshold value corresponds to a high voltage value, chosen to delimit an operating zone in which the Li/MnO2 type module operates around its high voltage plateau and can deliver its maximum power.

According to another feature, the second threshold value corresponds to a low voltage value which is lower than the first threshold value, and which is chosen to delimit an operating zone in which the Li/MnO2 type module operates at its plate low voltage.

The invention also relates to a method for controlling an electrical power supply system as defined above, said method comprising the following steps:

• Measurement of the voltage at the terminals of each module,
• Comparison of the voltage measured at the terminals of each module with a first threshold value and with a second threshold value lower than said first threshold value,
• Determination of the state of each module between a first state for which its voltage is greater than the first threshold value, a second state for which its voltage is between the first threshold value and the second threshold value and one and a third state for which its voltage is lower than the second threshold value,
• Storage of the state determined for each module,
• Determination of an operating configuration taking into account the state stored for each module, one or more setpoint powers applied at the input, one or more setpoint voltages applied at the input,
• Control of the control means associated with each module to apply the determined operating configuration.

According to one feature, the method comprises a step of generating an alert message when no longer any module among the N modules is in the first state.

According to another feature, the method includes a step of generating an alert message when a module is in the third state.

The invention also relates to the use of the power supply system as defined above, to power a meteorological sounding balloon by using two power supply modules, a first module in the first state to power a first unit of power and a second module in the second state to supply a control/measurement unit.

It will be seen below that the solution of the invention is suitable for exploiting the two discharge voltage ranges of a Li/MnO ₂ type cell.

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages will appear in the detailed description which follows, made in conjunction with the figures listed below:

• FIG. 1 represents a diagram showing discharge curves of a Li/MnO ₂ cell for different regimes;

• FIG. 2 represents a complete discharge curve of a Li/MnO ₂ cell;

• FIG. 3 shows a diagram with a discharge curve of a module comprising fifty Li/MnO ₂ type cells and illustrates the presence of the different states assumed by the module;

• Figures 4A and 4B propose two embodiments of the system;

• FIGS. 5A and 5B schematically illustrate the principle of operation of the supply system of the invention;

• FIG. 6 illustrates an application of the supply system of the invention;

Detailed description of at least one embodiment

The invention relates to an electrical power supply system 1, 10 which comprises several modules M_i. Each module is made up of several Li/MnO ₂ type cells. A Li/MnO ₂ type cell can have an anode made of lithium, a cathode made of MnO ₂ and an electrolyte made of lithium-halide, dissolved in an organic solvent. Figures 4A and 4B give two embodiments of the system 1, 10 of the invention, while Figures 5A and 5B present their principle of operation.

As described above, a cell of the Li/MnO ₂ type presents a discharge curve (which in fact corresponds to the evolution of its voltage as a function of time, for a fixed discharge rate) having the profile represented in the figure 2. In this figure 2, the curve was obtained by carrying out a complete discharge between 3.3 V and 0.3 V of a battery made up of the Li/MnO ₂ couple. This curve was obtained in a button cell under 30 μA (Li versus MnO ₂ coated on an aluminum current collector with a Celgard 2420 used as separator). It can be seen on this curve that a cell of the Li/MnO ₂ type mainly has two operating levels, a first level P1 at high potential (around 2.5 V) which corresponds to the level conventionally used when using a battery with this technology and a second level P2 around 0.5V. The exploitation of this second stage P2 thus makes it possible to increase the overall capacity of the module, without any modification, and thus, for certain applications, to prolong its use. On this second plateau, the discharge curve is generally flat, which means that the voltage at its terminals evolves very slightly over a wide operating range.

Starting from this principle, the system of the invention comprises N modules, with N greater than or equal to 2. In the figures, each module is referenced M_i with the index i ranging from 1 to N.

The N modules of the system can be identical. By “identical modules”, it is meant that the modules have in particular the same architecture (same number of cells) and the same technology. However, they can be in different states of charge (SOC) and exhibit different states of health (SOH).

Each module comprises several power supply cells produced using Li/MnO ₂ technology. These power supply cells are advantageously all identical in architecture and in technology.

For example, a module M_i can comprise fifty cells divided into five groups of cells in parallel, with ten cells in series per group. Other configurations are of course possible.

Figure 2 shows the discharge profile of a single cell under 0.8 C. Thus, by extrapolation, the discharge profile (under 0.8 C per cell) of the module composed of fifty cells according to the distribution described below above is shown in Figure 3.

On the top plate, the module delivers 25 V or 100 W at 0.8 C for an energy of 125 Wh (possibility of increasing to 3 C or 375 W). This is the first part of the release. When it is on the low plate, the module delivers a voltage of approximately 3 V for a total energy of 135 Wh. If the requirement is 3 W then the discharge rate is 0.2 C.

With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the system 1, 10 comprises voltage measurement means Um_i at the level of each module M_i. These voltage measurement means (for example a conventional voltage sensor) are intended to measure the output voltage at the terminals of each module M_i. In a known manner, in a battery of the primary or secondary type, the voltage at its terminals (output voltage) decreases or increases according to its level of charge. The voltage will be maximum when the battery is fully charged and minimum when it is empty.

Thus, with reference to Figure 3, depending on its output voltage, the module M_i can be:

• In a first state ST1 if its output voltage is greater than a first threshold value Vth_1;
• In a second state ST2 if its output voltage is between the first threshold value Vth_1 and a second threshold value Vth_2, lower than the first threshold value;
• In a third state ST3 if its output voltage is lower than the second threshold value Vth_2;

The first threshold value Vth_1 corresponds to a high voltage value, chosen to delimit an operating zone in which the module M_i operates around the high voltage plateau and can deliver its maximum power.

The second threshold value Vth_2 corresponds to a low voltage value which is lower than the first threshold value, and which is chosen to delimit an operating zone in which the module M_i operates at the level of the low voltage plateau.

The two threshold values will be chosen according to the voltage levels of the module discharge curve.

Each module can have a unique identifier. The state (ST1, ST2 or ST3) of each module is stored in association with this identifier.

With reference to FIG. 5A, among the N modules of system 1, 10 we thus have:

• A number n1 of modules in the first state, n1 being able to range from 0 to N;
• A number n2 of modules in the second state, n2 possibly ranging from 0 to N;
• A number n3 of modules in the third state, n3 possibly ranging from 0 to N;

Taking into account all the modules, we thus have:

N=n1+n2+n3

The system can also include means for measuring the current at the output of each module.

For each module, the system 1, 10 can comprise a remote management unit (BMS_i for Battery Management System). This remote management unit may be required to determine certain operating parameters of the module such as for example:

• SOH (module health status);
• SOC (module state of charge); As a reminder, from the known discharge curves of a battery, it is possible to determine the remaining autonomy of the battery (that is to say its state of charge), by measuring its output voltage and the current delivered by the battery ;
• DOD (module depth of discharge);
• Total energy since first commissioning;
• Management of communication with other remote management units and with the central unit;

The system 1, 10 comprises a central unit UC to which are connected the remote management units BMS_i described above and each associated with a distinct module M_i. The communication link (not shown) between the central unit UC and the remote management units can be of the bus type, for example a CAN bus.

This central unit UC can comprise processing means (microprocessor and memory in particular) and communication means for communicating with the remote management units BMS_i. It also comprises management software modules intended to manage the N modules of the system.

In a non-limiting manner, with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, these management software modules can be the following:

• A module for acquiring voltage measurement data taken at the terminals of each module M_i by the voltage sensors Um_i;
• A module for comparing the voltage measured at the terminals of each module with the two threshold values Vth_1, Vth_2 defined above, in order to determine the state (ST1, ST2, ST3) of each module M_i;
• A module for determining the state of each module, among the first state ST1, the second state ST2 and the third state ST3, according to the value of the voltage at its terminals with respect to the two threshold values;
• A module for storing the state determined for each module, this state being able to change over time, as the module discharges; An update can be performed at regular intervals;
• A module for determining an operating configuration of the system 1, 10 taking into account some or all of the following parameters:
  • The status of each M_i module in the system;
  • The characteristics of the various units Z_j (with j ranging from 1 to M and M greater than or equal to 2) to be supplied present in the electrical installation and in particular their individual need for power and/or input voltage; It should be noted that the input power and/or voltage (Uz_j) requirement of each unit may change over time; The installation can for example comprise a so-called high-power unit (power supply for an electric motor) and a so-called low-power unit (power supply for a control, communication, measurement circuit, etc.), which gives for this example two units:
    • The setpoint voltage (designated Uz_1, Uz_2 for each unit Z_1 and Z_2) of each unit of the electrical installation to be supplied;
    • The electrical power (Pref_1, Pref_2) necessary for the operation of each unit of the installation;
• A module for determining the commands to be sent according to the determined operating configuration;
• An alert module, configured to alert an operator when at least one of the N modules is in the third state ST3, that is to say in an out of service state requiring its replacement or when among the N modules , no more module is in the first state ST1; This alert option is relevant when the system includes at least one so-called high power unit to be powered (for example an electric motor);

According to a feature of the invention, the operating configuration is linked to the characteristics of the electrical installation to be powered.

According to a feature of the invention, the operating configuration is likely to change over time, due to the change in the state of each module. It will be seen that if a module passes from the first state ST1 to the second state ST2, it may be necessary to modify the operating configuration to ensure that the electrical installation remains powered in the desired manner.

To respond to the determined operating configuration, the system comprises control means.

Referring to FIG. 4A, these control means may comprise a control unit 100_i associated with each module M_i. The control unit is arranged and controlled to define the connection topology of each module M_i on an electrical installation to be supplied.

The control unit 100_i can comprise switching means, for example two controllable switches, one to short-circuit the module M_i with respect to the electrical installation to be powered, the other to connect the module in series with the electrical installation to be powered. By controlling the switches in an appropriate manner, it is thus possible to connect a single module among the N modules, to connect several modules in parallel or to connect several modules in series among the N modules.

In a variant embodiment, as represented in FIG. 4B, the control unit of each module M_i of the system 10 can also comprise, for each module M_i, a remote voltage converter, for example of the DC/AC type (referenced DC /AC_i in the figures) or of the DC/DC type (not shown) intended to convert a first voltage supplied by the module into a second variable voltage.

In both embodiments, the control means may also comprise a central converter, which will be of the DC/AC type when the control unit associated with each module comprises only the switching means mentioned above (embodiment of FIG. 4A) or of the AC/AC type when each control unit incorporates a remote voltage converter of the DC/AC type (embodiment of FIG. 4B). Depending on the configuration, it is understood that this central converter can also be of the DC/DC type.

Starting from this architecture of the system, the central processing unit UC can therefore manage the modules M_i of the system taking into account the constraints of the electrical installation to be powered.

In general, the management principle implemented by the central processing unit UC consists in operating each module M_i in its first state ST1 then in its second state ST2 by adapting the operating configuration to the state of the modules.

In FIG. 5A, the diagram represented illustrates the classification of the modules by state, produced by the central processing unit UC. In its memory, the central unit may include a table listing the modules by state. This table thus comprises n1 modules in the first state ST1, n2 modules in the second state ST2 and n3 modules in the third state ST3.

FIG. 5B illustrates for its part a principle for determining an operating configuration by the central processing unit UC. The central processing unit UC has the up-to-date status of each of the modules it manages. As input, the central processing unit UC can receive at least a first power Pref_1 to be supplied and possibly a second power Pref_2 to be supplied. It can also receive one or two reference voltages (Uz_1, Uz_2) corresponding to the powers (Pref_1, Pref_2). Depending on these input data, the central processing unit UC establishes the appropriate operating configuration. As can be seen in FIG. 5B, it will activate a number X of modules among the n1 modules which are in the first state ST1 and a number Y of modules among the n2 modules which are in the second state. It can also distribute electrical energy between different units Z_1, Z_2 linked to the power and voltage characteristics above. It can activate the DC/AC_i type voltage converters associated with each module to convert the supplied voltage into a given setpoint voltage Uz_j. In parallel, the central processing unit UC also monitors the evolution of the state of each module. Thanks to its alert module, it can alert that a module has passed into the third state ST3 or that the system no longer comprises any module in the first state ST1.

Different applications of the system of the invention are described below.

By way of example and generally, the system of the invention has in particular an interest in an application where the energy/power demands of the installation are not dissociated. For this application, the system 1, 10 comprises at least two modules, a first module which is naturally at a first high voltage (for example 25V) to meet power demands, a second whose output voltage is low, but raised at the first voltage to meet the power demand. Advantageously, it is a question of consuming over the same duration the energy available in the first module which is in the first state ST1 and the energy of the second module which is in the second state ST2. From the real state of charge (SOC) of each module and the evolution of this state of charge over time, the central processing unit UC can control each module on demand to control the discharge of each module and ensure that the two modules are in a similar final state of charge, at the end of the operation of the supplied installation, allowing replacement of the two modules at the same time.

By way of example, a particular application of the system may consist in using identical modules under identical conditions (current, voltage) one after the other when these are in the first state ST1 then, when all the modules are in the second state ST2, to control a series connection of several modules to allow, by defining the number of modules with respect to a setpoint voltage of the installation, to extend the life of the system. In this application, the number N of modules must be sufficient so that, once connected in series, they can ensure the supply of the total operating voltage of the installation to be supplied. In this particular mode of operation, an alert message can be sent by the central processing unit UC to the operator to indicate to him that the replacement of the modules will have to be carried out in the near future.

Another particular application may consist of switching one or more modules still in the first state ST1 into a module in the second state ST2 to make them operate at a lower voltage. For this, it is a question of applying a voluntary discharge of the module to be degraded by dissipating its energy in a discharge resistor. This can be relevant when you want all the modules to be all at the same charge level, or to rush the replacement of a module.

More concretely, as shown in Figure 6, the system 1, 10 can be used to provide the electrical energy needed for a weather balloon 2, used to take meteorological readings. Such a weather balloon has two separate units:

• A first power unit Z_1 comprising the electric motors of the weather balloon;
• A second measurement/control/communication unit Z_2 comprising the meteorological measurement devices of the weather balloon, its central unit, as well as its means of communication;

The power supply profile of the power unit is composed of power peaks of 100W for 30s approximately every twenty minutes, which allows an autonomy of approximately 48h for 150 power peaks. These impulses allow, in relatively light winds, a good orientation of the ball.

The power supply profile of the measurement unit is relatively constant between 2W and 5W under a voltage Uz_2 of 3V over an identical duration of 48h, which represents 135 Wh.

Thus from the system of the invention, it is possible to respond to the two requests by using two modules of identical architectures M_1, M_2. The first module M_1 would operate in the standard operating range of Li/MnO ₂ primary batteries and the second module M_2, being able to operate in the second part of the discharge curve (voltage at 0.3V for one cell).

For such an application, it is possible to envisage a system whose modules could be composed of Li/MnO ₂ cells of 1 Ah, ie approximately 4 g of MnO ₂ (for a restored capacity of 250 mAh per gram of MnO ₂ ). The structure of the module would for example be five cells in parallel and ten cells in series, ie fifty cells.

To meet the "power" requirement of the application, i.e. supplying the first unit, the module delivers a voltage Uz_1 of 25 V, i.e. 100 W at 0.8 C for an energy of 125 Wh (possibility to go up to 3 C or 375 W). This is the first part of the dump for this module which must be in an ST1 state.

To meet the "energy" need of the application, i.e. the supply of the second unit, it is the second tray that can be used, based on a module that is not necessarily in ST1 state , but can also be in ST2 state. This module can thus be the result of a reuse of a module already used. Here the voltage is about 3 V for a total energy of 135 Wh. If the requirement is 3 W then the discharge rate is 0.2 C.

In this application, the control means 100_1 and 100_2 associated with each module are arranged to be able to connect their module to the first power unit Z_1 or to the second unit Z_2.

In the case of this balloon-probe application 2, after a certain period (for example 48 hours), the module M_2 switches to the third state ST3. After the sounding balloon mission and during its reconditioning, the M_2 module can be replaced by a new module which will in turn meet the "power" requirement to supply this time the first power unit Z_1. The central processing unit UC can then control the control means 100_1 associated with the module M_1 to connect it to the power supply of the second unit Z_2 and thus exploit the low voltage plate of this module, before its replacement.

In FIG. 6, there are in particular the various components of the system in accordance with the invention, in particular the central processing unit UC, the voltage measurement means Um_1, Um_2 associated with each module, the control means 100_1, 100_2 assigned to each module, the remote management unit BMS_1, BMS_2 of each module.

It is understood that the invention has many advantages, including:

• A solution to optimize the use of Li/MnO ₂ modules by exploiting the second voltage level of the discharge curve;
• An easy-to-implement and reliable solution for supplying certain applications (storage balloon type or others);
• A solution which makes it possible to make the best use of the characteristics of a Li/MnO ₂ module, each module not being automatically replaced when its output voltage becomes insufficient and lower than the first threshold value;

Claims (15)

Power supply system (1, 10) comprising:
- N identical supply modules (M_i), N being greater than or equal to 2, each module comprising several Li/MnO ₂ type cells,
- Voltage measurement means (Um_i) at the terminals of each module,
- A central unit (UC) connected to the voltage measurement means, configured to receive and process voltage measurement data from the voltage measurement means,
- Control means (100_i) to connect/disconnect each module,
Characterized in that the central processing unit (CPU) is configured for:
- Acquire the voltage measured at the terminals of each module,
- Compare the voltage measured at the terminals of each module with a first threshold value (Vth_1) and with a second threshold value (Vth_2) lower than said first threshold value,
- Determine the state of each module between a first state (ST1) for which its voltage is greater than the first threshold value, a second state (ST2) for which its voltage is between the first threshold value and the second threshold value and a third state (ST3) for which its voltage is lower than the second threshold value,
- Store the status of each module (M_i),
- Determine an operating configuration taking into account the memorized state for each module, one or more setpoint powers applied at the input, one or more setpoint voltages applied at the input,
- Control the control means associated with each module to apply the determined operating configuration. System according to Claim 1, characterized in that the operating configuration is also determined taking into account the various units to be powered, and their individual power and voltage requirements. System according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, for each module, the control means (100_i) comprise a first switch arranged in series with the module and a second switch arranged in parallel with said module. System according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a remote voltage converter assigned to each module. System according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a central voltage converter to which the remote voltage converter associated with each module is connected. System according to Claim 1, characterized in that the central unit (UC) is configured to take account of the state of charge of each module (M_i) in determining the operating configuration. System according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the central unit (UC) is configured to send an alert message when no longer any module (M_i) among the N modules is in the first state ( ST1). System according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the central unit (UC) is configured to send an alert message when a module is in the third state (ST3). System according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a separate remote management unit (BMS_i) assigned to the management of each module (M_i). System according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first threshold value (Vth_1) corresponds to a high voltage value, chosen to delimit an operating zone in which the Li/MnO2 type module (M_i) operates around its high voltage plateau and can deliver its maximum power. System according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the second threshold value (Vth_2) corresponds to a low voltage value which is lower than the first threshold value, and which is chosen to delimit an operating zone in which the Li/MnO2 type module (M_i) operates at its low voltage plateau. Method for controlling an electrical power supply system as defined in one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
- Measurement of the voltage at the terminals of each module (M_i),
- Comparison of the voltage measured at the terminals of each module with a first threshold value (Vth_1) and with a second threshold value (Vth_2) lower than said first threshold value,
Determination of the state of each module between a first state (ST1) for which its voltage is greater than the first threshold value, a second state (ST2) for which its voltage is between the first threshold value and the second threshold value and one and a third state (ST3) for which its voltage is lower than the second threshold value,
- Storage of the state determined for each module (M_i),
- Determination of an operating configuration taking into account the memorized state for each module, one or more setpoint powers applied at the input, one or more setpoint voltages applied at the input,
- Control of the control means associated with each module to apply the determined operating configuration. Method according to Claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a step of generating an alert message when no more module (M_i) among the N modules is in the first state (ST1). Method according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that it includes a step of generating an alert message when a module is in the third state (ST3). Use of the power supply system as defined in one of claims 1 to 11, to power a meteorological sounding balloon by using two power supply modules, a first module in the first state (ST1) to power a first power unit and a second module in the second state (ST2) to supply a control/measurement unit.