Dual-temperature control electric energy storage device and related vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal control energy storage device for an electric vehicle. The thermal control energy storage device has high heat dissipation capacity. The device includes: a plurality of battery cells; the first heat exchange device comprises a heat pipe which exchanges heat with one side of the battery unit piece and the cold source of the second heat exchange device, and the cold source comprises at least two cold plates; the second heat exchange device comprises at least one pulse heat pipe, and the pulse heat pipe comprises a first wing which extends below the condensation part of the gravity heat pipe and has the capability of exchanging heat with the edge of a part of the battery unit; the second wing has heat exchange capacity with at least one cold plate; and a web connecting the first and second wings.

Description

Cross-reference search of related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to French Patent Application No. 2311548 filed on October 24, 2023, entitled "Energy Storage Device with Dual Temperature Control Function and Related Vehicle". The entire contents of the above application are hereby incorporated by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of thermal control of chemically-based electrical energy storage devices for electric vehicles, in other words, battery cells or so-called "power" battery cells (as distinct from accessory battery cells installed on internal combustion engine vehicles that are only used to start the internal combustion engine and provide power to vehicle equipment). Background Art

[0003] As we all know, a battery is a group of battery cells connected together to produce a generator of the required voltage and capacity. These battery cells are usually called cells. Such batteries, that is, these battery cells or cells, can store electrical energy in a chemical form and return it to the motor in the form of direct current in a controllable manner.

[0004] Disadvantages of battery cells include: Its high cost, their autonomy, Charging time It is difficult to control the temperatures they reach, for example in the case of (ultra-)fast charging, which can lead to damage to the battery or even the vehicle.

[0005] Therefore, cooling or, more broadly, the ability to thermally control one or more battery cells is a primary goal.

[0006] Typically, a battery is composed of a plurality of battery cells arranged in parallel, each battery cell having two faces connected by a peripheral edge, including at least a first face, a second face and a third face, wherein the second face and the third face are parallel to each other and transverse to the first face.

[0007] There are three types of battery cells: prismatic cells, pouch cells, and cylindrical cells.

[0008] The present invention relates only to "prismatic" cells and "prismatic" cells. Pouches" or "pouches".

[0009] The prismatic battery cell has electrical terminals only on the first side. In other words, the first side has an anode terminal and a cathode terminal with a certain distance between them, while the second and third sides do not have any terminals.

[0010] The pouch cell has the electrical terminals fixed laterally in the use position, i.e. the anode and cathode terminals are only located on the second and third sides of the cell, one terminal on each side. In other words, if the second side is the anode terminal, then the third side is the cathode terminal, and vice versa, the first side does not have any terminals.

[0011] The present disclosure relates to prismatic battery cells and pouch battery cells.

[0012] Known thermal management devices include a battery and at least one cold plate, the capacity of the cold plate being capable of exchanging heat with the battery cells.

[0013] The cold plate consists of two parallel surfaces with a channel between them through which a heat transfer fluid circulates by means of a pump. The channel includes a fluid inlet and an outlet connected to an external fluid circuit that connects the cold plate channel to a heat exchanger with the surrounding air (usually a radiator) in a closed circuit.

[0014] Therefore, the cold plate is held against the battery from one side (e.g. through a layer of material). The TIM (thermal interface material) is used to capture the heat from the battery and conduct it to the heat sink so that it can be removed from the vehicle.

[0015] This device is very simple and can only dissipate heat from one side of the cold plate. Therefore, its thermal regulation capabilities are limited. Summary of the invention

[0016] The present invention provides a more efficient system utilizing both sides of the cold plate.

[0017] In fact, the thermal capacity of this device cannot dissipate all the heat required for battery charging, so there is an urgent need for a thermally controlled electrical energy storage device with high heat dissipation capability.

[0018] This heat dissipation method must also make the temperature distribution inside the battery cell as uniform as possible, with the difference between the highest and lowest temperatures not exceeding 10 degrees Celsius, or 5 degrees Celsius, for example 3 degrees Celsius.

[0019] While meeting this requirement, the overall size and / or weight of the device, which consists of the power storage battery cell and the thermal management part, must also be limited.

[0020] The present invention proposes a thermal control device for storing electrical energy for a vehicle in a chemical form, the device comprising a plurality of battery cells; a first heat exchange device, the first heat exchange device comprising a bent gravity heat pipe, the gravity heat pipe having an evaporation portion for performing heat exchange with one side of the battery unit and a condensation portion for performing heat exchange with a cold source of the second heat exchange device, the cold source comprising at least two cold plates; The second heat exchanger includes at least one pulse heat pipe, and the pulse heat pipe includes: a first wing extending below the condensing portion of the gravity heat pipe and having heat exchange capability with a portion of an edge of the battery cell; a second wing having heat exchange capability with at least one of the cold plates; and; The net connecting the first wing and the second wing.

[0021] More specifically, the thermal control device may include: A storage battery having a plurality of battery cells, each of which has two faces connected by the thinnest edge of the battery cell, the battery cell having at least one first face, a second face and a third face, the second face and the third face being parallel to each other and transverse to the first face, each of which comprises a cathode terminal and an anode terminal located on one side or two different sides of a wafer, the terminals of adjacent battery cells being connected to each other to form a storage battery, the battery cells being arranged in parallel face to face along the longitudinal direction, The thermal control device is characterized in that it also includes: The first heat exchange device comprises a gravity heat pipe having heat exchange capability with at least the second side or the third side of the battery unit, and at least one cold source of the second heat exchange device, wherein the first heat exchange device comprises: The gravity heat pipe comprises a main body with a series of parallel channels integrated therein, the channels containing heat-carrying substances, and two cross-sectional bodies, the channels opening at both ends of the cross-sectional bodies so as to allow fluid communication with each other through the cross-sectional bodies; The body of the gravity heat pipe is curved, L-shaped or C-shaped so that the channels each have at least one curved portion located between two wings, the first wing carrying at least one evaporation portion and the second wing carrying a condensation portion, the condensation portion being located at a higher position relative to gravity than the evaporation portion in the position of use; The gravity heat pipe is arranged in such a way that a first wing carrying the vaporizing portion extends laterally opposite the second or third side of the battery cell at a first distance (e.g., zero distance), and a second wing of the gravity heat pipe carrying the condensing portion extends laterally above the first side of the battery cell, the second distance being strictly greater than the first distance; The second heat exchange device comprises: The cold source comprises at least a first cold plate and a second cold plate, the heat-conducting liquid circulates between the inlet and the outlet of the first cold plate and the second cold plate, the first cold plate and the second cold plate are parallel to each other, extend longitudinally, and have a plane facing the first surface of the battery cell; At least one of the pulse heat pipes, the pulse heat pipe comprises a body having at least one channel integrated therein, the channel being closed on itself to form a loop and containing a heat-carrying substance, the channel having a curled shape and extending between an evaporation portion in thermal contact with at least a portion of a first face of an edge of a battery cell and a second condensation portion in thermal contact with one face of each of the first and second cold plates, the body of the pulse heat pipe being bent in a C-shape to present: The first wing extends longitudinally between the first side of the battery cell edge and the condensation portion of the gravity heat pipe, and includes an evaporation portion for heat exchange with at least a portion of the first side of the battery cell edge, and the second wing is parallel to the first wing and includes a condensation portion for heat exchange with at least one of the first and second cold plates; The net connecting the first wing and the second wing.

[0022] According to other embodiments: The second wing of the at least one pulse heat pipe may extend between two of the at least two cold plates and may be connected to two of the at least two cold plates; The apparatus may include at least one first pulsed heat pipe and at least one second pulsed heat pipe, wherein: The first wing of the first pulse heat pipe extends longitudinally between the first side of the edge of the battery cell sheet and the condensation portion of the gravity heat pipe, and exchanges heat capacity with the first half-length portion of the first side of the battery cell sheet, and the second wing of the first pulse heat pipe extends between the first cold plate and the second cold plate, and exchanges heat capacity with the first cold plate and the second cold plate; and The first wing of the second pulse heat pipe extends longitudinally between the first side of the battery cell edge and the condensing portion of the gravity heat pipe and has a capacity of The second section of the second pulse heat pipe has a second half length on the first side of the battery cell sheet. The heat exchange capacity with the free surface of the second cold plate is expanded; The apparatus may include at least one first pulsed heat pipe and at least one second pulsed heat pipe, wherein: The first wing of the first pulse heat pipe extends longitudinally between the first side of the edge of the battery unit sheet and the condensation portion of the gravity heat pipe and is located The second wing of the first pulse heat pipe extends between the first and second cold plates and has heat exchange capability with the first and second cold plates; and The first branch of the second pulse heat pipe extends longitudinally to below the fourth surface of the battery unit and is in a heat exchange state with the length of the fourth surface of the battery unit, the second branch of the second pulse heat pipe is in a heat exchange state with the length of the fourth surface of the battery unit, and the second branch of the second pulse heat pipe is in a heat exchange state with at least one surface of the second cold plate; The cold source of the second heat exchange device may include at least one third cold plate; The third cold plate may be arranged parallel to and opposite to the second cold plate, and perform heat exchange with the second wing of the second pulse heat pipe; The third cold plate may be arranged opposite to the first cold plate and perform heat exchange with the at least one gravity heat pipe, the first and second cold plates are connected to a first heat transfer fluid circuit, and the third cold plate is connected to a second heat transfer fluid circuit independent of the first heat transfer fluid circuit; The cold source of the second heat exchange device may include a fourth cold plate, which is parallel to and located at Heat exchange capacity relative to the second cold plate Connecting to the free surface of the second wing of the second pulse heat pipe; The pulse heat pipe may be in thermal contact with the first side and / or the fourth side of the battery cell or a terminal carried by the first side, with a layer of electrically insulating material between the pulse heat pipe and the first side of the battery cell or the terminal carried by the first side; The cold plate and pulse heat pipes may be mounted in one unit block, where the cold plate and pulse heat pipes are functionally separated by a wall; The device may further include a housing in which the plurality of battery cells are arranged, the housing comprising: The bottom of the battery cell and multiple gravity heat pipes, and A clamping device for clamping each heat pipe on the second side and / or the third side relative to the battery unit so that the heat pipe or the vaporization portion of each heat pipe is in close contact with the relative battery unit; The clamping device may include an upright wall against the bottom and surround the battery unit and the plurality of said gravity heat pipes as a whole; and / or The cold plate covering the second wing of the second pulse heat pipe can be fixed to the outer shell, so that all battery cells and all gravity heat pipes and pulse heat pipes as a whole are sandwiched between the outer shell and the cold plate covering the second wing of the second pulse heat pipe.

[0023] The solution also relates to an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, comprising: at least one motor for movement, and at least one thermal control device connected to the motor to supply power to the motor; At least one power socket is connected to the at least one thermal control device to charge it.

[0024] Other features of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an electric vehicle equipped with a thermal control device according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0026] Figure 2A schematic perspective view of a gravity heat pipe for use in a thermal control device according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0027] Figure 3 A perspective schematic diagram of a pulse heat pipe used in a thermal control device is shown from the bottom up.

[0028] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 The schematic diagram of the working principle of the pulse heat pipe shown is used in the thermal control device of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 A schematic perspective view of a first heat exchange device of a thermal control device according to the present disclosure is shown, the device including a gravity heat pipe.

[0030] Figure 6 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first and second heat exchange devices of the first embodiment of the thermal control device according to the present disclosure is shown, and the device includes a pulse heat pipe and two cold plates.

[0031] Figure 7 A longitudinal schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a thermal control device according to the present disclosure is shown, wherein the device includes two pulse heat pipes and two cold plates.

[0032] Figure 8 A longitudinal schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a thermal control device according to the present disclosure is shown, wherein the device comprises two pulse heat pipes and three cold plates, and a condensing portion of each pulse heat pipe is in contact with two of the three cold plates.

[0033] Fig. 9 A longitudinal principle schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of a thermal control device according to the present disclosure is shown, the device comprising a pulse heat pipe and two cold plates fitted to each other, forming a double cold plate between the condensation portion of the gravity heat pipe and the condensation portion of the pulse heat pipe.

[0034] Fig.10 A longitudinal principle schematic diagram of a fifth thermal control device according to the present disclosure is shown, which includes a pulse heat pipe, two cold plates abutting each other to form a double cold plate between the condensation portion of the gravity heat pipe and the condensation portion of the pulse heat pipe, and an end cold plate covering the other side of the condensation portion of the pulse heat pipe, thereby covering the assembly.

[0035] Fig.11 A longitudinal principle schematic diagram of a sixth embodiment of a thermal control device according to the present disclosure is shown, the device comprising two pulse heat pipes, two cold plates abutting against each other, forming a double cold plate between the condensation portion of the gravity heat pipe and the condensation portion of the first pulse heat pipe, and an intermediate single cold plate, i.e., in thermal contact with the condensation portion of the first pulse heat pipe on the one hand and in thermal contact with the condensation portion of the second pulse heat pipe on the other hand.

[0036] Fig.12 A longitudinal schematic diagram of a seventh embodiment of a control device according to the present disclosure is shown, which is similar to the sixth embodiment but includes a fourth cold end plate covering the other side of the condensing portion of the second pulse heat pipe to cover the assembly.

[0037] Fig.13 A longitudinal principle schematic diagram of an eighth embodiment of the thermal control device according to the present disclosure is shown, the device includes two pulse heat pipes and three cold plates, the condensation part of each pulse heat pipe is in contact with two of the three cold plates, the first branch of the first heat pipe is in contact with the first side of the battery cell, and the first branch of the second pulse heat pipe can exchange heat with the fourth side of the battery cell.

[0038] Fig.14 A longitudinal cross-sectional schematic diagram of the ninth embodiment of the control device according to the present disclosure is shown, which is similar to the sixth embodiment, but includes a fourth cold end plate covering the other side of the condensing portion of the second pulse heat pipe, thereby covering the assembly, the first branch of the first pulse heat pipe exchanges heat with the first side of the battery cell, and the first branch of the second pulse heat pipe exchanges heat with the fourth side of the battery cell.

[0039] Fig.15 A partial cross-sectional schematic perspective view of the 10th embodiment of the thermal control device according to the present disclosure in a working position is shown, which embodiment includes a pouch-type battery cell, a gravity heat pipe having heat exchange capabilities with the second and third sides carrying electrical terminals, a first pulse heat pipe (whose first branch has heat exchange capabilities with the first side of the battery cell sheet) and a second pulse heat pipe (whose first branch has heat exchange capabilities with the fourth side of the battery cell sheet).

[0040] Fig.16 The thermal control device according to the present disclosure is shown Fig.12 Partial cross-sectional view of the first variant of the seventh embodiment in the working position with a clamping device, which includes two pulse heat pipes on the front side, whose condensing parts are inserted between the double cold plate and the middle cold plate, and two pulse heat pipes on the back side (not visible), two pulse heat pipes, whose condensing parts are inserted between the double cold plate and the middle cold plate, the back side is not visible, two pulse heat pipes, whose condensing parts are inserted between the double cold plate and the middle cold plate. The condensing parts are inserted between the middle cold plate and the end cold plate.

[0041] Fig.17 yes Fig.16 Schematic diagram of a partial cross section of the thermal control device.

[0042] Fig.18 yes Fig.16 Schematic diagram of a partial longitudinal section of the thermal control device.

[0043] Fig.19 Shows Fig.16 A partial longitudinal cross-sectional schematic diagram of a thermal control device, in which the cold plate and the pulse heat pipe are stacked into blocks, and the partition between the cold plate channel and the pulse heat pipe channel is composed of a single wall.

[0044] Fig. 20 A true schematic exploded perspective view showing all cold plates and pulse heat pipes for the seventh method.

[0045] Fig.21 A realistic schematic exploded perspective view of a double cold plate of a seventh embodiment is shown.

[0046] Fig. 22 A realistic cross-sectional schematic showing the outlet of the heat transfer fluid loop where the cold plate contacts the pulse heat pipe.

[0047] Fig.23 Actual cross-sectional schematic showing the outlet of the thermal fluid loop where the cold plate contacts the gravity heat pipe.

[0048] Fig.24 A true schematic front view of a second variant of the seventh embodiment of the thermal control device according to the present disclosure in a working position is shown, the front side of the device comprising a pulse heat pipe, the condensing part of which is inserted between the double cold plate and the middle cold plate, and a pulse heat pipe, the condensing part of which is inserted between the middle cold plate and the terminal cold plate, and the back side comprises two heat pipes similar to the first variant, which are partially visible and arranged opposite to each other.

[0049] Fig.25 A schematic diagram of a controlled device designed according to the present disclosure is shown, with a cold plate connected to an operating heat transfer fluid circuit.

[0050] Fig.26 A schematic diagram of the temperature gradient obtained within a battery cell in a thermal control device consisting only of an L-shaped gravity heat pipe is shown.

[0051] Fig. 27 A schematic diagram showing the temperature gradient obtained within a battery cell in a thermal control device composed of an L-type gravity heat pipe and a C-type pulse heat pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] In this article, "vertical" is equivalent to "along the Earth's gravity field", and "horizontal" is equivalent to "along the Earth's gravity field." "Perpendicular to the Earth's gravity field" is equivalent to "perpendicular to the Earth's gravity field."

[0053] Described below are observations of the device in the use position (functionality), i.e., the cell walls extend vertically and the gravity heat pipes (see definition below) are located on the sides and above the cell (and possibly below when the gravity heat pipes are C-shaped). In this position, the first side of the cell edge is horizontal and forms the top of the cell. The fourth side forms the bottom of the cell sheet, and the second and third sides form the sides of the cell sheet.

[0054] Also at this location, a second heat exchange device consisting of a cold plate and a pulse heat pipe (see definition below) is located above the battery cell sheet (see Figures 6 to 12 ) or above and below the battery cell (see Figures 13 to 15 ). The cold plate is arranged horizontally and parallel to all the battery cells. The two wings of the C-shaped pulse heat pipe also extend horizontally, parallel to all the first sides and / or fourth sides of the cold plate and the battery cells. Therefore, the tube core connecting the two wings of the pulse heat pipe extends basically vertically, although it may present a certain curvature: relative to the direction of gravity, the tube core part connected to the first wing including the evaporation part is located below the tube core part connected to the second wing including the condensation part.

[0055] Generally speaking, in a heat pipe, the liquid in contact with the heat source can effectively absorb a large amount of energy after vaporization and release it to a cold source farther away from the heat source, thereby regulating the temperature of the heat source by maintaining, reducing or limiting the temperature rise (as the case may be).

[0056] A heat pipe is or contains a heat conducting tube or channel, usually made of metal, used to transfer heat using the principle of phase change transfer. These channels are contained in the "body" that makes up the heat pipe. Depending on the heat pipe used, they can consist of multiple channels arranged side by side in parallel, or a single channel can be enclosed to form a circuit. Both types of channels will be described in more detail later.

[0057] The heat pipe includes a vaporization part and a condensation part. The former heats the heat carrier until it vaporizes by heat from at least one heat source (in this application, the battery cell), and the latter cools the heat carrier until it condenses by heat exchange with a cold source (in this application, the cold plate).

[0058] Unlike cold plates, heat pipes do not require pumping elements (porous bodies, pumps, etc.) to operate. They are therefore closed, watertight devices that contain a heat transfer medium, a phase change fluid in this demonstration, which is in liquid phase at a condensation temperature relevant to the relevant field and in equilibrium with its vapor phase at a vaporization temperature relevant to the relevant field, and the movement of the heat transfer medium is caused by state differences rather than pumping elements.

[0059] According to the present disclosure, both types of heat pipes may be used in combination.

[0060] The first type of heat pipe is called "gravity type", such as Figure 2 shown.

[0061] According to the present disclosure, the gravity heat pipe 20 has a curved body 21 with two ends 22-23, and a series of parallel microchannels 24 are integrated inside, which contain heat-carrying substances.

[0062] At each end 22-23 of the heat pipe there is a transverse volume 25 and 26, into which the channels open, so that they can communicate with each other through these transverse volumes 25 and 26. The latter can thus achieve an equilibrium of the fluid (principle of communicating containers) and / or pressure (e.g. vapour phase) at both ends of the heat pipe.

[0063] The first end 22 of the gravity heat pipe is used to exchange heat with the hot part (second and / or third side) of the battery cell at the use position, and the second end 23 of the gravity heat pipe is used to exchange heat with the hot part (second and / or third side) of the battery cell at the use position. The second end 23 of the gravity heat pipe is used to exchange heat with the heat source of the second heat exchange device at the use position, and the second heat exchange device will be described in more detail below.

[0064] Therefore, the first end 22 of the curved gravity heat pipe has a vaporization portion PV, in which the heat carrier can be vaporized and heated to a vaporization point by heat from at least one battery cell, and the second end 23 of the curved gravity heat pipe has a condensation portion PC, in which the heat carrier can be cooled to a condensation point by heat exchange with a cold source of the second heat exchange device.

[0065] In other words, in a gravity heat pipe, the condensation section PC is located higher than the vaporization section PV relative to gravity.

[0066] Therefore, the first type of heat pipe is called "gravity type", that is, the internal geometry of the channel 24 and the transverse volumes 25 and 26 ensures that the heat carrier returns from the condensation section PC to the vaporization section PV under the action of gravity, unlike capillary heat pipes, in which the fluid is displaced by capillary action due to the presence of a porous material or wick in the heat pipe channel. Therefore, capillary heat pipes do not belong to the scope of the present disclosure.

[0067] The gravity heat pipe used as the first heat exchange device in the present disclosure can adopt multiple working modes: submerged, thermosyphon or pulse. According to the arrangement of the present disclosure, the gravity heat pipe has a hybrid working mode between thermosyphon and pulse, which can provide efficient thermal performance. This hybrid operating mode means that a series of steam pockets separated by liquid will circulate from the evaporation area to the condensation area by gravity difference. In a pure thermosyphon, bubbles gather in the center of the channel until only steam rises to the condensation area.

[0068] This continuous steam pocket provides high efficiency and optimal heat exchange.

[0069] In the vaporization section or evaporator, the liquid is heated by the battery cells in thermal contact with the evaporator. The liquid continues to evaporate to the condensation section or condenser, where the liquid is evaporated and the vapor is condensed. The condenser is in thermal contact with the cold source of the second heat exchanger (described below), which removes heat from the second and / or third sides of the battery cells through the heat pipe. The condensed water returns to the evaporator under the action of gravity. The liquid goes through the evaporation / condensation cycle again, moving heat from the battery cells to the cold source.

[0070] In order for the heat pipe to work under the action of gravity, the channels in the seal must be upright, with the condensing part higher than the evaporating part relative to gravity.

[0071] Under these conditions, the bend 27" between the evaporation section and the condensation section must be understood as being located between the end 22 of the evaporation section PV and the opposite end 23 of the condensation section PC, along the main extension direction of the heat pipe channel. The bend is an adiabatic intermediate zone, where the heat carrier substance undergoes almost no heat exchange.

[0072] The second type of heat pipe is called "pulse type", such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown.

[0073] like Figure 3 As shown, the pulse heat pipe 30 used in the present disclosure includes a main body 31, in which at least one channel 32 (or tube) is integrated, and the channel 32 is closed on itself to form a loop and contains a heat-carrying substance.

[0074] The channel 32 has a circumference 33 (ie, a curved portion connected to a straight portion or an inverted curved portion) to form a serpentine shape whose length is much greater than the length of the main body 31 of the pulse heat pipe 30 .

[0075] According to the present disclosure, the body of the pulse heat pipe 30 is bent at C so as to present...: The first wing 31a includes a evaporation portion for heat exchange with at least a portion of the first side or the fourth side of the edge of the battery cell. A second wing 31b parallel to the first wing 31a, comprising a condensing portion for exchanging heat with at least one cold plate; and A core 31c connects the first wing 31a and the second wing 31b.

[0076] Thus, the channel 32 extends between an evaporation portion at the first wing 31a for thermal contact with the hot surface of the battery cell (the first or fourth side of the battery cell edge) and a condensation portion at the second wing 32b for thermal contact with the surface of the cold plate.

[0077] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the working principle of two pulse heat pipes 30, which are placed flat between the hot surface SC and the cold surface SF. It should be noted that the surface area of ​​the cold surface is larger than that of the hot surface, and the heat exchange with the pulse heat pipe 30 is also greater than that of the hot surface. This principle is also adopted in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0078] During use, the heat carrier 34 partially evaporates after heat exchange with the hot surface SC in the evaporation section, and moves to the condensation section where heat exchange with the cold surface SF is performed by increasing pressure. At the same time, the heat carrier partially condenses in the condensation section and moves to the evaporation section by reducing pressure.

[0079] This forms a continuous vapor bubble 34a and liquid portion 34b in the channel, and forms a natural circulation in the channel. Closed circuit between evaporation and condensation parts, Transfer heat from the evaporator section to the condenser section.

[0080] The present disclosure combines these two types of heat pipes to not only improve the heat dissipation effect, but also enhance the thermal uniformity inside the battery cell. In other words, this combination can make the temperature gradient between the hottest and coldest points of the loaded battery cell narrower, and the maximum temperature lower than when only one type of heat pipe is used. Fig.26 and Fig. 27 This is illustrated and described.

[0081] This results in a temperature difference between the hottest and coldest parts of the battery cell (also known as a "temperature gradient") of 5 to 7 degrees Celsius, while only one type of heat pipe (such as a gravity heat pipe) can achieve a temperature gradient below 25 degrees Celsius, which is far lower than the temperature gradient achieved by cold plates in existing technologies.

[0082] Figures 5 to 25 Shows the Figure 1 A thermal control device 100 for storing electrical energy in chemical form is shown for a vehicle 10 .

[0083] The device designed according to the present disclosure is suitable for electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles 10. Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle includes a motor 1, which is powered by a battery 2 connected to the motor 1, and if it is a hybrid vehicle, it also includes a generator (not shown). In addition to the motor 1 and the battery 2, the vehicle 10 also includes a control unit 3, an AC / DC charger / converter 4, a transmission 5 and a differential 6.

[0084] The ECU 3 controls the energy flow through a number of sensors. It also manages the charging of the battery 2 when the vehicle 10 is connected to a charging station. For example, when a temperature sensor indicates that a battery module or a portion of a battery module or a battery cell in a battery module exceeds a safe temperature (typically 45°C) during charging, the ECU 3 reduces the charging current, thereby extending the charging time of the battery but maintaining its integrity.

[0085] The cells of the battery 2 provide the electrical energy stored therein. The battery can be charged via a power socket 7 connected to the ECU 3 and an AC / DC charger / converter 4 (or equivalent functionality integrated directly into the battery cell module, see below).

[0086] Since the battery 2 provides direct current and the electric motor uses alternating current, the vehicle 10 also includes an AC / DC charger / converter 4 .

[0087] Its main function is to convert the direct current in the battery into alternating current for use in the motor.

[0088] The AC / DC charger / converter 4 can also convert AC power into DC power to charge the battery 2 via an AC charging station, and / or charge the battery via a DC charging station. The latter charging method is the fastest because DC power can be directly "injected" into the battery 2 without conversion.

[0089] In the new generation battery module 2, the functions of the AC / DC charger / converter 4 are performed by components directly integrated into each battery module, allowing them to be controlled independently of each other and saving space in the vehicle. In addition to converting the battery current into motor current, when the vehicle is connected to the AC terminal, the AC current can also be converted into DC current for use by the battery 2 cells; when the vehicle is connected to the DC terminal, the DC current can also be directly injected into the battery 2 cells without conversion.

[0090] In other words, by integrating the AC / DC4 charger / converter function directly into each battery module, we can directly AC charge and discharge the battery without using an external AC / DC4 charger / converter. This means that no charger (AC / DC) is required for charging and no converter (DC / AC) is required for discharging.

[0091] For example, thermal management of the battery is critical to maintaining ideal temperatures during charging and discharging. Thermal management of the battery is critical to maintaining ideal temperatures during charging and discharging.

[0092] The current constraints are as follows The maximum temperature inside any battery cell (pouch or prismatic, see definition below) must be less than 45°C; The difference between the highest and lowest temperatures in any battery cell must be less than 6°C, for example 4°C or 3°C; The maximum temperature difference between two battery cells or modules (battery cell groups) must not exceed 5°C.

[0093] According to the present disclosure, the battery 2 is composed of a set of thermal management devices 100, which can control the temperature of the battery 2 (battery cells and modules) (the amplitude of the temperature gradient inside the battery cells and modules, and the uniformity of the temperature gradient), and can even provide mechanical protection to prevent it from overheating at least when it is working (such as when charging with electrical energy).

[0094] Figure 5 The thermal control device 100 according to the present disclosure is partially shown, and for the sake of clarity, only the combination of the first heat exchange device and the battery unit thereof is illustrated.

[0095] The thermal control device 100 includes a plurality of battery cells 101 (also referred to as storage battery cells), which are arranged parallel to each other along a longitudinal direction LL.

[0096] Each battery cell 101 has two faces 102 connected by an edge 103 at the thinnest part of the battery cell, which surrounds the battery cell. On this edge 103 there is a first face 103a, a second face 103b, a third face 103c and a fourth face 103d, against which the battery cell 101 rests when in use.

[0097] The second and third side surfaces 103b - 103c are parallel to each other and transverse to the first side surface 103a and the fourth side surface 103d.

[0098] Each battery cell 101 includes a cathode terminal 104 and an anode terminal 105. Depending on the type of battery cell, the anode terminal 105 is located on one side (first side 103a) or two different sides (second side 103b and third side 103c) of the wafer 103: Prismatic battery cells (such as Figure 5 ) has a cathode terminal 104 and an anode terminal 105 on the first surface 103a; The second side 103b of the pouch-shaped battery cell carries a cathode terminal 104, and the third side 103c carries an anode terminal 105, and vice versa.

[0099] Each terminal 104-105 extends from the side carrying it. The terminals 104 and 105 of adjacent battery cells are connected together by connecting cables or combs (not shown in the figure) to form a battery, and the battery cells are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction LL, with faces 101a facing faces 101a.

[0100] In both cases, any unit 101 is substantially a parallelogram with four adjacent transverse sides in sequence along the edge 103. At the periphery or edge, the first 103a side and the fourth 103d side are the longest; they are horizontal sides, located respectively at the upper and lower parts of the position of use. The second 103b and the third 103c sides are the shortest; they are vertical sides, respectively the left and right sides, on one of the two largest opposite faces 102, usually viewed from the front.

[0101] Known: A prismatic battery cell is a battery cell having an outer rigid envelope or body that is in the shape of a rectangular parallelogram, wherein the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side are all located within the rectangular parallelogram, and The pouch battery cell has an outer envelope or flexible body, and the first side, the second side, the third side and the fourth side are also located in the outer envelope or flexible body. The pouch battery cell is so called because it is in the form of a bag or pouch.

[0102] In addition, the “gravity” battery cell 111 can also perform heat exchange with the second side 103b and / or the third side 103c of the battery cell 101, and a cold source of the second heat exchange device 120 not shown in the figure.

[0103] As described above, the gravity heat pipe 111 used as the first heat exchange device in the present disclosure has an internal channel geometry that ensures that the heat-carrying substance returns from the condensation section to the vaporization section under the action of gravity.

[0104] In an arrangement according to the present disclosure, the gravity heat pipes 111 facing the second side 103b and / or the third side 103c of the battery cell have a first upright flange 111a, which is substantially vertical in the use position, then bends (as described above), and then has a second flat wing 111b, i.e., a substantially horizontal wing 111b, which extends at least over a portion of the first side 103a of the (each) associated battery cell 101. In other words, the second flat wing 111b may be located over all or part of the first side 103a, and / or under all or part of the fourth side 103d opposite the first side 103a.

[0105] This includes L-shape, U-shape and C-shape. For L-shape or C-shape, it should be considered from the bottom up. For the inverted U-shape, after the second horizontal (flat) 111b flange, the heat pipe continues to make a second bend, and then drops again, and a third upright, substantially vertical flange appears, similar to the first upright 111a flange.

[0106] Each) upright wing 111a comprises a vaporization section. The flat wing 111b comprises a condensation section. In other words, the heat pipe and the channel can be regarded as bending in the adiabatic region between the consecutive vaporization and condensation sections.

[0107] Thus, the passage extending between the two ends (individually and collectively) may be in fluid communication at one and / or the other end, ie, the lower end of the vaporizing portion and the upper end of the condensing portion.

[0108] The liquid phase of the heat transfer medium can then flow from one channel at the bottom of the heat pipe to another channel, and the same is true for the vapor phase at the end of the condensation section.

[0109] In this way, the channel of the gravity heat pipe is parallel to the edge of the battery cell, extending first vertically and then horizontally.

[0110] Therefore, the bend radius will be: At this point, the fluid in the channel will remain continuous, The vaporization portion of the heat pipe is at a first minimum distance d1 (eg zero for support) from the first, second or third side of the unit (or each unit) opposite (to the side of) the vaporization portion (or to the side of the heat pipe) facing (or in contact with) the first, second or third side of the unit (or each unit). No cathode and anode terminals), The second distance d2, strictly greater than the first distance (projection of the cathode and anode terminals on the first side carrying them), is sufficient to allow condensation of the condensation portion on the horizontal 111b wing.

[0111] In order to achieve mechanical / thermal synergy, the first distance is set to zero by blocking the vertical wings 111a of the heat pipe 111 on the second side 103b and / or the third side 103c of the battery cell sheet (or the terminal of the pouched battery cell sheet carried by these sides). Since the 111 gravity heat pipes are rigid, this horizontal blocking ensures that they are also blocked in the vertical direction, that is, the horizontal wings 111b maintain a second distance from the first side 101a of the battery cell.

[0112] like Figure 5 As shown, the first heat exchange device 110 further comprises a clamping device 112 configured to clamp the vertical flange 111a of each heat pipe 111 on the second side 103b and / or the third side 103c of the opposing battery cell so as to press the vaporizing portion or each vaporizing portion against the opposing battery cell.

[0113] For example, the clamping device 112 is composed of two C-shaped pieces that surround the heat pipe at the vaporization portion of the heat pipe to secure it to the battery cell when the assembly is inserted into the housing (not shown) of the assembly. In other words, the clamping device 112 acts as a clamping gasket between the upright wall of the housing and the vaporization portion of the heat pipe.

[0114] Alternatively, the clamping device may include a spring that engages the vaporizing portion of the heat pipe and the partition or housing wall, thereby forcing the vaporizing portion of the heat pipe to engage the second side and / or third side facing the battery cell.

[0115] If the electrical system of the thermally controlled energy storage device consisting of only one or a few gravity heat pipes is to be completely satisfactory, then the second distance between the horizontal portion of the heat pipe and the first face of the battery cell must be large so that condensation can still occur on the upper part of the heat pipe when the heat is released from the first face of the battery cell. Therefore, the size of the device is relatively large relative to the amount of heat removed.

[0116] The idea of ​​the present invention is to utilize the limitations of previous gravity heat pipes and turn them into advantages to achieve excellent heat dissipation.

[0117] Therefore, according to the present disclosure, the device utilizes the space between the condensation portion of the gravity heat pipe and the first side of the battery cell to recover the heat dissipated from the first side and draw it away from the battery cell and the gravity heat pipe, promoting condensation within the gravity heat pipe, thereby improving its efficiency and the temperature distribution within the battery cell through a synergistic effect.

[0118] According to the present disclosure, the thermally controlled electrical energy storage device comprises Figures 6 to 15 The second heat exchange device 120 is shown.

[0119] exist Figure 6 In the first embodiment shown, the second heat exchange device 120 includes a cold source 121 - 122 and a pulse heat pipe 123 .

[0120] The cold sources 121 - 122 are used for condensation of the gravity heat pipe 111 and the pulse heat pipe 123 of the first heat exchange device.

[0121] The cooling source includes at least a first cooling plate 121 and a second cooling plate 122, and the heat transfer fluid flows between the inlet 124a and the outlet 124b (see Fig.12 ). The first cold plate 121 and the second cold plate 122 extend parallel to each other, are longitudinally laid flat therebetween and face the first side 103a of the unit 101 .

[0122] The pulse heat pipe 123 consists of a C-shaped bent body for presenting...: The first wing 123a extending longitudinally between the first side 103a of the edge 103 of the battery cell 101 and the condensation portion 111b of the gravity heat pipe 111 includes an evaporation portion, A second wing 123b, parallel to the first wing 123a, comprising a condensation portion; A mesh 123c connects the first wing 123a and the second wing 123b.

[0123] According to the present disclosure, the first wing 123a is capable of heat exchange with at least a portion of the first side 103a of the edge 103 of the battery cell 101, so it is located between the first side 103a of the battery cell and the condensing portion 111b of the gravity heat pipe 111 of the first heat exchanger 110.

[0124] Since the first wing 123a comprises the vaporization section of the pulse heat pipe 123 , it captures heat from the battery cell first side 103a , and although it is a certain distance away from the battery cell first side 103a , the heat does not diffuse to the condensation section 111b of the gravity heat pipe 111 .

[0125] Therefore, within the same distance as the conventional device, the condensation section 111b of the 111 gravity heat pipe is more likely to condense.

[0126] It can be inferred from this that, while the condensation effect is the same as that of the previous device, the distance between the condensation portion 111b of the gravity heat pipe 111 and the first side 103a of the battery cell can be reduced (provided that sufficient sliding space is left for the first wing 123a of the pulse heat pipe 123), thereby improving the compact design.

[0127] In other words, the second heat exchange device 120 can not only regulate the battery cell temperature by itself, but also produce a synergistic effect on the entire controlled device by improving the efficiency of the first heat exchange device 110 and reducing the temperature gradient between the hottest and coldest points of each battery cell.

[0128] Figure 7 and Figure 8 as well as Figures 10 to 15 Different embodiments of heat exchangers are described. The second heat exchanger is Figure 6 The first heat exchanger in the embodiment has higher thermal efficiency and is suitable for large battery cell (or module) components. For such large modules, two pulse heat pipes can be arranged face to face.

[0129] exist Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figures 10 to 12 In the first solution shown, each evaporation zone is arranged to cover a portion (usually half the length) of the first side of the edge of the module unit. In this case, the evaporation zones face each other in the same plane.

[0130] exist Figures 13 to 15 In the second embodiment shown, the evaporation zone of the first pulse heat pipe is arranged along the entire length of the first side of the module unit edge, and the evaporation zone of the second pulse heat pipe is arranged along the entire length of the fourth side of the module unit edge. The condensation zones are always one above the other, separated by the cold plate cooling channel.

[0131] exist Figure 7In the second illustrated embodiment, the second heat exchange device 220 includes two different types of first pulse heat pipes 223 and second pulse heat pipes 224, respectively referred to as A and B in the remainder of this description.

[0132] In the A-type and B-type pulse heat pipes 223-224, the first wing 223a-224a of each pulse heat pipe 223-224 extends longitudinally between the first side 103a of the battery cell 103 101 and the condensation section 111b of the gravity heat pipe 111. Each first wing 223a-224a has heat exchange capability only with the first half length D / 2 of the first side 103a of the battery cell 101, so the first wings 223a-224a of the pulse heat pipes 223-224 are in longitudinal thermal contact with the entire first side 103a of the battery cell 101 together.

[0133] The first pulse heat pipe 223 is of type A, in which the second wing 223b extends between the first and second cold plates and has heat exchange capability therewith.

[0134] The second pulse heat pipe 224 is of type B, and the second wing 224b of the second pulse heat pipe 224 exchanges heat with the free surface of the second cold plate 122. The free surface of the second cold plate 122 refers to a surface that does not contact the second wing 223b of the first pulse heat pipe 223.

[0135] The heat exchange capacity surface area of ​​both pulse heat pipes A and B with the heat source (half length of the edge of the 101 unit) is smaller than the heat exchange capacity surface area with the cold source (equal to at least one cold plate surface).

[0136] Therefore, with the same width, the heat exchange capacity length of the heat pipe through its first wing 223a-224a is only half of the length D / 2 of the first side of the edge 103a of the battery cell 101, while the heat exchange capacity length of its respective second wing 223b-224b is equal to the length D of the cold plate.

[0137] This arrangement improves heat dissipation efficiency.

[0138] Figure 8 A third more efficient embodiment 320 is shown in which the heat sink of the second heat exchange device comprises a third cold plate 125 .

[0139] In this embodiment, the third cold plate 125 is arranged parallel to and opposite to the second cold plate 122 , and has heat exchange capability with the second wing 224 b of the second pulse heat pipe 224 .

[0140] In other words, the third cold plate 125 is a so-called “terminal” cold plate that covers the upper surface of the condensing portion 224b of the second pulse heat pipe 224, thereby covering the entire assembly.

[0141] The addition of the third cold end plate provides two heat exchange surfaces for the condensation portion 224 b of the second pulse heat pipe 224 , thereby improving the heat dissipation effect of the battery unit 101 .

[0142] Fig. 9 The possibility of specially setting a cold source and a heat dissipation loop between the gravity heat pipe of the first heat exchanger and the pulse heat pipe of the second heat exchanger is explained.

[0143] The vaporization section of the pulse heat pipe is located between the first side of the battery unit sheet and the gravity heat pipe.

[0144] Therefore, the fourth embodiment of the second device Fig. 9 The heat exchanger 420 in the embodiment still includes two cold plates 421 and 422, but the two cold plates are arranged one in front of the other.

[0145] In addition, the first cold plate 421 is connected to a first heat transfer fluid circuit 421 a , and the second cold plate 422 is connected to a second heat transfer fluid circuit 422 a independent of the first heat transfer fluid circuit 421 a .

[0146] In this arrangement, the first cold plate exchanges heat with the condensing portion 111 b of the gravity heat pipe, and the second cold plate exchanges heat with the condensing portion 423 b of the pulse heat pipe 423 .

[0147] In this way, the heat absorbed by the first cold plate 421 is discharged in the first loop 421a, and the heat absorbed by the second cold plate 422 is discharged in the second loop 422a, thereby improving the condensation effect of the condensation section 111b of the gravity heat pipe and the condensation section 423b of the pulse heat pipe 423.

[0148] This dual cold plate arrangement is very interesting as it improves the heat exchange capacity and ensures optimal evaporation for both gravity and pulsed heat pipes.

[0149] In addition, by separating the heat dissipation loop (i.e., the cold source), the circulation in the cold plate can be optimized according to the different operating modes of the gravity heat pipe and the pulse heat pipe.

[0150] Figures 10 to 12 Explains the Figures 6 to 8 A similar embodiment, but with dual cold plates instead of a single cold plate between the gravity heat pipe and the pulse heat pipe. For clarity, the heat transfer liquid loop is not illustrated in these figures.

[0151] Therefore, in Fig.10In the fifth embodiment shown, the cold source of the second heat exchange device 520 includes a first cold plate 521, a second cold plate 522 and a third cold plate 525. The third cold plate 525 is arranged opposite to the first cold plate 521 and has the ability to perform heat exchange with the gravity heat pipe 111. The first cold plate is used to perform heat exchange with the second condensing fin 523b of the pulse heat pipe 523. The second cold plate 522 is arranged parallel to and opposite to the first cold plate 521 and performs heat exchange with the second condensing wing 523b of the pulse heat pipe 523.

[0152] In other words, the second cold plate 522 is an end cold plate that covers the upper surface of the condensing portion 523b of the pulse heat pipe 523, thereby covering the entire assembly.

[0153] Furthermore, the first cold plate and the second cold plate are connected to a first heat transfer fluid circuit (not shown), and the third cold plate is connected to a second heat transfer fluid circuit (not shown) independently of the first heat transfer fluid circuit.

[0154] In this embodiment, the heat absorbed by the first and second cold plates 521-522 from the pulse heat pipe 523 is discharged in the first loop, and the heat absorbed by the third cold plate 525 from the gravity heat pipe 111 is discharged in the second loop, which improves the condensation effect of the condensation section 111b of the gravity heat pipe and the condensation section 523b of the pulse heat pipe 523.

[0155] Fig.11 The possibility of using two different types of pulse heat pipes, A and B, and a cold source consisting of a double cold plate is illustrated.

[0156] Therefore, the sixth embodiment is similar to Figure 7 The embodiment shown is similar except that instead of using a single cold plate between the gravity heat pipe and the pulse heat pipe, dual cold plates are used.

[0157] More specifically, the second heat exchange device 620 includes an A-type first pulse heat pipe 623 and a B-type second pulse heat pipe 624. Figure 7 Similar to what is described in .

[0158] and Figure 7 Different from the design shown, the first pulse heat pipe 623 has a second wing 623b extending between the first cold plate 621 and the second cold plate 622, capable of exchanging heat with them.

[0159] The gravity heat pipe 111 has the following heat exchange capability: the third cold plate 625 and the first cold plate 621 form a double cold plate, that is, the first cold plate 621 and the third cold plate have a mutually contacting surface.

[0160] The second pulse heat pipe 624 is of type B, and the second wing 624 b of the second pulse heat pipe 624 performs heat exchange with one surface of the second cold plate 622 , which is not in contact with the second wing 623 b of the first pulse heat pipe 623 .

[0161] The advantages of this arrangement are Figure 7 As shown, due to the use of double cold plates, the fluid circuits of cold plates 621 and 622 are separated from the heat exchange capabilities of pulse heat pipes 623 and 624, and the fluid circuit of cold plate 625 is separated from the heat exchange capabilities of gravity heat pipes 111, thus having a stronger heat dissipation capacity.

[0162] Fig.12 The seventh embodiment of the second heat exchange device 720 is Fig.11 The embodiment in is similar, but also includes a fourth cold end plate 726, which covers the assembly and has heat exchange capability with the surface of the second heat exchange device 720, and the second wing 624b of the pulse heat pipe 624 does not contact the second cold plate 622.

[0163] This is an optional design because it combines all the advantages mentioned above: there is an independent heat transfer liquid circulation loop between the cold plate in contact with the gravity heat pipe and the cold plate in contact with the pulse heat pipe, and two different types of pulse heat pipes are used, each of which absorbs part of the heat from the first side of the battery cell and discharges the heat through the second condensing wing that exchanges heat with the two cold plates.

[0164] As mentioned earlier, Fig.13 , Fig.14 and Fig.15 A second scheme of arranging pulse heat pipes is presented to further reduce the magnitude of the temperature gradient within each unit.

[0165] Fig.13 , 14 and 15 show a third type of pulse heat pipe, referred to as type C in the remainder of this description, for extracting heat from a fourth side of the battery cell.

[0166] exist Fig.13 In the eighth embodiment shown, the second heat exchange device 350 includes an A-type first pulse heat pipe 351 and a C-type second pulse heat pipe 352 .

[0167] The first A-type pulse heat pipe 351 includes a first wing 351a extending longitudinally between the first side 103a of the battery cell 101103 and the condensation portion 111b of the gravity heat pipe 111. The first wing 351a is capable of performing heat exchange with the entire length D of the first side 103a of the battery cell sheet 101, that is, performing heat exchange with the entire first side 103a of the battery cell sheet 101.

[0168] As previously mentioned, the second wing 351 b of the A-type first pulse heat pipe 351 extends between the first 121 cold plate and the second 122 cold plate and has heat exchange capability with them.

[0169] Unlike the A-type heat pipe, the second C-type pulse heat pipe 352 includes a first wing 352a, which extends longitudinally with the fourth side 103d of 103 of the battery cell 101 in terms of heat exchange capacity, and extends along the full length D of the fourth side 103d of 103 of the battery cell 101, that is, extends along the entire fourth side 103d of 103 of the battery cell 101.

[0170] The second C-type pulse heat pipe 352 has a second wing 352b extending between the second 122 and third 125 cold plates and having heat exchange capability therewith.

[0171] The heat exchange capacity surface area of ​​the pulse heat pipes A and C with the heat source (the length of the battery unit sheet 101) is smaller than the heat exchange capacity surface area with the cold source (equivalent to the length of two cold plates).

[0172] Therefore, the heat exchange capacity length of the first flanges 351a-352a of the heat pipes 351 and 352 is equal to the length D of the first side 103a and the fourth side 103d of the edge 103 of the battery cell 101, and the heat exchange capacity length of their respective second flanges 352b-352b is equal to the length D of two cold plates because the second wing has the heat exchange capacity of two cold plates.

[0173] Since heat is discharged from four sides of the battery cell: the second and third sides are discharged by gravity heat pipes, and the first and fourth sides are discharged by pulse heat pipes, this arrangement improves the heat removal efficiency and greatly reduces the temperature gradient amplitude inside each battery cell.

[0174] If a double cold plate is used between the first pulse heat pipe and the gravity heat pipe, the efficiency will be higher.

[0175] This is Fig.14 The ninth embodiment of the invention is described in detail. Fig.13 As shown, the second heat exchange device 750 includes an A-type first pulse heat pipe 751 and a C-type second pulse heat pipe 752 .

[0176] In this embodiment, the A-type first pulse heat pipe 751 has a second flange 751 b extending between the first 621 and second 621 and second 622 cold plates, and can perform heat exchange with them.

[0177] The gravity heat pipe can exchange heat with the third cold plate 625 and form a double cold plate with the first cold plate 621 , that is, the first cold plate 621 and the second cold plate 622 , and one surface of the third cold plate 625 are in contact with the other surface.

[0178] The second wing 352 b of the second C-type pulse heat pipe 352 extends between the second cold plate 622 and the fourth cold plate 625 and has heat exchange capability with them.

[0179] Fig.15 The tenth embodiment 760 shown shows that from the implementation of the pulse heat pipes 761 - 762 , the terminals of the A-type and C-type pouch-type battery cells 101 ′ are located at the second and third sides, respectively, facing the vaporization portion of the gravity heat pipe 111 .

[0180] Using the Type 762 C Pulse Heat Pipe in the pouch cell makes sense because it allows for very uniform thermal regulation in each cell, from all four sides, in a symmetrical manner.

[0181] Furthermore, it is also understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure using prismatic battery cells as examples may be applicable to pouch-type battery cells, and vice versa.

[0182] Fig.16 Shown Fig.12 Realistic perspective view of the first variant.

[0183] In the first variant shown in the figure, referring to the use position, the second heat exchange device 720 includes two A-type pulse heat pipes 623 on the front side (ie, the foreground in the figure), ie, the second wing thereof is located between the first cold plate 621 and the second cold plate 622 .

[0184] At the rear, the second heat exchange device cannot be seen due to the viewing angle. It includes two B-type pulse heat pipes 624, namely the second wing located between the second cold plate 622 and the fourth cold plate 726.

[0185] Fig.17 is along Fig.16 A partial cross-sectional view along line XII-XII of , showing the alternating superposition of heat pipes 111 - 623 - 624 and cold plates 621 - 622 - 625 - 726 , and examples of the internal structures of various components.

[0186] It can be seen that in the structure of the double cold plates 621-625, the two cold plates are attached to each other through one of their surfaces, the first cold plate 621 has heat exchange capability with the wing surface 623b of the pulse heat pipe 623, and the cold plate 625 has heat exchange capability with the wing surface 623b of the pulse heat pipe 623, and has heat exchange capability with the wing surface 111b of the gravity heat pipe 111.

[0187] The channel structures of the pulse heat pipes are also different: the pulse heat pipe 623 has a channel 623d, and the pulse heat pipe 624 has a channel 624d.

[0188] Fig.18 is along Fig.16 The partial longitudinal cross-sectional view along line XIII-XIII shows the C-shaped structure of the B-type pulse heat pipe 624 and a partial view of the second wing 623b of the pulse heat pipe 623.

[0189] The advantage of this example is that according to the disclosed technique, a second heat exchange device can be made using stacked standard cold plates, with the only modification being the fluid connection of the cold plates to the pulse heat pipes (see Fig. 22 ). The disadvantage is that the walls in contact with the cold plate and the pulse heat pipe are doubled. In other words, each exchange surface consists of two walls, which creates resistance and increases the thickness of the entire structure.

[0190] Fig.19 is another example of the internal structure of each component.

[0191] In the previous embodiments, each element (cold plate / pulse heat pipe) had its own structure and the assembly was the result of stacking each element in thermal contact. Now, each cold plate and pulse heat pipe consists of two outer walls separated by a corrugated inner wall that delimits one or more channels. Their stacking results in the two outer walls of two parallel elements abutting against each other. Thus, the thickness separating the two channels is doubled.

[0192] For example, in Fig.17 and Fig.18 In the structure shown, the enlarged view E illustrates the situation where the outer wall of the cold plate is stacked on the outer wall of the pulse heat pipe, and the enlarged view F illustrates the situation where the outer wall of the pulse heat pipe is stacked on the outer wall of the cold plate.

[0193] Within the scope of this disclosure, Fig.19 As shown, the cold plate and pulse heat pipe assembly can be realized in a single block, where the separation between the pulse heat pipe channel and the cold plate channel is formed by a single wall. Fig.17 Same numbering to understand the analogy.

[0194] In other words, the cold plate and the pulse heat pipe form a whole, and the cold plate and the pulse heat pipe are functionally separated from each other by a wall. This means that the component can provide the functions of the pulse heat pipe and the cold plate at the same time through a single separation wall between the channel providing the cold plate function and the channel providing the pulse heat pipe function.

[0195] Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the block includes two flat walls 630 and 631, between which are placed four corrugated walls 632. This forms the channel 623d of the pulse heat pipe 623, the channel 624d of the pulse heat pipe 624, and the cold plate channels 621, 622 and 726.

[0196] Below the bottom flat wall 630 , a corrugated wall 633 is fixed to form a channel for the cold plate 625 to contact the gravity heat pipe 111 .

[0197] This method requires a more specialized manufacturing process in order to But its advantage is that it can reduce At the same time, it promotes heat exchange between the pulse heat pipe and the cold plate.

[0198] This design also makes replacement easier in the event of a malfunction, as components can be removed and replaced in a single operation.

[0199] Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a cold plate and pulse heat pipe assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein there are two cold plates 622 - 726 and one dual cold plate 621 - 625 .

[0200] This view shows the head-to-tail arrangement of the A-type pulse heat pipe 623 and the B-type pulse heat pipe 624 , as well as the possibility of connecting multiple (here two) pulse heat pipes 623 - 624 in parallel to thermally regulate a group of battery cells 101 .

[0201] Should Fig. 20 Two heat transfer fluid circuits 625c-625d and 124a-124b are also illustrated, which on the one hand remove heat from the cold plate 625 for heat exchange with the condensing portion of the gravity heat pipe 111, and on the other hand remove heat from all three cold plates 621-622-726 for heat exchange with the condensing portion of the gravity heat pipe 111. Heat exchange with the condensing portion of the pulse heat pipes 623-624 located in the second wings 623b and 624b respectively.

[0202] Fig.21 is a cross-sectional view of dual cold plates 621 - 625 , illustrating the possibility of inserting a layer of thermal interface material (TIM) 626 between the cold plates.

[0203] Such materials are known to improve thermal coupling between two components by limiting the thermal resistance that impedes heat dissipation at the interface between the two components.

[0204] Although not shown here for purposes of illustration, a thermal interface of such material may be provided between gravity and pulse heat pipes and a cold plate in contact therewith to improve heat transfer from the condensing portion of the heat pipe to the cold plate in thermal contact therewith.

[0205] Fig.21 Also partially shown are two independent heat transfer fluid loops for removing heat from the dual cold plates 621-625.

[0206] Therefore, the cold plate 625 for contacting the condensing portion of the second wing 111b of the gravity heat pipe 111 has a cold heat transfer fluid inlet 625a and a hot heat transfer fluid outlet 625b, both of which are extended by fluid circulation pipes 625c and 625d, respectively.

[0207] Likewise, the cold plate 621 for contacting the condensing portion of the second wing 623b of the pulse heat pipe 623 has a cold heat transfer fluid inlet 621a and a hot heat transfer fluid outlet 621b, both of which extend from the fluid circulation pipes 124a and 124b, respectively.

[0208] The two tubes 625c and 625d pass through two sealed holes 621c on the upper cold plate 621 and have no fluid communication with the upper cold plate 621. These holes 621 exist only to allow the tubes 625c and 625d to pass through and to limit the overall size of the cold plate. In other words, the heat transfer fluid circuit in and out of the cold plate 625 does not mix with the heat transfer fluid circuit in and out of the upper cold plate 621, so the two are independent.

[0209] On the other hand, for the thermally conductive liquid loop in the cold plates 621 - 622 - 726 , the pipes 124 a and 124 b pass through holes that communicate with the interior of the cold plates 622 and 726 .

[0210] Fig. 22 and Fig.23 They are cross-sectional views of the heat transfer fluid circuit outlets away from the cold plates 621 - 622 - 726 in contact with the pulse heat pipes 623 - 624 and away from the cold plate 621 in contact with the gravity heat pipe 111 .

[0211] Fig. 22 The fluid passages between the cold plates 621, 622 and 726 in the tube 625d are shown. Thus, the heat transfer fluid present in these cold plates can flow out of the cold plate passages in the tube 625d (arrow F1) and enter other parts of the heat exchanger circuit to dissipate the heat in the heat transfer fluid to the ambient air (see Fig.25 ).

[0212] On the contrary, Fig.23 As shown, the tube 625d communicating with the outlet 625b of the cold plate 625 is not communicated with the inside of the cold plates 621, 622, and 726. Therefore, the heat transfer fluid circulating in the cold plate 625 can flow out in the direction of arrow F2, while the heat transfer fluid circulating in the cold plates 621, 622, and 726 collides with the tube 625d and remains in these cold plates (arrow F3).

[0213] Thus, a space-saving thermal control device is obtained, but it is characterized by two independent heat transfer medium fluid circuits, one for the cold plate in contact with the 111 gravity heat pipes and the other for the set of cold plates in contact with the pulse heat pipes, thereby optimizing the thermal control of the 101 battery cells.

[0214] Fig.24 A second variant of the disclosed embodiment is shown, including an A-type pulse heat pipe 623 on the right front side of the figure, whose condensation portion is inserted between the double cold plates and the middle cold plate; and a B-type pulse heat pipe 624 on the left side of the figure, whose condensation portion is inserted between the middle cold plate and the terminal cold plate.

[0215] At the rear, the device includes two heat pipes similar to the first, but arranged opposite each other: facing the type A pulse heat pipe 623, the second wing 624b of the type B heat pipe 624 can be seen, while on the left side opposite the type B pulse heat pipe 623 is the type A pulse heat pipe 623 hidden by the core of the pulse heat pipe 624c.

[0216] at last, Fig.25 A thermal control device designed according to the present disclosure is shown with cold plates 621, 622 and 726 connected to an operating thermal fluid loop 800, which includes a heat sink for removing heat from the thermal fluid to ambient air.

[0217] In an operation aimed at lowering the temperature of the battery cells, the heat transfer fluid enters the cold plates 621, 622, and 726 through the tube 124a, and its temperature T1 is sufficient to generate condensation in the second fins 623b and 624b of the pulse heat pipes 623 and 624, and recover heat from these pulse heat pipes. Then, the heat transfer fluid flows out of the cold plates 621, 622, and 726 through the tube 124b at a temperature T2 higher than the temperature T1.

[0218] This fluid circulation is achieved by pump 801 , which pumps the heat transfer fluid to the three-way valve 802 .

[0219] The three-way valve 802 is connected to the output end 124b of the device disclosed herein, a radiator 803 for cooling the heat transfer fluid, and a heater 804. The three-way valve 802 can be controlled by the vehicle electronic system to selectively direct the heat transfer fluid into the radiator 803 for cooling or into the heater 804 for heating as needed.

[0220] In fact, the optimal temperature range for battery operation and charging is between 5 and 25 degrees Celsius.

[0221] During charging, the battery cells tend to heat up, so it is necessary to cool the battery cells to avoid any damage and fire. This also happens during operation: the pump 801 and the three-way valve 802 are controlled based on the signal from the temperature sensor in the battery.

[0222] The cooling fluid after circulating in the radiator 803 can be directly returned to the inlet 124a of the thermal control device of the present disclosure, or passed through the heat exchanger 805 of the auxiliary thermal circuit to more comprehensively manage the heat in the vehicle using the thermal behavior of the thermal control device of the present disclosure.

[0223] Additionally, in certain weather conditions, or more frequently when the vehicle is charged in a "cold" environment, i.e., when the battery cell temperature is below 5°C, it may be useful to preheat the battery cells, since charging or operation is more efficient when the battery cell temperature is above 5°C. The three-way valve is then controlled to direct the fluid to the heater 804. The heated fluid returns to the inlet 124a to reheat the battery cells. Once the optimal operating temperature is reached, the three-way valve is controlled to direct the heat transfer fluid to the radiator 803 to limit the temperature rise of the battery during the remaining operation (use or charging).

[0224] Therefore, the temperature T2 (which may be higher or lower, as the case may be) at which the heat transfer fluid enters the disclosed device is different from the temperature T1 at which the fluid leaves the device.

[0225] The fluid circuit naturally includes an expansion vessel 806 for absorbing the volume changes of the heat transfer fluid caused by temperature changes.

[0226] As described above, when the device according to the present disclosure includes a double cold plate (see Figures 9 to 12 ,as well as Figures 14 to 24 ), the system according to the present disclosure has two independent cooling loops: a first loop 800 for the pulse heat pipe and a second loop 900 for the gravity heat pipe.

[0227] This arrangement effectively removes heat from the battery and especially from the vehicle.

[0228] In fact, although Fig.25 It is not illustrated, but the heat exchange capability of the 625c inlet and 625d outlet of the 625 cold plate with the gravity heat pipe can also be connected to the 801 pump, 803 radiator and 804 heater to improve thermal control of the battery cells during vehicle use.

[0229] like Fig.25 As shown, the inlet 625c and the outlet 625d of the cold plate 625 can also be connected to a second 900 heat transfer fluid loop, which is connected to the dedicated charging socket 7 of the vehicle. Therefore, the charging socket 7 includes: a circuit 7a connected to the battery for charging the battery unit from a power source 1000 external to the vehicle (the circuit 7a is shown in schematic form; it naturally includes other electrical or electronic components of the vehicle, such as the ECU 3 and the AC / DC charger / converter 4, whether the latter is separate or directly integrated in the battery module); The inlet 901 and the outlet 902 are fluidly connected to the inlet 625c and the outlet 625d of the cold plate 625, respectively.

[0230] The thermal fluid circuit 900 also includes a connector 903 complementary to the vehicle connector 7, which is electrically connected to an electrical energy source 1000 (AC or DC) and fluidically connected to a cold fluid source 904 outside the vehicle.

[0231] To this end, the complementary socket 903 comprises: Circuit 7b connected to power source 1000; An inlet 905 and an outlet 906 are fluidly connected to an external cold fluid source 904 .

[0232] When sockets 7 and 903 are connected, the cold liquid source 904 can inject very cold liquid into the cold plate, ie, a temperature much lower than that obtainable by the heat sink 803 of the first circuit.

[0233] In fact, such radiators are typically only able to extract a maximum of 12 kilowatts (kW), while the goal is to extract 20 to 25 kW when charging.

[0234] By connecting the second loop to a source of cold fluid 904, for example cold fluid at 5 degrees Celsius, it is possible to extract these 25 kilowatts of power completely from the battery and vehicle.

[0235] Thus, when the vehicle is under load, thermal oil circuits at different low temperatures can be obtained without mixing.

[0236] Of course, the circuit connection can also be reversed, with the inlet 124a and outlet 124b of the cold plates 621, 622 and 726 that perform heat exchange with the pulse heat pipe being connected to the 900 cold fluid circuit outside the vehicle, while the inlet 625c and outlet 625d of the cold plate 625 that performs heat exchange with the gravity heat pipe being connected to the 800 heat transfer fluid circuit inside the vehicle.

[0237] Fig.26 The temperature gradient in the cell is shown when the cell 101 can only exchange heat with 20 gravity heat pipes. The gradient in the figure is the temperature difference between the coldest and hottest points in the battery cell.

[0238] On the one hand, the temperature gradient across the cell is regular: the center of the cell 101 is warm over the entire height of the cell, while the areas along the second 103b and third 103c sides of the cell are cool over the entire height. Furthermore, the temperature gradient between the edge and the center is also large: about 22 to 23 degrees Celsius. With regard to thermal stress ii) the magnitude of the temperature gradient within the plant cell is crucial.

[0239] Fig. 27The temperature gradient in the battery cell 101 is shown when the battery cell 101 is in a heat exchange capacity state and there are gravity heat pipes 20 and pulse heat pipes 30 (shown in gray in the figure) above the first side 103a and below the fourth side 103d of the battery cell.

[0240] The temperature gradient across the cell is not uniform. Only the center of the cell has the highest temperature. The second, third, and fourth sides have the lowest temperatures. The center of the first side is also a cold zone due to the placement of the pulse heat pipe between the terminals above the first side of the cell.

[0241] The temperature gradient between the coldest and hottest areas does not exceed 5 to 6 degrees Celsius.

[0242] The area under the battery cell terminals is also hot, but slightly lower than the battery cell core: if the pulse heat pipes did not cover the terminals, then the area under the terminals would also benefit from the small amount of heat absorbed by the pulse heat pipes.

[0243] This shows that Fig.26 The gradient amplitude is reduced (approximately 5 to 6 degrees Celsius) compared to the gradient amplitude obtained with the device shown (approximately 22 to 23 degrees Celsius).

[0244] The pulse heat pipe does not cool only the first and fourth sides like the gravity heat pipe, because if it does not do this, only the battery cell core will heat up, but the gradient will be similar to Fig.26 shown.

[0245] Their arrangement ensures a synergistic effect, cooling the battery cell not only from the first side but also possibly from the fourth side, and promoting condensation inside the heat pipe, thereby increasing the efficiency of the heat pipe. This not only allows for better cooling of the battery cell, but also reduces the thermal amplitude inside the battery cell, thus satisfying thermal constraints i) and ii).

[0246] Furthermore, both gravity heat pipes and pulse heat pipes run along the module, which ensures thermal control of the entire module and meets thermal constraint iii) by preventing the central unit within the module from reaching the maximum operating temperature (45 degrees Celsius).

Claims

1. A thermal control device for storing electrical energy for a vehicle in chemical form, the controlled device comprising a plurality of battery cells; a first heat exchange device, the first heat exchange device comprising a bent gravity heat pipe, the gravity heat pipe having an evaporation portion for performing heat exchange with one side of the battery unit and a condensation portion for performing heat exchange with a cold source of the second heat exchange device, the cold source comprising at least two cold plates; The second heat exchanger includes at least one pulse heat pipe, and the pulse heat pipe includes: a first wing extending below the condensing portion of the gravity heat pipe and having heat exchange capability with a portion of an edge of the battery cell; a second wing having heat exchange capability with at least one of the cold plates; and A web connects the first wing and the second wing.

2. The thermal control device according to claim 1, comprising a battery, wherein the battery has a plurality of battery cells, each of the battery cells has two faces, the two faces are connected by the thinnest edge of the battery cell, the battery cell has at least one first face, a second face and a third face, the second face and the third face are parallel to each other and transverse to the first face, each of the battery cells comprises a cathode terminal and an anode terminal located on a single side or two different sides of a wafer, the terminals of adjacent battery cells are connected to each other to form a battery, and the battery cells are arranged face to face and in parallel along the longitudinal direction (LL), wherein: The gravity heat pipe of the first heat exchange device can at least exchange heat with the second side or the third side of the battery unit and at least one cold source of the second heat exchange device. The gravity heat pipe comprises a body having a series of parallel channels integrated therein, the channels containing a heat-carrying substance, and two transverse volumes into which the two ends of the channels open so as to be in fluid communication with each other through the transverse volumes; The body of the gravity heat pipe is curved, L-shaped or C-shaped, so that each of the channels has at least one curved portion located between two wings, the first wing carrying at least one vaporizing portion (PV) and the second wing carrying a condensing portion (PC), the condensing portion being located at a higher position relative to gravity than the vaporizing portion in the position of use; The gravity heat pipe is arranged in such a way that the first wing carrying the vaporization part (PV) extends transversely at a first distance (d1) opposite to the second side or the third side of the edge of the battery cell, while the second wing of the gravity heat pipe carrying the condensation part (PC) extends transversely at a second distance (d2) above the first side of the edge of the battery cell, the second distance (d2) being strictly greater than the first distance (d1); The second heat exchanger comprises: The cold source comprises at least a first cold plate and a second cold plate, a heat-conducting liquid circulates between an inlet and an outlet of the first cold plate and the second cold plate, the first cold plate and the second cold plate are parallel to each other, extend longitudinally, and have a plane facing the first surface of the battery cell; At least one of the pulse heat pipes, the pulse heat pipe comprises a body having at least one channel integrated therein, the channel being closed on itself to form a loop and containing a heat-carrying substance, the channel having a curled shape and extending between an evaporation portion in thermal contact with at least a portion of a first face of an edge of a battery cell and a second condensation portion in thermal contact with one face of each of the first and second cold plates, the body of the pulse heat pipe being bent in a C-shape to present: The first wing extends longitudinally between the first side of the battery cell edge and the condensation portion of the gravity heat pipe, and includes an evaporation portion for heat exchange with at least a portion of the first side of the battery cell edge, and the second wing is parallel to the first wing and includes a condensation portion for heat exchange with at least one of the first and second cold plates; The core that connects the first wing and the second wing.

3. The thermal control device according to claim 1, wherein the second wing of the at least one pulse heat pipe extends between two of the at least two cold plates and is capable of performing heat exchange with two of the at least two cold plates.

4. The thermal control device according to claim 1, comprising at least one first pulse heat pipe and at least one second pulse heat pipe, wherein: The first wing of the first pulse heat pipe extends longitudinally between the first side of the battery cell and the condensing portion of the gravity heat pipe, and exchanges heat with the first half length (D / 2) of the first side of the battery cell, and the second wing of the first pulse heat pipe extends between the first and second cold plates, and exchanges heat with the first and second cold plates; as well as The first wing of the second pulse heat pipe extends longitudinally between the first side of the edge of the battery cell and the condensation part of the gravity heat pipe, and exchanges heat with the second half length (D / 2) of the first side of the edge of the battery cell, and the second branch of the second pulse heat pipe exchanges heat with the free surface of the second cold plate.

5. The thermal control device according to claim 1, comprising at least one first pulse heat pipe and at least one second pulse heat pipe, wherein: The first wing of the first pulse heat pipe extends longitudinally between the first side of the battery cell and the condensing portion of the gravity heat pipe and maintains a heat exchange relationship with the length (D) of the first side of the battery cell, and the second branch of the first pulse heat pipe extends between the first and second cold plates and maintains a heat exchange relationship with the first and second cold plates; and The first branch of the second pulse heat pipe extends longitudinally to below the fourth side of the battery cell and maintains a heat exchange relationship with the length (D) of the fourth side of the battery cell, and the second branch of the second pulse heat pipe maintains a heat exchange relationship with at least one free surface of the second cold plate.

6. The thermal control device according to claim 5, wherein the cold source of the second heat exchange device comprises at least a third cold plate. 7 . The thermal control device according to claim 6 , wherein the third cold plate is arranged parallel to and opposite to the second cold plate, and has heat exchange capability with the second section of the second pulse heat pipe.

8. The thermal control device according to claim 6, wherein the third cold plate is arranged against the first cold plate and can exchange heat with the at least one gravity heat pipe, the first and second cold plates are connected to a first heat transfer fluid circuit, and the third cold plate is connected to a second heat transfer fluid circuit independent of the first heat transfer fluid circuit.

9. The thermal control device according to claim 8, wherein the cold source of the second heat exchange device comprises a fourth cold plate, which is arranged parallel to and opposite to the second cold plate and has heat exchange capability with the free surface of the second flange of the second pulse heat pipe.

10. The thermal control device according to claim 2, wherein the pulse heat pipe is in thermal contact with the first side and / or the fourth side of the battery cell or the terminal carried by the first side, and there is a layer of electrical insulating material between the pulse heat pipe and the first side of the battery cell or the terminal carried by the first side.

11. The thermal control device of claim 10, wherein the cold plate and the pulse heat pipe are located in a single block, the cold plate and the pulse heat pipe being functionally separated from each other by a single wall.

12. The thermal control device according to claim 2, further comprising a housing, wherein the plurality of battery cells are arranged in the housing, and the housing comprises: a bottom portion, wherein the battery unit and the plurality of gravity heat pipes are located at the bottom portion, and The clamping device is used to clamp each heat pipe on the second side and / or the third side relative to the battery unit so that the vaporization part of each heat pipe is closely attached to the relative battery unit.

13. The thermal control device according to claim 12, wherein the clamping device comprises a vertical wall, which is close to the bottom and surrounds the battery unit and the plurality of gravity heat pipes as a whole.

14. The thermal control device according to claim 11, wherein a cold plate covering the second flange of the second pulse heat pipe is fixed to the shell so that all battery cells, all gravity heat pipes and pulse heat pipes are sandwiched as a whole between the shell and the cold plate covering the second flange of the second pulse heat pipe.

15. Electric or hybrid vehicles, including at least one motor for movement, and The at least one thermal control device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one thermal control device is connected to the motor to provide power to the motor; At least one power socket is connected to the at least one thermal control device to charge it.

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