Thermal management system and energy storage device

Abstract

The utility model provides a heat management system and energy storage equipment. The heat management system comprises a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a first throttling element, a second throttling element and a control valve. The compressor comprises an air suction side and an air outlet side; the first heat exchanger is connected with one side of the compressor; the second heat exchanger is connected with the other side of the compressor; the first throttling element is connected between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; the second throttling element is connected between the first throttling element and the second heat exchanger; and the control valve is arranged in parallel with the first throttling element or the second throttling element. The flow resistance of the thermal management system can be reduced, and the thermal management system can better adapt to working conditions such as high temperature or low temperature.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of thermal management of energy storage devices, and in particular to a thermal management system and an energy storage device. Background Art

[0002] The goal of battery pack thermal management is to maintain an electric vehicle's battery pack operating within a suitable temperature range, thereby ensuring reliable power supply. Currently, energy storage battery pack cooling on the market primarily utilizes liquid cooling combined with auxiliary electric heating to cool the battery during charging and discharging, while also utilizing a heat pump to heat the battery. However, this system design results in multiple throttle valves, increasing the system's flow resistance. Utility Model Content

[0003] The thermal management system provided in this application includes:

[0004] a compressor, the compressor comprising an intake side and an outlet side;

[0005] a first heat exchanger connected to one side of the compressor;

[0006] a second heat exchanger connected to the other side of the compressor;

[0007] a first throttling member connected between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger;

[0008] a second throttling member connected between the first throttling member and the second heat exchanger;

[0009] A control valve is provided in parallel with the first throttling member or the second throttling member.

[0010] The technical solution provided by this application can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0011] This application sets the control valve in parallel with the first throttle member or the second throttle member to reduce the flow resistance of the thermal management system. That is to say, at least a part of the refrigerant can bypass the throttle member (the first throttle member or the second throttle member) parallel to the control valve and pass directly through the control valve to achieve low flow resistance, so that the thermal management system can better adapt to high temperature or low temperature working conditions.

[0012] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely illustrative and are not restrictive of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a thermal management system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0014] Figure 2 for Figure 1A schematic diagram of the thermal management system shown in a first state;

[0015] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the thermal management system in the second state.

[0016] Reference numerals:

[0017] 1-Compressor;

[0018] 11-inhalation side;

[0019] 12- outlet side;

[0020] 13-Qi-replenishing side;

[0021] 2-first heat exchanger;

[0022] 3- Second heat exchanger;

[0023] 4- third heat exchanger;

[0024] 41-first flow channel portion;

[0025] 42- second flow channel portion;

[0026] 5- fourth heat exchanger;

[0027] 51- third flow channel portion;

[0028] 52- fourth flow channel portion;

[0029] 6-dispensing head;

[0030] 7-Separating capillary;

[0031] 81-first throttle element;

[0032] 82-second throttle element;

[0033] 83-Third throttle piece;

[0034] 91-first control valve;

[0035] 92-second control valve;

[0036] 93- reversing valve;

[0037] 931-first interface;

[0038] 932-second interface;

[0039] 933-third interface;

[0040] 934-Fourth interface.

[0041] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of this application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0043] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be understood as indicating or implying relative importance; unless otherwise specified or explained, the term "plurality" refers to two or more; the terms "connected" and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connected" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, an integral connection, or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0044] In the description of this specification, it should be understood that the directional words such as "upper" and "lower" described in the embodiments of the present application are described from the perspectives shown in the accompanying drawings and should not be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present application. In addition, in the context, it should be understood that when it is mentioned that an element is connected to another element "on" or "under", it can not only be directly connected to the other element "on" or "under", but also indirectly connected to the other element "on" or "under" through an intermediate element.

[0045] like Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a thermal management system, which includes a compressor 1, a first heat exchanger 2, a second heat exchanger 3, a first throttle 81, and a second throttle 82. The first heat exchanger 2 can be, for example, an air-cooled heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger 3 can be, for example, a cold plate.

[0046] In one embodiment, the thermal management system is applied to an energy storage device for thermal management. For example, the energy storage device includes a thermal management system and an energy storage battery, and the second heat exchanger 3 is configured to perform thermal management on the energy storage battery. It is understood that in other embodiments, the thermal management system can also be applied to other devices for thermal management. In the various embodiments of this application, only the energy storage device is used as an example for detailed description.

[0047] Furthermore, the compressor 1 includes an intake side 11 and an outlet side 12. The first heat exchanger 2 is connected to one side of the compressor 1, and the second heat exchanger 3 is connected to the other side of the compressor 1. That is, one of the first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 3 is connected to the intake side 11, and the other is connected to the outlet side 12. The first throttle member 81 is connected between the first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 3, and the second throttle member 82 is connected between the first throttle member 81 and the second heat exchanger 3, thereby connecting one side of the compressor 1, the first heat exchanger 2, the first throttle member 81, the second throttle member 82, the second heat exchanger 3, and the other side of the compressor 1 in sequence, forming a closed refrigerant circuit.

[0048] It can be seen from this that the embodiment of the present application adopts a refrigerant circuit to achieve direct cooling and eliminates liquid cooling. On the one hand, direct cooling avoids secondary heat exchange of liquid cooling, reducing energy loss. Moreover, the thermal management system does not contain liquid cooling components (for example, pipes, electric heating, joints, exhaust valves, pressure relief valves, expansion tanks, refill pipes, water pumps, and water-side heat exchangers), which reduces the overall size and improves the overall compactness, thereby increasing the effective volume of the energy storage device (i.e., the volume occupied by the energy storage battery); on the other hand, the refrigerant is a safe, non-toxic, and non-flammable refrigerant. Even if it leaks, it will evaporate instantly without residue, thereby effectively avoiding safety hazards such as water leakage or electric leakage caused by liquid cooling leakage, thereby improving the safety of energy storage equipment operation. In addition, the refrigerant pipeline connection process is simple and the connection is reliable. The refrigerant pipeline is connected by welding, which reduces flexible joints, further reduces the risk of refrigerant leakage, and improves overall reliability.

[0049] Furthermore, there are at least two second heat exchangers 3, each of which is arranged in parallel to simultaneously manage the thermal performance of at least two energy storage batteries. The thermal management system also includes a liquid distribution head 6, which is connected between the second throttle member 82 and the second heat exchanger 3. The liquid distribution branches of the liquid distribution head 6 are connected to each second heat exchanger 3 to achieve uniform distribution of the refrigerant among the second heat exchangers 3.

[0050] Furthermore, the thermal management system further includes a liquid separation capillary 7, which is arranged between the liquid separation branch pipe and the second heat exchanger 3. The liquid separation capillary 7 and the liquid separation head 6 are used to reduce throttling devices and reduce control difficulty.

[0051] Furthermore, the thermal management system has a first state (refer to Figure 2 In the first state, first heat exchanger 2 is connected to intake side 11, and second heat exchanger 3 is connected to outlet side 12. Refrigerant flows sequentially along outlet side 12 of compressor 1, second heat exchanger 3, second throttle element 82, first throttle element 81, first heat exchanger 2, and the intake side of compressor 1, forming a heating cycle.

[0052] Furthermore, the thermal management system has a second state (refer to Figure 3In the second state, first heat exchanger 2 is connected to outlet side 12, and second heat exchanger 3 is connected to the intake side. The refrigerant flows sequentially along outlet side 12 of compressor 1, first heat exchanger 2, first throttle element 81, second throttle element 82, second heat exchanger 3, and the intake side of compressor 1, forming a refrigeration cycle.

[0053] Furthermore, the thermal management system provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes a control valve. The control valve is arranged in parallel with the first throttle member 81 or the second throttle member 82 to reduce the flow resistance of the thermal management system. In other words, at least a portion of the refrigerant can bypass the throttle member (the first throttle member 81 or the second throttle member 82) in parallel with the control valve and pass directly through the control valve to achieve low flow resistance, thereby enabling the thermal management system to better adapt to extreme operating conditions such as high or low temperatures.

[0054] In some embodiments, the control valve includes a first control valve 91, which is connected in parallel with the second throttle 82. When the refrigerant flows between the first throttle 81 and the second heat exchanger 3, the refrigerant can flow in any of the following ways: 1. The first control valve 91 is closed, the second throttle 82 is opened, and the refrigerant all passes through the second throttle 82; 2. The second throttle 82 is closed, the first control valve 91 is opened, and the refrigerant all passes through the first control valve 91 to achieve low flow resistance; 3. The first control valve 91 and the second throttle 82 are both opened, a portion of the refrigerant passes through the second throttle 82, and the other portion of the refrigerant passes through the first control valve 91 to achieve low flow resistance. By adjusting the working states of the first control valve 91 and the second throttle 82, the thermal management system can be adapted to a variety of different operating conditions.

[0055] Furthermore, first control valve 91 is a one-way valve that flows from second heat exchanger 3 toward first heat exchanger 2. That is, in the first state, first control valve 91 is naturally open, and in the second state, first control valve 91 is naturally closed. This allows the thermal management system to significantly increase heating capacity and shorten heating time under low-temperature conditions, thereby achieving high-efficiency operation under low-temperature conditions and adapting to lower ambient temperatures. Furthermore, as first control valve 91 is a one-way valve, its operating state can be automatically changed, opening or closing it, simply by changing the flow direction of the refrigerant. This provides reliable adjustment and simple operation.

[0056] Specifically, when the refrigerant flows between the first throttle member 81 and the second heat exchanger 3: in the first state (i.e., the heating cycle), the refrigerant flows in the forward direction of the first control valve 91 (equivalent to the first control valve 91 being open), and part or all of the refrigerant can pass through the first control valve 91 to achieve low flow resistance; in the second state (i.e., the cooling cycle), the refrigerant flows in the reverse direction of the first control valve 91 (equivalent to the first control valve 91 being closed), and the refrigerant can only pass through the second throttle member 82. The thermal management system provided by the embodiments of the present application can effectively reduce the thermal management cost of energy storage equipment, improve heating energy efficiency, and shorten heating time.

[0057] In another embodiment, the control valve includes a second control valve 92 connected in parallel with the first throttle 81. When the refrigerant flows between the first heat exchanger 2 and the second throttle 82, the refrigerant can flow in any of the following ways: 1. The refrigerant passes entirely through the first throttle 81; 2. The refrigerant passes entirely through the second control valve 92; 3. A portion of the refrigerant passes through the first throttle 81, and another portion passes through the second control valve 92. By adjusting the operating state of the second control valve 92 and the first throttle 81, the thermal management system can adapt to a variety of different operating conditions.

[0058] Furthermore, the second control valve 92 is a one-way valve that flows from the first heat exchanger 2 to the second heat exchanger 3. That is, in the first state, the second control valve 92 is naturally closed, and in the second state, the second control valve 92 is naturally open, so that the thermal management system can significantly increase the cooling capacity under high-temperature conditions, thereby enabling the thermal management system to achieve high-efficiency operation under high-temperature conditions, and further enabling the thermal management system to adapt to higher ambient temperatures. In addition, high temperatures will also lead to an increase in system load, an increase in the frequency of the compressor 1, and an increase in the refrigerant flow rate. The use of a one-way valve to reduce flow resistance can better adapt to high-load conditions. In addition, the second control valve 92 is a one-way valve. By simply changing the flow direction of the refrigerant, the working state of the second control valve 92 can be automatically changed, and the second control valve 92 can be opened or closed. The adjustment is reliable and the operation is simple.

[0059] Specifically, when the refrigerant flows between the first heat exchanger 2 and the second throttling member 82: in the first state (i.e., the heating cycle), the refrigerant flows in the reverse direction of the second control valve 92 (equivalent to the second control valve 92 being closed), and the refrigerant can only pass through the first throttling member 81; in the second state (i.e., the refrigeration cycle), the refrigerant flows in the forward direction of the second control valve 92 (equivalent to the second control valve 92 being open), and part or all of the refrigerant can pass through the second control valve 92 to achieve low flow resistance. The thermal management system provided by the embodiment of the present application can be used in a wide range of conditions above ultra-high temperatures (50°C) to achieve high-temperature, high-refrigeration capacity, and high-efficiency operation.

[0060] Furthermore, when the thermal management system has a first state and a second state, the thermal management system further includes a reversing valve 93, which includes a first interface, a second interface, a third interface, and a fourth interface. The first interface is connected to the first heat exchanger 2, the second interface is connected to the intake side 11 of the compressor 1, the third interface is connected to the second heat exchanger 3, and the fourth interface is connected to the outlet side 12 of the compressor 1. The reversing valve 93 is used to switch between the first and second states, thereby improving operational convenience.

[0061] Specifically, in the first state, the first interface and the second interface are interconnected, and the first heat exchanger 2 is connected to the intake side 11 of the compressor 1 through the first interface and the second interface in sequence; the third interface and the fourth interface are interconnected, and the second heat exchanger 3 is connected to the outlet side 12 of the compressor 1 through the third interface and the second interface in sequence. In the second state, the first interface and the fourth interface are interconnected, and the first heat exchanger 2 is connected to the outlet side 12 of the compressor 1 through the first interface and the fourth interface in sequence; the second interface and the third interface are interconnected, and the second heat exchanger 3 is connected to the intake side 11 of the compressor 1 through the third interface and the second interface in sequence.

[0062] Furthermore, compressor 1 is a jet-assisted reheat compressor 1, which includes an air supply side 13 connected between first throttle 81 and second throttle 82. In the first state, the use of the jet-assisted reheat compressor 1 can improve heating efficiency and increase heat under low-temperature conditions, thereby increasing the flow rate of high-temperature refrigerant, increasing heating capacity, shortening heating time, and improving the efficiency of the energy storage device. In the second state, the use of the jet-assisted reheat compressor 1 can effectively reduce the refrigeration exhaust temperature under high-temperature conditions, improving the high-temperature broadband applicability of the unit, and achieving high-temperature, high-cooling-capacity, and high-efficiency operation.

[0063] Furthermore, the thermal management system includes a third heat exchanger 4 and a third throttle 83, which together form a jet reheat regenerator. The third heat exchanger 4 includes a first flow channel 41 and a second flow channel 42. The first flow channel 41 connects between the first throttle 81 and the second throttle 82, and the second flow channel 42 connects to the air supply side 13. This allows the refrigerant to enter the jet reheat compressor 1 from the air supply side 13 for recycling after exchanging heat with the first flow channel 42. This increases the superheat of the refrigerant entering the compressor 1 and protects the compressor 1 for a longer service life. The third throttle 83 connects between the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42, increasing the temperature difference between the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42, thereby better recycling the heat or cold in the refrigerant circuit and improving heating and cooling energy efficiency.

[0064] Furthermore, the thermal management system also includes a fourth heat exchanger 5, which is a conventional regenerator that uses a jet enthalpy increase regenerator and a conventional regenerator for dual heat exchange, further increasing the system's subcooling, reducing the dryness of the refrigerant entering the second heat exchanger 3, and improving the temperature uniformity of the equipment's heat exchange. Furthermore, it can also widen the unit's refrigeration temperature range, enabling the thermal management system to adapt to lower ambient temperatures. The fourth heat exchanger 5 includes a third flow channel 51 and a fourth flow channel 52. The third flow channel 51 is connected in series with the second throttle 82, and the fourth flow channel 52 is connected between the second heat exchanger 3 and the compressor 1, allowing the refrigerant to exchange heat between the third flow channel 51 and the fourth flow channel 52. The third flow channel 51 and the second throttle 82 are arranged in parallel with the control valve (i.e., the first control valve 91) to achieve low flow resistance in the heating mode, improve the subcooling in the cooling mode, and help improve the temperature uniformity of the second heat exchanger, achieving more effective and balanced battery thermal management.

[0065] Specifically, in the first state, the first control valve 91 is open, and the refrigerant bypasses the third flow channel 51 and the second throttle 82 and flows through the first control valve 91, achieving low flow resistance in the heating mode. In the second state, the first control valve 91 is closed, and the refrigerant bypasses the first control valve 91 and flows through the third flow channel 51 and the second throttle 82.

[0066] More specifically, in the second state, the refrigerant first passes through the jet reheating regenerator and then through the ordinary reheating regenerator. On the one hand, the jet reheating regenerator is throttled by the third throttle member 83, which makes the reheating effect more significant and can significantly increase the supercooling of the main refrigerant. Then, it passes through the ordinary reheating regenerator to achieve secondary heat recovery, which is beneficial to reducing the outlet superheat of the second heat exchanger 3. The refrigerant does not completely evaporate and gasify in the second heat exchanger 3, existing in a gas-liquid mixed state. The gas-liquid mixed state is conducive to filling each space in the second heat exchanger 3, achieving temperature uniformity in different areas of the second heat exchanger 3, and at the same time, it can also improve the suction superheat of the compressor 1 and prevent liquid hammer. On the other hand, the refrigerant pressure is stable by first passing through the jet reheating regenerator and then passing through the ordinary reheating regenerator, which is beneficial to the liquid separation of the liquid separation head 6, and is beneficial to the uniformity of the refrigerant distribution between the second heat exchangers 3, thereby reducing the temperature difference.

[0067] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Various modifications and variations are possible for those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A thermal management system, characterized in that: include: A compressor (1), the compressor (1) comprising an intake side (11) and an outlet side (12); A first heat exchanger (2) connected to one side of the compressor (1); A second heat exchanger (3) connected to the other side of the compressor (1); a first throttle member (81), the first throttle member (81) being connected between the first heat exchanger (2) and the second heat exchanger (3); a second throttle member (82), the second throttle member (82) being connected between the first throttle member (81) and the second heat exchanger (3); A control valve is provided in parallel with the first throttle member (81) and / or the second throttle member (82).

2. The thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that The control valve comprises a first control valve (91), the first control valve (91) being connected in parallel with the second throttling element (82), the first control valve (91) being a one-way valve for flowing along the second heat exchanger (3) toward the first heat exchanger (2); The thermal management system has a first state, in which the first heat exchanger (2) is connected to the air intake side (11), and the second heat exchanger (3) is connected to the air outlet side (12).

3. The thermal management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The control valve further comprises: a second control valve (92), the second control valve (92) being connected in parallel with the first throttling member (81); The thermal management system has a second state, in which the first heat exchanger (2) is connected to the outlet side (12) and the second heat exchanger (3) is connected to the intake side (11).

4. The thermal management system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second control valve (92) is a one-way valve for flowing along the direction from the first heat exchanger (2) to the second heat exchanger (3).

5. The thermal management system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The thermal management system further comprises a reversing valve (93), wherein the reversing valve (93) comprises a first interface (931), a second interface (932), a third interface (933), and a fourth interface (934); The first interface (931) is connected to the first heat exchanger (2), the second interface (932) is connected to the air intake side (11), the third interface (933) is connected to the second heat exchanger, (3) the fourth interface (934) is connected to the air outlet side (12); The thermal management system has a first state, in which the first interface (931) and the second interface (932) are in communication with each other, and the third interface (933) and the fourth interface (934) are in communication with each other; In the second state, the first interface (931) and the fourth interface (934) are in communication with each other, and the second interface (932) and the third interface (933) are in communication with each other.

6. The thermal management system according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4 and 5, characterized in that: The compressor (1) is a jet enthalpy increase compressor, and the jet enthalpy increase compressor includes an air supply side (13); The thermal management system comprises a third heat exchanger (4), the third heat exchanger (4) comprising a first flow channel portion (41) and a second flow channel portion (42), the first flow channel portion (41) being connected between the first throttling element (81) and the second throttling element (82), and the second flow channel portion (42) being connected to the air supply side (13); The thermal management system comprises a third throttling member (83), wherein the third throttling member (83) is connected between the first flow channel portion (41) and the second flow channel portion (42).

7. The thermal management system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The thermal management system further comprises a fourth heat exchanger (5), wherein the fourth heat exchanger (5) comprises a third flow channel portion (51) and a fourth flow channel portion (52); The third flow channel portion (51) is connected in series with the second throttling member (82), and the third flow channel portion (51), the second throttling member (82) and the control valve are arranged in parallel, and the fourth flow channel portion (52) is connected between the second heat exchanger (3) and the compressor (1).

8. The thermal management system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The number of the second heat exchangers (3) is at least two, and the second heat exchangers (3) are arranged in parallel with each other; The thermal management system further comprises a liquid separation head (6), wherein the liquid separation head (6) is connected between the second throttling element (82) and the second heat exchanger (3), and each liquid separation branch pipe of the liquid separation head (6) is respectively connected to each second heat exchanger (3).

9. The thermal management system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The thermal management system further comprises a liquid separation capillary (7), and the liquid separation capillary (7) is arranged between the liquid separation branch pipe and the second heat exchanger (3).

10. An energy storage device, characterized in that: It includes a thermal management system and an energy storage battery. The thermal management system includes: A compressor (1), the compressor (1) comprising an intake side (11) and an outlet side (12); A first heat exchanger (2) connected to one side of the compressor (1); A second heat exchanger (3) connected to the other side of the compressor (1); a first throttle member (81), the first throttle member (81) being connected between the first heat exchanger (2) and the second heat exchanger (3); a second throttle member (82), the second throttle member (82) being connected between the first throttle member (81) and the second heat exchanger (3); a control valve, the control valve being arranged in parallel with the first throttling member (81) or the second throttling member (82); The second heat exchanger (3) is configured to perform thermal management of the energy storage battery.

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