Thermal management system and energy storage system

Abstract

The utility model provides a thermal management system and an energy storage system. The thermal management system comprises a refrigerant flow path; the first flow path can exchange heat with the refrigerant flow path; the second flow path can exchange heat in a natural cooling mode; the first branch exchanges heat with the refrigerant flow path, and the first branch is connected with the second flow path; or the first branch is connected with the first flow path, and the first branch exchanges heat with the second flow path. It can be ensured that the second flow path works within the preset temperature range, and therefore the stability of the system is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of thermal management technology, and more particularly to a thermal management system and an energy storage system. Background Technology

[0002] Energy storage systems typically involve two thermal management components: the battery and the power conversion system (PCS). Because the PCS generates less heat and is more heat-resistant, in fully liquid-cooled units, compression cooling is generally used for the battery, while natural cooling is used for the PCS. However, with the iterative upgrades in energy storage system technology, the charging and discharging power and energy density of energy storage systems are increasing, leading to a significant increase in the heat generated by the PCS. Natural cooling is no longer sufficient to meet the demands. Utility Model Content

[0003] The first aspect of this application provides a thermal management system, which includes:

[0004] Refrigerant flow path;

[0005] The first flow path is capable of exchanging heat with the refrigerant flow path;

[0006] The second flow path can use natural cooling for heat exchange;

[0007] A first branch, which exchanges heat with the refrigerant flow path, and is connected to the second flow path; or...

[0008] The first branch is connected to the first flow path, and the first branch exchanges heat with the second flow path.

[0009] The technical solution provided in this application can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0010] The thermal management system provided in this application includes a refrigerant flow path, a first flow path, a second flow path, and a first branch path. The first flow path can exchange heat with the refrigerant flow path, resulting in a lower medium temperature in the first flow path. The second flow path can exchange heat using natural cooling, resulting in a higher medium temperature in the second flow path. The first branch path exchanges heat with the refrigerant flow path, resulting in a lower medium temperature in the first branch path. The first branch path is connected to the second flow path, thereby supplementing the second flow path with a lower-temperature heat exchange medium, thus lowering the medium temperature in the second flow path. Alternatively, the first branch path is connected to the first flow path, allowing a lower-temperature heat exchange medium from the first flow path to flow into the first branch path, where heat exchange occurs between the first branch path and the second flow path, thereby lowering the medium temperature in the second flow path. Therefore, the thermal management system provided in this application can supplement the second flow path with the cooling capacity of the refrigerant flow path or the first flow path through the first branch path, thereby ensuring that the second flow path operates within a preset temperature range.

[0011] A second aspect of this application provides an energy storage system comprising a battery and an energy storage converter, the energy storage system further comprising:

[0012] Refrigerant flow path;

[0013] The first flow path is capable of exchanging heat with the refrigerant flow path, and the first flow path performs thermal management on the battery;

[0014] The second flow path can use natural cooling for heat exchange and performs thermal management on the energy storage converter.

[0015] A first branch, which connects to the second flow path, exchanges heat with the refrigerant flow path; or...

[0016] The first branch is connected to the first flow path, and the first branch exchanges heat with the second flow path.

[0017] The technical solution provided in this application can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0018] The energy storage system provided in this application includes a battery, an energy storage converter, a refrigerant flow path, a first flow path, a second flow path, and a first branch. The first flow path can exchange heat with the refrigerant flow path, resulting in a lower medium temperature in the first flow path. The first flow path performs thermal management on the battery to ensure that the battery operates within a preset temperature range. The second flow path can exchange heat using natural cooling, resulting in a higher medium temperature in the second flow path. The second flow path performs thermal management on the energy storage converter. The first branch exchanges heat with the refrigerant flow path, resulting in a lower medium temperature in the first branch. The first branch connects to the second flow path, thereby supplementing the second flow path with a lower-temperature heat exchange medium, reducing the medium temperature of the second flow path, and ensuring that the energy storage converter operates within the preset temperature range. Alternatively, the first branch connects to the first flow path, allowing a lower-temperature heat exchange medium from the first flow path to flow into the first branch. The first branch exchanges heat with the second flow path, thereby reducing the medium temperature of the second flow path, and ensuring that the energy storage converter operates within the preset temperature range. Therefore, the thermal management system provided in this application can supplement the refrigerant flow path or the cooling capacity of the first flow path to the second flow path through the first branch, thereby reducing the medium temperature of the second flow path, ensuring that the energy storage converter operates within the preset temperature range, and improving the stability of the system.

[0019] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and do not limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a first thermal management system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a second thermal management system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a third thermal management system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a fourth thermal management system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0024] Figure label:

[0025] 1-Refrigerant flow path;

[0026] 11-Compressor;

[0027] 12-Condenser;

[0028] 13 - Throttling valve;

[0029] 2-First flow path;

[0030] 21-First heat exchange section;

[0031] 22-First water pump;

[0032] 3-Second flow path;

[0033] 31-Second heat exchange section;

[0034] 32-Dry cooler;

[0035] 33 - Second water pump;

[0036] 4-First branch road;

[0037] 41-Control valve;

[0038] 5-First heat exchanger;

[0039] 51-First flow channel section;

[0040] 52-Second flow channel section;

[0041] 53-Third flow channel section;

[0042] 6-Second heat exchanger;

[0043] 61-Fourth flow channel section;

[0044] 62-Fifth flow channel section.

[0045] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0046] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0047] In the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance; unless otherwise specified or explained, the term "multiple" refers to two or more; the terms "connected," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connected" can be 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. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0048] In the description of this specification, it should be understood that the directional terms such as "upper" and "lower" used in the embodiments of this application are used to describe the angles shown in the accompanying drawings and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, in the context, it should also be understood that when it is mentioned that an element is connected "upper" or "lower" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element "upper" or "lower," or indirectly connected to the other element "upper" or "lower" through an intermediate element.

[0049] like Figures 1-4 As shown in the illustration, this application provides a thermal management system including a refrigerant flow path 1, a first flow path 2, and a second flow path 3. The refrigerant flow path 1 includes a compressor 11, a condenser 12, a throttling valve 13, and an evaporator, etc., and is used to provide cooling capacity. The compressor provides the power for the refrigerant flow path 1 to circulate. The first flow path 2 can exchange heat with the refrigerant flow path 1, resulting in a lower medium temperature in the first flow path 2, thus enabling the equipment in the first flow path 2 to operate normally in high-temperature environments. The second flow path 3 can use natural cooling for heat exchange; that is, the medium temperature in the second flow path 3 is higher than that in the first flow path 2, thereby reducing system energy consumption.

[0050] Specifically, refrigerant flow path 1, first flow path 2, and second flow path 3 may each be equipped with at least one temperature sensor and at least one pressure sensor to detect the temperature and pressure states of each flow path. First flow path 2 may be equipped with at least one water pump, such as a first water pump 22, to ensure the heat exchange medium in first flow path 2 flows in the desired direction. Similarly, second flow path 3 may be equipped with at least one water pump, such as a second water pump 33, to ensure the heat exchange medium in second flow path 3 flows in the desired direction.

[0051] The first flow path 2 includes a first heat exchange section 21, which can be, for example, a battery or other device with high heat dissipation requirements. Thermal management of the first heat exchange section 21 is performed through the first flow path 2 to ensure that it remains within a preset temperature range. The second flow path 3 includes a second heat exchange section 31, which can be, for example, an energy storage converter or other device with lower heat dissipation requirements. Thermal management of the second heat exchange section 31 is performed through the second flow path 3 to ensure that it remains within a preset temperature range.

[0052] Furthermore, the thermal management system includes a first heat exchanger 5, which can serve as the evaporator for the refrigerant flow path 1. The first heat exchanger 5 can be a plate heat exchanger or a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, etc., and includes a first flow channel section 51 and a second flow channel section 52. The first flow channel section 51 is connected in series with the refrigerant flow path 1, and the second flow channel section 52 is connected in series with the first flow path 2. The second flow channel section 52 exchanges heat with the first flow channel section 51 inside the first heat exchanger 5, thereby allowing the first flow path 2 to exchange heat with the refrigerant flow path 1 and reducing the temperature of the medium in the first flow path 2. The second flow path 3 includes an air-cooled radiator such as a dry cooler 32, which exchanges heat with the outside air, reducing the temperature of the medium in the second flow path 3 and improving the heat exchange effect of the second flow path 3.

[0053] Furthermore, the thermal management system provided in this application embodiment also includes a first branch 4, which is used to supplement the cooling capacity of the refrigerant flow path 1 or the first flow path 2 to the second flow path 3, reduce the medium temperature of the second flow path 3, improve the heat exchange effect of the second flow path 3, thereby ensuring that the second heat exchange section 31 operates within a preset temperature range, extending the service life of the second heat exchange section 31, and improving the stability of system operation.

[0054] Furthermore, the first branch 4 is equipped with a control valve 41 (e.g., a solenoid valve or other valve), and the thermal management system has a first state and a second state. In the first state, the control valve 41 is closed; in the second state, the control valve 41 is open. By adjusting the flow state of the first branch 4 through the control valve 41, the operating state of the thermal management system is switched, thereby adjusting the medium temperature of the second flow path 3 as needed to avoid excessive system energy consumption.

[0055] Specifically, the activation of the first branch 4 is determined by detecting the temperature of the heat exchange medium. When the ambient temperature is low or the load on the second heat exchange section 31 is low, resulting in a low temperature of the heat exchange medium, the thermal management system operates in the first state. In the first state, the control valve 41 is closed, the first branch 4 is not flowing, and the second flow path 3 exchanges heat through natural cooling to save system energy. When the ambient temperature is high or the load on the second heat exchange section 31 is high, resulting in an excessively high temperature of the heat exchange medium, the thermal management system operates in the second state. In the second state, the control valve 41 is open, the first branch 4 flows normally, and in addition to natural cooling, the first branch 4 also supplements the cooling of the second flow path 3, thereby preventing the operating temperature of the second heat exchange section 3 from becoming too high, extending the service life of the second heat exchange section 3, and improving the stability of system operation.

[0056] like Figure 1As shown, in some embodiments, the first branch 4 exchanges heat with the refrigerant flow path 1, and the first branch 4 is connected to the second flow path 3. The heat exchange between the first branch 4 and the refrigerant flow path 1 results in a lower medium temperature in the first branch 4; the connection of the first branch 4 to the second flow path 3 allows the lower-temperature heat exchange medium to be added to the second flow path 3, thereby reducing the medium temperature in the second flow path 3 and improving the heat exchange effect of the second flow path 3.

[0057] Furthermore, the first heat exchanger 5 also includes a third flow channel section 53, which is connected in series with the first branch 4. The third flow channel section 53 exchanges heat with the first flow channel section 51 inside the first heat exchanger 5, thereby enabling the first branch 4 to exchange heat with the refrigerant flow path 1. In other words, the first heat exchanger 5 is a three-flow channel heat exchanger, with the refrigerant flow path 1, the first flow path 2, and the first branch 4 respectively connected to the three flow channel sections of the first heat exchanger 5. Both the first flow path 2 and the first branch 4 exchange heat with the refrigerant flow path 1 through the first heat exchanger 5, eliminating the need for a separate heat exchanger between the first branch 4 and the refrigerant flow path 1. This reduces the number of heat exchangers in the thermal management system and simplifies the overall structure of the thermal management system.

[0058] Furthermore, the first branch 4 is connected in parallel with the dry cooler 32, and the first branch 4 and the dry cooler 32 are connected in series with the second heat exchange section 31. That is to say, only a portion of the heat exchange medium in the second flow path 3 flows into the first branch 4 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant circuit, so that both the first branch 4 and the dry cooler 32 have high heat exchange efficiency, thereby more effectively reducing the medium temperature in the second flow path 3.

[0059] Specifically, the second water pump 33 is connected in series with the second heat exchange section 31. After heat exchange in the second heat exchange section 31, a high-temperature medium is formed. This high-temperature medium flows into the first branch 4 and the dry cooler 32 for heat exchange, ensuring that both the heat exchange medium flowing into the first branch 4 and the heat exchange medium flowing into the dry cooler 32 maintain a high temperature. Furthermore, the flow rates of the medium flowing into the first branch 4 and the dry cooler 32 are relatively small, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of both the first branch 4 and the dry cooler 32. After heat exchange in the first branch 4 and the dry cooler 32, the low-temperature medium formed by the two flows together into the second heat exchange section 31, ensuring that the second heat exchange section 31 receives sufficient cooling capacity and better reduces its temperature.

[0060] like Figures 2-4 As shown, in some embodiments, the first branch 4 is connected to the first flow path 2, and the first branch 4 exchanges heat with the second flow path 3. The connection of the first branch 4 to the first flow path 2 allows the heat exchange medium with a lower temperature in the first flow path 2 to flow into the first branch 4, thereby reducing the temperature of the medium in the first branch 4. The heat exchange between the first branch 4 and the second flow path 3 can reduce the temperature of the medium in the second flow path 3 and improve the heat exchange effect of the second flow path 3.

[0061] Furthermore, the thermal management system includes a second heat exchanger 6, which can be a plate heat exchanger or a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, etc. The second heat exchanger 6 includes a fourth flow channel section 61 and a fifth flow channel section 62. The fourth flow channel section 61 is connected to the second flow path 3, and the fifth flow channel section 62 is connected in series with the first branch path 4. The fifth flow channel section 62 and the fourth flow channel section 61 exchange heat inside the second heat exchanger 6, thereby enabling the first branch path 4 to exchange heat with the second flow path 3 and reducing the temperature of the medium in the second flow path 3.

[0062] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the fourth flow channel 61 and the dry cooler 32 are arranged in parallel. The parallel fourth flow channel 61 and the dry cooler 32 are connected in series with the second heat exchange section 31. That is, only a portion of the heat exchange medium in the second flow path 3 flows into the fourth flow channel 61 and exchanges heat with the first branch 4, so that both the fourth flow channel 61 and the dry cooler 32 have high heat exchange efficiency, thereby more effectively reducing the medium temperature in the second flow path 3.

[0063] Specifically, the second water pump 33 is connected in series with the second heat exchange section 31. After heat exchange in the second heat exchange section 31, a high-temperature medium is formed. This high-temperature medium flows into the fourth flow channel section 61 and the dry cooler 32 for heat exchange, ensuring that both the heat exchange medium flowing into the fourth flow channel section 61 and the heat exchange medium flowing into the dry cooler 32 maintain a high temperature. Furthermore, the flow rates of the medium flowing into the fourth flow channel section 61 and the dry cooler 32 are relatively small, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of both the fourth flow channel section 61 and the dry cooler 32. After heat exchange in the fourth flow channel section 61 and the dry cooler 32, the low-temperature medium formed by the two flow channels flows into the second heat exchange section 31 together, ensuring that the second heat exchange section 31 receives sufficient cooling capacity and better reduces its temperature.

[0064] like Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the fourth flow channel 61 is connected in series with the second flow path 3. That is, all the heat exchange medium in the second flow path 3 flows into the fourth flow channel 61 and exchanges heat with the first branch 4 to better utilize the cooling capacity of the first branch 4, thereby preventing the temperature of the second heat exchange section 31 from becoming too high.

[0065] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the first branch 4 and the second flow channel 52 are connected in parallel, and the first branch 4 and the second flow channel 52 are connected in series with the first heat exchange section 21. That is, only a portion of the heat exchange medium in the first flow channel 2 flows into the second flow channel 52 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant circuit, so as to avoid the refrigerant flow channel 1 being overloaded and affecting the normal operation of the thermal management system.

[0066] Specifically, the first water pump 22 is connected in series with the first heat exchange section 21. After the first heat exchange section 21 completes heat exchange, a portion of the heat exchange medium flows into the first branch 4 and exchanges heat with the second flow path 3 to avoid the second flow path 3 consuming too much cooling capacity, which would increase the load on the refrigerant flow path 1; the other portion of the heat exchange medium flows directly into the second flow channel section 52 for cooling, which can prevent the medium temperature entering the second flow channel section 52 from being too high, which would increase the load on the refrigerant flow path 1.

[0067] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the first branch 4 and the first heat exchange section 21 are connected in parallel, and the first branch 4 and the first heat exchange section 21 are connected in series with the second flow channel section 52. That is, all the heat exchange medium of the first flow path 2 flows into the second flow channel section 52 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant circuit to better utilize the cooling capacity of the refrigerant circuit, thereby preventing the medium temperature of the thermal management system from being too high.

[0068] Specifically, the first water pump 22 and the second flow channel 52 are connected in series. After exchanging heat with the refrigerant flow path 1, the second flow channel 52 forms a low-temperature medium. A portion of the low-temperature medium flows directly into the first branch 4 and exchanges heat with the second flow path 3, thereby improving the heat exchange effect of the second flow path 3. The other portion of the low-temperature medium flows directly into the first heat exchange section 21 for heat exchange, so as to ensure that the first heat exchange section 21 is within a preset temperature range.

[0069] In addition, this application embodiment also provides an energy storage system, a battery, an energy storage converter, and any of the thermal management systems provided in this application embodiment. The first flow path 2 performs thermal management on the battery, meaning the first heat exchange section 21 is the battery, to ensure the battery operates within a preset temperature range; the second flow path 3 performs thermal management on the energy storage converter, meaning the second heat exchange section 31 is the energy storage converter, to ensure the energy storage converter operates within a preset temperature range.

[0070] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A thermal management system, characterized by, The heat management system comprises a first heat exchanger (5), the first heat exchanger (5) comprises a first flow passage part (51), a second flow passage part (52) and a third flow passage part (53); The first flow passage part (51) is connected in series to the refrigerant flow path (1), the second flow passage part (52) is connected in series to the first flow path (2), and the third flow passage part (53) is connected in series to the first branch (4) connected to the second flow path (3). The second flow path (3) comprises a dry cooler (32), and the first branch (4) is arranged in parallel with the dry cooler (32). The heat management system comprises a first heat exchanger (5), the first heat exchanger (5) comprises a first flow passage part (51) and a second flow passage part (52); The first flow passage part (51) is connected in series to the refrigerant flow path (1), and the second flow passage part (52) is connected in series to the first flow path (2); The first branch (4) is connected to the first flow path (2), and the first branch (4) is arranged in parallel with the second flow passage part (52).

2. The thermal management system of claim 1, wherein, The first flow path (2) comprises a first heat exchange part (21); The first branch (4) is connected to the first flow path (2), and the first branch (4) is arranged in parallel with the first heat exchange part (21).

3. The thermal management system of claim 2, wherein, The heat management system comprises a second heat exchanger (6), the second heat exchanger (6) comprises a fourth flow passage part (61) and a fifth flow passage part (62); 4. The thermal management system of claim 1, wherein, The fourth flow passage part (61) is connected to the second flow path (3), and the fifth flow passage part (62) is connected in series to the first branch (4). The fourth flow passage part (61) is connected in series to the second flow path (3). The second flow path (3) comprises a dry cooler (32) and a second heat exchange part (31), the fourth flow passage part (61) is arranged in parallel with the dry cooler (32), and the fourth flow passage part (61) and the dry cooler (32) arranged in parallel are connected in series to the second heat exchange part (31).

5. The thermal management system of claim 1, wherein, The first branch (4) is provided with a control valve (41), and the heat management system has a first state and a second state; In the first state, the control valve (41) is closed; 6. The thermal management system of claim 4 or 5, wherein, In the second state, the control valve (41) is opened. The battery and the energy storage converter are included, and the energy storage system further comprises:

7. The thermal management system of claim 6, wherein, A refrigerant flow path (1); 8. The thermal management system of claim 6, wherein, A first flow path (2) capable of exchanging heat with the refrigerant flow path (1), the first flow path (2) for heat management of the battery; 9. The thermal management system of any of claims 1-5, wherein, A first flow path (2) capable of exchanging heat with the refrigerant flow path (1), the first flow path (2) for heat management of the battery; ​ ​ 10. An energy storage system characterized by, ​ ​ ​ A second flow path (3) capable of heat exchange in a natural cooling mode, the second flow path (3) performing thermal management on the energy storage converter; A first branch (4) connected to the second flow path (3), the first branch (4) performing heat exchange with the refrigerant flow path (1); or The first branch (4) is connected to the first flow path (2), and the first branch (4) exchanges heat with the second flow path (3).

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