Distributed liquid cooling energy storage system

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides a distributed liquid cooling energy storage system, and relates to the technical field of energy storage. The distributed liquid cooling energy storage system comprises a plurality of heat management units, a plurality of battery clusters, a liquid supply main pipeline and a liquid return main pipeline, each heat management unit in the plurality of heat management units is used for outputting a first cooling medium to the liquid supply main pipeline and receiving the first cooling medium output by the liquid return main pipeline, and the first cooling medium is used for exchanging heat with the plurality of battery clusters. An evaporator or a condenser in the heat management unit is used for receiving the first cooling medium and exchanging heat with the first cooling medium through the second cooling medium. The distributed liquid cooling energy storage system further comprises a driver, an electric heater, a filter and an expansion water tank. The multiple heat management units and the multiple battery clusters share at least one of the driver, the electric heater, the filter and the expansion water tank. According to the embodiment of the invention, the structure of the thermal management unit can be simplified, the failure rate of the thermal management unit is reduced, and the reliability and maintenance convenience of the thermal management unit are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of this application provide a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system, which relates to the technical field of energy storage. Background Technology

[0002] Distributed liquid-cooled energy storage systems include thermal management units and battery clusters. The thermal management units can exchange heat with the battery clusters, ensuring that the temperature of the battery clusters remains within a suitable range.

[0003] Typically, thermal management units have a high failure rate, poor reliability, and are difficult to maintain. Utility Model Content

[0004] The embodiments of this application provide a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system that can reduce the failure rate of thermal management units and improve the reliability and ease of maintenance of thermal management units.

[0005] On one hand, embodiments of this application provide a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system includes multiple thermal management units, multiple battery clusters, a main supply pipeline, and a main return pipeline. Each of the multiple thermal management units outputs a first cooling medium to the main supply pipeline and receives the first cooling medium output from the main return pipeline. The first cooling medium is used for heat exchange with the multiple battery clusters, and each battery cluster includes multiple battery packs connected in series. Any one of the multiple thermal management units is used to heat or cool a second cooling medium via a compressor, condenser, and evaporator within the thermal management unit. The evaporator or condenser receives the first cooling medium and exchanges heat with it via the second cooling medium. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system also includes a driver, an electric heater, a filter, and an expansion tank. The driver drives the flow of the first cooling medium, the electric heater heats the first cooling medium, the filter filters the first cooling medium, and the expansion tank contains the first cooling medium. The multiple thermal management units and the multiple battery clusters share at least one of the driver, electric heater, filter, and expansion tank.

[0006] In the embodiments of this application, multiple thermal management units and multiple battery clusters share at least one of a driver, an electric heater, a filter, and an expansion tank, thereby eliminating the need to separately install shared devices for multiple thermal management units and multiple battery clusters in each thermal management unit.

[0007] For example, when multiple thermal management units and multiple battery clusters share a drive, it is not necessary to install a separate drive in each thermal management unit. Similarly, when multiple thermal management units and multiple battery clusters share an electric heater, it is not necessary to install a separate electric heater in each thermal management unit. Likewise, when multiple thermal management units and multiple battery clusters share a filter, it is not necessary to install a separate filter in each thermal management unit. Finally, when multiple thermal management units and multiple battery clusters share an expansion tank, it is not necessary to install a separate expansion tank in each thermal management unit.

[0008] This reduces the number of components in the thermal management unit, simplifies the structure of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system, lowers the failure rate of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system, and improves the reliability of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system.

[0009] Furthermore, reducing the number of components in the thermal management unit increases maintenance space, reduces maintenance difficulty, and improves the ease of maintenance of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system. In addition, reducing the number of components in the thermal management unit can also reduce the flow resistance of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system, lower its power consumption, and improve its heat exchange efficiency.

[0010] In some possible implementations, multiple thermal management units and multiple battery clusters share a driver, which is located on the main supply or return pipeline. This configuration eliminates the need for a separate driver in each thermal management unit, simplifying the unit's structure. Furthermore, it resolves the issue of uneven flow caused by asynchronous drivers across different thermal management units, improving flow uniformity between units and reducing the risk of flow turbulence within the main pipelines (supply and return pipelines).

[0011] In some possible implementations, any one of the multiple thermal management units includes a first liquid supply interface, a second liquid supply interface, a first liquid return interface, and a second liquid return interface. The main liquid supply pipeline includes a first main liquid supply pipeline and a second main liquid supply pipeline, the first main liquid supply pipeline being connected to the first liquid supply interface, and the second main liquid supply pipeline being connected to the second liquid supply interface. The main liquid return pipeline includes a first main liquid return pipeline and a second main liquid return pipeline, the first main liquid return pipeline being connected to the first liquid return interface, and the second main liquid return pipeline being connected to the second liquid return interface. Any battery pack includes a first battery pack interface and a second battery pack interface, the first battery pack interface being connected to the first main liquid supply pipeline, and the second battery pack interface being connected to the first main liquid return pipeline. Each of the multiple battery clusters includes a power converter for controlling the power conversion of the multiple battery packs, any one of the power converters including a first power converter interface and a second power converter interface, the first power converter interface being connected to the second main liquid supply pipeline, and the second power converter interface being connected to the second main liquid return pipeline. The actuator includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator is disposed on a first supply main pipe or a first return main pipe, and the second actuator is disposed on a second supply main pipe or a second return main pipe. Understandably, the first actuator is capable of driving the flow of the first cooling medium and exchanging heat with the battery pack, and the second actuator is capable of driving the flow of the first cooling medium and exchanging heat with the power converter. This arrangement can reduce the mutual influence between the first cooling medium circulating between the thermal management unit and the battery pack, and between the first cooling medium circulating between the thermal management unit and the power converter.

[0012] In some possible implementations, multiple thermal management units and multiple battery clusters share an electric heater, which is located on the first main liquid supply pipeline. Understandably, by placing the electric heater on the first main liquid supply pipeline, in low ambient temperatures, the heater can be controlled to heat the first cooling medium, allowing the heated medium to exchange heat with the battery pack, thereby heating the battery pack. Sharing an electric heater among multiple thermal management units and multiple battery clusters solves the problem of over-distribution temperature of the electric heater in distributed liquid-cooled energy storage systems, reducing the cost of distributed liquid-cooled energy storage systems.

[0013] In some possible implementations, multiple thermal management units and multiple battery clusters share a filter, which is installed on the main return line. This arrangement allows multiple thermal management units and multiple battery clusters to share a filter, eliminating the need for a separate filter in each thermal management unit and simplifying the structure of the thermal management unit.

[0014] In some possible implementations, the filters include a first filter and a second filter, with the first filter disposed on the first return main pipe and the second filter disposed on the second return main pipe. Understandably, the first filter filters the first cooling medium that exchanges heat with the battery pack, and the second filter filters the first cooling medium that exchanges heat with the power converter, reducing the risk of pipe blockage caused by impurities in the first cooling medium.

[0015] In some possible implementations, any one of the multiple thermal management units also includes a radiator and a multi-way valve. The radiator is used to dissipate heat to the first cooling medium via a fan. The multi-way valve includes a first valve port, a second valve port, a third valve port, a fourth valve port, a fifth valve port, a sixth valve port, a seventh valve port, and an eighth valve port, with any two of these valve ports connected. The radiator is connected to the first and fourth valve ports, the evaporator is connected to the third and eighth valve ports, the condenser is connected to the fifth valve port and the second return liquid interface, the first liquid supply interface is connected to the second valve port, the first return liquid interface is connected to the seventh valve port, and the second liquid supply interface is connected to the sixth valve port. Understandably, the multi-way valve can selectively connect different valve ports according to different operating conditions, thereby allowing different connection relationships between the evaporator, condenser, radiator, and battery cluster, enabling the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system to have different temperature control modes.

[0016] In some possible implementations, the multi-port valve is used to: connect the first and sixth valve ports, the second and third valve ports, the fourth and fifth valve ports, and the seventh and eighth valve ports when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to a first temperature, thereby activating the electric heater to heat the first cooling medium. Understandably, by using the electric heater to heat the first cooling medium when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first temperature, temperature control is achieved, improving the reliability of the thermal management unit when heating the battery clusters.

[0017] In some possible implementations, the multi-port valve is used to: connect the first and eighth valve ports, the second and fifth valve ports, the third and fourth valve ports, and the sixth and seventh valve ports when the ambient temperature is higher than a first temperature. This allows the evaporator, condenser, and compressor to operate, and the condenser to exchange heat with the first cooling medium. This configuration enables the condenser to heat the battery cluster, ensuring that the battery cluster temperature remains within a suitable range.

[0018] In some possible implementations, the multi-port valve is used to: connect the first and eighth valve ports, the second and fifth valve ports, the third and fourth valve ports, and the sixth and seventh valve ports when the ambient temperature is higher than a first temperature. This allows the evaporator, condenser, and compressor to operate, with the condenser exchanging heat with the first cooling medium, and the electric heater operating to heat the first cooling medium. This configuration enables the condenser and electric heater to jointly heat the battery clusters, improving the heating speed of the battery clusters by the thermal management unit.

[0019] In some possible implementations, the multi-port valve is used to: connect the first and eighth valve ports, the second and fifth valve ports, the third and fourth valve ports, and the sixth and seventh valve ports when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to a second temperature. This puts the evaporator, condenser, and compressor in standby mode, and the electric heater in standby mode. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature. This configuration allows the battery pack to recover waste heat from the power converter without needing to turn on the condenser or electric heater to heat the battery pack, thus reducing the power consumption of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system.

[0020] In some possible implementations, the multi-port valve is used to connect the first and sixth valve ports, the second and third valve ports, the fourth and fifth valve ports, and the seventh and eighth valve ports when the ambient temperature is higher than a second temperature but lower than a third temperature, thereby facilitating heat exchange between the radiator and the power converter. This configuration allows the radiator to dissipate heat from the power converter, reducing the risk of overheating causing the power converter to malfunction.

[0021] In some possible implementations, the multi-port valve is used to: connect the first and eighth valve ports, the second and third valve ports, the fourth and fifth valve ports, and the sixth and seventh valve ports when the ambient temperature is higher than a second temperature but lower than a third temperature, thereby facilitating heat exchange between the radiator and the battery pack. This configuration allows the radiator to dissipate heat from the battery pack (battery module and power converter), reducing the risk of overheating causing the battery pack to malfunction.

[0022] In some possible implementations, the multi-port valve is used to: connect the first and sixth valve ports, the second and third valve ports, the fourth and fifth valve ports, and the seventh and eighth valve ports when the ambient temperature is greater than or equal to a third temperature and the battery pack cell temperature is greater than a set temperature. This activates the evaporator, condenser, and compressor, enabling heat exchange between the evaporator and the battery pack. Understandably, the multi-port valve connects the evaporator to the battery pack, allowing the evaporator to dissipate heat for the battery pack and reducing the risk of overheating of the battery pack cells. Furthermore, the multi-port valve connects the radiator to the power converter, allowing the radiator to dissipate heat for the power converter and reducing the risk of overheating of the power converter.

[0023] In some possible implementations, multiple thermal management units and multiple battery clusters share an expansion tank, which is located on the main supply line or the main return line. Understandably, the expansion tank's location on the main supply line or the main return line allows multiple thermal management units and multiple battery clusters to share the expansion tank, eliminating the need for a separate expansion tank in each thermal management unit and simplifying the unit's structure.

[0024] In some possible implementations, the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system further includes a first controller and a second controller. The first controller is coupled to multiple thermal management units for controlling these units. The second controller is coupled to at least one of the shared components—a driver, electric heater, filter, and expansion tank—shared by the multiple thermal management units and multiple battery clusters, for controlling at least one of these components. Understandably, the first controller can control the operating states of the evaporator, condenser, radiator, compressor, and throttle valve based on the ambient temperature, and control the opening and closing of different valve ports of the multi-way valve based on the ambient temperature, enabling the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system to have different temperature control modes. The second controller can control the shared components of the multiple thermal management units and multiple battery clusters, avoiding the risk of control conflicts that could arise from multiple first controllers controlling the shared components of multiple thermal management units and multiple battery clusters.

[0025] In some possible implementations, multiple thermal management units and multiple battery clusters share a common driver, with a second controller coupled to the driver. This configuration allows the driver to be decoupled from the first controller, while the second controller is coupled to the driver, enabling the second controller to control the flow rate of the driver. This solves the problem of asynchronous drivers among different thermal management units, which leads to uneven flow rates. It improves the flow uniformity among different thermal management units, reduces the risk of flow turbulence within the manifold, and improves the control response speed of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1Schematic block diagrams of the structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0027] Figure 2 This application provides schematic block diagrams of distributed liquid-cooled energy storage systems under certain possible conditions.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the thermal management unit and the battery pack provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0029] Figure 4 Schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the thermal management unit and the battery pack for other embodiments of this application;

[0030] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the thermal management unit and the battery pack provided for some embodiments of this application;

[0031] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the thermal management unit and the battery pack provided for some embodiments of this application;

[0032] Figure 7 Schematic block diagrams of distributed liquid-cooled energy storage systems provided for other embodiments of this application;

[0033] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the thermal management unit and the battery pack provided for some embodiments of this application;

[0034] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system under a temperature control mode provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0035] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system under a temperature control mode, provided for other embodiments of this application;

[0036] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system under a temperature control mode, provided for some embodiments of this application;

[0037] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system under a temperature control mode, provided for some embodiments of this application;

[0038] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system under a temperature control mode, provided for some embodiments of this application;

[0039] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of the structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system under a temperature control mode, provided for some embodiments of this application;

[0040] Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system under a temperature control mode, provided for some embodiments of this application;

[0041] Figure 16 A schematic block diagram of the control structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system under some possible conditions;

[0042] Figure 17 A schematic block diagram of the control structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system provided in some embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The technical solutions in some embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments provided in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art are within the protection scope of this application.

[0044] Unless the context otherwise requires, throughout the specification and claims, the term "comprising" is interpreted as open and encompassing, that is, "including, but not limited to".

[0045] In the description of this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "exemplary embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic associated with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. The illustrative representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics mentioned may be included in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0046] Hereinafter, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0047] "At least one of A, B and C" has the same meaning as "at least one of A, B or C", both including the following combinations of A, B and C: only A, only B, only C, combinations of A and B, combinations of A and C, combinations of B and C, and combinations of A, B and C.

[0048] Figure 1 The diagram shows a schematic block diagram of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system provided in some embodiments of this application. Figure 2The following are schematic block diagrams illustrating the structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system under some possible scenarios in this application. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, some embodiments of this application provide a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 may include multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120.

[0049] For example, multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 are connected, and a first cooling medium can flow between the multiple thermal management units 110 and the multiple battery clusters 120, enabling the multiple thermal management units 110 to exchange heat with the multiple battery clusters 120. The first cooling medium can be water, or it can be other heat-conducting media.

[0050] The number of thermal management units 110 can be two, three, or four, and the number of battery clusters 120 can be two, three, or four. The number of thermal management units 110 and battery clusters 120 can be the same or different. The embodiments of this application do not further limit the number of thermal management units 110 and battery clusters 120.

[0051] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some examples, each of the multiple battery clusters 120 includes multiple battery packs 121 connected in series. Understandably, the battery packs 121 are capable of converting electrical energy into chemical energy for storage and converting chemical energy into electrical energy to power an external load. The battery packs 121 may include lead-acid batteries or lithium batteries.

[0052] The battery cluster 120 may contain two, three, or more battery packs 121. The embodiments of this application do not further limit the number of battery packs 121 contained in the battery cluster 120. The multiple battery packs 121 can be of the same type or different types. Connecting multiple battery packs 121 in series in the battery cluster 120 can improve the load-carrying capacity of the battery cluster 120.

[0053] Understandably, the capacity of the cells (not shown in the figure) in battery pack 121 will rapidly decrease when they are exposed to high or low temperatures for a long time, which will shorten the life of battery pack 121 and also cause battery current limiting.

[0054] For example, in high ambient temperatures, the thermal management unit 110 can dissipate heat from the battery cluster 120 to reduce its temperature. Furthermore, the battery pack 121 releases a significant amount of heat during charging and discharging; in this case, the thermal management unit 110 can also dissipate heat from the battery cluster 120, reducing the risk of heat accumulation leading to thermal runaway in the battery pack 121.

[0055] When the ambient temperature is low, the thermal management unit 110 can heat the battery cluster 120 to raise its temperature. Understandably, the thermal management unit 110 is configured to exchange heat with the battery cluster 120 so that the temperature of the battery cluster 120 remains within a suitable temperature range.

[0056] In some examples, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, each of the multiple battery clusters 120 includes a power conversion system (PCS) 122 for controlling the power conversion of the multiple battery packs 121. For example, the power converter 122 can convert external AC power into DC power to charge the battery packs 121, and can convert the DC power output from the battery packs 121 into AC power to supply power to external loads. Understandably, multiple thermal management units 110 can exchange heat with the power converters 122 in the multiple battery clusters 120.

[0057] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some examples, the thermal management unit 110 may include a main supply line 101 and a main return line 102. Each of the plurality of thermal management units 110 outputs a first cooling medium to the main supply line 101 and receives a first cooling medium output from the main return line, the first cooling medium being used for heat exchange with the plurality of battery clusters 120.

[0058] The main cooling pipe 101 can be connected to multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120, so that each of the multiple thermal management units 110 can output a first cooling medium to the main cooling pipe 101, and the first cooling medium in the main cooling pipe 101 can flow into the multiple battery clusters 120.

[0059] The return main pipe 102 is connected to multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120, so that the first cooling medium in the multiple battery clusters 120 can flow into the return main pipe 102, and each of the multiple thermal management units 110 can receive the first cooling medium output from the return main pipe 102.

[0060] In this way, the first cooling medium can circulate between the multiple heat management units 110 and the multiple battery clusters 120, thereby enabling the multiple heat pipe units 110 to exchange heat with the multiple battery clusters 120 through the first cooling medium.

[0061] In some examples, such as Figure 2As shown, any one of the multiple thermal management units 110 is used to heat or cool the second cooling medium through the compressor 119, condenser 112 and evaporator 111 in the thermal management unit 110. The evaporator 111 or the condenser 112 is used to receive the first cooling medium and exchange heat with the first cooling medium through the second cooling medium.

[0062] Evaporator 111 can be a plate heat exchanger, or it can be another type of heat exchanger. Condenser 112 can be a plate heat exchanger, or it can be another type of heat exchanger.

[0063] The second cooling medium can be Freon, or it can include other chemical components. The second cooling medium can circulate between the compressor 119, the evaporator 111, and the condenser 112.

[0064] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, compressor 119 can draw in low-temperature, low-pressure vaporous second cooling medium from evaporator 111, compress it into high-temperature, high-pressure vaporous second cooling medium, and then send it into condenser 112. After entering condenser 112, the high-temperature, high-pressure vaporous second cooling medium condenses and releases heat within condenser 112. The excess heat is dissipated through the heat dissipation effect of condenser 112, thereby cooling it into a liquid second cooling medium at room temperature and pressure.

[0065] like Figure 2 As shown, the thermal management unit 110 may also include a throttling valve 118, which is connected between the condenser 112 and the evaporator 111. The liquid second cooling medium cooled by the condenser 112 flows through the throttling valve 118, achieving throttling and pressure reduction, and transforming into a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid second cooling medium, creating favorable conditions for the subsequent evaporation process.

[0066] The low-temperature, low-pressure liquid secondary cooling medium enters the evaporator 111 and rapidly evaporates into a gaseous secondary cooling medium, absorbing heat from the environment. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the thermal management unit 110 may further include a gas-liquid separator 132, which is connected between the evaporator 111 and the compressor 119. The gas-liquid separator 132 can separate the gaseous second cooling medium and the liquid second cooling medium to reduce the risk of the liquid second cooling medium flowing into the compressor 119 and causing damage to the compressor 119.

[0067] In other words, the second cooling medium can absorb heat in the evaporator 111 and release heat in the condenser 112. When it is necessary to cool the first cooling medium, the evaporator 111 can receive the first cooling medium and exchange heat with it through the second cooling medium, thereby lowering the temperature of the first cooling medium. When it is necessary to heat the first cooling medium, the condenser 112 can receive the first cooling medium and exchange heat with it through the second cooling medium, thereby raising the temperature of the first cooling medium.

[0068] In some possible implementations, such as Figure 2 As shown, any one of the multiple thermal management units 110 further includes a drive 115, an electric heater (positive temperature coefficient, PTC) 114, a filter 131, and an expansion tank 116.

[0069] The actuator 115 is used to drive the flow of the first cooling medium. For example, the actuator 115 can be a water pump. The actuator 115 can be selected according to the requirements of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100. Figure 2 As shown, the driver 115 may include a first driver 1151 and a second driver 1152. The first driver 1151 is used to drive the flow of the first cooling medium and exchange heat with the battery pack 121, and the second driver 1152 is used to drive the flow of the first cooling medium and exchange heat with the power converter 122.

[0070] The electric heater 114 is used to heat the first cooling medium. Understandably, when heating of the battery cluster 120 is required, the electric heater 114 can be in an operational state to heat the first cooling medium, through which heat is conducted to the battery cluster 120. When heating of the battery cluster 120 is not required, the electric heater 114 can be in a standby state.

[0071] Filter 131 can be installed on the pipe connecting the thermal management unit 110 and the battery cluster 120 to filter the first cooling medium and reduce the risk of pipe blockage caused by impurities in the first cooling medium. For example, filter 131 can be a Y-type filter valve.

[0072] An expansion tank 116 can be installed on the pipeline containing the first cooling medium to hold the first cooling medium. Understandably, the first cooling medium contained in the expansion tank 116 can replenish the pipeline, or excess first cooling medium in the pipeline can also flow into the expansion tank 116. This allows the pressure within the pipeline to be maintained within a set range.

[0073] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the thermal management unit and the battery pack provided in some embodiments of this application. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the thermal management unit and the battery pack, provided for other embodiments of this application. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the thermal management unit and the battery pack, provided for some embodiments of this application.

[0074] Understandably, when the battery pack 121 in the battery cluster 120 is charged and discharged at a lower charge / discharge rate, the heat generated by the battery pack 121 is relatively small, and the heat dissipation requirement of the battery cluster 120 is relatively small. When the battery pack 121 in the battery cluster 120 is charged and discharged at a higher charge / discharge rate, the charge / discharge time is compressed, and the same amount of energy needs to be discharged or charged in a short time, resulting in increased heat generation by the battery pack 121 and increased heat dissipation requirement of the battery cluster 120. Typically, the configuration of the thermal management unit 110 needs to be compatible with the charge / discharge rate (CP) of the battery pack 121, such as 0.125CP, 0.25CP, and 0.5CP.

[0075] In some possible cases, battery cluster 120 is charged or discharged at 0.125 CP, such as Figure 3 As shown, the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 may include a thermal management unit 110 to reduce the power consumption of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100.

[0076] In other possible cases, battery cluster 120 is charged or discharged at 0.25 CP, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 may include two thermal management units 110, which enable the thermal management units 110 to meet the heat dissipation requirements of the battery cluster 120 and reduce the power consumption of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100.

[0077] In some other possible situations, when battery cluster 120 is charged or discharged at 0.5 CP, such as Figure 5 As shown, the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 may include three heat exchange units and a thermal management unit 110 to reduce the risk of excessively high cell temperature in the battery cluster 120.

[0078] The embodiments of this application are illustrated by taking the battery cluster 120 being charged or discharged at a rate greater than 0.25 CP as an example. That is, in the embodiments of this application, the number of thermal management units 110 is greater than or equal to two.

[0079] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the thermal management unit and the battery pack, provided for some embodiments of this application. For example... Figure 6As shown, the battery cluster 120 can be installed inside the container 201, and the thermal management unit 110 can be installed on top of the container 201. Maintenance of the thermal management unit 110 requires personnel to climb to a height. Each of the multiple thermal management units 110 includes a driver 115, an electric heater 114, a filter 131, and an expansion tank 116, which increases the number of components and pipes in the thermal management unit 110, reduces maintenance space, increases maintenance difficulty, and affects the maintainability of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100.

[0080] In addition, the large number of components in the thermal management unit 110 will increase the flow resistance of the system, thereby increasing the energy consumption of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 and reducing the heat exchange efficiency of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100.

[0081] Furthermore, when the ambient temperature is low, the heat provided by the thermal management unit 110 to the battery cluster 120 is approximately equal to the heat leakage between the container 201 and the environment at the lower limit of the ambient temperature. In other words, when the ambient temperature is low, the heat required by the battery cluster 120 is not significantly related to the charge / discharge rate of the battery cluster 120, but rather to the heat leakage between the container 201 and the environment at the lower limit of the ambient temperature.

[0082] In this way, setting any thermal management unit 110 to include an electric heater 114 would result in an over-distribution of electric heaters 114, increasing the cost of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100.

[0083] Figure 7 A schematic block diagram of the structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system provided for other embodiments of this application. Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the positional relationship between the thermal management unit and the battery pack, as shown in some embodiments of this application. Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100. For example... Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 includes a driver 115, an electric heater 114, a filter 131, and an expansion tank 116. Multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share at least one of the driver 115, electric heater 114, filter 131, and expansion tank 116.

[0084] Understandably, multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share at least one of a driver 115, an electric heater 114, a filter 131, and an expansion tank 116, thereby eliminating the need to separately provide shared components for multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 in each thermal management unit 110.

[0085] For example, when multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share a drive 115, it is not necessary to install a separate drive 115 in each thermal management unit 110. When multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share an electric heater 114, it is not necessary to install a separate electric heater 114 in each thermal management unit 110. When multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share a filter 131, it is not necessary to install a separate filter 131 in each thermal management unit 110. When multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share an expansion tank 116, it is not necessary to install a separate expansion tank 116 in each thermal management unit 110.

[0086] This reduces the number of components in the thermal management unit 110, simplifies the structure of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100, reduces the failure rate of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100, and improves the reliability of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100.

[0087] Furthermore, reducing the number of components in the thermal management unit 110 increases maintenance space, reduces maintenance difficulty, and improves the ease of maintenance of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100. In addition, reducing the number of components in the thermal management unit 110 can also reduce the flow resistance of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100, reduce the power consumption of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100, and improve the heat exchange efficiency of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100.

[0088] Continue to refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 In some examples, multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share a driver 115, which is located on the main supply line 101 or the main return line 102.

[0089] Understandably, multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share the driver 115, thus eliminating the need for a separate driver 115 in each thermal management unit 110, simplifying the structure of the thermal management unit 110. Furthermore, it solves the problem of uneven flow caused by asynchronous drivers in different thermal management units 110, improving the flow uniformity between different thermal management units 110 and reducing the risk of flow turbulence in the main pipelines (supply main pipeline 101 and return main pipeline 102).

[0090] like Figure 7 As shown, in some examples, any one of the multiple thermal management units 110 includes a liquid supply interface 1101 and a liquid return interface 1102. Understandably, the liquid supply interface 1101 is connected to the main liquid supply pipe 101, and the liquid return interface 1102 is connected to the main liquid return pipe 102.

[0091] For example, the liquid supply interface 1101 includes a first liquid supply interface 11011 and a second liquid supply interface 11012, and the liquid return interface 1102 includes a first liquid return interface 11021 and a second liquid return interface 11022. The main liquid supply pipeline 101 includes a first main liquid supply pipeline 1011 and a second main liquid supply pipeline 1012, with the first main liquid supply pipeline 1011 connected to the first liquid supply interface 11011 and the second main liquid supply pipeline 1012 connected to the second liquid supply interface 11012. The main liquid return pipeline 102 includes a first main liquid return pipeline 1021 and a second main liquid return pipeline 1022, with the first main liquid return pipeline 1021 connected to the first liquid return interface 11021 and the second main liquid return pipeline 1022 connected to the second liquid return interface 11022.

[0092] like Figure 7 As shown, any battery pack 121 includes a first battery pack interface A1 and a second battery pack interface A2. The first battery pack interface A1 is connected to the first liquid supply main pipe 1011, and the second battery pack interface A2 is connected to the first liquid return main pipe 1021.

[0093] Understandably, the first liquid supply main pipe 1011 is connected to the first battery pack interface A1 and the first liquid supply interface 11011, so that the first cooling medium in the thermal management unit 110 can flow into the first liquid supply main pipe 1011, and the first cooling medium in the first liquid supply main pipe 1011 can flow into the battery pack 121.

[0094] The first return fluid main pipe 1021 is connected to the second battery pack interface A2 and the first return fluid interface 11021, allowing the first cooling medium in the battery pack 121 to flow into the first return fluid main pipe 1021 and the first cooling medium in the first return fluid main pipe 1021 to flow back to the thermal management unit 110. This allows the first cooling medium to circulate between the thermal management unit 110 and the battery pack 121.

[0095] like Figure 7 As shown, any power converter 122 includes a first power converter interface B1 and a second power converter interface B2. The first power converter interface B1 is connected to the second liquid supply main pipe 1012, and the second power converter interface B2 is connected to the second liquid return main pipe 1022.

[0096] Understandably, the second liquid supply main pipe 1012 is connected to the first power converter interface B1 and the second liquid supply interface 11012, so that the first cooling medium in the thermal management unit 110 can flow into the second liquid supply main pipe 1012, and the first cooling medium in the second liquid supply main pipe 1012 can flow into the power converter 122.

[0097] The second return main pipe 1022 is connected to the second power converter interface B2 and the second return interface 11022, allowing the first cooling medium in the power converter 122 to flow into the second return main pipe 1022, and the first cooling medium in the second return main pipe 1022 to flow back to the thermal management unit 110. This allows the first cooling medium to circulate between the thermal management unit 110 and the power converter 122.

[0098] Continue to refer to Figure 7 The driver 115 includes a first driver 1151 and a second driver 1152. The first driver 1151 is disposed on the first liquid supply main pipe 1011 or the first liquid return main pipe 1021, and the second driver 1152 is disposed on the second liquid supply main pipe 1012 or the second liquid return main pipe 1022.

[0099] Understandably, the first driver 1151 is capable of driving the flow of the first cooling medium and exchanging heat with the battery pack 121, and the second driver 1152 is capable of driving the flow of the first cooling medium and exchanging heat with the power converter 122. This arrangement reduces the mutual interference between the first cooling medium circulating between the thermal management unit 110 and the battery pack 121, and between the first cooling medium circulating between the thermal management unit 110 and the power converter 122.

[0100] Continue to refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 In some examples, multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share an electric heater 114, which is located on a first liquid supply main pipe 1011.

[0101] Understandably, by installing the electric heater 114 on the first liquid supply main pipe 1011, when the ambient temperature is low, the electric heater 114 can be controlled to heat the first cooling medium, so that the heated first cooling medium can exchange heat with the battery pack 121, thereby playing the role of heating the battery pack 121.

[0102] Multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share an electric heater 114, which solves the problem of over-temperature distribution of the electric heater 114 in the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 and reduces the cost of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100.

[0103] In some examples, there may be two electric heaters 114, with one electric heater 114 installed on the first main liquid supply pipe 1011 and the other electric heater 114 installed on the second main liquid supply pipe 1012.

[0104] In this way, when it is necessary to heat the battery pack 121, the electric heater 114 installed on the first liquid supply main pipe 1011 can be turned on, and when it is necessary to heat the power converter 122, the electric heater installed on the second liquid supply main pipe 1012 can be turned on.

[0105] In some examples, such as Figure 7 As shown, multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share a filter 131, which is installed on the return liquid main pipe 102.

[0106] Understandably, the filter 131 is installed on the return liquid main pipe 102 so that multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 can share the filter 131, thereby eliminating the need to install a separate filter 131 in each thermal management unit 110 and simplifying the structure of the thermal management unit 110.

[0107] In some examples, filter 131 includes a first filter 1311 and a second filter 1312, with the first filter 1311 disposed on the first return main pipe 1021 and the second filter 1312 disposed on the second return main pipe 1022.

[0108] Understandably, the first filter 1311 can filter the first cooling medium that exchanges heat with the battery pack 121, and the second filter 1312 can filter the first cooling medium that exchanges heat with the power converter 122, thereby reducing the risk of pipe blockage caused by impurities in the first cooling medium.

[0109] Continue to refer to Figure 7 In some examples, the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 also includes an exhaust valve 103 and a switching valve 104. There can be multiple exhaust valves 103, which can be respectively installed on the main supply pipeline 101 and the main return pipeline 102 to discharge gas from the main supply pipeline 101 and the main return pipeline 102. It is understood that the embodiments of this application do not further limit the number or location of the exhaust valves 103.

[0110] The switching valve 104 can be connected between the first liquid supply port 11011 and the first liquid supply main pipe 1011, between the second liquid supply port 11012 and the second liquid supply main pipe 1012, between the first liquid return port 11021 and the first liquid return main pipe 1021, and between the second liquid return port 11022 and the second liquid return main pipe 1022. In this way, when maintenance of the thermal management unit 110 or the battery cluster 120 is required, the corresponding switching valve 104 can be closed, improving the ease of maintenance of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100.

[0111] Continue to refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 In some examples, multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share an expansion tank 116, which is located on the main supply pipe 101 or the main return pipe 102.

[0112] Understandably, the expansion tank 116 is installed on the main supply pipe 101 or the main return pipe 102, so that multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 can share the expansion tank 116, thus eliminating the need to install an expansion tank 116 separately in each thermal management unit 110, and simplifying the structure of the thermal management unit 110.

[0113] Continue to refer to Figure 7 In some examples, any one of the multiple thermal management units 110 further includes a radiator 117 and a multi-way valve 113, the radiator 117 being used to dissipate heat to the first cooling medium via a fan. Examples include... Figure 7 As shown, the radiator 117 is disposed on the pipe containing the first cooling medium, so that the radiator 117 can dissipate heat to the first cooling medium through the fan.

[0114] The multi-port valve 113 includes a first valve port a, a second valve port b, a third valve port c, a fourth valve port d, a fifth valve port e, a sixth valve port f, a seventh valve port g, and an eighth valve port h, wherein any two of the first valve ports a, the second valve port b, the third valve port c, the fourth valve port d, the fifth valve port e, the sixth valve port f, the seventh valve port g, and the eighth valve port h are connected.

[0115] Continue to refer to Figure 7 The radiator 117 is connected to the first valve port a and the fourth valve port d; the evaporator 111 is connected to the third valve port c and the eighth valve port h; the condenser 112 is connected to the fifth valve port e and the second liquid return port 11022; the first liquid supply port 11011 is connected to the second valve port b; the first liquid return port 11021 is connected to the seventh valve port g; and the second liquid supply port 11012 is connected to the sixth valve port f.

[0116] Understandably, the multi-port valve 113 can selectively connect to different valve ports according to different operating conditions, thereby enabling different connection relationships between the evaporator 111, condenser 112, radiator 117 and battery cluster 120, and enabling the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 to have different temperature control modes.

[0117] The following examples illustrate several different temperature control modes of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100. It is understood that the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 may include temperature control modes other than those described below.

[0118] Figure 9This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system provided in some embodiments of this application under a temperature control mode. In some examples, such as... Figure 9 As shown, the multi-port valve 113 is used to: connect the first valve port a and the sixth valve port f, connect the second valve port b and the third valve port c, connect the fourth valve port d and the fifth valve port e, and connect the seventh valve port g and the eighth valve port h when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first temperature, and the electric heater 114 is in working condition to heat the first cooling medium.

[0119] Understandably, in the embodiments of this application, the ambient temperature can be the ambient temperature around the battery pack 121, the temperature of the environment (e.g., a container) where the multiple battery clusters 120 are located, the temperature of the battery cells of the battery pack 121, or the temperature around the battery cells of the battery pack 121.

[0120] When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first temperature, the evaporator 111, condenser 112, compressor 119, expansion valve 118, and gas-liquid separator 132 are in standby mode. Figure 9 (shown in dashed lines) The electric heater 114 is in operation to heat the first cooling medium, so that the first cooling medium can heat the battery pack 121, so that the cell temperature of the battery pack 121 can be within a suitable temperature range.

[0121] Understandably, when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to a first temperature, the electric heater 114 heats the first cooling medium, achieving temperature control and improving the reliability of the thermal management unit 110 when heating the battery cluster 120. For example, the above-mentioned temperature control mode of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 can be referred to as the controllable heating mode.

[0122] For example, the first temperature can be -10 degrees Celsius (unit: °C), or the first temperature can be any other value. The embodiments of this application do not further limit the value of the first temperature.

[0123] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system provided in other embodiments of this application under a temperature control mode. In some examples, such as Figure 10 As shown, the multi-port valve 113 is used to: connect the first valve port a and the eighth valve port h, connect the second valve port b and the fifth valve port e, connect the third valve port c and the fourth valve port d, and connect the sixth valve port f and the seventh valve port g when the ambient temperature is higher than the first temperature, so that the evaporator 111, the condenser 112 and the compressor 119 are in working condition, and the condenser 112 exchanges heat with the first cooling medium.

[0124] Understandably, if the ambient temperature is higher than the initial ambient temperature but still low (e.g., below 0 degrees Celsius), the evaporator 111, condenser 112, compressor 119, expansion valve 118, and gas-liquid separator 132 can be started, and the electric heater 114 can be put into standby mode. Figure 10 (Shown in dashed lines), multi-way valve 113 connects battery cluster 120 (battery pack 121 and power converter 122) to condenser 112. Condenser 112 heats battery cluster 120, ensuring that the temperature of battery cluster 120 is within a suitable temperature range. For example, the above temperature control mode of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 can be referred to as heat pump heating mode.

[0125] In some examples, a heat pump heating mode can be used to heat the battery pack 121 when it is in the startup phase and the ambient temperature is higher than a first temperature. Understandably, the startup phase of the battery pack 121 is the period from when it is powered on until it reaches normal operating conditions. The heat dissipation of the battery pack 121 during the startup phase is less than the heat dissipation during normal operation.

[0126] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system provided in some embodiments of this application under a temperature control mode. In some examples, the multi-port valve 113 is used to: connect the first valve port a and the eighth valve port h, connect the second valve port b and the fifth valve port e, connect the third valve port c and the fourth valve port d, and connect the sixth valve port f and the seventh valve port g when the ambient temperature is higher than a first temperature. The evaporator 111, the condenser 112 and the compressor 119 are in working condition, the condenser 112 exchanges heat with the first cooling medium, and the electric heater 114 is in working condition to heat the first cooling medium.

[0127] If the ambient temperature is higher than the first ambient temperature but still low (e.g., the ambient temperature is below 0 degrees Celsius), the evaporator 111, condenser 112, compressor 119, throttle valve 118, and gas-liquid separator 132 can be started, and the electric heater 114 can be started. The multi-way valve 113 connects the battery cluster 120 (battery pack 121 and power converter 122) to the condenser 112. The condenser 112 and the electric heater 114 together heat the battery cluster 120, so that the temperature of the battery cluster 120 can be within a suitable temperature range.

[0128] For example, the temperature control mode of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 can be referred to as the rapid heating mode. Compared to the heat pump heating mode, the rapid heating mode can heat the first cooling medium more quickly, thereby increasing the heating speed of the battery cluster 120 by the thermal management unit 110. Compared to the rapid heating mode, the heat pump heating mode does not require the electric heater 114 to be activated, resulting in lower energy consumption.

[0129] In some examples, a rapid heating mode can be used to heat the battery pack 121 after the battery pack 121 is first powered on and when the ambient temperature is higher than the first temperature.

[0130] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system provided in some embodiments of this application under a temperature control mode. In some examples, such as Figure 12 As shown, the multi-way valve 113 is used to: connect the first valve port a and the eighth valve port h, connect the second valve port b and the fifth valve port e, connect the third valve port c and the fourth valve port d, and connect the sixth valve port f and the seventh valve port g when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the second temperature. The evaporator 111, condenser 112, and compressor 119 are in standby mode, and the electric heater 114 is in standby mode. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature.

[0131] Understandably, when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the second temperature, the evaporator 111, condenser 112, compressor 119, expansion valve 118, and gas-liquid separator 132 can be put into standby mode. Figure 12 (shown in dashed lines), and the electric heater 114 is put on standby ( Figure 12 (shown in dashed lines), the multi-way valve 113 connects the battery pack 121 and the power converter 122, and the first cooling medium recovers the waste heat of the power converter 122 to heat the battery pack 121.

[0132] For example, the temperature control mode of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 described above can be referred to as the waste heat recovery mode. In the waste heat recovery mode, there is no need to turn on the condenser 112 or the electric heater 114 to heat the battery pack 121, thereby reducing the power consumption of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100.

[0133] In some examples, a waste heat recovery mode can be used when the battery pack 121 is in a quiescent phase and the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the second temperature.

[0134] Understandably, the operation of battery pack 121 includes a charging phase, a discharging phase, and a resting phase. When battery pack 121 is in the charging phase, an external power source charges it. When battery pack 121 is in the discharging phase, it discharges to supply power to the load. When battery pack 121 is in the resting phase, it neither charges nor discharges. Understandably, the resting phase lies between the charging and discharging phases. The heat dissipation of battery pack 121 during the resting phase is less than the heat dissipation of battery pack 121 during the charging and discharging phases.

[0135] In other examples, the battery pack 121 can also be heated using a waste heat recovery mode when the battery pack 121 is in the initial stage of low-rate charging and discharging.

[0136] For example, the second temperature can be -5°C, or the second temperature can be any other value. The embodiments of this application do not further limit the value of the second temperature.

[0137] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system provided in some embodiments of this application under a temperature control mode. In some examples, such as Figure 13 As shown, the multi-port valve 113 is used to connect the first valve port a and the sixth valve port f, the second valve port b and the third valve port c, the fourth valve port d and the fifth valve port e, and the seventh valve port g and the eighth valve port h when the ambient temperature is greater than the second temperature and less than the third temperature, so as to facilitate heat exchange between the radiator 117 and the power converter 122.

[0138] Understandably, when the ambient temperature is greater than the second temperature and less than or equal to the third temperature, the evaporator 111, condenser 112, compressor 119, expansion valve 118, and gas-liquid separator 132 can be put into standby mode. Figure 13 (shown in dashed lines), and the electric heater 114 is put on standby ( Figure 13 (shown as dashed lines in the middle), the multi-way valve 113 connects the heat sink 117 and the power converter 122, so that the heat sink 117 can dissipate heat from the power converter 122, reducing the risk that the power converter 122 will not work properly due to excessive temperature.

[0139] For example, the temperature control mode of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 described above can be referred to as a self-circulation mode. In some examples, the self-circulation mode can be used to dissipate heat from the power converter 122 at the beginning stage when the battery pack 121 is at a low charge / discharge rate.

[0140] For example, the third temperature can be 10°C, or the value of the third temperature can be other values. The embodiments of this application do not further limit the value of the third temperature.

[0141] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system provided in some embodiments of this application under a temperature control mode. In some examples, such as Figure 14 As shown, the multi-port valve 113 is used to connect the first valve port a and the eighth valve port h, the second valve port b and the third valve port c, the fourth valve port d and the fifth valve port e, and the sixth valve port f and the seventh valve port g when the ambient temperature is greater than the second temperature and less than the third temperature, so as to facilitate heat exchange between the radiator 117 and the battery cluster 120.

[0142] Understandably, when the ambient temperature is greater than the second temperature and less than or equal to the third temperature, the evaporator 111, condenser 112, compressor 119, expansion valve 118, and gas-liquid separator 132 can be put into standby mode. Figure 14 (shown in dashed lines), and the electric heater 114 is put on standby ( Figure 14 (Shown in dashed line) The multi-way valve 113 connects the heat sink 117 and the battery pack 121, so that the heat sink 117 can dissipate heat for the battery cluster 120 (battery pack 121 and power converter 122), reducing the risk of the battery cluster 120 failing to work properly due to excessive temperature.

[0143] For example, the above-mentioned temperature control mode of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 can be referred to as the natural cooling mode.

[0144] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system provided in some embodiments of this application under a temperature control mode. In some examples, the multi-way valve 113 is used to: connect the first valve port a and the sixth valve port f, connect the second valve port b and the third valve port c, connect the fourth valve port d and the fifth valve port e, and connect the seventh valve port g and the eighth valve port h when the ambient temperature is greater than or equal to a third temperature and the cell temperature of the battery pack 121 is greater than a set temperature, so that the evaporator 111, the condenser 112 and the compressor 119 are in working state, so as to exchange heat between the evaporator 111 and the battery pack 121.

[0145] When the ambient temperature is greater than or equal to the third temperature, and the temperature of the battery pack 121 is greater than the set temperature, the evaporator 111, condenser 112, compressor 119, expansion valve 118, and gas-liquid separator 132 can be started, and the electric heater 114 can be put into standby mode. Figure 15 (Shown in dashed lines) The multi-way valve 113 connects the evaporator 111 to the battery pack 121, enabling the evaporator 111 to dissipate heat for the battery pack 121 and reducing the risk of overheating of the battery cells in the battery pack 121. Furthermore, the multi-way valve 113 connects the heat sink 117 to the power converter 122, enabling the heat sink 117 to dissipate heat for the power converter 122 and reducing the risk of overheating of the power converter 122.

[0146] For example, the set temperature can be 26°C, or the set temperature can be any other value. The embodiments of this application do not further limit the value of the set temperature.

[0147] Figure 16 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating the control structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system under some possible scenarios. In some examples, such as... Figure 16As shown, the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 may include a main controller 160 and a first controller 161. The main controller 160 may include a central management unit (CMU). The first controller 161 may include a local controller (liquid cooling controller, LCC). Alternatively, the main controller 160 and the first controller 161 may also include other control chips.

[0148] The main controller 160 is coupled to the first controller 161, and the main controller 160 is used to control the first controller 161. The first controller 161 is coupled to the thermal management unit 110, and is used to control the thermal management unit 110.

[0149] Understandably, the number of first controllers 161 is equal to the number of thermal management units 110. For example... Figure 16 As shown, when there are multiple thermal management units 110, multiple first controllers 161 are coupled to multiple thermal management units 110 in a one-to-one correspondence, and one first controller 161 controls one thermal management unit 110.

[0150] For example, such as Figure 16 As shown, the first controller 161 can control the evaporator 111, condenser 112, radiator 117, compressor 119, expansion valve 118, gas-liquid separator 132, and multi-way valve 113 in the thermal management unit 110. Understandably, the first controller 161 can control the operating states of the evaporator 111, condenser 112, radiator 117, compressor 119, and expansion valve 118 according to the ambient temperature, and control the opening and closing of different valve ports of the multi-way valve 113 according to the ambient temperature, enabling the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 to have different temperature control modes.

[0151] Figure 17 This is a schematic block diagram of the control structure of a distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system provided in some embodiments of this application. In some examples, such as... Figure 17 As shown, the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 also includes a second controller 162. For example, the second controller 162 may include an LCC. The main controller 160 may be coupled to the second controller 162.

[0152] The second controller 162 is coupled to at least one of the driver 115, electric heater 114, filter 131 and expansion tank 116 shared by the multiple thermal management units 110 and the multiple battery clusters 120, for controlling at least one of the driver 115, electric heater 114, filter 131 and expansion tank 116 shared by the multiple thermal management units 110 and the multiple battery clusters 120.

[0153] Understandably, in the case where multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share a driver 115, the second controller 162 is coupled to the driver 115 for controlling the driver 115. In the case where multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share an electric heater 114, the second controller 162 is coupled to the electric heater 114 for controlling the electric heater 114.

[0154] In cases where multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share a filter 131 and an expansion tank 116, a second controller 162 can be coupled to the filter 131 and the expansion tank 116 for controlling the filter 131 and the expansion tank 116.

[0155] In other words, the second controller 162 can control the devices shared by multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120, thus avoiding the risk of control conflicts that would occur if multiple first controllers 161 controlled the devices shared by multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120.

[0156] like Figure 16 As shown, in some possible implementations, each thermal management unit 110 includes a driver 115, and a first controller 161 controls the driver 115. However, this can lead to asynchronous control of the drivers 115 in different thermal management units 110, for example, different flow rates of the drivers 115 in different thermal management units 110. This results in an uneven flow of the first cooling medium into the main liquid supply pipe 101 from different thermal management units 110, causing turbulence in the main liquid supply pipe 101 and resulting in a lag in the control response of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100.

[0157] In some examples, a driver 115 is shared by multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120, and the second controller 162 is coupled to the driver 115.

[0158] This allows the driver 115 to be decoupled from the first controller 161, while the second controller 162 is coupled to the driver 115. This enables the second controller 162 to control the flow of the driver 115, solving the problem of asynchronous drivers in various thermal management units 110 leading to uneven flow. This improves the flow uniformity between different thermal management units 110, reduces the risk of flow turbulence in the manifold 140, and improves the control response speed of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100.

[0159] For example, the second controller 162 may be coupled to the first driver 1151 and the second driver 1152, thereby enabling control of the flow of the first driver 1151 and the second driver 1152.

[0160] For example, the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100 may include a temperature sensor (not shown in the figure) disposed on the return liquid main pipe 102 (e.g., the first return liquid main pipe 1021 and the second return liquid main pipe 1022).

[0161] A temperature sensor collects the temperature of the first cooling medium in the first return main pipe 1021, and the second controller 162 controls the flow rate of the first actuator 1151 based on the temperature of the first cooling medium in the first return main pipe 1021. A temperature sensor also collects the temperature of the first cooling medium in the second return main pipe 1022, and the second controller 162 controls the flow rate of the second actuator 1152 based on the temperature of the first cooling medium in the second return main pipe 1022.

[0162] Taking the temperature of the first cooling medium in the first return main pipe 1021 collected by the temperature sensor as an example, when heat dissipation of the battery pack 121 is required, if the temperature of the first cooling medium in the first return main pipe 1021 is high, the second controller 162 can control the flow rate of the first driver 1151 to increase. If the temperature of the first cooling medium in the first return main pipe 1021 is low, the second controller 162 can control the flow rate of the first driver 1151 to decrease.

[0163] In some examples, multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share an electric heater 114. A second controller 162 is coupled to the electric heater 114 and is able to control the operating state of the electric heater 114 and control the heating power of the electric heater 114 when the electric heater 114 is in the operating state.

[0164] For example, the second controller 162 can control the electric heater 114 to be in working or standby state according to the temperature of the first cooling medium in the main return pipe 102, and when the electric heater 114 is in working state, it can control the heating power of the electric heater 114 according to the temperature of the first cooling medium in the main return pipe 102, so as to achieve controllable heating.

[0165] In some examples, multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share a filter 131, and a second controller 162 is coupled to the filter 131. For example, the second controller 162 can control the filter 131 to be turned on or off.

[0166] In some examples, multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share an expansion tank 116, and a second controller 162 is coupled to the expansion tank 116. For example, the second controller 162 can control the expansion tank 116 to replenish a first cooling medium into the pipes.

[0167] In summary, the embodiments of this application have at least the following beneficial effects:

[0168] In the embodiments of this application, multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share at least one of a driver 115, an electric heater 114, a filter 131, and an expansion tank 116, thereby eliminating the need to separately provide shared devices for multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 in each thermal management unit 110.

[0169] For example, when multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share a drive 115, it is not necessary to install a separate drive 115 in each thermal management unit 110. When multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share an electric heater 114, it is not necessary to install a separate electric heater 114 in each thermal management unit 110. When multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share a filter 131, it is not necessary to install a separate filter 131 in each thermal management unit 110. When multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share an expansion tank 116, it is not necessary to install a separate expansion tank 116 in each thermal management unit 110.

[0170] This reduces the number of components in the thermal management unit 110, simplifies the structure of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100, reduces the failure rate of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100, and improves the reliability of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100.

[0171] Furthermore, reducing the number of components in the thermal management unit 110 increases maintenance space, reduces maintenance difficulty, and improves the ease of maintenance of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100. In addition, reducing the number of components in the thermal management unit 110 can also reduce the flow resistance of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100, reduce the power consumption of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100, and improve the heat exchange efficiency of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100.

[0172] In the case where multiple thermal management units 110 and multiple battery clusters 120 share a driver 115, a second controller 162 is coupled to the driver 115 to control the flow rate of the driver 115. This allows the driver 115 to be decoupled from the first controller 161, and the second controller 162 controls the flow rate of the driver 115. This solves the problem of asynchronous drivers among the various thermal management units 110, leading to uneven flow rates, improves the flow uniformity among different thermal management units 110, reduces the risk of flow turbulence within the manifold 140, and improves the control response speed of the distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system 100.

[0173] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system, characterized in that, The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system includes multiple thermal management units, multiple battery clusters, a main liquid supply pipeline, and a main liquid return pipeline. Each of the multiple thermal management units is used to output a first cooling medium to the main liquid supply pipeline and receive the first cooling medium output from the main liquid return pipeline. The first cooling medium is used to exchange heat with the multiple battery clusters. Each of the multiple battery clusters includes multiple battery packs connected in series. Any one of the plurality of thermal management units is used to heat or cool the second cooling medium through the compressor, condenser and evaporator in the thermal management unit, and the evaporator or the condenser is used to receive the first cooling medium and exchange heat with the first cooling medium through the second cooling medium; The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system further includes a driver, an electric heater, a filter, and an expansion tank. The driver is used to drive the flow of the first cooling medium, the electric heater is used to heat the first cooling medium, the filter is used to filter the first cooling medium, and the expansion tank is used to contain the first cooling medium. The plurality of thermal management units and the plurality of battery clusters share at least one of the drive, the electric heater, the filter, and the expansion tank.

2. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of thermal management units and the plurality of battery clusters share the driver, which is installed on the main liquid supply pipe or the main liquid return pipe.

3. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system according to claim 2, characterized in that, Any one of the plurality of thermal management units includes a first liquid supply interface, a second liquid supply interface, a first liquid return interface, and a second liquid return interface; The main liquid supply pipeline includes a first main liquid supply pipeline and a second main liquid supply pipeline. The first main liquid supply pipeline is connected to the first liquid supply interface, and the second main liquid supply pipeline is connected to the second liquid supply interface. The main return liquid pipeline includes a first main return liquid pipeline and a second main return liquid pipeline. The first main return liquid pipeline is connected to the first main return liquid interface, and the second main return liquid pipeline is connected to the second main return liquid interface. Each of the battery packs includes a first battery pack interface and a second battery pack interface, wherein the first battery pack interface is connected to the first liquid supply main pipe and the second battery pack interface is connected to the first liquid return main pipe; Each of the plurality of battery clusters includes a power converter for controlling the power conversion of the plurality of battery packs. Each of the power converters includes a first power converter interface and a second power converter interface. The first power converter interface is connected to the second liquid supply main pipeline, and the second power converter interface is connected to the second liquid return main pipeline. The actuator includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator is installed on the first liquid supply main pipe or the first liquid return main pipe, and the second actuator is installed on the second liquid supply main pipe or the second liquid return main pipe.

4. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The multiple thermal management units and the multiple battery clusters share the electric heater, which is installed on the first liquid supply main pipeline.

5. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The multiple thermal management units and the multiple battery clusters share the filter, which is installed on the main return pipeline.

6. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The filter includes a first filter and a second filter, the first filter being installed on the first return main pipe and the second filter being installed on the second return main pipe.

7. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that, Any of the plurality of thermal management units further includes a radiator and a multi-way valve, wherein the radiator is used to dissipate heat to the first cooling medium via a fan; The multi-port valve includes a first valve port, a second valve port, a third valve port, a fourth valve port, a fifth valve port, a sixth valve port, a seventh valve port, and an eighth valve port, wherein any two of the first valve port, the second valve port, the third valve port, the fourth valve port, the fifth valve port, the sixth valve port, the seventh valve port, and the eighth valve port are connected. The radiator is connected to the first valve port and the fourth valve port, the evaporator is connected to the third valve port and the eighth valve port, the condenser is connected to the fifth valve port and the second liquid return port, the first liquid supply port is connected to the second valve port, the first liquid return port is connected to the seventh valve port, and the second liquid supply port is connected to the sixth valve port.

8. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The multi-port valve is used to: connect the first valve port and the sixth valve port, connect the second valve port and the third valve port, connect the fourth valve port and the fifth valve port, and connect the seventh valve port and the eighth valve port when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first temperature, and the electric heater is in working condition to heat the first cooling medium.

9. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The multi-port valve is used to: connect the first valve port and the eighth valve port, connect the second valve port and the fifth valve port, connect the third valve port and the fourth valve port, and connect the sixth valve port and the seventh valve port when the ambient temperature is greater than the first temperature, so that the evaporator, the condenser and the compressor are in working condition, and the condenser exchanges heat with the first cooling medium.

10. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The multi-port valve is used to: connect the first valve port and the eighth valve port, connect the second valve port and the fifth valve port, connect the third valve port and the fourth valve port, and connect the sixth valve port and the seventh valve port when the ambient temperature is greater than the first temperature; the evaporator, the condenser and the compressor are in working condition; the condenser exchanges heat with the first cooling medium; and the electric heater is in working condition to heat the first cooling medium.

11. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, The multi-port valve is used to: connect the first valve port and the eighth valve port, connect the second valve port and the fifth valve port, connect the third valve port and the fourth valve port, and connect the sixth valve port and the seventh valve port when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the second temperature, so that the evaporator, the condenser and the compressor are in standby mode, and the electric heater is in standby mode; The second temperature is greater than the first temperature.

12. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system according to claim 11, characterized in that, The multi-port valve is used to connect the first valve port and the sixth valve port, the second valve port and the third valve port, the fourth valve port and the fifth valve port, and the seventh valve port and the eighth valve port when the ambient temperature is greater than the second temperature and less than the third temperature, so as to facilitate heat exchange between the radiator and the power converter.

13. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system according to claim 11, characterized in that, The multi-port valve is used to: connect the first valve port and the eighth valve port, connect the second valve port and the third valve port, connect the fourth valve port and the fifth valve port, and connect the sixth valve port and the seventh valve port when the ambient temperature is greater than the second temperature and less than the third temperature, so as to facilitate heat exchange between the radiator and the battery cluster.

14. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The multi-port valve is used to connect the first valve port and the sixth valve port, the second valve port and the third valve port, the fourth valve port and the fifth valve port, and the seventh valve port and the eighth valve port when the ambient temperature is greater than or equal to the third temperature and the cell temperature of the battery pack is greater than the set temperature, so that the evaporator, the condenser and the compressor are in working condition, so as to enable heat exchange between the evaporator and the battery pack.

15. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, The multiple thermal management units and the multiple battery clusters share the expansion tank, which is located on the main supply pipeline or the main return pipeline.

16. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that, It also includes a first controller and a second controller. The first controller is coupled to the plurality of thermal management units and is used to control the plurality of thermal management units. The second controller is coupled to at least one of the driver, the electric heater, the filter, and the expansion tank shared by the plurality of thermal management units and the plurality of battery clusters and is used to control at least one of the driver, the electric heater, the filter, and the expansion tank shared by the plurality of thermal management units and the plurality of battery clusters.

17. The distributed liquid-cooled energy storage system according to claim 16, characterized in that, The second controller is coupled to the driver shared by the plurality of thermal management units and the plurality of battery clusters.

Images