HEAT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR A RECHARGEABLE ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM

Abstract

Battery system (10), comprising: a first rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) (12) comprising a first housing (26); a second RESS (14) comprising a second housing (28); and a thermal management system (60) fluidly connected to the first RESS (12) and the second RESS (14), the thermal management system (60) comprising: a source of thermal management fluid (62) comprising a container (64) of thermal management fluid (62); an inlet manifold (76) fluidly connected to the source of thermal management fluid (62); an outlet manifold (78) including a thermal management fluid outlet fluidly connected to the thermal management fluid inlet manifold (76); a first thermal management fluid supply line (83) extending through the first RESS (12), the first thermal management fluid supply line (83) including a first end (88) connected to the inlet manifold (76) and a second end (89) connected to the first housing (26); a first inlet valve (98) disposed in the first thermal management fluid supply line (83) and selectively creating a first passage fluidly connecting the inlet manifold (76) to the outlet manifold (78) through the first RESS (12); a second thermal management fluid supply line (84) extending through the second RESS (14), the second thermal management fluid supply line (84) comprising a first end portion (92) connected to the inlet manifold (76) and a second end portion (93) connected to the second housing (28); and a first outlet valve (99) disposed in the first thermal management fluid supply line (83) on the outlet manifold (78); characterized in that the first inlet valve (98) is a normally closed valve and the first outlet valve (99) is a normally open valve; and that the container (64) of the source of heat management fluid (62) is fluidly connected to a municipal water supply (66).

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the technology of rechargeable energy storage systems and in particular to a battery system according to the preamble of claim 1, as is essentially known from DE 10 2021 130 451 B3.

[0002] Battery assemblies are formed from a plurality of battery cells arranged in a battery pack. Battery cells comprise electrode stacks arranged in a housing. The battery cells are charged from an external system and discharged into a load. A variety of factors, such as manufacturing defects or cycling (e.g., charging and discharging) the battery beyond its design limits, can lead to thermal runaway, which can affect the entire battery assembly. Various efforts exist to cool battery systems. Current systems may require connection to an external cooling medium. Rapidly reducing battery pack temperatures can prevent or halt thermal runaway.Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system for rapidly lowering the temperature of battery cells to prevent and / or stop thermal breakdown. SUMMARY

[0003] According to the invention, a battery system is presented which is characterized by the features of claim 1.

[0004] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a second inlet valve is disposed in the second thermal management fluid supply line, the second inlet valve selectively creating a second passage fluidly connecting the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold through the second rechargeable energy storage system (RESS).

[0005] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a second outlet valve is disposed in the second thermal management fluid supply line at the outlet manifold.

[0006] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the second intake valve is a normally closed valve and the second exhaust valve is a normally open valve.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a first sensor is mounted in the first RESS and a second sensor is mounted in the second RESS.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a control system is operatively connected to the first sensor, the second sensor, the first intake valve, and the second intake valve, the control system selectively opening the first intake valve and the second intake valve based on a triggering parameter sensed in each of the first RESS and the second RESS.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the container of thermal management fluid comprises a container of water.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the source of thermal management fluid comprises a water utility.

[0011] Further described is a method for managing temperatures in a battery system. The method includes sensing a first internal temperature in a first RESS, sensing a second internal temperature in a second RESS, detecting a triggering parameter in the first RESS, opening a valve fluidly connecting the first RESS to a source of thermal management fluid, and directing thermal management fluid from the source of thermal management fluid through a first thermal management fluid supply line connected to the source of thermal management fluid and directed through the first RESS.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the method further comprises closing an outlet valve fluidly connected to a second thermal management fluid supply line connected to the source of thermal management fluid and passed through the second RESS before passing the thermal management fluid through the first thermal management fluid supply line.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the method further comprises directing the thermal management fluid from the first RESS to a drain.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, directing the thermal management fluid to drain comprises directing the thermal management fluid into an outlet manifold fluidly connected to both the first thermal management fluid supply line and the second thermal management fluid supply line.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, directing the thermal management fluid from the source of thermal management fluid through the first thermal management fluid supply line comprises introducing the thermal management fluid into an inlet manifold fluidly connected to the first thermal management fluid supply line and the second thermal management fluid supply line.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, directing the thermal management fluid into the inlet manifold comprises drawing water from a body of water into the inlet manifold.

[0017] The above features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages of the disclosure, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Further features, advantages and details are listed only as examples in the following detailed description, which refers to the drawings, where: Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) including a thermal management system, according to a non-limiting example; Fig. 2 comprises a schematic view of a control system for a thermal management system, according to a non-limiting example; Fig. Figure 3 shows a vessel comprising a battery system not according to the invention having the thermal management system; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a locomotive including a battery system not according to the invention having the thermal management system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] A battery system according to a non-limiting example is Fig. 1 generally at 10. The battery system 10 includes a first rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) 12, a second RESS 14, a third RESS 16, a fourth RESS 18, and a fifth RESS 20. The number and arrangement of the rechargeable energy storage systems can vary and depend on the power supply needs. For example, the battery system 10 can power a home, a business, a factory, or the like. The first RESS 12 includes a first housing 26, the second RESS 14 includes a second housing 28, the third RESS 16 includes a third housing 30, the fourth RESS 18 includes a fourth housing 32, and the fifth RESS 20 includes a fifth housing 34. Although shown as being housed in separate housings, multiple rechargeable energy storage systems can be integrated into a single housing.

[0020] According to another non-limiting example, the first RESS 12 includes a first inlet 36 and a first outlet 38. The second RESS 14 includes a second inlet 40 and a second outlet 42. The third RESS 16 includes a third inlet 44 and a third outlet 46. The fourth RESS 18 includes a fourth inlet 48 and a fourth outlet 50, and the fifth RESS 20 includes a fifth inlet 52 and a fifth outlet 54. As described in more detail herein, the first inlet 36, the second inlet 40, the third inlet 44, the fourth inlet 48, and the fifth inlet 52 provide a path for a thermal management fluid to selectively enter and cool the first RESS 12, the second RESS 14, the third RESS 16, the fourth RESS 18, and the fifth RESS 20. Battery cells (not shown) that exhibit significant overtemperature, such as thermal breakdown.

[0021] In one non-limiting example, the battery system 10 includes a thermal management system 60 that serves as a source of the thermal management fluid. In one non-limiting example, the thermal management system 60 provides a dedicated source of thermal management fluid 62 to the battery system 10. The dedicated source of thermal management fluid 62 may be located in a dedicated water storage container or tank 64, which may be directly fluidly connected to a municipal water supply 66, for example. The tank 64 may store a readily available supply of thermal management fluid or water.

[0022] Although depicted in the figure as a reservoir 64, the thermal management system 60 may simply represent a direct connection between the battery system 10 and the municipal utility 66 without including any intermediate reservoirs. Regardless of the source type, the thermal management system 60 provides a constant source of pressurized thermal management fluid to the battery system 10, which can mitigate any overtemperature conditions that may occur.

[0023] In one non-limiting example, the municipal water supply 66 is fluidly connected to the reservoir 64 through a supply line 68. The reservoir 64 is filled with a predetermined amount of a thermal management fluid, such as water, and serves as a reservoir in the event that the municipal water supply 66 is interrupted. A thermal management fluid supply line 72, which may include a pump 74, is connected to the battery system 10. More specifically, the thermal management system 60 includes an inlet manifold 76 connected to the thermal management fluid supply line 72 and each of the first housing 26, the second housing 28, the third housing 30, the fourth housing 32, and the fifth housing 34.The thermal management system 60 also includes an outlet manifold 78 connected to the first housing 26, the second housing 28, the third housing 30, the fourth housing 32, and the fifth housing 34, and a thermal management fluid outlet leading to a drain 80.

[0024] In one non-limiting example, the thermal management system 60 includes a first thermal management fluid supply line 83 extending through the first housing 26 and fluidly connected to the inlet manifold 76 and the outlet manifold 78. The thermal management system 60 further includes a second thermal management fluid supply line 84 extending through the second housing 28 and fluidly connected to the inlet manifold 76 and the outlet manifold 78. A third thermal management fluid supply line 85 extends through the third housing 30 and is fluidly connected to the inlet manifold 76 and the outlet manifold 78. A fourth thermal management fluid supply line 86 extends through the fourth housing 32 and is fluidly connected to the inlet manifold 76 and the outlet manifold 78.A fifth thermal management fluid supply line 87 extends through the fifth housing 34 and is fluidly connected to the inlet manifold 76 and the outlet manifold 78.

[0025] By way of non-limiting example, the first thermal management fluid supply line 83 includes a first end 88 connected to the inlet manifold 76 and a second end 89 fluidly connected to the first housing 26. The second thermal management fluid supply line 84 includes a first end portion 92 fluidly connected to the inlet manifold 76 and a second end portion 93 fluidly connected to the second housing 28. The third thermal management fluid supply line 85, the fourth thermal management fluid supply line 86, and the fifth thermal management fluid supply line 87 are formed in a similar manner.

[0026] In one non-limiting example, a first thermal management fluid outlet line 94 is fluidly connected between the first outlet 38 of the first housing 26 and the outlet manifold 78. A second thermal management fluid outlet line 96 is fluidly connected to the second outlet 42 of the second housing 28 and the outlet manifold 78. The third outlet 46, the fourth outlet 50, and the fifth outlet 54 are similarly connected to the outlet manifold 78 by individual thermal management fluid outlet lines (not separately labeled).

[0027] In one non-limiting example, the first thermal management fluid supply line 83 includes a first inlet valve 98 disposed in the first thermal management fluid supply line 83 between the first end 88 and the first housing 26, and a first outlet valve 99 disposed in the first thermal management fluid outlet line 90 between the first outlet 38 of the first housing 26 and the second end 93. A second inlet valve 102 is disposed in the second thermal management fluid supply line 84 between the first end portion 92 and the second housing 28, and a second outlet valve 103 is disposed in the second thermal management fluid outlet line 96 between the second outlet 42 of the second housing 28 and the outlet manifold 78. The first inlet valve 98 selectively establishes a first passage for the thermal management fluid to be directed into the first housing 26.Similarly, the second inlet valve 102 selectively creates a second passage for the thermal management fluid to be directed into the second housing 28.

[0028] Similarly, the third thermal management fluid supply line 85 carries a third inlet valve 105 and the third thermal management fluid outlet line includes a third outlet valve 106, the fourth thermal management fluid supply line 86 carries a fourth inlet valve 110 and the fourth thermal management fluid outlet line includes a fourth outlet valve 111, and the fifth thermal management fluid supply line 87 carries a fifth inlet valve 114 and the fifth thermal management fluid outlet line includes a fifth outlet valve 115. In one non-limiting example, each inlet valve 98, 102, 105, 110, and 114 is a normally closed valve, and each outlet valve 99, 103, 106, 111, and 115 is a normally open valve.

[0029] With reference now to Fig. 2 and with further reference to Fig. 1, a first sensor 120 is arranged in the first housing 26, a second sensor 121 in the second housing 28, a third sensor 122 in the third housing 30, a fourth sensor 123 in the fourth housing 32, and a fifth sensor 124 in the fifth housing 34. The first sensor 120, the second sensor 121, the third sensor 122, the fourth sensor 123, and the fifth sensor 124 are arranged to detect a triggering parameter or an abnormal operating condition of the respective ones of the first RESS 12, the second RESS 14, the third RESS 16, the fourth RESS 18, and the fifth RESS 20. The triggering parameters can be based on temperature, voltage, current, gas, pressure, infrared, light, audio, and / or other suitable measurements. Trigger values ​​can represent absolute values, rate of change values, and / or integrated values.For example, the sensors can detect temperatures outside the permissible range, unusual voltages, or the like, which indicate an abnormal operating condition that can lead to an overtemperature, such as a thermal runaway condition.

[0030] In one non-limiting example, a control system 130 is connected to the battery system 10 and the thermal management system 60. The control system 130 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 133, a non-volatile memory 135, a valve control module 139, and a thermal management control module 142. The control system 130 receives inputs from each of the first sensor 120, second sensor 121, third sensor 122, fourth sensor 123, and fifth sensor 124. In one non-limiting example, the first sensor 120 provides a first internal temperature value, the second sensor 121 provides a second internal temperature value, the third sensor 122 provides a third internal temperature value, the fourth sensor 124 provides a fourth internal temperature value, and the fifth sensor 124 provides a fifth internal temperature value.The thermal management control module 142 evaluates the internal temperature values ​​to determine whether the battery system 10 is experiencing a thermal response that exceeds the values ​​stored in non-volatile memory 135. If the thermal response indicates a potential thermal runaway, the thermal management control module 142 takes remedial action.

[0031] By way of non-limiting example, when the thermal management control module 142 detects an overtemperature condition in, for example, the first RESS 12, the valve control module 139 signals the second exhaust valve 103, the third exhaust valve 106, the fourth exhaust valve 111, and the fifth exhaust valve 115 to close. In this way, the second housing 28, the third housing 30, the fourth housing 32, and the fifth housing 34 are isolated from the exhaust manifold 78. At this point, the valve control module 139 opens the first inlet valve 98, allowing thermal management fluid from the inlet manifold 76 to flow through the first housing 26 to reduce the temperature and prevent the overtemperature condition from becoming a runaway condition. Immediate access to the thermal management fluid ensures that the overtemperature condition can be mitigated quickly.

[0032] By way of non-limiting example, the second end 89 of the first thermal management fluid supply line 83 and the second end portion 93 of the second thermal management fluid supply line 84 provide RESS interfaces (not separately labeled) that open (e.g., such as by rupturing a rupture disc, opening a check valve, etc.) when the thermal management fluid is directed through the first inlet valve 98 and / or the second inlet valve 102. The use of rupture discs, check valves, and the like ensures that gases generated, for example, in the first RESS 12 and / or second RESS 14 are not directed into the thermal management fluid system 60 via the inlet manifold 76.

[0033] With reference to Fig. 3, the battery system 10 and the thermal management system 60 may be integrated into a vessel, such as a boat 154, located in a body of water 156. The body of water 156 may be a freshwater body or a saltwater body. The boat 154 includes a waterline 160. In one non-limiting example, the inlet manifold 76 includes an inlet 165 located below the waterline 160. In this way, in the event of an overtemperature in the battery system 10, the thermal management control module 142 may actuate the pump 74 to draw thermal management fluid directly from the body of water 156. Immediate access to a thermal management fluid (e.g., water) ensures that the overtemperature can be quickly mitigated, allowing the battery system 10 to continue operating and the boat 154 to seek a nearby harbor.The fluid flowing into the battery system 10 is directed through an outlet so that the boat 154 does not take on unnecessary ballast.

[0034] In Fig.4, the battery system 10 and the thermal management system 60 may be integrated into a locomotive 170. The locomotive 170 may utilize the battery system 10 as a primary or secondary power source. Regardless of the application, the thermal management system 60 includes a reservoir 64 containing a predetermined amount of thermal management fluid. Thus, in the event of an overtemperature condition in the battery system 10, the thermal management control module 142 may actuate the pump 74 to draw thermal management fluid directly from the reservoir 64 and direct the available supply of pressurized thermal management fluid through an affected RESS. Immediate access to a thermal management fluid (e.g., water) ensures that the overtemperature condition can be quickly mitigated, allowing the battery system 10 to continue operating and allowing the locomotive 170 to travel for maintenance.In addition to supplying thermal management fluid to the battery system 10, the outlet manifold may include additional ports (not shown) to which maintenance personnel may connect if desired.

Claims

[1] Battery system (10), comprising: a first rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) (12) comprising a first housing (26); a second RESS (14) comprising a second housing (28); and a thermal management system (60) fluidly connected to the first RESS (12) and the second RESS (14), the thermal management system (60) comprising: a source of thermal management fluid (62) comprising a container (64) of thermal management fluid (62); an inlet manifold (76) fluidly connected to the source of thermal management fluid (62); an outlet manifold (78) including a thermal management fluid outlet fluidly connected to the thermal management fluid inlet manifold (76); a first thermal management fluid supply line (83) extending through the first RESS (12), the first thermal management fluid supply line (83) including a first end (88) connected to the inlet manifold (76) and a second end (89) connected to the first housing (26); a first inlet valve (98) disposed in the first thermal management fluid supply line (83) and selectively creating a first passage fluidly connecting the inlet manifold (76) to the outlet manifold (78) through the first RESS (12); a second thermal management fluid supply line (84) extending through the second RESS (14), the second thermal management fluid supply line (84) comprising a first end portion (92) connected to the inlet manifold (76) and a second end portion (93) connected to the second housing (28); and a first outlet valve (99) disposed in the first thermal management fluid supply line (83) on the outlet manifold (78); characterized by , that the first inlet valve (98) is a normally closed valve and the first outlet valve (99) is a normally open valve; and that the container (64) of the source of heat management fluid (62) is fluidly connected to a municipal water supply (66). [2] The battery system (10) of claim 1, further comprising a second inlet valve (102) disposed in the second thermal management fluid supply line (84), the second inlet valve (102) selectively creating a second passage fluidly connecting the inlet manifold (76) to the outlet manifold (78) through the second RESS (14). [3] The battery system (10) of claim 2, further comprising a second outlet valve (103) disposed in the second thermal management fluid supply line (84) at the outlet manifold (78), wherein the second inlet valve (102) is a normally closed valve and the second outlet valve (103) is a normally open valve. [4] The battery system (10) of claim 3, further comprising a first sensor (120) mounted in the first RESS (12) and a second sensor (121) mounted in the second RESS (14). [5] The battery system (10) of claim 4, further comprising a control system (130) operatively connected to the first sensor (120), the second sensor (121), the first inlet valve (98), and the second inlet valve (102), the control system (130) selectively opening the first inlet valve (98) and the second inlet valve (102) based on a triggering parameter sensed in each of the first RESS (12) and the second RESS (14).

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