Active Battery Module Airflow for Thermal Runaway Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries used in vehicles and equipment are prone to thermal runaway, posing a risk of severe injury or fatalities due to the confined spaces in which they operate, as existing venting solutions are inadequate in preventing the spread of hazardous gases and heat.
Innovation Solution
A thermal runaway prevention system that includes a housing with sensors to detect energy releases, coupled with an air inlet and outlet and a flow control device to actively manage the energy release by forcing air through the housing to prevent further thermal runaway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If module-level isolation is used to vent hot gas from a failing cell, then thermal runaway propagation is prevented, but hot gas is released into confined spaces containing other modules and passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful hot gas from the confined battery module space and directs it outside through dedicated venting pathways. The venting system separates the exhaust flow from passenger areas and other battery modules, removing the harmful factor from the problematic environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components including venting channels, flow control devices, and thermal barriers that mediate between the failing cell and the surrounding environment. These intermediaries guide the hot gas flow away from vulnerable areas while maintaining system safety.
2Stress or pressure
If passive venting is used to release hot gas from a failing cell, then pressure buildup is relieved, but hot gas remains in the vicinity of vulnerable cells due to slow dispersion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing pre-configured venting pathways and flow control mechanisms that are ready before thermal runaway occurs. When a cell fails, the system immediately directs hot gas through established channels away from vulnerable cells, preventing the slow dispersion problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic principles to manage hot gas flow, utilizing pressure differentials and fluid dynamics to direct exhaust gases through venting channels. Flow control devices regulate the gas flow to ensure rapid removal from the battery module space.
3Use of energy by moving object
If larger and more energy dense batteries are used to meet application needs, then energy capacity is increased, but the risk of thermal runaway and associated injuries is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery system into isolated modules with individual venting systems. Each module has its own controlled venting pathway, so that thermal runaway in one module does not affect others. This segmentation allows high energy density while maintaining safety through compartmentalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates protected environments within battery modules using thermal barriers and controlled atmospheres that reduce the likelihood of thermal runaway propagation. The venting system maintains safe conditions by directing any potential runaway events away from vulnerable areas.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents thermal runaway by routing energy releases away from adjacent modules and passenger spaces, reducing the risk of injury and fatalities by actively managing gas and heat emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a flow control device to actively manage the energy release detected by the sensor out of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A system for preventing thermal runaway among battery modules utilized to power equipment. The system may also be utilized to prevent thermal runaway within a battery module among battery cells on an intra-modular basis. The system is beneficial for equipment with an occupant space for accommodating an operator of the equipment. Thermal runaway may be avoided by the active use of a flow control device directed at a housing space containing a battery module that may be prone to failure. Specifically, air may be driven into the housing or drawn from the housing during the emergence of an unintended energy release from the battery module so as to prevent the thermal runaway. Further, directing the energy release away from the battery module includes routing the energy release away from other modules and the occupant space.