Battery Cell Assembly Cooling Using Two-Phase Refrigerant Fins
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems lack an efficient method for cooling battery cell assemblies, particularly in transitioning a two-phase refrigerant into a gaseous state to effectively manage heat energy from battery cells.
Innovation Solution
A battery system and method utilizing a cooling fin between battery cells to transition a two-phase refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant, which is then pumped through a compressor, condensed, and expanded to maintain a continuous cooling cycle, effectively cooling the battery cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling fin with internal flow path is used between battery cells, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fin integrates multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both a structural separator between battery cells and a heat transfer conduit with internal flow paths. This merging eliminates the need for separate cooling plates and channels, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective cooling between cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fin performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal management by conducting heat from battery cells, acts as a physical separator between cells, and serves as a flow channel for the refrigerant. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while achieving comprehensive cooling coverage.
2Productivity
If two-phase refrigerant transition is implemented in the cooling fin, then cooling efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes phase change parameters of the refrigerant (transition between liquid and vapor states) to achieve efficient heat absorption. By designing the flow path to accommodate two-phase flow conditions, the system leverages the latent heat of vaporization for superior cooling efficiency without requiring excessively complex manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fin is specifically designed to facilitate the phase transition of refrigerant from liquid to vapor within its internal flow path. This phase change process absorbs significant heat from the battery cells, providing high-efficiency cooling. The flow path geometry is optimized to ensure proper two-phase flow distribution while remaining manufacturable.
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
This solution provides an efficient cooling mechanism for battery cells by utilizing a cooling fin to transition two-phase refrigerant into a gaseous state, effectively reducing the temperature of the cells and maintaining a continuous cooling cycle, thereby improving battery performance and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
transition the two-phase refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant within the internal flow path utilizing the heat energy
Implementation Method 2
receive heat energy from the first and second battery cells
Implementation Method 3
transition the gaseous refrigerant into a liquid refrigerant by extracting heat energy from the gaseous refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
extracting heat energy from the gaseous refrigerant utilizing the condenser
Implementation Method 5
decrease a pressure level of the liquid refrigerant to obtain the two-phase refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system having first and second battery cells and a cooling fin disposed between the first and second battery cells is provided. The cooling fin receives heat energy from the first and second battery cells and transitions a two-phase refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant within an internal flow path. The compressor pumps the gaseous refrigerant into a condenser. The condenser transitions the gaseous refrigerant into the liquid refrigerant by extracting heat energy from the gaseous refrigerant.