Cooling Fin Evaporator Between Battery Cells for Thermal Control
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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 efficient cooling, with a microprocessor controlling the process to manage temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling fin with internal flow path is used between battery cells, then heat energy from battery cells is effectively absorbed and refrigerant is transitioned to gaseous state, but system complexity increases due to integration of compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and refrigerant circulation components
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fin is nested directly between battery cells, with the internal flow path integrated into the fin structure itself. This nesting approach allows the refrigerant circulation system to be compactly integrated with the battery assembly, absorbing heat directly at the source while minimizing the spatial footprint of the cooling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The two-phase refrigerant acts as an intermediary substance that absorbs heat from battery cells through the cooling fin, transitions to gaseous state, and carries thermal energy to the condenser. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient heat transfer while separating the cooling function from direct contact with battery cells, managing system complexity through functional decomposition.
2Productivity
If two-phase refrigerant is transitioned to gaseous refrigerant using heat energy from battery cells, then cooling efficiency is enhanced through phase change heat absorption, but energy loss occurs during the refrigerant cycle through the compressor and condenser
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes phase transition of the refrigerant from liquid to gaseous state within the cooling fin to absorb latent heat from battery cells. This phase change mechanism provides high cooling efficiency as the refrigerant absorbs significant thermal energy during evaporation, directly addressing the productivity enhancement while managing energy losses through the closed-cycle condensation and compression processes.
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 approach effectively cools battery cells by utilizing the heat energy to transition refrigerant states, enhancing thermal management and maintaining optimal operational temperatures.
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.