Battery Container Venting With Fire-Blocking Partitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems face challenges in preventing fire spread and maintaining air circulation, as impermeable firewalls increase costs and reduce battery energy density.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a container with accommodation portions, partitions, ventilation holes, and blocking members with features like louvers, coating layers, and damper members that adjust to block flames and smoke while allowing air circulation in normal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If impermeable firewalls are erected to prevent fire spread, then fire safety is improved, but separate air conditioning equipment is required for each compartment which increases costs and reduces battery energy density
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple compartments by partitions with ventilation holes, creating segmented spaces that can be independently managed for fire safety while maintaining overall system integration. Each compartment can be separated by firewalls when needed, but normally functions as part of a unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation holes are equipped with blocking members that can dynamically change state between open and closed positions. During normal operation, the blocking members remain open to allow air circulation. When fire is detected, the blocking members close to prevent fire spread, providing adaptive fire protection without requiring complete compartmentalization.
2Reliability
If impermeable firewalls are erected to prevent fire spread, then fire safety is improved, but battery energy density is reduced due to increased structural requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking members provide dynamic fire protection that only activates when needed, eliminating the need for permanent impermeable firewalls. This allows the container structure to be optimized for battery capacity while incorporating fire safety capabilities through movable components rather than fixed structural additions.
Solution Approach 2:
Fire protection is applied locally at the ventilation holes through blocking members rather than requiring complete compartmentalization with impermeable firewalls throughout. This localized approach provides fire safety where it is most needed (at ventilation openings) while minimizing the impact on overall battery energy density.
3Productivity
If ventilation holes are provided in partitions to allow air circulation, then air circulation efficiency is improved, but fire and smoke can spread between compartments
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking members are designed to respond dynamically to fire conditions. During normal operation, they remain open to maintain air circulation efficiency. When fire or excessive heat is detected, the blocking members automatically close to block the ventilation holes, preventing fire and smoke spread while preserving air circulation functionality when safe.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking members utilize the fire hazard itself as the triggering mechanism for closure. Heat-sensitive materials or fire detection systems activate the blocking mechanism in response to fire conditions, converting the harmful fire environment into the activating signal that closes the ventilation holes, thereby preventing fire spread through the same pathways that normally enable air circulation.
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
Prevents fire spread and maintains efficient air circulation, ensuring the safety and efficiency of the energy storage system.
Implementation Method 1
a coating layer on a surface of the blocking body, the coating layer being configured to expand in response to being heated to a set temperature or higher and to close the plurality of mesh holes
Implementation Method 2
the rope being configured to be cut in response to the rope being heated to a set temperature or higher
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An energy storage system configured to allow smooth air circulation in normal operating conditions and to prevent the spread of smoke and a fire in the event of a fire. The energy storage system includes a container, accommodation portions inside the container and individually accommodating a battery rack or an air conditioner, a partition between adjacent accommodation portions, a ventilation hole passing through the partition and connecting the adjacent accommodation portions, and a blocking member configured to block a flame or smoke generated in one of the adjacent accommodation portions from passing through the ventilation hole.