Battery Cooling Line Check Valve for Integrated Fire Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery systems face challenges in compact and cost-effective temperature control and fire extinguishing, as traditional temperature control devices require additional space and complex extinguishing devices that are costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A temperature control device with a check valve in the temperature control line allows for continuous flow in the normal direction while blocking in the reverse direction, enabling the same device to both control temperature and extinguish fires by directing the temperature control fluid to the source of the fire through a leakage point created by a safety section or valve element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional extinguishing devices are installed in battery systems to ensure rapid fire suppression, then fire suppression capability is improved, but installation space increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire suppression capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature control device is designed to perform dual functions: normal temperature control during operation and fire suppression during emergencies. The same pump device, temperature control line, and temperature control fluid are used for both cooling the battery subsystems and extinguishing fires, eliminating the need for separate extinguishing devices and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature control system serves itself by using its existing components for fire suppression. The pump device automatically or manually directs the temperature control fluid through the temperature control line to the fire location, allowing the system to suppress fires using its own integrated resources without requiring external extinguishing systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If additional extinguishing devices are installed in battery systems to ensure rapid fire suppression, then fire suppression capability is improved, but installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire suppression capabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature control device is designed to perform dual functions: normal temperature control during operation and fire suppression during emergencies. The same pump device, temperature control line, and temperature control fluid are used for both cooling the battery subsystems and extinguishing fires, eliminating the need for separate extinguishing devices and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The fire suppression function is merged with the existing temperature control system. The pump device, temperature control line, and temperature control fluid serve both cooling and fire suppression purposes, combining two functions into one integrated system to minimize installation space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If check valve is arranged in the temperature control line to enable bidirectional flow control for fire extinguishing, then fire suppression capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire suppression capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The check valve acts as an intermediary component that enables bidirectional flow control in the temperature control line. It allows the temperature control fluid to flow in the normal direction during cooling operation and automatically directs flow in the reverse direction toward the fire location during fire suppression, facilitating the dual-function capability with a single simple mechanical component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fire suppression capability is extracted and enabled through the addition of a simple check valve to the existing temperature control system. This single component extraction allows the system to achieve bidirectional flow control and fire suppression functionality without requiring complex additional devices or systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 allows for effective temperature control and fire extinguishing within the existing device, reducing the need for additional extinguishing devices, enhancing safety and compactness by using existing components to manage thermal energy and direct fluid flow to the fire location.

Implementation Method 1

the check valve blocks in a second flow direction, wherein the second flow direction is opposite to the first flow direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCheck valve blocking: Valve

Implementation Method 2

thermal energy, in other words waste heat from the battery subsystems, can be absorbed by the temperature control fluid and transported away from the battery subsystems

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

Through a thermally conductive connection of the temperature control line, for example a temperature control section of the temperature control line, with the individual battery subsystems of a battery system, thermal energy, in other words waste heat from the battery subsystems, can be absorbed by the temperature control fluid and transported away from the battery subsystems, or brought to the battery subsystems by the temperature control fluid and transferred to them

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3659204B1Temperature-control device for controlling the temperature of a battery system, battery system, and method for controlling the temperature of and/or extinguishing a battery system
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 LION SMART GMBH
  • EP3659204B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3659204B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a temperature-control device (10) for controlling the temperature of a battery system (1) having at least one battery subsystem (2), the temperature-control device (10) comprising a temperature-control line (20) for conducting a temperature-control fluid (40) and a pump device (3) for generating a flow of the temperature-control fluid (40) in the temperature-control line (20) at least in a first flow direction (50). The temperature-control line (20) comprises at least one temperature-control portion (22) thermally conductively connectable to the at least one battery subsystem (2) for feeding and/or discharging thermal energy to or from the battery subsystem (2). The invention also relates to a battery system (1) comprising at least one battery subsystem (2) and a temperature-control device (10). The invention additionally relates to a method for controlling the temperature of and/or extinguishing a battery system (1) of this kind, with the pump device (3) generating a flow of the temperature-control fluid (40) in the temperature-control line (20) in the first flow direction in order to control the temperature of the battery system (1).