Battery Module Cooling Cabinet With Isolated Liquid Fire Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temperature control systems for energy-storage batteries face inefficiencies in cooling, increased complexity and cost due to gas cooling limitations, high-cost liquid requirements, and the need for additional fire fighting equipment, which are not fail-safe.
Innovation Solution
An immersion-type temperature control system that isolates battery modules from a large equivalent temperature control liquid, using a closed liquid circulation design with swirling flow passages and radiating fins for efficient heat exchange, and allows the liquid to act as a fire inhibitor during thermal runaway, eliminating the need for additional fire fighting systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If battery cells are directly immersed in cooling liquid to save cold plates and pipelines, then device complexity is reduced, but the cooling liquid must be electrically non-conductive and non-flammable which increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the storage space into sealed compartments that isolate battery modules from the cooling liquid. This segmentation allows the use of conventional cooling liquids (water, air, or inexpensive fluids) without requiring expensive electrically non-conductive and non-flammable liquids, while still providing effective cooling through the sealed compartment design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sealed compartment structure between the battery modules and cooling liquid. This intermediary allows heat transfer while maintaining electrical isolation and preventing direct contact, enabling the use of conventional cooling liquids that are cheaper and more readily available than specialized non-conductive liquids.
2Reliability
If additional fire fighting equipment is provided outside the energy storage systems, then thermal runaway propagation is prevented, but construction cost increases rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fire suppression function with the existing storage structure by making the storage compartments themselves fire-resistant. The sealed compartments are designed to contain thermal runaway events internally, eliminating the need for separate external fire fighting equipment while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed storage compartments serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for battery modules, enable thermal management through isolation from cooling liquid, and simultaneously act as fire containment vessels. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated fire fighting equipment.
3Device complexity
If conventional air cooling is used, then device complexity is low, but cooling efficiency is limited and airflow passages are compressed with increasing energy density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from gas-based air cooling to liquid-based cooling systems within sealed compartments. This hydraulic approach provides superior cooling efficiency through better thermal conductivity of liquids, while the sealed compartment design maintains structural simplicity and adapts to high energy density configurations.
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 achieves reduced complexity and cost, enhanced heat exchange effectiveness, and rapid heat dissipation, while using affordable liquids like coolant or rainwater, and prevents thermal runaway propagation without additional equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature control liquid immersing the battery modules can be directly used to prevent the propagation of thermal runaway
Implementation Method 2
a circulation pump, installed at an upper location with respect to the liquid circulation space, for changing a flow speed of the temperature control liquid
Implementation Method 3
The radiating fins are separately provided on outer surfaces of the storage chambers to provide increased contact area for heat exchange
Implementation Method 4
The temperature control liquid undergoes a heat exchange when flowing through the temperature controller to thereby reach a first temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature control system for energy-storage battery includes a fluid storage cabinet internally divided into non-communicable liquid circulating space and storage compartments for holding a temperature control liquid and a plurality of battery modules, respectively. The liquid circulating space communicates with input and output pipes of a temperature control module, so that the temperature control liquid circulates between the fluid storage cabinet and the temperature control module. The temperature control liquid undergoes a heat exchange in the temperature control module to reach a first temperature and undergoes another heat exchange in the fluid storage cabinet to reach a second temperature. Since the battery modules are not in direct contact with liquid, they need not be sealed and are therefore less complicate and expensive. Further, with a large equivalent liquid provided therein, the temperature control system provides stable environmental temperature control to upgrade heat exchange effect of the battery modules.