Battery Cooling Path Cutoff for Thermal Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems in vehicles, particularly aircraft, face challenges in effectively mitigating the effects of thermal runaway, which can lead to destructive temperature increases and damage to neighboring energy storage cells.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system comprising thermal interface members thermally coupled to energy storage cells, heat transport members, and cut-off heat transport members that deactivate heat transfer upon reaching a predetermined temperature threshold, thereby redirecting heat away from unaffected cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat transport members are used to conduct heat away from energy storage cells, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but the risk of thermal runaway spreading to neighboring cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transport path is segmented into multiple independent members (first heat transport member and second heat transport member) that can be independently controlled. When thermal runaway occurs in one cell, only the affected heat transport member is deactivated, while other members continue to function, preventing thermal runaway propagation while maintaining heat dissipation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the state of heat transport members based on thermal conditions. The control unit activates or deactivates specific heat transport members depending on whether thermal runaway is detected in adjacent cells, allowing the system to adapt its heat transport behavior to current operational conditions.
2Reliability
If cut-off heat transport members are introduced to prevent thermal runaway propagation, then cell protection is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically detects thermal runaway conditions and activates/deactivates heat transport members without requiring manual intervention or complex external control systems. The system monitors temperature conditions and self-adjusts the heat transport configuration based on detected thermal states.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transport members serve dual functions: they act as normal heat dissipation pathways during regular operation and as controllable barriers when thermal runaway is detected. The same components perform both cooling and protection functions, reducing the need for separate dedicated protection mechanisms.
3Power
If multiple heat transport members are used for heat dissipation, then heat transport capacity is improved, but the potential pathways for heat spread during thermal runaway increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures multiple heat transport members and establishes control logic before thermal runaway occurs. When thermal runaway is detected, the control unit immediately deactivates the affected heat transport member, preventing heat spread along that pathway while maintaining heat transport capacity through remaining active members.
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 cooling system effectively protects neighboring energy storage cells from excessive heat during thermal runaway by redirecting heat through alternative paths, thereby preventing damage and ensuring system stability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one thermal interface member that is configured for thermally coupling to an energy storage cell
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of heat transport members each heat transport member being thermally coupled to the thermal interface member to allow heat transport away from the thermal interface member via the respective heat transport member
Implementation Method 3
at least one heat transport member is a cut-off heat transport member that is configured to cut-off heat transport upon exceeding a predetermined temperature threshold
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
In order to mitigate the effects of thermal runaway on energy storage apparatuss (30), the invention proposes a cooling system (34) that includes a thermal interface member (36) for each energy storage cell (32). The thermal interface member (36) is connected to a heat exchanger (44) via a plurality of heat transport members (38). One heat transport member (38) is configured such that upon reaching a predetermined condition, the heat transport member (38) deactivates the transport of the heat. This can be achieved by a predetermined breaking portion (42), which may comprise a rupture disk deliberate enfeeblement in the heat transport member (38). As a result, residual heat can be removed by a second heat transfer path, avoiding long time propagation of heat to neighbour cells.