Battery Cooling Case Venting for Thermal Runaway Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water-cooled energy storage systems face a risk of accidents due to excessive internal pressure increases during thermal runaway of battery cells, which can lead to explosions.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage system design with a case that accommodates a cooling fluid, featuring specific discharge ports and a controller to manage fluid flow based on battery cell temperature and pressure, including a supply port, a first discharge port positioned closer to the battery cell, and a second discharge port positioned lower, with a vent to release pressure if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water cooling method is used to enable target temperature management and efficient cooling control, then cooling efficiency is improved, but internal pressure increases during thermal runaway leading to explosion risk
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge port is segmented into multiple ports positioned at different heights (first discharge port at higher position, second discharge port at lower position) to handle different phases of thermal runaway events. This segmentation allows selective activation based on severity, managing both cooling efficiency and pressure control effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by having discharge ports pre-positioned at specific heights before thermal runaway occurs. The controller is pre-programmed with temperature thresholds to activate appropriate discharge ports in advance, enabling rapid response when thermal runaway begins without delay in decision-making.
Solution Approach 3:
The cooling fluid acts as an intermediary substance that transfers heat from the battery cell to the surrounding environment. By controlling the flow and discharge of this intermediary fluid through strategically positioned ports, the system manages both cooling efficiency and pressure buildup during thermal runaway.
2Ease of operation
If battery cells are located inside a closed container for water cooling, then cooling control is improved, but accident risk increases due to pressure buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static closed container to a dynamic system with multiple discharge ports that can be selectively activated. The controller dynamically opens or closes discharge ports based on real-time temperature monitoring, allowing the closed container to adapt its pressure management capabilities while maintaining cooling control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting which discharge ports are active based on temperature thresholds. At normal operating temperatures, the container remains closed for efficient cooling. When temperature exceeds thresholds during thermal runaway, specific discharge ports are opened to release pressure, changing the system's pressure management parameter in response to conditions.
3Device complexity
If single discharge port is used for cooling fluid discharge, then device complexity is reduced, but pressure management capability during thermal runaway is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using one complex adjustable discharge port, the system segments the discharge function into multiple simple ports at different heights. This segmentation provides differentiated pressure management capabilities (first port for moderate pressure, second port for severe pressure) without requiring complex mechanisms in each port, balancing device complexity with reliability.
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 effectively reduces the likelihood of accidents by managing internal pressure and temperature through controlled fluid circulation and discharge, enhancing safety and efficiency in cooling battery cells.
Implementation Method 1
a battery cell in an interior of the case to contact the cooling fluid
Implementation Method 2
a case vent connected to the case and configured to be opened upon an internal pressure of the case being increased to a threshold pressure or higher
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an energy storage system which includes a case configured to accommodate a cooling fluid, a battery cell in an interior of the case to contact the cooling fluid, a supply port connected to the case for supplying the cooling fluid to the interior of the case, a first discharge port connected to the case for discharging the cooling fluid from the interior of the case, and a second discharge port connected to the case at a lower position than the first discharge port.