Lithium-Ion Battery Cooling Control for Storage Temperature Trade-Offs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries in data centers degrade faster at higher storage temperatures, requiring a balance between cooling effort and battery health to minimize costs and extend battery life.
Innovation Solution
Optimizing lithium-ion battery storage temperature by monitoring real-time conditions and using a primary cooling system to maintain temperatures up to an upper limit, minimizing cooling costs and degradation, while employing a secondary cooling system when necessary to prevent overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If higher storage temperature is used for lithium-ion batteries, then cooling effort is reduced, but battery degradation rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a dynamic temperature control strategy that adjusts cooling setpoints based on battery state of charge, ambient conditions, and operational mode. The system transitions between different temperature targets (e.g., 25°C for storage, 35°C for charging) to optimize both cooling energy consumption and battery longevity, resolving the contradiction between reduced cooling effort and minimized degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes temperature parameters dynamically based on battery conditions. It adjusts the storage temperature setpoint according to state of charge levels, ambient temperature, and operational requirements. This parameter adaptation allows the system to operate at higher temperatures (reducing cooling effort) when degradation risks are low, and switch to lower temperatures (reducing degradation) when necessary, thus resolving the trade-off.
2Reliability
If lower storage temperature is maintained for lithium-ion batteries, then battery degradation is reduced, but cooling effort and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial cooling action by maintaining optimal low temperatures (25°C) only when necessary for battery protection, rather than continuously. The system applies intensive cooling only during high-risk conditions such as high state of charge storage or hot ambient environments, while allowing higher temperatures during low-risk periods, thus reducing overall cooling effort while maintaining adequate battery protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic temperature adjustment based on battery usage patterns, ambient conditions, and state of charge. It alternates between aggressive cooling modes (when degradation risk is high) and relaxed cooling modes (when risk is low), creating a periodic control pattern that balances battery protection with energy consumption optimization.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If optimal storage temperature is maintained to minimize degradation, then battery life is extended, but total management cost increases due to cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic control to adjust cooling intensity and temperature setpoints based on real-time battery conditions, ambient environment, and operational mode. This dynamic approach extends battery life through appropriate temperature management while minimizing cooling costs by avoiding unnecessary aggressive cooling during low-risk conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes temperature parameters adaptively based on state of charge, ambient temperature, and operational requirements. By adjusting the storage temperature setpoint dynamically rather than maintaining a fixed low temperature, the system extends battery life when needed while reducing cooling energy consumption during periods when higher temperatures are acceptable, thus optimizing the trade-off between battery life extension and cooling cost.
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 approach reduces the total cost of battery management by balancing cooling efforts with battery degradation, extending battery life and improving performance by maintaining optimal storage temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining a storage temperature of the battery in a battery room... effort to cool the battery
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery system can provide backup power for information technology (IT) equipment. In response to a lithium ion based battery being inactive (not charging or discharging), a temperature of the battery can be maintained at or below an optimal storage temperature of the battery, using a primary cooling system. If the primary cooling system is insufficient, the temperature can be maintained at or below the optimal storage temperature with a secondary cooling system that runs in addition to the primary system. The optimal storage temperature of the battery is determined based on an effort to cool the battery and a degradation of the battery.