Battery Pack Fire Pipe Precharge for Faster Thermal Runaway Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direct-spray-type fire extinguishing systems for battery packs face delays in extinguishing fires due to the time it takes for the fire extinguishing agent to reach the fire, which can lead to damage to the extinguishing pipe and thermal runaway of battery cells.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack fire extinguishing system that includes a fire extinguishing pipe holding a first fire extinguishing agent at atmospheric pressure and a supply unit connected to the pipe to supply a second fire extinguishing agent at a higher pressure, along with a gas intake sensor and controller to trigger the agent release promptly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a direct-spray-type fire extinguishing system operates upon detecting fire after occurrence of thermal runaway, then the fire extinguishing agent reaches the fire through the fire extinguishing pipe, but it takes a predetermined amount of time (about 10 seconds to about 20 seconds) for the agent to reach the fire, making it difficult to extinguish the fire at an early stage
Solution Approach 1:
The fire extinguishing agent is pre-filled and pre-positioned in the fire extinguishing pipe before thermal runaway occurs. When thermal runaway is detected, the pre-positioned agent is immediately discharged, eliminating the delay associated with agent delivery and enabling early-stage fire suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes pressure differential between the fire extinguishing agent reservoir and the pipe to drive rapid agent discharge. The pneumatic pressure mechanism ensures the agent is pushed through the pipe quickly upon activation, reducing delivery time while maintaining reliable fire suppression capability.
2Strength
If the fire extinguishing agent takes too long to reach the fire, then the fire may damage the fire extinguishing pipe, but this delay causes thermal runaway of battery cells
Solution Approach 1:
The fire extinguishing agent is pre-positioned in the pipe system before thermal runaway occurs. Upon detection, the agent is immediately discharged to suppress the fire at its source, preventing both pipe damage from prolonged exposure and thermal runaway propagation to adjacent cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies counter-action in advance by pre-filling the pipe with fire extinguishing agent. When thermal runaway is detected, the pre-positioned agent immediately counteracts the fire, preventing the harmful sequence of pipe damage followed by thermal runaway.
3Ease of manufacture
If the fire extinguishing pipe holds fire extinguishing agent at atmospheric pressure, then the system is simpler to manufacture, but the agent cannot be supplied at high pressure for immediate spray
Solution Approach 1:
The fire extinguishing agent is pre-filled in the pipe at atmospheric pressure during manufacturing, simplifying the manufacturing process. Upon activation, a pressure differential is created to rapidly push the pre-positioned agent through the pipe, achieving both ease of manufacture and high spray speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static atmospheric pressure state during storage to a dynamic high-pressure discharge state upon activation. This dynamic pressure change enables the agent to be sprayed at high speed while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through initial atmospheric pressure filling.
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 shortens the direct spray operation time, allowing for immediate and efficient fire extinguishing, thereby minimizing damage to the extinguishing pipe and preventing thermal runaway of battery cells.
Implementation Method 1
driving the vacuum pump to vacuum the fire extinguishing pipe
Implementation Method 2
The melting point of the film may be lower than the melting point of the first fire extinguishing pipe. The film may be configured to melt responsive to vent gas from the battery cells.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack fire extinguishing system includes one or more battery cells, a fire extinguishing pipe located above the one or more battery cells and holding a first fire extinguishing agent at atmospheric pressure. A fire extinguishing agent supply unit is connected to the fire extinguishing pipe to supply a second fire extinguishing agent to the fire extinguishing pipe at a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure.