Battery Module Fluidic Control for Dynamic Temperature and Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery management systems fail to actively and dynamically manage pressure and temperature variations at the cell level with instantaneous response times, limiting the exploitation of next-generation battery performance features.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a battery module with a chamber for cells, an on-board circuit for monitoring and controlling state of charge, a fluidic unit for heat transfer fluid management, temperature and pressure sensors, and a controller to regulate the heat transfer fluid's temperature and pressure based on setpoints and measurements, allowing for precise and rapid adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a fluid is used to maintain isostatic pressure on battery cells, then pressure management is improved, but the response time to pressure variations is insufficient for instantaneous adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static or slow-response pressure management to dynamic pressure control through active pumping. The pump can rapidly adjust fluid pressure in response to real-time sensor feedback, enabling instantaneous pressure variations matched to battery operational needs during charging cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure sensors continuously monitor the actual pressure applied to battery cells and feed this information back to the control system. The controller compares measured pressure with target pressure and adjusts pump operation accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that achieves precise and rapid pressure management.
2Temperature
If heating elements are added to raise battery temperature, then charging performance is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer fluid system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it applies pressure to the battery cells, controls temperature through heating and cooling reservoirs, and enables rapid thermal management. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate heating elements and cooling systems, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines pressure application and temperature control functions into a single integrated fluidic system. The same pump and fluid circulation loop that maintain isostatic pressure also provide heating when the fluid passes through the heating reservoir and cooling when it passes through the cooling reservoir.
3Productivity
If rapid charging is implemented, then charging speed is improved, but dendrite formation increases reducing battery reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes pressure and temperature parameters during charging to optimize performance and prevent dendrite formation. During rapid charging, the system applies elevated isostatic pressure and maintains optimal temperature ranges, which fundamentally alters the electrochemical environment to suppress dendritic growth while enabling high charging rates.
4Productivity
If active and dynamic pressure and temperature management is implemented, then battery performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer fluid system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it applies pressure to the battery cells, controls temperature through heating and cooling reservoirs, and enables rapid thermal management. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate heating elements and cooling systems, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the battery's own operational state (monitored by sensors for temperature, pressure, and charge level) to automatically control the pump and reservoir operations. The closed-loop control system self-regulates pressure and temperature based on real-time conditions without requiring external intervention or complex manual management.
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
Enables almost instantaneous and precise management of pressure and temperature, optimizing battery performance by minimizing dendrite formation, increasing charging speed, extending battery life, and maintaining contact quality, while reducing energy consumption and integrating seamlessly into vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid circulating in the system... allows to cool them and to apply a pressure on these cells
Implementation Method 2
a battery cell comprises a heating element such as a resistor to raise the temperature of the battery and improve its performances
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for managing operating temperature and pressure of a battery are disclosed. Cells of the battery are housed in cylindrical modules into which a heat transfer fluid under pressure and at a temperature circulates. A fluidic unit has a return reservoir that collects oil leaving the modules, and cooling and heating reservoirs containing oil pumped from the return reservoir at predefined hot and cold temperatures. Oil is transmitted to the modules at a temperature and a pressure almost instantaneously obtained by regulated mixing and flow rate of hot and cold oil. The mixing and the flow rate are controlled by controllers connected to a BMS which manages oil pressure and temperature setpoints to be applied to the cells as a function of a demand in power and in energy received by the BMS and pressure and temperature measurements taken by sensors in the system.