Battery Pack Fire Suppression with Multi-Dose Suppressant Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion battery packs are difficult to detect and suppress fires effectively due to their tight construction, and multiple cell failures can lead to continuous fire events that on-board systems are not equipped to handle.
Innovation Solution
A fire suppression system with multiple detectors, controllers, and pressurized fire suppressant vessels that can release multiple doses of suppressants into the battery pack to address initial and secondary fire events, along with an emergency entry point for additional suppressant and a recycling system for spent suppressant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If tight construction methods are used in battery packs, then manufacturing precision and structural integrity are improved, but detection capability and fire suppression effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is integrated inside the battery pack structure, nested within the tight construction rather than external. This allows the detection system to be embedded within the confined space, maintaining manufacturing precision while enabling fire event detection through strategic placement of sensors within the battery module architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
A ducted gas detection system serves as an intermediary mechanism, channeling gases from deep within the tight battery construction to external detectors. This mediator approach allows detection of fire events originating in hard-to-reach areas without compromising the tight sealed construction of the battery pack.
2Device complexity
If a single fire suppressant system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability for handling multiple fire events deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppression system is segmented into multiple independent suppressant storage vessels, each capable of delivering a separate dose. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple fire events or prolonged fire events by sequentially deploying suppressant from different vessels, enhancing reliability without creating a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic action by delivering suppressant in multiple discrete doses rather than a single continuous discharge. The controller can activate different suppressant vessels at different time intervals to address recurring or persistent fire events, improving reliability through repeated suppression cycles.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If first suppressant is administered to suppress a fire event, then fire suppression effectiveness is improved, but the ability to handle secondary fire events deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple suppressant vessels are pre-charged and prepared in advance, with the controller programmed to sequence their deployment. When a fire event occurs, the system not only responds to the current event but is already prepared with additional suppressant doses for potential secondary events, enhancing adaptability through pre-positioned resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards the used suppressant from the first vessel after deployment and recovers operational capability by activating the second vessel. This cycle of discarding consumed suppressant and recovering system readiness through sequential vessel activation allows continuous protection against multiple fire events.
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 enables early detection and effective suppression of multiple fire events in battery packs, reducing damage by allowing for multiple suppressant doses and recycling spent suppressants, enhancing safety in vehicles with battery packs.
Implementation Method 1
A fire suppression system for a battery pack includes a controller, an inlet line, an outlet line, a detector, a first pressure vessel with a first valve, and a second pressure vessel with a second valve. The detector senses a condition indicative of a fire event caused by a battery cell breaking and produces a signal.
Implementation Method 2
The first fire suppression procedure also includes flowing the first fire suppressant into the battery pack to cool the battery pack with the first fire suppressant. The second fire suppression procedure also includes flowing the second fire suppressant into the battery pack to cool the battery pack with the second fire suppressant.
Data Source
AI summary
A fire suppression system for a battery pack includes a controller, an inlet line, an outlet line, a detector, a first pressure vessel with a first valve, and a second pressure vessel with a second valve. The pack includes: an inlet, battery modules housing battery cells, and an outlet. The inlet line connects to the pack inlet and the outlet line connects to the outlet. The detector senses a condition indicative of a fire event caused by a battery cell breaking and produces a signal. The controller, connected to the detector, determines a fire event is occurring based on the signal. The first vessel and the second vessel connect to the inlet line. A first suppressant flows from the first vessel into the pack when the controller opens the first valve. A second suppressant flows from the second vessel into the pack when the controller opens the second valve.