Battery Pack Thermal-Electrical Simulation Using Reduced Order Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of large battery packs, particularly those with multiple modules, makes real-time or near-real-time thermal simulation using physics-based methods infeasible due to high computational costs, which is a challenge in designing efficient battery packs for applications like electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The use of reduced order models (ROMs) that simplify the processing required for simulating thermal and electrical behavior of battery packs, allowing for real-time or near-real-time simulation by capturing behavior within an operating range and interacting with electrical and coolant models to simulate cooling effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physics-based thermal simulation methods are used for large battery packs with multiple modules, then simulation accuracy is improved, but computational cost increases making real-time simulation infeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple battery modules, and each module is further divided into battery cells for individual thermal simulation. This segmentation allows the overall system to be simulated through composition of simpler subsystem simulations, reducing the computational complexity of the entire pack while maintaining accuracy through localized detailed modeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the continuous physics-based thermal simulation into a discrete state-space model by changing the mathematical representation parameters. This involves converting partial differential equations into difference equations with state variables, enabling real-time simulation while preserving the essential thermal behavior characteristics of the battery system.
2Measurement precision
If detailed thermal simulation of each battery cell is performed, then thermal behavior accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mathematical parameters from continuous physics equations to discrete state-space model parameters. Each battery cell's thermal behavior is represented by a simplified state-space model with defined state variables, inputs, and outputs, reducing model complexity while maintaining predictive accuracy for thermal behavior under various operating conditions.
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 significantly reduces simulation time, enabling real-time or near-real-time simulation of battery pack operation, overcoming the computational expense of traditional methods and facilitating efficient design and performance analysis.
Implementation Method 1
A heat dissipation input is provided to respective thermal models using a coolant model configured to simulate cooling of the battery modules based on a temperature and a heat transfer coefficient associated with respective battery modules
Data Source
AI summary
A system for simulating operation of a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery modules includes an electrical model configured to simulate electrical behavior of a respective battery module and a thermal model configured to simulate thermal behavior of the respective battery module. The electrical model provides outputs coupled as inputs to the thermal model, and the thermal model provides outputs coupled as inputs to the electrical model. A coolant model is configured to couple with the thermal model, the coolant model to simulate cooling of the respective battery module based on a temperature and a heat transfer coefficient associated with the respective battery module.