Self-Activating Thermal Management for Battery Packs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries in data center applications face unique thermal management challenges due to limited active cooling periods during power outages and charging, requiring a self-activating system that is reliable and efficient to maintain battery performance and safety without mechanical pumps.
Innovation Solution
A battery module utilizing phase change natural convection thermal management, where battery cells are immersed in a fluid that changes phase to absorb and transfer thermal energy through vapor and liquid channels, leveraging density differences and gravity for passive circulation, eliminating the need for mechanical pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If active thermal management systems with pumps are used, then cooling efficiency is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to mechanical failure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pumps with a thermosiphon system that utilizes natural convection and phase change of working fluid. The fluid evaporates at the battery pack (absorbing heat) and condenses at the condenser (releasing heat), creating natural circulation without mechanical components. This eliminates pump failure risks while maintaining effective thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs phase change of the working fluid (evaporation at battery pack, condensation at condenser) to drive the thermal management system. The phase transitions enable efficient heat absorption and release, providing reliable cooling without mechanical pumps.
2Ease of operation
If self-activating thermal management is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but thermal response speed may worsen causing thermal overshoot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the operating pressure and temperature parameters of the working fluid to optimize the phase change characteristics. By controlling the saturation temperature and heat of vaporization, the system achieves both self-activation and rapid thermal response, preventing thermal overshoot while maintaining operational simplicity.
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 solution provides reliable, self-activating thermal management that maintains battery temperature within a safe range, enhancing performance and longevity by avoiding thermal overshoot and reducing the risk of mechanical failure, while being compact and integral to the battery system.
Implementation Method 1
thermal energy from the one or more battery cells is absorbed by the fluid causing the fluid to change from liquid to vapor
Implementation Method 2
causing the fluid to change from liquid to vapor and travel through the one or more vapor channels
Implementation Method 3
self-activated thermal management utilizing phase change of a fluid and natural convection
Implementation Method 4
The vapor changes back to liquid in the condenser and returns to the evaporation chamber
Implementation Method 5
The vapor changes back to liquid in the condenser
Implementation Method 6
thermal energy from the one or more battery cells is absorbed by the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system can include an evaporation chamber and condenser. One or more battery cells can be immersed in a fluid where the battery cells and the fluid are housed in the evaporation chamber. The condenser can be fluid connected to the evaporation chamber through one or more vapor channels and one or more liquid channels. When the battery cells charge and discharge, heat dissipated by the battery cells is absorbed by the fluid, causing the fluid to change from liquid to vapor. The vapor travels through the one or more vapor channels into the condenser where the vapor changes back to liquid and returns to the evaporation chamber through the one or more liquid channels. The thermal management solution is a self-sensing and self-regulating system.