Battery Thermal Conduits With Peltier Cooling for Runaway Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery systems face challenges in maintaining optimal temperature ranges for extended periods, preventing thermal runaway and fires, managing thermal gradients, and ensuring long battery life, especially in outdoor environments with varying temperatures, due to high energy density and compact designs.

Innovation Solution

A battery system incorporating thermal conduits and thermoelectric coolers to manage thermal energy, using insulative materials to isolate the battery from external temperatures, and employing Peltier junctions for active temperature regulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If high energy-density batteries are used to achieve compact designs, then energy density is improved, but thermal management difficulty increases and fire hazard increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidthermal runaway risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is divided into modular units with individual thermal management for each module. Each module contains multiple battery cells arranged in series, with dedicated thermal conduits and Peltier junctions for localized temperature control, preventing thermal runaway propagation between modules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Peltier junctions serve as intermediary devices between the battery modules and heat sinks. These thermoelectric coolers actively transfer heat from the battery cells to the heat sinks, providing precise thermal management and preventing thermal runaway in high energy-density battery systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If passive cooling with phase change materials is used, then temperature regulation is improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature regulationVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical cooling systems with solid-state Peltier junctions that use electrical current to directly pump heat. This substitution eliminates the need for moving parts, refrigerants, and complex mechanical components while achieving active temperature regulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses Peltier junctions to dynamically change thermal parameters by controlling electrical current flow. By adjusting the current through the thermoelectric devices, the system can actively regulate battery temperature in response to varying operating conditions and ambient temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If complex cooling strategies with refrigerants and fans are used, then cooling capability is improved, but maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical cooling systems with refrigerants and fans with solid-state Peltier junctions. This eliminates moving parts that require maintenance, sealing issues with refrigerants, and fan failures, resulting in a maintenance-free thermal management system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The Peltier junctions provide self-regulating thermal management by actively pumping heat from the battery cells to heat sinks. The system automatically responds to temperature changes without requiring external intervention, monitoring, or maintenance, achieving long-term reliable operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Maintains battery safety and extends life by effectively regulating temperature, preventing thermal runaway, and localizing fires, while reducing complexity and cost compared to conventional cooling strategies.

Implementation Method 1

The one or more thermoelectric coolers can be configured to dissipate thermal energy received from the one or more battery modules via the one or more thermal conduits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeltier effect: Peltier Effect

Implementation Method 2

The one or more thermal conduits can be configured to allow thermal energy to flow from the one or more battery modules to the one or more thermoelectric coolers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

using insulative materials to isolate the battery from external temperatures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS20250219184A1Battery Thermal Management Systems and Methods

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 GEORGIA TECH RES CORP

AI summary

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a battery system comprising one or more battery modules, one or more thermal conduits, and one or more thermoelectric coolers. Each of the one or more battery modules can comprise a plurality of battery cells. The one or more thermal conduits can be coupled to the one or more battery modules. The one or more thermoelectric coolers can be coupled to the one or more thermal conduits. The one or more thermal conduits can be configured to allow thermal energy to flow from the one or more battery modules to the one or more thermoelectric coolers. The thermoelectric coolers can be configured to dissipate thermal energy received from the one or more battery modules via the one or more thermal conduits.