Battery Thermal Management Using Phase Change Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery thermal management systems in data centers are inadequate for lithium-ion batteries, as they do not self-activate during charging and discharging cycles, leading to potential overheating and reduced battery performance, and may not evenly cool battery cells, resulting in thermal overshoot and reduced battery lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A battery thermal management system utilizing phase change of fluid for passive cooling, where battery cells are submerged in a liquid coolant that changes phase to absorb and transfer heat, using a condenser and heat exchanging loop to circulate coolant and maintain thermal equilibrium, activated by temperature and pressure sensors to ensure efficient cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional air cooling systems are used in data centers, then the thermal environment is managed based on server requirements, but the battery thermal management is not optimized leading to potential overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dedicated liquid cooling system specifically for battery thermal management, separate from the server cooling infrastructure. This localized approach allows optimization of cooling parameters (temperature, flow rate) specifically for battery requirements rather than generic air cooling, directly addressing the lack of battery-specific thermal optimization in conventional data center environments
2Temperature
If a battery thermal management system is activated continuously, then battery cooling is ensured, but energy is wasted during times when backup power is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic control system that activates the liquid cooling pump based on real-time battery temperature monitoring and charging/discharging state detection. The system transitions between active cooling mode and standby mode, adjusting energy consumption to match actual thermal management needs during different operational phases of the battery
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors and control logic that continuously monitor battery thermal conditions and feedback to the cooling system. This closed-loop control enables the system to activate cooling only when temperature thresholds are exceeded or during charging/discharging cycles when heat generation occurs, preventing unnecessary energy consumption during idle periods
3Temperature
If conventional air cooling is used, then the system is simple to implement, but the battery cells are not evenly cooled resulting in thermal overshoot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a liquid cooling system with coolant circulating through channels in direct contact with or adjacent to each battery cell. This hydraulic approach provides superior heat transfer efficiency compared to air cooling, enabling uniform temperature distribution across all cells by ensuring consistent thermal contact and fluid flow, thereby eliminating thermal overshoot 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
The system effectively manages thermal energy through natural convection, preventing overheating, maintaining battery performance, and extending battery lifetime by ensuring consistent cooling during charging and discharging cycles.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing phase change of fluid to cool a battery pack
Implementation Method 2
phase change of fluid for passive cooling, where battery cells are submerged in a liquid coolant that changes phase to absorb and transfer heat
Implementation Method 3
The condenser is configured to condense the vapor back into liquid coolant
Implementation Method 4
the battery cells generate heat that is transferred into the liquid coolant
Implementation Method 5
The system effectively manages thermal energy through natural convection
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a battery module includes an output connector, several battery cells that are coupled to the output connector and are at least partially submerged within a liquid coolant. The battery cells are configured to provide battery energy to a load via the output connector and are configured to draw power from an external power supply to charge the battery cells via the output connector. While the battery cells provide the battery energy or draw power, the battery cells generate heat that is transferred into the liquid coolant, thereby causing at least some of the liquid coolant to turn into vapor extracting the heat. The battery module also includes a condenser that is positioned above the battery cells and is configured to condense the vapor back into liquid coolant.