Battery Quench Reservoir and Melt Plug for Thermal Runaway Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery packs face challenges in maintaining safe operating temperatures and preventing thermal runaway due to heat generation during operation, which can disrupt the functioning of sensitive electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A battery quenching system that includes a reservoir for a quenching material, a distribution system to carry the material to the battery pack or cells, and a melting plug that releases the material at a predefined temperature, providing thermal suppression and reducing the risk of thermal runaway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional battery pack design is used with air circulation channels, then thermal stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to carefully designed air channels and space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the thermal management function from the battery pack structure by introducing a separate quenching material reservoir and distribution system. The quenching material is delivered through tubes and nozzles positioned near battery cells, separating the cooling function from the battery enclosure design and eliminating the need for complex internal air channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces quenching material as an intermediary substance between the heat source (battery cells) and the surrounding environment. This material acts as a thermal mediator that absorbs and dissipates heat, providing thermal stability without requiring complex structural modifications to the battery pack.
2Temperature
If quenching material is released continuously, then thermal suppression is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning the quenching material in a reservoir and using a melting plug that activates only when thermal runaway is detected. This ensures the quenching material is released only when absolutely necessary, preventing continuous consumption while maintaining thermal suppression capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by employing a melting plug that undergoes a phase change from solid to liquid at a specific temperature threshold. This parameter change (melting point) serves as a trigger mechanism that controls the release of quenching material, ensuring it is delivered only when the temperature exceeds the predefined threshold.
3Reliability
If a melting plug system is added to control quenching material release, then reliability is improved by preventing premature release, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase transitions by using a melting plug that transitions from solid to liquid state at a specific temperature. This phase change provides a simple, reliable, and passive control mechanism that prevents premature release of quenching material while avoiding the need for complex electronic sensors, actuators, or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The melting plug system is self-service in that it automatically responds to temperature conditions without external control. The plug melts on its own when the temperature reaches the threshold, automatically initiating quenching material release without requiring external power, control logic, or monitoring systems.
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 maintains safe operating temperatures and reduces the likelihood of thermal runaway by releasing a quenching material when the temperature exceeds a certain threshold, thereby ensuring the stability and performance of battery packs.
Implementation Method 1
a melting plug configured to melt at a predefined temperature, the melting of the plug resulting in release of the quenching material into the battery pack via the distribution system
Implementation Method 2
A battery quenching system is configured to maintain safe operating temperatures and reduce the likelihood of thermal runaway within a battery pack
Data Source
AI summary
A battery quenching system includes a reservoir that holds a quenching material. The battery quenching system further includes a distribution system for carrying the quenching material from the reservoir to a battery pack, a battery module, or a plurality of battery cells. The battery quenching system further includes a melting plug configured to melt at a predefined temperature, the melting of the plug resulting in release of the quenching material into the battery pack via the distribution system. The melting plug may be positioned within a tube of the distribution system or within an aperture of a battery enclosure. The battery quenching system may further include one or more quenching channels positioned within a battery pack. The distribution system may be configured to carry the quenching material to any or several of a plurality of locations within a battery pack or battery system.