Battery Rack Fire-Extinguishing Sheet for Flame Propagation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In energy storage systems, there is a risk of fire propagation from one rack of battery cells to adjacent racks, due to increased surface temperatures.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage system with a rack design that includes horizontal and vertical frames, guide rails, and a fire extinguishing sheet coupled to the horizontal frames. The fire extinguishing sheet is configured to release a fire extinguishing agent at a reference temperature, suppressing surface temperature increases and preventing flame propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If battery cells are stored in racks with close spacing to maximize storage density, then storage capacity is improved, but the risk of fire propagation to adjacent racks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rack structure is segmented into multiple compartments by partition walls between adjacent racks. These partition walls create physical separation that prevents fire from propagating from one rack to another, while still allowing the racks to be closely spaced for maximum storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Fire-resistant materials are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent battery racks. These materials act as thermal barriers that block heat transfer and flame propagation, enabling racks to be positioned closer together without increasing fire risk.
2Reliability
If fire-resistant partition walls are added between racks to prevent fire propagation, then fire safety is improved, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall structure is merged with the existing rack frame structure. The partition walls are integrated into the vertical and horizontal frames, combining the support function and fire separation function into a unified structure, thereby reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls are constructed using the same materials and structural design as the rack frames themselves. This homogeneity in material selection and construction methodology simplifies manufacturing processes and reduces the need for specialized components.
3Reliability
If fire extinguishing sheets are coupled to horizontal frames to suppress temperature increase, then fire suppression effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fire extinguishing sheets are designed to activate automatically when exposed to fire conditions, eliminating the need for external control systems, sensors, or power sources. The sheets self-regulate temperature and release extinguishing agents based on thermal conditions alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire extinguishing sheets are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced. They use cost-effective materials such as intumescent coatings or fire-retardant fabrics that provide adequate protection without requiring complex engineering.
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
Effectively prevents the propagation of flames to adjacent racks by suppressing surface temperature increases during a fire event, thereby ensuring the safety and integrity of the energy storage system.
Implementation Method 1
The fire extinguishing sheet is configured to release a fire extinguishing agent to the battery module at a reference temperature
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage system includes: a rack including horizontal frames arranged at intervals in a vertical direction and having a length in a horizontal direction, vertical frames arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction, having a length in the vertical direction, and coupled to the horizontal frames, and guide rails coupled to inner sides of the horizontal frames and extending in an inward direction of the rack; a battery module mounted on the guide rails; and a fire extinguishing sheet coupled to the horizontal frames. The fire extinguishing sheet is configured to release a fire extinguishing agent to the battery module at a reference temperature.