Battery Thermal Runaway Cooling With Hierarchical Pump Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems fail to effectively control thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries, often intervening too late and causing extensive damage due to the lack of early detection and hierarchical treatment strategies.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage battery system with a first and second communicating unit connected to high-pressure and low-pressure pumps, respectively, which spray cooling fluid to the battery cells upon detection of different levels of thermal runaway, utilizing a hierarchical treatment approach to minimize the impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fire-suppression system with smoke alarm and gas fire-extinguishing system is used, then fire can be extinguished after detection, but the intervention is too late and causes extensive damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing communicating units (first and second communicating units) that can detect thermal runaway at early stages before fire occurs. The system performs preliminary cooling actions through cooling fluid delivery systems (high-pressure pump, low-pressure pump, and communicating units) before thermal runaway progresses to fire, thereby preventing the need for late-stage fire suppression and reducing response time loss.
2Reliability
If cooling fluid is sprayed to the battery cell, then thermal runaway spread is suppressed, but the system complexity increases with multiple pumps and communicating units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cooling system into multiple independent communicating units (first communicating unit, second communicating unit) that can independently detect and respond to thermal runaway in different battery cells. The cooling fluid delivery system is segmented into high-pressure pump for external cooling and low-pressure pump for internal cooling, allowing targeted and modular response to thermal runaway events without requiring a completely complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses communicating units as intermediaries between the detection system and the cooling system. These communicating units receive signals from temperature sensors and automatically activate the appropriate cooling mechanisms (high-pressure or low-pressure cooling), serving as intelligent mediators that simplify the overall control logic and reduce system complexity by automating the decision-making process.
3Productivity
If hierarchical treatment is applied to different levels of thermal runaway, then control efficiency is improved, but the detection and measurement difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different types of communicating units with different detection and cooling capabilities tailored to specific thermal runaway levels. The first communicating unit is designed for early-stage detection and triggers high-pressure cooling, while the second communicating unit handles later-stage detection and triggers low-pressure cooling. Each communicating unit has localized detection and response characteristics optimized for its specific function, making the hierarchical detection more manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes (temperature thresholds, pressure levels) to differentiate between thermal runaway levels and trigger appropriate responses. By monitoring changes in temperature parameters and activating different cooling mechanisms based on these parameter thresholds, the system simplifies hierarchical detection into manageable parameter-based decision points rather than requiring complex multi-parameter analysis.
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 efficiently identifies and responds to varying levels of thermal runaway, effectively suppressing the spread of thermal runaway through targeted cooling and gas management, reducing the risk of fire and minimizing overall damage.
Implementation Method 1
external cooling fluid can be pressurized by the high-pressure pump and transmitted to the first communicating unit to cause the first communicating unit to burst
Implementation Method 2
after the first communicating unit bursts, the cooling fluid is sprayed to the battery cell
Implementation Method 3
the second communicating unit is configured to connect with a low-pressure pump, and external cooling fluid can be transmitted to an interior of the battery cell using the low-pressure pump
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides an energy storage battery system, including a battery cluster and a first communicating unit. The battery cluster includes at least one battery module, and the battery module includes at least one battery cell. The first communicating unit is used to connect with a high-pressure pump, and external cooling fluid can be pressurized by the high-pressure pump and transmitted to the first communicating unit to cause the first communicating unit to burst, and after the first communicating unit bursts, the cooling fluid is sprayed to the battery cell. The disclosure further provides a control method of battery thermal runaway.