Proactive Battery Thermal Conditioning via Heat Generation Computation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling techniques for rechargeable energy storage systems in vehicles lead to inefficiencies due to passive or excessive cooling methods, resulting in high peak-to-peak temperature excursions and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
An active thermal conditioning system that computes the generated heat in the rechargeable energy storage system using ohmic, interface, and diffusion losses, and proactively circulates a coolant to maintain a target temperature, utilizing both a PID and feedforward control module to manage coolant temperature and initiate cooling before peak temperatures are reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional passive or forced convection cooling is used, then cooling is provided, but energy efficiency deteriorates and peak-to-peak temperature excursions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively initiates cooling cycles before peak temperatures occur by monitoring real-time heat generation from battery operations. The controller calculates heat generation based on current draw and proactively activates the cooling system, preventing temperature excursions rather than reacting to them, thereby improving energy efficiency by cooling only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors battery heat generation and adjusts cooling activation accordingly. By using real-time data on heat generation from battery operations, the system dynamically controls cooling activation, avoiding unnecessary cooling operations and improving overall energy efficiency while maintaining effective temperature control.
2Temperature
If cooling is initiated after heat builds up, then cooling response is simpler, but peak-to-peak temperature excursions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively initiates cooling cycles before peak temperatures occur by monitoring real-time heat generation from battery operations. The controller calculates heat generation based on current draw and proactively activates the cooling system, preventing temperature excursions rather than reacting to them, thereby reducing peak-to-peak temperature variations.
3Temperature
If coolant is circulated at high rates to ensure adequate cooling, then temperature control is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts coolant circulation rates based on real-time battery heat generation. Rather than maintaining constant high-rate circulation, the controller modulates the coolant flow to match actual cooling needs, reducing energy consumption associated with coolant circulation while maintaining effective temperature control during high-load operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the cooling system based on battery conditions. By adjusting coolant circulation rates and cooling activation thresholds based on real-time heat generation data, the system optimizes the balance between temperature control effectiveness and energy consumption, avoiding unnecessary high-rate circulation during low-demand periods.
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
This approach enhances cooling efficiency by incrementally removing heat as it is generated, reducing energy consumption and improving battery performance and lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal conditioning system includes a cooling system configured to circulate a coolant to cool the RESS
Implementation Method 2
Conventional cooling techniques rely on passive or forced convection to air, or on circulation of fluid through the battery pack
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for active cooling of a rechargeable energy storage system. A thermal conditioning system includes a cooling system configured to circulate a coolant to cool the RESS. A controller computes a generated heat amount of the RESS; computes a target temperature of the coolant based on the generated heat amount; and operates actuators of the thermal conditioning system to cool the coolant to the target temperature.