Battery Thermal Management Controller Logic for Datacenter Backup Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery thermal management systems for data center applications face latency issues due to the thermal mass of batteries, leading to delayed temperature feedback, which can cause batteries to overheat before cooling systems can respond effectively, and they are inefficient in terms of energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A controller that determines fan and pump speeds based on battery discharging current and ambient temperature without real-time battery temperature feedback, using a five-step formula to optimize energy consumption and maintain battery temperature within thresholds, thereby reducing latency and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If real-time battery temperature feedback is used to control cooling systems, then cooling response accuracy is improved, but system latency increases and energy consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature feedback accuracyVSAvoidsystem response latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary thermal modeling and pre-calculates cooling requirements based on battery discharge current and ambient temperature. By predicting temperature trends before they fully develop, the system can initiate cooling actions in advance, reducing the effective response time despite the thermal mass of batteries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary thermal model that acts as a bridge between direct temperature measurement and cooling control. This model uses discharge current and ambient temperature as inputs to estimate battery temperature and predict thermal behavior, allowing the system to respond to thermal trends rather than waiting for actual temperature feedback, thereby reducing latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If cooling systems operate at high capacity to prevent overheating, then battery temperature control is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery temperature controlVSAvoidcooling system energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system operates dynamically by continuously adjusting fan and pump speeds based on real-time discharge current and ambient temperature conditions. The controller modulates cooling capacity to match actual thermal demands, avoiding the energy waste of running at constant high capacity while ensuring temperature control when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operating parameters (fan speed, pump speed) based on varying thermal conditions determined by discharge current and ambient temperature. By adjusting these parameters dynamically rather than maintaining fixed high-capacity operation, the system achieves effective temperature control with minimized energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If battery discharge rate is increased to meet power demands, then power delivery is improved, but heat generation increases requiring more cooling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power deliveryVSAvoidbattery heat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback control mechanism where the controller continuously monitors discharge current and ambient temperature, predicts battery temperature using the thermal model, and adjusts cooling system operation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures that cooling capacity scales appropriately with heat generation from high discharge rates, maintaining temperature control while supporting high power delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 allows for lower latency in temperature regulation and reduced energy consumption by the cooling system, ensuring the battery operates within safe temperature limits and minimizing power consumption by the fan and pump.

Implementation Method 1

a first battery cell temperature of the one or more battery cells in the battery pack based on the fan speed, the pump speed, and the ambient air temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a heat exchanger configured to cool the cooling liquid using air flowing through the heat exchanger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11271263B2Optimal control logic for cooling power in battery thermal management

Publication Date: 2022.03.08 BAIDU USA LLC

AI summary

Thermal management of a backup battery unit for datacenter applications is described. In one embodiment a method includes sending first control signals to a pump and a fan to set default speeds. The method includes collecting a battery discharge current from the battery and an ambient air temperature of the environment proximal to the battery. The method includes calculating an optimal control function based on the battery discharge current and the ambient air temperature. The method also includes determining an adjusted pump speed and an adjusted fan speed based on the optimal control function. The method includes sending the adjusted pump speed to the pump and the adjusted fan speed to the fan. A solution for optimizing the cooling power use of the fan and the pump is proposed and at the same time maintaining thermal conditions of the battery cells under dynamic and static conditions are disclosed.