Battery Heat Exchange Control Using Two-Phase Refrigerant Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current batteries suffer from low reliability due to non-uniform temperature distribution and inefficient heat management, leading to thermal runaway and potential safety issues.

Innovation Solution

A heat exchange system with a thermal management component, throttling apparatus, temperature sensor, and pressure sensor that regulates the flow rate of a gas-liquid mixed heat exchange medium to maintain consistent temperature and phase, using a compressor, condenser, and heating system to optimize thermal management and reduce liquid impact on components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a conventional heat exchange medium is used in liquid state, then the heat exchange system is simple in structure, but the temperature distribution is non-uniform and thermal management efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition of the heat exchange medium between liquid and gas states. The medium absorbs heat during vaporization and releases heat during condensation, maintaining constant temperature during phase change. This enables uniform temperature distribution in the battery thermal management system while improving thermal management efficiency through the latent heat of phase transition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Productivity

If the flow rate of heat exchange medium is increased, then the heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the liquid impact on compressor and other components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidliquid impact on components
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system controls the heat exchange medium to undergo phase transition from liquid to gas before entering the compressor, preventing liquid impact damage. The gas-liquid separator removes liquid droplets from the gas phase medium, ensuring only gas enters the compressor while maintaining high heat exchange efficiency through controlled phase change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

3Reliability

If the heat exchange medium is kept in single phase, then the system control is simple, but the thermal management effect is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal management effectVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs phase transition control of the heat exchange medium between liquid and gas states to enhance thermal management effectiveness. By controlling the phase change process, the system achieves superior heat absorption and release capabilities compared to single-phase systems, while the added control complexity is managed through phase change detection and regulation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

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 achieves uniform temperature distribution, enhancing battery performance and reliability by preventing thermal runaway and reducing energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

the first heat exchange medium in a liquid state may be vaporized into a gas. Before and after the vaporization, the first heat exchange medium changes in phase but not in temperature. Or, the first heat exchange medium in a gas state may be liquefied into a liquid. Before and after the liquefaction, the first heat exchange medium changes in phase but not in temperature.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

The first heat exchange medium flowing out from the medium outlet is compressed by the compressor into a high-temperature and high-pressure gas.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

The high-temperature and high-pressure gas passes through the condenser and is then cooled into a high-temperature and high-pressure subcooled liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 4

the high-temperature and high-pressure subcooled liquid passes through the throttling apparatus and then becomes a low-pressure gas-liquid mixed state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThrottling: Joule-Thomson Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4697448A1Heat exchange system, battery and control method
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP4697448A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4697448A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4697448A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A heat exchange system, a battery and a control method, which relate to the field of batteries. The heat exchange system comprises a thermal management component, a throttling device, a first temperature sensor and a pressure sensor, wherein the thermal management component comprises a first medium inlet and a medium outlet; the throttling device is in communication with the first medium inlet; the first temperature sensor is used for measuring the temperature of a first heat exchange medium at the medium outlet; and the pressure sensor is used for measuring the pressure of the first heat exchange medium at the medium outlet. The throttling device responds to the first temperature sensor and the pressure sensor, so as to regulate a flow entering the first medium inlet, such that the first heat exchange medium in the thermal management component is in a gas-liquid mixed state. By making a first heat exchange medium in a thermal management component be in a gas-liquid mixed state, when the first heat exchange medium exchanges heat with a workpiece, the first heat exchange medium undergoes a phase change without a change in temperature. Thus, the temperature uniformity of the thermal management component is better, and the thermal management effect on the workpiece is better, thereby improving the reliability of the workpiece.