Battery Module Venting and Coolant Ducts for Thermal Runaway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems fail to quickly detect abnormal heat generation in battery modules and effectively prevent the propagation of thermal runaway phenomena to adjacent modules.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage system with a venting detector and coolant supplier is implemented, allowing rapid detection of venting in battery modules and immediate coolant supply to affected modules through channels and ducts, using a coolant guide for efficient coolant flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cooling system is designed in consideration of heat generation amount, then the battery module can be cooled under normal conditions, but the system cannot quickly respond to abnormal heat generation and prevent thermal runaway propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a venting detection system that monitors for early signs of thermal runaway (venting events) before the phenomenon fully propagates. When venting is detected in a battery module, the system proactively supplies coolant to that specific module and adjacent modules before thermal runaway can spread, thus acting in advance to prevent the harmful effect from escalating
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system transitions from a uniform cooling approach to a localized response system. Coolant is selectively supplied to specific battery modules where venting is detected, rather than cooling all modules uniformly. This localised approach enables faster response to abnormal heat generation in affected areas while maintaining system-wide reliability
2Reliability
If the thermal runaway phenomenon propagates to adjacent battery cells, then the temperature of the entire battery module increases rapidly, but this rapid propagation causes serious damage to property and human life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful venting phenomenon (which indicates thermal runaway) into a useful detection signal. Instead of treating venting merely as a safety hazard to be contained, the system uses venting detection as an early warning mechanism to trigger proactive coolant supply, thus transforming a harmful indicator into a beneficial alert system that prevents worse outcomes
Solution Approach 2:
The venting detector acts as an intermediary between the battery modules and the cooling system. It monitors for signs of thermal runaway and mediates the response by triggering coolant supply to affected and adjacent modules, thus preventing direct thermal propagation between battery cells while maintaining system safety
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 effectively prevents thermal runaway by rapidly discharging gas and supplying coolant, thereby containing the abnormal heat within affected modules and preventing system-wide damage.
Implementation Method 1
a venting detector configured to detect a venting when the venting occurs in at least one of the plurality of battery modules
Implementation Method 2
a coolant supplier configured to supply a coolant to the at least one battery module at which the venting occurs
Implementation Method 3
The module case may have a vent that is ruptured according to an increase of an internal pressure of the battery module to discharge an internal gas
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system includes a housing, a module stack having a plurality of battery modules stacked in a first direction in the housing, each of the plurality of battery modules including a plurality of battery cells and a module case accommodating the plurality of battery cells, a first venting portion formed in a first side of the module case, a coolant supply channel at a first side of the housing and extending in the first direction, and a plurality of first connection ducts extending in a second direction to connect a first venting portion of at least one battery module of the plurality of battery modules and the coolant supply channel.