Battery Module Venting Detection and Coolant Feed Structure
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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 via channels and ducts, utilizing 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 installs venting detectors in advance within the battery module housing, positioned to detect gas venting from battery cells before thermal runaway propagates. This preliminary detection capability enables the system to identify abnormal conditions immediately when they occur, rather than waiting for temperature sensors to detect heat after propagation has begun
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where venting detectors continuously monitor for gas venting from battery cells. When venting is detected, the system immediately activates the coolant supplier to inject coolant into the affected module, creating a closed-loop response that detects and responds to abnormal conditions in real-time
2Productivity
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 extracts the cooling function from a general system-wide approach and implements it at the individual module level. Each battery module has its own venting detector and coolant supply capability, allowing the system to isolate and cool only the affected module rather than requiring system-wide cooling activation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces coolant as an intermediary substance to interrupt the thermal runaway propagation process. The coolant supplier injects coolant directly into the battery module where venting is detected, using the coolant as a mediating element to absorb heat and prevent the thermal runaway from spreading to adjacent modules
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 preventing the spread of abnormal heat to the entire system.
Implementation Method 1
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
Implementation Method 2
a coolant supplier configured to supply a coolant to the at least one battery module at which the venting occurs
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage system includes a module stack having a plurality of battery modules stacked vertically; a venting detecting unit configured to detect a venting when the venting occurs in at least a part of the plurality of battery modules; and a coolant supplying unit configured to supply a coolant to a battery module at which a venting occurs when the venting of the battery module is detected by the venting detecting unit.