Battery Pack Gas Venting Channels for Thermal Runaway Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal runaway in large rechargeable energy storage systems of vehicles poses a significant safety risk, with gases and fire potentially harming the vehicle and surrounding environment.
Innovation Solution
A gas venting arrangement in electrical storage systems (ESS) with side gas vent openings and inter-battery pack gas channels, utilizing safety valves and directional caps to safely release pressure, interconnected battery packs, and a common side protection plate to redirect gases away from sensitive areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If battery packs are arranged closely to maximize energy storage density, then productivity and space utilization are improved, but thermal runaway risks increase due to reduced separation for gas venting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery pack arrangement into discrete modular units with defined spacing. Each battery pack is separated from adjacent packs by a specific distance that creates inter-battery pack gas channels, segmenting the potential thermal propagation path while maintaining high density arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces inter-battery pack gas channels as intermediary spaces between adjacent battery packs. These channels serve as mediators that allow safe gas venting while preventing direct thermal contact between packs, enabling close arrangement without compromising safety.
2Reliability
If venting ports are positioned to release pressure effectively, then reliability is improved, but harmful factors worsen due to potential ignition of surrounding structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful hot gas venting into a beneficial safety feature by directing it through designated inter-battery pack gas channels. The harmful hot gases are channeled away from surrounding structures and directed into controlled spaces between battery packs, where they can dissipate safely.
Solution Approach 2:
The inter-battery pack gas channels serve as intermediary pathways that mediate between the venting ports and the external environment. These channels intercept hot gases before they can reach surrounding ignitable structures, providing a safe transition zone for thermal energy dissipation.
3Reliability
If additional safety components are added to mitigate thermal runaway, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gas venting function with the existing battery pack structural arrangement. By designing the spacing and positioning of battery packs to inherently create gas channels, the system combines structural support and safety venting functions into a unified design, avoiding additional complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The inter-battery pack spacing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural alignment for battery packs, creates gas venting channels for safety, and maintains thermal separation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated separate components for each function.
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 solution effectively mitigates thermal runaway risks by providing a compact, cost-efficient, and safe venting system that minimizes damage to the vehicle and surroundings, enhancing safety and energy storage efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Such safety valves may be pressure release valve which opens at a certain set pressure to safely release overpressure and avoid an explosion or further destruction of the outer battery pack housing
Implementation Method 2
The fact that the side gas vent opening, optionally provided with safety valves, opens to the inter-battery pack gas channels protects the surroundings by means of the walls of the respective battery packs
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical storage system (ESS) comprising a plurality of battery packs arranged side-by-side, each of the battery packs being spaced from an adjacent battery pack such that the side surfaces of the adjacent battery packs form inter-battery pack gas channels and wherein each of the battery pack is provided with a side gas vent opening to one of the inter-battery pack gas channels.