Battery Cell Holder Fluid Circuits for Uniform Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems face challenges in efficiently managing the temperature of battery cells, which can affect their performance and lifespan. Current thermal management systems may not adequately address temperature uniformity and efficiency across multiple cells.
Innovation Solution
The proposed battery system incorporates a cell holder with a fluid circuit that surrounds the cells, an end fluid circuit at the axial end of the cells, and valves to control fluid flow. This configuration allows for selective control of fluid flow based on operating conditions, enhancing thermal management by circulating dielectric or non-dielectric fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single fluid circuit configuration is used, then the system structure is simple, but temperature uniformity and thermal management efficiency across multiple cells cannot be adequately addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid circuit is segmented into multiple independent circuits: a first fluid circuit that contacts the first plurality of cells and a second fluid circuit that contacts the second plurality of cells. Each circuit can be independently controlled through separate flow control devices, allowing differential thermal management for different cell groups. This segmentation enables improved temperature uniformity across cells without requiring a single complex omnibus circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic flow control capabilities through valves and flow control devices that can adjust fluid distribution in real-time based on operating conditions. The controller dynamically switches between different fluid circuit configurations (first circuit only, second circuit only, or both circuits simultaneously) to optimize thermal management for varying battery loads and temperature conditions.
2Productivity
If fluid flow is controlled for all cells uniformly, then the control system is simple, but thermal management efficiency and cell-specific temperature control are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management system is divided into separate fluid circuits for different cell groups, with independent flow control devices for each circuit. This allows the system to optimize thermal management efficiency by directing coolant flow preferentially to cell groups that require it most, rather than distributing flow uniformly across all cells. The segmented approach enables targeted thermal management that improves overall efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the battery system (different cell holders or cell groups) are provided with different fluid flow characteristics through the separate circuits and flow control devices. Each cell group can receive customized cooling or heating rates based on its specific thermal requirements, achieving local optimization of thermal management efficiency without requiring a uniformly complex control system across the entire battery.
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 improves thermal management by maintaining optimal cell temperatures, enhancing efficiency, extending the life cycle and capacity of the cells, and achieving better temperature uniformity across the battery system.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid flowing in the cell holder fluid circuit is configured to be in contact with the plurality of cells
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of conductors positioned between the plurality of cells and the end fluid circuit to conduct heat between the plurality of cells and the end fluid circuit
Implementation Method 3
a valve disposed at the at least one of the divergence and the convergence and configured to selectively control flow of a fluid to at least one of the cell holder fluid circuit and the end fluid circuit
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery system (10) is disclosed. The battery system (10) comprising: a cell holder (20) having a cavity (24); a plurality of cells (30) disposed at least partially in the cavity (24) of the cell holder (20) and oriented to be aligned with an axis (22); a cell holder fluid circuit (52) extending through the cavity (24) of the cell holder (20) and between and around the plurality of cells (30) such that the plurality of cells (30) is configured to obstruct a flow of a fluid through the cavity (24) and the fluid flowing in the cell holder fluid circuit (52) is configured to be in contact with the plurality of cells (30); an end fluid circuit (40) extending through an unobstructed channel (42) at an axial end (48) of the plurality of cells (30), wherein the end fluid circuit (40) is in fluid communication with the cell holder fluid circuit (52) at at least one of a divergence (44) disposed upstream of the plurality of cells (30) and a convergence (46) disposed downstream of the plurality of cells (30); and a valve (80, 82, 84) disposed at the at least one of the divergence (44) and the convergence (46) and configured to selectively control flow of a fluid to at least one of the cell holder fluid circuit (52) and the end fluid circuit (40). Further, a method of controlling a flow of at least one fluid through such a battery system (10) is disclosed.