Cold-Plate Venting for Battery Thermal Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery modules face thermal runaway events due to excessive heat generation, which can spread from one cell to adjacent cells, leading to uncontrolled temperature increases and potential module failure.
Innovation Solution
A cold-plate design with a closure element system that blocks and then opens vents to exhaust gases and thermal energy away from adjacent cells during a thermal event, using a combination of low- and high-thermal conductivity materials to manage heat transfer effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cold-plate is used to remove thermal energy from battery cells, then heat dissipation is improved, but thermal runaway propagation control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element transitions from a blocked state (during normal operation) to an open state (during thermal runaway), dynamically changing the vent configuration based on thermal conditions. This allows the system to optimize for heat dissipation during normal operation while automatically switching to containment mode during thermal runaway events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the vent path by using a closure element made of low-thermal conductivity material that blocks the vent during normal operation, thereby changing from a high heat transfer state to a low heat transfer state to prevent thermal runaway propagation.
2Reliability
If vents are blocked to prevent thermal runaway propagation, then safety is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element dynamically switches between blocking and opening the vent based on thermal conditions. During normal operation, it blocks the vent to prevent thermal runaway propagation; during thermal runaway events, it opens to allow heat and gas discharge, thus optimizing both safety and heat dissipation at different operational stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system alternates between two states: blocked state during normal operation for safety, and open state during thermal runaway for heat dissipation. This periodic switching between containment and dissipation modes allows the system to address both contradictory requirements at appropriate times.
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 cold-plate effectively controls the propagation of thermal runaway events by transferring thermal energy away from affected cells, reducing the risk of module-wide temperature increases and enhancing safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a cold-plate in contact with each of the first battery cell and the second battery cell and configured to remove thermal energy from the first and second battery cells
Implementation Method 2
The first layer may be constructed from a relatively low-thermal conductivity material
Implementation Method 3
The second layer may be constructed from a relatively high-thermal conductivity material and arranged between the first layer and the first battery cell
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes first and second neighboring battery cells. The battery module also includes a cold-plate configured to remove thermal energy from the first and second battery cells. The cold-plate includes first and second sections configured to seat respective first and second cells. The first section defines a first vent arranged directly adjacent the first cell and configured to exhaust gases therefrom. The cold-plate additionally includes a first closure element arranged within and configured to block the first vent in a first mode to transfer thermal energy from the first cell to the cold-plate. The first closure element is additionally configured to open the first vent in a second mode when the first cell undergoes a thermal event to exhaust gases and transfer thermal energy from the first cell through the first vent and thereby control propagation of a thermal runaway in the battery module.