Cooling Plate Geometry for Battery Cell Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery pack cooling systems for electric aircraft do not effectively manage temperature optimization and thermal runaway, particularly in scenarios where heat transfer between battery cells is a concern.
Innovation Solution
A cooling assembly featuring a battery pack with separation elements and a cooling plate having geometric features that prevent cell-to-cell heat transfer, enhancing convective heat transfer while isolating malfunctioning cells to prevent thermal runaway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling plate is used to cool battery cells, then cooling capacity is improved, but heat transfer between battery cells during thermal runaway cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling plate is segmented into multiple independent cooling channels separated by partitions. Each cooling channel serves a specific battery cell, creating thermal isolation barriers that prevent heat transfer between adjacent cells during thermal runaway events while maintaining effective cooling of each individual cell
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal isolation elements or partitions are introduced as intermediary structures between adjacent battery cells within the cooling plate. These intermediaries block the direct thermal pathway between cells, preventing the propagation of thermal runaway heat while still allowing each cell to be cooled independently through its own cooling channel
2Duration of action of stationary object
If battery cells are cooled to optimal temperature, then battery life span is improved, but complexity of cooling system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling plate performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal isolation between battery cells to prevent thermal runaway propagation, delivers active cooling to each individual cell through integrated cooling channels, and maintains optimal operating temperatures for extended battery life. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate thermal isolation components, thereby reducing overall system complexity
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 increases cooling capacity, maintains optimal battery pack temperature, and prevents thermal runaway by efficiently transferring heat away from battery cells while isolating potential heat sources.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling plate attached to the battery case and in thermal communication with the plurality of battery cells
Implementation Method 2
the first surface comprises a plurality of geometric features... enhancing convective heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling assembly for preventing cell-to-cell heat transfer is provided. Cooling assembly may include a battery pack, which may include a plurality of battery cells. Cooling assembly may also include a cooling plate. Cooling plate may include a geometry that prevents battery cells from exchanging heat during operation and/or malfunctions. Cooling plate geometry may include geometric features imprinted in a surface of cooling plate.