Emergency Fire Suppression System for Battery Packs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion battery packs face challenges in detecting and suppressing fire events due to their tight construction, which limits access for emergency responders and can result in damage from excessive water use, leading to environmental pollution.
Innovation Solution
A fire suppression system comprising detectors, a controller, and an emergency entry point that senses conditions indicative of a fire event, determines the occurrence of a fire, and executes suppression procedures using an on-board fire suppressant and an emergency fire suppressant, allowing for early detection and effective cooling of overheating battery cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If battery packs are constructed with tight construction methods, then structural integrity and safety are improved, but access for emergency responders to reach battery cells is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack enclosure is divided into multiple access points (first access point and second access point) that provide segmented pathways to different battery modules. This allows emergency responders to access specific affected areas without compromising the overall tight construction and structural integrity of the entire battery pack.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an emergency access mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the tight construction and emergency response needs. This mechanism provides controlled access pathways that maintain structural integrity while enabling responder access to battery cells during emergencies.
2Reliability
If large amounts of water are used for fire suppression, then fire suppression effectiveness is improved, but damage to electronics and environmental pollution worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of suppression agent from water to alternative fire suppressants (such as dry chemical agents or clean agent gases). This substitution maintains fire suppression effectiveness while eliminating the harmful effects of water on electronics and the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs disposable or consumable fire suppressant cartridges that can be quickly deployed and replaced. These alternative suppressants provide effective fire suppression without the long-term environmental and electronic damage associated with water.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If detectors and control systems are added for early detection, then fire event detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack system includes self-monitoring capabilities through integrated sensors that automatically detect temperature, gas composition, and other parameters indicative of fire events. The system self-activates suppression mechanisms without requiring complex external monitoring infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions (detection, control, and suppression) into an integrated system. The detector, controller, and fire suppressant delivery system are merged into a unified apparatus that reduces overall complexity compared to separate standalone systems.
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 enables early detection and suppression of fire events in lithium-ion battery packs, reducing the risk of damage and environmental impact by providing a controlled and efficient means to cool overheating cells, thereby preventing further damage and pollution.
Implementation Method 1
The detector senses a condition indicative of a fire event caused by a battery cell breaking down and produces a signal representing the condition
Data Source
AI summary
A fire suppression system includes a detector, a controller, and an emergency entry point. The battery pack includes an inlet, a plurality of battery modules housing battery cells, and an outlet. The detector senses a condition indicative of a fire event caused by a battery cell breaking down and produces a signal representing the condition. The controller is electronically connected to the detector. The controller determines a fire event is occurring in the battery pack based on the signal representing the sensed condition. The emergency entry point is fluidly connected to the battery pack inlet. The emergency entry point is connectable to an emergency fire suppressant source. The emergency fire suppressant flows through the emergency entry point and through the battery pack when the emergency fire suppressant source is connected to the emergency entry point.