Energy Storage Device Thermal Management via Segmented Fluid Passages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Energy storage battery modules in power stations face challenges in maintaining consistent internal temperature distribution, leading to inefficient heat exchange and potential explosion due to uneven temperature distribution.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates first and second fluid passages with insulated air or cooling fluid paths between battery packs, using heat insulating materials and guides to ensure uniform air temperature and enhanced heat exchange efficiency, resulting in a balanced internal temperature field and compacted volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If energy storage battery modules are placed in an air-conditioned space, then the temperature can be controlled, but the internal temperature distribution becomes uneven

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidinternal temperature distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The air-conditioned space is segmented into multiple independent cooling channels, with separate air inlets and outlets for different regions. This allows independent temperature control for each channel, ensuring uniform temperature distribution across all battery modules while maintaining overall temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the battery storage space are provided with localized cooling solutions through separate fluid passages. Each region receives cooling fluid according to its specific heat generation characteristics, achieving localized temperature optimization rather than uniform cooling throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If battery modules are arranged in series/parallel connection, then energy storage capacity increases, but heat exchange efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidheat exchange efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system transitions from a single-dimension arrangement to a three-dimensional network of fluid passages that wrap around battery modules from multiple directions. This spatial optimization allows efficient heat exchange while accommodating increased battery quantity in series/parallel configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

A cooling fluid acts as an intermediary medium between the battery modules and the heat dissipation system. The fluid passages conduct heat away from individual modules efficiently, maintaining high heat exchange efficiency even as the total number of modules increases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If cooling fluid passages are added to improve heat exchange, then temperature uniformity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling fluid passages serve multiple functions simultaneously: they cool battery modules, provide structural support between modules, and act as thermal insulation barriers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving temperature uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling passages are integrated with the structural framework of the battery storage device. The same structural elements that provide mechanical support also serve as conduits for cooling fluid, merging thermal management functions with structural functions to minimize additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution achieves consistent internal temperature distribution, improves heat exchanging efficiency, and reduces the volume required for energy storage devices by minimizing temperature differences at air inlets and outlets, thereby enhancing overall device performance.

Implementation Method 1

the first fluid passage 3 is thermally insulated from fluid entering into or leaving from the first fluid passage 3

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

the first fluid passage 3 has a first inlet 311 and a first outlet 321, and for any two neighboring first fluid passages 3, one of the first inlets 311 is closed, and the first outlet 321 where the first inlet 311 is open

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2612396B1Energy storage device
Publication Date: 2016.10.19 BYD CO LTD
  • EP2612396B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2612396B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2612396B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

An energy storage device is provided, comprising: a housing (1); a plurality of battery packs (2) accommodated in the housing (1) which are separated from each other in a first direction, forming a first fluid passage (3) in a second direction for any two neighboring battery packs (2). Each first fluid passage (3) may have a first inlet (311) and a first outlet (321), and for any two neighboring first fluid passages (3), one of the first inlets (311) may be closed, and the first outlet (321) where the first inlet (311) is open may be closed, and the fluid entering into the first fluid passage (3) via the opened first inlet (311) may flow through the battery pack (2) between the two neighboring first fluid passages (3) and leaves from the opened first outlet (321).