Gas-Liquid Cell Cooling Loop for Lower-Weight Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat transfer systems for electrochemical cells, such as batteries, are often heavy and complex, and may not efficiently manage heat generation, leading to temperature increases that can render batteries ineffective or cause failure if not properly dissipated.
Innovation Solution
A heat transfer system utilizing a cooling medium comprising a liquid component and a gas component, where the gas component forms at least 50% by volume, circulated through a fluid circulation system with a heat exchange section in thermal contact with the electrochemical cell unit, promoting efficient heat dissipation and weight reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional heat transfer systems are used to cool electrochemical cells, then heat dissipation is achieved, but the system becomes heavy and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameters of the cooling medium by using a gas-liquid mixture (foam) instead of conventional liquid alone. The gas component (at least 50% by volume) creates a two-phase flow system that reduces overall density and weight while maintaining heat transfer capability through phase change and convective mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling medium is formulated as a composite system combining gas and liquid phases. This composite approach allows the system to leverage the low density and high heat transfer coefficient of gas-liquid mixtures, achieving both weight reduction and effective thermal management
2Temperature
If conventional heat transfer systems are used to cool electrochemical cells, then heat dissipation is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the cooling medium to a gas-liquid mixture and utilizing natural two-phase flow dynamics, the system reduces mechanical complexity. The gas-liquid mixture can be circulated through simpler conduit systems compared to conventional liquid cooling, reducing the need for complex pumps, valves, and heat exchanger configurations
3Weight of moving object
If a cooling medium with high gas content is used, then weight is reduced, but heat transfer efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits phase transition mechanisms in the gas-liquid mixture. As the foam flows through the heat exchange section, the liquid component evaporates and the gas condenses, absorbing and releasing latent heat. This phase change process provides high heat transfer coefficients despite the low density of the gas-dominated mixture, simultaneously achieving weight reduction and effective cooling
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 effectively maintains electrochemical cells within a desired temperature range, reducing weight and complexity, thereby improving system efficiency and maneuverability, especially in applications like vehicles and elevated structures.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange section in thermal contact with the electrochemical cell unit
Implementation Method 2
the gas outlet is disposed above the electrochemical cell unit such that buoyancy of the gas component causes the gas component to rise through the electrochemical cell unit
Implementation Method 3
within the heat exchange section of the fluid circulation system, the cooling medium includes a liquid component and a gas component
Data Source
AI summary
A heat transfer system includes an electrochemical cell unit, a fluid circulation system, and a pump. The fluid circulation system is electrically isolated from the electrochemical cell unit and includes a heat exchange section that is in thermal contact with the electrochemical cell unit. A cooling medium is disposed in the fluid circulation system, and, at least within the heat exchange section of the fluid circulation system, the cooling medium includes a mixture having a liquid component and a gas component.