Gravity-Fed Battery Cooling Using a Pre-Cooled Fluid Reservoir
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Batteries used for backup power in areas with unreliable electricity supply face reduced lifespan due to high ambient temperatures, as conventional cooling systems require continuous electrical power, which is often unavailable.
Innovation Solution
A cooling apparatus using a heat exchanger fed with fluid from a reservoir, where the fluid sinks under gravity to cool the heat exchanger, maintaining a temperature around 4°C, and air flow means are used to direct cooled air towards the battery, allowing for extended cooling without continuous electrical power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used to cool batteries, then battery temperature is maintained, but continuous electrical power is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-cools the battery using available electrical power before power outages occur, storing cooling capacity in the battery thermal mass. During outages, the battery retains the cooled state without requiring continuous power input, thus achieving temperature maintenance without ongoing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of high ambient temperatures into a beneficial cooling mechanism. By allowing the battery to naturally heat up during operation and then using controlled cooling periods to reset the temperature, the system transforms thermal management from a continuous power-demanding process into an intermittent, efficient operation that leverages the battery's own thermal characteristics.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If battery cooling is implemented in high ambient temperature regions, then battery lifespan is extended, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cooling system is designed to be self-regulating, using the battery's own operational patterns to drive the cooling cycle. The system monitors battery temperature and automatically activates cooling only when necessary, without requiring complex external control systems. This self-service approach extends battery lifespan while minimizing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of cooling from continuous to intermittent based on battery temperature thresholds and power availability. By dynamically adjusting cooling duration and intensity according to actual battery conditions rather than maintaining constant cooling, the system extends battery life in high-temperature environments while keeping the cooling mechanism simple and adaptable.
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 apparatus effectively maintains battery temperature below ambient, prolonging battery life and providing a cooling effect even during power outages, thus mitigating the adverse effects of high temperatures on battery performance.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid reservoir includes a cooling element for cooling fluid in the reservoir such that the fluid sinks under gravity into the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
cooling fluid in the reservoir such that the fluid sinks under gravity into the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger arranged to be fed with fluid from a fluid reservoir disposed, in use, above the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
cooling apparatus using a heat exchanger fed with fluid from a reservoir, where the fluid sinks under gravity to cool the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
air flow means are used to direct cooled air towards the battery
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus for cooling an article. The apparatus comprises a heat exchanger arranged to be fed with fluid from a fluid reservoir disposed, in use, above the heat exchanger. The fluid reservoir includes cooling means for cooling fluid in the reservoir such that the fluid flows under gravity into the heat exchanger so as to cool an article. The apparatus may be arranged to cool one or more batteries or other articles, for example in a telecommunications base station.