Heat Pipe Thermal Management for Vehicle Battery Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy-storage systems for electric-drive vehicles face issues such as large size, inefficiency, poor safety, and inadequate thermal management, which lead to inefficiencies and vulnerability to crash forces.
Innovation Solution
A cooling subsystem is introduced, featuring a heat pipe thermally coupled to battery modules, utilizing a working fluid and thermally conductive materials to efficiently manage heat and protect the battery cells from thermal runaway and impact damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling subsystem is introduced to manage heat in battery modules, then thermal management effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe integrates multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both a thermal management device and a structural element positioned between battery modules. The working fluid inside the sealed envelope combines evaporation, condensation, and heat transfer functions in one integrated system, reducing the need for separate cooling components.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe operates autonomously using the phase change of the working fluid without requiring external control systems. The evaporation and condensation cycles occur automatically based on temperature gradients, eliminating the need for pumps, valves, or control electronics that would increase system complexity.
2Temperature
If thermal management is improved through active cooling, then temperature control is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe utilizes phase transition of the working fluid between liquid and vapor states to transfer heat. During evaporation, the liquid absorbs latent heat from the battery cells, and during condensation, the vapor releases heat to the surrounding environment, providing efficient passive cooling without continuous energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces active mechanical cooling mechanisms (such as electric pumps and fans) with a passive thermal conduction and phase change-based heat pipe system. This substitution eliminates the energy consumption associated with mechanical components while maintaining effective temperature control.
3Volume of moving object
If battery modules are closely packed to reduce size, then volume efficiency is improved, but thermal management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe is nested within the battery module assembly structure, positioned between adjacent battery modules. This nested configuration allows the thermal management system to occupy the same space as the battery arrangement without increasing overall system volume, enabling close packing while maintaining heat dissipation capability.
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 reduces the size and improves the efficiency of energy-storage systems, enhances safety by preventing short circuits and explosions, and maintains uniform cell temperatures, minimizing internal resistance and voltage loss across battery cells.
Implementation Method 1
the heat pipe comprising an envelope and a working fluid, the heat pipe transferring heat from the plurality of cells
Implementation Method 2
the heat pipe comprising an envelope and a working fluid
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a working fluid and thermally conductive materials to efficiently manage heat
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are cooling subsystems for a vehicle energy-storage system comprising a heat pipe disposed between two battery modules, the heat pipe being thermally coupled to each of a plurality of cells of the two battery modules at an end of each cell. The heat pipe comprises an envelope and a working fluid, the heat pipe transferring heat from the plurality of cells. Optionally, the cooling subsystem further includes a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the heat pipe, the heat exchanger receiving heat from the heat pipe.