Hollow Current Collector for Battery Cell Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management systems for battery cells, such as those using electric heater plates and interstitial air cooling, are inefficient and indirect, leading to suboptimal cooling of sodium-based battery cells, especially under cycling conditions, resulting in performance degradation and increased weight and cost.
Innovation Solution
A hollow current collector is introduced within the battery cell to create direct fluid paths for improved heat transfer, allowing for efficient cooling and heating by circulating fluids, thereby maximizing surface area for heat exchange and reducing the need for external cooling panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If interstitial air cooling structures are used between battery cell rows, then cooling coverage is provided, but the cooling path is long and heat transfer is indirect resulting in inefficient cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The current collector is merged with cooling channels to create a dual-function component that simultaneously collects current and provides thermal management, eliminating the need for separate cooling structures and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channels are nested within the current collector structure, with fluid passages integrated into the solid matrix of the current collector, allowing one component to contain another functional element
2Temperature
If electric heater plates and interstitial cooling panels are used, then thermal management is provided, but the system is heavy and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions (current collection and thermal management) are combined into the current collector component, eliminating redundant structures and reducing overall system weight
Solution Approach 2:
The current collector serves multiple functions: electrical current collection and thermal management through integrated cooling channels, maximizing component utility and reducing total material required
3Productivity
If interstitial air cooling is used with partial sodium filling, then battery operation is enabled, but cooling effectiveness is limited under cycling conditions
Solution Approach 1:
A molten sodium layer is introduced as an intermediary heat transfer medium within the cooling channels, leveraging sodium's high thermal conductivity to efficiently transport heat from the cathode to the cooling fluid
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management system utilizes phase change parameters of sodium (melting point 97.8°C) to enhance heat transfer, where molten sodium serves as an effective thermal conduit under operating temperature conditions
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 design enhances thermal management by ensuring uniform cooling rates across all cells, reduces weight, and maintains optimal operating temperatures, leading to improved performance and reduced degradation rates while minimizing material usage and costs.
Implementation Method 1
heat transfer is from the core of the cell to the air via the anode compartment; then the cell case steel wall; then the electrical insulation; then the wall of the cooling panel
Implementation Method 2
circulating fluids, thereby maximizing surface area for heat exchange
Data Source
AI summary
The battery cell design includes a battery cell component comprises a current conducting element, that includes at least a portion that is hollow, further component is configured to be located within a battery cell. Another embodiment of the component comprises a first element that defines a first fluid path therein; and a second element that defines a second fluid path, wherein the two fluid paths are in communication with each other, further wherein the battery cell component is configured to conduct electric current. A battery cell and battery cell assembly that uses the component, and a method of cooling a battery assembly is also disclosed. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.