Immersion Battery Cooling With EHD Fluid Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management techniques for rechargeable batteries are inadequate for efficiently managing heat distribution and reducing the risk of overheating or freezing, particularly in high-performance and space-efficient systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flow units within the battery enclosure to control and enhance the circulation of thermal management fluid, allowing for precise heat distribution and reduced flow resistance, using electrodes with grid structures to facilitate efficient heat transfer without mechanical parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If external pump is used to circulate thermal management fluid, then fluid circulation is achieved, but flow control precision and system compactness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The flow unit merges the pump function directly into the battery enclosure by integrating electrodes and power supply within the same structure, eliminating the need for separate external pumps and achieving both fluid circulation and space efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The electrodes serve multiple functions: they act as both the power source for fluid circulation and the thermal management components, enabling the system to achieve pumping, heating, and cooling functions through a single integrated structure
2Temperature
If thermal management fluid is circulated to manage heat, then heat transfer is improved, but flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the electrical power supplied to the electrodes based on thermal conditions, allowing the fluid circulation speed and flow rate to be optimized in real-time, thereby maintaining efficient heat transfer while minimizing excessive flow resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical parameters (voltage, current, power) supplied to the electrodes are changed according to thermal management needs, enabling precise control of fluid circulation characteristics to balance heat transfer efficiency and flow resistance
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple flow units are used to improve flow distribution, then thermal management precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery enclosure is divided into multiple zones with separate flow units, each independently controlling fluid circulation in specific regions, enabling precise localized thermal management while maintaining overall system integration
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the battery can receive different levels of thermal management by independently controlling the power supplied to each flow unit's electrodes, allowing optimized heat dissipation or retention in specific areas based on local thermal 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
Enables faster, more balanced, and space-efficient heat management with reduced risk of overheating or freezing, achieved through independent control of fluid flow and enhanced heat transfer, thereby optimizing battery performance.
Implementation Method 1
The flow unit can be formed as a relatively small unit, having a size and shape that makes it flexible and useful in terms of positioning within the enclosure. Thus, the cell can be positioned in narrow flow paths and at in other small spaces in which an extra pump effect, or increased control of the fluid, is desired.
Implementation Method 2
the heat may be transferred directly from the heat source to the working fluid and dissipated through a heat exchanger located elsewhere
Implementation Method 3
it is advisable to let the thermal management fluid circulate or move within the enclosure to facilitate distribution and transfer of heat within the enclosure
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A battery device (100) is disclosed, comprising a plurality of cells (110), an enclosure (120) configured to accommodate the cells when they are at least partly immersed in a thermal management fluid, and at least one flow unit (130) arranged within the enclosure to control a flow of the thermal management fluid through the enclosure. The at least one flow unit comprises a first electron (131) and a second electrode (132) that are arranged offset from each other and being connectable to a voltage source so as to affect the flow between the electrodes.