Immersion Cooling Module Valve Layout for Complete Battery Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid management modules for immersion cooling of electric energy stores face challenges in efficiently replenishing and flushing the cooling medium without causing bypass flow through components like the heat exchanger and filter, leading to incomplete flushing and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a valve device in the fluid path that allows flow in one direction while preventing flow in the opposite direction, ensuring that the cooling medium flows through the energy store and not bypassing critical components during replenishment and flushing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a service unit is connected to the fluid management module for replenishing cooling medium, then the cooling medium can be replenished, but the cooling medium may flow past the energy store through bypass paths, causing incomplete flushing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the bypass path from the main fluid circuit by introducing a valve device that isolates the bypass. The valve separates the direct connection between inlet and outlet connections from the energy store path, allowing independent control of cooling medium flow through the energy store versus bypass flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve device acts as an intermediary element between the service unit and the fluid management module. It mediates the flow of cooling medium by selectively opening or closing paths, ensuring that during replenishing operations the cooling medium flows through the energy store rather than taking a direct bypass route.
2Ease of manufacture
If cooling medium flows through the heat exchanger and filter during replenishing, then these components are cleaned, but the energy store is not properly flushed and may become contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid circuit into distinct controllable paths using the valve device. One path leads through the heat exchanger and filter, while another path leads through the energy store. The valve enables selective activation of these segments to perform different functions: cleaning components or flushing the energy store without simultaneous bypass flow.
3Reliability
If a valve device is added to control flow direction, then bypass flow is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve device is designed to perform multiple functions within a single component: it controls flow direction to prevent bypass, enables selective cleaning of heat exchanger and filter, and facilitates replenishing operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate control mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
Ensures complete and targeted flushing of the energy store, protecting the heat exchanger and filter from undesired bypass flow, thereby maintaining effective cooling and cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The valve device (7) is designed in such a manner that it permits a flow of the cooling medium through the fluid path along a first flow direction from the inlet connection to the outlet connection and prevents a flow along a second flow direction—opposite to the first flow direction—from the outlet connection to the inlet connection
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger can be arranged in the module in order to pass the waste heat of the energy store absorbed by the cooling medium on to another medium
Implementation Method 3
a filter device can be arranged in the fluid management module in order to free the circulating cooling medium of dirt particles
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid management module for cooling an electric energy store by immersion cooling is disclosed. The fluid management module includes a fluid path for a cooling medium comprising an inlet connection and an outlet connection. A heat exchanger and a filter device are arranged in the fluid path. A valve device is arranged in the fluid path between the inlet connection and the outlet connection. A service inlet connection communicates with the fluid path between the valve device and the outlet connection and a service outlet connection communicates with the fluid path between the inlet connection and the heat exchanger, for fluidically connecting the fluid path with a service unit containing a cooling medium reservoir for the cooling medium.