Inert Gas Generation for Battery Thermal Runaway Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems face risks of thermal runaway and subsequent gas burns due to the production of flammable gases during cell failures, which can lead to destructive fires and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A battery system incorporating an inert gas generation unit and a battery management system that detects abnormal conditions and activates the inert gas generation to flush the housing with inert gases, such as nitrogen, to dilute and displace flammable gas mixtures, preventing thermal runaway and potential fires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If battery cells are used to store energy for electric vehicle propulsion, then energy storage capacity is improved, but risk of thermal runaway and gas burns increases due to flammable gas production during cell failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inert gas (such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide) into the battery housing to displace and dilute flammable gases produced during cell failures. This creates an inert atmosphere that prevents combustion and eliminates the risk of gas burns and thermal runaway propagation, directly addressing the harmful effects while maintaining the energy storage function of the battery cells
2Reliability
If battery management system monitors abnormal conditions to detect thermal runaway, then safety detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system is configured to detect abnormal conditions (such as temperature changes, voltage deviations, or pressure increases) and activate the inert gas generation unit before thermal runaway occurs. By taking preliminary action to introduce inert gas when anomalies are detected, the system prevents catastrophic failures while using relatively simple monitoring parameters that do not significantly increase system 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
The solution effectively reduces the risk of thermal runaway and associated fires by diluting flammable gas mixtures within the battery pack, thereby enhancing safety and preventing damage to the battery system and surrounding environments.
Implementation Method 1
an inert gas generation unit configured to generate an inert gas and to flush the housing with the inert gas
Implementation Method 2
flushing the housing with the inert gas... diluting flammable gas mixtures within the battery pack
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery system is provided, wherein the battery system comprises a battery pack including a housing and a plurality of battery cells accommodated within the housing, an inert gas generation unit configured to provide an inert gas and to flush the housing with the inert gas, and a battery management system configured to detect an abnormal condition that could cause the occurrence of a thermal runaway of the battery pack and further configured to activate the inert gas generation unit when the abnormal condition is detected by the battery management system.