Lubricating Composition for Battery Cooling and Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling methods for electric batteries in Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems and hybrid vehicles, such as air cooling, are insufficient, and liquids like water are not effective, necessitating a more efficient cooling and insulating solution.
Innovation Solution
A lubricating composition comprising a base oil (mineral, synthetic, or vegetable oils) with specific heat capacity and kinematic viscosity properties, combined with antioxidants and limited water content, providing enhanced cooling and insulating benefits for electric batteries and motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If air cooling is used for electric batteries, then the cooling system is simple, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from air cooling to liquid cooling using a lubricating composition. The lubricating composition circulates through the battery pack, absorbing heat from battery cells and transferring it to a heat exchanger, thereby achieving efficient thermal management through hydraulic cooling principles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the thermal properties of the cooling medium by using a lubricating composition with specific heat capacity, viscosity, and thermal conductivity parameters optimized for battery cooling. This changes the heat transfer efficiency parameter compared to conventional air or water cooling systems.
2Temperature
If water is used for cooling electric batteries, then the cooling efficiency improves, but electrical insulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricating composition serves as an intermediary substance that performs both cooling and electrical insulation functions. It acts as a thermal transfer medium between the battery cells and heat exchanger while simultaneously providing electrical insulation to prevent short circuits, thus mediating between thermal management and electrical safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricating composition is a composite material containing base oil, antioxidants, and other additives that provide multiple functions simultaneously. The composite structure enables both thermal transfer properties for cooling and electrical insulation properties, combining benefits that neither water nor simple oils could provide alone.
3Temperature
If lubricating composition with high specific heat capacity is used, then cooling efficiency improves, but viscosity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the physical parameters of the lubricating composition by selecting base oils and additives that achieve the desired balance between specific heat capacity and viscosity. The composition is formulated to maintain viscosity within acceptable ranges (0.5-50 cSt at operating temperature) while providing sufficient heat capacity for effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricating composition exhibits different property profiles at different temperatures. At operating temperatures, the viscosity is optimized for flow through the cooling system, while the specific heat capacity remains high for effective heat absorption. The properties are locally optimized for each operating condition.
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 lubricating composition offers improved heat transfer and electrical insulation, enhancing the performance of electric batteries and motors in Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems and hybrid vehicles by maintaining higher specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity while maintaining low viscosity.
Implementation Method 1
The lubricating composition provides excellent cooling and/or insulating benefits when used in the electric battery or electric motor
Implementation Method 2
the lubricating composition has a specific heat capacity (according to ASTM E 1269) of at least 2.06 kJ/Kg/K
Implementation Method 3
The lubricating composition provides excellent cooling and/or insulating benefits
Data Source
AI summary
Use of a lubricating composition for cooling and/or electrically insulating an electric battery in a Kinetic Energy Recovery System or a hybrid vehicle wherein the lubricating composition comprises (i) a base oil selected from mineral oils, synthetic oils or vegetable oils and mixtures thereof, (ii) at least one anti-oxidant additive and (iii) less than 60 ppm of water, and wherein the lubricating composition has a specific heat capacity of at least 2.06 kJ/Kg/K and a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of at most 20 mm2/s.