Mobile Rapid Charging System with Coolant Conduit for Battery Thermal Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Military and non-military devices with electric batteries face challenges due to limited energy density, requiring extra batteries and lengthy recharging times, which impact mobility, cost, and convenience, with conventional cooling methods being inefficient for high-power rapid charging, leading to potential battery damage and thermal issues.

Innovation Solution

A mobile rapid charging system that delivers high-power DC electrical charge and coolant directly to the battery, using a coolant conduit to cool the battery internally during charging, minimizing weight and volume additions to the device and preventing overheating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If conventional cooling methods are used during high-power rapid charging, then the charging process can proceed, but the battery overheats and may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging powerVSAvoidbattery temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A coolant is introduced as an intermediary substance between the battery and the environment. The coolant circulates through channels in direct contact with battery cells, absorbing heat generated during rapid charging and preventing overheating, thus enabling high-power charging without thermal damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs a hydraulic cooling mechanism where coolant is pumped through channels formed by battery interconnectors. This fluid-based thermal management system efficiently removes heat from the battery during rapid charging operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Duration of action of moving object

If extra batteries are carried to extend operational time, then the energy availability increases, but the weight and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational timeVSAvoidbattery weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system provides self-service through rapid recharging capability. Instead of carrying multiple backup batteries, the single battery can be quickly recharged at high power rates, allowing the military device to replenish its energy supply rapidly without the weight penalty of additional batteries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The charging process parameters are changed to enable rapid energy transfer. By using high-power charging sources and optimized charging protocols, the battery can accept energy at much higher rates, reducing the time needed to recharge and eliminating the need for multiple battery units

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If high-power rapid charging is applied without adequate cooling, then the recharging speed increases, but the battery lifespan decreases due to thermal damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecharging speedVSAvoidbattery lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Coolant serves as a protective intermediary that absorbs thermal energy during rapid charging. By circulating through battery channels, it prevents temperature-related degradation and extends battery life while enabling high-speed recharging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat generated during rapid charging, which would normally be harmful to battery lifespan, is converted into a manageable parameter. The coolant system captures this thermal energy and dissipates it, transforming the potential harm of high-power charging into a beneficial rapid recharging capability without compromising battery longevity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 rapid recharging of electric batteries to at least 50% capacity within ten minutes, reducing the need for extra batteries, minimizing weight and volume, and extending battery lifespan through efficient thermal management, thus enhancing mobility and reducing logistical and environmental impacts.

Implementation Method 1

delivering coolant to the military device to cool the electric battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11276890B2Electric battery rapid recharging system including a mobile charging station having a coolant supply line and an electrical supply line

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 LIGHTENING ENERGY

AI summary

A method for rapidly recharging a military or a non-military device having an electric battery is provided. The method includes recharging the military or non-military device and the recharging includes delivering coolant to the military or non-military device to cool the electric battery. A military device, a non-military non-vehicular device, a mobile charging station and a stationary charging station are also provided.