PCM Thermal Enclosure Venting for Abnormal Overheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management systems fail to effectively control abnormal temperature rises in thermal means, such as battery cells, which can lead to overheating and potential damage or destruction, especially in high-temperature environments.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system using latent heat storage elements, such as phase change materials (PCMs), is integrated with a communication system that evacuates excess heat-absorbing bodies to the outside in abnormal conditions, combined with thermal insulation and additional latent heat storage bodies acting as thermal fuses to prevent excessive heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thermal barrier containing PCM material is used to control temperature rise, then thermal protection is improved, but the system cannot effectively evacuate excess heat during abnormal overheating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal barrier system transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one by incorporating movable PCM material that can be evacuated through communication means (such as valves or openings) when abnormal temperature conditions are detected, allowing the system to adapt its thermal management strategy based on operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the PCM material from the thermal barrier structure during abnormal overheating conditions through communication means, removing the heat-absorbing body from its containment volume to prevent thermal runaway while maintaining structural integrity
2Productivity
If PCM material is maintained in permanent contact with thermal means for heat exchange, then thermal management during nominal operation is improved, but thermal runaway risk increases during abnormal overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The contact between PCM material and thermal means is made dynamic rather than permanent - the PCM is in contact during nominal operation for efficient heat exchange, but can be evacuated through communication means when abnormal temperatures are detected, automatically adjusting the thermal coupling based on operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares countermeasures in advance by providing communication means (valves, openings) that can rapidly evacuate PCM material when abnormal heating is detected, preventing thermal runaway before it occurs by removing the heat-absorbing medium from contact with the thermal means
3Reliability
If the thermal barrier enclosure is sealed to maintain PCM containment, then thermal management control is improved, but heat evacuation capability during overheating is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure transitions from a completely sealed structure to a dynamically controllable one with communication means (valves or temperature-dependent openings) that remain closed during normal operation to maintain PCM containment but open automatically when abnormal temperature conditions are detected to enable heat evacuation
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 system maintains optimal heat exchange during nominal operation while preventing thermal runaway by evacuating excess heat, thus protecting thermal means from damage and ensuring safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
Thermal storage can be achieved by using its Latent Heat (LH): the body can then store or release energy through a simple change of state, while maintaining a temperature and pressure that are essentially constant
Implementation Method 2
A PCM (Positive Temperature Modulator) is a body capable of changing its physical state within a restricted temperature range
Implementation Method 3
a thermal insulating element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a thermal device comprising a thermal means (5) dissipating thermal energy, means (9) for thermally managing the thermal means (5), comprising an enclosure (6) having a volume (5), in which a heat absorbing body (15) is disposed for exchanging heat with said thermal means (2). A discharge pipe (31) is provided, with which the volume (13) of the enclosure (19) communicates in order, in an abnormal overheating situation of the thermal means (5), to discharge at least part of said body (15) to the outside that is further away from the thermal means than is said volume.