Battery Cabinet PCS Layout With Heat Barrier Against Thermal Diffusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing energy storage systems face a high risk of thermal diffusion to battery modules due to fires caused by electric arcs in the PCS module, as the conventional layout does not effectively contain or direct the flames away from the battery modules.
Innovation Solution
The energy storage system rearranges the PCS module to be mounted on top of or at the end side of the battery module, with a heat insulation layer in between, and includes an explosion-relief assembly and a thermal management unit with separate liquid and air cooling modules to manage heat and potential explosions, reducing the risk of thermal diffusion and improving safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the PCS module is mounted below the battery module for convenient wiring, then wiring convenience is improved, but the risk of thermal diffusion to the battery module due to fire caused by electric arc in the PCS module increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the PCS module from its conventional position below the battery module and relocates it to the top of the structural cabinet. This separation removes the fire source (PCS module with electric arc risk) away from the battery module, thereby reducing thermal diffusion risk while maintaining wiring convenience through appropriate cable routing arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat insulation layer as an intermediary barrier between the PCS module and the battery module. This heat insulation layer acts as a protective mediator that blocks thermal diffusion paths, preventing heat and flames from the PCS module from reaching the battery module even when they are in close proximity.
2Temperature
If thermal insulation is designed between battery cluster chamber and PCS chamber, then thermal insulation is improved, but the risk of thermal diffusion due to fire in PCS module remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances thermal insulation by not only maintaining insulation between chambers but also by extracting the PCS module to the top position, creating additional spatial separation. This dual approach of insulation plus relocation provides redundant protection against thermal diffusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a vertical dimension to thermal protection by relocating the PCS module to the top of the cabinet, creating a vertical separation in addition to the horizontal chamber insulation. This multi-dimensional arrangement (both horizontal insulation and vertical separation) more effectively blocks thermal diffusion paths from reaching the battery module.
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
This configuration effectively directs flames away from the battery module, reducing the risk of thermal diffusion and enhancing safety by using a heat insulation layer and an explosion-relief assembly, while also improving power density through efficient thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
a heat insulation layer is arranged between the PCS module and the battery module
Implementation Method 2
a liquid cooling main unit, an air cooling heat dissipation module and a multi-way valve are separately mounted and arranged in the structural cabinet
Implementation Method 3
the air cooling heat dissipation module is of a flat structure, and it is arranged at a top portion of the structural cabinet
Data Source
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AI summary
An energy storage system includes a structural cabinet, a battery module and a PCS module mounted in the structural cabinet, where the PCS module is arranged on top of the battery module or at an end side of the battery module, and a heat insulation layer is arranged between the PCS module and the battery module. In a practical application process of the energy storage system, since the heat insulation layer is arranged between the PCS module and the battery module, even if an electric arc in the PCS module causes a fire, under an action of the heat insulation layer, flame generated by the electric arc in the PCS module mainly spreads in a direction away from the thermal insulation layer. In addition, compared with the conventional way that the PCS module is arranged below the battery module, the PCS module is arranged above the battery module or at the end side of the battery module, so that the flame generated by the electric arc in the PCS module can spread upwards or towards the end side, which greatly reduces a risk of thermal diffusion to the battery module caused by the electric arc in the PCS module.