Robotic Off-Gas Sensing for Battery Thermal Runaway Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery energy storage systems lack effective gas sensing systems for timely risk assessment and emergency response, as stationary gas sensors are insufficient for accurately detecting faults in battery cells, leading to potential damage or explosions.
Innovation Solution
An active gas sensing system with a robotic platform carrying a comprehensive sensor suite that moves adjacent to battery cells, using a motion system to detect off-gases and provide real-time data for thermal runaway detection, and includes actuators to manage gas concentrations and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If stationary gas sensors are used to monitor battery modules, then the system structure is simple and installation is easy, but the sensing precision and ability to detect fault locations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the stationary gas sensing system into a dynamic mobile robotic platform that can move to different locations within the battery energy storage system. The mobile robot carries gas sensors and actively navigates to suspected fault areas based on real-time data, enabling precise localization of thermal runaway sources while maintaining reasonable system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds spatial mobility as a new dimension to the gas sensing system. Instead of fixed sensors at limited positions, the mobile robot introduces movement in multiple dimensions (x, y, z coordinates) to comprehensively scan the battery module space, significantly improving fault detection precision and location accuracy
2Reliability
If mobile robotic platforms are deployed for gas sensing, then the ability to locate faults and assess risks is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robotic platform is designed with multi-functionality to justify its complexity. It integrates gas sensing, temperature monitoring, navigation, communication, and data processing capabilities into a single unified system. The robot can perform multiple tasks including routine monitoring, fault detection, localization, and emergency response assessment, thereby improving reliability while the complexity is managed through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates autonomous navigation and self-directed movement capabilities, allowing the mobile robot to independently navigate to areas of interest based on real-time sensor data and algorithmic decision-making. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex external control infrastructure and improves response reliability
3Loss of information
If comprehensive sensor suites are carried on mobile platforms, then the information quality for risk assessment is improved, but the weight and energy consumption of the moving object increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs selective sensor activation and targeted sampling strategies. Instead of continuously operating all sensors at maximum capacity, the mobile robot activates specific sensor suites based on detected anomalies and navigates to areas with highest probability of faults. This partial action approach maintains information completeness while reducing the effective weight and energy burden of the comprehensive sensor suite
4Speed
If stationary gas sensors are used throughout the battery system, then coverage area is provided, but the speed of detection and response to thermal runaway is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses preliminary stationary sensors for early warning and screening, which trigger the deployment of mobile robotic platforms. This two-stage approach allows the stationary sensors to maintain wide coverage for initial detection, while the mobile robots provide rapid follow-up investigation and precise localization, thereby achieving both wide coverage and fast detection speed
Data Source
AI summary
A battery energy storage system comprises: (i) a structure dimensioned to receive one or more battery modules, each battery module including one or more battery cells; (ii) an off-gas detector configured to obtain air samples adjacent at least one of the battery cells and to generate signals indicating whether off-gas is detected in each of the air samples, wherein the off-gas detector is mounted on a support of a motion system; and (iii) a controller in electrical communication with the off-gas detector and the motion system, the controller being configured to execute a program stored in the controller to: (i) move the off-gas detector adjacent the at least one of the battery cells, and (ii) receive the signals from the off-gas detector indicating whether off-gas is detected in each of the air samples.