Use of an absorber material for absorbing and / or distributing liquids in an actively and / or passively cooled current-carrying system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current absorber materials in actively and passively cooled current-carrying systems, such as battery systems, face challenges with water vapor permeability, gel blocking, dust formation, and potential electrical conductivity issues, which can lead to short circuits and corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A segmented absorber material with superabsorbent particles arranged in pockets within a shell, where the shell is formed from multiple layers connected by seams, allowing for controlled liquid absorption and distribution while minimizing gel blocking and dust release, and maintaining thermal stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If desiccants are placed inside the housing to absorb water, then water absorption capacity is improved, but the housing becomes dehumidified causing water vapor to be drawn into the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The absorber material is divided into multiple pockets separated by seams, creating segmented absorption zones. This segmentation allows the material to absorb liquid water effectively while the seams maintain structural integrity and prevent excessive dehumidification that would draw water vapor into the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the absorber material have different properties - the pockets contain superabsorbent particles for liquid absorption, while the seams provide structural separation. This local differentiation allows effective water absorption without excessive dehumidification of the entire housing space.
2Quantity of substance
If superabsorbent particles are used to absorb liquid water, then water absorption capacity is improved, but gel formation blocks liquid transport channels
Solution Approach 1:
The absorber material is segmented into multiple pockets, which limits the amount of superabsorbent particles in each pocket. This segmentation prevents excessive gel formation that would block liquid transport channels, while still maintaining high overall absorption capacity through the distributed pocket structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pockets provide localized containment for superabsorbent particles, creating specific zones with high absorption capacity while the seams between pockets prevent uncontrolled gel formation. This local quality control allows the material to absorb liquid effectively without gel blocking.
3Quantity of substance
If superabsorbent particles are used to absorb liquid water, then water absorption capacity is improved, but dust formation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The superabsorbent particles are segmented into discrete pockets enclosed by seams. This segmentation contains the particles within each pocket, preventing dust formation and release while maintaining the high water absorption capacity of the superabsorbent material.
Solution Approach 2:
The pockets are formed by flexible layers that enclose the superabsorbent particles. These thin film structures contain the particles effectively, preventing dust formation, while still allowing the material to absorb and expand with liquid water.
4Quantity of substance
If desiccants are used to absorb water, then water absorption capacity is improved, but corrosion and electrical conductivity issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the absorber material by using superabsorbent polymers instead of traditional desiccants like P2O5 or CaCl2. These polymers absorb water without forming corrosive substances or becoming electrically conductive, thereby eliminating corrosion and electrical conductivity issues while maintaining high water absorption capacity.
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 segmented design enhances water absorption capacity, reduces gel blocking, minimizes dust formation, and maintains thermal stability, effectively managing liquid absorption and distribution in current-carrying systems while preventing electrical issues.
Implementation Method 1
the layers are connected to each other in certain areas by at least one seam in such a way that a segmentation of the shell in the form of separate pockets results and wherein at least a part of the pockets contains the superabsorbent particles
Implementation Method 2
Superabsorbents, when in contact with polar liquid media, cause significant swelling
Implementation Method 3
The use of a liquid temperature control fluid with a high heat capacity, which is thermally conductive and circulated along the battery cells in a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
circulated along the battery cells in a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
Microporous films or nonwovens, for example, are used for this purpose
Implementation Method 6
water can condense on cold surfaces within the housing (when its dew point is exceeded)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to the use of an absorber material (1) comprising a shell and superabsorbent particles (3) arranged therein for the absorption and/or distribution of liquids in an actively and/or passively cooled current-carrying system, in particular in an actively and/or passively cooled energy storage system (11), wherein the shell (2) is formed from at least two layers arranged on top of each other, wherein the layers are connected to each other in certain areas by at least one seam (5) such that a segmentation of the shell (2) in the form of separate pockets (4) is obtained and wherein at least a part of the pockets (4) contains the superabsorbent particles.