Supercapacitor Power Pack Thermal Control Without Liquid Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs in electric vehicles face challenges in managing excessive heat generation due to electrochemical reactions and Joule heating, leading to potential damage and thermal runaway, with current cooling systems being complex and prone to coolant leakage.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for monitoring and managing the temperature of power packs using thermal sensors to detect thermal events, integrate with an energy control system (ECS) to regulate charging and discharging, and employ thermal management modules for active cooling and heating, ensuring optimal temperature ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid-based cooling systems are used to improve cooling performance, then temperature control is enhanced, but system complexity and coolant leakage issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from complex liquid-based systems and implements it through simpler phase change materials that absorb excess heat through solid-liquid transition, eliminating coolant leakage risks while maintaining effective temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal management approach from active liquid circulation to passive phase change utilization, leveraging the latent heat absorption during solid-liquid transition to maintain optimal battery temperature without complex control systems
2Temperature
If active cooling methods are used to manage heat, then temperature distribution is equalized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-regulating thermal management where phase change materials automatically absorb excess heat when temperature rises and release it when temperature drops, eliminating the need for active control systems while maintaining uniform temperature distribution
3Productivity
If higher operating current is used to increase power output, then productivity improves, but heat generation and thermal runaway risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful excess heat generated during high-power operation into a useful thermal regulation mechanism by using phase change materials that absorb the heat during solid-liquid transition, thereby preventing thermal runaway while enabling sustained high-power output
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
Effectively monitors and manages thermal energy in supercapacitor power packs, preventing damage by maintaining optimal temperature gradients and reducing the risk of thermal runaway.
Implementation Method 1
Thermal energy associated with a set of supercapacitor power packs integrated with an electric motor may be monitored via one or more sensors. Information may received at a connection interface as sent from the sensors regarding a current measurement of thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
excessive heat is also generated due to Joule heating effect, which may damage the lithium battery pack
Implementation Method 3
excessive heat originates from the electrochemical reactions, mixing, and the phase change occurring in the lithium-ion cell
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for monitoring and managing temperature of power packs of supercapacitors are disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of supercapacitor power packs associated with an electric motor. Further, an energy database is provided and configured to store data related to the charge of the supercapacitor power packs and thermal energy requirements related to the supercapacitor power packs.