Supercapacitor Power Pack Thermal Monitoring for Runaway Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium battery packs in electric vehicles face excessive heat issues due to electrochemical reactions and Joule heating, leading to thermal runaway, which existing thermal management systems struggle to manage effectively, especially under high operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for monitoring and managing the temperature of supercapacitor power packs using sensors to detect thermal events and adjust charging status, incorporating a thermal management module that integrates with an energy control system to regulate temperature and prevent overheating.
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 passively absorb heat without requiring pumps, pipes, or coolant circulation systems, thereby maintaining effective temperature control while dramatically reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal management approach from active liquid cooling to passive phase change cooling, utilizing the phase transition properties of materials to absorb and dissipate heat, thereby achieving effective temperature control without the complexity of liquid circulation systems
2Device complexity
If air-based cooling systems are used to reduce complexity, then system simplicity is improved, but cooling performance deteriorates under high operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition materials that undergo solid-liquid phase change at specific temperatures, absorbing large amounts of heat during the transition process. This provides superior cooling performance under high operating conditions while maintaining system simplicity, as the phase change process is passive and requires no active cooling components
3Power
If higher operating current is used to increase power output, then power delivery is improved, but heat generation and thermal runaway risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat generated by high current operation into a useful thermal management mechanism by using phase change materials that absorb the excess heat during phase transition. The heat that would otherwise cause thermal runaway is instead utilized to drive the phase change process, which actively cools the battery cells and maintains safe operating temperatures even under high power delivery conditions
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 efficiently monitors and manages thermal energy, preventing thermal runaway and extending the lifespan of power packs by proactively controlling temperature, thus enhancing the reliability and performance of electric vehicle power systems.
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
Implementation Method 2
excessive heat originates from the electrochemical reactions, mixing, and the phase change occurring in the lithium-ion cell. Further, excessive heat is also generated due to Joule heating effect
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.