Throttle Pipe Flow Equalization for Battery Liquid Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid cooling systems for battery energy storage suffer from poor temperature uniformity and flow rate distribution among battery modules, leading to inefficient heat transfer and reduced battery performance and lifespan.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a device with throttle pipes and feeding inlets that adjust cooling fluid flow rates by calculating pressure losses based on pipeline lengths, directions, and height differences, ensuring equal convective-heat-transfer coefficients across all modules through the use of flow restriction orifices and threaded connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a parallel-connection liquid cooling system is used to ensure equal inlet temperatures to all modules, then the inlet temperature uniformity is improved, but the flow rate distribution among modules becomes uneven due to pipeline resistance differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by installing flow restriction orifices at specific locations (feeding inlets of battery modules) where flow rate adjustment is needed. Each orifice is locally positioned to regulate cooling fluid flow into individual battery modules, creating localized flow control that compensates for pipeline resistance variations and achieves uniform flow distribution across all modules.
2Productivity
If a series-connection liquid cooling system is used to ensure similar flow rates and turbulence coefficients in all modules, then the flow rate uniformity is improved, but the inlet temperature uniformity deteriorates as temperatures accumulate across modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling system into multiple independent parallel channels, each serving a battery module. By dividing the system into separate segments with individual flow control (orifices), it enables independent regulation of each module's cooling flow, allowing the system to maintain uniform flow distribution while avoiding the temperature accumulation problem of series connections.
3Productivity
If flow restriction orifices are installed at feeding inlets to equalize flow rates, then the flow rate uniformity across modules is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple, inexpensive flow restriction orifices as disposable-like components installed at each feeding inlet. These are basic flow control elements that can be easily manufactured and installed without complex mechanisms, providing effective flow equalization while minimizing the increase in device complexity and cost.
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 solution achieves more uniform flow rates and temperatures across battery modules, enhancing heat exchange efficiency and prolonging battery lifespan by maintaining consistent environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchange between the modules and the cooling fluid may be considered as convective heat dissipation
Implementation Method 2
the heat transfer between the modules and the tube wall is by conduction
Implementation Method 3
flows out, and then exchanges heat with an external heat exchanger (a heat radiator or an air conditioning)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A device for flow equalization of a liquid cooling system of battery energy storage solves the technical problem of non-ideal temperature equalization effect of battery liquid cooling systems. The device for flow equalization of a liquid cooling system of battery energy storage comprises a plurality of battery modules in parallel, each of the battery modules being connected to the liquid cooling system, and being provided with a cooling-fluid feeding inlet (4), wherein a throttle pipe (3) is provided in the feeding inlet (4), the throttle pipe (3) is provided with a flow restriction orifice (3-1), and the cooling fluids that enter the feeding inlets (4) are adjusted by the throttle pipes (3) to equal pressures. The device can enable the liquid cooling system to more uniformly distribute the flow rates of the cooling fluids among battery sub-packs or modules, thereby ensuring that the battery system operates at more uniform environmental temperatures, to reduce the difference in the performances of the modules, and prolong the service lives of the batteries.