Two-Phase Cooling Circuit for Battery and Converter Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal management systems for rechargeable batteries, such as Li-ion batteries, often result in inhomogeneous temperature distribution, which can lead to inefficiencies and reduced battery lifespan, especially in applications like electric vehicles and photovoltaic systems.
Innovation Solution
A closed two-phase cooling system is implemented, where a single cooling circuit with a phase-changing fluid cools both the battery and the converter, maintaining a homogeneous temperature distribution by using the same cooling fluid for both components and regulating fluid flow based on temperature sensors to ensure efficient heat transfer and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional air cooling is used for battery thermal management, then the system is simple and low-cost, but the temperature distribution within the battery becomes inhomogeneous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase change material (paraffin wax) that transitions from solid to liquid state to absorb and redistribute heat within the battery housing. This phase transition mechanism enables homogeneous temperature distribution without complex active cooling systems, resolving the contradiction between temperature uniformity and system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fluid acts as an intermediary substance that absorbs heat from battery cells and transfers it to the phase change material. This intermediary mechanism enables effective heat redistribution while maintaining system simplicity, addressing the contradiction between thermal management effectiveness and device complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If separate cooling circuits are used for battery and converter, then each component can be optimized independently, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery cooling and converter cooling into a single integrated cooling circuit that circulates the same cooling fluid through both components. This consolidation reduces system complexity and cost while maintaining effective thermal management of both battery and converter, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and independent optimization capability
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 approach enhances thermal management, reduces costs, and extends the lifespan of both the battery and converter by maintaining a uniform temperature, thereby improving the overall performance and reliability of battery energy storage systems.
Implementation Method 1
a phase-changing fluid cools both the battery and the converter
Implementation Method 2
regulating fluid flow based on temperature sensors to ensure efficient heat transfer and distribution
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A battery energy storage system (10) comprises a rechargeable battery (14); a converter (16) for converting a DC current from the rechargeable battery (14) into a current to be supplied to a load (22, 26) and for converting a current from a source (20, 22, 26) into a DC current to be supplied to the rechargeable battery (14); and a closed cooling circuit (18) for cooling the rechargeable battery (14) and the converter (16) with a cooling fluid (32) adapted for performing a phase change, when heated by at least one of the rechargeable battery (14) and the converter (16); wherein the cooling circuit (18) interconnects a cooling component (52) for the rechargeable battery (14) and a cooling component (38) for the converter (16).