Vortex Tube Battery Pack Cooling System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery packs tend to overheat during testing due to inadequate cooling, necessitating an improved system and method for effective cooling and cycling.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a vortex tube to output cooled air, which is then used by heat exchangers within the battery pack to dissipate heat, combined with a battery cycling device for charging and discharging the pack, employing a dry air process instead of liquid coolants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If battery packs are charged and discharged during testing without cooling, then battery cycling can be performed, but the battery packs overheat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from the battery pack system by introducing a separate vortex tube cooling device. The vortex tube receives pressurized air and separates it into hot and cold streams, extracting the cold stream to cool the battery pack during cycling operations, thereby resolving the overheating issue while maintaining cycling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cooled air as an intermediary substance between the cooling system and the battery pack. The vortex tube generates cooled air that serves as a mediator to transfer heat away from the battery pack, enabling effective cooling without direct thermal contact between the cooling mechanism and battery components
2Temperature
If a vortex tube is used to cool the battery pack, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex tube cooling system is designed to be self-regulating and autonomous. Once pressurized air is supplied to the vortex tube, it automatically generates the cold stream needed for cooling without requiring external control mechanisms, sensors, or adjustment devices, thereby achieving effective cooling with minimal added complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by employing a vortex tube that operates purely on compressed air flow dynamics. The device leverages the kinetic energy and pressure of the incoming air stream to create rotational flow patterns that naturally separate hot and cold streams, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts, electrical controls, or complex thermal management systems
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 effectively cools the battery pack during charging and discharging using cooled air from a vortex tube, preventing overheating and enhancing the safety and efficiency of battery testing.
Implementation Method 1
a vortex tube configured to receive the pressurized air from the air supplying device and to output cooled air at a first temperature level utilizing the pressurized air
Implementation Method 2
at least one heat exchanger disposed in the battery pack that is configured to receive the cooled air from the vortex tube and to cool the battery pack
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and a method for cooling and cycling a battery pack is provided. The system includes an air supplying device that outputs pressurized air. The system further includes a vortex tube that receives the pressurized air and outputs cooled air at a first temperature level utilizing the pressurized air. The system further includes at least one heat exchanger disposed in the battery pack that receives the cooled air from the vortex tube and cools the battery pack. The system further includes a battery cycling device configured to charge and discharge the battery pack when the battery pack is being cooled.