Patent Application
20240380025
The subject disclosure relates to the art of rechargeable energy storage systems and, more particularly, to a rechargeable energy storage system for a vehicle including energy storage cells having an internal cooling structure.
Rechargeable energy storage systems (RESS) typically includes one or more battery packs having rechargeable energy storage cells. The battery pack is connectable to a charging system that replenishes electrical energy lost to a load. The charging system may be part of a vehicle, or may be part of an external charging station. When providing power to a vehicle, the battery pack discharges stored electrical energy. Replenishing and discharging the stored electrical energy creates heat which, if not removed, can detract from battery pack efficiency.
There are a wide array of systems employed to cool batteries. For example, many batteries will include a forced air convection system that delivers a flow of air over battery components. Other systems may employ heat sinks that absorb heat from external battery surfaces. Still other systems may employ cold plates. A cold plate is typically formed from aluminum and may include internal passages that circulate a fluid. While existing systems are effective, forced air systems and cold plates lack a desirable efficiency to absorb large amounts of heat that may be produced by larger battery packs. Accordingly, the art would welcome a more efficient heat mitigation system for vehicle battery packs.
A rechargeable energy storage system, in accordance with a non-limiting example, includes a housing including an interior zone, a coolant member arranged in the interior zone of the housing, and a plurality of energy storage cells arranged in the interior zone on the coolant member. Each of the plurality of energy storage cells includes a cell can defining an energy storage medium housing. The cell can includes a first end supported at the coolant member and a second end. An amount of energy storage medium is arranged in the energy storage medium housing. A heat absorption member extends from the first end toward the second end through the amount of energy storage medium.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein the heat absorption member includes a conduit extending through the amount of energy storage medium.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein the conduit is formed from a thermally conductive material coated with an electrically insulative material.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein the coolant member includes a first surface, a second surface, and a cooling fluid passage arranged between the first surface and the second surface, the cooling fluid passage including an inlet, an outlet, the heat absorption member being in thermally conductive contact with one of the first surface and the second surface.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein the heat absorption member includes a first end portion connected to the first surface of the coolant member and a second end portion terminating in the cell can.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein the heat absorption member includes a first end portion fluidically connected to the cooling fluid passage and a second end portion that extends outwardly of the cell can.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein a fin extends from the one of the first surface and the second surface into the heat absorption member.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein the first end portion is fluidically connected with the cooling fluid passage, the coolant member including one of a heat pipe and a phase change material element that extends between the cooling fluid passage into the conduit.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein the cell can includes an first termina arranged at one of the first end and the second end, and a second termina arranged at the other of the first end and the second end, the heat absorption member extending through each of the first terminal and the second terminal.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein the cell can includes a first terminal arranged at one of the first end and the second end, and a second terminal arranged at the one of the first end and the second end spaced from the first terminal.
A vehicle, in accordance with a non-limiting example, includes a body, an electric motor supported in the body, and a rechargeable energy storage system supported in the body. The rechargeable energy storage system includes a housing including an interior zone, a coolant member arranged in the interior zone of the housing, and a plurality of energy storage cells arranged in the interior zone on the coolant member. Each of the plurality of energy storage cells includes a cell can defining an energy storage medium housing. The cell can includes a first end supported at the coolant member and a second end. An amount of energy storage medium is arranged in the energy storage medium housing. A heat absorption member extends from the first end toward the second end through the amount of energy storage medium.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein the heat absorption member includes a conduit extending through the amount of energy storage medium.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein the conduit is formed from a thermally conductive material coated with an electrically insulative material.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein the coolant member includes a first surface, a second surface, and a cooling fluid passage arranged between the first surface and the second surface, the cooling fluid passage including an inlet, an outlet, the heat absorption member being in thermally conductive contact with one of the first surface and the second surface.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein the heat absorption member includes a first end portion connected to the first surface of the coolant member and a second end portion terminating in the cell can.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein the heat absorption member includes a first end portion fluidically connected to the cooling fluid passage and a second end portion that extends outwardly of the cell can.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein a fin extending from the one of the first surface and the second surface into the heat absorption member.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein the first end portion is fluidically connected with the cooling fluid passage, the coolant member including one a heat pipe and a phase change material element that extends between the cooling fluid passage into the conduit.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein the cell can includes a first terminal arranged at one of the first end and the second end, and a second terminal arranged at the other of the first end and the second end, the heat absorption member extending through each of the first terminal and the second terminal.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein the cell can includes a first terminal arranged at one of the first end and the second end, and a second terminal arranged at the one of the first end and the second end spaced from the first terminal.
The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.
A vehicle, in accordance with a non-limiting example, is indicated generally at 10 in
A rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) 38 is arranged in body 12 and provides power to electric motor 34. At this point, it should be understood that the location of electric motor 34, transmission 36, and RESS 38 in body 12 may vary. Referring to
RESS 38 includes a coolant member 56,
In a non-limiting example, each battery pack 40 is formed from multiple energy storage cells, one of which is indicated at 78 in
In accordance with a non-limiting example shown in
In the non-limiting example shown in
In another non-limiting example shown in
In the non-limiting example shown in
At this point, it should be understood that the overall geometry of energy storage cell 78 may vary as may the location of the cathode and anode. For example, as shown in
At this point, it should be understood that the non-limiting examples presented herein describe a system for removing heat from internal portions of an energy storage device. Convective heat transfer from external surfaces is effective up to a point for reducing heat loads. Absorbing and removing heat that builds up internally contributes to further heat reduction which, in turn, enhances an overall operational efficacy and service life of the rechargeable energy storage system.
The terms “a” and “an” do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. The term “or” means “and/or” unless clearly indicated otherwise by context. Reference throughout the specification to “an aspect”, means that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, step, or characteristic) described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect described herein, and may or may not be present in other aspects. In addition, it is to be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner in the various aspects.
When an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present.
Unless specified to the contrary herein, all test standards are the most recent standard in effect as of the filing date of this application, or, if priority is claimed, the filing date of the earliest priority application in which the test standard appears.
Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.
While the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from its scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within the scope thereof.
