WO2012160573A2

WO2012160573A2 - Battery thermal management arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2012160573A2
Application number: PCT/IN2012/000345
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chacko SALVIO; Charmer STENE
Original assignee: Tata Motors Limited
Priority date: 2011-05-11
Filing date: 2012-05-11
Publication date: 2012-11-29
Also published as: WO2012160573A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal management system which includes a set of first planer members a longitudinal side wall and a transverse side; a set of second planer members having a longitudinal side wall and a transverse side; a plurality of pockets formed by joining first planer members of the set of first planer members with respective second planer members of the set of second planer members, each of the plurality of pockets being configured to receive a cell, a plurality of such cells are stacked together to form the battery pack; the battery pack adapted to be positioned in a space between the set of jacket plates such that one or more jacket plates remain in thermal contact with the planer members. A first side plate of jacket plate is configured to be joined with a second side plate defining a channel to allow flow of conditioned coolant.

Description

BATTERY THERMAL MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to batteries of a vehicle and more particularly relates to a system for heating and cooling battery of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, electromechanical batteries, such as Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) cells generate heat due to electrical resistance and internal electrochemical processes. In case where natural dissimilation of the heat is insufficient for proper cooling, it becomes important to manage the thermal environment of the Li-ion cells and the overall battery, to achieve consistent performance and long life. The battery thermal management systems are also utilized to ensure that the temperatures of the individual cells in the battery pack lies in an ideal zone in order to avoid reduced performance. One form of battery thermal systems used to cool and warm, the battery pack relies on air flow from the vehicle HVAC system. This may be passenger cabin air that is directed through the battery pack. But these systems suffer from drawbacks such as low heat rejection due to the low heat transfer coefficient of air. Further conventionally, the active heating and cooling strategies are employed to enable to self-regulate the battery temperature to the desired range.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The objective of invention is to provide a reliable, simple and cost effective, battery thermal management.

Another object of the invention is to provide a battery thermal management having both heating and cooling capabilities.

Further objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The various embodiments of the preset invention disclose a thermal management system for managing temperature of a battery pack in a vehicle. The thermal management system includes a set of first planer members, each having a longitudinal side wall and a transverse side; a set of second planer members, each having a longitudinal side wall and a transverse side; a plurality of pockets formed by joining first planer members of the set of first planer members with respective second planer members of the set of second planer members, each of the plurality of pockets being configured to receive a cell, a plurality of such cells received in the pockets are stacked together to form the battery pack; a set of jacket plates positioned in a spaced apart manner, the battery pack adapted to be positioned in space between the set of jacket plates such that one or more jacket plates remain in thermal contact with the transverse side of planer members, each jacket plate having, a first side plate with a first half channel, and a second side plate with a second half channel, the first side plate is configured to be joined with the second side plate, such that the first half channel and second half channel define a channel to allow flow of conditioned coolant therethrough, thereby enabling heat exchange between the battery pack and the jacket plates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a thermal management system for managing temperature of a battery an automobile, according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a planer member of the thermal management system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 illustrates a view of a thermal management system for managing temperature of a battery an automobile, according to an embodiment of the. invention, FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a jacket plate of the thermal management system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of a thermal management system for managing temperature of a battery an automobile, according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 6 illustrates a view of a thermal management system for managing temperature o FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 7 illustrates a graph of cooling and heating temperature ranges for the thermal management system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a thermal management system 100, in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention. The thermal management system 100 is adapted to manage temperature of a battery pack 102 in a vehicle (not shown). Particularly, the thermal management system 100 is adapted to cool the battery pack 102 and / or optionally heat the battery pack 102, so that .the operating temperature range, desired therein, is maintained. It would be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is desirable to keep the operating temperature within predefined limits, in order to continuously obtain the desired performance.

Referring now to figure 1 through 6, the thermal management system 100 includes a set of first planer members 10 (also referred to as "heat transfer plates"). In an embodiment of the present invention, each planer member of the set of first planer members 10 is composed of a very this aluminum sheet. As best shown in FIG. 2, each planer member of the first planer members 10, include a longitudinal side wall 12 and a transverse side 14. The transverse side 14 extends perpendicularly from a peripheral portion of the longitudinal side wall 12. Another set of planer members 16, identical to the set of planer member 12, is also provided. The set of planer members 16 also include a longitudinal side (not numbered) and a transverse side (not numbered).

The assembly of the first set of planer members 10 with the second set of planer members 16, results in formation of a plurality of pocket 18 (best shown in FIG. 3). More specifically, each planer member of the set of first planer members 10 is joined with a respective planer member of the set of second planer members 16, thus forming the plurality of pockets 18. Each pocket 18 is configured to receive a cell. In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, the cell once received within the pocket 18 remains in thermal contact with the both longitudinal and transverse side of the adjacent planer members 10, 16, such that heat is transferred therebetween. As an alternative, the cell plastic cassette frame along with the heat transfer plate which covering one longitudinal and two transverse walls of the cassette frame stacked one after the other to form plurality of pockets to receive the battery cells.

As best shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of such cells may be received in the pockets and are stacked together to form a battery pack 102. Further, the plastic cassette frame is provided with two locating holes 15 at the top to insert a rod with screwed ends for fastening the module and the heat transfer plates together. Each cells plastic frame has got screws at the bottom to enable them to be screwed to a base plate.

Referring now to FIG. 4 and 5, the thermal management system 100 further includes a set of jacket plate 20 (also referred to as "coolant jacket plate") positioned in a spaced apart manner. According to the present embodiment of the present invention, the placement of the set of jacket plate 20 is such that the battery pack 102 is placed in the space between two consecutive jacket plates of the set of jacket plates. The battery pack 102, upon placement in the space, remains in thermal contact with at least two jacket plates. In another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of battery packs, such as the battery pack 102, are positioned between spaces between two jacket plates, such that transverse sides planer members in thermal contact with the jacket plates 20. In such an arrangement the transverse sides the planer members 10 are in thermal contact with the jacket plates 20.

Each jacket plate of the set of jacket plate includes a first side plate 21 and a second side plate 22. In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22 are composed of aluminum (al). The first side plate 21 includes a first half channel 24. The first half channel 24 may be in the form of a curved groove on a side of the jacket plate 20. Again, as best shown in FIG. 4, the first half channel 24 includes an inlet portion 26 and an outlet portion 28.

Likewise, the second side plate 22 includes a second half channel 30 identical to the first half channel 24. The second half channel 30 may also be in the form of a curved groove on the having a profile similar to the groove on the first side plate 21. The second half channel 30 also has an inlet portion and an outlet portion, identical to the inlet portion 26 and the outlet portion 28 of the first half channel 24. The first side plate 21 is configured to be joined with the second side plate 22. In accordance with the present embodiment of the invention, the first side plate 21 and the second side plate 22 is glued together with thermally conductive adhesive and laser welded along the thickness, to form the jacket plate 20. The joining of the first side plate 21 with the second first side plate 22, aligns the first half channel 30 with the second half channel 32, whereby a complete channel (not numbered) is defined. Therefore, the jacket plate 20, thus formed, evidently has the channel defined therein and is a single unit. The channel has an inlet portion 26 and an outlet portion 28 (also the inlet portion 26 and outlet portion 28 of the first half channel 24). The inlet portion of the coolant channel is routed at the top to allow maximum heat transfer efficiency at the top of the battery pack 102, as it is envisaged that the closer to the tabs the heat generation is higher. The channel is routed from top to bottom of the plate and covering substantial width of the plate. The profile of the complete channel is optimized to lower the pumping pressure required to low the coolant therethrough and maximizes the heat transfer efficiency. The complete channel defined by with the first, half channel 24 and the second half channel 30 is configured to be filled with a conditioned coolant. In particular, conditioned coolant lines 34 (best shown in FIG. 6) fluidically coupled to the inlet portion 26 and outlet portion 28 of the channel. As shown in Figures the end portion of the channel converged in shape to engage end portion of the conditioned coolant lines 34. The inlet portion 26 and outlet portion 28 are positioned proximate to one another. Advantageously, only a single adapter with two openings, such as an adapter 36, may be used for connecting the conditioned coolant lines to the inlet portion 26 and outlet portion 28. Another advantage of having the inlet portion 26 and the outlet portion 28, in close proximity of one another, is that the routing of the conditioned coolant lines becomes convenient. As would be apparent to those skilled in the art, the conditioned coolant lines carry fluid from a source of heated or cold fluid.

During utilization of the system 100, when cooling of the battery pack 102 is desired i.e. active cooling zone, the right side of the figure 7, cold conditioned coolant is supplied through the coolant lines 34 of the jacket plates 20. The jacket plate 20 being thermally coupled with the battery pack 102 will extract heat therefrom. Similarly, when the coolant lines 34 are carrying a heated fluid, i.e. active heating zone, the left side of the figure 7, the jacket plate 20 will transfer heat to the battery pack 102. Therefore, as per the concept of the present invention, for any given operating condition, the inlet temperature of the coolant to the coolant plate attached to the battery pack 102 can be precisely controlled, thereby maintaining the battery temperature within the ideal range (self regulating zone in figure 7). Thus, based on the temperature of the conditioned coolant, the thermal management system 100 maintains the cells (for example, Lithium-Ion, Li-ion cells) at temperatures ideal for maximum performance, range, cell life, reliability and safety.

The foregoing description provides specific embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated that these embodiment are described for purpose of illustration only, and that numerous other alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.

Referral Numerals Description

100 Thermal management system

102 Battery pack

10 First planer members

12 Longitudinal side wall

14 Transverse side

16 Planer members

15 Locating holes

18 Plurality of pocket

20 Jacket plate

21 First side plate

22 Second side plate

24 First half channel

26 Inlet portion

28 Outlet portion

30 First half channel

31 Complete jacket plate

32 Second half channel

34 Conditioned coolant lines

36 Adapter

Claims

WE CLAIM

1. A thermal management system for managing temperature of a battery pack in a vehicle, the thermal management system comprising:

a set of first planer members, each having a longitudinal side wall and a transverse side;

a set of second planer members, each having a longitudinal side wall and a transverse side;

a plurality of pockets formed by joining first planer members of the set of first planer members with respective second planer members of the set of second planer members, each of the plurality of pockets being configured to receive a battery cell, a plurality of such cells received in the pockets are stacked together to form the battery pack;

a set of jacket plates positioned in a spaced apart manner, the battery pack adapted to be positioned in space between the set of jacket plates such that one or more jacket plates remain in thermal contact with the transverse side of planer members, said jacket plate having,

a first side plate with a first half channel, and

a second side plate with a second half channel, the first side plate is configured to be joined with the second side plate, such that the first half channel and second half channel define a channel to allow flow of conditioned coolant therethrough, thereby enabling heat exchange between the battery pack and the jacket plates.

2. The thermal management system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of battery packs are positioned between a plurality of spaces between two consecutive jacket plates of the set of jacket plates, such that transverse sides of the planer members are in thermal contact with the jacket plates.

3. The thermal management system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first side plate and the second side plate are glued together with thermally conductive adhesive and laser welded along thickness thereof to form a single unit having a channel inside.

4. The thermal management system as claimed in claim 1, wherein open end portions of the channel converge at an inlet portion and an outlet portion thereof.

5. The thermal management system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the inlet portion and the outlet portion are positioned proximate to each other.

6. The thermal management system as claimed in claim 5, wherein proximate positioning of the inlet portion and the outlet portion enables use of a single adapter with two openings for connecting inlet pipe and outlet pipe with the inlet portion and the outlet portion, respectively.

7. The thermal management system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet portion of the channel is routed proximate to an upper part of the battery pack.

8. The thermal management system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first planer member and the second member are made up of thin aluminum sheet.

9. The thermal management system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cell is a Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) cell.