METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE BATTERY COOLING

• US 20120148881A1
• Filed: 11/11/2011
• Published: 06/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Thermotek Incorporated
• Original Assignee: The Thermotek Incorporated
• Inventors: Quisenberry, Tony
• Granted Patent: US 9,113,577 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/50
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/003 with means for cooling the electrical propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/0233 the conduits having a particular shape, e.g. non-circular cross-section, annular F28D15/0241, F28D15/0266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/0275 Arrangements for coupling heat-pipes together or with other structures, e.g. with base blocks; Heat pipe cores
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/617 for achieving uniformity or desired distribution of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6552 Closed pipes transferring heat by thermal conductivity or phase transition, e.g. heat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6557 arranged between the cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6561 Gases
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6569 Fluids undergoing a liquid-gas phase change or transition, e.g. evaporation or condensation heat pipes H01M10/6552
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/66 Heat-exchange relationships between the cells and other systems, e.g. central heating systems or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20336 Heat pipes, e.g. wicks or capillary pumps
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery-cooling system. The battery-cooling system includes a battery array and a plurality of heat pipes. The heat pipes each include a low-profile extrusion having a plurality of hollow tubes formed therein. Each heat pipe includes an evaporator portion and a condenser portion. A heat-transfer fluid is disposed within the plurality of hollow tubes. The evaporator portion is disposed between successive batteries within the battery array. The condenser portion is disposed outside of the battery array and exposed to a heat sink.

Claims

1. A battery-cooling system comprising:

a battery array;

a plurality of heat pipes, each heat pipe of the plurality of heat pipes comprising a low-profile extrusion having a plurality of hollow tubes formed therein, each heat pipe of the plurality of heat pipes comprising an evaporator portion and a condenser portion;

a heat-transfer fluid disposed within the plurality of hollow tubes;

wherein the evaporator portion is disposed between successive batteries within the battery array; and

wherein the condenser portion is disposed outside the battery array and exposed to a heat sink.

2. The battery-cooling system of claim 1, wherein the evaporator portion is arranged at an angle relative to the battery array.

3. The battery-cooling system of claim 1, wherein the battery array comprises a plurality of batteries arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns.

4. The battery-cooling system of claim 3, wherein each heat pipe of the plurality of heat pipes is disposed between successive rows of the plurality of rows.

5. The battery-cooling system of claim 3, wherein each heat pipe of the plurality of heat pipes is disposed between successive columns of the plurality of columns.

6. The battery-cooling system of claim 1, wherein each battery of the battery array are Lithium-ion batteries.

7. The battery-cooling system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fins coupled to the condenser portion.

8. The battery-cooling system of claim 1, further comprising a cooling circuit thermally exposed to the condenser portion.

9. The battery-cooling system of claim 8, wherein the cooling circuit comprising a second heat-transfer fluid therein.

10. The battery-cooling system of claim 1, wherein the condenser portion is thermally exposed to a frame of a vehicle.

11. A method of cooling a battery array, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of heat pipes, each heat pipe of the plurality of heat pipes comprising a low-profile extrusion having a plurality of hollow tubes formed therein, each heat pipe of the plurality of heat pipes comprising an evaporator portion and a condenser portion;

placing the evaporator portion between successive batteries within the battery array;

arranging each heat pipe of the plurality of heat pipes to maximize thermal exposure of the evaporator portion to the successive batteries;

conducting heat into the evaporator portion from the battery array; and

discharging the heat from the condenser portion to a heat sink.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the arranging comprises placing the evaporator portion at an angle relative to the battery array.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the discharging comprises discharging the heat to a frame of a vehicle.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the discharging comprises removing the heat via a cooling circuit.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the cooling circuit comprises a second heat-transfer fluid therein.