DESC:which it is to be performed.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a fire suppressor system. More specifically, but not exclusively the present invention relates to a fire suppressor system for a battery assembly of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Nowadays, with increasing global warming, depletion of fossil fuels, there is advancement in the technology such as an electric or hybrid electric based systems. For example, an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicles uses one or more battery packs that provides electrical power to run a motor which in turn rotates one or more wheels of the vehicle. To meet the demand of high-power vehicles for longer operation, usage of lithium-ion batteries has increased due to their high energy storing capacity. In general batteries generate heat when charging or in use. A pair of electrodes are submerged in a liquid called an electrolyte consisting of lithium salt and organic solvents which allows movement of ions. These organic solvents in the electrolyte are the leading fire hazard in Li-ion batteries due to which the lithium-ion batteries are extremely sensitive to high temperatures and inherently flammable. Furthermore, the positively charged electrode (cathode) in the battery contains oxygen, which may be released if the battery is subjected to specific stresses, e.g., internal short circuit, excessive heat, and more. Due to all these factors the Li-ion batteries have all the elements needed to self-sustain a fire. These battery packs degrade much faster due to heat. Due to heat generation from any source or short circuit, if a lithium-ion battery pack fails it can burst into flames and can cause widespread damage.
[0003]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The present invention is described with reference to a fire suppressor system of a battery assembly for a vehicle. for an exemplary embodiment along with the accompanying drawings. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to similar features and components.
[0005] Fig 1-Fig 3 exemplarily illustrates a block diagram of the essential elements of the fire suppressor system of the battery assembly for the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0006] Fig 4 exemplarily illustrates a flow chart of method of suppressing fire by the fire suppressor system of the battery assembly for the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] A battery assembly comprises of plurality of battery modules or cells which are encompassed inside a battery casing. The plurality of battery modules have a pair of electrodes which are submerged in an electrolyte enables movement of ions. Thus, in case of fire, it is the battery modules which originates the cause of fire. In case of a powerful thermal incident, the Li-ion battery may release some of the flammable electrolyte along with various flammable/toxic gases, such as hydrogen (H2), methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrofluoric acid (HF). The amount and rate of the gas released depend on different parameters that are related to battery chemistry and the amount of electrical energy stored. Such incidences may be caused by electrical shorting, rapid discharge, overcharging, manufacturers’ defect, poor design, or mechanical damage, among many other causes. A release of these flammable gases is what can cause fires and explosions. Therefore, the Li-ion batteries have high probability of catching fire even in day-to-day usage in vehicle.
[0008] This calls for immediate measures and guidelines for battery safety. Hence, to overcome the threat of fire in the battery assembly, it is extremely necessary for an automobile manufacturer to provide a system which can detect the operating conditions of the battery assembly at the earliest stage. More certainly, it is necessary to monitor the working condition of the plurality of the battery modules of the battery pack. This would assist in avoiding situations of thermal explosion thereby major damages caused by theses flammable battery packs can be eliminated for safety purpose.
[0009] As per known state of art, a safety mechanism of these batteries is a battery management system hereinafter called as BMS, which controls the current flow to the battery pack thereby controlling the temperature of the battery. In case of unintended events such as short circuit or a temperature beyond a threshold limit, the BMS shuts down the battery. However, for the BMS to provide uninterrupted safety it is necessary for the BMS to be always in healthy state. In case if the BMS malfunctions due to some error there are high chances that the battery pack will catch fire due to unmonitored temperature causing accidental damages.
[00010] As per yet another known state of art, to protect the fire and consequent damages a portable fire extinguisher is equipped on the vehicle. However, there are high probability of having a time lag between the actual application of such portable fire extinguishers and the initiation of fire/smoke in the battery pack.
[00011] Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to provide a fire suppression system for the battery assembly of a vehicle which can effectively suppress the fire in the battery assembly of a vehicle at the initial stage without delay.
[00012] As per an embodiment of the present invention a fire suppression system for the battery assembly of a vehicle comprises a battery assembly. The battery assembly comprises a battery casing, and one or more battery modules. The battery module is disposed inside the battery casing. The fire suppression system comprises a storage tank which is configured to store a cooling agent. The cooling agent have the property to lower the temperature of the battery module and supports in suppressing fire. The system also comprises a control valve which is an electrical valve. The control valve is disposed in a route which connects the battery assembly and the storage tank. Further, one or more sensors configured to sense one or more operating conditions of the battery assembly are disposed at a portion of the battery module. The operating conditions of the battery assembly are the temperature parameter of the battery module and presence of any smoke in the vicinity of the battery module. A control unit is configured to take inputs from the one or more sensors which in turn enables activation of the control valve. Upon activation of the control valve allows the cooling agent to flow through the route connecting the storage tank and the battery assembly, thereby the cooling agent is sprayed in the battery module. The checkpoint for activation of the control valve by the control unit is based on a predetermined condition. The predetermined conditions are either the temperature of the battery module is higher than the predetermined threshold value or there is presence of smoke in the vicinity of the battery module. If any of the predetermined conditions are satisfied, the control unit activates the control valve which enables the spray of cooling agent on the battery module. Since, the one or more sensors are mounted at a portion of the battery modules, the present invention enables detection of any cause of scope of fire at the earliest stage.
[00013] As per an aspect of the present invention one or more sensors includes a thermal sensor, and a smoke detecting sensor.
[00014] As per an aspect of the present invention the cooling agent is a fire suppressant element such as dry compressed powder, CO2, or water.
[00015] As per another embodiment of the present invention the fire suppressor system for the battery assembly of the vehicle, comprises a battery assembly, a fire suppressor system. The battery assembly comprises a battery casing, and one or more battery modules. The battery module is disposed inside the battery casing. The fire suppression system comprises a storage tank which is configured to store a cooling agent. The cooling agent have the property to lower the temperature of the battery module and supports in suppressing fire. Further, the system comprises a fuse element which is configured to be operatively functional on a predetermined operating condition of the battery assembly. The predetermined operating condition is a temperature parameter the battery module. The fuse element becomes functional when the predetermined operating condition is higher than the predetermined threshold temperature value. The fuse element is mounted at portion of the battery module so that the distance between the fuse element and the battery module is minimal, thereby eliminating the scope of delay in detection of fire. The fuse element on being functional enables dispense of the cooling agent on the battery module.
[00016] As per an aspect of the present invention the fuse element is disposed at a portion of the battery module on a route connecting the storage tank and the battery module.
[00017] As per another embodiment of the present invention, the fire suppressor system for the battery assembly of the vehicle comprises a fuse element and a control unit. More specifically, the system comprises a battery assembly, a fire suppressor system. The battery assembly comprises a battery casing, and one or more battery modules. The battery module is disposed inside the battery casing. The fire suppression system comprises a storage tank which is configured to store a cooling agent. The cooling agent have the property to lower the temperature of the battery module and supports in suppressing fire. Further, the system comprises a fuse element which is configured to be operatively functional on a predetermined operating condition of the battery assembly. The predetermined operating condition is a temperature parameter the battery module. The fuse element becomes functional when the predetermined operating condition is higher than the predetermined threshold temperature value. The fuse element is mounted at portion of the battery module so that the distance between the fuse element and the battery module is minimal, thereby eliminating the scope of delay in detection of fire. The fuse element on being functional enables dispense of the cooling agent on the module. Further, the system also comprises a control unit, configured to take inputs from the one or more sensors to enable activation of the control valve. The activated control valve enables dispense of the cooling agent the battery module based on a first predetermined condition. The one or more sensor senses the presence of smoke in the vicinity of the battery module. The control unit is connected with the fuse element. The first predetermined condition which acts as check point for the control unit is when the temperature of the battery module is more than predetermined threshold temperature and the fuse element is still in deactivated mode. In that condition the control unit activates the control valve to enable flow of cooling agent to the battery module. Another condition at which the control unit will activate the control valve is when the one or more sensors senses smoke in vicinity of the battery module.
[00018] Thus, the system as per the present invention enables two-way protection to the battery assembly from fire. Even if the fuse element malfunctions, the protection of the battery assembly and subsequently the vehicle can be taken care by the control unit.
[00019] As per an aspect of the present invention the storage tank is located at one of the locations comprising in a floorboard of the vehicle, below a seat of the vehicle, and in a front compartment of the vehicle.
[00020] As per an aspect of the present invention the cooling agent being dispend on one or more battery modules at one or more portions depending upon the size of the battery assembly.
[00021] As per an aspect of the present invention the one or more sensors being disposed in the battery module at one or more location depending upon the size of the battery assembly.
[00022] As per an aspect of the present invention the selective dispensing of the cooling agent at one or more locations from the plurality of locations based on the determined temperature and smoke at the one or more locations.
[00023] The present subject matter is further described with reference to the accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00024] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible considering the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.
[00025] Fig 1 exemplarily illustrates a block diagram of the essential elements of the fire suppressor system for the battery assembly of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The battery assembly (101) comprises plurality of battery modules (102) or cells which are encompassed inside the battery casing (102). The fire suppression system (100) comprises a storage tank (108) which stores a cooling agent. The cooling agent have the property to lower the temperature of the battery module (102) and supports in suppressing fire. The cooling agent is a fire suppressant element such as dry compressed powder, CO2, or water.
[00026] The system (100) also comprises the control valve (112) which is an electrical valve. The control valve (112) is disposed in a route which connects the battery assembly (101) and the storage tank (108). Further, one or more sensors (106) are configured to sense one or more operating conditions of the battery assembly (101). The one or more sensors (106) are disposed at a portion of the battery module (102). The one or more sensors (106) are temperature sensors and a smoke detector sensor. Therefore, the operating conditions of the battery assembly (101) which are sensed by the one or more sensors (106) are the temperature parameter of the battery module (102) and presence of any smoke in the vicinity of the battery module (102). The control unit (110) is configured to take inputs from the one or more sensors (106). Based on the inputs from the one or more sensors (106) the control unit (110) enables activation of the control valve (112). Upon activation, the control valve (112) allows the cooling agent from the storage tank (108) to flow through the route which connects the storage tank (108) and the battery assembly (101). Hence, thereby the cooling agent is sprayed in the battery module (104). The checkpoint for activation of the control valve (112) by the control unit (110) is based on a predetermined condition. The predetermined conditions are either the temperature of the battery module (104) is higher than the predetermined threshold value or there is presence of smoke in the vicinity of the battery module (104). If any of the predetermined conditions are satisfied, the control unit (110) activates the control valve (112) to enables the spray of cooling agent on the battery module (104). Since, the one or more sensors (106) are mounted at a portion of the battery modules (104), the present invention enables detection of any cause of scope of fire at the earliest stage because the origin of fire initiates at the battery modules (104). As per as aspect the sensors are mounted inside the battery pack within the battery module.
[00027] Fig 2 exemplarily illustrates a block diagram of the essential elements of the fire suppressor system for the battery assembly of the vehicle in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As per an embodiment of the present invention the fire suppressor system (100) comprises a battery assembly (101). The battery assembly (101) comprises a battery casing (102), and one or more battery modules (104). The battery module (104) is disposed inside the battery casing (102). The fire suppression system comprises a storage tank (108) which stores a cooling agent. The cooling agent have the property to lower the temperature of the battery module and supports in suppressing fire. The cooling agent is a fire suppressant element such as dry compressed powder, CO2, or water.
[00028] Further the system (100) comprises a fuse element (202) which is configured to be operatively functional on a predetermined operating condition of the battery module (104). The predetermined operating condition is a temperature parameter the battery module (104). The fuse element becomes functional when the fuse breaks at a predetermined operating condition i.e., the temperature of the battery module (104) is higher than a predetermined threshold temperature value. The predetermined threshold temperature is a temperature value which is more than the BMS operating temperature. The fuse element (202) is mounted at portion of the battery module so that the distance between the fuse element (202) and the battery module (104) is minimal. Hence, the scope of delay in detection of fire is eliminated. The fuse element on being functional enables dispense of the cooling agent on the module. The storage tank (108) is kept closer the battery assembly (101) so that there is no delay in the spray of the cooling agent on the battery module (104) at an appropriate time.
[00029] Fig 3 exemplarily illustrates a block diagram of the essential elements of the fire suppressor system for the battery assembly of the vehicle in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The battery assembly (101) comprises plurality of battery modules (102) or cells which are encompassed inside the battery casing (102). The fire suppression system (100) comprises a storage tank (108) which stores a cooling agent. The cooling agent have the property to lower the temperature of the battery module (102) and supports in suppressing fire. The cooling agent is a fire suppressant element such as dry compressed powder, CO2, or water.
[00030] The system (100) also comprises the control valve (112) which is an electrical valve. The control valve (112) is disposed in a route which connects the battery assembly (101) and the storage tank (108). Further one or more sensors (106) are configured to sense one or more operating conditions of the battery assembly (101). The one or more sensors (106) are disposed at a portion of the battery module (102). The one or more sensors (106) are temperature sensors and a smoke detector sensor. Therefore, the operating conditions of the battery assembly (101) which are sensed by the one or more sensors (106) are the temperature parameter of the battery module (102) and presence of smoke in the vicinity of the battery module (102). The control unit (110) is configured to take inputs from the one or more sensors (106). The control unit (110) is configured to enable activation of the control valve (112) based on the inputs from the one or more sensors (106).
[00031] Further the system (100) comprises a fuse element (202) which is configured to be operatively functional on a predetermined operating condition of the battery module (104). The control unit (110) is configured to take inputs from the fuse element (202). The fuse element becomes functional when the fuse breaks at a predetermined operating condition i.e., when the temperature of the battery module (104) is higher than a predetermined threshold temperature value. The predetermined threshold temperature is a temperature value which is more than the BMS operating temperature. The fuse element (202) is mounted at portion of the battery module so that the distance between the fuse element (202) and the battery module (104) is minimal. Hence the scope of delay in detection of fire is eliminated. The fuse element on being functional enables dispense of the cooling agent on the module.
[00032] The control unit (110) activates control valve (112) to enable dispense of the cooling agent the battery module based on a first predetermined condition. The first predetermined condition which acts as check point for the control unit (110) as per the present embodiment is when the temperature of the battery module is more than predetermined threshold temperature and the fuse element (202) is still in deactivated mode i.e., the fuse element has not broken to allow dispense of the cooling agent to the battery module (104). In that condition the control unit (110) activates the control valve (112) to enable flow of cooling agent to the battery module (104). Another condition at which the control unit (110) will activate the control valve (112) is when temperature of the battery module (104) is less than predetermined threshold temperature and, the one or more sensors senses smoke in vicinity of the battery module. Even if the fuse element (202) malfunctions, the protection of the battery assembly (101) and subsequently the vehicle can be taken care by the control unit (110). Thus, the system as per the present embodiment enables two-way protection to the battery assembly (101) from fire due to any unintended circumstances.
[00033] The storage tank (108) as per any of the embodiment can located at one of the locations comprising in a floorboard (not shown) of the vehicle, below a seat (not shown) of the vehicle, and in a front compartment (not shown) of the vehicle. The cooling agent is disposed on one or more battery modules at one or more portions depending upon the size of the battery assembly (101). The one or more sensors (106) are disposed in the battery module at one or more location depending upon the size of the battery assembly (101).
[00034] Fig 4 exemplarily illustrates a flow chart of method of the fire suppressor system for the battery assembly of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A method of suppressing fire by the present invention comprises multiple steps. The one or more sensors senses operating condition of a battery module such as temperature condition and the smoke detection (400). The system also includes a fuse element which is operatively based on the temperature of the battery module (404). The inputs from the one or more sensors and the fuse element are sent to the control unit (402). The fuse element is activated by breakage if the temperature of the battery module is more than predetermined threshold temperature (406). If the fuse element is activated the cooling agent is dispensed on the battery module (410). The control unit does a conditional check of whether the temperature of the battery module is more than predetermined threshold temperature and the fuse element is deactivated Or smoke being detected in the vicinity of the battery module (408). If any of the above condition is satisfied, the control unit activates a control valve (412). The activated control valve enables dispensing a cooling agent on the battery modules (410).
[00035] The claimed steps as discussed herein are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed steps enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies.
[00036]
[0001] It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in light of the above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.

List of Reference numerals
100: Fire suppressor system
101: Battery assembly
102: Battery casing
104: Battery module
106: One or more sensor
108: Storage tank
110: Control unit
112: Control Valve
202: Fuse element
400-412: Flow chart
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A fire suppressor system (100) for a battery assembly (101) of a vehicle,
the battery assembly (101) comprising:
a battery casing (102);
one or more battery module (104), the one or more battery module (104) being disposed inside the battery casing (102);
wherein the fire suppressor system (100) comprises:
a storage tank (108); the storage tank (108) being configured to store a fire supressing agent;
a control valve (112); the control valve (112) being disposed in a route connecting the battery assembly (101) and the storage tank (108);
one or more sensor (106), the one or more sensor (106) configured to sense one or more operating conditions of the battery assembly (101); wherein the one or more sensors (106) being disposed at a portion of the one or more battery module (104);
a control unit (110), the control unit (110) being configured to take inputs from the one or more sensors (106) to enable activation of the control valve (112),
wherein activation of the control valve (112) enables dispense of the cooling agent on the one or more battery module (104) based on a predetermined condition.
2. The fire suppressor system (100) for the battery assembly (101) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control valve (112) being an electronically operated control valve (112).
3. The fire suppressor system (100) for the battery assembly (101) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors (106) includes a thermal sensor, and a smoke detecting sensor.
4. The fire suppressor system (100) for the battery assembly (101) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition being one of the conditions of temperature of the one of the one or more battery module (104) being more than a predetermined threshold temperature, and smoke value being more than a predetermined threshold smoke value.
5. The fire suppressor system (100) for the battery assembly (101) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fire supressing agent being a fire suppressant element.
6. A fire suppressor system (100) for a battery assembly (101) of a vehicle,
the battery assembly (101) comprising:
a battery casing (102);
one or more battery module (104), the one or more battery module (104) being disposed inside the battery casing (102);
wherein the fire suppressor system (100) comprises:
a storage tank (108); the storage tank (108) configured to store a cooling agent; and
a fuse element, the fuse element being configured to be operatively functional on a predetermined operating condition of the battery assembly (101);,
wherein the fuse element enables dispense of the cooling agent on the one or more battery module (104) based on activation
7. The fire suppressor system (100) for the battery assembly (101) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fuse element being disposed at a portion of the one or more battery module (104) on a route connecting the storage take and the one or more battery module (104).
8. The fire suppressor system (100) for the battery assembly (101) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the predetermined operating condition being temperature of the one or more battery module (104) being higher than a predefined threshold temperature value.
9. A fire suppressor system (100) for a battery assembly (101) of a vehicle,
the battery assembly (101) comprising:
a battery casing (102);
one or more battery module (104), the one or more battery module (104) being disposed inside the battery casing (102);
wherein the fire suppressor system (100) comprises:
a storage tank (108); the storage tank (108) being configured to store a cooling agent;
a control valve (112); the control valve (112) being disposed in a route connecting the battery assembly (101) and the storage tank (108);
a fuse element, the fuse element being configured to be operatively functional on a predetermined operating condition of the battery assembly (101);
wherein the fuse element on being functional enables dispense of the cooling agent on the one or more battery module (104) based on activation;
a one or more sensor (106), the one or more sensors (106) being configured to sense one or more operating conditions of the battery assembly (101);
wherein the one or more sensors (106) being disposed at a portion of the one or more battery module (104);
a control unit (110), the control unit (110) being configured to take inputs from the one or more sensors (106) to enable activation of the control valve (112),
wherein activation of the control valve (112) enables dispense of the cooling agent on the one or more battery module (104) based on a first predetermined condition.
10. The fire suppressor system (100) for the battery assembly (101) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the one or more sensor (106) senses the presence of smoke in the vicinity of the one or more battery module (104).
11. The fire suppressor system (100) for the battery assembly of the vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first predetermined condition being one of the conditions of temperature of the one or more battery module (104) being more than predetermined threshold temperature and the fuse element being in deactivated mode; or one or more sensor (106) configured sense smoke in vicinity of the one or more battery module (104).
12. The fire suppressor system (100) for the battery assembly (101) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the storage tank (108) being located at one of the locations comprising in a floorboard of the vehicle, below a seat of the vehicle, and in a front compartment of the vehicle.
13. The fire suppressor system (100) for the battery assembly (101) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cooling agent being dispensed on one or more battery modules (104) at one or more portions depending upon the size of the battery assembly (101).
14. The fire suppressor system (100) for the battery assembly (101) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the one or more sensors (106) being disposed in the one or more battery module (104) at one or more location depending upon the size of the battery assembly (101).
15. The fire suppressor system (100) for the battery assembly (101) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein selective dispensing of the cooling agent at one or more locations from the plurality of locations based on the determined temperature and smoke at the one or more locations.
16. A method of suppressing fire by a fire suppressor system (100) for a battery assembly (101) of a vehicle comprising the steps of:
sensing one or more operating condition of one or more battery module (104) by one or more sensor (106) mounted at a portion of the one or more battery module (104) (400);
dispensing a cooling agent on the one or more battery module (104) (410) by activating a control valve (112) (412) by a control unit (110) if any of the operating condition of the one or more battery module (104) being more than a predetermined threshold value (408);
and dispensing a cooling agent on the one or more battery module (104) (410) by activating a fuse element disposed at a portion of the one or more battery module (104) if any of the operating condition of the one or more battery module (104) being more than a predetermined threshold value (406).