DESC:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
AN ENERGY STORAGE CONDITIONING SYSTEM

APPLICANT:
EXPONENT ENERGY PRIVATE LIMITED
An Indian Entity having address:
No.76/2, Site No.16, Khatha No.69, Singasandra Village, Bengaluru (Bangalore) Urban, BENGALURU, KARNATAKA 560068

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

CROSS-REFERENCE RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY
The present application claims priority from the Indian provisional patent application, having application number 202241044936, filed on 5th August 2022, incorporated herein by a reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to conditioning of an electric vehicle energy storage system (here onwards ESS) and more particularly, the present subject matter relates to a method of improving the conditioning of the energy storage system with inlet outlet manifold pressure head difference.
BACKGROUND
Nowadays, with increasing consumption of energy and fuel, cost of mobilization is increasing every day. Therefore, electric mobility has become an essential part of modern mobility solutions. Further, with increasing global warming and air-pollution, the relevance of electric mobility is increasing day-by-day.
The most essential component of any electric mobility system is an energy storage system (here onwards ESS). The ESS comprises a plurality of modules known as energy storage system modules (here onwards ESS modules). The ESS module stores electric energy in a plurality of cells, which is then converted into mechanical energy by means of a motor. Thermal conditioning of the ESS module is essential for its optimal performance. Further, for covering longer distances and to maintain optimum speed, size of the ESS module must be optimal. But an oversize ESS module can make the electric vehicle bulky, which is not desirable. Further, the biggest problem with the ESS module is overheating. In tropical and climatically diverse countries like India where temperature ranges keep changing from season to season, it is observed that life of the ESS module also gets affected by these seasonal changes. In some cases where outside environment temperature exceeds a certain limit, the ESS module may overheat resulting in overall performance degradation of the ESS module. Further, as the speed of the electric vehicle increases, it also increases power demand, thus increasing the load on energy storage resulting in increasing the temperature of the ESS module. Further, the conditioning speed of the energy storage system should also be variable based on the time available for conditioning of the ESS module.
The current state of art suggests that the effectiveness and conditioning speed of the ESS module is achieved using either a pump or any forced means of pressure generation. However, that makes the electric vehicle bulky. Further, the inner components of the ESS module may receive varying amounts of conditioning fluid, this creates a problem of non-uniform conditioning of the ESS module and further creates difference in the conditioning of the ESS module and reduces the lifespan of its components. Which means that the components that are kept at higher temperature degrade faster than the components that are kept at lower temperatures. This is majorly because of an architectural constraint of the ESS module related to flow of the conditioning fluid through its components. Another problem with the current state of art is that to maintain uniform conditioning, the velocity of conditioning fluid is kept low, which is not advantageous for today’s requirement for faster conditioning of the ESS module.
Thus, there is a long-felt need for a method of improving the conditioning of the ESS module which can improve life of the ESS module through uniform and homogeneous conditioning of the ESS module at a faster speed.
SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce the concepts related to an energy storage conditioning system and the concepts are further described in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor it is intended to use in determining or limiting the scope of claimed subject matter.
In one embodiment an energy storage system module (here onwards ESS module) may be disclosed. The ESS module may comprise a base plate, a plurality of cells, a conditioning mechanism, a busbar assembly, a spacer assembly and more.
In another embodiment, a system for homogenous conditioning of an Energy Storage System (ESS) module may be disclosed. The system may comprise a base plate, configured to support all the components in the ESS module. Further, the system may comprise a plurality of cells, configured to store electric energy. Further, the conditioning system may comprise one or more conditioning mechanisms. Further, each conditioning mechanism from the one or more conditioning mechanisms may comprise a conditioning channel, an inlet manifold, and an outlet manifold. In one embodiment, the conditioning channel may be configured to transfer conditioning fluid from one end of the conditioning channel to another end of the conditioning channel in the longitudinal direction. Further, the inlet manifold may be coupled with an inlet pipe for entering the conditioning fluid in the inlet manifold. Further, the outlet manifold may be coupled with an outlet pipe for exiting the conditioning fluid from the outlet manifold. Further, the one or more conditioning mechanisms may be configured to maintain the uniform flow of the conditioning fluid throughout the length of the conditioning channel.
In one embodiment, a method for homogenous conditioning of the ESS module may be disclosed. The method may comprise steps as follows. Initially, the method may comprise the step of entering of the conditioning fluid from the inlet pipe into the inlet manifold. Further, the method may comprise a step of generating a uniform pressure on the conditioning fluid inside the inlet manifold. Further, the method may comprise a step of flowing the conditioning fluid through a plurality of microchannels in the conditioning channel. Further, the method may comprise a step of entering the conditioning fluid into the outlet manifold. Further, the method may comprise a step of generating a uniform pressure on the conditioning fluid inside the outlet manifold. Finally, the method may comprise a step of discharging the conditioning fluid from the outlet manifold through the outlet pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the Figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the Figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components.
Figure 1 illustrates a conditioning system (100) for homogeneous conditioning of an Energy Storage System module (ESS module), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2-a and 2-b illustrate a conditioning mechanism (200), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3a-3c illustrates various paths through which the conditioning fluid passes through the conditioning channel (101), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 4-a and 4-b illustrates a top view and an isometric view of the conditioning system (100) respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 5 illustrates a method (500) for homogenous conditioning of an ESS module, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment” in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

The present disclosure discloses a system and method for conditioning an energy storage system module (ESS module) with inlet and outlet pressure difference, for ensuring uniform flow rate of conditioning fluid. The system may comprise energy storage system modules (ESS modules), one or more conditioning mechanisms, a base plate, a plurality of cells, a busbar assembly, and a spacer assembly and more.
Now referring to figure 1, a conditioning system (100) for homogeneous conditioning of an Energy Storage System module (ESS module) is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of a present disclosure. The conditioning system (100) may comprise an ESS module, a base plate and one or more conditioning mechanisms (200). In one embodiment, the ESS module may comprise a plurality of cells (103). The plurality of cells (103) may be configured to store electric energy. The plurality of cells (103) may be arranged in different ways as per availability of room in the ESS module. Further, the ESS module may comprise a bus bar assembly (104). The bus bar assembly (104) may be configured to connect the plurality of cells (103) and to transfer the electric energy from the plurality of cells (103) to a target machine. Further, lugs and harnesses may be assembled. Further, the ESS module may comprise a spacer assembly (105). The spacer assembly (105) may be configured to ensure a gap between the plurality of cells (103) and the one or more conditioning mechanisms (200) to avoid short circuit and ensure fixed assembly of the ESS module.
In an embodiment, the base plate (102) may be configured to support all components of the conditioning system (100) such as the plurality of cells (103), the conditioning mechanisms (200), the spacer assembly (105). Further, the base plate (102) may be designed to keep the entire ESS module assembly intact. Further, the material used for the base plate (102) may be lightweight yet to have high compressive strength to ensure easy handling and carrying load of internal assembly. Further, an electrically insulating and thermally conductive material may be filled between the base plate (102) and the ESS module, to ensure safety requirements.
In one embodiment, the numbers of cells (103) may be varied according to the requirement of the power, charging requirement and vehicle type. Therefore, the size, shape, material, and other dimensions can be varied according to operational requirements. Further, a thermally conductive material may be filled between the ESS module and the one or more conditioning mechanisms (200). The thermally conductive material conducts energy from one of the plurality of cells (103) to the conditioning mechanism (200), from conditioning mechanism (200) to the plurality of cells (103) or a combination thereof. Therefore, the conditioning mechanism (200) may be configured to float around the plurality of cells (103).
Now, referring to figure 2-a, a conditioning mechanism (200) of the conditioning system (100) is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The conditioning mechanism (200) may comprise a set of conditioning channels (101). The set of conditioning channels (101) may be configured to transfer conditioning fluid from one end of the conditioning channel (101) to another end of the conditioning channel (101) in a longitudinal direction of the conditioning channel (101).
Further, the conditioning mechanism (200) may comprise an inlet manifold (203) and an outlet manifold (201). The inlet manifold (203) may be arranged on one end of the conditioning channel (101) and the outlet manifold (201) may be arranged on another end of the conditioning channel (101). In one embodiment, the inlet manifold (203) may be coupled with an inlet pipe (204) and the outlet manifold (201) may be coupled with an outlet pipe (205). The inlet pipe (204) may be designed for entering conditioning fluid into the inlet manifold (203). The outlet pipe (205) may be designed for exiting the conditioning fluid from the outlet manifold (201). In one embodiment, the conditioning channel (101) may comprise a plurality of microchannels (202), as shown in figure 2-b. The plurality of microchannels (202) in the conditioning channel (101) may be designed to pass the conditioning fluid from one end of the conditioning channel (101) to another end of the conditioning channel (101) in the longitudinal direction. The inlet pipe (204) and the outlet pipe (205) may be arranged in a way to maintain the uniform flow of the conditioning fluid throughout the length of the conditioning channel (101). Further, the conditioning fluid may be of fluid type like water, water with glycol, dielectric fluids, refrigerant or more.
In one embodiment, the inlet pipe (204) and the outlet pipe (205) may be placed in the diagonally opposite direction of the conditioning mechanism (200). This arrangement of the inlet pipe (204) and the outlet pipe (205) may allow generation of pressure without using any external means of pressure generation. Thus, reducing the cost of operation of fluid conditioning.
Now, focusing on the location of the inlet pipe (204) and the outlet pipe (205). In one embodiment the inlet pipe (204) may be arranged in the inlet manifold (201) in a direction, orthogonal to the direction of flow of the conditioning fluid in the conditioning channel (101). Similarly, in another embodiment, the outlet pipe (205) may be arranged in the outlet manifold (201) in a direction, orthogonal to the direction of flow of the conditioning fluid in the conditioning channel (101). Thus, direction of entry or exit of the conditioning fluid is orthogonal to the direction of flow of the conditioning fluid in the conditioning channel (101). This orthogonal arrangement allows creation of uniform pressure in the inlet manifold (203) and the outlet manifold (201). Technical advantage of this arrangement is that uniform pressure is achieved faster than the conventional art. Further, the inlet pipe (204) coupled with the inlet manifold (203) may allow entry of the conditioning fluid to the inlet manifold (203) at a pre-defined flow rate.
In another embodiment, one or more conditioning mechanisms (200) may be arranged in one or more sides of the plurality of cells (103). In one embodiment, one conditioning mechanism from the one or more conditioning mechanisms (200) may be arranged on a first side of the plurality of cells (103) and another conditioning mechanism from the one or more conditioning mechanism (200) may be arranged on a second side, opposite to the first side, of the plurality of cells (103). In a related embodiment, the first side and the second side of the plurality of cells are orthogonal to the one or more terminals of the plurality of cells (103). In another embodiment, the one or more conditioning mechanisms (200) are coupled to the plurality of cells (103) through using a thermally conductive, electrical insulative, structural adhesive. The thermally conductive adhesive is configured to conduct thermal energy from the plurality of cells (103) to the conditioning plates (101) of the one or more conditioning mechanism (200) and vice versa. In one embodiment, a heat energy is conducted from the plurality of cells (103) to the conditioning plates (101) of the one or more conditioning mechanism (200) and vice versa. In a related embodiment, cooling is conducted from the conditioning plates (101) of the one or more conditioning mechanism (200) to the plurality of cells (103) and vice versa.
Further, the conditioning mechanism (200) may be designed to generate pressure head by increasing the pressure inside the inlet manifold (203). In one embodiment, the generation of pressure head in the inlet manifold leads to creating a pressure balance between the inlet pipe (204) of the inlet manifold (203) and the outlet pipe (205) of the outlet manifold (201). Further, as the conditioning channel (101) provides equal friction across the height, the flow rate may be equalized by the pressure balance and hence the conditioning effectiveness may be maintained across vertical and horizontal axis of the conditioning channel (101). In one embodiment, the conditioning may correspond to any one of heating, cooling, maintaining the temperature, maintaining the pressure or a combination thereof.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head is generated in the inlet manifold (203) and the outlet manifold (201). Initially, from the inlet pipe (204), conditioning fluid enters the inlet manifold (203). Further, the conditioning fluid starts filling in the inlet manifold (203). As the inlet manifold (203) gets filled up, the pressure starts getting generated inside the inlet manifold (203). This generated pressure creates a uniform pressure on all the fluid particles in the inlet manifold (203). Thus, each fluid particle in the conditioning fluid is exposed to equal amounts of pressure while flowing from a plurality of microchannels (202) in the set of conditioning channels (101) (refer. Fig. 2-b). After passing through the microchannels (202), the conditioning fluid enters the outlet manifold (201). In the outlet manifold (201), the pressure also gets generated as the conditioning fluid starts filling up. The pressure at the inlet manifold (203) may be different than the outlet manifold (201), which creates the pressure difference between the inlet manifold (203) and the outlet manifold (201) resulting in uniform flow of conditioning fluid. In one embodiment, the pressure head between the inlet manifold (203) and the outlet manifold (201), is resulting in maintaining, by the inlet manifold (203), the equal amount of conditioning fluid passing through the plurality of microchannels (2020 of the conditioning channels (101). In a related embodiment, the pressure head between the inlet manifold (203) and the outlet manifold (201), is resulting in maintaining, by the inlet manifold (203), a uniform velocity of the conditioning fluid passing through the plurality of microchannels (202) of the conditioning channels (101). The one or more conditioning mechanism (200) may enable maintaining homogeneous conditioning effectiveness across the top side and bottom side of the conditioning channel (101).
In one embodiment, based on design of the one or more conditioning mechanisms (200), a homogeneous conditioning of the plurality of cells (103) along the vertical axis and along the horizontal axis of the plurality of cells (103) may be achieved, which results in keeping each cell of the plurality of cells (103) in a same temperature band. Further, the one or more conditioning mechanisms (200) may enable homogeneous conditioning of the top surface and the bottom surface of each cell from the plurality of cells (103). Further, based on the design and placement of the inlet pipe (204) and the outlet pipe (205) and generation of pressure head, the conditioning mechanism (200) may be able to control velocity of the conditioning fluid to be pass through the plurality of microchannels (202) of the conditioning channel (101).
In one embodiment, the pressure head is generated inside the inlet manifold (203) is depending on volume or diameter of the inlet manifold (203) and the pressure head is generated inside the outlet manifold (201) is depending on volume or diameter of the outlet manifold (201). Therefore, to achieve effective conditioning of the ESS module, the volume or diameter of the inlet manifold (203) and the outlet manifold (201) may be used to control a required pressure head inside the inlet manifold (203) and the outlet manifold (201).
Further, the position of the inlet manifold (203) and outlet manifold (201) may be such that the pressure generated is uniformly applied on all the particles of the conditioning fluid. Therefore, the coefficient of friction to which the fluid particles are exposed is the same for all the fluid particles. Thus, the present invention maintains uniformity of fluid flow by maintaining the constant coefficient of friction. Further, the resistance to the conditioning fluid remains constant. Further, the conditioning fluid travels through the plurality of microchannels (202) and enters the outlet manifold (201). As the outlet manifold (201) gets filled up, the pressure starts generating which is uniform on all the fluid particles. This allows the speed of conditioning fluid inside the conditioning mechanism at faster speeds.
In one embodiment, the position of the inlet pipe (204) may be at the bottom end of the inlet manifold (203) and position of the outlet pipe (205) may be at the upper end of the outlet manifold (201) (in the side opposite to the inlet manifold). In another embodiment, the position of inlet pipe (204) is at the top side of the inlet manifold (203) and position of the outlet pipe (205) is at the bottom side of the outlet manifold (on the side opposite to the inlet manifold). The opposite positioning of the inlet manifold (203) and the outlet manifold (201) helps in generating the necessary pressure head between the manifolds to achieve a balanced and controlled flow of the conditioning fluid through the channels used for conditioning.
This ensures homogeneous conditioning of all cells, both on the vertical axis and on the horizontal axis. The homogeneous conditioning may relate to having all the cells within the same temperature band. In yet another embodiment, the present system also ensures homogeneous conditioning of the top portion of each individual cell and bottom portion of the individual cell.
In one embodiment, thermal conditions of the ESS module may vary from time to time and based on those thermal conditions of the ESS module, flow rate of the conditioning fluid entry into the inlet manifold temperature may be pre-calculated.
In another embodiment, the set of conditioning channels (101) may comprise a plurality of microchannels (202). The plurality of microchannels (202) run parallel with respect to each other and extend across the entire length and breadth of the longitudinal side of the ESS module. The plurality of microchannels (202) may be configured to ensure uniform and homogeneous conditioning of the ESS module from inlet manifold (203) to the outlet manifold (201).
Further, to achieve effective conditioning of the ESS module, various parameters are controlled. This includes controlling parameters such as manifold dimensions (length, breadth, height, diameter etc.), volume of manifold available at the inlet manifold (203), the outlet manifold (201) and the set of conditioning channels (101) effectiveness etc.
In one embodiment, the conditioning fluid may be conditioned for different temperature and pressure ranges depending upon the conditioning requirements of the ESS module. Further, the conditioning may comprise heating, cooling, maintaining the temperature, maintaining the pressure or combination thereof.
In yet another embodiment the pressure head may be generated based on the pressure variations at the inlet manifold (203) and the outlet manifold (201). This ensures an equal flow rate, providing an equal amount of fluid across microchannels (202). Further, it also ensures controlling of minimum velocity of the conditioning fluid that is being flown through the plurality of microchannels (202).
In yet another embodiment the cross-sectional area of the inlet manifold (203) or the outlet manifold (201) may be varied to control the flow rate of the conditioning fluid. As, flow rate of a fluid may be calculated as follows.
Q = A* V
Where Q= flow rate
A= area of cross-section
V= velocity of fluid
This ensures that the initial and final areas have a similar amount of flow rate for conditioning effectiveness and ensures homogeneous conditioning across all directions.
Further, the inlet manifold (203) and the outlet manifold (201) are placed in such a way that the effective distance travelled by each particle of the conditioning fluid, from the inlet pipe (204) to the outlet pipe (205), via any of the microchannel (202), from the plurality of microchannels (202) may be same. This mechanism ensures the uniform and homogeneous conditioning of the ESS module. Further, this may ensure that the initial area near the inlet manifold (203) and the final area near the outlet manifold (201) is having a similar amount of conditioning effectiveness. The more details related to the effective distance travelled by the conditioning fluid in the conditioning mechanism (200) is described below.
Now referring to figures 3-a to 3-c, various paths through which the conditioning fluid passes through the conditioning channel (101) is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The conditioning mechanism (200) may have a length (L) measured along the horizontal axis from the center of the inlet pipe (204) to the centre of the outlet pipe (205). Further, the length (L) is measured in the direction of flow across the conditioning channel (101). Further, the height (H) of the conditioning mechanism (200) may be measured along the vertical axis from the centre of the inlet pipe (204) to the centre of the outlet pipe (205).
Now figure 3-a illustrates a path travelled by the conditioning fluid particles in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the fluid particle enters the inlet manifold (203) and may be raised till the height (H) is crossed by the fluid. Once the height (H) is reached the fluid particle enters the microchannel (202) and crosses the distance (L) across the conditioning channel (101) and leaves the conditioning mechanism (200) from the outlet pipe (205). Thus, a total distance (D) travelled by the conditioning fluid particle in this case is D= H+L.
Further, figure 3-b illustrates a path travelled by the conditioning fluid particles in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the fluid particle enters the inlet manifold (203) and then enters the microchannel (202) and crosses the length (L) across the conditioning channel (101) and then enters the outlet manifold (201). Further, the fluid particle may be raised till the height (H) in the outlet manifold (201) and exits the conditioning mechanism (200) from the outlet pipe (205). Thus, the total distance (D) travelled by the conditioning fluid particle in this case is D= L+H.
Further, figure 3-c illustrates a path travelled by the conditioning fluid particles in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the fluid particle enters the inlet manifold (203) and may be raised till the height (H/2), of the inlet manifold (203), is crossed by the fluid particle. Once the height (H/2) is reached, the fluid particle may enter the microchannel (202) and cross the distance (L) across the conditioning channel (101) and enter the outlet manifold (201) at height (H/2). Further, the fluid particle may travel the remaining height H/2 from the microchannel (202) to the outlet pipe (205) and leave the conditioning mechanism (200) from the outlet pipe (205). Thus, the total distance (D) travelled by the conditioning fluid particle in this case is D= H/2 +L+ H/2 = H+L.
Thus, in all the three cases as mentioned above, the distance travelled by the fluid particles is the same. This helps in ensuring uniform flow of the conditioning fluid and homogenous conditioning of the ESS module.
Now, referring to figure 4-a, a top view of the conditioning system (100) is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Similarly, in figure 4-b, an isometric view of the conditioning system (100), is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Now, referring to figure 5, a method (500) for homogenous conditioning of an ESS module is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method (500) may comprise following steps. At step (501), the method (500) may comprise entry of the conditioning fluid from an inlet pipe (204) into an inlet manifold (203). Further, at step (502), the method (500) may comprise generating a uniform pressure on the conditioning fluid inside the inlet manifold (203). Further, at step (503), the method (500) may comprise flowing the conditioning fluid through a plurality of microchannels (202), in a conditioning channel (101). The conditioning channel (101) may be coupled with an inlet manifold (203) and an outlet manifold (201). Further, at step (504), the method (500) may comprise entry of conditioning fluid into the outlet manifold (201). Further, at step (505), the method (500) may comprise generating uniform pressure on the conditioning fluid inside the outlet manifold (201). Further, at step (506), the method (500) may comprise discharging of the conditioning fluid from the outlet manifold (201) through an outlet pipe (205).
In one embodiment the method (500) may comprise a step of controlling or varying the dimensions, diameter or volume of one of, the inlet manifold (203), the outlet manifold (201) and a combination thereof to achieve effective conditioning of the ESS module.
In another embodiment, the method (500) may comprise a step of placing the inlet pipe (204) and the outlet pipe (205) in diagonally opposite direction of the conditioning channel (101). In a related embodiment, the method (500) may comprise a step of placing the inlet pipe (204) in the inlet manifold (203) in a direction orthogonal to flow direction of conditioning fluid in the conditioning channel (101). In yet another embodiment, the method (500) may comprise a step of placing the outlet pipe (205) in the outlet manifold (201) in a direction orthogonal to flow direction of conditioning fluid in the conditioning channel (101).
The embodiments illustrated above, especially related to the energy storage conditioning system provide following advantages:
? The efficiency of the charging system improves.
? The time required for charging is reduced.
? Charging capacity improves without damaging the components of the ESS module.
? Life of various components in the ESS module is also improved due to uniform conditioning of the complete ESS module.
? Conditioning of the ESS module and other vehicle components is simultaneously carried out thus saving time and cost of charging.
? Ensuring homogeneous conditioning across all directions in the ESS module.
? The uniform pressure on the conditioning fluid is generated in the inlet manifold itself which is faster than the prior art which ensures quick achievement of uniform flow and homogeneous conditioning.
Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
The foregoing description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that certain modifications could come within the scope of this disclosure.
The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs or the description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A system (100) for homogenous conditioning of an Energy Storage System module (ESS module), the system (100) comprises:
a base plate (102), configured to support all components of the ESS module;
a plurality of cells (103), configured to store electric energy; and
one or more conditioning mechanisms (200);
characterized in that,
each conditioning mechanism from the one or more conditioning mechanisms (200) comprises a conditioning channel (101), an inlet manifold (203) and an outlet manifold (201), wherein the conditioning channel (101) is configured to transfer conditioning fluid from one end of the conditioning channel (101) to another end of the conditioning channel (101) in the longitudinal direction, wherein the inlet manifold (203) coupled with an inlet pipe (204) for entering the conditioning fluid in the inlet manifold (203) and the outlet manifold (201) coupled with an outlet pipe (205) for exiting the conditioning fluid from the outlet manifold (201), wherein the conditioning mechanism is configured to maintain the uniform flow of the conditioning fluid throughout the length of the conditioning channel (101).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet pipe (204) and the outlet pipe (205) are placed diagonally opposite in direction in the conditioning mechanism.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the location of the inlet pipe (204) in the inlet manifold (203) and the outlet pipe (205) in the outlet manifold (201), is orthogonal to the direction of flow of the conditioning fluid in the conditioning channel (101).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet pipe (204) is coupled to the inlet manifold (203)for allowing entry of the conditioning fluid into the inlet manifold (203) with a predefined flow rate.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conditioning channel (101) comprises a plurality of microchannels (202) for passing the conditioning fluid from one end of the conditioning channel (101) to another end of the conditioning channel (101) in the longitudinal direction.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the effective distance travelled by the conditioning fluid from the inlet pipe (204) to the outlet pipe (205), via the plurality of microchannels (202), is the same.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet manifold (203) is configured to generate high pressure head inside the inlet manifold (203), wherein high-pressure head corresponds to create pressure balance between the inlet pipe (204) and the outlet pipe (205).
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet manifold (203) is configured to maintain equal flow rate of the conditioning fluid passing through the plurality of microchannels (202) of the conditioning channel (101).
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet manifold (203) is configured to maintain an equal amount of the conditioning fluid passing through the plurality of microchannels (202) of the conditioning channel (101).
10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet manifold (203) is configured to maintain equal pressure of the conditioning fluid passing through the plurality of microchannels (202) of the conditioning channel (101).
11. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet manifold (203) is configured to maintain uniform velocity of the conditioning fluid passing across the conditioning channel (101).
12. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more conditioning mechanisms (200) are coupled with the plurality of cells (103) through a thermally conductive material, wherein the thermally conductive material is configured to conduct the energy either from a plurality of cells (103) to the conditioning mechanism (200) or from conditioning mechanism (200) to the plurality of cells (103); wherein the one or more conditioning mechanisms (200) are configured to couple on two opposite sides of the plurality of cells (103).
13. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conditioning mechanism (200) ensures homogeneous conditioning of the plurality of cells (103) along the vertical axis and along the horizontal axis of the plurality of cells (103) and keeps each cell (103), from the plurality of cells (103) in a same temperature band.
14. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conditioning mechanism (200) ensures homogeneous conditioning of the top surface and the bottom surface of each cell (103), from the plurality of cells (103).
15. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conditioning mechanism (200) enables maintaining homogeneous conditioning effectiveness across top side and bottom side of the conditioning channel (101).
16. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conditioning mechanism (200) is configured to control velocity of the conditioning fluid, to be passed through the plurality of microchannels (202) of the conditioning channel (101).
17. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein generating high pressure head inside the inlet manifold (203) and outlet manifold (201) depends on the volume or diameter of the inlet manifold (203) and the outlet manifold (201) respectively, to achieve effective conditioning of the ESS module.
18. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conditioning fluid is configured to condition the ESS module, wherein the conditioning corresponds to any one of heating, cooling, maintaining the temperature, maintaining the pressure or a combination thereof.
19. A method (500) for homogenous conditioning of an Energy Storage System module (ESS module), characterized in that, the method (500) comprises:
entry (501) of the conditioning fluid from an inlet pipe (204) into an inlet manifold (203);
generating (502) a uniform pressure on the conditioning fluid inside the inlet manifold (203);
flowing (503) the conditioning fluid through a plurality of microchannels (202) of a conditioning channel (101), wherein the conditioning channel (101) is coupled with the inlet manifold (203) and an outlet manifold (201);
entry (504) of the conditioning fluid into the outlet manifold (201);
generating (505) uniform pressure on the conditioning fluid inside the outlet manifold (201); and
discharging (506) of the conditioning fluid from the outlet manifold (201) through an outlet pipe (205).
20. The method (500) as claimed in claim 19, the method (500) comprises a step of achieving effective conditioning of the ESS module by generating uniform pressure based on volume or diameter of the inlet manifold (203) and the outlet manifold (201).
21. The method (500) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the method (500) comprises step of conditioning the ESS module using the conditioning fluid, wherein the conditioning corresponds to any one of heating, cooling, maintaining the temperature, maintaining the pressure or combination thereof.
22. The method (500) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the method (500) comprises placing the inlet pipe (204) and the outlet pipe (205) in diagonally opposite direction of the conditioning channel (101).
23. The method (500) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the method (500) comprises placing the inlet pipe (204) in the inlet manifold (203) in a direction orthogonal to flow direction of conditioning fluid in the conditioning channel (101).
24. The method (500) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the method (500) comprises placing the outlet pipe (205) in the outlet manifold (201) in a direction orthogonal to flow direction of conditioning fluid in the conditioning channel (101).
Dated this 05th Day of August 2022

Priyank Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
IN/PA-1454