Claims:What is claimed is:
1. A battery pack cooling system, comprising:

a battery cooling unit 102 combined with a HVAC unit 104 configured to circulate a cool air inside a first battery pack 106 and a second battery pack 108 using one or more ducts 126, wherein the first battery pack 106 and the second battery pack 108 emit a hot air from the first and second battery pack outlets and the hot air is redirected to the battery cooling unit 102 to cool the air, wherein the battery cooling unit 102 comprises a first evaporator 118 and a blower 120 configured to perform the cooling action inside the first and second battery packs for decreasing the cell temperatures;

a condenser 114 comprises one or more ducts connected to the first evaporator 118 of the battery cooling unit 102 and to the second evaporator 124 of the HVAC unit 104 with one or more solenoid valves, wherein the one or more solenoid valves connect to the condenser 114 and the battery cooling unit 102 configured to control the flow of the cold liquid refrigerant; and

a third battery 109 configured to power a first compressor 110 and the blower 120 using a relay unit 128, wherein the first compressor 110 and the blower 120 are activated/deactivated using the relay unit 128.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery cooling unit 102 comprises a first expansion valve 116 configured to allow the passage of a cold liquid refrigerant from the condenser 114.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the HVAC unit 104 comprises a second expansion valve 122 configured to allow the passage of the cold liquid refrigerant from the condenser 114.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more ducts 126 configured to pump the cool air and maintain the pressure by re-circulating the air using pump/blower.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third battery 109 configured to power all the auxiliary components in the vehicle.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blower 120 configured to control the direction of air from the first and second battery packs 106, 108 and back to the first evaporator 118 using butterfly or any other direction control valves present in the one or more ducts 126.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the relay unit 128 configured to activate/deactivate the battery cooling unit 102 and the HVAC unit 104 when the temperature of first and second battery packs 106, 108 are raised to a predetermined limit.

8. A method for battery pack cooling, comprising:

integrating a battery cooling unit with a heating, ventilation, and an air-conditioning unit;

generating a cool air using a battery cooling unit to perform the cooling action inside a first battery pack and a second battery pack for decreasing the battery pack temperatures;

circulating the cool air to the first battery pack and the second battery pack using ducts of appropriate sizes;

emitting the hot air from the first and second battery pack outlets and the hot air is redirected to the battery cooling unit to cool the air;

obtaining a cold liquid refrigerant from a condenser to cool the first and second battery packs;

sending the cold liquid refrigerant to the first compressor by the battery cooling unit;
obtaining the hot liquid refrigerant by the first compressor and is sent to a condenser;

connecting the condenser with one or more ducts to the first evaporator of the battery cooling unit and to the HVAC unit with the solenoid valves to control the flow; and

monitoring the first and second battery packs by a battery management system and sends a signal to the telematics to activate the relay unit when the temperature of the first and second battery packs are raised to the predetermined limit. , Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The disclosed subject matter relates generally to battery packs. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a battery pack cooling system for controlling the temperature of a battery pack.

BACKGROUND
[002] Escalating fuel prices and the dire consequences of global warming, the automobile industries are slowly starting to embrace the need for ultra-low emission, high-efficiency cars. The automobile industries are attempting to achieve the goals by engineering more efficient internal combustion engines, others are incorporating hybrid or all-electric drive trains into their vehicle line-ups. The modern automotive vehicles are propelled by electric motors, whether a hybrid electric vehicle or a pure electric vehicle. Such an electric vehicle is equipped with an electric motor and rechargeable battery packs which act as a driving source for driving the electric motor. The electric motor is driven by electric power supplied from the battery packs. The electric vehicle is capable of traveling continually as the battery packs are recharged at predetermined timings

[003] A significant amount of energy flow into the battery pack may raise the temperature of the battery pack. The generation of heat occurs during the charging and discharging for supplying power to the electric motor. If the heat of battery cells generated in a charge/discharge mode is not effectively removed, the heat is accumulated, resulting in a degradation of the battery cells. For this reason, it is necessary to provide such a high output and capacity battery back with a cooling system. In recent years there have been several incidents of a rechargeable battery packs contained within the vehicles are catching on fire. As a result, one of the primary issue impacting consumer confidence concerning the risk of catching battery pack on fire of both hybrid and all-electric vehicles. Conventional techniques are having an additional cost and are complex for cooling the battery pack to avoid the risk of catching on fire. However, the automobile industry needs to maintain reasonable levels of performance, range, reliability, safety, and cost to meet consumer expectations. Hence, there is a need to develop a system that is both cost-effective and capable of maintaining the battery pack within their desired operating temperature range.

[004] In the light of the aforementioned discussion, there exists a need for a certain battery pack cooling system that would overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY
[005] The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identify key/critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[006] An objective of the present disclosure is directed towards improving the efficiency of the battery pack with which power is used in the operation of the vehicle.

[007] Another objective of the present disclosure is directed towards increasing the reliability of the battery pack.

[008] Another objective of the present disclosure is directed towards decreasing the temperature of the battery packs by sending the cool air from the evaporator and blower.

[009] According to an exemplary aspect, a battery pack cooling system, comprising a battery cooling unit combined with a Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit configured to circulate cool air inside a first battery pack and a second battery pack using one or more ducts.

[0010] According to another exemplary aspect, the first battery pack and the second battery pack emit a hot air from the first and second battery pack outlets and the hot air is redirected to the battery cooling unit to cool the air, wherein the battery cooling unit comprises a first evaporator and a blower configured to perform the cooling action inside the first and second battery packs for decreasing the cell temperatures.

[0011] According to another exemplary aspect, a condenser comprises one or more ducts connected to the first evaporator of the battery cooling unit and the second evaporator of the HVAC unit with one or more solenoid valves, wherein the one or more solenoid valves connect to the condenser and the battery cooling unit to control the flow of the cold liquid refrigerant.

[0012] According to another exemplary aspect, a third battery configured to power a first compressor and the blower using a relay unit, wherein the first compressor and the blower are activated/deactivated using the relay unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals have been used to designate like elements, and wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a battery pack cooling system, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram depicting the battery pack cooling system, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 3 is another exemplary diagram depicting the battery pack cooling system, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart depicting a method for cooling the battery pack, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0019] The use of “including”, “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Further, the use of terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and so forth, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a block diagram 100 depicting a battery pack cooling system, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. The battery pack cooling system 100 comprises a battery cooling unit 102, an HVAC unit 104, a first battery pack 106, a second battery pack 108, a third battery 109, a first compressor 110, a second compressor 112, a condenser 114, a relay unit 128, and ducts 126. The battery cooling unit 102 comprises a first expansion valve 116, a first evaporator 118, and a blower 120. The HVAC unit 104 comprises a second expansion valve 122, a second evaporator 124. The battery pack cooling system may be referred to a battery management system.

[0021] The battery cooling unit 102 may be positioned near the fuel tank area of the vehicle. The air may be used as working fluid in the battery cooling unit 102. The battery cooling unit 102 may be configured to generate the cool air using the first evaporator 118 and the blower 120. The battery cooling unit 102 may be configured to circulate the cool air to the first battery pack 106 and the second battery pack 108 using ducts 126 of appropriate sizes. The first evaporator 118 and a blower 120 may be configured to generate cool air to perform the cooling action inside the first battery pack 106 and second battery pack 108 for decreasing the cell temperatures. The first battery pack 106 and second battery pack 108 may emit the hot air from the first and second battery pack outlets. The hot air emitted from the first and second battery pack outlets may be redirected to the first evaporator 118 to cool the air. The re-circulation of air may be assisted using pump/blower inside the ducts 126 to pump the air and maintain the pressure. The direction of air passing from the blower 120 to first and second battery packs 106,108 and back to the first evaporator 118 may be controlled using butterfly or any other direction control valves present in the ducts 126. The HVAC unit 104 may have the refrigerant as the working fluid. The HVAC unit 104 of the vehicle may be combined with the battery cooling unit 102. The first expansion valve 116 and the second expansion valve 122 may be configured to allow the passage of cold liquid refrigerant.

[0022] The first evaporator 118 situated in the battery cooling unit 102 may receive the cold liquid refrigerant from the condenser 114 after passing from the first expansion valve 116. The cold liquid refrigerant obtained from the condenser 114 may help in cooling the hot air passing through the first evaporator 118 to cool the first and second battery packs 106, 108. The first evaporator 118 may allow sending the cold liquid refrigerant to the first compressor 110. The first compressor 110 may become part of the hotlines and may get connected to the hotlines of existing HVAC unit 104 of the vehicle. The first compressor 110 may obtain the hot liquid refrigerant and is sent to the condenser 114.

[0023] The condenser 114 may be used for both battery cooling unit 102 and HVAC unit 104. The condenser 114 may have two ducts which are connected to the first evaporator 118 of the battery cooling unit 102 and the second evaporator 124 of the HVAC unit 104 with the solenoid valves (not shown). The solenoid valves present in the line connecting may connect to the condenser 114 and battery cooling unit 102 to control the flow of cold liquid refrigerant. The third battery 109 may be used to power all the auxiliary components in the vehicle. The auxiliary components may include, but not limited to, motor, air conditioner, and so forth. The first compressor 110 and the blower 120 may be connected to the third battery 109.

[0024] The relay unit 128 may be configured to activate/deactivate the first compressor 110 and the blower 120. The battery pack cooling system 100 may be configured to monitor the first and second battery packs 106, 108. The battery pack cooling system 100 may also be configured send a signal to the telematics to activate the relay unit 128 when the temperature of the first and second battery packs 106, 108 are raised to the predetermined temperature limit. The predetermined temperature limit may be at 0 ° C to 45 ° C.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is an example diagram 200 depicting the battery pack cooling system, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. The diagram 200 comprises a battery cooling unit 202, HVAC unit 204, first and secondary battery packs 206, 208, and ducts 226. The battery cooling unit 202 may be configured to circulate the cool air to the first battery pack 206 and the second battery pack 208 using ducts 226 of appropriate sizes. The HVAC unit 204 of the vehicle may be combined with the battery cooling unit 202.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is another example diagram 300 depicting another exemplary embodiment of the battery pack cooling system, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. The diagram 300 comprises a battery cooling system integrated within a vehicle 302 near the area of a fuel tank. The vehicle may include but not limited to, three-wheeler, four-wheeler, and so forth.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart 400 depicting a method for cooling the battery pack, according to some embodiments. As an option, the method 400 is carried out in the context of the details of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. However, the method 400 is carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions are equally applied to the description below.

[0028] The exemplary method 400 commences at step 402, integrating a battery cooling unit with a heating, ventilation, and an air-conditioning unit. Thereafter at step 404, generating the cool air using the battery cooling unit to perform the cooling action inside a first battery pack and a second battery pack for decreasing the cell temperatures. Thereafter at step 406, circulating the cool air to a first battery pack and a second battery pack 108 using ducts of appropriate sizes. Thereafter at step 408, emitting the hot air from the first and second battery pack outlets and redirected to the battery cooling unit to cool the air. Thereafter at step 410, obtaining the cold liquid refrigerant from the condenser to cool the first and second battery packs. Thereafter at step 412, sending the cold liquid refrigerant to the first compressor by the battery cooling unit. Thereafter at step 414, obtaining the hot liquid refrigerant by the first compressor and is sent to the condenser. Thereafter at step 416, connecting the condenser with the ducts to the first evaporator of the battery cooling unit and to the HVAC unit with the solenoid valves to control the flow. Thereafter at step 418, monitoring the first and second battery packs by a battery management system and sends a signal to the telematics to activate the relay unit when the temperature of the first and second battery packs are raised to the predetermined limit.

[0029] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0030] Although the present disclosure has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments and illustrations thereof, other embodiments and modifications to preferred embodiments may be possible that are within the principles and spirit of the invention. The above descriptions and figures are therefore to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0031] Thus the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.