DESC:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“A BATTERY SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE”

APPLICANT:

Name Nationality Address
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited Indian Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.,
MRV, Mahindra World City (MWC),
Plot No. 41/1, Anjur Post, Chengalpattu,
Kanchipuram District – 603204 (TN) INDIA

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to energy storage system in vehicles and more particularly, but not exclusively to efficient thermal management of energy storage system in vehicles.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, hybrid electric vehicles and pure battery electric vehicles comprises an electric powertrain having an electric motor powered by a battery for propulsion. Lithium-ion battery is commonly used in hybrid and electric vehicles because of several advantages such as high power to weight ratio, high energy density, low self-discharge, fast charging and low maintenance. However, heat developed in the lithium-ion battery causes module imbalance, damage to the battery, reduce available power leading to reduced performance and shorten battery life. Hence, cooling of battery is necessary for proper functioning of the battery. Commonly used techniques to manage the temperature of the aforementioned battery include cooling through ambient air, cooling through cabin air, cooling through refrigerant and liquid cooling in case of high energy batteries. However, air cooling system of the battery is usually inefficient in hot temperature conditions and thereby resulting in battery failure.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for an energy storage system having an integrated air and liquid cooling in vehicles for transient response. Further, there exists a need for energy storage system that eliminates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of embodiments of this invention is to provide a battery system that has effective cooling to achieve prolonged battery life in vehicles. .
[005] Another object of the embodiments of this invention is to provide the battery system that utilizes the advantages of air and liquid in tandem for effective cooling.
[006] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[007] The embodiments of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[008] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic of a battery system for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[009] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0010] The embodiments herein achieve a battery system that utilizes the advantages of air and liquid in tandem for effective cooling. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic of a battery system 100 for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The battery system 100 includes a housing 102, a plurality of modules 104, a plurality of conduits (not shown), a plurality of ducts (not shown), a control valve (not shown), at least one blower (not shown) and a battery management system (not shown).
[0012] The battery system 100 is used to power an electric motor (not shown) for driving the vehicle (not shown). The housing 102 is used to enclose and protect each of the modules 104. In an embodiment, the housing 102 includes an air inlet 102a, an air outlet 102b, a coolant inlet 102c and a coolant outlet 102d. The air inlet 102a is adapted to facilitate entry of air into the housing 102 to cool each of the modules 104. In an embodiment, the air received by the housing 102 is at least one of ambient air, cabin air and air from HVAC system (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system). The air outlet 102b is adapted to facilitate exit of air from the housing 102. The coolant inlet 102c is adapted to facilitate entry of coolant and the coolant flows to corresponding conduits (not shown). The coolant outlet 102d is adapted to facilitate exit of coolant from the housing 102. The housing 102 further includes a plurality of sensors (not shown) to measure the temperature of air. The plurality of sensors (not shown) of the housing 102 are provided in communication with the battery management system (not shown).
[0013] The plurality of modules 104 are the source of energy. Each of the modules 104 are connected substantially in series and parallel configuration. Each of the modules 104 is disposed inside the housing 102 with a suitable air gap. In an embodiment, each of the modules 104 includes a plurality of cells 104a, a plurality of cell baffles 104b, a plurality of isolator plates (not shown), a plurality of thermal sensors (not shown), a plurality of conductivity sensors (not shown), a plurality of temperature sensors (not shown). Each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104 is separated by each of the cell baffles 104b and also each of the isolator plates (not shown). In an embodiment, each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104 includes least one cooling element (not shown) to cool each of the cells 104a respectively i.e., the cooling element (not shown) of each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104 extracts the heat generated in each of the respective cells 104a of each of the modules 104 on receiving the coolant from corresponding conduits (not shown). In an embodiment, the cooling element (not shown) each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104 is a fin. Further, in an embodiment, the cooling element (not shown) of each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104 is having at least one inlet (not shown) to receive coolant therein i.e., receives coolant from the corresponding conduits (not shown) and at least one outlet (not shown) to discharge coolant from each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104 to corresponding conduits (not shown). Furthermore, in an embodiment, each of the cell baffles 104b of each of the modules 104 includes a plurality of elements (not shown) adapted to absorb heat from each of the corresponding cells 104a and a plurality of cavities (not shown). The plurality of elements (not shown) adapted to absorb heat from each of the corresponding cells 104a of each of the cell baffles 104b is used to conduct or absorb heat generated in each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104 and dissipate the heat absorbed to the air outlet 102b of housing 102 on receiving the air from the air inlet 102a of the housing 102. In an embodiment, the plurality of elements (not shown) adapted to absorb heat from each of the corresponding cells 104a of each of the cell baffles 104b of each of the modules 104 are protrusions or projections that extend out from each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104. The plurality of cavities (not shown) of each of the cell baffles 104b of each of the modules 104 is used to facilitate the contact between each of said cell baffles 104b and each of said corresponding cells 104a. The plurality of elements (not shown) adapted to absorb heat from each of the corresponding cells 104a and plurality of cavities (not shown) is integrated with each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide a separate plate having a plurality of elements adapted to absorb heat from each of the corresponding cells 104a in each of the modules 104 and a plurality of cavities without otherwise deterring the intended function of the plurality of elements (not shown) adapted to absorb heat from each of the corresponding cells 104a and plurality of cavities (not shown) of each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104. Each of the thermal sensors (not shown) of each of the modules 104 are used to measure the temperature of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104 and send output signal to the battery management system (not shown). Each of the conductivity sensors (not shown) of each of the modules 104 are used to measure the electrical conductivity of the coolant and send output signal to the battery management system (not shown). Each of the temperature sensors (not shown) of each of the modules 104 are used to measure the temperature of the coolant and send output signal to the battery management system (not shown).
[0014] Each of the conduits (not shown) is used to facilitate coolant flow in and out of each of the cell 104a of the each of the modules 104 i.e., some conduits are connected to each of the inlet (not shown) of each of the cooling element (not shown) of each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104 to facilitate coolant flow from coolant inlet 102c of the housing 102 to each of the cooling element (not shown) of each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104 and other conduits are connected to each of outlet (not shown) of each of the cooling element (not shown) of each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104 to facilitate coolant flow from each of the cooling element (not shown) of each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104 to the coolant outlet 102d of the housing 102.
[0015] Each of the ducts (not shown) is used to facilitate air passage. One of the ducts (not shown) is connected to air inlet 102a of the housing 102 and the other duct (not shown) is connected to the air outlet 102b of the housing 102.
[0016] The control valve (not shown) is used to discharge at least one of ambient air, cabin air and air from HVAC system (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system into to the housing 102 in accordance to the activation of the control valve (not shown) by the battery management system (not shown). The control valve (not shown) is disposed to the duct (not shown) that is connected to the air inlet (not shown) of the housing 102.
[0017] The blower (not shown) is connected to the duct (not shown) that is connected to the air outlet 102b of the housing 102. The blower (not shown) is used to draw the heated air inside the housing 102.
[0018] The battery management system (not shown) is adapted to regulate at least one of an air flow (at least one of ambient air, cabin air and air from HVAC system) into housing 102 through the control valve (not shown) and a coolant flow into each of the cooling elements (not shown) of each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104 through the inlet (not shown) of the cooling element (not shown) of each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104 based on the operating conditions of the vehicle. The battery management system (not shown) regulates the thermal management of each of the modules 104 so that each module 104 is working at desired temperature range and thereby resulting in high efficiency and prolonged life of battery. The battery management system (not shown) is provided in communication with each of the modules 104 via corresponding sensors. The battery management system (not shown) also receives other inputs from the corresponding devices or system for regulating each of the modules 104.
[0019] The working of the battery system 100 is as follows. Case1, when the vehicle (not shown) is driven in early morning or when the ambient air temperature is low, the battery management system (not shown) activates the control valve (not shown) to discharge the ambient air into the housing 102 via air inlet 102a. The air received inside the housing 102 flows through each of the modules 104. The heat generated by each of the cells 104a is conducted or absorbed by plurality of the elements (not shown) of each of the cell baffles 104b of each of the modules 104. The heat absorbed by the plurality of elements (not shown) of each of the cell baffles 104 of each of the modules 104 is dissipated to the air that is flowing inside each of the modules 104. The blower (not shown) is used to draw the heated air out of the housing 102. The heated air is then discharged from the housing 102 via air outlet 102b. Case 2, when the vehicle (not shown) is driven for some period of time in the late afternoon or when the ambient air temperature is high, the battery management system (not shown) receives ambient temperature inputs from the sensors (not shown) in the housing 102 and based on that temperature input, the battery management system (not shown) activates the control valve (not shown) to discharge at least one of cabin air and air from HVAC system into the housing 102 via air inlet 102a. The air received inside the housing 102 flows through each of the modules 104. The heat generated by each of the cells 104a is conducted or absorbed by plurality of elements (not shown) of each of the cell baffles 104b of each of the modules 104. The heat absorbed by the plurality of elements (not shown) of each of the cell baffles 104 of each of the modules 104 is dissipated to the air that is flowing inside each of the modules 104. The heated air is then discharged from the housing 102 via air outlet 102b. Case 3, during hot temperature conditions or whenever the vehicle is driven right after parking in hot temperature conditions (cranking condition), the interior of the vehicle can reach very high temperatures. It will take the HVAC system quite a period of time to cool down the vehicle in such conditions. During such a condition air cooling system or a combination air cooling alone will lead to inefficient cool down if each of the modules 104 had also heated up beyond its optimum temperature. It can lead to prolonged inconvenience of non-availability of the system in case of high temperatures or reduced performance due to unequal cool down of each of the modules 104. During this condition, the battery management system (not shown) will activate the coolant flow to enter the housing 102 via coolant inlet 102c to flow through each of the conduits (not shown) that are connected to each of the inlets (not shown) of each of the cooling element (not shown) of each of the cell 104a of each of the modules 104. The heat generated by each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104 is extracted by the coolant that is received inside each of the cooling element (not shown) of each of the cell 104a of each of the modules 104. Then, the heated coolant is discharged out from each of the cell 104a via each of the outlet (not shown) of each of the cooling element (not shown) of each of the cell 104a of each of the modules 104. The coolant is then discharged from the coolant outlet 102d of the housing 102 via corresponding conduits that are connected to each of the outlets (not shown) of each of the cooling element (not shown) of each of the cell 104a of each of the modules 104. Case 4, when the vehicle (not shown) is driven during a hot condition along a hill or high slope areas, the battery management system (not shown) regulates both air and coolant to extract the heat generated in each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104. Depending on the air temperature conditions, the battery management system (not shown) activates the control valve (not shown) to discharge at least one of cabin air and air from HVAC system into the housing 102. The air entered inside the housing 102 takes away the heat absorbed by the plurality of elements (not shown) of each of the cell baffles 104a of each of the modules 104. At the same time coolant enters each of the cooling elements (not shown) of each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104 to extract the heat generated by each of the cells 104a of each of the modules 104. The heated coolant is then discharged from the housing 102.
[0020] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A battery comprising:
a housing having an air inlet adapted to facilitate entry of an air; an air outlet adapted to facilitate exit of the air; a coolant inlet adapted to facilitate entry of a coolant; and a coolant outlet adapted to facilitate exit of the coolant; and
a plurality of modules disposed inside said housing, each of said modules comprising a plurality of cells and a plurality of cell baffles,
wherein
each of said cells comprising at least one cooling element adapted to cool each of said cells respectively, said cooling element having at least one inlet adapted to receive the coolant and at least one outlet adapted to discharge the coolant from said cooling element; and each of said cell baffles comprising a plurality of elements adapted to absorb heat from each of said corresponding cells and a plurality of cavities adapted to facilitate the contact between each of said cell baffles and each of said corresponding cells.
2. The battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air entering said air inlet of said housing is at least one of ambient air, cabin air and air from HVAC system of a vehicle.
3. The battery as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of conduits adapted to facilitate coolant flow.
4. A battery module comprising:
a plurality of cells; and
a plurality of cell baffles,
wherein
each of said cells comprising at least one cooling element adapted to cool each of said cells respectively, said cooling element having at least one inlet adapted to receive the coolant and at least one outlet adapted to discharge the coolant from said cooling element; and each of said cell baffles comprising a plurality of elements adapted to absorb heat from each of said corresponding cells and a plurality of cavities adapted to facilitate the contact between each of said cell baffles and each of said corresponding cells.
5. A battery cell comprising:
at least one cooling element adapted to cool said battery cell, said cooling element having at least one inlet adapted to receive a coolant and at least one outlet adapted to discharge the coolant from said cooling element.
6. A battery system for a vehicle, said battery system comprising:
a housing having an air inlet adapted to facilitate entry of an air; an air outlet adapted to facilitate exit of the air; a coolant inlet adapted to facilitate entry of a coolant; and a coolant outlet adapted to facilitate exit of the coolant;
a plurality of modules disposed inside said housing, each of said modules comprising a plurality of cells and a plurality of cell baffles; and
a battery management system provided in communication with each of said modules and a control valve,
wherein
each of said cells comprising at least one cooling element adapted to cool each of said cells respectively, said cooling element having at least one inlet adapted to receive the coolant and at least one outlet adapted to discharge the coolant from said cooling element; and each of said cell baffles comprising a plurality of elements adapted to absorb heat from each of said corresponding cells and a plurality of cavities adapted to facilitate the contact between each of said cell baffles and each of said corresponding cells; and said battery management system is adapted to regulate, the air flow into said housing through said control valve and the coolant flow into said cooling element of each of said cells based on the operating conditions of said vehicle.
7. The battery system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the air entering said air inlet of said housing is at least one of ambient air, cabin air and air from HVAC system.
8. The battery system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a plurality of conduits adapted to facilitate coolant flow.
9. The battery system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising at least one blower adapted to draw heated air from said housing.
10. The battery system as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of said modules further comprising a plurality of temperature sensors adapted to measure temperature of said cells of each of said modules, a plurality of temperature sensors adapted to measure temperature of the coolant and plurality of conductivity sensors adapted to measure electrical conductivity of the coolant.
11. The battery system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a plurality of ducts adapted to facilitate the air flow.

Date: March 25th, 2016 Signature:
Dr.Kalyan Chakravarthy

ABSTRACT
A battery system for a vehicle includes a housing, a plurality of modules, a plurality of conduits, a plurality of ducts, a control valve, at least one blower and a battery management system. Each of the modules includes a plurality of cells and a plurality of cell baffles. Each of the cells includes at least one cooling element to cool each of the cells respectively. Each of the cell baffles includes a plurality of elements to absorb heat from corresponding cells and a plurality of cavities. The battery management system is used to regulate at least one of an air flow into the housing through the control valve and a coolant flow into the cooling elements of each of the cells based on the operating conditions of the vehicle.

,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A battery comprising:
a housing having an air inlet adapted to facilitate entry of an air; an air outlet adapted to facilitate exit of the air; a coolant inlet adapted to facilitate entry of a coolant; and a coolant outlet adapted to facilitate exit of the coolant; and
a plurality of modules disposed inside said housing, each of said modules comprising a plurality of cells and a plurality of cell baffles,
wherein
each of said cells comprising at least one cooling element adapted to cool each of said cells respectively, said cooling element having at least one inlet adapted to receive the coolant and at least one outlet adapted to discharge the coolant from said cooling element; and each of said cell baffles comprising a plurality of elements adapted to absorb heat from each of said corresponding cells and a plurality of cavities adapted to facilitate the contact between each of said cell baffles and each of said corresponding cells.
2. The battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air entering said air inlet of said housing is at least one of ambient air, cabin air and air from HVAC system of a vehicle.
3. The battery as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of conduits adapted to facilitate coolant flow.
4. A battery module comprising:
a plurality of cells; and
a plurality of cell baffles,
wherein
each of said cells comprising at least one cooling element adapted to cool each of said cells respectively, said cooling element having at least one inlet adapted to receive the coolant and at least one outlet adapted to discharge the coolant from said cooling element; and each of said cell baffles comprising a plurality of elements adapted to absorb heat from each of said corresponding cells and a plurality of cavities adapted to facilitate the contact between each of said cell baffles and each of said corresponding cells.
5. A battery cell comprising:
at least one cooling element adapted to cool said battery cell, said cooling element having at least one inlet adapted to receive a coolant and at least one outlet adapted to discharge the coolant from said cooling element.
6. A battery system for a vehicle, said battery system comprising:
a housing having an air inlet adapted to facilitate entry of an air; an air outlet adapted to facilitate exit of the air; a coolant inlet adapted to facilitate entry of a coolant; and a coolant outlet adapted to facilitate exit of the coolant;
a plurality of modules disposed inside said housing, each of said modules comprising a plurality of cells and a plurality of cell baffles; and
a battery management system provided in communication with each of said modules and a control valve,
wherein
each of said cells comprising at least one cooling element adapted to cool each of said cells respectively, said cooling element having at least one inlet adapted to receive the coolant and at least one outlet adapted to discharge the coolant from said cooling element; and each of said cell baffles comprising a plurality of elements adapted to absorb heat from each of said corresponding cells and a plurality of cavities adapted to facilitate the contact between each of said cell baffles and each of said corresponding cells; and said battery management system is adapted to regulate, the air flow into said housing through said control valve and the coolant flow into said cooling element of each of said cells based on the operating conditions of said vehicle.
7. The battery system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the air entering said air inlet of said housing is at least one of ambient air, cabin air and air from HVAC system.
8. The battery system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a plurality of conduits adapted to facilitate coolant flow.
9. The battery system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising at least one blower adapted to draw heated air from said housing.
10. The battery system as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of said modules further comprising a plurality of temperature sensors adapted to measure temperature of said cells of each of said modules, a plurality of temperature sensors adapted to measure temperature of the coolant and plurality of conductivity sensors adapted to measure electrical conductivity of the coolant.
11. The battery system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a plurality of ducts adapted to facilitate the air flow.