DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a system and a method to achieve uniform flow rate of fluid for stacked Energy Storage System (ESS) module by providing varied internal diameter for multiple fluid outlets for different stack profiles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] An Electric vehicle battery (EVB) also known as a traction battery or Energy Storage System (ESS) is a rechargeable battery that is used to power the motors of the vehicle which provide driving force to the vehicle. Many electric vehicles are capable of being charged at very fast rates. This causes the battery to heat up significantly.
[0003] The high temperature of the battery reduces the lifespan of the ESS and increases the risk of thermal runaway. The heated Energy Storage System (ESS) may lead to the deterioration of electronic components placed inside the vehicle in terms of life and increases the chances of their failure during operation leading to fires.
[0004] Therefore, ESS cooling is necessary to reduce the temperature during fast charging. One of the challenges encountered in energy storage systems (ESS) cooling is maintaining a uniform flow rate of fluid, typically coolant or thermal management fluid, throughout the ESS. This fluid is used to regulate the temperature of the energy storage system components, ensuring their efficient and safe operation. Irregular flow rates can lead to localized hotspots, inefficient cooling, and potential damage to the energy storage system, ultimately impacting the vehicle’s performance and longevity.
[0005] Further, Electric vehicles’ ESS packs mainly have two configurations. First is a cell to pack and second is a module to pack. In cell to pack, ESS cells are directly placed on an ESS casing and connected electrically and mechanically to create the ESS pack. However, in the module to pack architecture several cells are grouped to form the module and several modules are grouped together to form various such packs which are then assembled according to the requirements. The ESS packaging architecture is required for electrical isolation of the cells, protection of the cells from automotive vibrations while vehicle is being driven and to maintain thermals of the cells in order to keep the cells within optimum operating temperatures.
[0006] To maintain the optimum temperatures of such modules, there are various designs and methods. Large ESS packs can be either conditioned through fluid or actively conditioned. This helps in maintaining the cells within the ESS pack at an optimum temperature band. Active conditioning system is very critical for the ESS packs otherwise at temperatures which are not optimal, the cells degrade faster. In large ESS packs active conditioning of different cells may be differential as due to various architectural constraints. It is imperative that during the conditioning process, that the fluid is able to condition uniformly each of the cell within the ESS pack. This may be achieved by maintaining a constant fluid flow rate across each cell or module. Existing solutions often rely on rudimentary flow control mechanism that does not adequately address the complexities of fluid dynamics within the energy storage system.
[0007] In an example, the patent application CN114744235A discloses a fuel cell module, a fuel cell system, a fuel cell power system and a vehicle, which solve the technical problem of low power of the current fuel cell. The application provides a fuel cell module, adopt the integrated scheme of a plurality of galvanic piles, a plurality of galvanic piles are arranged along the minor face direction that is on a parallel with bipolar plate in the galvanic pile and are set up, because single galvanic pile is minimum at the minor face direction size of bipolar plate, consequently, the arrangement makes whole fuel cell module form the cube that each item size is close, avoid single size over length of fuel cell module and influence its arrangement on whole car, and the fuel cell module of cube structure all is stronger to intensity, the reliability is higher.
[0008] In another example, the patent application KR20210011262A discloses a power storage device capable of more rapidly preventing the propagation of flame and heat to adjacent battery modules when at least one among battery modules is ignited. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a power storage device comprises: a rack container provided with a predetermined accommodating space; a plurality of battery racks disposed in the rack container, having a coolant tank having a predetermined refrigerant; and at least one flow replenishment unit connecting the coolant tanks of the plurality of battery racks.
[0009] However, none of the above available solutions provide uniform cooling the components of the energy storage system in a cost-effective way. In addition, the existing solutions have increased the complexity of modules that inscribed cells in a pack. Hence, there is a compelling need for an innovative energy storage system architecture that addresses the shortcomings of conventional technologies and ensures enhanced efficiency, reliability, and flexibility. The present invention aims to overcome the technical problems of prior art by providing an efficient energy storage system (ESS) to achieve uniform flow rate in the energy storage system for conditioning of cells.
OBJECTIVES OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0010] A primary objective of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior-arts.
[0011] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an innovative architecture of an energy storage system (ESS) pack to allow uniform conditioning of cells in an energy storage system.
[0012] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide uniform flow rate of fluid inside the energy storage system (ESS) pack by using variable diameter of interface at an exit manifold for a vertical stack of ESS modules.
[0013] Yet another objective is to provide a method to achieve uniform flow rate of fluid for the energy storage system that is cost-effective, quick and responsive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The following is a summary description of illustrative embodiments of the invention. It is provided as a preface to assist those skilled in the art to more rapidly assimilate the detailed design discussion which ensues and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims which are appended hereto in order to particularly point out the invention.
[0015] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an energy storage system (ESS) pack. The ESS pack includes a plurality of cells disposed in the ESS pack. In addition, the ESS pack includes a plurality of modules configured to group the plurality of cells in a horizontal direction and/or a vertical direction in the ESS pack. Further, the ESS pack includes an inlet manifold configured to pump a fluid at a pre-calculated flow rate to a plurality of inlet conduits. The plurality of inlet conduits includes a plurality of inlet adaptor interfaces to maintain a constant flow of the fluid in a plurality of conditioning channels for conditioning the plurality of cells present in the plurality of modules. Furthermore, the ESS pack includes an output manifold configured to receive the fluid from the plurality of conditioning channels using a plurality of outlet conduits with a plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces. The plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces is configured with a plurality of variable inner diameters to generate a pressure head. The generated pressure head ensures an equal amount of the fluid flows through the plurality of conditioning channels and maintain a uniform flow rate into the plurality of conditioning channels.
[0016] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of modules includes a top module, a bottom module and at least one middle module.
[0017] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the inlet manifold is placed on top of the top module of the plurality of modules.
[0018] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of conditioning channels is in a direct or an indirect contact with the plurality of cells. The indirect contact includes an electrically insulating and thermally conductive medium for the contact of the plurality of cells.
[0019] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the outlet manifold for the bottom module is the smallest and the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the outlet manifold for the top module is the largest. The inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the middle module is less than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the top module and greater than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the bottom module.
[0020] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the outlet manifold for the bottom module is the largest and the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the outlet manifold for the top module is the smallest. The inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the at least one middle module is greater than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the top module and less than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the bottom module.
[0021] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of variable inner diameters of the plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces maintains a minimum velocity required for the flow of the fluid in the plurality of conditioning channels.
[0022] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the pre-calculated flow rate of the fluid is within the range of 1 LPM to 50 LPM.
[0023] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head of fluid in the plurality of conditioning channels is in the range of 0.1 bar to 15 bar.
[0024] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the fluid used is any of but not limited to water, water plus glycol and dielectric fluids.
[0025] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method to achieve uniform flow rate of a fluid for an energy storage system pack. The method includes grouping a plurality of cells. The plurality of cells is grouped in a horizontal direction and/or a vertical direction in a plurality of modules. In addition, the method includes pumping the fluid by an inlet manifold at a pre-calculated flow rate into a plurality of conditioning channels through a plurality of inlet conduits. The plurality of inlet conduits includes a plurality of inlet adaptor interface to maintain a constant flow of the fluid in the plurality of conditioning channels. Further, the method includes conditioning the plurality of cells by passing the fluid to each of the plurality of cells using the plurality of conditioning channels. Furthermore, the method includes receiving the fluid from the plurality of conditioning channels using a plurality of outlet conduits with a plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces. The plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces is configured with a plurality of variable inner diameters to generate a pressure head. The pressure head ensures an equal amount of the fluid flows through the plurality of conditioning channels and maintain a uniform flow rate into the plurality of conditioning channels.
[0026] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of modules includes a top module, a bottom module, and at least one middle module.
[0027] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the inlet manifold is placed on top of the top module of the plurality of modules.
[0028] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of conditioning channels is in a direct or an indirect contact with the plurality of cells. The indirect contact includes an electrically insulating and thermally conductive medium for the contact.
[0029] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an internal diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the outlet manifold for the bottom module is the smallest and the internal diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the outlet manifold for the top module is the largest. The inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the at least one middle module is less than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the top module and greater than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the bottom module.
[0030] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the outlet manifold for the bottom module is the largest and the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the outlet manifold for the top module is the smallest. The inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the at least one middle module is greater than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the top module and less than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the bottom module.
[0031] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of variable inner diameters of the plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces maintains a minimum velocity required for the flow of the fluid in the plurality of conditioning channels.
[0032] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the pre-calculated flow rate of the fluid is within the range of 1 LPM To 50 LPM.
[0033] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head of fluid in the plurality of conditioning channels is in the range of 0.1 bar to 15 bar.
[0034] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the fluid used is any of but not limited to water, water plus glycol and dielectric fluids.
[0035] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the ESS are anyone of an electrochemical ESS, a Lithium-ion (Li-ion) ESS, a nickel-cadmium ESS, a nickel-metal hydride ESS, and a solid-state ESS.
[0036] These and other objects, embodiments and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the disclosure not being limited to any particular embodiments disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or in the prior art more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments or the prior art. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description merely show some embodiments of the present disclosure, and a person of ordinary skill in the art can derive other implementations from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts. All of the embodiments or the implementations shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures.
[0038] Fig. 1 illustrates architecture of an energy storage system (ESS) pack 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] Fig. 2 illustrates a plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, 112c) inscribed in an outlet manifold 108, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] Fig. 3 relates to a block diagram illustrating a method 300 to achieve uniform flow rate of a fluid in an energy storage system pack (ESS) 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] It should be noted that the accompanying figure is intended to present illustrations of a few examples of the present disclosure. The figure is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be noted that the accompanying figure is not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced with or without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention.
[0043] The accompanying drawing is used to help easily understand various technical features and it should be understood that the alternatives presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawing. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawing. Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements or values, these elements or values should not be limited by these terms. These terms are generally only used to distinguish one element or values from another.
[0044] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other alternatives of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention. While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific aspect, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described alternative, method, and examples, but by all aspects and methods within the scope of the invention. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary, with the true scope of the invention being indicated by the claims.
[0045] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, "can," "may," "might," "may," “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain alternatives include, while other alternatives do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more alternatives or that one or more alternatives necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without other input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular alternative. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.
[0046] Terms energy storage unit (ESU) or energy storage system (ESS) or battery can be used interchangeably for convenience throughout the draft.
[0047] Fig. 1 illustrates architecture of an energy storage system (ESS) pack 100 comprising a plurality of cells 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The ESS pack 100 includes an inlet manifold 106, an outlet manifold 108, a plurality of modules (104a, 104b, 104c), the plurality of cells 102, a plurality of conditioning channels 110, a plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, 112c), a plurality of conduits (not shown in figure) and a plurality of inlet adaptor interfaces (not shown in figure).
[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of modules (104a, 104b, 104c) is configured to group the plurality of cells 102 in a horizontal direction and/or a vertical direction in the ESS pack 100. In addition, the plurality of modules (104a, 104b, 104c) includes a top module 104a, a bottom module 104c and at least one middle module 104b. Alternatively, the at least one middle module 104b is one or more in the single ESS pack 100.
[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, the inlet manifold 106 is placed on top of the top module 104a of the plurality of modules (104a, 104b, 104c). In addition, the inlet manifold 106 is configured to pump a fluid at a pre-calculated flow rate to a plurality of inlet conduits. In an embodiment of the present invention, the pre-calculated flow rate of the fluid is within the range of 1 LPM to 50 LPM. Further, the fluid used is any of but not limited to water, water plus glycol and dielectric fluids.
[0050] Furthermore, the plurality of inlet conduits includes the plurality of inlet adaptor interfaces. The plurality of inlet adaptor interfaces maintains a constant flow of the fluid in the plurality of conditioning channels 110 for conditioning the plurality of cells 102 present in the plurality of modules (104a, 104b, 104c). In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of inlet adaptor interfaces has the same diameter.
[0051] In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of conditioning channels 110 is in a direct or an indirect contact with the plurality of cells 102. In addition, the indirect contact includes an electrically insulating and thermally conductive medium for the contact of the plurality of cells 102.
[0052] In an embodiment of the present invention, the output manifold 108 is configured to receive the fluid from the plurality of conditioning channels 110 using a plurality of outlet conduits with a plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, 112c).
[0053] In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, 112c) includes the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the top module 104a, the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the bottom module 104c and the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the at least one middle module 104b.
[0054] In an embodiment of the present invention, an internal diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the bottom module 104c is the smallest. In addition, the internal diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the top module 104a is the largest. Further, the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the at least one middle module is less than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the top module 104a and greater than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the bottom module 104c.
[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, if the internal diameter of adaptor interface of the top module is A1, the internal diameter of adaptor interface of the at least one middle module is A2 and the internal diameter of the bottom module is A3, then the following equation hold true according to the present invention:
A1>A2>A3
[0056] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, an internal diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the bottom module 104c is the largest. In addition, the internal diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the top module 104a is the smallest. Further, the internal diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the at least one middle module 104b is greater than the internal diameter of outlet adaptor interface of top module 104a and less than the internal diameter of outlet adaptor interface of bottom module 104c.
[0057] In an alternate exemplary embodiment, if the internal diameter of adaptor interface of top module is A1, the internal diameter of adaptor interface of the at least one middle module is A2 and the internal diameter of bottom module is A3, then the following equation hold true according to the present invention:
A3>A2>A1
[0058] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, when at least one middle module 104b is one or more in the single ESS pack 100 then the inner diameter of the plurality of adaptor interfaces of a plurality of middle modules are gradually decreasing or increasing as per the inner diameter of the of adaptor interface of the top module and bottom module. For example, the top module has the largest internal diameter of the outlet adaptor interface and the bottom module has the smallest internal diameter of the outlet adaptor interface than the internal diameter of the outlet adaptor interface of the plurality of middle modules gradually decreasing from right below the top module to right above the below module and vice-versa in case of the internal diameter of the outlet adaptor interfaces of top module and bottom module is changed.
[0059] In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of variable inner diameters the plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, and 112c) generates a pressure head. In an embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head of fluid generated in the plurality of conditioning channels 110 is in the range of 0.1 bar to 15 bar. Further, the generated pressure head ensures an equal amount of the fluid flowing through the plurality of conditioning channels 110. Furthermore, the generated pressure head maintains a uniform flow rate into the plurality of conditioning channels 110.
[0060] Furthermore, the plurality of variable inner diameters of the plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, and 112c) maintains a minimum velocity required for the flow of the fluid in the plurality of conditioning channels.
[0061] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the ESS are anyone of an electrochemical ESS, a Lithium-ion (Li-ion) ESS, a nickel-cadmium ESS, a nickel-metal hydride ESS, and a solid-state ESS.
[0062] Fig. 2 illustrates a plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, 112c) in an outlet manifold 108, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, 112c) includes a plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the top module 104a, a plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the bottom module 104c and a plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for of the at least one middle module 104b (references have been made to Fig. 1).
[0063] In an embodiment of the present invention, the output manifold 108 is configured to receive the fluid from a plurality of conditioning channels 110 using the plurality of outlet conduits with the plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, and 112c).
[0064] In an embodiment of the present invention, an internal diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the bottom module 104c is the smallest. In addition, the internal diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the top module 104a is the largest. Further, the internal diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, 112c) for the at least one middle module 104b is greater than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the top module 104a and less than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the bottom module 104c.
[0065] In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, and 112c) is configured with the plurality of variable inner diameters to generate a pressure head. The pressure head of fluid in the plurality of conditioning channels 110 is in the range of 0.1 bar to 15 bar. Further, the generated pressure head ensures an equal amount of the fluid flowing through the plurality of conditioning channels 110 and maintains a uniform flow rate into the plurality of conditioning channels 110.
[0066] Fig. 3 relates to a block diagram illustrating a method 300 to achieve uniform flow rate of fluid in an energy storage system (ESS) pack 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention (reference have been made to Fig. 1). The block diagram initiates at a step 305 and terminates at a step 320. The steps may be rearranged and may not follow the process in only the manner as depicted in the flow chart.
[0067] In one general aspect, the method 300 includes an ESS pack 100, an inlet manifold 106, an outlet manifold 108, a plurality of modules (104a, 104b, 104c), a plurality of cells 102, a plurality of conditioning channels 110, a plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, 112c), a plurality of conduits (not shown in figure) and a plurality of inlet adaptor interfaces (not shown in figure) to perform multiple steps (references have been made to Fig. 1). Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding architecture, apparatus, and each configured to perform the actions of the methods.
[0068] At step 305, the plurality of cells 102 is grouped in a horizontal direction and/or a vertical direction in the plurality of modules (104a, 104b, 104c). In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of modules (104a, 104b, 104c) includes a top module 104a, a bottom module 104c, and at least one middle module 104b (references have been made to Fig, 1).
[0069] At step 310, the fluid is pumped by the inlet manifold 106 at a pre-calculated flow rate into the plurality of conditioning channels 110 through the plurality of inlet conduits. In an embodiment of the present invention, the inlet manifold 106 is placed on top of the top module 104a of the plurality of modules (104a, 104b, 104c). In addition, the fluid used is any of but not limited to water, water plus glycol and dielectric fluids.
[0070] In an embodiment of the present invention, the pre-calculated flow rate of the fluid is within the range of 1 LPM To 50 LPM. In addition, the plurality of inlet conduits includes the plurality of inlet adaptor interface (not shown in diagrams) to maintain a constant flow of the fluid in the plurality of conditioning channels 110. In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of conditioning channels 110 is in a direct or an indirect contact with the plurality of cells 102. The indirect contact includes an electrically insulating and thermally conductive medium for the contact.
[0071] At step 315, the plurality of cells 102 is conditioned by passing the fluid to each of the plurality of cells 102 using the plurality of conditioning channels 110.
[0072] At step 320, the fluid from the plurality of conditioning channels 110 is received by the output manifold 108 using the plurality of outlet conduits with the plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b and 112c). The plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b and 112c) is configured with a plurality of variable inner diameters to generate a pressure head. In an embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head of fluid in the plurality of conditioning channels 110 is in the range of 0.1 bar to 15 bar. The pressure head ensures an equal amount of the fluid flows through the plurality of conditioning channels 110 and maintain a uniform flow rate into the plurality of conditioning channels 110.
[0073] In an embodiment of the present invention, an internal diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the bottom module 104c is the smallest. In addition, the internal diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the top module 104a is the largest. Further, the internal diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, 112c) for the at least one middle module 104b is less than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the top module 104a and greater than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the bottom module 104c.In an embodiment of the present invention, an internal diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the bottom module 104c is the largest. In addition, the internal diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the top module 104a is the smallest. Further, the internal diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, 112c) for the at least one middle module 104b is greater than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the top module 104a and less than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the bottom module104c.
[0074] In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of variable inner diameters of the plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b and 112c) maintains a minimum velocity required for the flow of the fluid in the plurality of conditioning channels 110.
[0075] Aspects of the present subject matter are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods and apparatus (systems) according to embodiments of the subject matter. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams.
[0076] While there has been shown, and described herein what are presently considered the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0077] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, and methods according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions. In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware.
[0078] While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods, devices, and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods, devices, and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. An energy storage system (ESS) pack 100, comprising:
a plurality of cells 102 disposed in the ESS pack 100;
a plurality of modules (104a, 104b, 104c), configured to group the plurality of cells 102 in a horizontal direction and/or a vertical direction in the ESS pack 100;
an inlet manifold 106, configured to pump a fluid at a pre-calculated flow rate to a plurality of conduits, wherein the plurality of inlet conduits includes a plurality of inlet adaptor interfaces to maintain a constant flow of the fluid in a plurality of conditioning channels 110 for conditioning the plurality of cells 102 present in the plurality of modules (104a, 104b, 104c); and
an output manifold 108, configured to receive the fluid from the plurality of conditioning channels 110 using a plurality of outlet conduits with a plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, 112c), wherein the plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, 112c) are configured with a plurality of variable inner diameters to generate a pressure head, wherein the generated pressure head ensures an equal amount of the fluid flows through the plurality of conditioning channels 110 and maintain a uniform flow rate into the plurality of conditioning channels 110.
2. The ESS pack as claimed in claim 1, the plurality of modules (104a, 104b, 104c) includes a top module 104a, a bottom module 104c and at least one middle module 104b.
3. The ESS pack as claimed in claim 1 and 2, the inlet manifold 106 is placed on top of the top module 104a of the plurality of modules (104a, 104b, 104c).
4. The ESS pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of conditioning channels 110 is in a direct or an indirect contact with the plurality of cells 102, wherein the indirect contact includes an electrically insulating and thermally conductive medium for the contact of the plurality of cells 102.
5. The ESS pack as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2, wherein an inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the bottom module 104c is the smallest and the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the top module 104a is the largest, wherein the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) for the at least one middle module 104b is less than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the top module 104a and greater than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the bottom module 104c..
6. The ESS pack as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2, wherein an inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the bottom module 104c is the largest and the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the top module 104a is the smallest, wherein the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) for the at least one middle module 104b is greater than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the top module 104a and less than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the bottom module 104c..
7. The ESS pack as claimed in claims 1, 5, 6, wherein the plurality of variable inner diameters of the plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, 112c) maintains a minimum velocity required for the flow of the fluid in the plurality of conditioning channels 110.
8. The ESS pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-calculated flow rate of the fluid is within the range of 1 LPM to 50 LPM.
9. The ESS pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure head of fluid in the plurality of conditioning channels 110 is in the range of 0.1 bar to 15 bar.
10. The ESS pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid used is any of but not limited to water, water plus glycol and dielectric fluids.
11. A method 300 to achieve uniform flow rate of a fluid for an energy storage system pack 100, comprising the steps of:
grouping, a plurality of cells 102, wherein the plurality of cells 102 is grouped in a horizontal direction and/or a vertical direction in a plurality of modules (104a, 104b, 104c);
pumping, by an inlet manifold 106, the fluid at a pre-calculated flow rate into a plurality of conditioning channels 110 through a plurality of inlet conduits, wherein the plurality of inlet conduits includes a plurality of inlet adaptor interfaces to maintain a constant flow of the fluid in the plurality of conditioning channels 110;
conditioning, the plurality of cells 102 by passing the fluid to each of the plurality of cells 102 using the plurality of conditioning channels 110; and
receiving, by an output manifold 108, the fluid from the plurality of conditioning channels 110 using a plurality of outlet conduits with a plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, 112c), wherein the plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, 112c) are configured with a plurality of variable inner diameters to generate a pressure head, wherein the pressure head ensures an equal amount of the fluid flows through the plurality of conditioning channels 110 and maintain a uniform flow rate into the plurality of conditioning channels 110.
12. The method 300 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the plurality of modules (104a, 104b, 104c) includes a top module 104a, a bottom module 104c, and at least one middle module 104b.
13. The method 300 as claimed in claims 11 and 12, wherein the inlet manifold 106 is placed on top of the top module 104a of the plurality of modules (104a, 104b, 104c).
14. The method 300 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the plurality of conditioning channels 110 is in a direct or an indirect contact with the plurality of cells 102, wherein the indirect contact includes an electrically insulating and thermally conductive medium for the contact.
15. The method 300 as claimed in claim 11, wherein an inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the bottom module 104c is the smallest and the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the top module 104a is the largest, wherein the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) for the at least one middle module 104b is less than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the top module 104a and greater than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the bottom module104c.
16. The method 300 as claimed in claim 11, wherein an inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the bottom module 104c is the largest and the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) of the outlet manifold 108 for the top module 104a is the smallest, wherein the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface (112a, 112b, 112c) for the at least one middle module 104b is greater than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the top module 104a and less than the inner diameter of the plurality of outlet adaptor interface of the bottom module104c.
17. The method 300 as claimed in claims 11, 15, 16, wherein the plurality of variable inner diameters of the plurality of outlet adaptor interfaces (112a, 112b, 112c) maintains a minimum velocity required for the flow of the fluid in the plurality of conditioning channels 110.
18. The method 300 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pre-calculated flow rate of the fluid is within the range of 1 LPM To 50 LPM.
19. The method 300 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pressure head of fluid in the plurality of conditioning channels 110 is in the range of 0.1 bar to 15 bar.
20. The method 300 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the fluid used is any of but not limited to water, water plus glycol and dielectric fluids.