FLUID-COOLED BATTERY MODULE CONTAINING BATTERY CELLS

摘要

A battery module for receiving battery cells provides cooling through a cooling fluid. Chilled fluid travels first to the hottest part of the battery module and then continues to gradually less hot areas. As the chilled cooling fluid absorbs heat and travels to cooler parts of the battery module, the heat transfer between the fluid and the battery cells decreases because the temperature differential between the cells and cooling fluid decreases, providing a more even temperature distribution across the battery module. The cooling fluid may be contained in a conduit associated with one or more cooling plates. A plurality of slots provide a precise mechanical support for each battery cell, increasing the heat conduction from the cell to the battery module, protecting the battery module from vibration and decreasing contamination in case of thermal runaway or other damage to the cells.

主权项

1. A system for cooling a battery module having a plurality of individual battery cells, each cell having electrical terminals at an electrical connecting end, said system comprising:
a plurality of substantially parallel thermally conductive slots, each of said slots extending generally in a lateral direction for holding said battery cells in an inserted position with the connecting ends aligned with the connecting end of each other battery cell in a longitudinal direction and at a first portion of the battery module; a cooling conduit extending along the longitudinal direction, said conduit having an inlet for receiving chilled coolant and an inlet portion substantially adjacent the inlet, said cooling conduit in thermal contact with said cells; wherein the inlet portion extends in the longitudinal direction across the plurality of slots and coincident with the first portion of the battery module so as to cool the connecting ends of each of the battery cells before cooling other portions of the battery cells.