FR3132982A1 - Device for thermal regulation of an electrical and/or electronic element using a dielectric fluid and assembly comprising such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for regulating the temperature of at least one electrical and/or electronic component (2), in particular for a motor vehicle, in particular an energy storage cell, the device comprising an enclosure (3) intended to contain a liquid volume of dielectric fluid and the at least one electrical component so that said electrical component is at least partially immersed in said liquid volume of fluid, and means for spraying the surface of said component with the aid of said dielectric fluid , said means for spraying comprising at least one pump () configured to be immersed in the dielectric fluid and creating a jet of dielectric fluid. Figure to be published with abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Device for thermal regulation of an electrical and/or electronic element using a dielectric fluid and assembly comprising such a device Technical field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to the field of devices for thermal regulation of an electrical and/or electronic element using a dielectric fluid. The invention also relates to a housing comprising said device as well as a plurality of electrical and/or electronic elements and a dielectric fluid.

prior art

Electrical and/or electronic elements, whether electrical energy storage cells, integrated circuits, servers, data centers, etc. require thermal regulation in order to maintain them within their operating temperature range.

The invention is in particular intended to equip motor vehicles, in particular motor vehicles with electric or hybrid engines, and to thermally regulate an electrical energy storage cell or power electronic elements.

As the market share of electric vehicles increases, the dielectric/heating issues of the battery packs that equip them are becoming strategic issues. The objective is to design the most efficient, efficient and economical battery thermal management device possible.

The invention can also be applied to the thermal regulation of a data center. Data centers around the world currently represent 10% of global electricity consumption. The advent of “block chain” and 5G technologies mean that this percentage could increase drastically in the coming years. At least half of this consumption comes from the cooling systems of these data centers. Currently the majority of data centers are air cooled by cooling the ambient air in storage rooms using air conditioning devices. The optimal operating temperature for data centers is between 5°C and 40°C, more particularly around 27°C. Taking into consideration that the air has a very low conductivity, in order to sufficiently cool the electronic elements, which can reach temperatures exceeding 60°C, the temperature difference between the air and the electronic elements to be cooled must be important and therefore this type of device is very energy intensive.

In the automotive field, it is common to meet the need for cooling (and/or heating) of electric batteries to use heat exchangers consisting of a cold plate with circulation of a heat transfer liquid (e.g. mixture of water and ethylene glycol), the plates being in contact with the cells to be cooled. This type of technique can lead to uneven cooling (and/or heating) of the batteries and thus limit their lifespan and performance. These devices also have high thermal resistance due to the thicknesses of material present between the heat transfer liquid and the cells.

A solution proposed to respond to this problem consists of immersing the electric batteries in a dielectric heat transfer fluid. This immersion can be carried out with fluid circulation or in static condition with phase change.

These two techniques are efficient from a thermal point of view in particular due to the direct contact established between the liquid and the cells but have the disadvantage of using a large quantity of dielectric liquid, which increases the cost and weight of the pack. battery and are also sensitive to the change in attitude of the vehicle in operation.

This results in a need for a less expensive solution that requires less fluid while maintaining good heat exchange capacity.

The present invention therefore aims to propose a device for thermal regulation of an electrical and/or electronic element using a dielectric fluid, making it possible to overcome at least part of the disadvantages of the prior art.

This goal is achieved by a device for regulating the temperature of at least one electrical and/or electronic component, in particular for a motor vehicle, in particular an energy storage cell, the device comprising an enclosure intended to contain a liquid volume of fluid dielectric and the at least one electrical component so that said electrical component is at least partially immersed in said liquid volume of fluid, and means for watering the surface of said component using said dielectric fluid, said means for watering comprising at least one pump configured to be immersed in the dielectric fluid and creating a jet of dielectric fluid.

According to a particular feature, the pump is fixed at the bottom of the enclosure.

According to another particularity, the pump is configured to create a jet of dielectric fluid beyond the surface of the liquid volume of dielectric fluid.

According to another particularity, the device further comprises at least one deflector in the enclosure, the deflector being configured to be arranged on the trajectory of the jet of dielectric fluid from the at least one pump, the deflector being preferably emerged.

According to another particularity, at least one deflector is in movement, in particular in a rotary movement.

According to another particularity, the pump is configured to create a jet of dielectric fluid deflected by at least one wall of the enclosure, preferably by the wall facing the direction of the jet of the pump, more preferably by the wall opposite to the direction of gravity.

According to another particularity, the pump is configured to form a jet perpendicular to the wall forming the top of the enclosure.

The present invention also relates to a thermal management system for an electrical and/or electronic component comprising a device as described above, and further comprising means for heating and/or cooling the dielectric fluid transferred outside the enclosure, and a supply line and a discharge line fluidly connecting the temperature regulating device and the heating and/or cooling means.

The present invention also relates to a thermal management system for an electrical and/or electronic component comprising a device as described above, and further comprising means for cooling the dielectric fluid, said cooling means being immersed in the liquid volume of dielectric fluid inside the enclosure, the cooling means comprising a supply line and a heat transfer fluid evacuation line fluidly connecting the cooling means to a heating and/or cooling circuit in which circulates said heat transfer fluid.

The present invention also relates to a thermal management system for an electrical and/or electronic component comprising a device as described above, and further comprising means for cooling the dielectric fluid, said cooling means having emerged out of the dielectric fluid at the interior of the enclosure, the cooling means comprising a condenser and comprising and a supply pipe and a discharge pipe for a heat transfer fluid fluidly connecting said condenser to a heating and/or cooling circuit in which circulates said heat transfer fluid.

The present invention also relates to a battery box comprising a device as described above, and further comprising at least one electrical and/or electronic component and a liquid volume of dielectric fluid so that said electrical component is at least partially immersed. in said fluid.

Brief description of the figures

• représente un premier mode de réalisation de l’invention.
• représente de manière schématique un second mode de réalisation de l’invention.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows with reference to the appended figures, which illustrates:

• represents a first embodiment of the invention.
• schematically represents a second embodiment of the invention.

detailed description of the invention

Numerous combinations can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention; the skilled person will choose one or the other depending on the economic, ergonomic, dimensional or other constraints that he must respect.

In general, the present invention comprises a device for regulating the temperature (1) of at least one electrical and/or electronic component (2), in particular for a motor vehicle, in particular an energy storage cell, the device comprising a enclosure (3) intended to contain a liquid volume of dielectric fluid and the at least one electrical component so that said electrical component is at least partially immersed in said liquid volume of fluid, and means for watering the surface of said component using said dielectric fluid, said means for watering comprising at least one pump (5) configured to be immersed in the dielectric fluid and creating a jet of dielectric fluid.

By “said electrical component is at least partially submerged”, we understand that at least the base of the components, for example the base of the cells, is submerged. The proportion depends on the component to be cooled, the temperature to be evacuated, but also weight and cost constraints.

Preferably, the jet is configured to deliver fluid to the part of the component furthest from the pump.

The enclosure can be the wall of the battery pack, or an intermediate box inside the battery pack.

Advantageously, the movement of the fluid will be generated by the jet that the pump will create. Depending on the power of the pump, this jet will be able to exit above the surface of the liquid volume of dielectric fluid.

Advantageously, such a so-called bubbling system makes it possible to improve the exchanges on the walls already in contact with the fluid (forced convection) and also makes it possible to bring the fluid into contact with walls which were not immersed, without requiring a volume of fluid too large. This advantageously limits the addition of mass in the battery pack.

In certain embodiments, the pump is fixed to the bottom of the enclosure.

Advantageously, the pump thus immersed at the bottom allows mixing and maximum convection of the liquid volume of fluid.

In certain embodiments, the device further comprises at least one deflector in the enclosure, the deflector being configured to be arranged in the path of the jet of dielectric fluid from the at least one pump, the deflector being preferably emerged.

Advantageously, this improves the distribution of the jet in the enclosure and waters a larger area without requiring more pumps. The deflector can also be partially moving in translation or rotation to continuously modify the distribution of the jet and further improve the projection of the jet.

The deflector can also be the wall of the pack or a module. The jet would then be directed towards a wall and then bounce back in transverse directions.

In certain embodiments, as for example illustrated in a non-limiting manner in the , the pumps will create a flow forcing convection between the cells or even create a jet above the surface to come into contact with the emerging walls.

A cooling and/or heating means 7 makes it possible to cool or heat the dielectric fluid which will pass through it via evacuation and inlet conduits. Heating it advantageously allows you to preheat the components, for example batteries, to bring them to the optimal temperature for use. Conversely, during their use, this circuit allows the components to be cooled via the dielectric fluid. This means 7 may include a heat transfer fluid intended to exchange heat with the dielectric fluid, may be a condenser of another temperature loop, or may simply bring the fluid into a heat exchanger in contact with the outside air. .

More particularly, the illustrates an exemplary embodiment by way of example and not limitation of the present invention, in which the device comprises the presence of a deflector which improves the distribution of the jet in the volume and waters a larger area thus making it possible to limit the number pump.

The deflector can also be partially moved to continuously modify the distribution of the jet and further improve the projection of the jet. For example, the deflector can rotate on itself so that the jet of fluid is reflected throughout the enclosure.

Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the pump is configured to create a jet of dielectric fluid deflected by at least one electrical and/or electronic component intended to be thermally regulated.

This advantageously makes it possible to use the components to be cooled, such as cells, to obtain better distribution of the projected dielectric fluid.

In certain embodiments, the orientation of at least one pump is modifiable.

The orientation of the pump preferably has an angle between -45° and +45° relative to a vertical axis perpendicular to the plane in which the bottom wall 8 of the enclosure extends, or the wall on which is fixed said pump. Still preferably the pump is oriented along said perpendicular vertical axis.

This makes it possible to create greater fluid movements and to water the entire surface of the components to be thermally regulated with less pump power.

In certain embodiments, the orientation of at least one pump can be controlled, whether programmed or not.

In some embodiments, the means for watering include three pumps.

In some embodiments, the dielectric fluid is configured for use in the device in a two-phase liquid and gaseous state. In other words, its melting temperature at the operating pressure of the device is chosen so that it passes from the liquid state to the gaseous state under the effect of heating on contact with the batteries, which causes its vaporization. Its cooling in contact with a cooling means, for example a condenser, allows it to return to the liquid state. This cycle advantageously makes it possible to improve the thermal exchanges of the fluid with the component to be thermally regulated.

In some embodiments, the dielectric fluid is configured for use in the device in a single-phase state.

It will be easily understood on reading the present application that the particularities of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the description of the present invention and the related figures are not intended to limit the scope of the invention but simply represent selected embodiments.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the technical characteristics of a given embodiment can in fact be combined with characteristics of another embodiment unless the reverse is explicitly mentioned or it is obvious that these characteristics are incompatible. In addition, the technical characteristics described in a given embodiment can be isolated from the other characteristics of this mode unless the opposite is explicitly mentioned.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention permits embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope defined by the scope of the appended claims, they should be considered for purposes of illustration and the invention should not be limited to the details given above.

Claims (10)

Device for regulating the temperature (1) of at least one electrical and/or electronic component (2), in particular for a motor vehicle, in particular an energy storage cell, the device comprising an enclosure (3) intended to contain a volume dielectric fluid liquid (4) and the at least one electrical component (2) so that said electrical component is at least partially immersed in said liquid volume of fluid, and means for watering the surface of said component with aid of said dielectric fluid, said means for watering comprising at least one pump (5) configured to be immersed in the dielectric fluid and creating a jet of dielectric fluid. Device according to the preceding claim, in which the pump is fixed to the bottom of the enclosure (3). Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the pump (5) is configured to create a jet of dielectric fluid beyond the surface of the liquid volume of dielectric fluid. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the device further comprises at least deflector (6) in the enclosure, the deflector being configured to be arranged in the trajectory of the jet of dielectric fluid from the at least one pump ( 5), the deflector (6) being preferably emerged. Device according to the preceding claim, in which at least one deflector (6) is in movement, in particular in a rotary movement. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the pump (5) is configured to create a jet of dielectric fluid deflected by at least one wall of the enclosure (3), preferably by the wall facing the direction of the jet of the pump (5), again preferably by the wall opposite to the direction of gravity. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the pump is configured to form a jet perpendicular to the wall forming the top of the enclosure (3). Thermal management system for an electrical and/or electronic component (2) comprising a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, and further comprising means for heating and/or cooling (7) the dielectric fluid transferred outside of the enclosure (3), and a supply line and an evacuation line fluidly connecting the temperature regulating device and the heating and/or cooling means. Thermal management system for an electrical and/or electronic component comprising a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, and further comprising means for cooling the dielectric fluid, said cooling means (7) being immersed in the liquid volume of dielectric fluid inside the enclosure, the cooling means (7) comprising a supply line and a heat transfer fluid evacuation line fluidly connecting the cooling means to a heating circuit and /or cooling in which said heat transfer fluid circulates. Battery box comprising a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, and further comprising at least one electrical and/or electronic component (2) and a liquid volume of dielectric fluid so that said electrical component is at least partially immersed in said fluid.