WO2024069252A1

WO2024069252A1 - A battery thermal management system of a vehicle and a method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2024069252A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/056254
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kapil Baidya; Pankaj Pallewar; Makam NAVEEN KUMAR
Original assignee: Tata Motors Limited
Priority date: 2022-09-30
Filing date: 2023-06-16
Publication date: 2024-04-04

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a field of automobile engineering, particularly a battery thermal management system. The system comprises at least one battery pack configured with a plurality of battery cells. Further, at least one coolant line disposed around the at least one battery pack, to absorb heat generated from the at least one battery pack. The system comprises at least one bypass line connected to the at least one coolant line to supply coolant to plurality of the battery cells. At least one valve is coupled to the at least one bypass line. Also, a control unit is provided configured to determine a first condition of each cell of the plurality of cells and operate the at least one valve upon determining first condition of each cell of the plurality of battery cells to allow passage of coolant from the at least one coolant line via the bypass line.

Description

A BATTERY THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF A VEHICLE AND A METHOD THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD

Present disclosure relates to a field of automobiles. Further, aspects of the present disclosure relates to a battery thermal management system for a vehicle. Particularly, embodiments relates to, the system and a method of battery thermal management to suppress thermal runway of a battery.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Considering environmentally friendly and energy-saving alternative to conventional internal combustion vehicles, hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles have been developed and are increasingly emerging in today’s market. Hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles have at least one electric motor, to drive the motor vehicle which is powered by one or more rechargeable battery packs. Each of the battery pack includes a large amount of battery cells connected in series and parallel to reach sufficiently high voltage levels and high power and energy ratings. Typically, battery packs are designed to withstand a number of charging and discharging cycles which generates heat. Conventionally, such heat generation is managed by providing a battery cooling system that supplies coolant for absorbing the generated heat. However, in some situations, the battery pack may experience a short due to a number of reasons like improper charging, rapid discharge, environmental conditions, battery mismanagement and the like. This causes the temperature of the battery pack to rise and emits heat. The heat emitted from each cell sets up a chain reaction and in-turn heats up adjacent battery cells, and this may cause thermal runaway or fire hazard and the battery pack eventually catch fire and burn or even in some cases explode.

Conventionally, thermal runaway of the battery pack is suppressed by using extinguishing devices by spraying water, foamy or powder material to contain chemical fire. This technique aids in temporarily suppressing the thermal runaway only and does not provide a full solution to douse the chemical fire. Even after spraying, there exists a problem of these battery cells to continue to burn. Thus, any delay in detecting and suppressing thermal runaway will lead to propagation of fire to adjacent cells and leads to catastrophic fire accidents. Moreover, application of additional cooling or extinguishing systems to suppress thermal runaway in the vehicle will increase cost, overall weight of the vehicle, thereby impacting mileage/range of the vehicle. Therefore, real-time detection and cost-effective suppression of thermal runaway is critical.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more above limitations stated above or any other limitation associated with the prior arts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of to a battery thermal management system of a vehicle and a method thereof of the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure discloses a battery thermal management system of a vehicle. The system comprises at least one battery pack configured with a plurality of battery cells. Each cell of the plurality of battery cells are electrically connected. Further, the system includes at least one coolant line disposed around the at least one battery pack, to absorb heat generated from the at least one battery pack. The system comprises at least one bypass line where one end is fluidly connected to the at least one coolant line and other end is connected to each cell of the plurality of the battery cells. At least one valve is coupled to the at least one bypass line. Also, a control unit is connected to the at least one battery pack and configured to determine a state of each cell of the plurality of battery cells. The control unit is further configured to determine a first condition of the each cell of the plurality of battery cells and operate the at least one valve upon determining the first condition of each cell of the plurality of battery cells to allow passage of coolant from the at least one coolant into each cell of the plurality of battery cells .

In an embodiment, the first condition of each cell of the plurality of battery cells is a thermal runaway state.

In an embodiment, the first condition is determined by the control unit when a temperature or voltage of each cell of the plurality of battery cell crosses a predefined threshold temperature.

In an embodiment, the at least one valve is at least one of an electromechanical valve and electromagnetic valve. In an embodiment, the control unit is connectable to an actuator that actuates the at least one valve to open an inlet defined of the coolant line to direct the coolant via the bypass line into the each cell of the plurality of battery cells to submerge each of the cell in coolant.

In an embodiment, the control unit is coupled to one or more sensors to determine a voltage and temperature of each cell of the plurality of battery cells.

In an embodiment, the system includes a pump in fluid communication with each of the at least one bypass line, configured to pump coolant through each of the bypass line.

In an embodiment, the control unit is in communication with a vehicle control system and configured to actuate the pump based on the determined thermal runaway state

In an embodiment, the system includes an auxiliary battery source disposed within the vehicle configured to supply power to the control unit, the vehicle control system, one or more sensors, at least one valve and the pump.

Further, the present disclosure discloses a method of operating a battery thermal management. The method comprises initially determining a voltage and a temperature of each cell a plurality of battery cells contained with a battery pack by one or more sensors. Secondly, a control unit determines a first condition of each cell of the plurality of battery cells,. The control unit actuates at least one valve directing a coolant into each cell of the plurality of battery cells through the at least one bypass line to submerge each cell in coolant, based on determined first condition.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a battery thermal management system of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which forms the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other mechanism for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

In the present disclosure, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a nonexclusive inclusions, such that a setup, device, or process that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or process. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

Usually hybrid and electric vehicles are driven by an electric motor which is powered by one or more battery packs. Each of the battery packs include a plurality of battery cells connected in series or parallel to obtain desired voltage and power ratings. Batteries are designed to withstand a number of charging and discharging cycles which generates heat. Such heat generation is managed by providing a battery cooling system that supplies coolant for absorbing the generated heat. However, the battery pack experiences a short due to reasons like improper charging, rapid discharge, environmental conditions, battery mismanagement and the like. This causes the temperature of the battery pack to rise and emits heat. The heat emitted from each cell sets up a chain reaction and in-turn heats up adjacent battery cells, and this may cause thermal runaway or fire hazard and the battery pack eventually catch fire and burn or even in some cases explode

This technique aids in temporarily suppressing the thermal runaway only and does not provide a full solution to douse the chemical fire. Even after spraying, there exists a problem of these battery cells to continue to burn.. Moreover, application of additional cooling or extinguishing to suppress thermal runaway of the battery pack, requires complex system arrangements, increased manufacturing cost and increase in overall weight of the vehicle. This effects a mileage or range of the vehicle.

Accordingly, a battery thermal management system of the present disclosure is configured to overcome the problems associated with the conventional systems. The system comprises at least one battery pack configured with a plurality of battery cells electrically connected. Further, at least one coolant line is disposed around the at least one battery pack, to absorb heat generated from the at least one battery pack. Further, at least one bypass line is provided which at one end is connected to the at least one coolant line and other end is connected to each cell of the plurality of the battery cells and at least one valve is fluidly connected to the bypass line. Also, a control unit is provided configured to determine a first condition of each cell of the plurality of battery cells and operate the at least one valve upon determining first condition of the each cell of the plurality of battery cells to allow passage of coolant from the at least one coolant line via the bypass line to submerge the cells in the coolant. Therefore, the system of the present disclosure aids in real-time detection and cost-effective suppression of thermal runaway of the battery pack.

Referring to Figures 1 which are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure illustrating a battery thermal management system of a vehicle (100) [interchangeably referred as “system (100)”].

The system (100) comprises at least one battery pack (10) configured with a plurality of battery cells. The battery pack (10) is arranged within a housing [not shown in figures]. The plurality of battery cells may be arranged in an array or any other required orientation and configuration. Each of the battery pack (10) includes a plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery cells may be connected in series- or parallel based on requirement. In an embodiment, the battery pack (10) may at least one of lithium ion battery, Lithium phosphate battery, a rechargeable battery or any suitable battery pack to supply power to drive motors of the vehicle.

Further, at least one coolant line (20) is disposed around the at least one battery pack (10), to absorb heat generated from the at least one battery pack (10) during charging and discharging of the battery pack (10). Further, the at least one coolant line (20) may be defined with one or more conduits connected to a manifold to supply and allow flow of coolant across and around the battery packs (10) thereby absorbing heat emanating from each cell of the plurality of battery cells of the battery pack (10). The at least one coolant line (20) may be in fluid communication with at least one reservoir (22) to store and supply coolant. The at least one coolant line (20) may be provided along the at least one battery pack (10) to cool the batteries packs by circulating coolant from the reservoir to absorb and transfer thermal energy away from the batteries packs. The cooling system may also be used to cool one or more other systems of the vehicle based on requirement. For example, the cooling system in a hybrid vehicle may be utilized to absorb heat generated from the internal combustion engine as well as the heat generated from the battery pack (10). In an embodiment, the cooling system may comprise a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system used to cool a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

The system (100) further includes at least one bypass line (30) [referred to as bypass line]. The bypass line (30) at one end is connected to the at least one coolant line (20), and other end is connected to each cell of the plurality of the battery cells. In an embodiment, the bypass line (30) includes at least one inlet and outlet, wherein the inlet is connected to the at least one coolant line (20) and the outlet is provided to each cell of the plurality of battery cells of the battery pack (10). In an embodiment, the bypass line (30) may be connected to coolant system of the vehicle. Further, the bypass line (30) is defined with a conduit to allow flow of coolant from the coolant line (20) thought the inlet and direct into the battery cells via the outlet. The system (100) further includes at least one pump (24), in fluid communication with each of the at least one bypass line (30). The pump (24) is configured to pump coolant from the coolant line (20) to each of the bypass line (30). In an embodiment, an auxiliary pump [not shown] may be fluidly connected to the coolant line (20) and in fluid communication with the at least one reservoir (22) to supply the coolant into the coolant line (20) through the auxiliary pump.

The system (100) further includes at least one valve (32) coupled to at least one bypass line (30). In an embodiment, the bypass line (30) may be provided for the at least one battery pack (10). The at least one valve (32) is in fluid communication with the coolant line (20) configured to direct the fluid from the coolant line (20) to the bypass line (30). In an embodiment, the at least one valve (32) is at least one of an electromechanical valve and electromagnetic valve. In an embodiment, the at least one valve (32) may be a three-way solenoid valve. In an embodiment, an auxiliary valve [not shown on figures] may me provided between the coolant reservoir (22) and the coolant line (20) to control the flow rate of the coolant in the coolant line (20). Further, it may be also understood that, the coolant line (20) may be fluidly connected with one or more conduits [not shown] that are individually connected to each cell of the plurality of battery cells of the at least one battery pack (10). In addition, the at least one bypass line (30) may be connected to the one or more conduits that may receive flow of coolant based on operation of the at least one valve (32).

The system (100) comprises a control unit (40) connected to the at least one battery pack (10) and configured to determine a state of the at least one battery pack. The control unit (40) is configured to continuously monitor the state of the at least one battery pack (10) of various parameters like, temperature of the battery pack, discharge of current, charging state, short circuiting, malfunction etc,, in accordance, the control unit (40) is also configured to determine a first condition of each cell of the plurality of battery cells. In an embodiment, the first condition of the each cell of the plurality of cells may be a thermal runaway state. The control unit (40) is coupled to one or more sensors (34) provided within the battery pack (10). The one or more sensors (34) measure a voltage and temperature of the plurality of battery cells. Based on the measured voltage and temperature the state of the at least one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells is determined. In an embodiment, if the control unit (40) detects the voltage and the temperature surge within each cell of the plurality of battery cells to be more than the threshold limit then the control unit (40) determines the first condition which is indicative of the thermal runaway state. The one or more sensors (34) may be thermal sensor, voltage sensors, voltmeters, thermocouples, and the like to determine the voltage and the temperature of the at least one battery pack (10). Further, the control unit (40) is communicatively coupled to at least one valve (32) and configured to operate the at least one valve (32) upon determining the first condition of each cell of the plurality of battery cells to allow passage of coolant from the at least one coolant line (20) to the bypass line (30). In an embodiment, the control unit (40) is configured to actuate the at least one valve (32) having an inlet connected to the bypass line (30) to direct the coolant into the each of the plurality of cells to submerge each of the cell in coolant, based on determined thermal runaway state. Further, the control unit (40) is communicatively coupled with a vehicle control system (50) disposed within the vehicle. Based on the determined first condition i.e., thermal runaway state of the each cell of the plurality of battery cells, the vehicle control unit (50) is configured actuate the pump (24) connected to supply the coolant in the bypass line (30) via the coolant line (20). Furthermore, the vehicle control system (50) actuates the auxiliary pump of the cooling system to supply the coolant into the coolant line (20) from the at least one reservoir (22). The vehicle control unit (50) may be communicatively coupled to the cooling system of the vehicle in order to supply coolant for controlling thermal runaway of the at least one battery pack (10). In an embodiment, the vehicle control system (50) is communicatively coupled to the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the vehicle. The state is identified as different condition of the plurality of battery cells. The state includes a first condition the plurality of battery cells.

The control unit (40) comprises, a processor and a memory unit communicatively coupled to the processor. The processors can be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. The memory unit stores processor-executable instructions, which, on execution, causes the processor to receive one or more command signals associated with a user inputs from a user interface unit (not shown) of the system (100). In an embodiment, the user interface unit is coupled to the control unit (40) to receive inputs from the user to active the at least one valve (32) to allow passage of coolant from the at least one coolant line (20) to the bypass line (30) and submerge the battery cells in coolant, upon determining the first condition of each cell of the plurality of battery cells from the one or more sensors (34). In an embodiment, the vehicle control unit (50) is communicatively coupled to the user interface to receive the inputs from the user and active the at least one pump (24) to supply the coolant into the by-pass line and the coolant line (20), respectively.

In another embodiment, a push button (not shown) may be provided to be operable by the user to trigger the control unit (40) for selectively activating the pump (24) and opening the at least one valve (32) to supply the coolant via the bypass line (30) form the coolant line (20) into the battery cells, upon detection of the first condition of the plurality of battery cells. The push button may be provided on a control panel or a dashboard of the vehicle to enable submerging the plurality of battery cells in coolant, thereby suppressing the thermal runaway of the battery cells. In an embodiment, the push button is coupled to the vehicle control unit (40). The control unit (40) is further communicatively coupled with the user interface which could be the control panel of the vehicle. Further, the vehicle control unit (50) is communicatively connected to an acoustic alarm [not shown in figures] provided within the vehicle. The vehicle control unit (50) is communicatively coupled to the control unit (40) to receive an input signal indicative of the first condition of the at least one battery cell and trigger the acoustic alarm to alert occupants and bystanders around the vehicle. This alerts the occupant of the vehicle to activate the push button in ON condition to suppress the thermal runaway of at least one battery cells. In an embodiment, the at least one valve (32) is automatically actuated by the control unit (40) without user input to supress the thermal runaway of the battery cells. Further, based on varying temperature or voltage of the battery cells, a flow rate of the coolant to be dispensed from the at least one valve (32) of bypass line (30) can be varied by the pump (24), wherein increased temperatures and voltages compared to a threshold temperature and voltage may trigger the pump (24) to supply coolant with high flow rate. In addition, the thermal runaway detection in the at least one battery pack (10), as indicated above, may be at least one of temperature based detection and voltage based detection. Such determination may be carried out by utilizing at least one of a gas sensor based determination unit and/or an aerosol based determination unit, in order to detect the temperature and voltage increase.

The control panel may comprise one or more indicators such as, temperature of the battery pack (10), a flow rate of coolant in bypass line (30), and on/off state of the acoustic alarm. The control panel may also pin point to the number of battery cells submerged in coolant.

Further, the apparatus (100) includes a communication module that facilitates the interaction of the system (100) with an application installable on a computing device, through which an operation of the system (100) may be configured and controlled remotely. In an embodiment, the computing device includes, but is not limited to laptop computer, a desktop computer, a notebook, a workstation, a mainframe computer, a server, a network server, cloud, hand-held device, wearable device and the like. The communication of the system (100) with the computing device may occur through a wide variety of networks and protocol types, including wired networks, for example, LAN, cable, etc., and wireless networks, such as WLAN, cellular, or satellite. In an embodiment, the communication may occur via Bluetooth Low Energy, LoRa, ZigBee, and the like. In an embodiment, a display of the computing device or the control panel may also function as the user interface unit. The system (100) further comprises an auxiliary power source (60) disposed within the vehicle. This auxiliary power source (60) is configured to supply power to the control unit (40), the vehicle control system (50), the pump (24), one or more sensors (34), and at least one valve (32) in case of thermal runaway state of the at least one battery pack (10). In an embodiment, the auxiliary power source (60) may be a low voltage battery, that allows the system (100) to operate even if the vehicles battery pack is in an unusable condition or state.

Further, the present disclosure discloses a method of a battery thermal management. The method comprises initially determining a voltage and a temperature of a plurality of battery cells contained with a battery pack (10) by one or more sensors (34). Based on the determined temperature and voltage, a state of the battery cells is determined by the control unit (40) which is commutatively coupled to one or more sensors (34). The state may include a first condition indicating a thermal runaway state of the battery cell. Upon determining, the first condition, the control unit (40) actuates at least one valve (32) to direct a coolant into at least one bypass line (30) where one end of the bypass line (30) is connected to at least one coolant line (20), and other end is connected to each cell of the plurality of the battery cells. Once the at least one valve (32) is actuated, by the control unit (40) directs the coolant into the each of the plurality of cells via an outlet of the bypass line (30) to submerge each of the cell in coolant, based on determined thermal runaway state. Further, the coolant is continuously supplied to the bypass line (30) and the coolant line (20), when the pump (24) is actuated by a vehicle control unit (50) of the vehicle that is commutatively connected to the control unit (40) of the system (100).

In an embodiment, the coolant may be non-corrosive, and having low conductivity to mitigate damage and electric short circuits in the system (100). In addition, coolant lines equipped within the vehicle may be defined with a de-ioniser in order to reduce any form of electrical conductivity of the coolant circulating within the at least one battery pack (10).

In an embodiment, the system (100) according to present disclosure provides a cost-effective solution for suppressing thermal runaway of at least one battery cell of the battery pack (10).

In an embodiment, the size, configuration of the components of system (100) may be varied according to the application requirement. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides the system (100) that is simple, robust, and compact.

In an embodiment, the system (100) of the present disclosure detects thermal runaway in real-time, thereby preventing fire hazards, to provide safety to the occupants and vehicle users.

In an embodiment, the system (100) of the present disclosure eliminates need of additional systems and arrangement within the vehicle, thus improving vehicle operation.

Equivalents:

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, 13hether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

REFERRAL NUMERALS

Claims

We claim:

1. A battery thermal management system (100), comprising: at least one battery pack (10) configured with a plurality of battery cells, wherein each cell of the plurality of battery cells are electrically connected; at least one coolant line (20) disposed around the at least one battery pack (10), wherein the at least one coolant line (20) absorbs heat generated from the at least one battery pack (10); at least one bypass line (30), where one end is fluidly connected to the at least one coolant line (20), and other end is connected to each cell of the plurality of the battery cells; at least one valve (32), coupled to the at least one bypass line (30); and a control unit (40) connected to the at least one battery pack (10), the control unit (40) is configured to: determine a state of each cell of the plurality of battery cells; determine a first condition of the each cell of the plurality of battery cells; operate the at least one valve (32) upon determining the first condition of each cell of the plurality of battery cells to allow passage of coolant from the at least one coolant line (20) into each cell of the plurality of battery cells.

2. The battery thermal management system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first condition of each cell of the plurality of battery cells is a thermal runaway state.

3. The battery thermal management system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first condition is determined by the control unit when at least one of a temperature and a voltage of each cell of the plurality of battery cell crosses a predefined threshold temperature.

4. The battery thermal management system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one valve (32) is at least one of an electromechanical valve and electromagnetic valve. The battery thermal management system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control unit (40) is connectable to an actuator that actuates the at least one valve (32) with an outlet connected to the bypass line (30) to direct the coolant into the each cell of the plurality of battery cells to submerge each cell in coolant. The battery thermal management system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control unit (40) is coupled to one or more sensors (34) to measure a voltage and temperature of each cell of the plurality of battery cells. The battery thermal management system (100) as claimed in claim 4, comprises a pump (24), in fluid communication with each of the at least one bypass line (30), configured to supply coolant through each of the bypass line (30). The battery thermal management system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control unit (40) is in communication with a vehicle control system (50) configured to actuate the pump (24) based on the determined thermal runaway state. The battery thermal management system (100) as claimed in claim 6, comprises an auxiliary battery source disposed within the vehicle, configured to supply power to the control unit (40), the vehicle control system (50), one or more sensors (34), at least one valve (32) and the pump (24). A method for operating a battery thermal management system, the method comprising: determining, by one or more sensors (3), a voltage and temperature of each cell of a plurality of battery cells contained with a battery pack (10); determining, by a control unit (40), a first condition of the each cell of the plurality of battery cells,; and actuating, by the control unit (40), at least one valve (32) directing, coolant into each cell of the plurality of battery cells through the at least one bypass line (30) to submerge each cell in coolant, based on determined first condition.