Battery pack thermal energy management assembly and thermal energy management method
A battery pack assembly includes a cell stack having a plurality of battery cells distributed along an axis and a plurality of thermal energy transfer assemblies distributed along the axis. Each thermal energy transfer assembly is disposed axially between a first battery cell and a second battery cell. Each thermal energy transfer assembly provides a channel configured to communicate a flow of air between the first battery cell and the second battery cell. A coolant plate assembly is adjacent the cell stack. The coolant plate assembly includes at least one coolant path configured to communicate a liquid coolant.
1 . A battery pack assembly, comprising:
a cell stack including a plurality of battery cells distributed along an axis and a plurality of thermal energy transfer assemblies distributed along the axis, each thermal energy transfer assembly disposed axially between a first battery cell within the plurality of battery cells and a second battery cell within the plurality of battery cells, each thermal energy transfer assembly providing a channel configured to communicate a flow of air between the first battery cell and the second battery cell;
a coolant plate assembly adjacent the cell stack, the coolant plate assembly including at least one coolant path configured to communicate a liquid coolant; and
a fan configured to move a flow of air through the channel.
2 . The battery pack assembly of claim 1 , wherein each thermal energy transfer assembly within the plurality of thermal energy transfer assemblies includes a first sheet and a second sheet, the first sheet and the second sheet extending from a base sheet that is sandwiched between the coolant plate assembly and the cell stack, the base sheet configured to communicate thermal energy from the first sheet and the second sheet to the coolant plate assembly.
3 . The battery pack assembly of claim 2 , wherein the base sheet is vertically between the cell stack and the coolant plate assembly.
4 . The battery pack assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are connected directly to the base sheet.
5 . The battery pack assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first sheet and the second sheet extend vertically upward from the base sheet.
6 . The battery pack assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first sheet directly contacts an axially facing side of the first battery cell, and the second sheet directly contacts an axially facing side of the second battery cell.
7 . The battery pack assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a heater configured to heat the flow of air prior to the flow of air moving through the channel.
8 . The battery pack assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a chiller configured to cool the flow of air prior to the flow of air moving through the channel.
9 . The battery pack assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cell stack is part of a traction battery pack assembly.
10 . The battery pack assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first battery cell and the second battery cell are axially adjacent to each other.
11 . The battery pack assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first sheet is in direct contact with the first battery cell and the second sheet is in direct contact with the second battery cell, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet establish the channel.
12 . A battery pack assembly, comprising:
a cell stack including a plurality of battery cells arranged along an axis;
a plurality of thermal energy transfer assemblies disposed between axially adjacent battery cells within the plurality of battery cells,
wherein each thermal energy transfer assembly includes opposing members spaced apart to define at least one air channel therebetween, the opposing members being positioned between axially facing surfaces of a first battery cell and a second battery cell that are adjacent along the axis, and the at least one air channel being configured to permit airflow between the opposing members to transfer thermal energy from the first battery cell and the second battery cell; and
a coolant plate assembly adjacent the battery cells and the thermal energy transfer assemblies, the coolant plate assembly defining a plurality of coolant paths configured to convey a liquid coolant.
13 . The battery pack assembly of claim 12 , wherein the battery cells and the thermal energy transfer assemblies alternate along the axis.
14 . The battery pack assembly of claim 12 , wherein the thermal energy transfer assemblies are thermally coupled to the coolant plate to transfer thermal energy from the battery cells to the liquid coolant.
15 . A battery pack assembly, comprising:
a plurality of battery cells arranged in a stacked configuration along an axis;
one or more thermal energy transfer assemblies disposed between adjacent subsets of the battery cells, each thermal energy transfer assembly defining an air passage configured to permit airflow between the adjacent subsets of battery cells; and
a liquid cooling system configured to circulate a liquid coolant adjacent the stacked configuration to remove thermal energy from the battery cells,
wherein the air passage and the liquid cooling system cooperate to provide combined air cooling and liquid cooling of the battery cells.
16 . The battery pack assembly of claim 15 , wherein each thermal energy transfer assembly includes opposing sheet members spaced apart to define the air passage therebetween.
17 . The battery pack assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a fan configured to actively drive airflow through the air passage, wherein the liquid cooling system includes a cold plate positioned beneath the cell stack.
18 . The battery pack assembly of claim 15 , wherein each of the subsets of the battery cells includes a single one of the battery cells.
19 . The battery pack assembly of claim 15 , wherein the liquid cooling system is configured to circulate the liquid coolant independently of airflow through the air passage.