Simple and Efficient Turbulator to Promote the Uniform Heat Exchange Inside the Battery Cooling Channel

Abstract

A cooling system for a battery pack includes a fluid source for providing cooling fluid and a turbulator in which the cooling fluid flows along an average flow direction. The turbulator includes a first support member, a second support member, a third support member, a first plurality of rods positioned between the first support member and the second support member, and a second plurality of rods positioned between the second and the third support members. The first plurality of rods is offset from the second plurality of rods in a direction perpendicular to the average flow direction. Finally, the first plurality of rods and the second plurality of rods disrupt fluid flow from the fluid source into non-laminar flow.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cooling system for a battery pack, the cooling system comprising:
 a fluid source for providing cooling fluid; and   a turbulator in which the cooling fluid flows along an average flow direction, the turbulator including:
 a first support member; 
 a second support member; 
 a third support member; 
 a first plurality of rods positioned between the first support member and the second support member; and 
 a second plurality of rods positioned between the second and the third support members, the first plurality of rods being offset from the second plurality of rods in a direction perpendicular to the average flow direction, the first plurality of rods and the second plurality of rods disrupting fluid flow from the fluid source into non-laminar flow. 
   
     
     
         2 . The cooling system of  claim 1  wherein the turbulator is positionable between a first battery cell and a second battery cell such that the first plurality of rods is proximate to the first battery cell and the second plurality of rods is proximate to the second battery cell. 
     
     
         3 . The cooling system of  claim 2  wherein the turbulator further comprises:
 a fourth support member, 
 a fifth support member; 
 a third plurality of rods positioned between the third support member and the fourth support member; and 
 a fourth plurality of rods positioned between the fourth support member and the fifth support members, the third plurality of rods being offset from the fourth plurality of rods. 
 
     
     
         4 . The cooling system of  claim 3  wherein the third plurality of rods is proximate to the first battery cell and the fourth plurality of rods is proximate to the second battery cell. 
     
     
         5 . The cooling system of  claim 1  wherein the first support member and the second support member are each substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         6 . The cooling system of  claim 1  wherein the fluid source is an air source. 
     
     
         7 . The cooling system of  claim 1  wherein the first plurality of rods and the second plurality of rods disrupt the fluid flow into turbulent flow. 
     
     
         8 . The cooling system of  claim 1  wherein each rod of the first plurality of rods and the second plurality of rods has a circular cross with a flat side and a curved side. 
     
     
         9 . The cooling system of  claim 1  wherein the first support member, the second support member, the first plurality of rods, and the second plurality of rods each independently comprise a plastic. 
     
     
         10 . The cooling system of  claim 1  wherein the first plurality of rods and the second plurality of rods each independently include from 10 to 30 rods. 
     
     
         11 . The cooling system of  claim 1  wherein the first plurality of rods and the second plurality of rods are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         12 . The cooling system of  claim 1  further comprising addition support members and additional rods. 
     
     
         13 . A battery pack comprising:
 a plurality of battery cells; and   a plurality of turbulators disposed between adjacent battery cells in the plurality of battery cells in which cooling fluid flows along an average flow direction, each turbulator including:
 a first support member; 
 a second support member; 
 a third support member; 
 a first plurality of rods positioned between the first support member and the second support member; and 
 a second plurality of rods positioned between the second and the third support members, the first plurality of rods being offset from the second plurality of rods in a direction perpendicular to the average flow direction, the first plurality of rods and the second plurality of rods disrupting fluid flow into non-laminar flow. 
   
     
     
         14 . The battery pack of  claim 13  wherein the turbulator is positionable between a first battery cell and a second battery cell such that the first plurality of rods is proximate to the first battery cell and the second plurality of rods is proximate to the second battery cell. 
     
     
         15 . The battery pack of  claim 14  wherein the turbulator further comprises:
 a fourth support member, 
 a fifth support member; 
 a third plurality of rods positioned between the third support member and the fourth support member; and 
 a fourth plurality of rods positioned between the fourth support member and the fifth support members, the third plurality of rods being offset from the fourth plurality of rods. 
 
     
     
         16 . The battery pack of  claim 15  wherein the third plurality of rods is proximate to the first battery cell and the fourth plurality of rods is proximate to the second battery cell. 
     
     
         17 . The battery pack of  claim 13  wherein the first support member, the second support member, the first plurality of rods, and the second plurality of rods each independently comprise a plastic. 
     
     
         18 . The battery pack of  claim 13  wherein the first plurality of rods and the second plurality of rods each independently include from 10 to 30 rods. 
     
     
         19 . The battery pack of  claim 13  wherein the first plurality of rods and the second plurality of rods are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         20 . The battery pack of  claim 13  wherein the first plurality of rods and the second plurality of rods disrupt the fluid flow into turbulent flow.