Battery enclosure venting for electric vehicles

A major concern to both EV owners and manufacturers is the battery’s vulnerability to moisture, over-pressure, and airborne contaminants. Brownell has designed and manufactured a range of bespoke and off-the-shelf immersion proof breathers for the protection of EV batteries and other industrial applications.

Designed to regulate pressure and allow air to pass through a system or enclosure while preventing the entry of liquid and particle matter, these immersion breathers protect the internal components of sensitive equipment from harmful environmental factors such as high humidity, and rapid temperature, altitude or barometric changes.

Moisture and condensation accumulating within the battery housing is known to cause malfunctions, short circuits and long-term damage to the battery cells through corrosion and oxidisation. An internal vacuum build-up can also result from the heat that is generated during operation and charging, causing instability and a higher likelihood of the battery rupturing.

By maintaining optimal temperature, pressure and humidity inside the enclosure and protecting the battery pack from external factors, IPBs can extend the life of the battery and electric vehicle, improving its performance, reliability and charging efficiency while reducing the need for costly maintenance and repairs.

Used in many other industrial applications such as gearboxes, process storage tanks and reservoirs, and pneumatic and hydraulic systems, the long-term benefits of immersion breathers include reducing equipment failure and downtime, enhancing safety by preventing the build-up of explosive gases, while providing cost savings and protecting the environment by preventing product contamination and oil leaks, and lowering overall energy consumption.

Immersible up to a depth of 5 metres with an immersion duration of up to 24 hours and a high filtration efficiency, the Brownell range of breathers provide venting for sealed enclosures, allowing them to ‘breathe’ whilst preventing liquid ingress and repelling unwanted debris like dust, sand and pollen. Their simple installation process and wide operating temperature range (from -40°C to +125°C) make these breathers an effective means to protect equipment that is deployed in even the harshest environmental conditions.

Brownell’s extensive product line features mini and splash-proof breathers, immersible breather desiccators and vent breathers – rated up to IP68 and available in selection of metric or imperial thread sizes with various housings options – can be designed and customised to meet an array of specific requirements, standards and specifications.

Brownell also offers a wide range of climatic control solutions that have been driven and supported by over 70 years of R&D, plus and an expert team of engineers using a rigorous set of high-precision analysis and simulation tools and an array of modern technology including CMM inspection, CAD and CFD supported designs, and CNC, laser-cut and 3D-printed components.

The ever-expanding line of high-quality products includes desiccators, humidity indicators and cards, desiccants and sachets, vent and line dryers, pressure relief valves, and moisture adsorbing polymers. Brownell also manufactures the NEPS range of dry gas purging equipment designed for the effective removal of moisture; this now includes the new and improved NEPS 2, with added functions like enhanced leak testing, remote access control, and multiple dew point sensors and pressure transducer options.