NZ622380B2 - Preventing cell thermal runaway propagation within a battery - Google Patents
Preventing cell thermal runaway propagation within a battery Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ622380B2 NZ622380B2 NZ622380A NZ62238012A NZ622380B2 NZ 622380 B2 NZ622380 B2 NZ 622380B2 NZ 622380 A NZ622380 A NZ 622380A NZ 62238012 A NZ62238012 A NZ 62238012A NZ 622380 B2 NZ622380 B2 NZ 622380B2
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- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- cells
- battery
- thermal bus
- cell
- thermal
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910001416 lithium ion Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminum Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920000049 Carbon (fiber) Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004965 Silica aerogel Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- UCVZLNNJKDOOBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silica aerogel Chemical compound C1=CC(OC)=CC=C1C(=O)CSC1=CC(C)=NC(SCC(=O)C=2C=CC(C)=CC=2)=N1 UCVZLNNJKDOOBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N al2o3 Chemical group [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004917 carbon fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910021393 carbon nanotube Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002041 carbon nanotube Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910021389 graphene Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910002804 graphite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010439 graphite Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011244 liquid electrolyte Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000005518 polymer electrolyte Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002470 thermal conductor Substances 0.000 description 25
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 19
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 14
- 238000004590 computer program Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 5
- -1 lithium-sulfur Chemical compound 0.000 description 4
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001960 triggered Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- HBBGRARXTFLTSG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lithium Ion Chemical compound [Li+] HBBGRARXTFLTSG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- GELKBWJHTRAYNV-UHFFFAOYSA-K Lithium iron phosphate Chemical compound [Li+].[Fe+2].[O-]P([O-])([O-])=O GELKBWJHTRAYNV-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 description 1
- 239000010405 anode material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 1
- WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N lithium Chemical compound [Li] WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052744 lithium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910000625 lithium cobalt oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052987 metal hydride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006011 modification reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000051 modifying Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001340 slower Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
- H01M10/61—Types of temperature control
- H01M10/613—Cooling or keeping cold
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
- H01M10/61—Types of temperature control
- H01M10/617—Types of temperature control for achieving uniformity or desired distribution of temperature
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
- H01M10/65—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells
- H01M10/655—Solid structures for heat exchange or heat conduction
- H01M10/6551—Surfaces specially adapted for heat dissipation or radiation, e.g. fins or coatings
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
- H01M10/65—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells
- H01M10/655—Solid structures for heat exchange or heat conduction
- H01M10/6554—Rods or plates
- H01M10/6555—Rods or plates arranged between the cells
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
- H01M10/65—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells
- H01M10/658—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells by thermal insulation or shielding
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
- H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
- H01M50/233—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders characterised by physical properties of casings or racks, e.g. dimensions
- H01M50/24—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders characterised by physical properties of casings or racks, e.g. dimensions adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
Abstract
Disclosed is a battery comprising a plurality of battery cells arranged in a column, a single insulator, a first thermal bus and a second thermal bus. The battery cells comprise an alternating series of first cells and second cells, each of the cells having a top and bottom side and a left and right side. Each cell has an associated maximum expected peak temperature caused by thermal runaway. The single insulator is in contact with every cell and prevents direct physical contact between each first cell and an adjacent second cell. The first thermal bus has a substantially planar portion to the left side of each first cell and a plurality of flanges extending away from the planar portion, each flange coupled to the top of one of the first cells. The first thermal bus is constructed of a metal having a melting point higher than the maximum expected peak temperature of the cells. The second thermal bus has a substantially planar portion to the right side of each second cell and a plurality of flanges extending away from the planar portion, each flange coupled to the top of one of the second cells. The second thermal bus is constructed of a metal having a melting point higher than the maximum expected peak temperature. t side. Each cell has an associated maximum expected peak temperature caused by thermal runaway. The single insulator is in contact with every cell and prevents direct physical contact between each first cell and an adjacent second cell. The first thermal bus has a substantially planar portion to the left side of each first cell and a plurality of flanges extending away from the planar portion, each flange coupled to the top of one of the first cells. The first thermal bus is constructed of a metal having a melting point higher than the maximum expected peak temperature of the cells. The second thermal bus has a substantially planar portion to the right side of each second cell and a plurality of flanges extending away from the planar portion, each flange coupled to the top of one of the second cells. The second thermal bus is constructed of a metal having a melting point higher than the maximum expected peak temperature.
Description
PREVENTING CELL THERMAL RUNAWAY PROPAGATION WITHIN A
BATTERY
Inventor:
Thomas P. Muniz
BACKGROUND
The described embodiments relate generally to batteries and in particular to
preventing thermal runaway propagation within a battery.
Cells in a battery may fail in the form of an exothermal process called thermal
runaway. A thermal runaway process in a cell may be caused by manufacturing defects,
mishandling or abuse of cells or any factor that raises a cell’s temperature, or exposes the cell
to high temperatures from an external source. The high temperatures often cause an increase
in reaction rates in the cells, thereby causing a further increase in their temperature and
therefore a further increase in the reaction rate. As a result of this runaway process, cells in a
battery release a large amount of heat into areas surrounding the cell.
Multiple cells are often needed to reach higher voltages and store sufficient energy
to make the battery effective for its intended use. Since cells of a battery are often packed
very closely together, if one cell in a part of an assembly of cells experiences thermal
runaway, the high temperature of that failed cell can trigger thermal runaway of nearby cells.
Such a process may cause the nearby cells to release heat and propagate the thermal runaway
process throughout the remaining cells in the battery, causing a cascading failure of the
battery and releasing a large amount of energy.
It is an object of preferred embodiments of the present invention to address some
of the aforementioned disadvantages. An additional or alternative object is to at least provide
the public with a useful choice.
SUMMARY
In a first aspect the invention can be said to consist of a battery comprising:
a plurality of battery cells arranged in a column, and comprising an alternating series of first
cells and second cells, each of the cells having a top and bottom side and a left and right side,
each cell having a maximum expected peak temperature caused by thermal runaway;
a single insulator in contact with every cell and preventing direct physical contact between
each first cell and an adjacent second cell;
a first thermal bus having a substantially planar portion to the left side of each first cell and a
plurality of flanges extending away from the planar portion, each flange coupled to the top of
one of the first cells, the first thermal bus constructed of a metal having a melting point higher
than the maximum expected peak temperature; and
a second thermal bus having substantially planar portion to the right side of each second cell
and a plurality of flanges extending away from the planar portion, each flange coupled to the
top of one of the second cells, the second thermal bus constructed of a metal having a melting
point higher than the maximum expected peak temperature.
The term ‘comprising’ as used in this specification and claims means ‘consisting
at least in part of’. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which
include the term ‘comprising’, other features besides the features prefaced by this term in
each statement can also be present. Related terms such as ‘comprise’ and ‘comprised’ are to
be interpreted in similar manner.
In another aspect the present invention can be said to consist in a battery
comprising:
a first thermal bus having a first plurality of flanges extending perpendicularly from the first
thermal bus, each flange contacting one of a first set of cells;
a second thermal bus having a second plurality of flanges extending perpendicularly from the
second thermal bus without contacting the first thermal bus, each flange contacting one of a
second set of cells, wherein each of a plurality of cells in the second set is interposed between
cells of the first set of cells; and
an insulator preventing direct physical contact between adjacent cells from the first set of
cells and the second set of cells.
Embodiments of the invention enable components of a battery to distribute heat
away from a cell that is experiencing thermal runaway. In one embodiment, a battery
includes thermal conductors that draw heat away from a cell experiencing thermal runaway
and thermal insulation that protects other cells from heat exposure. The thermal conductors
and the thermal insulators form conduction paths that draw heat from a cell undergoing
thermal runaway and distribute the heat across other cells in contact with the thermal
conductors. By drawing heat from the failing cell, temperatures of the surrounding cells
remain low enough to prevent the surrounding cells from undergoing the thermal runaway
process.
The configuration of conduction paths drawing heat away from cells undergoing
thermal runaway may vary. In one embodiment, two thermal buses are used, with one bus
located on each side of a cell assembly. Each cell in the assembly is in direct contact with the
bus opposite to the bus coupled to the neighboring cells—that is, adjacent cells are in direct
contact with alternate buses. The area in between and surrounding the cells comprises an
insulating material.
In another embodiment, an insulator surrounds each cell, and a single thermal bus
conducts heat away from a runaway cell and distributes the heat across each of the other cells.
Such a configuration slows the rate of heat conduction from a failing cell to the thermal bus
and from the thermal bus to the cells surrounding the failing cell.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
illustrates a battery configured to dissipate heat from a failing cell during a
thermal runaway process.
illustrates a configuration of thermal conductors and insulators for
dissipating heat from a failing cell during a thermal runaway process in a first configuration,
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
illustrates a configuration of a thermal conductor and insulators for
dissipating heat from a failing cell during a thermal runaway process in a second
configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
is a graph illustrating temperature variation over time among a first cell
experiencing thermal runaway and its neighboring cells in accordance with one embodiment.
The figures depict various embodiments of the present invention for purposes of
illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion
that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be
employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A battery includes a cell assembly housing one or more electrochemical cells.
Each cell converts stored chemical energy to electrical energy. The battery includes electrical
connections which connect two or more cells together such that a higher voltage, and/or
greater capacity, may be output by the battery. During a process of converting chemical
energy to electrical energy, cells may generate heat, and a sufficiently high amount of heat
may cause the cell to fail and trigger a thermal runaway process. Embodiments of the
invention provide a mechanism to dissipate heat away from a cell in a cell assembly of a
battery to prevent thermal runaway.
illustrates a battery configured to dissipate heat from a failing cell during a
thermal runaway process and avoid propagation of the thermal runaway process. The
illustrated battery 100 includes a number of cell assemblies 102, each of the cell assemblies
including a number of cells 106, a conductor 108 and an insulator 110. Battery 100 outputs
an electrical signal to one or more devices connected to the battery such that the battery may
electrically power the devices.
Each cell 106 converts stored chemical energy to electrical energy. A cell 106
may be a primary cell that irreversibly transforms chemical energy to electrical energy, or a
secondary cell that is rechargeable. A cell type may include, but is not limited to lithium,
lithium-ion, lithium-sulfur, nickel-metal hydride, nickel-cadmium, alkaline. In one
embodiment, the cell 106 is a lithium-ion cell comprising of a polymer electrolyte; in an
alternative embodiment, a liquid electrolyte is used. The cell mechanical packaging may be a
pouch, a metallic can, or a plastic or composite structure. The cell’s chemistry may include
any combination capable of producing electrical energy. Each cell may also comprise
electrodes including a cathode and an anode of varying chemistries. A cathode may
comprise, but is not limited to: lithium cobalt-oxide, lithium nickel manganese cobalt, lithium
iron phosphate. Anode materials may include, but are not limited to: carbon, silicon etc.
Thermal conductor 108 conducts heat away from a cell undergoing a thermal
runaway process and diffuses the heat across the remaining cells in contact with the conductor
108. As described in greater detail below, the thermal conductor 108 may or may not make
contact with a particular cell 106 based on a configuration employed. Material of the thermal
conductor 108 may be selected based on several factors, including but not limited to, thermal
conductivity of the metal, melting point of the metal, characteristics of a cell’s chemistry,
materials property of electrodes within the cell, weight, cost and ease of manufacture.
Thermal conductors 108 may be composed of a variety of materials capable of conducting
heat. In one embodiment, the thermal conductor 108 has a melting point that is higher than a
peak temperature likely to be generated during a thermal runaway process. For example, if a
maximum expected temperature of a cell undergoing thermal runaway is expected to be 160
degrees Celsius, a conductor material that has a melting point higher than 160 degrees Celsius
may be used. In one embodiment, the thermal conductor 108 includes commercial grade
Aluminum 1100-O, which is pliable and corrosion resistant but does not provide structural
strength. In other embodiments, the thermal conductor 108 material may include but is not
limited to, graphite, graphene, carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, copper, aluminum alloy, or
silver. In one embodiment, thermal conductor 108 terminates at the end of each cell assembly
102; alternatively it connects to an additional thermal bus associated with another cell
assembly; or to a heat exchanger.
In one embodiment, the length of the thermal conductor 108 between two cells is
determined according to a temperature that triggers thermal runaway in a cell. For example,
if thermal runaway in a cell is triggered at a higher temperature, the length of the thermal
conductor 108 between two cells may be shorter, since each cell can reach a higher
temperature before a runaway is triggered in that cell. In contrast, if a cell experiences
thermal runaway at lower temperatures, the length of the thermal conductor 108 between two
cells may be longer.
The thermal insulator 110 insulates cells 106 from heat generated by other cells.
The configuration of the thermal insulator 110 around cells may vary, as described below.
Additionally, materials used for a thermal insulator 110 may include a ceramic fiber such as
an aluminum oxide fiber. In other embodiments, silica aerogel material or a fiberglass fabric
may be used as a thermal insulator 110 in the battery 100.
illustrates a configuration of thermal conductors and insulators for
dissipating heat from a failing cell during a thermal runaway process in a first configuration,
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A cell assembly 200 of includes
cells 206a-206e, two thermal conductor buses 208a and 208b, and a thermal insulator 210.
In the embodiment illustrated in each thermal conductor bus 208a, 208b
makes contact with alternate cells 206 housed in the cell assembly 200. For example, the
conductor bus 208a connects and makes contact with cells 206b and 206d. Similarly, the
conductor bus 208b connects and makes contact with cells 206a, 206c and 206e. Direct
contact between the conductor bus 208 and the cells 206 permits the conductor bus 208 to
conduct heat more quickly from a cell experiencing thermal runaway. Connecting each bus
208a, 208b to alternating cells 206 helps keep higher temperatures away from cells
immediately adjacent to a cell experiencing runaway. For example, if cell 206c is
experiencing thermal runaway, thermal bus 208b conducts heat away not only from cell 206c,
but also from adjacent cells 206b and 206d.
In the configuration illustrated in a thermal insulator 210 insulates each
cell 206 and conductor bus 208. The insulator prevents heat generated at a cell experiencing
thermal runaway from dissipating to nearby cells. For example, if a cell 206a is experiencing
thermal runaway, the insulator 210 prevents heat from dissipating to cell 206b. As such, the
insulator 210 allows more of the heat generated at 206a to dissipate along the conduction path
provided by the conductor bus 208b.
illustrates a configuration of a thermal conductor and insulators for
dissipating heat from a failing cell during a thermal runaway process in a second
configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A cell assembly 300 of
includes cells 306a-306e, one thermal conductor bus 308, and thermal insulators 310.
In the illustrated configuration, the thermal conductor bus 308 does not make
direct contact with cells 306 housed in the cell assembly 300. Thermal insulator 310 insulates
each cell 306 such that heat generated during a thermal runaway event in a failed cell is
conducted slowly to the conductor bus 308 at points near the failed cell, and then dissipated
across the entire bus and absorbed by insulator 310 and the additional cells. By distributing
the heat of the thermal runaway across the thermal mass of the system, including the thermal
bus and the thermal insulator, the temperature of the other cells is raised, but to a level lower
than the critical value that would trigger thermal runaway in the other cells. The critical
temperature value depends on cell chemistry as understood by those of skill in the art. As
such, the length and material of the thermal conductor bus 308 and the amount and material
of the thermal insulator 310 is selected based on the critical temperature of each one or more
cell in the cell assembly. As described in reference to the length and material of the
thermal insulator and thermal conductor may be changed responsive to the critical
temperature. In the configuration described above, there is no direct conduction path between
the cells 306 and the conductor bus 308. However, such a configuration permits conduction
to occur at a slower rate at the conductor bus 308. An advantage of such a configuration is
that a single conductor bus 308 dissipates heat more equally among cells that have not failed.
is a graph illustrating temperature variation over time among a first cell T1
experiencing thermal runaway and its neighboring cells T2, T3, T4 and T5 in accordance with
one embodiment having a configuration illustrated in In the example of each
cell was 0.31” thick, with 0.005” thick aluminum thermal conductors and 0.1” ceramic
insulation between cells. The 0.005” thick aluminum conductors were attached to a 0.015”
thick thermal bus. As illustrated in the graph, although the failing cell T1 experienced
temperatures nearing 400 degrees Celsius, its neighboring cells did not reach temperatures of
even 100 degrees. In cells T2 and T3 neighbor the failing cell T1; cells T4 and T5
neighbor cells T2 and T3 but not the failing cell T1. As illustrated in the neighboring
cells T2 and T3 experience temperatures nearing 100 degrees Celsius as heat dissipates to
these cells from the failing cell T1. However, the thermal bus effectively discharges heat
from the cells T2 and T3 to prevent thermal runaway propagation in these cells. Additionally,
cells T4 and T5 are further away from the failing cell T1 and reach temperatures nearing 50
degrees Celsius. As such, the thermal bus effectively dissipates heat from the failing cell T1
to those further away in a cell assembly.
The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented
for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to
the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure.
Some portions of this description describe the embodiments of the invention in
terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on information. These
algorithmic descriptions and representations are commonly used by those skilled in the data
processing arts to convey the substance of their work effectively to others skilled in the art.
These operations, while described functionally, computationally, or logically, are understood
to be implemented by computer programs or equivalent electrical circuits, microcode, or the
like. Furthermore, it has also proven convenient at times, to refer to these arrangements of
operations as modules, without loss of generality. The described operations and their
associated modules may be embodied in software, firmware, hardware, or any combinations
thereof.
Any of the steps, operations, or processes described herein may be performed or
implemented with one or more hardware or software modules, alone or in combination with
other devices. In one embodiment, a software module is implemented with a computer
program product comprising a computer-readable medium containing computer program
code, which can be executed by a computer processor for performing any or all of the steps,
operations, or processes described.
Embodiments of the invention may also relate to an apparatus for performing the
operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes,
and/or it may comprise a general-purpose computing device selectively activated or
reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may
be stored in a tangible computer readable storage medium or any type of media suitable for
storing electronic instructions, and coupled to a computer system bus. Furthermore, any
computing systems referred to in the specification may include a single processor or may be
architectures employing multiple processor designs for increased computing capability.
Embodiments of the invention may also relate to a computer data signal embodied
in a carrier wave, where the computer data signal includes any embodiment of a computer
program product or other data combination described herein. The computer data signal is a
product that is presented in a tangible medium or carrier wave and modulated or otherwise
encoded in the carrier wave, which is tangible, and transmitted according to any suitable
transmission method.
Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for
readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or
circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the
invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an
application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is
intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in
the following claims.
Claims (30)
1. A battery comprising: a plurality of battery cells arranged in a column, and comprising an alternating series of first cells and second cells, each of the cells having a top and bottom side and a left and right side, each cell having a maximum expected peak temperature caused by thermal runaway; a single insulator in contact with every cell and preventing direct physical contact between each first cell and an adjacent second cell; a first thermal bus having a substantially planar portion to the left side of each first cell and a plurality of flanges extending away from the planar portion, each flange coupled to the top of one of the first cells, the first thermal bus constructed of a metal having a melting point higher than the maximum expected peak temperature; and a second thermal bus having substantially planar portion to the right side of each second cell and a plurality of flanges extending away from the planar portion, each flange coupled to the top of one of the second cells, the second thermal bus constructed of a metal having a melting point higher than the maximum expected peak temperature.
2. The battery of claim 1 wherein the plurality of cells are lithium ion cells including a polymer electrolyte.
3. The battery of claim 1 wherein the plurality of cells are lithium ion cells including a liquid electrolyte.
4. The battery of claim 1 wherein the first thermal bus and the second thermal bus are constructed from aluminum.
5. The battery of claim 1 wherein the first thermal bus and the second thermal bus are constructed from graphite.
6. The battery of claim 1 wherein the first thermal bus and the second thermal bus are constructed from graphene.
7. The battery of claim 1 wherein the first thermal bus and the second thermal bus are constructed from carbon fiber.
8. The battery of claim 1 wherein the first thermal bus and the second thermal bus are constructed using carbon nanotubes.
9. The battery of claim 1 wherein the first thermal bus and the second thermal bus are constructed from silver.
10. The battery of claim 1 wherein the column of cells are contained within a first cell assembly, and the battery further comprises a second plurality of cells arranged in a second column, the second column contained within a second cell assembly, the second cell assembly coupled to the first cell assembly by a third thermal bus.
11. The battery of claim 1 wherein the insulator includes a ceramic fiber.
12. The battery of claim 11 wherein the ceramic fiber is an aluminum oxide fiber.
13. The battery of claim 1 wherein the insulator includes a silica aerogel material.
14. The battery of claim 1 wherein the insulator includes fiberglass fabric.
15. A battery comprising: a first thermal bus having a first plurality of flanges extending perpendicularly from the first thermal bus, each flange contacting one of a first set of cells; a second thermal bus having a second plurality of flanges extending perpendicularly from the second thermal bus without contacting the first thermal bus, each flange contacting one of a second set of cells, wherein each of a plurality of cells in the second set is interposed between cells of the first set of cells; and an insulator preventing direct physical contact between adjacent cells from the first set of cells and the second set of cells.
16. The battery of claim 15 wherein the first set of cells and the second set of cells are lithium ion cells including a polymer electrolyte.
17. The battery of claim 15 wherein the first set of cells and the second set of cells are lithium ion cells including a liquid electrolyte.
18. The battery of claim 15 wherein the first thermal bus and the second thermal bus are constructed from aluminum.
19. The battery of claim 15 wherein the first thermal bus and the second thermal bus are constructed from graphite.
20. The battery of claim 15 wherein the first thermal bus and the second thermal bus are constructed from graphene.
21. The battery of claim 15 wherein the first thermal bus and the second thermal bus are constructed from carbon fiber.
22. The battery of claim 15 wherein the first thermal bus and the second thermal bus are constructed using carbon nanotubes.
23. The battery of claim 15 wherein the first thermal bus and the second thermal bus are constructed from silver.
24. The battery of claim 15 wherein the first set of cells and the second set of cells are contained within a first cell assembly, and the battery further comprises a third set of cells, the third set of cells contained within a second cell assembly, the second cell assembly coupled to the first cell assembly by a third thermal bus.
25. The battery of claim 15 wherein the insulator includes a ceramic fiber.
26. The battery of claim 25 wherein the ceramic fiber is an aluminum oxide fiber.
27. The battery of claim 15 wherein the insulator includes a silica aerogel material.
28. The battery of claim 15 wherein the insulator includes fiberglass fabric.
29. The battery of claim 15, wherein the first plurality of flanges of the first thermal bus extend perpendicularly from the first thermal bus without contacting the second thermal bus.
30. A battery substantially as herein described with reference to any example shown in the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/236,495 | 2011-09-19 | ||
US13/236,495 US8993145B2 (en) | 2011-09-19 | 2011-09-19 | Preventing cell thermal runaway propagation within a battery |
PCT/US2012/030920 WO2013043229A1 (en) | 2011-09-19 | 2012-03-28 | Preventing cell thermal runaway propagation within a battery |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ622380A NZ622380A (en) | 2015-07-31 |
NZ622380B2 true NZ622380B2 (en) | 2015-11-03 |
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