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
  • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
  • H01M10/44—Methods for charging or discharging
  • H01M10/441—Methods for charging or discharging for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
  • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
  • H02J7/875—Charging or discharging for charge maintenance, battery initiation or rejuvenation
• • 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
  • H01M10/04—Construction or manufacture in general
  • H01M10/0481—Compression means other than compression means for stacks of electrodes and separators
• • 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
  • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
  • H01M10/425—Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing
• • 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
  • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
  • H01M10/4285—Testing apparatus
• • 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
  • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
  • H01M10/44—Methods for charging or discharging
  • H01M10/443—Methods for charging or discharging in response to 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
  • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
  • H01M10/44—Methods for charging or discharging
  • H01M10/446—Initial charging measures
• • 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
  • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
  • H01M10/48—Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte
• • 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
  • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
  • H01M10/48—Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte
  • H01M10/482—Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• • 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
  • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
  • H01M10/48—Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte
  • H01M10/486—Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte for measuring temperature
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
  • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
  • H02J7/40—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by the exchange of charge or discharge related data
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
  • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
  • H02J7/50—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries acting upon multiple batteries simultaneously or sequentially
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
  • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
  • H02J7/70—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by the mechanical construction
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
  • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
  • H02J7/80—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries including monitoring or indicating arrangements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
  • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
  • H02J7/90—Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage
  • H02J7/971—Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage the charge cycle being controlled or terminated in response to non-electric parameters
  • H02J7/975—Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage the charge cycle being controlled or terminated in response to non-electric parameters in response to temperature
  • H02J7/977—Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage the charge cycle being controlled or terminated in response to non-electric parameters in response to temperature of the battery
• • 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
  • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
  • H01M10/425—Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing
  • H01M2010/4271—Battery management systems including electronic circuits, e.g. control of current or voltage to keep battery in healthy state, cell balancing
• • 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

Definitions

• the invention relates generally to battery cell cycling equipment, and more particularly to a pressure regulated battery cell cycling system.
• New batteries are constantly being developed, in particular to increase the range of an electric vehicle.
• batteries with liquid electrolyte such as lithium-ion
• research is also focusing on all-solid batteries as well as hybrid-type batteries (liquid and solid electrolyte).
• All-solid-state batteries are increasingly considered to be an advantageous replacement for liquid electrolyte batteries and to form the next generations of batteries, particularly in the electric vehicle industry and in residential and industrial energy storage.
• the teams working on battery chemistry need the cell cycling systems they are developing in order to arrive at a high-performance product.
• the chemistry and architecture of all-solid-state battery cells require them to be subjected to precise pressure to achieve optimum battery performance. It is therefore important to determine the pressure value to be applied to the cells in order to obtain optimum performance.
• the optimum pressure can be important, for example several hundred PSI and even more than 4000 PSI, although a minimum pressure is desired.
• Current pressure cycling systems are inadequate for determining the parameters optimizing the performance of a battery, depending on the cell chemistry used.
• current systems can regulate the temperature by means of a coolant device, they only allow application of moderate pressure to the cells, generally a few PSI and not exceeding about 100 PSI.
• Current systems therefore do not make it possible to apply large levels of pressure as required for all-solid-state batteries, do not allow a programmable variable pressure to be applied, and do not allow the pressure application function to be controlled.
• current systems are complex to adjust, heavy, or inflexible.
• current systems have temperature control circuits configured to maintain the test temperature of a battery at a fixed value, for example 27 ° C (80 ° F) for a Li-ion type battery, so that a variable temperature may be preferable depending on the chemistry of the battery.
• a system for cycling battery cells comprising: at least one support defining a housing for receiving one of the battery cells; a clamping arrangement having (i) lower and upper jaws between which said at least one support housing one of the battery cells is insertable, the jaws being movable relative to each other in a pressure application axis , and (ii) pressure application surfaces on the cell housed in each support, one of the pressure application surfaces being intended to exert pressure on an active area of the cell when the jaws are in the application position pressure; an actuator operatively coupled to the clamping arrangement to control a clamping of the jaws according to a control signal; a pressure sensor operatively associated with the cell so as to produce a signal indicative of a pressure exerted by the jaws on the cell; a cell cycling module, the cycling module having an interface connectable to the cell for charging and discharging the cell according to a programmed cycling mode and measure a level of charge and discharge of the cell; an actuator control module producing the jaw clamp
• the system according to the invention can be used as a tool for determining one or more precise pressure values to be applied to battery cells, as well as other possible parameters influencing their behavior and operations such as one or more precise temperatures, in order to obtain optimal cell performance according to their chemistries and various operating and usage conditions tested by the system, including charge and discharge rate and current density.
• the system makes it possible to cycle under low to high pressures the cells to be tested and to develop a real-time management algorithm that can be implemented for example in a BMS (“Battery Management System”) or a VCU (“Vehicle Control Unit”) to control a pressure to be applied and a temperature to be maintained or to be varied in order to optimize the efficiency of the battery as a function of various conditions of operation and use of the cells.
• BMS Battery Management System
• VCU Vehicle Control Unit
• Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a battery cycling system according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 2 is a perspective and exploded view of a device for applying pressure to cells according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of a pressure application device with cell supports before their positioning in the device, according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 4 is a perspective view from another angle of the device and cell supports shown in Figure 3.
• Figure 5 is a perspective and partially exploded view of a pressure application device with cell supports during their insertion into the device, according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 6 is a perspective and exploded view of part of a pressure application device according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 7 is a perspective view of a pressure application device in which cell supports are inserted, according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 8 is a perspective view from another angle of the pressure application device shown in Figure 7.
• Figure 9 is a perspective and exploded view of a cell support according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 10 is a perspective view of the cell support according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Figures 11 A, 11 B and 11 C respectively illustrate examples of cycling protocols of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 1 there is illustrated a battery cell cycling system 2 according to one embodiment of the invention.
• the system comprises one or more supports 4 defining a housing 6 (as illustrated in Figure 9) for receiving one of the battery cells 2.
• a housing 6 as illustrated in Figure 9 for receiving one of the battery cells 2.
• reference will generally be made to several supports 4 and several cells 2 but it should be understood that there may be only one support 4 and only one cell 2 as in the illustrated arrangement. without support in Figure 6.
• a clamping arrangement 8 has lower and upper jaws 10, 12 between which the supports 4 accommodating battery cells 2 are insertable.
• the jaws 10, 12 are movable relative to each other in a pressure application axis as illustrated by arrow 14.
• the clamping arrangement 8 also has pressure application surfaces 16, 18 on it. the cell 2 housed in each support 4.
• the pressure application surfaces 18 are intended to exert pressure on active zones 20 (eg anode-cathode-electrolyte complex, as illustrated in FIG. 9) of the cells 2 when the jaws 10, 12 are in the pressure application position.
• active zones 20 eg anode-cathode-electrolyte complex, as illustrated in FIG.
• a reverse embodiment where the surfaces 16 are intended to exert pressure on the active zones 20 is also possible.
• the pressure application surfaces 16, 18 may be formed by surfaces of the jaws 10, 12 and surfaces of pressure transmitting plates 42 extending between two supports 4, each pressure transmitting plate 42 being freely movable within. the pressure application axis 14.
• An actuator 22 is operatively coupled to the clamping arrangement 8 so as to control a clamping of the jaws 10, 12 according to a control signal 24 (as illustrated in Figure 1).
• a pressure sensor 26 is operatively associated with the cells 2 so as to produce a signal 28 (as illustrated in Figure 1) indicative of a pressure exerted by the jaws 10, 12 on the cells 2.
• the system comprises a module 30 for cycling the cells 2, also called a battery cycler.
• the cycling module 30 has an interface 32 connectable to cells 2 for charging and discharging cells 2 according to a cycling mode or programmed test cycling protocol and measuring levels of charge and discharge of cells 2, for example by measurements. voltage and current relative to the cells 2.
• the cycling module 30 injects a current, an intensity of which depends on a desired charging speed. This intensity can be qualified as C.
• a value of 1C means that a cell 2 will be charged in 1 hour
• a value of 2C means that cell 2 will be charged in 30 minutes
• a value of C / 2 means that the cell will be charged in 2 hours, etc.
• the cycling module 30 consumes the energy stored in a cell 2 and draws from it a current whose intensity depends on a desired discharge speed which can also be measured in C.
• a processing unit 38 is connected. to the cycling module 30, to the control module 34 of the actuator 22 and to the pressure sensor 26.
• the processing unit 38 is configured to program the cycling mode of the cells 2 and to transmit it to the cycling module 30, to program a pressure to be applied to the cells 2, for example according to a level or a rate of charge and discharge or according to a number of cycles imposed on the cells 2, and generate the pressure adjustment signal 36 according to a pressure measured by the pressure 26 so as to form a loop control of the pressure applied to the cells 2, and record data representative of the pressure applied to the cells 2 and the charge and discharge levels of the cells 2.
• the processing unit 38 has an interface 40 for communicating with the various components of the system and with the outside, in order for example to configure the functions of the cycling system and to transmit the data recorded by the processing unit 38.
• the processing unit 38 makes it possible to modulate the pressure applied to the cells 2 as a function, for example, of two parameters managed by the cycling module 30, namely the charge / discharge level of the cells 2, measured and evaluated by the cycling module 30 as a function of the voltage level of the cells 2, and the charge rate, measured and evaluated by the cycling module 30 as a function of the intensity of the current transmitted between the cycling module 30 and the cells 2.
• an information feedback rmation on the charge / discharge level and the charge / discharge rate is sent to the processing unit 38 which coordinates the pressure value variation instructions transmitted via the actuator control module 34 to adjust the value pressure applied by actuator 22 and clamping arrangement 8.
• a pressure value setpoint forming the control signal 24 transmitted by the control module of the actuator 34 to the actuator 22 is illustrated, as a function of the number of cycles reached by a cell 2 and the value of its charge / discharge level.
• test protocol 104 a high and constant pressure is applied during a period of charging of cell 2, while a lower and constant pressure is applied during a period of discharging of cell 2.
• test protocol 106 possible, the same constant pressure is applied during the charging and discharging phases of a cell 2 for the same cycle, then the pressure value is slightly increased from cycle to cycle, depending for example on an expected reduction in the useful life of cell 2.
• Other test protocols are of course possible.
• the processing unit 38 can coordinate the instructions linked to a test protocol 108 between the control module of the actuator 34 and the cell cycling module 30 so as to increase the value. average of the pressure applied to a cell 2 as a function of the increase in the value of the charge / discharge rate measured by the intensity of the current transmitted between the cell cycling module 30 and the cell 2.
• This pressure modulation can also be used to prevent premature deterioration of cell 2 during extraordinary operating conditions.
• a test protocol 110 makes it possible to perform a greater number of charge and discharge cycles of a cell 2 compared to a test protocol 112 where a lower value of pressure is applied on the cell, thus reducing the useful life of cell 2 more quickly.
• Other effects on cell 2 performance can be observed by varying the values of pressure and, if desired, temperature during charging and discharging , such as allowable charge / discharge current without damaging cell 2, maintaining cell 2 capacity over cycles, cell 2 performance at low temperatures, contained propagation of dendrites, etc.
• the clamping arrangement 8 comprises a set of guide rods 44 extending between the jaws 10, 12 in the axis of application of pressure 14.
• the rods of guide 44 pass through corresponding openings 45 in each pressure transmitting plate 42 so that each pressure transmitting plate 42 is movable only in the pressure application axis 14.
• the upper jaw 12 is formed by a freely movable pressure transmission plate in the pressure application axis 14, like the pressure transmission plates 42.
• the actuator 22 comprises a motor member 46, a piston 48 coupled to and movable by the motor member 46 in the pressure application axis 14 according to the control signal 24 (illustrated in Figure 1) transmitted to the motor member 46.
• the actuator 22 can be of linear type, and be carried out by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or, preferably, by an electric cylinder possibly more precise, more compact, easier to control and having a faster response time.
• the actuator 22 also includes a support structure 50 for the motor member 46 at a fixed distance from the lower jaw 10.
• the piston 48 has one end 52 resting against the transmission plate forming the upper jaw 12 when the jaws 10, 12 are in the pressure application position.
• the support structure 50 may take the form of a plate 54 linked to the lower jaw 10 by the guide rods 44.
• the motor member 46 is mounted on the plate 54.
• the plate 54 has a central hole 56 through which the piston 48 passes to apply pressure against the transmission plate forming the upper jaw 12.
• each pressure transmitting plate 42 has an upper surface 16 defining a positioning cavity 58 in which a lower portion of a support 4 is engaging.
• the clamping arrangement 8 comprises springs 60 extending between the jaws 10, 12 and each pressure transmitting plate 42 so that the jaws 10, 12 and the pressure transmitting plates 42 are spaced apart. from each other at a distance of at least a height from a support 4 housing a cell 2 when the jaws 10, 12 are in the released position, thus facilitating the insertion of the supports 4 into the clamping arrangement 8.
• the lower jaw 10 has an upper surface 16 defining a cavity 62 having a shape adapted to receive the pressure sensor 26 such that the pressure sensor 26 measures a pressure applied by. the jaws 10, 12 on the cells 2 in the supports 4.
• the lower jaw can advantageously serve as or form a base for the clamping arrangement 8.
• the pressure application surfaces 16, 18 are generally flat and extend perpendicular to the pressure application axis 14.
• processing unit 38 may include a processor 64 coupled to a memory 66 which stores instructions executable by processor 64 and operating parameters of the cycling system received as input 68 through for example of the input / output interface 40.
• the operating parameters can include a test protocol used by the instructions executed by the processor 64 and defining the pressure to be applied.
• the instructions can define a temperature value of the cells 2 to be reached as a function for example of a level and a rate of charge and discharge resulting from the instructions and measures associated with the cell cycling module 30 in communication with processing unit 38.
• the test protocol can define a series of pressures to be applied and maintained over a period of time, for example from 0 PSI to 4000 PSI or even more if desired.
• the pressure adjustment signal 36 transmitted to the control module 34 of the actuator 22 can be regulated by the processing unit 38 in compensation for a variation in the volume of the cells 2 during an execution of the cycling mode.
• a thickness, distance or position sensor (not illustrated) of the cells 2 can be operatively associated with the cells 2 so as to produce a signal indicative of their thickness or of a variation in their thickness during cycling.
• the signal can be transmitted to the processing unit which can record data representative of the thicknesses measured by the thickness sensor.
• the thicknesses measured can be used to regulate the pressure in the servo loop, for example so that the pressure applied to cells 2 is kept fixed even in the presence of a variation in temperature or volume of cells 2.
• the instructions executed by the processor 64 can comprise instructions for dynamically varying the series of pressures to be applied and to be maintained as a function of charge and discharge cycles of the cells 2, of power calls, of a number of cycles carried out, etc.
• the instructions can include an algorithm for controlling the servo-control of the actuator 22 via the control module 34 and according to a feedback of the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 26.
• the pressure to be applied can also depend on a pressure of oil or similar fluid in the case where the actuator 22 is a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, or a current in the case where the motor member 46 is electric.
• a temperature sensor 70 may be operatively associated with cells 2 so as to produce a signal indicative of a temperature of cells 2.
• Processing unit 38 connects to temperature sensor 70 and is configured to record data representative of the temperature. temperature of cells 2 according to the signal indicative of the temperature of cells 2.
• the pressure adjustment signal 36 can then be adjusted according to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 70.
• the system may have a temperature adjustment module 96 connected. to the processing unit 38 via its interface 40 to act on a heat transfer element 98 which can be circulated around the cells 2 in the clamping arrangement 8 in order for example to maintain a uniform temperature from one cell 2 to another, depending on a temperature signal 100 measured by the temperature sensor 70 and a temperature setpoint 102 generated by the processing unit 38.
• the action of the calopor element tor 98 for dynamically controlling the temperature of the cells 2 can be done in the form of aeration of the environment of the supports 4 (illustrated eg in Figure 2), for example by placing the clamping device 8 or a part thereof containing cells 2 in an oven (not illustrated) allowing cycling at different temperatures.
• the temperature values to be applied during cycling can be programmed in the control unit. processing 38 and controlled via the temperature adjustment module 96 during tests on a battery.
• the action of the heat transfer element 98 can also take place via a network of pipes (not shown) running through the supports 4 and in which a heat transfer liquid circulates to control the temperature of the cells 2 dynamically in connection for example with the instructions.
• the temperature adjustment module 96 can be produced by a device comprising a pump, reservoirs, servovalves, a flowmeter, a tubing, and a microcontroller configured to respond to the value setpoints temperature of the test protocol and order the device components accordingly.
• the programming of the test protocol can be done via software stored in the memory 66 and executed by the processor 64, in order for example to display a user-friendly graphical user interface making it possible to enter values of pressure to be applied, of temperature, etc., which may vary over time depending on the charge / discharge level of a cell 2 (voltage), the charge / discharge rate (current intensity), the number of cycles experienced by the battery, the residual capacity battery, its variation in thickness, etc.
• the software can be used to transmit the setpoints to the actuator control module 34, to the cell cycling module 30 and to the temperature adjustment module 96.
• the control to reach the setpoints is done via the feedback integration.
• each support 4 comprises a pressure plate 94 extending above the active zone 20 of the cell 2 and exceeding a contour 72 of the housing 6.
• the pressure application surface 18 on the active zone 20 defines a cavity 74 having a shape adapted to receive a portion of the pressure plate 94 extending beyond the contour 72 housing 6 (illustrated eg in Figure 9).
• the cavity 74 may have a generally flat bottom 76.
• each support 4 can also include an insulating contact plate 82 extending against a bottom 84 of the housing 6.
• the contact plate 82 can have tabs 86 projecting into the openings 78 of the contour 72 of the housing 6 and forming mechanical supports for the terminals 80 of the cell 2 mounted on the contact plate 82 in the housing 6, as best illustrated in Figure 10.
• the tabs 86 can also be used to electrically insulate the terminals 80 of a cell 2 to another one.
• a spacer 88 extending above the cell 2 can be used for precise positioning of the elements in the support 4 and to even out the pressure on the active zone 20 of the cell 2.
• the spacer 88 can have a central part 90. generally flat and matching with the active area 20 of cell 2.
• the spacer may be formed of a flexible material such as nylon, teflon, plastic, so as to accommodate surface defects of cell 2.
• arm 92 projecting at the periphery of the central part 90 come to rest against the internal faces of the contour 72 of the housing 6 so as to define a positioning of the central part 90 on the active zone 20 of the cell 2.
• the pressure plate 94 extends against the central portion 90 of the spacer 88 and is in contact with the pressure application surface 18 (illustrated eg in Figure 3) on the active zone 20 of the cell 2 of the clamping arrangement 8 when the jaws 10, 12 are in the pressure application position.
• a construction of the support 4 as described above ensures a uniform application of pressure on all surfaces of the cell 2, and precise positioning of the cells 2 and the supports 4 in the clamping device 8.
• an elastic member for example an arrangement of springs 95 as in the illustrated case, introducing a mechanical elasticity in the pressure application axis can be inserted between the pressure application surface 18 (as illustrated in Figure 2) and the pressure plate 94, or between the contact plate 82 and the bottom 84 of the housing 6, or between the housing 6 and the pressure application surface 16.
• the elastic member can take another form if desired, for example an elastomeric element or rubber disc.
• Such an elastic member provides play in the vertical displacement of the parts included between the jaws 10, 12 (illustrated in Figure 2) when a force is applied by the actuator 22 (illustrated in Figure 2).
• Such play in the force transmission chain can be useful for absorbing and allowing a certain variation in thickness of a cell 2 during cycling without requiring intervention at the level of the actuator 22, and to prevent the cell 2 could be damaged in such a case.
• the system according to the invention thus makes it possible to test a response of a battery to a programmed cycling mode and various precise and regulated pressure and, if necessary, temperature values. applied to the cells 2 of the battery representing possible conditions of operation and use in order to determine one or more pressures to be applied to the cells 2 of the battery and other possible physical parameters such as one or more temperatures to obtain a optimal performance of the battery according to its chemistry, its architecture and its operating and use conditions.
• the system makes it possible to apply a range of various and large pressures, for example, from 0 to 4000 PSI or more on cells 2 having for example an active zone 20 (illustrated in FIG. 9) of 50 mm x 50 mm.
• the system with its processing unit 38 and its other components form a controlled and programmable assembly making it possible to maintain a pressure and, if necessary, a constant temperature despite a variation in volume of cells 2 in the charging and discharging phase which can represent approximately 25% of variation in volume, and making it possible to vary in real time and without human intervention the pressure or the temperature applied to the cells 2 according to a test protocol programmed in the processing unit 38.
• the system makes it possible to evaluate the effect of the pressure and preferably also the temperature on the performance of the cells 2 and their behavior which results therefrom, for different chemistries used. It allows several cells 2 to be cycled at the same time, at different pressure values, and at different temperature values when used in ovens or provided with other means of temperature regulation.
• the system thus makes it possible to determine an effect of the real-time adjustment of the pressure and preferably also of the temperature on the performance of the cells 2 for different conditions of use of a battery (charge, discharge, demand for power, conditions conducive to dendrite formation, use in extreme climatic conditions, number of cycles experienced by cells 2, etc.).
• a knowledge of the optimal operating parameters of the cells 2 of a battery having a particular chemistry makes it possible to code control algorithms specific to the battery.
• the cells 2 are arranged in the supports 4 (according to an embodiment illustrated eg in Figure 9) so as to position them precisely under the piston 48 applying strength.
• One or more cells 2 can be tested / cycled at the same time in the system, where the supports 4 are arranged in series. Cells 2 of different thickness can be cycled without modifying the system.
• the system works for different geometries of cells 2, adapting the dimensions of the different components.
• Several clamps 8 can be used simultaneously to perform tests at various pressures and temperatures. The system allows rapid assembly of 2 cells to be tested.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Electrochemistry (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Power Engineering (AREA)
• Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
• Secondary Cells (AREA)
• Testing Electric Properties And Detecting Electric Faults (AREA)
• Tests Of Electric Status Of Batteries (AREA)
• Acyclic And Carbocyclic Compounds In Medicinal Compositions (AREA)

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• 2020
  • 2020-05-13 CA CA3080727A patent/CA3080727A1/en not_active Abandoned
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  • 2021-05-07 EP EP21803515.2A patent/EP4150696A4/fr active Pending
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