Shielding receptable for battery cells
Inventors
Miller, David R. • Kilbourne, Allen • Waid, Gordon • Yang, Kou • Mason, Michael • Moody, Joseph
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9583803-B2
Publication Date
2017-02-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
A thermally shielded receptacle for a rechargeable battery. The thermally shielded receptacle can include a material having a heat deflection rate of greater than 50 degrees Celsius to contain a catastrophic runaway of one or more of a plurality of individual battery cells. The thermally shielded receptacle can include material sized and shaped to receive the plurality of individual battery cells and separate each of the plurality of individual battery cells from adjacent individual battery cells.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a battery pack for a battery, including a battery pack housing with an inner cavity, a battery bay located within the inner cavity, and a shielding receptacle located within the battery bay. The shielding receptacle is sized and shaped to receive a plurality of individual battery cells and to separate each individual battery cell from adjacent individual battery cells, and the shielding receptacle consists essentially of a material having a heat deflection rate greater than 50 degrees Celsius.
The battery pack further includes a Kevlar disc located within the inner cavity to dissipate heat caused by a catastrophic runaway of one or more of the plurality of individual battery cells. In additional embodiments, the battery cell shielding receptacle material is configured to contain catastrophic runaway and includes a cavity or recess configured to receive a portion of one or more battery cells as the one or more battery cells expand or swell. Alternatively, the thermally shielded receptacle material is flexible and configured to expand as one or more battery cells expand or swell.
In further embodiments, the invention provides hermetically sealed battery pack housing or components that are liquid proof and dust proof, or substantially liquid proof and dust proof, together with a pressure seal configured to release pressure from the battery pack housing when pressure exceeds a selected threshold. The invention also includes monitoring and mitigation elements such as a temperature-measuring device, a thermal runaway detector, and a current interrupt device to interrupt current to the one or more battery cells. In other embodiments, antibacterial or chemically resistant materials are provided for the battery pack housing or components, including polycarbonate plastic with a silver anti-bacterial additive.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims include five distinct core claim scopes. The coverage centers on inventive features that separate adjacent individual battery cells, use shielding materials with heat deflection rate greater than 50 degrees Celsius to contain catastrophic runaway, and integrate additional heat dissipation, expansion accommodation, and sealing/pressure release.
Heat-deflection shielding separating adjacent battery cells in a battery bay
A battery pack housing with an inner cavity includes a battery bay, and a shielding receptacle located within the battery bay that is sized and shaped to receive a plurality of individual battery cells and separate each individual battery cell from adjacent individual battery cells, wherein the shielding receptacle consists essentially of a material having a heat deflection rate greater than 50 degrees Celsius.
Heat dissipation using a Kevlar disc for catastrophic runaway
A Kevlar disc is located within the inner cavity to dissipate heat caused by a catastrophic runaway of one or more of the plurality of individual battery cells.
Hermetically sealed housing with pressure release when threshold is exceeded
The battery pack housing or components in the battery pack housing are hermetically sealed to be liquid proof and dust proof or sealed to be substantially liquid proof and dust proof, and the hermetically sealed battery pack further comprises a pressure seal configured to release pressure from the battery pack housing when the pressure exceeds a selected threshold.
Containment thermally shielded receptacle with cavity or recess for swelling cells
A thermally shielded receptacle comprises a material having a heat deflection rate greater than 50 degrees Celsius to contain a catastrophic runaway of one or more of a plurality of individual battery cells, wherein the thermally shielded receptacle is sized and shaped to receive the plurality of individual battery cells and separate each individual battery cell from adjacent individual battery cells, and wherein the thermally shielded receptacle includes a cavity or recess configured to receive a portion of one or more battery cells as the one or more battery cells expand or swell.
Flexible expanding thermally shielded receptacle with heat-deflection containment and cell separation
A thermally shielded receptacle comprises a material having a heat deflection rate greater than 50 degrees Celsius to contain a catastrophic runaway of one or more of a plurality of individual battery cells, wherein the material is flexible and configured to expand as one or more battery cells expand or swell, and wherein the thermally shielded receptacle is sized and shaped to receive the plurality of individual battery cells and separate each individual battery cell from adjacent individual battery cells.
First and second shielding receptacle sections defining coupled shielding compartments
A shielding receptacle comprises a first shielding receptacle section including a plurality of first cell pockets that open towards a first face, and a second shielding receptacle section including a plurality of second cell pockets that open towards a second face, each second cell pocket corresponding to one of the first cell pockets, wherein each of the first cell pockets and corresponding one of the second cell pockets define a shielding compartment configured to receive a battery cell when the first face is coupled to the second face.
Across the independent claims, the main inventive features are the use of a shielding receptacle material with a heat deflection rate greater than 50 degrees Celsius to contain catastrophic runaway while separating adjacent individual battery cells, combined with additional elements including Kevlar heat dissipation, hermetic liquid-/dust-proof sealing with pressure release at a selected threshold, and cavity/recess or flexible expansion accommodation for swelling cells, as well as an inter-coupled multi-section cell-pocket shielding compartment geometry.
Stated Advantages
Contain catastrophic runaway of one or more battery cells.
Dissipate heat caused by a catastrophic runaway using a Kevlar disc.
Separate individual battery cells from adjacent individual battery cells.
Release pressure from the battery pack housing when pressure exceeds a selected threshold.
Enable liquid proof and dust proof (or substantially liquid proof and dust proof) battery pack housing/components.
Receive a portion of one or more battery cells as the battery cells expand or swell, accommodating expansion.
Expand as one or more battery cells expand or swell.
Reduce or eliminate pathogen growth or adhesion on the battery pack housing.
Documented Applications
Battery packs and thermally shielded receptacles for rechargeable batteries comprising individual battery cells, configured to mitigate catastrophic thermal runaway by containing heat and separating adjacent cells.
Battery pack architectures with hermetic sealing (liquid proof and dust proof, or substantially so) and a pressure seal to release pressure when a selected threshold is exceeded.
Thermally shielded receptacles structured to accommodate battery cell expansion or swelling using a cavity/recess or a flexible expandable material.
Shielding receptacles using first and second shielding receptacle sections with corresponding cell pockets that define shielding compartments when coupled face-to-face.
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