Active Thermal Management and Thermal Runaway Prevention for High Energy Density Lithium-Ion Battery Packs

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for battery thermal management. In one or more implementations, the disclosed method includes sensing a temperature of at least one battery cell with at least one temperature sensor, wherein the at least one battery cell is at least partially submerged within a liquid contained within the battery housing. The method further includes comparing the temperature of the at least one battery cell to a maximum threshold temperature and commanding activation of the cooling unit when the at least one processor determines that the temperature of the at least one battery cell is above the maximum threshold temperature. Additionally, the method includes circulating, by at least one pump, the liquid from the battery housing to the cooling unit and back to the battery housing via conduits.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates to thermal management and thermal runaway prevention. In particular, the present disclosure relates to active thermal management and thermal runaway prevention for high energy density lithium-ion battery packs. Background technique [0002] Lithium-ion battery cells and packs have two major concerns related to thermal management that must be addressed to ensure safety and long life. A first concern is that individual battery cells must be kept within their specified temperature range, and temperature differentials between cells within the pack must be maintained to ensure long life and maximize pack value. A second concern is that defective, damaged, or misused cells may go into thermal runaway (especially at high temperatures), resulting in compromised cells and batteries, often in a manner that is not controlled by the battery design. [0003] Currently, there are various solutions for cooling batteries that use liqui...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The first concern is that individual battery cells must be kept within their specified temperature range and temperature differentials between cells within the pack must be maintained to ensure long life and maximize pack value

A second concern is that defective, damaged, or misused cells may go into thermal runaway (especially at high temperatures), resulting in compromised cells and batteries, often in ways that are not controlled by the battery design.

While potentially beneficial in preventing thermal runaway from individual battery cells, these solutions are passive and allow heat to build up to the melting point of the phase change material beyond that which is removed from the case by convection, or require additional piping and / or catheters to implement traditional active management solutions, which add the weight and volume associated with additional tubing and / or catheters to the weight, volume, and cost of the phase change material itself

In either case, there is the possibility that the phase change material will already be in its molten state when thermal runaway begins, and thus cannot provide any ability to prevent unwanted thermal events

In addition, the fabrication of bulk phase change material embedded in the bonding mix and machining of the resulting bulk material into a shape suitable for the application adds to the overall cost of the system

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