Battery system thermal management

Abstract

Power supply systems and associated methods of operation are provided based on the incorporation of a supply of phase change material in thermal contact with at least one cell element capable of a heat-generating charge or discharge of power. Also disclosed, such as for increased or improved heat transfer and dissipation, is battery module incorporation of a heat-conductive containment lattice member such as having a plurality of openings wherein at least a portion of the supply of the phase change material can be disposed as well as the inclusion of a plurality of module housing-protruding heat transfer fins.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application, Ser. No. 09 / 515,268, filed on 28 Feb. 2000. The co-pending parent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and is made a part hereof, including but not limited to those portions which specifically appear hereinafter.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to battery power supply and, more particularly, to thermal management in such battery power supply systems. The word “battery” here is meant to include various forms of electrochemical power generation which have in common that chemical energy, in the form of one or more chemical reactants stored in a confined space, react with each other or with an external reactant in an electrochemical reaction, so as to produce electric power when desired. [0003] Various uses of battery power supplies have been well established. For example, the packaging together of a plurality ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The prior art generally fails to provide a power supply system and method of operation which provides or results in thermal management which is either or both as effective and efficient as may be desired.

Further, the prior art generally fails to provide power supply system thermal management and operation such as may more conveniently or effectively permit the use of larger-sized battery power supplies such as contemplated or envisioned for certain applications, such as to power electric vehicles, for example.

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