Battery Thermal Management System

Abstract

In certain embodiments, a battery thermal management system includes at least one battery, at least one thermoelectric device in thermal communication with the at least one battery, and a conduit comprising an inlet configured to allow a working fluid to enter and flow into the conduit and into thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The conduit further comprises an outlet configured to allow the working fluid to exit and flow from the conduit and away from being in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The battery thermal management system can further include a first flow control device which directs the working fluid through the inlet of the conduit and a second flow control device which directs the working fluid through the outlet of the conduit. The first flow control device and the second flow control device are each separately operable from one another.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 782,532 filed May 18, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application No. 61 / 179,326 filed May 18, 2009, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present application relates to battery thermal management systems and thermoelectric cooling and heating batteries.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]High performance batteries for use in large systems (including, for example, lithium based batteries used in electrical vehicles) have certain properties that make thermal management of the batteries and / or containment system desirable. Charging characteristics of high performance batteries change at elevated temperatures and can cause the cycle life of the batteries to decrease significantly if they are charged at too high of a temperature. For example, the cycle life of some lithiu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a battery thermal management system that includes a battery and multiple thermoelectric assemblies in thermal communication with the battery. The system includes a circuit that can switch the thermoelectric assemblies between being in parallel or in series electrical communication with each other. The system can also include a first conduit with at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and a first flow control device that directs a working fluid through the conduit. The system can also include a second conduit with at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and a second flow control device that directs the working fluid away from being in thermal communication with the battery. The system can also include a battery thermal management method that involves directing the working fluid through the conduit using the first and second flow control devices, and selectively inhibiting flow of the working fluid through one of the control devices. The technical effects of the patent include improved battery temperature control and efficient management of battery heat transfer.

Problems solved by technology

Charging characteristics of high performance batteries change at elevated temperatures and can cause the cycle life of the batteries to decrease significantly if they are charged at too high of a temperature.

Also, some high performance batteries can exhibit reduced performance and can be possibly damaged if charged or operated at too low of temperatures, such as below about −30° C. Furthermore, high performance batteries and arrays of high performance batteries can experience thermal events from which the batteries can be permanently damaged or destroyed, and over temperature condition can even result in fires and other safety related events.

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