Battery cell comprising selectively activated fluid inlet

Abstract

A battery module includes a module housing including a plurality of walls defining an interior, an amount of fluid disposed in the interior, and a plurality of battery cells disposed in the interior and at least partially immersed in the amount of fluid. Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a battery cell canister having an interior portion defined by a first wall member, a second wall member disposed opposite the first wall member, a first side wall member, and a second side wall member extending between and connected to the first wall member and the second wall member. The second wall member includes an exhaust port. The electrode stack is disposed in the inner portion. The battery cell canister includes a thermally responsive fluid inlet that selectively exposes an interior portion of the battery cell canister to an amount of fluid contained in the interior of the module housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of battery assemblies and, more particularly, to battery cells including selectively activated fluid inlets. Background Art

[0002] Rechargeable battery systems typically include a plurality of connected battery cells arranged in a housing to form a battery module. A plurality of battery modules are connected and arranged in a housing to form a battery assembly. The battery assembly can be used to provide power to a vehicle such as an automobile. In such an environment, the battery assembly is connected to a load, such as a drive motor and a charging port, which can be connected to an electrical energy source. The battery assembly discharges to the drive motor to provide power to the vehicle and is charged through the charging port.

[0003] When a battery assembly is cycled, that is, undergoing periods of discharge to a load and charge through a charging port, heat is generated in the battery cells. If the battery cells are discharged too deeply or improperly charged, the heat generated can be so great that a chemical reaction can result. The chemical reaction can ultimately lead to a thermal runaway condition. Thermal runaway is a design consideration when producing batteries. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a battery module with a system that limits the spread of heat through the battery assembly. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to a non-limiting example, a battery module includes a module housing including a plurality of walls defining an interior, a certain amount of fluid arranged in the interior, and a plurality of battery cells arranged in the interior and at least partially immersed in the certain amount of fluid. Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a battery cell can having an interior portion defined by a first wall member, a second wall member arranged opposite to the first wall member, a first side wall member, and a second side wall member extending between and connected to the first wall member and the second wall member. The second wall member includes an exhaust port. An electrode stack is arranged in the interior portion. The battery cell can includes a thermally responsive fluid inlet, which is arranged in one of the first wall member, the second wall member, the first side wall member, and the second side wall member. The thermally responsive fluid inlet selectively exposes the interior portion of the battery cell can to a certain amount of fluid contained in the interior of the module housing.

[0005] In addition to one or more features described herein, the thermally responsive fluid inlet includes a thermally responsive hatch.

[0006] In addition to one or more features described herein, a quantity of thermally responsive adhesive bonds the thermally responsive hatch to one of the first wall member, the second wall member, the first side wall member, and the second side wall member.

[0007] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first hatch support is disposed adjacent the thermally responsive fluid inlet and the second hatch support is disposed adjacent the thermally responsive fluid inlet opposite the first hatch support.

[0008] In addition to one or more features described herein, the thermally responsive hatch is supported between a first hatch support and a second hatch support.

[0009] In addition to one or more features described herein, a quantity of thermally responsive adhesive secures the thermally responsive hatch over the fluid inlet between the first hatch support and the second hatch support.

[0010] According to a non-limiting example, a vehicle includes a body having a passenger compartment, a drive motor mounted in the body, and a rechargeable energy storage system including a battery assembly mounted to the body. The battery assembly includes a battery module having a module housing including a plurality of walls defining an interior, a certain amount of fluid arranged in the interior, and a plurality of battery cells arranged in the interior and at least partially immersed in the certain amount of fluid. Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a battery cell can having an interior portion defined by a first wall member, a second wall member arranged opposite to the first wall, a first side wall member, and a second side wall member extending between and connected to the first wall member and the second wall member. The second wall member includes an exhaust port. An electrode stack is arranged in the interior portion. The battery cell can includes a thermally responsive fluid inlet, which is arranged in one of the first wall member, the second wall member, the first side wall member, and the second side wall member. The thermally responsive fluid inlet selectively exposes the interior portion of the battery cell can to a certain amount of fluid contained in the interior of the module housing.

[0011] In addition to one or more features described herein, the thermally responsive fluid inlet includes a thermally responsive hatch.

[0012] In addition to one or more features described herein, a quantity of thermally responsive adhesive bonds the thermally responsive hatch to one of the first wall member, the second wall, the first side wall member, and the second side wall member.

[0013] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first hatch support is disposed adjacent the thermally responsive fluid inlet and the second hatch support is disposed adjacent the thermally responsive fluid inlet opposite the first hatch support.

[0014] In addition to one or more features described herein, the thermally responsive hatch is supported between a first hatch support and a second hatch support.

[0015] In addition to one or more features described herein, a quantity of thermally responsive adhesive secures the thermally responsive hatch over the fluid inlet between the first hatch support and the second hatch support.

[0016] A method for cooling a battery cell comprises exhausting high-temperature and high-pressure gas from the battery cell through an exhaust port, activating a thermally responsive fluid inlet with the high-temperature and high-pressure gas, forcing the thermally responsive fluid inlet to close with the high-temperature and high-pressure gas after activating the thermally responsive fluid inlet, opening the thermally responsive fluid inlet, and filling the battery cell with fluid flowing through the thermally responsive fluid inlet.

[0017] In addition to one or more features described herein, activating the thermally responsive fluid inlet includes heating the thermally responsive hatch with a high temperature and high pressure gas.

[0018] In addition to one or more features described herein, heating the thermally responsive hatch includes degrading a thermally responsive adhesive bonding the thermally responsive hatch to the battery cell wall.

[0019] In addition to one or more features described herein, forcing the thermally responsive inlet to close includes pressurizing the thermally responsive hatch with a high temperature and high pressure gas.

[0020] In addition to one or more features described herein, opening the thermally responsive inlet includes removing pressure from the thermally responsive hatch.

[0021] In addition to one or more features described herein, opening the thermally responsive access port includes releasing the thermally responsive hatch.

[0022] In addition to one or more features described herein, filling the battery cells with a fluid includes transferring the fluid from a battery module housing containing a plurality of battery cells into the battery cells, exhausting high temperature and high pressure gas.

[0023] In addition to one or more features described herein, exhausting the high temperature and high pressure gas through the exhaust port includes passing the high temperature and high pressure gas through an opening in the battery cell that is spaced apart from an upper surface of the fluid in the battery module housing.

[0024] The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, which refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 is a left side view of a vehicle including a battery assembly having a battery cell including a thermally responsive fluid inlet according to a non-limiting example;

[0027] Figure 2 is a view of a battery assembly having a battery cell including a thermally responsive fluid inlet according to a non-limiting example;

[0028] Figure 3is a perspective view of a battery module housing a battery cell including a thermally responsive fluid inlet according to a non-limiting example;

[0029] Figure 4A is a perspective view of a battery cell including a thermally responsive fluid inlet according to a non-limiting example;

[0030] Figure 4B is taken along line 4B-4B according to a non-limiting example Figure 4A A cross-sectional view of a battery cell;

[0031] Figure 5A According to non-limiting examples Figure 4A A cross-sectional view of a battery cell showing high temperature and high pressure gas generated in the battery cell;

[0032] Figure 5B According to non-limiting examples Figure 5A a cross-sectional view of a battery cell showing high temperature and high pressure gas activating a thermally responsive inlet; and

[0033] Figure 5C According to non-limiting examples Figure 5B A cross-sectional view of a battery cell showing fluid entering the battery cell through a thermally responsive fluid inlet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts and features.

[0035] According to a non-limiting example, the vehicle Figure 1 1. The vehicle 10 is generally indicated at 10. The vehicle 10 includes a body 12 supported on a plurality of wheels 16. The body 12 partially defines a passenger compartment 20 having a seat 23 located behind an instrument panel 26. A steering controller 30 is disposed between the seat 23 and the instrument panel 26. The steering controller 30 is operated to control the orientation of selected wheels of the plurality of wheels 16. The vehicle 10 includes an electric drive motor 34 that provides power to one or more of the plurality of wheels 16.

[0036] A rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) or battery assembly 38 is disposed within the vehicle body 12 and provides power to the electric drive motor 34. At this point, it should be appreciated that the location of the electric drive motor 34 and the battery assembly 38 may vary. Figure 2, the battery assembly 38 includes a housing 48, which includes a bottom wall 52 and a plurality of side walls 54. The side walls 54 include a first side wall 58, a second side wall 59, a third side wall 60, and a fourth side wall 61 that together define an interior area 64. According to a non-limiting example, the housing 48 is shown to include a centerline 66. The centerline 66 extends between the third sidewall 60 and the fourth sidewall 61 and is equidistant from the first sidewall 58 and the second sidewall 59.

[0037] In a non-limiting example, the first plurality of battery modules 72 are disposed between the centerline 66 and the first side wall 58, and the second plurality of battery modules 74 are disposed between the centerline 66 and the second side wall 59. Figure 3 , and continue to refer to Figure 2 One of the first plurality of battery modules 72 is described, and it should be understood that the remaining battery modules in the first plurality of battery modules 72 and the second plurality of battery modules 74 include corresponding structures.

[0038] refer to Figure 3 , the battery module 72 includes a module housing 86 having a plurality of walls 88 defining an interior 90. In a non-limiting example, a plurality of battery cells 94 are disposed within the interior 90. A quantity of fluid 96 partially fills the interior 90. Each of the plurality of battery cells 94 includes a battery cell can 98 having an interior portion 104, such as Figure 4B As shown, an electrode stack 106 is arranged in the inner part 104 .

[0039] The battery cell can 98 is partially immersed in a certain amount of fluid 96, and as shown in FIG. Figure 4A As shown, it includes a first wall member 108, a second wall member 109 and a plurality of side wall members 111 extending between and connected to the first wall member 108 and the second wall member 109. The plurality of side wall members 111 include at least a first side wall member 113 and a second side wall member 114. In a non-limiting example, an exhaust port 118 is formed in the first wall member 108. The first wall member 108 is further shown as supporting a first electrode 120, which may be an anode, and a second electrode 122, which may be a cathode. At this point, it should be understood that the positions of the outlet 118, the first electrode 120, and the second electrode 122 can vary. In addition, each of the outlet 118, the first electrode 120, and the second electrode 122 can be on the same wall member or on different wall members.

[0040] In a non-limiting example, the thermally responsive fluid inlet 130 is formed in the first sidewall member 113, such as Figure 4BAs will be described in detail herein, after the gas is exhausted from the inner portion 104, the thermally responsive fluid inlet 130 will open, allowing a portion of the amount of fluid 96 to flow in and cool the electrode stack 106. In a non-limiting example, the thermally responsive hatch 133 is secured over the thermally responsive fluid inlet 130 with an amount of thermally responsive adhesive 136. When exposed to a selected temperature, the thermally responsive adhesive 136 degrades, allowing the thermally responsive hatch 133 to separate and open the thermally responsive fluid inlet 130. The thermally responsive hatch 133 can be supported between a first hatch support 140 and a second hatch support 142 that protrude from an inner surface (not separately labeled) of the first sidewall member 113.

[0041] In a non-limiting example, one of the plurality of battery cells 94 may experience a failure that results in an exothermic reaction that generates high temperature and high pressure gas in the interior portion 104. At this point, it should be understood that the high temperature and high pressure gas is a gas "G" having a temperature exceeding 1000°C and a pressure exceeding 150 kPa. The high temperature and high pressure gas "G" breaks through the exhaust port 118 and begins to flow to the surrounding environment, such as Figure 5A At the same time, the high temperature and high pressure gas "G" acts on the thermally responsive adhesive 136, releasing the adhesive holding the thermally responsive hatch 133 above the thermally responsive fluid inlet 130, as shown. Figure 5B Although the bond may be lost, the high temperature and high pressure gas “G” present in the inner portion 104 continues to hold the thermally responsive hatch 133 above the thermally responsive fluid inlet 130 .

[0042] As the high temperature and high pressure gas "G" passes through the exhaust port 118, the pressure in the interior portion 104 decreases, allowing the thermally responsive hatch 133 to fall from the thermally responsive fluid inlet 130, as shown in FIG. Figure 5C As shown. In a non-limiting example, the temperature in the interior portion 104 rises to the point where the hatch supports 140 and 142 fail, allowing the thermally responsive hatch 133 to drop and expose the thermally responsive fluid inlet 130. In another non-limiting example, once the pressure in the interior portion 104 drops, a certain amount of fluid 96 can simply force the thermally responsive hatch 133 to open the thermally responsive fluid inlet 130 inward. In yet another non-limiting example, the high temperature and high pressure gas deforms the thermally responsive hatch 133, exposing the thermally responsive hatch 130 to a certain amount of fluid 96.

[0043] At this point, a portion of the volume of fluid 96 within module housing 86 flows into interior portion 104 through thermally responsive fluid inlet 130 to cool electrode stack 106. By rapidly cooling electrode stack 106 within battery cell can 98, the chance of thermal runaway developing is significantly reduced.

[0044] The terms "one" and "an" do not indicate a limitation of quantity, but rather indicate the presence of at least one of the referenced items. The term "or" means "and / or", unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. References to "an aspect" throughout the specification mean that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, step, or characteristic) described in conjunction with that aspect is included in at least one aspect described herein, and may or may not be present in other aspects. In addition, it should be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner in various aspects.

[0045] When an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0046] Unless otherwise indicated herein, all test standards are the most recent standards in effect as of the filing date of the present application or, if priority is claimed, the filing date of the earliest priority application in which the test standards appear.

[0047] Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0048] Although the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for its elements without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt specific situations or materials to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope of the disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within its scope.

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: a module housing including a plurality of walls defining an interior; a quantity of fluid disposed within the interior; a plurality of battery cells disposed in the interior and at least partially immersed in the volume of fluid, each of the plurality of battery cells comprising a battery cell can having an interior portion defined by a first wall member, a second wall member disposed opposite the first wall member, a first side wall member, and a second side wall member extending between and connected to the first wall member and the second wall member, the second wall member comprising a vent; as well as an electrode stack arranged in the inner portion, In which, the battery cell can includes a thermally responsive fluid inlet, which is arranged in one of the first wall member, the second wall member, the first side wall member and the second side wall member, and the thermally responsive fluid inlet selectively exposes the internal portion of the battery cell can to a certain amount of fluid contained in the interior of the module housing.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The thermally responsive fluid inlet comprises a thermally responsive hatch.

3. The battery module of claim 2, further comprising a quantity of thermally responsive adhesive bonding the thermally responsive hatch to one of the first wall member, the second wall member, the first side wall member, and the second side wall member.

4. The battery module of claim 2, further comprising a first hatch support disposed adjacent to the thermally responsive fluid inlet and a second hatch support disposed adjacent to the thermally responsive fluid inlet opposite to the first hatch support.

5. The battery module according to claim 4, wherein: The thermally responsive hatch is supported between the first hatch support and a second hatch support.

6. The battery module of claim 5, further comprising a quantity of thermally responsive adhesive for securing the thermally responsive hatch over the thermally responsive fluid inlet between the first hatch support and the second hatch support.

7. A vehicle comprising: The body of the vehicle including the passenger compartment; a drive motor mounted in the vehicle body; as well as A rechargeable energy storage system includes a battery assembly mounted to a vehicle body, the battery assembly comprising: The battery module as claimed in claim 1.

8. A method for cooling a battery cell, the method comprising: Exhausting high-temperature and high-pressure gas from the battery cell through the exhaust port; activating a thermally responsive fluid inlet with a high temperature and high pressure gas; After activating the thermally responsive fluid inlet, forcing the thermally responsive fluid inlet to close using high temperature and high pressure gas; opening a thermally responsive fluid inlet; as well as The battery cell is filled with fluid through the thermally responsive fluid inlet.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein: Activating the thermally responsive fluid inlet includes heating a thermally responsive hatch with the high temperature and high pressure gas.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein: Heating the thermally responsive hatch includes degrading a thermally responsive adhesive bonding the thermally responsive hatch to a wall of the battery cell.

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