Battery module exhaust emissions

Abstract

An apparatus for managing gas generated by a battery includes a battery housing containing a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell having a vent for releasing pressurized gas. A thermal barrier layer is positioned alongside the cell with the sacrificial regions matching the number of exhaust portions. On the other side of the barrier, an exhaust conduit collects gases from any exhaust battery through the sacrificial region, and then directs it outside the battery housing into the ambient environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for venting battery exhaust gases. Background Art

[0002] High capacity lithium-ion battery packs are used in many consumer and industrial sectors, including transportation and grid applications. High capacity battery packs are known to include multiple battery pack modules, allowing flexibility in configuration and adaptation to application requirements. For example, in automotive applications, the battery pack may be modular so that the number of battery modules may be varied to accommodate the desired energy density or range goals, intended use, or other goals for a particular vehicle platform. For example, a battery module may be composed of tightly packed pouch battery cells, prismatic battery cells, or cylindrical battery cells.

[0003] Unexpected thermal events in lithium-ion battery cells due to localized heating and / or bridging may result in damage to the cell. The battery cell may include a designed cell vent for releasing internal cell pressurized gases during such a thermal event. It is desirable to mitigate the propagation of a thermal event from one battery cell to another. Summary of the invention

[0004] In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for exhausting battery exhaust may include a battery housing that houses a plurality of battery cells, at least one exhaust manifold adjacent to the plurality of battery cells, the at least one exhaust manifold being configured to receive gas from any battery cell being exhausted from a corresponding cell exhaust portion and to isolate the gas from any battery cell that is not being exhausted; and at least one exhaust discharge flow channel fluidly connecting the exhaust manifold to an ambient environment external to the battery housing to provide a path for gas isolated from the battery cells.

[0005] In addition to one or more features described herein, the apparatus may further include a thermal barrier layer between the at least one exhaust manifold and the battery cells, the thermal barrier layer including a plurality of sacrificial regions corresponding in number to the plurality of battery cells, each sacrificial region aligned over a respective cell exhaust portion.

[0006] In addition to one or more features described herein, the apparatus may further include a thermal barrier layer between the at least one exhaust gas discharge flow path and the battery cell.

[0007] In addition to one or more features described herein, the thermal barrier layer between the at least one exhaust manifold and the battery cells and the thermal barrier layer between the at least one exhaust gas discharge flow channel and the battery cells are monolithic thermal barrier layers.

[0008] In addition to one or more features described herein, a thermal barrier layer between at least one exhaust manifold and the battery cells may include mica.

[0009] In addition to one or more features described herein, the effective length of the at least one exhaust discharge runner is at least substantially half the length of the at least one exhaust manifold.

[0010] In addition to one or more features described herein, the at least one exhaust gas discharge runner may include a pair of exhaust gas discharge runners, and the at least one exhaust manifold is located between the pair of exhaust gas discharge runners.

[0011] In addition to one or more features described herein, the at least one exhaust discharge runner substantially surrounds the at least one exhaust manifold.

[0012] In addition to one or more features described herein, the at least one exhaust manifold may include a plurality of exhaust manifolds, and wherein the at least one exhaust discharge runner is not between any two of the plurality of exhaust manifolds.

[0013] In addition to one or more features described herein, the at least one exhaust manifold may include a plurality of exhaust manifolds, wherein the at least one exhaust exhaust runner includes a single exhaust exhaust runner, and wherein the single exhaust exhaust runner is fluidly coupled to the plurality of exhaust manifolds.

[0014] In addition to one or more features described herein, the at least one exhaust manifold may include a pair of exhaust manifolds, and the at least one exhaust discharge runner is located between the pair of exhaust manifolds.

[0015] In addition to one or more features described herein, the at least one exhaust exhaust runner may include a plurality of exhaust exhaust runners having respective cross-sectional areas, wherein the at least one exhaust manifold includes a single exhaust manifold having a respective cross-sectional area, and wherein the respective cross-sectional area of ​​the single exhaust manifold is less than the sum of the respective cross-sectional areas of the plurality of exhaust exhaust runners.

[0016] In addition to one or more features described herein, the at least one exhaust gas discharge runner and the at least one exhaust manifold are substantially coplanar.

[0017] In addition to one or more features described herein, the at least one exhaust discharge runner and the at least one exhaust manifold are stacked in adjacent layers.

[0018] In addition to one or more features described herein, the at least one exhaust gas discharge flow channel is open to an ambient environment outside of the battery housing at multiple ends of the battery housing.

[0019] In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for exhausting battery gas may include a battery housing accommodating a plurality of battery cells, and an exhaust conduit adjacent to the plurality of battery cells, the exhaust conduit being configured to receive gas from any battery cell being exhausted from a corresponding cell exhaust portion, isolate the gas from any battery cell not being exhausted, and fluidly connect the gas to an ambient environment outside the battery housing through a flow channel.

[0020] In addition to one or more features described herein, the apparatus may further include a thermal barrier layer between the exhaust conduit and the battery cells, the thermal barrier layer including a plurality of sacrificial regions corresponding in number to the plurality of battery cells, each sacrificial region aligned over a respective cell exhaust.

[0021] In yet another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for venting battery gas may include: a battery housing accommodating a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell having a respective cell vent for releasing pressurized gas from the respective battery cell, a thermal barrier layer having a first side adjacent to the battery cells and an opposing second side, the thermal barrier layer having a plurality of sacrificial regions corresponding in number to the plurality of battery cells, each sacrificial region aligned over a respective cell vent and opening and allowing pressurized gas to flow therethrough in response to pressurized gas released from the respective cell vent, and a gas vent conduit adjacent to the second side of the thermal barrier layer and configured to receive pressurized gas from any battery cell that vents pressurized gas from the respective cell vent through the respective sacrificial region, and fluidly couple the pressurized gas to an ambient environment outside the battery housing.

[0022] In addition to one or more features described herein, the exhaust conduit includes an exhaust manifold that receives the pressurized gas and at least one exhaust exhaust flow passage that fluidly couples the exhaust manifold to an ambient environment outside of the battery housing.

[0023] In addition to one or more features described herein, the at least one exhaust gas discharge flow passage includes at least one switchback change of direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, from the following detailed description, which refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1A and 1B illustrates a single vertically stacked prismatic battery module according to one or more embodiments;

[0026] Figure 2A and 2B illustrates a single vertically stacked pouch battery module according to one or more embodiments;

[0027] Figure 3A and 3B shows a dual horizontally stacked pouch battery module according to one or more embodiments;

[0028] Figures 4A-4F depicts an exhaust conduit having a single exhaust manifold and a single exhaust runner according to one or more embodiments;

[0029] Figures 5A-5H An exhaust conduit 111 having a single exhaust manifold 113 and a pair of exhaust runners 115 is depicted according to one or more embodiments;

[0030] Fig. 6A and 6B depicts an exhaust conduit 111 having a single exhaust manifold 113 and a plurality of exhaust runners 115 according to one or more embodiments; and

[0031] Figures 7A-7C An exhaust duct 111 is depicted having a dual exhaust manifold 113 and single or multiple exhaust runners 115 according to one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or uses. Throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate identical or corresponding parts and features. The description of components and features in one drawing is understood to apply to components and features in other drawings sharing the same reference numerals, as long as such components and features cannot be otherwise distinguished by one of ordinary skill in the art through inspection of the drawings or through additional written descriptions herein.

[0033] According to the present disclosure, a device for discharging battery cell exhaust from a battery module is applicable to various battery cell types and configurations. For example, a battery module can be manufactured by one or more stacks of prismatic battery cells or soft-pack battery cells or alternative groupings of cylindrical batteries. The individual battery cells can be oriented vertically within the housing, or can be oriented horizontally within the housing. Multiple stacks of battery cells can be packaged together in a battery module, for example, two horizontally oriented stacks can be packaged side by side in a single battery module, or two vertically oriented stacks can be packaged one on top of the other in a single battery module. Hot gases exhausted from the battery cells within the battery module can be collected in an exhaust duct, isolated from the remaining battery cells that are not in the exhaust, and directed to the surrounding environment outside the battery housing. The surrounding environment can be within a battery pack housing, wherein the battery module is one of a plurality of such battery modules within such a housing. The exhaust duct may include an exhaust manifold arranged near the cell exhaust portion so that hot gases discharged from any battery can be collected in the manifold. The manifold may be fluidly coupled to an exhaust discharge flow channel that leads to the surrounding environment outside the battery housing. The exhaust conduit may include one or more exhaust manifolds and one or more exhaust discharge flow channels. Compared to an unconstrained and non-directional exhaust path, the exhaust discharge flow channel can increase the distance that the gas travels before being released to the surrounding environment outside the battery housing. Therefore, the path provided by the exhaust flow channel can be considered to be circuitous, as long as it can be longer than the most direct path for the gas to leave the battery housing, which can produce cooler gas when the gas is released to the surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the exhaust flow channel may be a straight flow channel from the manifold to the flow channel outlet. In other embodiments, the exhaust flow channel may be tortuous and include turns and redirections, including a change in direction of the turnback, so as to increase the travel length of the exhaust. In some embodiments, the exhaust manifold may lead to an exhaust flow channel having a larger physical or effective cross-sectional area than the exhaust manifold, thereby allowing the volume of the gas to expand, which can produce cooler gas when the gas is released to the surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the exhaust flow channel may split the airflow and be directed to multiple exit points. In some embodiments, the split airflow may be recombined downstream of the exhaust flow channel. In some embodiments, the exhaust duct may be on one side of a single battery cell stack and connected to a single battery cell stack, while in other embodiments, the exhaust duct may be connected to two adjacent battery cell stacks stacked side by side or vertically. In some embodiments, the thermal barrier layer may be between the exhaust portion of the battery cell stack and the exhaust manifold, and include a sacrificial area above the battery cell exhaust portion, which is designed to burst or yield to the pressurized gas exhausted from the corresponding battery cell exhaust portion, so that the remaining battery cells that are not exhausted are thermally isolated from the exhaust in the exhaust manifold. Similarly, the thermal barrier layer may extend between the exhaust flow channel and the battery cells so that they are thermally isolated from the exhaust in the exhaust flow channel.In some embodiments, the exhaust manifold and the exhaust runners may be substantially coplanar on a single layer. In other embodiments, the exhaust manifold and the exhaust runners may be stacked in adjacent layers.

[0034] Figure 1A and Figure 1B An exemplary embodiment of a battery module 101 is shown, which may be one of a plurality of similar battery modules included in, for example, a battery pack of a battery electric vehicle. Such an exemplary battery module may find application outside of battery electric vehicles, such as in off-grid power quality and storage applications, in other battery pack combinations, or as a stand-alone battery module.

[0035] The battery module 101 may include a cover 105 and an opposing bottom 107, as well as side walls 106 that generally define a substantially rectangular housing 103 as shown. The housing 103 may provide structure, mounting features, electrical connections, and containment of the plurality of battery cells 102. Figure 1A and Figure 2A The embodiment of FIG. 1 shows a single stack of vertically oriented prismatic battery cells 102 within a housing 103. Each battery cell 102 may include a corresponding cell vent 109. The cell vent 109 may be strategically designed to rupture at a certain pressure threshold, allowing gas to escape, thereby relieving pressure within the battery. Figure 1A and Figure 1BAn embodiment is shown in which the cell vent 109 is centrally located between the opposite ends of the battery cell 102. The central location shown of the cell vent 109 is exemplary, and it should be understood that the location can be closer to one end than the other end. An exhaust conduit 111 is shown to show the features that form a central exhaust manifold 113 and a plurality of exhaust flow channels 115 on either side thereof. The exhaust flow channels 115 are fluidly coupled to the exhaust manifold 113 through ports 117. The exhaust flow channels 115 are also open at the ends of their flow channels, which can coincide with the ends or limits of the housing 103, so that the gases discharged into the exhaust manifold 113 move through the ports 117, into and through the exhaust flow channels 115, and out of the housing 103 to the ambient environment outside the battery housing 103. In one embodiment, a thermal barrier layer 121 can be located on the stack of vertically oriented prismatic battery cells 102 above the cell vent 109. The thermal barrier layer 121 may include a plurality of sacrificial areas 123 aligned above the plurality of cell exhausts 109. It should be understood that such a thermal barrier 121 is located between the battery cell 102 and at least the exhaust manifold 113. It should be understood that such a thermal barrier 121 may also be between the battery cell 102 and the exhaust flow channel 115. In an embodiment, the thermal barrier layer 121 and the sacrificial area 123 may be made of the same material. In an embodiment, the thermal barrier layer 121 may be made of a mica sheet, and the sacrificial area may be a thinned area of ​​the mica. The mica sheet may be self-structured, or it may be carried on a substrate as a composite layer or embedded in a substrate. Mica tape or a thin flexible aluminum foil backed glass cloth composite (thermal diffusion tape) may be adhesively applied to a carrier to provide a thermal barrier layer. Alternative materials for the thermal barrier layer 121 may include refractory materials, silicone elastomers, high glass-filled nylons, graphite, ceramics (such as alumina, zirconia), and non-porous cordierite.

[0036] Figure 2A and Figure 2B An exemplary embodiment of a battery module 101 is shown, which may be one of a plurality of similar battery modules included in, for example, a battery pack of a battery electric vehicle. Such an exemplary battery module may find application outside of battery electric vehicles, such as in grid-connected and off-grid power quality and storage applications, in other battery pack combinations, or as a stand-alone battery module.

[0037] The battery module 101 may include a Figure 1A The cover (not shown) and the opposite bottom 107 of the embodiment, and the sidewalls 106 generally define the substantially rectangular housing 103 as shown. The housing 103 can provide structure, mounting features, electrical connections and accommodation of the plurality of battery cells 102. Figure 2A and Figure 2BThe embodiment of FIG. 1 shows a single stack of vertically oriented pouch battery cells 102 within housing 103. Each battery cell 102 may include a respective cell vent located within region 124. The cell vents may be strategically designed to rupture at a certain pressure threshold, allowing gas to escape, thereby relieving pressure within the battery. Figure 2A An embodiment is shown in which a cell exhaust region 124 is centrally located between opposite ends of a battery cell 102. The central location of the cell exhaust portion shown is exemplary, and it should be understood that the location may be closer to one end than the other end. The exhaust conduit 111 is schematically shown to show the features forming a central exhaust manifold 113 and a pair of exhaust flow channels 115 on either side thereof. The exhaust flow channels 115 are fluidly coupled to the exhaust manifold 113 through ports 117. The exhaust flow channels 115 are also open at the ends of their flow channels, which may coincide with the ends or limits of the housing 103, so that the gas discharged into the exhaust manifold 113 moves through the ports 117, into and through the exhaust flow channels 115, and out of the housing 103 to the surrounding environment outside the battery housing 103. In an embodiment, the thermal barrier layer 121 may be above the cell exhaust portion in the cell exhaust region 124, on the stack of vertically oriented soft-pack battery cells 102. The thermal barrier layer 121 may include a plurality of sacrificial regions 123 aligned over a plurality of cell exhausts in the cell exhaust region 124. It will be appreciated that such a thermal barrier 121 is located between the battery cell 102 and at least the exhaust manifold 113. It will be appreciated that such a thermal barrier 121 may also be between the battery cell 102 and the exhaust flow channel 115. In an embodiment, the thermal barrier layer 121 and the sacrificial region 123 may be made of the same material. In one embodiment, the thermal barrier layer 121 may be made of a mica sheet, and the sacrificial region may be a thinned region of the mica. The mica sheet may be self-structuring, or it may be carried on or embedded in a substrate as a composite layer. Mica tape or a thin flexible aluminum foil backed glass cloth composite (thermal diffusion tape) may be adhesively applied to a carrier to provide a thermal barrier layer. Alternative materials for the thermal barrier layer 121 may include refractory materials, silicone elastomers, high glass-filled nylons, graphite, ceramics (such as alumina, zirconia), and non-porous cordierite.

[0038] Figure 3A and Figure 3B An exemplary embodiment of a battery module 101 is shown, which may be one of a plurality of similar battery modules included in, for example, a battery pack of a battery electric vehicle. Such an exemplary battery module may find application outside of battery electric vehicles, such as in grid-connected and off-grid power quality and storage applications, in other battery pack combinations, or as a stand-alone battery module.

[0039] The battery module 101 may include a cover, an opposing bottom, and side walls that generally define Figure 1A and Figure 2A The housing may provide structure, mounting features, electrical connections, and containment for the plurality of battery cells 102. Figure 3A and 3B The embodiment of FIG. 1 shows a stack of a pair of horizontally oriented pouch battery cells 102 within a housing. Each battery cell 102 may include a corresponding cell vent located within region 124. The cell vent may be strategically designed to rupture at a certain pressure threshold, allowing gas to escape, thereby relieving pressure within the battery. Figure 3A An embodiment is shown in which a cell vent region 124 is positioned toward one end of a battery cell 102. The illustrated end location of the cell vent is exemplary, and it will be appreciated that the location may be closer to the center of the battery cell 102. An exhaust conduit 111 is shown between stacks of battery cells. The exhaust conduit 111 is schematically illustrated to show features of an exhaust manifold 113 and a pair of exhaust flow channels 115 formed for a respective stack. Each exhaust flow channel 115 is fluidly coupled to a respective exhaust manifold 113 via a port 117. The exhaust flow channel 115 is also open at an end of its flow channel, which end may coincide with an end or limit of the housing such that gases exhausted into the exhaust manifold 113 move through the port 117, into and through the exhaust flow channel 115, and out of the housing to the surrounding environment outside the battery housing. Figure 3A and 3B In an embodiment, the exhaust flow channel 115 is located between the exhaust manifolds 113 (i.e., stacked in adjacent layers), wherein the exhaust flow channel is located on layer L2 and the exhaust manifolds 113 are located on the corresponding outer layers L1 and L3. In an embodiment, the thermal barrier layer 121 can be on the stack of vertically oriented soft-pack battery cells 102 above the cell exhaust portion in the cell exhaust area 124. The thermal barrier layer 121 can include a plurality of sacrificial areas 123 aligned above the corresponding plurality of cell exhaust portions in the cell exhaust area 124. It should be understood that such a thermal barrier 121 is located between the battery cell 102 and at least the exhaust manifold 113. It should be understood that such a thermal barrier 121 can also be between the battery cell 102 and the exhaust flow channel 115. In an embodiment, the thermal barrier layer 121 and the sacrificial area 123 can be made of the same material. In an embodiment, the thermal barrier layer 121 can be made of a mica sheet, and the sacrificial area can be a thinned area of ​​the mica. The mica sheet can be self-structured, or it can be carried on or embedded in a substrate as a composite layer. Mica tape or a thin flexible aluminum foil backed glass cloth composite (thermal diffusion tape) can be adhesively applied to a carrier to provide a thermal barrier layer. Alternative materials for thermal barrier layer 121 can include refractory materials, silicone elastomers, high glass filled nylon, graphite, ceramics (such as alumina, zirconia) and non-porous cordierite.

[0040] The remaining figures schematically illustrate various exemplary embodiments of exhaust ducts 111 in relation to several exemplary battery cells 102 in a stack for context. These exemplary embodiments are not intended to be limiting.

[0041] Figures 4A-4F An embodiment of an exhaust conduit 111 is depicted having a single exhaust manifold 113 and a single exhaust runner 115 , which for purposes of this description refers to the path for battery cell exhaust gases from port 117 to outlet 116 at the end of operation of exhaust runner 115 .

[0042] Figure 4A A single elongated exhaust manifold 113 is depicted, with a single port 117 located at one of its two ends 114, and opening into a single elongated exhaust flow channel 115 at one of its two ends 118. The exhaust flow channel 115 opens into an outlet 116 at the other of its two ends 118, which opens into the surrounding environment outside the corresponding battery housing (not shown). It can therefore be understood that the exhaust flow channel is approximately as long as the exhaust manifold 113. Figure 4B Depicted with Figure 4A 1, with the notable exception that the outlet 116 also opens through the side wall of the exhaust flow channel 115 at the end 118 opposite the port 117. It is understood that the positioning of the outlet 116 may be merely an embodiment design to achieve a specific desired release direction of the battery cell exhaust. Figure 4C A single elongated exhaust manifold 113 is depicted with a single port 117 located midway between its two ends 114 and opening into a single elongated exhaust flow channel 115 at one of its two ends 118. Exhaust flow channel 115 opens into an outlet 116 at the other of its two ends 118, which opens into the surrounding environment outside of the corresponding battery housing (not shown). It can therefore be appreciated that exhaust flow channel 115 is approximately half the length of exhaust manifold 113. Similar to Figure 4A and 4B The embodiment shown, Figure 4D A single elongated exhaust manifold 113 and a single port 117 are shown, located at one of its two ends 114 and opening into a single elongated exhaust runner 115 at one of its two ends 118. However, Figure 4DThe exhaust flow passage 115 in the embodiment of the present invention includes a reverse direction change 119 that wraps around the exhaust manifold end 114 opposite the port 117 so that it continues to the other of its two ends 118, to the outlet 116, to the surrounding environment outside the corresponding battery housing (not shown). Therefore, it can be understood that the exhaust flow passage 115 is arranged on both sides of the exhaust manifold 113 and is approximately twice as long as the exhaust manifold 113. It should be noted that the outlet 116 can alternatively open through the side wall of the exhaust flow passage 115, as shown in FIG. Figure 4B The embodiment described. Figure 4C Similar to the embodiment depicted in, Figure 4E A single elongated exhaust manifold 113 and a single port 117 located midway between its two ends 114 and opening into a single elongated exhaust runner 115 are depicted. Figure 4E The exhaust flow channel 115 in the embodiment includes a number of folded direction changes 119 between its two ends 118, thereby providing a tortuous serpentine exhaust flow channel 115 to the outlet 116, and the outlet 116 leads to the surrounding environment outside the corresponding battery housing (not shown). Therefore, it can be understood that the length of the exhaust flow channel 115 is more than three times the length of the exhaust manifold 113. Figure 4F Also depicted is a single elongated exhaust manifold 113 and a single port 117 located midway between its two ends 114 and opening into a single elongated exhaust runner 115 . Figure 4F The exhaust flow channel 115 in the embodiment of the present invention provides a split flow (upward and downward in the figure) when the battery cell exhaust gas leaves the exhaust manifold 113 at the port 117, and includes a return direction change 119 for each flow path between its two ends 118, thereby providing additional volume expansion of the gas without such a split flow. It should also be understood that the exhaust flow channel 115, using each split flow path from the port 117 to the outlet 116 as a measure, is approximately as long as the length of the exhaust manifold 113.

[0043] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5H An embodiment of an exhaust conduit 111 is depicted having a single exhaust manifold 113 and a pair of exhaust runners 115 , which for purposes of this specification means a path for battery cell exhaust from a port 117 to a respective outlet 116 at the end of the respective runners of the exhaust runners 115 .

[0044] Figure 5A A single elongated exhaust manifold 113 and a single port 117 are depicted, the single port 117 being located midway between its two ends 114 and leading to a pair of elongated exhaust flow passages 115. When the battery cell exhaust exits the exhaust manifold 113 at the port 117, Figure 5AThe exhaust flow channels 115 in the embodiment of provide a split flow (upward and downward in the figure), thereby providing additional volume expansion of the gas without such a split flow. Each exhaust flow channel 115 leads to a port 117 at one of its two ends 118, and leads to a corresponding outlet 116 at the other of its two ends 118, and the outlet 116 leads to the surrounding environment outside the corresponding battery housing (not shown). It should also be understood that the length of each exhaust flow channel 115 is approximately half the length of the exhaust manifold 113, using each split flow path from the port 117 to the outlet 116 as a measure. Figure 5B Depicted with Figure 5A 1, except that the outlet 116 also opens through the side wall of the exhaust flow channel 115 at the end 118 opposite the port 117. It is understood that the positioning of the outlet 116 can be merely an embodiment design to achieve a specific desired release direction of the battery cell exhaust. Figure 5C Depicted with Figure 5A and Figure 5B , with the notable exception that one of the outlets 116, while also at a corresponding end 118 opposite the port 117, opens through the side wall of the corresponding exhaust flow channel 115, while the other of the outlets 116, while also at a corresponding end 118 opposite the port 117, opens through the end of the corresponding exhaust flow channel 115. It is understood that the positioning of the outlets 116 may be merely an embodiment design to achieve a specific desired release direction of the battery cell exhaust, and in embodiments with multiple exhaust flow channels 115, the desired release direction of each corresponding exhaust flow channel 115 may be different. Figure 5D Also depicted is a single elongated exhaust manifold 113 and a single port 117 leading to a pair of elongated exhaust runners 115. However, the port 117 is located at one of the two ends 114 of the exhaust manifold 113. Figure 5D The exhaust runners 115 in the embodiment of the present invention provide a split flow when the battery cell exhaust gas leaves the exhaust manifold 113 at the port 117, thereby providing additional volume expansion of the gas without such a split flow. Therefore, it can be understood that the exhaust runners 115 are arranged on both sides of the exhaust manifold 113. It should also be understood that each exhaust runner 115 from the port 117 to the corresponding outlet 116 at the end 118 of each exhaust runner 115 opposite the port 117 is approximately as long as the length of the exhaust manifold 113. Figure 5E A single elongated exhaust manifold 113 is depicted having dual ports 117 located midway between its two ends 114 and opening to respective elongated exhaust runners 115 on opposite sides of the exhaust manifold 113 . Figure 5EThe exhaust flow passages 115 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 provide a split flow of the battery cell exhaust as it exits the exhaust manifold 113 through the dual ports 117 , thereby providing additional volume expansion of the gas that would not otherwise be present. Figure 5E Each exhaust flow channel 115 in the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of folded direction change portions 119 between its two ends 118, thereby providing a tortuous serpentine exhaust flow channel 115 to an outlet 116, which leads to the surrounding environment outside the corresponding battery housing (not shown). Therefore, it should be understood that the length of each exhaust flow channel 115 is about three times the length of the exhaust manifold 113, and as shown in the figure, the outlet is located in the middle of the outermost wall of the exhaust flow channel 115. It should also be understood that, as shown in FIG. Fig. 5F By relocating the outlet 116 to the end of the exhaust runner 115 , either or both of the exhaust runners may be made longer, extending the other half of the length of the exhaust manifold 113 , as shown in the embodiment of FIG. Figure 5G Also depicted is a single elongated exhaust manifold 113 having dual ports 117 located midway between its two ends 114 and opening to respective elongated exhaust runners 115 on opposite sides of the exhaust manifold 113 . Figure 5G Each exhaust flow channel 115 in the embodiment of the present invention provides a split flow (upward and downward in the figure) when the battery cell exhaust gas leaves the exhaust manifold 113 at the corresponding port 117, and includes a return direction change 119 for each flow path between its two ends 118, thereby providing additional volume expansion of the gas without such a split flow. It should also be understood that each exhaust flow channel 115 is approximately as long as the length of the exhaust manifold 113, using each split flow path from the corresponding port 117 to the corresponding outlet 116 as a measure. Figure 5H Describes something like Figure 5G The embodiment of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the embodiment of FIG. 2 , but has an exhaust runner 115 of extended length, wherein the split airflows are recombined and split again in each exhaust runner 115 .

[0045] Fig. 6A and 6B An embodiment of an exhaust conduit 111 having a single exhaust manifold 113 and a plurality of exhaust runners 115 is depicted, which for purposes of this specification means a path for battery cell exhaust from a port 117 to a respective outlet 116 at the end of the respective runner of the exhaust runner 115 .

[0046] Fig. 6A A single elongated exhaust manifold 113 is depicted having dual ports 117 located midway between its two ends 114 and opening to corresponding pairs of elongated exhaust runners 115 on opposite sides of the exhaust manifold 113 . Fig. 6AEach exhaust flow channel 115 in the embodiment of provides a split flow (upward and downward in the figure) when the battery cell exhaust leaves the exhaust manifold 113 at the corresponding port 117, and includes a switchback direction change 119 for each flow path between its two ends 118, thereby providing additional volume expansion of the gas in the absence of such a split flow. It should be understood that the length of each exhaust flow channel 115 is approximately half the length of the exhaust manifold 113, using each split flow path from the corresponding port 117 to the corresponding outlet 116 as a measure. It should also be understood that the multiple exhaust flow channels 115 and the corresponding multiple corresponding outlets 116 effectively distribute the battery cell exhaust and heat content to avoid the concentration of gas and heat to a more limited area, as is the case with fewer exhaust flow channels 115 and outlets 116. Figure 6B A single elongated exhaust manifold 113 is depicted having dual ports 117 located midway between its two ends 114 and opening to corresponding pairs of elongated exhaust runners 115 on opposite sides of the exhaust manifold 113. When the battery cell exhaust gas exits the exhaust manifold 113 at the corresponding ports 117, Figure 6B The exhaust flow channels 115 in the embodiment provide a diverted airflow (upward and downward in the figure), thereby providing additional volume expansion of the gas in the absence of such a diversion. Each exhaust flow channel 115 opens to a corresponding port 117 at one of its two ends 118, and opens to a corresponding outlet 116 at the other of its two ends 118, and the outlet 116 opens to the surrounding environment outside the corresponding battery housing (not shown). It should also be understood that the length of each exhaust flow channel 115 is approximately half the length of the exhaust manifold 113, using each diverted path from port 117 to outlet 116 as a measure. It should also be understood that multiple exhaust flow channels 115 and corresponding multiple corresponding outlets 116 effectively distribute battery cell exhaust and heat content to avoid gas and heat concentration in a more limited area, such as the case with fewer exhaust flow channels 115 and outlets 116.

[0047] Figures 7A-7C An embodiment of an exhaust duct 111 having a dual exhaust manifold 113 and single or multiple exhaust runners 115 is depicted, which for the purposes of this description means a path for battery cell exhaust from a port 117 to a respective outlet 116 at the end of the respective runner of the exhaust runner 115 .

[0048] Fig. 7A Dual elongated exhaust manifolds 113 are depicted with respective ports 117 leading to a single elongated exhaust runner 115. Ports 117 are located at one of the two ends 114 of the exhaust manifold 113. When battery cell exhaust exits the exhaust manifold 113 at respective ports 117, Fig. 7AThe exhaust runner 115 in the embodiment of the present invention can receive airflow from opposite sides. Therefore, it can be understood that the exhaust manifold 113 is arranged on both sides of the exhaust runner 115. It should also be understood that the exhaust runner 115 from the port 117 to the outlet 116 at the end 118 of the exhaust runner 115 opposite the port 117 is approximately as long as the length of the exhaust manifold 113. Figure 7B Dual elongated exhaust manifolds 113 are depicted with respective ports 117 leading to a single elongated exhaust runner 115. Ports 117 are located at one of the two ends 114 of the exhaust manifold 113. When battery cell exhaust exits the exhaust manifold 113 at respective ports 117, Figure 7B The exhaust runner 115 in the embodiment of the present invention can receive airflow from one side. Therefore, it should be understood that the exhaust manifold 113 is arranged on one side of the exhaust runner 115. It should also be understood that the exhaust runner 115 from the port 117 to the outlet 116 at the end 118 of the exhaust runner 115 opposite the port 117 is approximately as long as the length of the exhaust manifold 113. Figure 7C Dual elongated exhaust manifolds 113 are depicted with respective ports 117 , each having dual ports 117 located midway between its two ends 114 and opening into elongated exhaust runners 115 on opposite sides of the exhaust manifold 113 . Figure 7C The embodiment of EM depicts six exhaust runners, two between the exhaust manifolds 113 , and two on each respective opposite side of each exhaust manifold 113 . Figure 7C The exhaust flow channels 115 in the embodiment of provide a diverted flow (upward and downward in the figure) when the battery cell exhaust leaves the exhaust manifold 113 at the corresponding port 117, thereby providing additional volume expansion of the gas in the absence of such a diversion. Each exhaust flow channel 115 opens to a corresponding port 117 at one of its two ends 118, and opens to a corresponding outlet 116 at the other of its two ends 118, and the outlet 116 opens to the surrounding environment outside the corresponding battery housing (not shown). It should also be understood that the length of each exhaust flow channel 115 is approximately half the length of the exhaust manifold 113, using each diverted path from port 117 to outlet 116 as a measure. It should also be understood that multiple exhaust flow channels 115 and corresponding multiple corresponding outlets 116 effectively distribute the battery cell exhaust and heat content to avoid the concentration of gas and heat to a more limited area, such as the case with fewer exhaust flow channels 115 and outlets 116.

[0049] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that when used in this specification, the terms "include" and / or "comprise" specify the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or groups thereof.

[0050] All numerical values ​​herein are assumed to be modified by the term "about", whether or not explicitly stated. For the purposes of this disclosure, ranges may be expressed as from "about" one particular value to "about" another particular value. The term "about" generally refers to a range of values ​​that one skilled in the art would consider equivalent to the stated value, have the same function or result, or are generally reasonably within the manufacturing tolerance of the stated value. Similarly, the numerical values ​​set forth herein are provided as non-limiting examples and may be nominal values, it being understood that actual values ​​may differ from the nominal values ​​depending on the environment, design and manufacturing tolerances, aging, and other factors.

[0051] When an element such as a layer, film, region or substrate is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on another element, or there can also be an intermediate element. On the contrary, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there is no intermediate element. Similarly, when an element such as a layer, film, region or substrate is referred to as being "adjacent" to another element, it can be directly adjacent to another element in contact or spaced adjacent, and there can also be or be no intermediate element. On the contrary, when an element is referred to as being "directly adjacent" to another element, it can be directly adjacent to another element in contact or spaced adjacent, without the presence of an intermediate element. Therefore, unless explicitly described as "directly", when describing the relationship between the first element and the second element in the above disclosure, the relationship can be a direct relationship in which there are no other intermediate elements between the first element and the second element, but it can also be an indirect relationship in which there are (spatially or functionally) one or more intermediate elements between the first element and the second element.

[0052] One or more steps within the method may be performed in a different order (or simultaneously) without changing the principles of the present disclosure. In addition, although each embodiment is described above as having certain features, any one or more of those features described with respect to any embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented in and / or combined with the features of any other embodiment, even if the combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and the permutation of one or more embodiments with respect to each other is still within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0053] 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.

[0054] Unless otherwise indicated herein, all test standards are the most current standards in effect as of the filing date of this application or, if priority is claimed, the filing date of the earliest priority application in which the test standards appear.

[0055] 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 its scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt specific circumstances or materials to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the basic 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 device for discharging battery exhaust, comprising: A battery housing, accommodating a plurality of battery cells; at least one exhaust manifold adjacent the plurality of battery cells, the at least one exhaust manifold configured to receive gases from any battery cell being exhausted from a corresponding cell exhaust and to isolate the gases from any battery cell not being exhausted; as well as At least one exhaust gas discharge flow passage fluidly couples the exhaust manifold to an ambient environment outside of the battery housing to provide a path for gases isolated from the battery cells.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a thermal barrier layer between the at least one exhaust manifold and the battery cells, the thermal barrier layer comprising a plurality of sacrificial regions corresponding in number to the plurality of battery cells, each sacrificial region being aligned over a corresponding battery cell exhaust portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a thermal barrier layer between the at least one exhaust gas discharge flow channel and the battery cell.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein: The thermal barrier layer between the at least one exhaust manifold and the battery cells includes mica.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one exhaust gas discharge runner includes a pair of exhaust gas discharge runners, and the at least one exhaust manifold is located between the pair of exhaust gas discharge runners. 6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one exhaust manifold comprises a plurality of exhaust manifolds, and wherein the at least one exhaust discharge runner is not between any two of the plurality of exhaust manifolds.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one exhaust manifold comprises a plurality of exhaust manifolds, wherein the at least one exhaust exhaust runner comprises a single exhaust exhaust runner, and wherein the single exhaust exhaust runner is fluidly coupled to the plurality of exhaust manifolds.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one exhaust manifold includes a pair of exhaust manifolds, and the at least one exhaust discharge runner is located between the pair of exhaust manifolds.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one exhaust gas discharge runner and the at least one exhaust manifold are substantially coplanar.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one exhaust gas discharge runner and the at least one exhaust manifold are stacked in adjacent layers.

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