SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THE TEMPERATURE OF INDIVIDUAL POUCH CELLS TO PROTECT AND LIMIT THERMAL RUNAWAY

Abstract

Accumulator system (104, 500), comprising: an accumulator cell (200, 304, 504) and a temperature measuring arrangement (248, 300, 508) arranged on a surface of the accumulator cell (200, 304, 504), the temperature measuring arrangement (248, 300, 508) comprising: a conductor strip (308, 408) and a plurality of temperature sensors (312, 400, 512) connected in series with the conductor strip (308, 408) in such a way that the current flowing through the conductor strip (308, 408) flows through each of the temperature sensors (312, 400, 512), wherein each of the plurality of temperature sensors (312, 400, 512) has at least one property that changes according to temperature, wherein the plurality of temperature sensors (312, 400, 512) are distributed at different locations over the surface of the accumulator cell (200, 304, 504); wherein an output current of the temperature measuring arrangement (248, 300, 508) changes according to a temperature change at one of the different locations; and wherein the temperature sensors (312, 400, 512) each comprise a plurality of low melting point alloy (LMPA) traces (404) connected in parallel to one another and in series with the conductor strip (308, 408).

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The information contained in this section is intended to provide a general context for the disclosure. Work by the presently named inventors, to the extent described in this section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise be considered prior art at the time of filing, are not expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against this disclosure.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for monitoring the temperature of pouch cells in storage batteries.

[0003] A battery or a battery system (e.g., a rechargeable battery for electric and / or hybrid electric vehicles) may comprise a plurality of battery cells. Types of rechargeable batteries include, among others, lithium-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries (Li-S batteries), lithium-metal batteries, and / or other types of rechargeable batteries. The battery cells may be embodied as pouch cells.

[0004] US 2012 / 0 106 593 A1 discloses a device for detecting battery faults, comprising at least one heat-sensitive element with a heat-dependent conductivity. If the heat-dependent conductivity exceeds a predetermined value, a faulty battery is disconnected from a system to prevent overheating. SUMMARY

[0005] A battery system comprises a battery cell and a temperature measuring arrangement arranged on a surface of the battery cell, wherein the temperature measuring arrangement comprises a conductor strip, and a plurality of temperature sensors connected in series with the conductor strip in such a way that current flowing through the conductor strip flows through each of the temperature sensors, wherein each of the plurality of temperature sensors has at least one property that changes according to temperature, wherein the plurality of temperature sensors are distributed at different locations over the surface of the battery cell and wherein an output current of the temperature measuring arrangement changes according to a change in temperature at one of the different locations.

[0006] The temperature sensors each comprise a plurality of low melting point alloy (LMPA) tracks connected in parallel to each other and in series with the conductor strip.

[0007] In other features, the LMPA sheets each have a different melting point.

[0008] In further features, the temperature sensors each comprise a temperature measuring component connected in series with the conductor strip.

[0009] In further features, the temperature measuring component comprises a resistance thermometer, a thermistor and / or a diode.

[0010] In other features, the conductor strip follows a serpentine path across the surface of the battery cell.

[0011] In addition, the accumulator system includes a variety of temperature measuring arrangements.

[0012] In further features, a system comprises the battery system and a temperature monitoring system configured to supply a voltage or current to the temperature measuring arrangement, receive the output current of the temperature measuring arrangement, and determine a temperature of the battery cell based on the output current.

[0013] In further features, the accumulator system comprises a plurality of accumulator cells.

[0014] Other characteristics include the battery cells being either pouch cells, prismatic cells or cylindrical cells.

[0015] In further features, the temperature monitoring system is configured to disconnect one or more selected pouch cells from the battery system in response to determining that the temperature of the one or more battery cells exceeds a predetermined temperature.

[0016] Further features include the pouch cells being lithium-ion pouch cells.

[0017] For further features, a vehicle includes the above system.

[0018] In one feature, a system for a vehicle comprises a battery system, the battery system comprising a plurality of pouch cells, a plurality of temperature measuring assemblies disposed on respective surfaces of each of the pouch cells, each of the plurality of temperature measuring assemblies comprising a conductor strip and a plurality of temperature sensors connected in series with the conductor strip in such a manner that current flowing through the conductor strip flows through each of the temperature sensors, each of the plurality of temperature sensors having at least one property that changes according to a temperature of the pouch cell, the plurality of temperature sensors being distributed at different locations over the respective surface of the pouch cell,and wherein an output current of the temperature measuring arrangement changes according to a change in temperature at any of the various locations, and a temperature monitoring system configured to receive the output currents from each of the temperature measuring arrangements and to determine the temperatures of the pouch cells based on the output currents.

[0019] In further features, each of the plurality of temperature sensors includes a plurality of low melting point alloy (LMPA) traces connected in parallel to each other and in series with the conductor strip.

[0020] In other features, the LMPA sheets each have a different melting point.

[0021] In further features, each of the plurality of temperature sensors comprises a resistance thermometer, a thermistor, and / or a diode.

[0022] In other features, the conductor strip follows a serpentine path with multiple changes of direction across the surface of the pouch cell.

[0023] Further features include a multitude of temperature sensors connected in parallel across the entire width of the pouch cells.

[0024] In further features, the temperature monitoring system is configured to disconnect one or more selected pouch cells from the battery system in response to determining that the temperature of the pouch cell exceeds a predetermined temperature.

[0025] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary vehicle system, Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B shows an exemplary battery cell, Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 3C, Fig. 3D and Fig. 3E show exemplary temperature measuring arrangements for a battery cell, Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B show exemplary temperature sensors of a temperature measuring arrangement and Fig. 5 shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary accumulator system and an exemplary temperature monitoring system.

[0027] Reference symbols may be reused in the drawings to identify similar and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Defects in battery cells, such as pouch cells (e.g., discontinuities such as full or partial cracks, blisters and / or tears in the collector foils, welding defects, air or gas pockets, etc.) can lead to battery cell failure and other failures such as thermal runaway. Thermal runaway (or thermal propagation) can refer to a condition in which the heat generated by a battery cell or battery module exceeds the amount of heat dissipated to the surroundings. In this case, the temperature of one battery can cause other batteries in the battery system to also become so hot that the heat dissipation is exceeded.

[0029] Battery systems with some types of battery cells (e.g., pouch cells in Li-ion batteries) do not have the ability to monitor the temperature of individual battery cells (e.g., pouch cells). Equipping individual pouch cells with thermocouples or other sensors, for example, increases the cost and weight of a battery pack.

[0030] Temperature monitoring systems and methods according to the present disclosure are configured to monitor the respective temperatures of individual or multiple pouch cells. Based on the monitored temperatures, a battery system can be controlled to lower the temperatures of selected pouch cells, isolate selected pouch cells from other cells in the battery system, etc.

[0031] For example, one or more temperature sensing traces (e.g., a temperature sensing array) are attached to a surface of a pouch cell. The temperature sensing traces are implemented, for example, as thin strips of low-melting-point alloys (LMPAs), strips of dielectric material with a linear change in resistance with temperature changes, etc. The traces are supplied with a current that is monitored. As the temperature of the pouch cell increases, the measured current changes and is an indicator of the pouch cell temperature. In systems using LMPAs, for example, portions of the traces melt as the temperature increases, and the measured current changes accordingly. In other words, portions of the traces act as thermal fuses.Conversely, in systems using dielectric materials, the resistance decreases (or increases in some examples) with increasing temperature, and the measured current changes accordingly. The temperature sensing paths can also be made of other materials with different physical and / or electrical properties that change with temperature.

[0032] Although described herein with respect to vehicle batteries (e.g., rechargeable batteries for electric or hybrid vehicles), the principles of the present disclosure may also be applied to batteries used in non-vehicle applications.

[0033] With reference to Fig. 1 shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary vehicle system 100 including a battery system 104 according to the present disclosure. The vehicle system 100 may correspond to an autonomous or non-autonomous vehicle. The vehicle may be an electric vehicle (as shown). In other examples, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in a hybrid electric vehicle or a non-vehicular application.

[0034] A vehicle control module 112 controls various functions of the vehicle system 100 and an engine (e.g., acceleration, braking, etc.). For example, the vehicle control module 112 may communicate with a transmission control module 116 to coordinate shifting in a transmission 120. For example, the vehicle control module 112 may communicate with the battery system 104 to coordinate the operation of an electric motor 128. Although only one electric motor is provided as an example, multiple electric motors may be used. The electric motor 128 may be a permanent magnet electric motor or other suitable electric motor that outputs a voltage based on the back electromagnetic force when freely rotated, such as a DC or synchronous electric motor. In various implementations, various functions of the vehicle control module 112 and the transmission control module 116 may be integrated into one or more modules.

[0035] The battery system 104 applies electrical energy to the electric motor 128 to cause the electric motor 128 to output positive torque. For example, the vehicle control module 112 may include an inverter or inverter module (not shown) to transfer the electrical energy from the battery system 104 to the electric motor 128. The electric motor 128 may output the torque, for example, to an input shaft of the transmission 120, to an output shaft of the transmission 120, or to another component. A clutch 132 may be used to couple the electric motor 128 to the transmission 120 and to decouple the electric motor 128 from the transmission 120.One or more gearing devices may be configured between an output of the electric motor 128 and an input of the transmission 120 to provide one or more predetermined gear ratios between the rotation of the electric motor 128 and the rotation of the input of the transmission 120.

[0036] A battery control module (e.g., including a vehicle management system, a battery management system, etc.) 136 is configured to control functions of the battery system 104, including, but not limited to, controlling the switching of individual battery modules or cells of the battery system 104, monitoring operating parameters, diagnosing faults, etc. The battery control module 136 may be further configured to communicate with a telematics module 140. The battery system 104 according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a temperature monitoring system configured to monitor the temperatures of individual battery cells (e.g., pouch cells) of the battery system 104, as described in more detail below.

[0037] In Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B shows an exemplary battery cell (e.g., a battery pouch cell) 200 for supplying a load 204. The battery cell 200 corresponds, for example, to a lithium-ion, Li-S, or lithium-metal battery for a vehicle. As shown in Fig. As shown schematically in Figure 2A, the battery cell 200 includes an anode 208, a cathode 212, and a separator 216 disposed between the anode 208 and the cathode 212. The separator 216 consists, for example, of a flexible, permeable membrane.

[0038] When supplying power to the load 204 (i.e., during discharging), current flows from the anode 208 to the cathode 212 and through the load 204 in a direction indicated by arrow 220. Conversely, when charging (e.g., with a motor or other charging source), current flows from a charging source through the cathode 212 and into the anode 208 in a direction opposite to arrow 220. An electrolyte material 224 contained within the secondary battery 200 surrounds the anode 208 and the cathode 212. The separator 216 electrically isolates the anode 208 and the cathode 212 from each other while allowing charged ions of the electrolyte material 224 to flow through the separator 216, as shown by arrows 228.

[0039] Fig. 2B shows the battery cell 200 encapsulated within the enclosure 232 in a top view. In some examples, a plurality of conductor tabs (e.g., copper foils) 236 extend from one end of the anode 208 and are connected (e.g., welded) to a conductive post 240. The conductor tabs 236 enable current to flow between the anode 208 and the post 240 (i.e., enable current to flow to and from the battery cell 200). The conductor tabs 236 are encapsulated within the enclosure 232.

[0040] A temperature monitoring system 244 (e.g., a component and / or function of the battery system 104, the battery control module 136, etc.) according to the present disclosure is configured to monitor the respective temperatures of the battery cell 200. The temperature monitoring system 244 is configured to control the battery system 104 to lower the temperatures of the battery cell(s) 200, isolate the battery cell(s) 200 from the other cells in the battery system 104, etc.

[0041] For example, a temperature sensing assembly 248 having one or more temperature sensing wires or traces is attached to a surface of the battery cell. Temperature sensing traces include LMPAs, temperature-sensitive semiconductors, or dielectric materials or components (e.g., diodes or thermistors), etc. The temperature monitoring system 244 supplies current or voltage to the temperature sensing assembly 248 and measures an output current of the temperature sensing assembly 248. As the temperature of the battery cell 200 increases, the physical and / or electrical properties of the temperature sensing assembly 248 change, causing the measured output current to change. In this way, the temperature monitoring system 244 is configured to monitor the temperatures of the individual battery cells.

[0042] Exemplary temperature measuring arrangements 300-1, 300-2, 300-3 and 300-4 (collectively referred to as temperature measuring arrangements 300) are shown in Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 3C, Fig. 3D and Fig. 3E. For example, Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 3C and Fig. 3D the temperature measuring arrangements 300 arranged on top of a battery cell 304, while Fig. 3E shows a side view of the battery cell 304 (e.g., a side view of the Fig. 3B, Fig. 3C or Fig. 3D shown exemplary accumulator cell 304).

[0043] The temperature measurement assemblies 300 include one or more (e.g., thermally and electrically conductive) strips (e.g., copper wires or traces) 308, each having one or more temperature sensors 312. As used herein, the term "temperature sensor" refers to one or more portions of the strips 308 that are temperature-sensitive in such a way that a temperature increase at a corresponding point on the surface of the battery cell 304 causes a change in the physical and / or electrical properties of the respective portion. For example, the temperature monitoring system 244 provides an input current or voltage to the temperature measurement assemblies 300 and measures the output currents of the respective conductive strips 308. The output currents change because the properties of the respective temperature sensors 312 change with temperature.

[0044] The temperature measuring arrangement 300-1 in Fig. 3A is designed for single-point temperature monitoring of the battery cell 304. The temperature measuring arrangement 300-1 includes, for example, only a single conductive strip 308 and only a single temperature sensor 312. Accordingly, an output current of the temperature measuring arrangement 300-1 is an indicator of a temperature change (e.g., a temperature increase) at only a single point or region 316 of the battery cell 304.

[0045] Conversely, the temperature measuring arrangement 300-2 of Fig. 3B is designed for multi-point temperature monitoring of the battery cell 304. The temperature measuring arrangement 300-2 comprises, for example, a single conductor strip 308 with a plurality of series-connected temperature sensors 312. When the temperature changes in any part of a region 320, the temperature-sensitive properties of a corresponding one of the temperature sensors 312 also change. Accordingly, an output current of the temperature measuring arrangement 300-2 is an indicator of a temperature change at any point within the region 320 of the battery cell 304.

[0046] Similar to the temperature measuring arrangement 300-2, the temperature measuring arrangement 300-3 is also Fig. 3C is designed for multi-point temperature monitoring of the battery cell 304. The temperature measuring arrangement 300-2 comprises, for example, a plurality of parallel-arranged conductor strips 308. The conductor strips 308 each comprise a plurality of series-connected temperature sensors 312. The respective output currents of the conductor strips 308 can be measured / monitored independently of one another. If the temperature changes in any part of a region 324, the temperature-sensitive properties of a corresponding one of the temperature sensors 312 also change. Accordingly, the respective output currents of the conductor strips 308 of the temperature measuring arrangement 300-3 are an indicator of a temperature change at any point within the region 324 of the battery cell 304. In this way, the temperature measuring arrangement 300-3 is designed to measure the temperatures across the entire top surface of the battery cell 304.

[0047] In the example of Fig. 3C, the output currents are also an indicator of a temperature change in a particular part of the region 324. In other words, since the output currents of the individual conductor strips 308 are measured independently of one another, each output current is an indicator of temperature changes in a part of the region corresponding to one of the respective conductor strips 308.

[0048] Similar to the temperature measuring arrangement 300-2, the temperature measuring arrangement 300-4 is also Fig. 3D is designed for multi-point temperature monitoring of the battery cell 304, using a single conductor strip 308 with a plurality of series-connected temperature sensors 312. However, unlike the temperature measuring arrangement 300-2, the conductor strip 308 of the temperature measuring arrangement 300-4 follows a serpentine path with multiple changes of direction. Accordingly, the temperature measuring arrangement 300-4 is designed, similar to the temperature measuring arrangement 300-3, to measure temperatures in an area 328 covering the entire top surface of the battery cell 304, but using only a single conductor strip 308.When the temperature in any part of the region 328 changes, the temperature-sensitive properties of one of the corresponding temperature sensors 312 also change, and the output current of the conductor strip 308 is an indicator of a temperature change at any point within the region 328 of the battery cell 304.

[0049] Other exemplary configurations of the temperature measurement assemblies 300 may also be used. Furthermore, although shown on an outer surface of the battery cell 304, the temperature measurement assemblies 300 may be disposed on an inner surface of the battery cell 304, within or between inner layers of the battery cell 304, between a pouch liner and an outer separator layer, etc.

[0050] Fig. 4A shows an exemplary temperature sensor 400 (e.g., corresponding to temperature sensors 312) according to the present disclosure. In this example, temperature sensor 400 includes a plurality of low melting point alloy (LMPA) strips or traces 404 connected in parallel to each other and in series with a conductor strip 408. LMPA traces 404 include, for example, bismuth, lead, tin, cadmium, and / or indium. Other LMPAs may also be used.

[0051] The LMPA traces 404 each have a different melting point. For example, the respective melting points of the LMPA traces 404 may be between 80 and 150 degrees Celsius. In some examples, the lowest melting point of any of the LMPA traces 404 is equal to or greater than the maximum temperature of the normal operating range of the battery cell 304.

[0052] Accordingly, the LMPA traces 404 each melt at a different temperature. When one of the LMPA traces 404 melts, the electrical connection between the respective ends of the conductor strip 408 corresponding to the melted LMPA trace 404 is interrupted. Accordingly, the total resistance of the temperature sensor 400 changes (e.g., increases), and the current flowing through the temperature sensor 400 changes (e.g., decreases) accordingly.

[0053] As the temperature continues to rise, further LMPA sheets 404 melt (e.g., one after the other from top to bottom in Fig. 4A), and the resistance of the temperature sensor 400 and the current continue to change. Accordingly, the output current of the temperature sensor 400 and the corresponding conductor strip 408 indicate how many of the LMPA traces 404 have melted, which in turn indicates an approximate temperature of the battery cell in a range corresponding to the temperature sensor 400.

[0054] Fig. 4B shows another example of temperature sensor 400. In this example, temperature sensor 400 includes a temperature sensing component 412 connected in series with conductive strip 408. In certain embodiments, temperature sensing component 412 may include a dielectric or semiconductor material with a linear change in resistance with temperature changes, a resistance thermometer (e.g., a resistance temperature detector (RTD)), a thermistor, a diode, etc.

[0055] Similar to the temperature sensor 400 in Fig. 4A, the resistance of temperature sensing component 412 changes (e.g., increases or decreases) as the temperature in a corresponding region of the battery cell increases. For example, temperature sensing component 412 is a resistance thermometer comprising one or more of the elements platinum, copper, nickel, and tungsten. The resistance of the resistance thermometer increases with increasing temperature. In another example, temperature sensing component 412 is a thermistor comprising a semiconductor material such as an oxide including chromium, cobalt, iron, manganese, and / or nickel. The resistance of the thermistor decreases with increasing temperature.

[0056] With reference to Fig. 5, an exemplary battery system 500 includes a plurality of battery cells 504, such as pouch cells. While the battery cells 504 are shown connected in parallel, they may also be connected in series or in such a way that the battery cells 504 can be switched between parallel and series connection. The battery cells 504 each include a temperature sensing arrangement 508 according to the present disclosure. For example, the temperature sensing arrangements 508 each include a plurality of temperature sensors 512 or temperature sensing components, as described above in Fig. 3A-3E, 4A and 4B.

[0057] The accumulator system 500 is connected to one or more loads 516 (e.g., to the electrical loads of a vehicle). The accumulator cells 504 supply the loads 516 with electrical energy.

[0058] A temperature monitoring system 520 monitors the temperatures of the individual battery cells 504. The temperature monitoring system 520 supplies, for example, current or voltage to the temperature measuring arrangements 508 and receives the respective output currents of the temperature measuring arrangements 508. The temperature monitoring system 520 monitors the output currents to determine the respective temperatures of the battery cells 504 as described above. For example, if the temperature in any monitored area of the battery cells 504 increases, the resistance of the corresponding temperature measuring arrangement 508 increases or decreases, and the measured current changes accordingly. In this way, the temperature monitoring system 520 is configured to determine whether the temperature of one of the battery cells 504 exceeds a predetermined temperature (e.g., a maximum temperature of a desired temperature range).

[0059] The battery cells 504 can each be individually disconnected from the other battery cells 504 and the loads 516 (e.g., via a corresponding switch or switches 524). Accordingly, in response to determining that a temperature of the battery cell 504 exceeds the predetermined temperature, the temperature monitoring system 520 can control the corresponding switch 524 to disconnect the battery cells 504. In this way, thermal propagation can be prevented.

[0060] The above description is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure may be embodied in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes specific examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be limited thereto, since other changes will become apparent after a study of the drawings, the patent specification, and the following claims. It is to be understood that one or more steps within a method may be performed in a different order (or simultaneously) without altering the principles of the present disclosure.Furthermore, although the embodiments are each described above as having certain features, each one or more of these features described with respect to one embodiment of the disclosure may be implemented and / or combined with features of any of the other embodiments, even if this combination is not expressly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and an exchange of one or more embodiments for one another remains within the scope of this disclosure.

[0061] Spatial and functional relationships between elements (e.g., between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.) are described using various terms, including "connected," "engaging," "coupled," "adjacent," "adjacent," "on top of," "above," "below," and "disposed." If a relationship between first and second elements is not explicitly described as "direct" in the above disclosure, that relationship may be a direct relationship, with no other intervening elements between the first and second elements, or an indirect relationship, with one or more intervening elements (either spatial or functional) between the first and second elements.As used herein, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" should be construed as logical (A ORed with B ORed with C) using a non-exclusive logical OR, and not as "at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C."

[0062] In the figures, the direction of an arrow, as indicated by the arrowhead, generally illustrates the flow of information (e.g., data or instructions) of interest to the illustration. For example, if element A and element B exchange a variety of information, but the information passed from element A to element B is relevant to the illustration, the arrow may point from element A to element B. This unidirectional arrow does not imply that no other information is passed from element B to element A. Furthermore, for information passed from element A to element B, element B may send requests or acknowledgments for the information to element A.

[0063] For the purposes of this application, which includes the definitions below, the term "circuit" may be replaced with the term "module" or the term "controller." The term "module" may refer to, be part of, or include: an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC); a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital discrete circuit; a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital integrated circuit; a combinational logic circuit; a field-programmable gate array (FPGA); processor circuitry (common, dedicated, or group) that executes code; memory circuitry (common, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor circuitry; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above components, e.g., in a system-on-chip.

[0064] The module may include one or more interface circuits. In some examples, the interface circuits may include wired or wireless interfaces connected to a local area network (LAN), the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or combinations thereof. The functionality of any given module of the present disclosure may be distributed among multiple modules connected via interface circuits. For example, multiple modules may enable load balancing. In another example, a server module (also referred to as a remote or cloud module) may perform some functions on behalf of a client module.

[0065] The term "code" as used above may include software, firmware, and / or microcode and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, data structures, and / or objects. The term "common processor circuit" includes a single processor circuit that executes some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term "group processor circuit" includes a processor circuit that, in combination with additional processor circuits, executes some or all of the code from one or more modules. References to multiple processor circuits include multiple processor circuits on discrete chips, multiple processor circuits on a single chip, multiple cores of a single processor circuit, multiple threads of a single processor circuit, or a combination thereof. The term "shared memory circuit" includes a single memory circuit that stores some or all of the code from multiple modules.The term “group memory circuit” includes a memory circuit that, in combination with additional memories, stores some or all of the code from one or more modules.

[0066] The term "memory circuit" is a subset of the term computer-readable medium. The term "computer-readable medium," as used herein, does not include transient electrical or electromagnetic signals that propagate through a medium (e.g., on a carrier wave); the term "computer-readable medium" can therefore be considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of a non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable medium include non-volatile memory circuits (e.g., a flash memory circuit, an erasable programmable read-only memory circuit, or a mask read-only memory circuit), volatile memory circuits (e.g., a static random access memory circuit or a dynamic random access memory circuit), magnetic storage media (e.g., an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard disk drive), and optical storage media (e.g.,a CD, a DVD or a Blu-ray Disc).

[0067] The devices and methods described in this application may be implemented in part or in full by a special-purpose computer created by configuring a general-purpose computer to perform one or more specific functions contained in computer programs. The functional blocks, flowchart components, and other elements described above serve as software specifications that can be translated into computer programs through the routine work of a skilled technician or programmer.

[0068] The computer programs include processor-executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable medium. The computer programs may also include or be based on stored data. The computer programs may include a basic input / output system (BIOS) that interacts with the hardware of the special-purpose computer, device drivers that interact with specific devices of the special-purpose computer, one or more operating systems, user applications, background services, background applications, etc.

[0069] The computer programs may comprise: (i) descriptive text to be parsed, e.g. B. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), XML (Extensible Markup Language) or JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), (ii) assembly code, (iii) object code generated from source code by a compiler, (iv) source code for execution by an interpreter, (v) source code for compilation and execution by a just-in-time compiler, etc. By way of example only, source code can be written using the syntax of languages including C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Swift, Haskell, Go, SQL, R, Lisp, Java®, Fortran, Perl, Pascal, Curl, OCaml, Javascript®, HTML5 (Hypertext Markup Language 5th Revision), Ada, ASP (Active Server Pages), PHP (PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor), Scala, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Erlang, Ruby, Flash®, Visual Basic®, Lua, MATLAB, SIMULINK and Python®.

Claims

[1] Accumulator system (104, 500), comprising: an accumulator cell (200, 304, 504) and a temperature measuring arrangement (248, 300, 508) arranged on a surface of the accumulator cell (200, 304, 504), the temperature measuring arrangement (248, 300, 508) comprising: a conductor strip (308, 408) and a plurality of temperature sensors (312, 400, 512) connected in series with the conductor strip (308, 408) in such a way that the current flowing through the conductor strip (308, 408) flows through each of the temperature sensors (312, 400, 512), wherein each of the plurality of temperature sensors (312, 400, 512) has at least one property that changes according to temperature, wherein the plurality of temperature sensors (312, 400, 512) are distributed at different locations over the surface of the accumulator cell (200, 304, 504); wherein an output current of the temperature measuring arrangement (248, 300, 508) changes according to a temperature change at one of the different locations; and wherein the temperature sensors (312, 400, 512) each comprise a plurality of low melting point alloy (LMPA) traces (404) connected in parallel to one another and in series with the conductor strip (308, 408). [2] The accumulator system (104, 500) of claim 1, wherein the LMPA tracks (404) each have a different melting point. [3] The accumulator system (104, 500) of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensors (312, 400, 512) each comprise a temperature measuring component (412) connected in series with the conductor strip (308, 408). [4] The accumulator system (104, 500) of claim 3, wherein the temperature measuring component (412) comprises a resistance thermometer, a thermistor and / or a diode. [5] The accumulator system (104, 500) of claim 1, wherein the conductor strip (308) follows a serpentine path across the surface of the accumulator cell (304). [6] The accumulator system (104, 500) of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of temperature measuring assemblies (248, 300, 508). [7] A system comprising the battery system (104, 500) of claim 1 and further comprising a temperature monitoring system (244, 520) configured to supply a voltage or current to the temperature measuring arrangement (248, 300, 508), receive the output current of the temperature measuring arrangement (248, 300, 508), and determine a temperature of the battery cell (200, 304, 504) based on the output current. [8] The system of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of accumulator cells (200, 304, 504). [9] The system of claim 8, wherein the accumulator cells (200, 304, 504) are either pouch cells, prismatic cells, or cylindrical cells.

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