Heat-Augmented Primary Batteries for Low-Temperature Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Primary batteries, such as Li—CFx, fail to discharge effectively at low temperatures due to slow kinetics and surface passivation, limiting their use in cold environments like space exploration.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating heat-generating materials, such as pyrotechnic thermites and phase change materials, to raise the temperature of primary batteries from ambient to higher levels, enabling discharge in low-temperature environments, with phase change materials acting as thermal buffers to maintain a benign surface temperature and protect against high thermal transients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat-generating materials are used to raise battery temperature for low-temperature discharge, then discharge capability is improved, but thermal management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines heat-generating materials (such as pyrotechnic thermites) directly with the battery cell structure, integrating the heating function into the battery design itself rather than using separate external heating systems. This merging approach enables low-temperature discharge capability while avoiding the complexity of independent thermal management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces phase change materials as thermal intermediaries between the heat-generating materials and the battery electrodes. These phase change materials absorb excess heat during phase transition, preventing thermal runaway while still allowing sufficient heat to reach the battery to enable low-temperature discharge, thus mediating the thermal management process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If heat-generating materials are used to activate battery discharge, then low temperature operation is enabled, but safety risks increase due to high thermal transients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places phase change materials between the heat-generating materials and the battery electrodes in advance. These materials act as thermal buffers that absorb excess heat during phase transition, preventing thermal runaway and protecting the battery from harmful thermal transients before they can cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
Phase change materials serve as thermal intermediaries that mediate between the intense heat from pyrotechnic materials and the battery electrodes. They allow sufficient heat transfer to enable low-temperature discharge while simultaneously limiting peak temperatures to prevent safety hazards.
3Use of energy by moving object
If high energy density battery chemistry is used, then energy density is improved, but low temperature discharge performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the battery system by introducing heat-generating materials that raise the battery temperature from ambient or low-temperature conditions to optimal operating temperatures. This parameter change enables high energy density battery chemistries to discharge effectively in cold environments where they would otherwise fail.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows high energy density primary batteries to operate at very cold temperatures, enhancing their discharge capability and extending their use in deep space applications by maintaining efficient discharge until the heat from the heat-generating materials dissipates.
Implementation Method 1
heat-generating materials, such as pyrotechnic thermites
Implementation Method 2
phase change materials acting as thermal buffers
Implementation Method 3
phase change materials acting as thermal buffers to maintain a benign surface temperature
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus may include a plurality of cells surrounded by a plurality of heat generating material. The plurality of heat generating material are configured to release heat to each of the plurality of cells causing discharge from each of the plurality of cells in a low temperature environment.