Hybrid Battery for Extended Temperature Range

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current battery systems fail to operate effectively across a broad temperature range from ambient to 200° C. and higher, as lithium-based cells become hazardous at 180° C. and perform poorly at lower temperatures, while calcium/oxyhalide cells suffer from low discharge efficiency due to self-discharge reactions.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid battery system comprising an alkaline earth metal/oxyhalide cell and an alkali metal alloy/oxyhalide cell, where the first cell provides power at lower temperatures and the second cell takes over at higher temperatures, using a cathode collector and liquid cathode-electrolyte with solutes and cosolvents to maintain stability and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lithium-based cells are used, then the battery operates well at low temperatures, but it becomes hazardous at temperatures above 180° C. due to lithium melting and violent reactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelow temperature performanceVSAvoidhazardous behavior at high temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the battery system into two separate cells: a lithium-based cell for low-temperature operation and a calcium-based cell for high-temperature operation. Each cell is optimized for its specific temperature range, eliminating the hazard of lithium melting while preserving low-temperature performance. The cells operate independently based on temperature conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If lithium alloys are used to extend operating temperature upward, then the battery can operate safely above 180° C., but it operates poorly at lower temperatures below 70° C.

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety at high temperatureVSAvoidlow temperature performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using lithium alloys that compromise low-temperature performance, the patent segments the battery into two distinct cells: one with pure lithium for low-temperature applications and another with calcium for high-temperature applications. This segmentation allows each cell to be optimized for its specific temperature range without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If calcium is used as anode material in oxyhalide cell, then the melting point is much higher than lithium allowing operation above 180° C., but calcium reacts with oxyhalide liquid cathode materials during discharge causing self-discharge and low discharge capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehigh temperature stabilityVSAvoiddischarge capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance - a solid electrolyte membrane - between the calcium anode and the oxyhalide liquid cathode. This membrane prevents direct contact and harmful self-discharge reactions between calcium and the oxyhalide, while still allowing ionic conduction. This enables calcium to function as a high-temperature anode without the self-discharge problem that would otherwise limit its discharge capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The hybrid battery system operates safely and efficiently across a broad temperature range without hazardous behavior, with the alkaline earth metal cell handling lower temperatures and the alkali metal alloy cell handling higher temperatures, ensuring reliable performance in oil exploration applications.

Implementation Method 1

Hybrid battery for use over extended temperature range... The present invention relates to the conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical energy conversion: Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

The active metal anode of the first cell is different than that of the second cell... anode of an alkaline earth metal or alloy thereof, and the second comprises an anode of an alkali metal or alloy thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 3

a liquid cathode-electrolyte with solutes and cosolvents to maintain stability and efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS8067108B1Hybrid battery for use over extended temperature range

Publication Date: 2011.11.29 ELECTROCHEM SOLUTIONS

AI summary

A hybrid battery comprising at least two nonaqueous electrochemical systems is described. The first cell comprises an anode of an alkaline earth metal or alloy thereof, and the second cell comprises an anode of an alkali metal or alloy thereof. The first cell is preferably an alkaline earth metal/oxyhalide cell, more preferably a calcium/oxyhalide cell or cells. The second cell is preferably an alkali metal alloy/oxyhalide cell, more preferably a lithium alloy/oxyhalide cell or cells. Such a cell combination is particularly useful for power a down-hole well tool. The down-hole tool is powered by the first cell during a surface test and as the tool descends into the well until all of the calcium is discharged. Then, the second cell powers the down-hole tool for the remainder of the down-hole procedure.