Self-Heating Battery Pack Using Nickel Circuit for Cold Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-based batteries lose significant capacity and become inoperative at very cold temperatures, particularly affecting high current applications like portable two-way radio devices, where reliable power delivery is critical.
Innovation Solution
A self-heating battery pack that includes a first lithium-based battery cell circuit and a second nickel-based battery cell circuit with a heating element, where the temperature control circuit senses the temperature and activates the heating element when below a certain threshold, using energy from the second circuit to warm the first circuit, ensuring operational capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lithium-based battery technology is used for high energy density, then energy storage capacity is improved, but power delivery capability deteriorates at very cold temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into two separate battery cell circuits: a first lithium-based battery cell circuit for energy storage and a second nickel-based battery cell circuit for power delivery and heating. This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between energy storage capacity and power delivery capability at cold temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
A heating element is introduced as an intermediary component that converts electrical energy from the second battery cell circuit into thermal energy to warm the first battery cell circuit. This mediator enables the lithium-based batteries to operate at effective temperatures even in cold environments, restoring their power delivery capability while maintaining high energy storage capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If lithium-based batteries are used in very cold temperatures, then energy storage capacity is maintained, but operational reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating action by activating the heating element before the lithium-based batteries need to deliver power. The temperature control circuit monitors battery temperature and activates heating in advance to bring the batteries into their effective operating temperature range, ensuring reliability when power is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A temperature control circuit provides feedback control by continuously monitoring the temperature of the first battery cell circuit and automatically adjusting the heating element activation. When the temperature drops below a threshold, heating is activated; when it rises above the threshold, heating is deactivated. This feedback mechanism maintains operational reliability while preserving energy storage capacity.
3Power
If heating element is added to battery system, then power delivery capability at cold temperatures is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second nickel-based battery cell circuit serves multiple functions: it provides power delivery during cold conditions when the lithium-based batteries are ineffective, and it supplies electrical energy to the heating element to warm the first battery cell circuit. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate heating power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery system is self-regulating through the temperature control circuit that automatically monitors battery temperature and controls heating activation without external intervention. The system serves itself by using its own second battery cell circuit to provide the heating energy, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex control systems.
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 self-heating mechanism significantly increases the effective capacity of lithium-based batteries at cold temperatures by reducing internal impedance, allowing for extended operation of portable devices even in extreme cold conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element that is located in proximity to the first battery cell circuit and which is powered by the second battery cell circuit
Implementation Method 2
a thermal control circuit that senses a temperature of the first battery cell circuit and enables the heating circuit when the temperature of the battery is below a lower temperature threshold and disables the heating circuit when the temperature is above an upper threshold
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for a self-heating battery pack uses a battery cells of a first battery cell circuit to power a device. However these battery cells become substantially inoperative below a very cold temperature, so a second battery cell circuit, having a second type of battery cells which can operate at the cold temperature, is used to power a heating element to warm up the first battery cells to a temperature at which they can operate.