Thermal Runaway Calorimeter for Battery Ejecta Energy Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies lack an effective method to measure the heat response of battery cells during thermal runaway events, which is crucial for understanding energy release and safety in lithium-ion batteries.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a cell chamber that triggers thermal runaway in battery cells, an ejecta bore muffler to capture ejected materials, an ejecta basket to capture electrode windings, and a computing system to determine energy yield data based on heat measurements from various components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a battery cell undergoes thermal runaway, then energy is released through the casing, but measuring the heat response becomes difficult due to ejected materials blocking the measurement path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat response measurementVSAvoidejected materials blocking measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the measurement process by separating the measurement of heat transferred through the casing from the measurement of heat in ejected materials. The cell chamber measures heat through the casing while the ejecta bore muffler separately captures and measures heat from electrode windings, particles, and gas, allowing continuous measurement without interference from ejected materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ejecta bore muffler acts as an intermediary component that intercepts ejected materials before they can block the measurement path. It provides a separate measurement zone where heat from electrode windings, particles, and gas can be measured independently, preventing these materials from interfering with the primary heat response measurement through the casing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the calorimeter is designed to capture all ejected materials, then measurement completeness improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy yield measurement completenessVSAvoidcalorimeter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The calorimeter is segmented into distinct functional zones: a cell chamber for containing the battery and measuring heat through the casing, and an ejecta bore muffler for capturing and measuring heat from ejected materials. This segmentation allows the system to achieve complete energy yield measurement by summing measurements from both zones without requiring a single complex capture mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ejecta bore muffler serves multiple functions: it captures electrode windings, particles, and gas; measures the heat content of each ejected material type; and prevents these materials from interfering with the primary measurement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components for each ejected material type

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system enables precise measurement of energy yield during thermal runaway, allowing for the quantification of energy released through the casing, electrode windings, and gases, thereby enhancing safety and performance in battery design.

Implementation Method 1

The cell chamber is configured to trigger the battery cell into a thermal runaway event while in the cell chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal runaway: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

The ejecta basket is configured to capture the electrode winding while allowing at least a portion of the particles, the gas, or both to pass therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical separation by size: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

The system also includes a gas collection system configured to receive at least a portion of the gas that passes through the ejecta basket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas collection: Accumulator (energy)

Implementation Method 4

The system includes a computing system configured to determine energy yield data based at least partially upon an amount of heat transferred through a casing of the battery cell, an amount of heat in the electrode winding, an amount of heat in the particles, an amount of heat in the gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCalorimetry: Calorimetry

Data Source

PatentUS12253484B1Large format-fractional thermal runaway calorimeter

Publication Date: 2025.03.18 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR NAT AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION

AI summary

A system for measuring a heat response of a battery cell includes a cell chamber configured to receive the battery cell therein. The cell chamber is configured to trigger a battery cell into a thermal runaway event while in the cell chamber, which causes the battery cell to eject an electrode winding, particles, and gas. The system also includes an ejecta bore muffler configured to receive the electrode winding, the particles, and the gas. The system also includes an ejecta basket configured to be positioned at least partially within the ejecta bore muffler. The ejecta basket is configured to capture the electrode winding while allowing at least a portion of the particles, the gas, or both to pass therethrough. The system also includes a gas collection system configured to receive at least a portion of the gas that passes through the ejecta basket.