Thermochromatic Battery Coating Surface Temperature Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery temperature monitoring systems are limited in their ability to measure temperatures across the entire surface of a battery, requiring disassembly to assess if any portions have exceeded a threshold temperature, and lack a direct indicator of past and present heating locations and levels.

Innovation Solution

A thermochromatic coating is applied to the battery surface, which responds to electromagnetic radiation by emitting a color and intensity indicative of temperatures experienced, allowing for the identification of areas that have exceeded a predefined threshold temperature, providing a thermal history mapping capability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a thermocouple is used to monitor battery temperature, then the temperature measurement function is provided, but only the temperature at a particular portion of the battery can be measured rather than the entire surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring areaVSAvoidnumber of sensors

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces multiple mechanical thermocouple sensors with a single thermochromatic coating that provides full-surface temperature visualization. The coating contains thermochromatic probes that change color in response to temperature, eliminating the need for numerous discrete mechanical sensors while achieving complete surface coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes thermochromatic probes embedded in the coating that undergo color changes based on temperature exposure. Each probe contains a colorimetric indicator that transitions through different colors (e.g., yellow to red) as temperature increases, providing visual temperature mapping across the entire battery surface without requiring electronic readout systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Loss of information

If the battery is disassembled to investigate temperature exceedance, then internal temperature information can be obtained, but the process is time-consuming and requires battery disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal history informationVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies thermochromatic coating to the battery surface before operation, allowing temperature history to be recorded externally on the surface. This preliminary action enables subsequent temperature investigations without disassembly, as the coating retains thermal information that can be read directly through the battery exterior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The thermochromatic coating acts as an intermediary between the battery interior and external inspectors. It captures thermal information from internal temperature conditions and translates it into visible color patterns on the external surface, allowing indirect observation of internal thermal states without physical access to internal components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If traditional temperature monitoring methods are used, then temperature data can be obtained, but there is no direct and clear indicator of the locations, extents, and levels of heating that have occurred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial temperature distributionVSAvoidtemperature assessment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thermochromatic probes with distinct color transitions that directly indicate temperature levels and spatial distribution. Different colors correspond to specific temperature ranges, creating an intuitive visual map where location, extent, and severity of heating are immediately apparent without requiring data interpretation or specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The thermochromatic coating creates a visual copy or map of the temperature distribution across the battery surface. The color patterns serve as a direct representation (copy) of thermal conditions, allowing inspectors to assess temperature locations and extents by simply observing the coating rather than interpreting numerical data from sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 enables precise and accurate monitoring of temperatures across the entire battery surface, offering a direct and clear indicator of past and present heating events, facilitating timely maintenance and replacement of affected components.

Implementation Method 1

A thermochromatic coating is applied to the battery surface, which responds to electromagnetic radiation by emitting a color and intensity indicative of temperatures experienced

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermochromism: Thermochromism

Data Source

PatentUS10352777B2Systems and methods for monitoring temperatures of batteries

Publication Date: 2019.07.16 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A method for monitoring a temperature of a battery is provided. The method includes applying a thermochromatic coating to a surface of the battery. The method additionally includes directing electromagnetic radiation towards the thermochromatic coating, observing a thermochromatic response of the thermochromatic coating to the electromagnetic radiation, and identifying at least one portion of the battery that has experienced a temperature above a predefined threshold temperature, based on the thermochromatic response.