Methods and devices for electrochemical system analysis

• US 10,107,696 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2015
• Issued: 10/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alliance For Sustainable Energy LLC
• Original Assignee: Alliance For Sustainable Energy LLC
• Inventors: Santhanagopalan, Shriram, Keyser, Matthew Allen, Saxon, Aron Ray, Ireland, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Laballe, Clayton E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rhodes, Jr., Leon W
• Application Number:
  US14/855,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20170074731A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 17/00 Measuring quantity of heat measuring temperature by calorimetry G01K3/00 - G01K11/00; specially adapted for measuring thermal properties of materials, e.g. specific heat, heat of combustion G01N
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 25/20 by investigating the development of heat, i.e. calorimetry, e.g. by measuring specific heat, by measuring thermal conductivity calorimeters per se G01K
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4285 Testing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a calorimeter device and an electrochemical system analysis method. The device includes a first thermo-electric gauge (TEG) and a first conductor thermally coupled to the first TEG, the first conductor comprising a first surface. The device may also include a second conductor with a second surface, the second surface facing the first surface, thereby forming a gap. The device may also include a second TEG thermally coupled to the second conductor and an adjustment mechanism attached to the second TEG, operable to modify a size of the gap between the first surface and the second surface. The method includes applying a plurality of electrical signals across an electrochemical system, determining, using a calorimeter, at least one rate at which heat is generated by the system, and determining at least one thermal characteristic of a component of the system.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a first thermo-electric gauge (TEG);

a first conductor thermally coupled to the first TEG, first conductor comprising a first surface and a first electrical connection;

a second conductor comprising a second surface and a second electrical connection, wherein the second surface is facing the first surface, the first surface and the second surface forming a gap;

a second TEG thermally coupled to the second conductor; and

an adjustment mechanism attached to the second TEG, operable to modify a size of the gap between the first surface and the second surface, wherein;

the first conductor further comprises;

a third surface, different from the first surface,

a first busbar having a surface that is flush with the third surface, wherein the first electrical connection comprises an end of the first busbar, and wherein the first TEG is thermally coupled to the third surface and to the surface of the first busbar, and

one or more recesses disposed between at least a portion of the first busbar and the rest of the first conductor; and

the second conductor further comprises;

a fourth surface, different from the second surface,

a second busbar having a surface that is flush with the fourth surface, wherein the second electrical connection comprises an end of the second busbar, and wherein the second TEG is thermally coupled to the fourth surface and to the surface of the second busbar, and

one or more recesses disposed between at least a portion of the second busbar and the rest of the second conductor.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first conductor further comprises one or more recesses that restrict the transfer of thermal energy through the first electrical connection, and wherein the second conductor comprises one or more recesses that restrict the transfer of thermal energy through the second electrical connection.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a housing having a recessed cavity, wherein the first TEG, the first conductor, the second conductor, and the second TEG are located within the recessed cavity of the housing, and wherein at least a portion of the adjustment mechanism is connected to the housing.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising:

thermal insulation disposed between an inner surface of the recessed cavity of the housing and at least one of the first TEG, the first conductor, the second conductor, or the second TEG.

5. The device of claim 3, further comprising:

a lid that is attachable to the housing to enclose the first TEG, the first conductor, the second conductor, and the second TEG within the recessed cavity of the housing, wherein the first TEG is attached to the lid, and wherein the enclosed, recessed cavity is substantially airtight.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein a portion of the adjustment mechanism extends through an opening in the housing, from the recessed cavity, and out of the housing.

7. The device of claim 3, further comprising a thermal plate attached to the adjustment mechanism, the thermal plate having at least one side substantially in contact with a side of the recessed cavity formed by the housing.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises:

a threaded adjustment hub; and

a corresponding threaded shaft that mechanically interacts with the threaded adjustment hub to modify the size of the gap between the first surface and the second surface.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a torque indicator at indicates an amount of torque applied to the threaded adjustment hub.