Systems, structures and materials for electrochemical device thermal management

• US 10,431,858 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2016
• Issued: 10/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Latent Heat Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Global Web Horizons, LLC
• Inventors: Hartmann, Mark, Kelly, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Slifka, Sarah A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ohara, Brian R
• Application Number:
  US15/014,624
• Publication Number:
  US 20160226114A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,336 Days
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/10 Prepolymer processes involving reaction of isocyanates or isothiocyanates with compounds having active hydrogen in a first reaction step
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/3206 aliphatic
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/48 Polyethers
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/4833 Polyethers containing oxyethylene units
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/4854 Polyethers containing oxyalkylene groups having four carbon atoms in the alkylene group
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/61 Polysiloxanes
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/6674 with compounds of group C08G18/3203
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/73 acyclic
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/755 and at least one isocyanate or isothiocyanate group linked to a secondary carbon atom of the cycloaliphatic ring, e.g. isophorone diisocyanate
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/758 containing two or more cycloaliphatic rings
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/7621 being toluene diisocyanate including isomer mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/7671 containing only one alkylene bisphenyl group
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/8064 with monohydroxy compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 63/13 containing two or more aromatic rings
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 2201/011 Nanostructured additives
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 5/005 Stabilisers against oxidation, heat, light, ozone
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 5/0066 Flame-proofing or flame-retarding additives
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 5/063 Materials absorbing or liberating heat during crystallisation; Heat storage materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/18 against thermal overloads, e.g. heating, cooling or ventilating
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/78 Cases; Housings; Encapsulations; Mountings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 : Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/655 : Solid structures for heat exchange or heat conduction
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/658 : by thermal insulation or shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 : Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/121 : Organic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/143 : Fireproof; Explosion-proof
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/24 : adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion thermal insulation H01M10/658
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 : Energy storage using capacitors

Abstract

This disclosure provides casings and materials for the thermal management and protection of an electrochemical cell. The casing may also comprise a composite polymeric material for electrochemical cell thermal management, the composite polymeric material comprising a crosslinked polyether polyol phase change material configured to be in physical contact with at least a portion of an electrochemical cell.

Claims

1. A method for making a casing for the thermal management of an electrochemical cell, the method comprising:

combining one or more branching or crosslinking agents and a polyether polyol,

wherein the branching or crosslinking agent changes a length of a chain of the polyether polyol and forms a composite crosslinked polyether polyol phase change material; and

wherein the crosslinked polyether polyol phase change material;

comprises crosslinks between two or more polymer side chains, the crosslinks having been formed by a dianhydrides or diisocyanate and polyether polyol in a ratio between approximately 0.5;

1 and 1.5;

1; and

forming the composite crosslinked polyether polyol phase change material into a casing having an inner surface configured to surround at least apportion of an electrochemical cell,

wherein the crosslinked polyether polyol phase change material has a transition temperature of between 25°

C. and 140°

C. and a latent heat of greater than 2 Joules per gram.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the polyether polyol comprises polyethylene glycol.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the branching or crosslinking agent comprises a branched crosslinking agent or chain extending agent.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the polyol and the crosslinking agent or branching agent are reacted using a catalyst.

4. A composite polymeric material for electrochemical cell thermal management, the composite polymeric material comprising:

a crosslinked polyether polyol phase change material configured to be in physical contact with at least a portion of an electrochemical cell,

wherein the crosslinked polyether polyol phase change material;

comprises crosslinks between two or more polymer chains, the crosslinks having been formed by a dianhydrides or a diisocyanate and a polyether polyol in a ratio between approximately 0.5;

1 and 1.5;

1; and

has a transition temperature of between 25°

C. and 140°

C. and a latent heat of greater than 2 Joules per gram.

5. The composite polymeric material of claim 4, wherein the polyol comprises a branched polyol.

6. The composite polymeric material of claim 4, wherein the material is machinable.

7. The composite polymeric material of claim 4, wherein the material is moldable.

8. The composite polymeric material of claim 4, wherein the material is a solid-solid phase change material.

9. The composite polymeric material of claim 4, wherein the material is fire retardant.

10. The composite polymeric material of claim 4, further comprising a thermal conductivity additive.

11. The composite polymeric material of claim 10, wherein the material has a thermal conductivity of greater than 1.5 times the thermal conductivity of the crosslinked polyether polyol alone.

13. The composite polymer material of claim 4, further comprising one or more of:

a water scavenger additive,

an antioxidant additive, or

a fire-retardant additive.

18. The composite polymeric material of claim 4, wherein the polyether polyol is a copolymer.

19. The composite polymeric material of claim 4, wherein the polyether polyol is a block copolymer.

14. A casing for electrochemical cell thermal management, the casing comprising:

a substantially homogeneous crosslinked polyether polyol phase change material

wherein the crosslinked polyether polyol phase change material comprises crosslinks between two or more polymer chains, the crosslinks having been formed by a dianhydrides or a diisocyanate and a polyether polyol in a ratio between approximately 0.5;

1 and 1.5;

1; and

has a transition temperature of between 25°

C. and 140°

C. and a latent heat of greater than 2 Joules per gram, and one or more receptacles configured to receive one or more electrochemical cells.

15. The casing of claim 14, wherein the casing, when used in conjunction with one or more electrochemical cells during a plurality of charge and discharge cycles of the one or more electrochemical cells, extends the discharge capacity life of the one or more electrochemical cells as compared to the original discharge capacity life of the one or more electrochemical cells.

16. The casing of claim 14, wherein an electrochemical cell, when retained within the casing, is capable of charging faster than a similar electrochemical cell that is not retained in the casing.

17. A casing for one or more electrochemical cells, the casing comprising:

a unitary structure comprised of a substantially homogeneous crosslinked polyether polyol phase change material, the unitary structure having one or more openings configured to retain the one or more electrochemical cells in thermal contact with the crosslinked polyether polyol phase change material,

wherein the crosslinked polyether polyol phase change material comprises crosslinks between two or more polymer chains, the crosslinks having been formed by a dianhydrides or a diisocyanate and a polyether polyol in a ratio between approximately 0.5;

1 and 1.5;

1; and

has a transition temperature of between 25°

C. and 140°

C. and a latent heat of greater than 2 Joules per gram.