Chassis for rechargeable battery

• US 10,535,852 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2014
• Issued: 01/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Callahan, Kevin S., Drolen, Bruce L., Russell, James C., Lowell, John R., Barrera, Thomas P., North, Timothy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, James
• Application Number:
  US14/188,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20140242425A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,150 Days
• Field of Search: 429 56, 429 72, 429 87, 429 96-100, 429120, 429152-155, 429158-161, 429148
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/224 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/233 characterised by physical properties of casings or racks, e.g. dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/24 adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion thermal insulation H01M10/658
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/244 Secondary casings; Racks; Suspension devices; Carrying devices; Holders characterised by their mounting method
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/291 characterised by their shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/293 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/3425 in the form of rupturable membranes or weakened parts, e.g. pierced with the aid of a sharp member
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/691 Arrangements or processes for draining liquids from casings; Cleaning battery or cell casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A rechargeable battery comprises a chassis including a lower fixation plate, and a plurality of battery cells on the lower fixation plate. The lower fixation plate includes at least one flow channel positioned to collect condensate from the battery cells and move the collected condensate away from the battery cells.

Claims

1. A rechargeable battery comprising:

a chassis including a lower fixation plate having a substrate divided into a plurality of segments; and

a plurality of battery cells supported by the substrate of the lower fixation plate with a single battery cell disposed on each segment;

wherein the substrate is a non-conductive material, and defines at least one flow channel in each segment positioned to collect condensate from the battery cells and move the collected condensate away from the battery cells;

wherein the chassis further includes an upper fixation plate configured to hold the battery cells within the chassis;

the upper fixation plate having a plurality of segments corresponding to those of the lower fixation plate; and

wherein the upper fixation plate is constructed of a non-conductive material.

2. The battery of claim 1, wherein the at least one flow channel is configured to drain the collected condensate off the chassis.

3. The battery of claim 1, wherein the at least one flow channel includes drainage holes in the substrate, each drainage hole located beneath portions of at least two battery cells.

4. The battery of claim 3, wherein the lower fixation plate includes additional drainage holes at a periphery of the substrate.

5. The battery of claim 3, wherein the at least one flow channel further includes grooves in the substrate, the grooves extending between the drainage holes.

6. The battery of claim 5, wherein the grooves are sloped to cause the collected condensate to flow to the drainage holes.

7. The battery of claim 3, wherein the battery cells are prismatic and are arranged in a grid;

and wherein each drainage hole is located beneath corners of four adjacent battery cells.

8. The battery of claim 7, wherein the lower fixation plate further includes a lattice of cell dividers on the substrate, the battery cells located between the cell dividers;

and wherein the at least one flow channel further includes grooves in the substrate, the grooves extending between the drainage holes, along the cell dividers.

9. The battery of claim 1, wherein each battery cell is wrapped with a polyimide film.

10. The battery of claim 1, wherein a side of each battery cell includes a rupture plate;

wherein the chassis further includes a frame having cutouts; and

wherein the battery cells are oriented such that their rupture plates are aligned with the frame cutouts.

11. The battery of claim 1, further comprising dielectric separators between opposing faces of the battery cells, the dielectric separators made of a fiber composite.

12. The battery of claim 1, wherein the battery cells are lithium-ion battery cells;

and wherein the battery is configured for passenger vehicles.

13. A battery system comprising a metal battery enclosure having walls that define a cavity;

and the battery of claim 1 mounted within the cavity and spaced apart from the walls such that condensate drained from the chassis is captured in a portion of the cavity below the battery.

14. The battery system of claim 13, wherein the enclosure includes slide rails, made of electrically non-conductive material, for mounting the battery to opposing walls of the cavity.

15. A battery comprising:

an array of prismatic rechargeable battery cells having rupture plates; and

a frame having sidewall plates with vent holes, and a lower fixation plate having a substrate divided into a plurality of segments, the battery cells supported by the substrate of the lower fixation plate with a single battery cell disposed on each segment, the battery cells oriented with the rupture plates aligned with the vent holes, the substrate is a non-conductive material, and defines at least one drainage hole in each segment, each drainage hole underneath corners of at least two of the battery cells;

wherein the chassis further includes an upper fixation plate configured to hold the battery cells within the chassis;

the upper fixation plate having a plurality of segments corresponding to those of the lower fixation plate; and

wherein the upper fixation plate is constructed of a non-conductive material.

16. The battery of claim 15, wherein the lower fixation plate further includes a lattice of cell dividers on the substrate, the battery cells located between the cell dividers;

and wherein the lower fixation plate further includes grooves extending between drainage holes, along the cell dividers.

17. The battery of claim 15, wherein each battery cell is wrapped with a polyimide film.

18. A battery system comprising:

a battery enclosure having walls that define a cavity; and

a battery mounted within the cavity and spaced apart from the walls, the battery including a plurality of rechargeable battery cells, and a chassis for the battery cells, the chassis including a non-conductive lower fixation plate having a substrate divided into a plurality of segments for supporting the battery cells, the battery cells supported by the substrate and with a single battery cell disposed on each segment, the substrate defining drain holes for draining condensate into a portion of the cavity below the battery;

wherein the chassis further includes an upper fixation plate configured to hold the battery cells within the chassis;

the upper fixation plate having a plurality of segments corresponding to those of the lower fixation plate; and

wherein the upper fixation plate is constructed of a non-conductive material.

19. The battery system of claim 18, wherein the lower fixation plate includes a substrate and a lattice of cell dividers on the substrate, the battery cells located between the cell dividers;

and wherein the lower fixation plate further includes grooves extending between drainage holes, along the dividers.

20. The battery system of claim 18, wherein a side of each battery cell includes a rupture plate;

wherein the chassis further includes a frame having cutouts; and

wherein the battery cells are oriented such that their rupture plates are aligned with the frame cutouts such that material expelled from any battery cell will enter space between the battery and the walls.