Battery system

• US 20050174092A1
• Filed: 10/28/2004
• Published: 08/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Kuempers, Joerg A., Symanski, James S., Koehler, Uwe, Dougherty, Thomas J., Smith, Nels R., Mrotek, Edward N., Andrew, Michael G., Hansen, Scott A., Taghikhani, Majid, Miles, Ronald C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,632,898 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/128
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0525 Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/52 Removing gases inside the secondary cell, e.g. by absorption vent plugs or other mechanical arrangements for facilitating escape of gases H01M50/30
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6551 Surfaces specially adapted for heat dissipation or radiation, e.g. fins or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6563 with forced flow, e.g. by blowers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6566 Means within the gas flow to guide the flow around one or more cells, e.g. manifolds, baffles or other barriers H01M10/6565 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 50/30 Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/503 characterised by the shape of the interconnectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/51 Connection only in series
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/517 by fixing means, e.g. screws, rivets or bolts
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/533 characterised by the shape of the leads or tabs
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/548 on opposite sides of the cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/559 Terminals adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round, elliptic or button cells H01M50/553 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/578 in response to pressure
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/581 in response to temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/10 with wound or folded electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/42 Grouping of primary cells into batteries H01M6/40 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/5038 Heating or cooling of cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A lithium battery for use in a vehicle includes a container, a plurality of positive terminals extending from a first end of the lithium battery, and a plurality of negative terminals extending from a second end of the lithium battery. The plurality of positive terminals are provided in a first configuration and the plurality of negative terminals are provided in a second configuration, the first configuration differing from the second configuration. A battery system for use in a vehicle may include a plurality of electrically connected lithium cells or batteries.

Claims

1. A lithium battery for use in a vehicle comprising:

a container;

a plurality of positive terminals extending from a first end of the lithium battery; and

a plurality of negative terminals extending from a second end of the lithium battery;

wherein the plurality of positive terminals are provided in a first configuration and the plurality of negative terminals are provided in a second configuration, the first configuration differing from the second configuration.

2. The lithium battery of claim 1 wherein the lithium battery comprises two positive terminals and two negative terminals.

3. The lithium battery of claim 2 wherein the two positive terminals are separated by a first distance and the two negative terminals are separated by a second distance, the first distance differing from the second distance.

4. The lithium battery of claim 3 wherein the second distance is less than the first distance.

5. The lithium battery of claim 1 wherein the plurality of positive terminals and the plurality of negative terminals include a threaded portion.

6. The lithium battery of claim 1 wherein the plurality of positive terminals and the plurality of negative terminals are configured to provide for heat transfer from the lithium battery.

7. The lithium battery of claim 1 wherein the plurality of positive terminals and the plurality of negative terminals are configured to provide enhanced current distribution for the lithium battery.

8. The lithium battery of claim 1 wherein the plurality of positive terminals are coupled to the container.

9. The lithium battery of claim 1 wherein the container has a generally oval shape.

17. The lithium battery of claim 1 further comprising a first cap coupled to the container and provided at the first end of the lithium battery and a second cap coupled to the container and provided at the second end of the lithium battery.

18. The lithium battery of claim 17 wherein the first cap and the second cap include at least one vent port for allowing removal of gases from within the lithium battery.

19. The lithium battery of claim 17 wherein the first cap and the second cap comprise a polymeric material.

20. The lithium battery of claim 17 wherein the first cap and the second cap are configured to act as spacers to prevent contact between the container and a container of an adjacent battery.

21. The lithium battery of claim 1 wherein the container includes an outer surface, and further comprising a plurality of features extending from the outer surface of the container for providing enhanced heat transfer for the container.

22. The lithium battery of claim 1 further comprising a mandrel provided in the battery for providing a structure around which at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode are wound.

10. The lithium battery of claim I wherein at least one positive electrode, at least one negative electrode, and a separator provided intermediate the at least one positive electrode and the at least one negative electrode are provided within the container.

11. The lithium battery of claim 10 wherein the at least one positive electrode and the at least one negative electrode are provided within the container such that a first portion of the at least one positive electrode extends beyond a first portion of the at least one negative electrode at a first end of the container and a second portion of the at least one negative electrode extends beyond a second portion of the at least one positive electrode at a second end of the container.

12. The lithium battery of claim 10 further comprising a member coupled to a portion of the at least one positive electrode and to at least one of the terminals.

13. The lithium battery of claim 12 wherein the member has a generally crescent shape.

14. The lithium battery of claim 12 further comprising a material provided in at least a portion of a space between the at least one positive electrode and the at least one negative electrode for preventing material from entering the space.

15. The lithium battery of claim 14 wherein the material is an epoxy.

16. The lithium battery of claim 12 further comprising at least one fin extending between a surface of the member and the at least one terminal for providing at least one of enhanced heat transfer from within the lithium battery and enhanced conductivity for the lithium battery.

23. A battery system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a plurality of electrically connected lithium batteries, each of the plurality of lithium batteries including a plurality of positive terminals extending from a first end thereof and a plurality of negative terminals extending from a second end thereof.

24. The battery system of claim 23 wherein the lithium batteries comprise lithium cells.

25. The battery system of claim 24 wherein each of the plurality of lithium batteries includes two positive terminals and two negative terminals.

27. The battery system of claim 23 wherein the plurality of lithium batteries are provided such that the positive terminals of each of the batteries are adjacent the negative terminals of an adjacent battery.

29. The battery system of claim 23 further comprising a connector for electrically connecting at least one negative terminal of a first of the plurality of lithium batteries to at least one positive terminal of a second of the plurality of lithium batteries.

30. The battery system of claim 29 wherein the connector comprises an element configured to assist in removing heat from the at least one negative terminal of the first of the plurality of lithium batteries and the at least one positive terminal of the second of the plurality of lithium batteries.

31. The battery system of claim 30 wherein the element configured to assist in removing heat comprises a fin.

32. The battery system of claim 29 wherein the connector includes a plurality of apertures, each of the apertures configured to receive a terminal of a battery therethrough.

33. The battery system of claim 32 wherein the connector comprises a material configured to allow the apertures to expand when the connector is cooled.

34. The battery system of claim 32 wherein the connector is secured to the at least one negative terminal of the first of the plurality of lithium batteries and the at least one positive terminal of the second of the plurality of lithium batteries by engagement between the terminals and walls of the plurality of apertures.

35. The battery system of claim 34 wherein the at least one negative terminal of the first of the plurality of lithium batteries and the at least one positive terminal of the second of the plurality of lithium batteries to which the connector is secured each have a fastener provided therein to expand the terminals.

36. The battery system of claim 29 wherein the at least one negative terminal of the first of the plurality of lithium batteries and the at least one positive terminal of the second of the plurality of lithium batteries have a threaded surface and are coupled to the connector using a threaded fastener.

40. The battery system of claim 23 wherein each of the plurality of lithium batteries includes a container comprising a conductive material.

41. The battery system of claim 40 wherein the container has a generally oval shape.

43. The battery system of claim 23 wherein the battery system further comprises at least one channel provided at a top portion of the battery system for directing a fluid past a plurality of battery terminals and at least one channel provided at a bottom portion of the battery system for directing a fluid past a plurality of battery terminals.

44. The battery system of claim 43 wherein the top portion of the battery system includes a first channel and a second channel for directing a fluid past a plurality of battery terminals, the first channel having a first terminal of each of the lithium batteries provided therein and the second channel having a second terminal of each of the lithium batteries provided therein.

45. The battery system of claim 44 further comprising a third channel provided at the top portion of the battery system for directing gases from at least a portion of the plurality of lithium batteries.

46. The battery system of claim 45 wherein the third channel is provided between the first channel and the second channel.

47. The battery system of claim 45 wherein the third channel is aligned with vent ports provided in the at least a portion of the plurality of lithium batteries to allow gas expelled through the vent ports to enter the third channel.

48. The battery system of claim 23 wherein the battery system comprises means for passing a fluid past the terminals of the plurality of lithium batteries.

49. The battery system of claim 48 wherein the means for passing a fluid past the terminals of the plurality of lithium batteries comprises a fan.

50. The battery system of claim 23 wherein the battery system comprises a system for collecting gases expelled from at least one of the plurality of lithium batteries.

51. The battery system of claim 50 wherein the system for collecting gases comprises means for disconnecting the battery system from a vehicle power system.

52. The battery system of claim 50 wherein the system for collecting gases comprises a member configured to move when gas pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, the member configured to effect disconnection of the battery system when the gas pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold.

53. The battery system of claim 50 wherein the system for collecting gases comprises a material for collecting materials carried in the collected gases.

54. The battery system of claim 53 wherein the material for collecting materials carried in the collected gases comprises a material selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, an absorptive glass mat material, and combinations thereof.

55. The battery system of claim 23 wherein the battery system comprises at least one device for monitoring a temperature of at least one of the plurality of lithium batteries.

56. The battery system of claim 55 wherein the at least one device for monitoring a temperature of at least one of the plurality of lithium batteries comprises at least one of an infrared thermometer and a laser thermometer.

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57. A system for providing power for a vehicle comprising:

a plurality of lithium-ion cells electrically connected in series, each of the plurality of lithium-ion cells including a plurality of positive terminals extending from a first end thereof and a plurality of negative terminals extending from a second end thereof; and

means for directing a fluid past the plurality of positive terminals and the plurality of negative terminals to remove heat from the plurality of lithium-ion cells.

58. The system of claim 57 wherein the means for directing a fluid comprises at least one channel.

63. The system of claim 57 further comprising means for directing gas expelled from the plurality of lithium-ion cells.

64. The system of claim 63 wherein the means for directing gas expelled from the plurality of lithium-ion cells comprises at least one channel aligned with vent ports provided in a plurality of the lithium-ion cells.

65. The system of claim 63 further comprising a system for collecting gas expelled from the plurality of lithium-ion cells.

68. The system of claim 57 wherein each of the plurality of lithium-ion cells includes two positive terminals and two negative terminals.

72. The system of claim 57 further comprising a connector for electrically connecting a negative terminal of a first of the plurality of lithium-ion cells to a positive terminal of a second of the plurality of lithium-ion cells.

77. The system of claim 57 wherein each of the plurality of lithium-ion cells includes a container comprising a material that is configured to conduct heat.

78. The system of claim 77 wherein the container has a generally elliptical shape.

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81. A lithium battery system comprising:

a module comprising;

a plurality of electrically connected cells, each having a first terminal set and a second terminal set;

a path for heat transfer across the first terminal set of each of the plurality of cells; and

a path configured to direct a flow of effluent from at least one of the plurality of cells.

82. The lithium battery system of claim 81 wherein the path is defined by a plurality of channels.

83. The lithium battery system of claim 82 wherein each of the plurality of channels are configured to allow a fluid to be passed across at least one terminal included in the first terminal set of each of the plurality of cells.

84. The lithium battery system of claim 83 wherein each of the plurality of cells is connected to at least one adjacent cell by a connector, at least a portion of the connector provided within one of the plurality of channels.

86. The lithium battery system of claim 81 wherein the path for heat transfer across the first terminal set of each of the plurality of cells is located at a top portion of the module.

87. The lithium battery system of claim 86 further comprising a second path for heat transfer across the second terminal set of each of the plurality of cells.

88. The lithium battery system of claim 87 wherein the second path for heat transfer across the second terminal set of each of the plurality of cells is located at a lower portion of the module.

89. The lithium battery system of claim 81 wherein each of the plurality of cells comprises a vent.

90. The lithium battery system of claim 89 wherein each of the vents is in communication with the first path configured to provide direct the flow of effluent.

92. The lithium battery system of claim 81 wherein each of the plurality of cells has a rounded elongate cross-section.

93. The lithium battery system of claim 81 wherein the first terminal set comprises at least two terminals having the same polarity.

94. The lithium battery system of claim 93 wherein the second terminal set comprises at least two terminals having the same polarity.

95. The lithium battery system of claim 94 wherein the first terminal set is provided on a first side of each of the plurality of cells and the second terminal set is provided on a second side of each of the plurality of cells.

96. The lithium battery system of claim 81 wherein the plurality of cells are electrically connected along a first path for electrical connectivity across a top portion of the module and along a second path for electrical connectivity across a bottom portion of the module.

97. The lithium battery system of claim 96 wherein the first path and the second path are connected through the plurality of cells.

98. The lithium battery system of claim 81 wherein the path configured to direct the flow of effluent comprises a manifold.

120. The lithium battery system of claim 81 wherein the module further comprises a circuit configured to monitor electrical performance.

121. The lithium battery system of claim 120 wherein the circuit is configured to monitor a temperature of the module.

122. The lithium battery system of claim 120 wherein the circuit is configured to provide an output signal.

123. The lithium battery system of claim 120 wherein the circuit is configured to monitor a condition of at least one cell.

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