Design of a Large battery pack for a hybrid locomotive
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for operating a battery pack, comprising:
- providing a battery pack, the battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells, the battery cells being electrically connected in series; and
during battery pack charging and energy removal, maintaining an internal temperature in each of the battery cells within about 5°
C. of one another.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to systems for prolonging battery life, such as maintaining battery cell temperatures in battery packs within specified limits, providing vibration and shock resistance, and/or electrically isolating groups of batteries from nearby conductive surfaces.
166 Citations
52 Claims
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1. A method for operating a battery pack, comprising:
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providing a battery pack, the battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells, the battery cells being electrically connected in series; and
during battery pack charging and energy removal, maintaining an internal temperature in each of the battery cells within about 5°
C. of one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. In a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells, the battery pack being in an enclosure having at least one air input for drawing in air at a first flow rate, comprising:
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(a) determining an ambient air temperature outside of the enclosure; and
(b) performing at least one of the following steps;
(b1) when the ambient air temperature is above a first temperature set point, reducing, relative to the first flow rate, an amount of air being drawn into the enclosure; and
(b2) when the ambient air temperature is below a second temperature set point, reducing, relative to the first flow rate, an amount of air being drawn into the enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. In a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells, the battery pack being in an enclosure having at least one air input for drawing in air at a first flow rate, comprising:
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(a) determining a temperature at a point within the enclosure; and
(b) when the determined temperature is above a temperature set point, performing at least one of the following steps;
(b1) reducing, relative to the first flow rate, an amount of air being drawn into at least a portion of the enclosure;
(b2) controlling a molecular oxygen level in at least a portion of the enclosure; and
(b3) introducing an inert and/or non flammable gas or a liquid into at least a portion of the enclosure to lower the temperature in the at least a portion of the enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A battery pack assembly, comprising:
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a plurality of battery cells, the plurality of battery cells being connected in series;
an enclosure enclosing the plurality of battery cells;
at least one air input and at least one air output in the enclosure; and
a fan positioned in at least one of the at least one air input and at least one air output. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A battery pack assembly, comprising:
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a plurality of battery cells, the plurality of battery cells being connected in series;
an enclosure enclosing the plurality of battery cells;
at least one air input and at least one air output in the enclosure; and
a shutter operatively engaging each of the at least one air input and at least one air output, wherein the shutter is positionable between an open position in which air passes freely through the respective at least one air input and air output and a closed position in which air does not pass freely through the respective at least one air input and air output. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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40. A battery pack assembly, comprising:
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a plurality of battery cells;
a battery rack; and
a plurality of isolation containers supportably mounted on and movably engaging the battery rack, each isolation container comprising a number of battery cells. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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Specification