Battery system thermal management
First Claim
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1. A battery module comprising:
- a housing;
a plurality of electrochemical cell elements contained within the housing, the electrical cell elements capable of a heat-generating charge;
a supply of a phase change material also contained within the housing and in thermal contact with at least one of the plurality of electrochemical cell elements whereby the phase change material absorbs at least a portion of the heat generated upon a charge or discharge of electric power from the at least one of the plurality of electrochemical cell elements, the phase change material having a thermal conductivity; and
a heat-conductive containment lattice member also contained within the housing, the containment lattice member having a plurality of openings wherein at least a portion of the supply of the phase change material is disposed.
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Abstract
Power supply systems and associated methods of operation are provided based on the incorporation of a supply of phase change material in thermal contact with at least one cell element capable of a heat-generating charge or discharge of power. Also disclosed, such as for increased or improved heat transfer and dissipation, is battery module incorporation of a heat-conductive containment lattice member such as having a plurality of openings wherein at least a portion of the supply of the phase change material can be disposed as well as the inclusion of a plurality of module housing-protruding heat transfer fins.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A battery module comprising:
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a housing;
a plurality of electrochemical cell elements contained within the housing, the electrical cell elements capable of a heat-generating charge;
a supply of a phase change material also contained within the housing and in thermal contact with at least one of the plurality of electrochemical cell elements whereby the phase change material absorbs at least a portion of the heat generated upon a charge or discharge of electric power from the at least one of the plurality of electrochemical cell elements, the phase change material having a thermal conductivity; and
a heat-conductive containment lattice member also contained within the housing, the containment lattice member having a plurality of openings wherein at least a portion of the supply of the phase change material is disposed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of operating a power supply system, the method comprising:
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discharging at least one cell element of a battery module to produce a quantity of power and a quantity of heat, absorbing at least a portion of the quantity of heat in a phase change material in thermal contact with the discharging cell element with the phase change material disposed in a plurality of openings in a heat-conductive containment lattice member, following discharge, releasing at least a portion of the absorbed quantity of heat from the phase change material to heat the at least one cell element to a greater than ambient temperature, and subsequently discharging the heated at least one cell element. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification