METHOD OF COOLING A BATTERY PACK USING FLAT HEAT PIPES

• US 20090208829A1
• Filed: 02/17/2009
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Atieva, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Atieva USA, Inc.
• Inventors: Howard, Keith, Lin, Sheau-Pyng
• Granted Patent: US 8,231,996 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/120
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/0233 the conduits having a particular shape, e.g. non-circular cross-section, annular F28D15/0241, F28D15/0266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/0275 Arrangements for coupling heat-pipes together or with other structures, e.g. with base blocks; Heat pipe cores
• 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 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/617 for achieving uniformity or desired distribution of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/643 Cylindrical cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/651 characterised by parameters specified by a numeric value or mathematical formula, e.g. ratios, sizes or concentrations
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6552 Closed pipes transferring heat by thermal conductivity or phase transition, e.g. heat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6556 Solid parts with flow channel passages or pipes for heat exchange closed pipes H01M10/6552
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6567 Liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/42 Grouping of primary cells into batteries H01M6/40 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Methods of cooling a battery pack comprising a large number of cells are disclosed in various embodiments. In one embodiment, one or more low thermal resistance heat pipes are used to transfer heat away from the battery pack. In another embodiment, the heat pipes are coupled to a cold plate cooled by circulating liquid.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a battery pack; and

a heat pipe having a flat surface disposed in thermal contact with the battery pack.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery pack comprises a conducting plate to make thermal contact with a plurality of battery cells when the battery cells are inserted into the battery pack, and wherein the flat surface of each heat pipe is disposed in thermal contact with a conducting plate.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a thermal interface material is disposed between the heat pipe and the conducting plate.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a thermal interface material is sandwiched between the conducting plate and the plurality of battery cells.

5. An apparatus for cooling a battery pack comprising:

one or more heat pipes each having an evaporation section and a condensation section, wherein the evaporation section of each heat pipe has at least one flat surface to thermally contact with the battery pack; and

a cold plate in thermal contact with the condensation section of each heat pipe, wherein the cold plate is cooled by liquid circulation.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the flat surface of the evaporation section of each heat pipe is to thermally contact a conducting plate of the battery pack;

wherein the conducting plate is in thermal contact with a plurality of battery cells in the battery pack.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a thermal interface material is disposed between each heat pipe and the conducting plate.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a thermal interface material is disposed between the conducting plate and the plurality of battery cells.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a thermal interface material is disposed between the condensation section of each heat pipe and the cold plate.

10. A battery pack system comprising:

a plurality of battery cells;

one or more heat pipes each having an evaporation section and a condensation section, wherein the evaporation section of each heat pipe has at least one flat surface to thermally contact with the battery pack; and

a cold plate in thermal contact with the condensation section of each heat pipe, wherein the cold plate is cooled by liquid circulation.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein each of the battery cells has a substantially planar surface, and wherein the at least one flat surface of at least one heat pipe is disposed adjacent the substantially planar surface of at least a portion of the battery cells.

12. The system of claim 10 further comprising a conducting plate, wherein the conducting plate is in thermal contact with the plurality of battery cells.