System and method of altering temperature of an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device using microchannels

• US 20100305762A1
• Filed: 05/26/2009
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Chan, Alistair K.
• Granted Patent: US 9,065,159 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/282
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/00 Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies F28D17/00, F28D19/00, F28D20/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2015/0225 Microheat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/0029 Heat sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2013/006 Heat conductive materials
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 21/02 of carbon, e.g. graphite
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2260/02 having microchannels
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 3/048 in the form of ribs integral with the element or local variations in thickness of the element, e.g. grooves, microchannels
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 3/12 Elements constructed in the shape of a hollow panel, e.g. with channels F28D1/02, F28D1/03 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/18 against thermal overloads, e.g. heating, cooling or ventilating
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/78 Cases; Housings; Encapsulations; Mountings
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 2/08 Cooling arrangements; Heating arrangements; Ventilating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/0003 Protection against electric or thermal overload; cooling arrangements; means for avoiding the formation of cathode films H01G9/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/08 Housing; Encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/615 Heating or keeping warm
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/623 Portable devices, e.g. mobile telephones, cameras or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/63 Control systems charging or discharging in response to temperature H01M10/44 , H01M10/443; measurement of temperature H01M10/48 , H01M10/486
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/633 characterised by algorithms, flow charts, software details or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/647 : Prismatic or flat cells, e.g. pouch cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/654 : located inside the innermost case of the cells, e.g. mandrels, electrodes or electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6551 : Surfaces specially adapted for heat dissipation or radiation, e.g. fins or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/656 : characterised by the type of heat-exchange fluid
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6562 : with free flow by convection only
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6567 : Liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/003 : of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/006 : of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/02 : Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/86 : Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0258 : characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0267 : having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04007 : related to heat exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04029 : Heat exchange using liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04074 : Heat exchange unit structures specially adapted for fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0432 : Temperature; Ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04365 : of other components of a fuel cell or fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04559 : of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04589 : of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04701 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04731 : of other components of a fuel cell or fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2475 : Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00309 : Overheat or overtemperature protection
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20254 : Cold plates transferring heat from heat source to coolant
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 : Energy storage using capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 : Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 : Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A method is generally described which includes altering temperature. The method includes providing a housing having an external surface and an internal surface. The method also includes coupling at least one component within the housing. At least one component is configured to generate electrical energy in combination with other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing. Further, the method includes forming a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or at least one internal components. Further still, the method includes providing a thermal sink coupled to the microchannels. The thermal sink is configured to transfer heat energy to or from the microchannels. Yet further still, the method includes flowing a fluid through the microchannels and the thermal sink.

Claims

1. An electrical energy storage device, comprising:

a housing having an external surface and an internal surface;

at least one component within the housing, at least one component being configured to store electrical power in combination with at least one of other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing;

a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or the at least one internal component; and

a thermal sink coupled to the microchannels, the thermal sink being configured to transfer heat to or from fluid flowing through the microchannels.

2. The electrical energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of a wall of the housing.

3. The electrical energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component.

4. The electrical energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a cathode.

5. The electrical energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes an anode.

6. The electrical energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in the material including a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a catalyst material.

7. The electrical energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a solid electrolyte material.

8. The electrical energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes an electrical contact.

9. The electrical energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a current carrying conductor.

10. The electrical energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a material and the material including a dielectric.

11. The electrical energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a separator.

12. The electrical energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed at least partially integrally on the internal surface of the housing.

13. The electrical energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed at least partially integrally on a surface of at least one component.

14. The electrical energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are configured to induce laminar flow of the fluid through at least a portion of the microchannels.

15-47. -47. (canceled)

48. A fuel cell, comprising:

a housing having an external surface and an internal surface;

at least one component within the housing, at least one component being configured to generate electrical power in combination with at least one of other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing;

a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or the at least one internal components;

a thermal sink coupled to the microchannels, the thermal sink being configured to transfer heat to or from fluid flowing through the microchannels.

49. The fuel cell of claim 48, wherein material is provided from outside of the housing to aid in generation of electricity.

50. The fuel cell of claim 48, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of a wall of the housing.

51. The fuel cell of claim 48, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component.

53. The fuel cell of claim 48, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a cathode.

54. The fuel cell of claim 48, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes an anode.

55. The fuel cell of claim 48, wherein the microchannels are formed in the material including a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a catalyst material.

56. The fuel cell of claim 48, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a solid electrolyte material.

57. The fuel cell of claim 48, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes an electrical contact.

58. The fuel cell of claim 48, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a current carrying conductor.

59. The fuel cell of claim 48, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a dielectric.

62. The fuel cell of claim 48, wherein the microchannels are formed at least partially integrally on a surface of at least one component.

63. The fuel cell of claim 48, wherein the microchannels are configured to induce laminar flow of the fluid through at least a portion of the microchannels.

82. The fuel cell of claim 48, wherein the fuel cell includes one or more electrochemical cells.

52. (canceled)

60-61. -61. (canceled)

64-81. -81. (canceled)

83. (canceled)

84. A method of altering temperature for an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device, comprising:

providing a housing having an external surface and an internal surface;

providing at least one component within the housing, at least one component being configured to generate electrical energy in combination with other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing;

forming a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or the at least one internal components;

providing a thermal sink coupled to the microchannels, the thermal sink being configured to transfer heat energy to or from a fluid; and

flowing a fluid through the thermal sink and the microchannels.

85-126. -126. (canceled)

127. An electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device, comprising:

a housing having an external surface and an internal surface;

at least one component within the housing, at least one component being configured to store electrical power in combination with at least one of other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing;

a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or the at least one internal component; and

a fluid inlet coupled to the plurality of microchannels; and

a fluid outlet coupled to the plurality of microchannels.

128-167. -167. (canceled)

168. An electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device, comprising:

a housing having an external surface and an internal surface;

at least one component within the housing, at least one component being configured to generate electrical energy in combination with at least one of other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing;

a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or the at least one internal components, the plurality of microchannels being divided into at least two sets of microchannels and the two sets being separated by at least one valve;

a controller configured to provide control signals to the valve, the valve configured to control fluid flow in the at least two sets, the control signals based on thermal control demand; and

a thermal sink coupled to the micro-channels, the thermal sink being configured to transfer heat energy to or from the microchannel surfaces via the fluid flowing through the microchannels and the thermal sink.

169-216. -216. (canceled)

217. A method of thermal control of an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device, comprising:

providing a housing having an external surface and an internal surface;

coupling at least one component within the housing, at least one component being configured to generate electrical energy in combination with other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing;

forming a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or the at least one internal components, the plurality of microchannels being divided into at least two sets of microchannels and the two sets being separated by at least one valve;

providing a controller configured to provide control signals to the valve, the valve configured to control fluid flow in the at least two sets, the control signals based on thermal control demand; and

providing a thermal sink coupled to the microchannels, the thermal sink being configured to transfer heat energy to or from the microchannel; and

flowing a fluid through the microchannels and the radiator.

218-265. -265. (canceled)

266. A method of altering the temperature of an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device, comprising:

providing an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device including a microchannel thermal control system, the microchannel thermal control system having a controllable fluid flow device configured to control the flow of fluid through the microchannels;

providing a controller configure to provide control signals to the controllable fluid flow device at a predetermined time relative to a time in which energy demand is anticipated from the electrical energy storage device or from the electrochemical energy generation device or charging of the electrical energy storage device is anticipated; and

providing a programmed processor in which the programming is configured to make determinations of the anticipated energy demand or the anticipated charging of the electrical energy storage device.

267-310. -310. (canceled)