BATTERY PACK THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20120282497A1
• Filed: 05/03/2011
• Published: 11/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Yang, Jihui, Cai, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 8,658,299 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/50
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/382 Arrangements for monitoring battery or accumulator variables, e.g. SoC
• 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 10/441 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/443 in response to temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/482 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• 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 10/637 characterised by the use of reversible temperature-sensitive devices, e.g. NTC, PTC or bimetal devices; characterised by control of the internal current flowing through the cells, e.g. by switching means for preventing undesired use or discharge H01M50/572
• 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 10/6556 Solid parts with flow channel passages or pipes for heat exchange closed pipes H01M10/6552
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6561 Gases
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6567 Liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6572 Peltier elements or thermoelectric devices
• 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 battery pack thermal management system includes a plurality of battery cells connected to at least one DC power bus. At least one thermoelectric device is operatively disposed in thermal contact with the plurality of battery cells. At least one temperature measuring device is operatively connected to the thermal management system, and configured to measure a temperature of a predetermined portion of the plurality of battery cells. A cell balancing circuit is operatively connected to the plurality of battery cells, and configured to selectively divert a portion of electric current from at least one of the plurality of battery cells to the at least one thermoelectric device. An electronic controller is operatively connected to the cell balancing circuit, and configured to control a flow of electric current to the at least one thermoelectric device.

Claims

1. A battery pack thermal management system 10, comprising:

a plurality of battery cells connected to at least one DC power bus;

at least one thermoelectric device operatively disposed in thermal contact with the plurality of battery cells;

at least one temperature measuring device operatively connected to the thermal management system, and configured to measure a temperature of a predetermined portion of the plurality of battery cells;

a cell balancing circuit operatively connected to the plurality of battery cells, and configured to selectively divert a portion of electric current from at least one of the plurality of battery cells to the at least one thermoelectric device; and

an electronic controller operatively connected to the cell balancing circuit, and configured to control a flow of electric current to the at least one thermoelectric device.

2. The battery pack thermal management system as defined in claim 1 wherein the electronic controller is configured to:

compare the temperature of the predetermined portion of the plurality of battery cells to an upper temperature reference and a lower temperature reference; and

generate an upper error value and a lower error value for the predetermined portion of the plurality of battery cells.

3. The battery pack thermal management system as defined in claim 2 wherein the electronic controller controls the flow of electric current to the at least one thermoelectric device based on the upper error value and the lower error value for the predetermined portion of the plurality of battery cells.

4. The battery pack thermal management system as defined in claim 1 wherein the at least one thermoelectric device is disposed in thermal contact with at least one thermally conductive structure opposed to the plurality of battery cells.

5. The battery pack thermal management system as defined in claim 4 wherein the at least one thermally conductive structure is disposed in thermal contact with a heat exchanging fluid.

6. The battery pack thermal management system as defined in claim 5 wherein the heat exchanging fluid is air or a liquid coolant.

7. The battery pack thermal management system as defined in claim 1 wherein the portion of electric current diverted is between about 0 mA and about 200 mA per battery cell.

8. The battery pack thermal management system as defined in claim 1 wherein the at least one temperature measuring device comprises a thermal imaging device, or at least one temperature transducer.

9. The battery pack thermal management system as defined in claim 1 wherein the at least one thermoelectric device is a Peltier device, and the plurality of battery cells includes lithium ion battery cells.

10. A method for battery pack thermal management, comprising:

balancing a voltage of each battery cell in a plurality of battery cells operatively connected to at least one DC power bus by shunting a portion of electric current from at least one of the plurality of battery cells to at least one thermoelectric device in thermal contact with a predetermined portion of the plurality of battery cells;

determining a temperature of the predetermined portion of the plurality of battery cells; and

controlling a magnitude and direction of the flow of electric current flowing to the at least one thermoelectric device, thereby heating or cooling the predetermined portion of the plurality of battery cells.

11. The method as defined in claim 10 wherein the at least one thermoelectric device is a Peltier device.

12. The method as defined in claim 10 wherein the controlling is based on an upper error value and a lower error value respectively generated for the predetermined portion of the plurality of battery cells by comparing the temperature of the predetermined portion of the plurality of battery cells to an upper temperature reference and a lower temperature reference.

13. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the portion of electric current flowing to the at least one thermoelectric device is proportional to the upper error value or the lower error value.

14. The method as defined in claim 10, further comprising actively transferring heat between the predetermined portion of the plurality of battery cells and at least one thermally conductive structure operatively connected to the plurality of battery cells through the at least one thermoelectric device.

15. The method as defined in claim 14, further comprising transferring heat between the at least one thermally conductive structure and a heat exchanging fluid.