Thermal Management Structures for Battery Packs

• US 20130183566A1
• Filed: 09/30/2011
• Published: 07/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NeoGraf Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Graftech International Holdings Inc (Graftech International Limited)
• Inventors: Wayne, Ryan J., Smalc, Martin D., Taylor, Jonathan, Fishman, Elliott
• Application Number:
  US13/876,302
• Publication Number:
  US 20130183566A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/120
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/62 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/643 Cylindrical cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/653 characterised by electrically insulating or thermally conductive materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6551 Surfaces specially adapted for heat dissipation or radiation, e.g. fins or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6555 arranged between the cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/24 adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion thermal insulation H01M10/658
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery pack includes a plurality of cylindrical battery cells. Damage caused by thermal energy generated in the battery pack is minimized by a one or more graphite sheets in contact with a portion of each cylindrical battery cell.

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising:

a plurality of cylindrical battery cells having a longitudinal length and a radial outer surface, said cylindrical battery cells being arranged in at least one linear row; and

at least one heat spreader comprised of a graphite sheet and extending at least substantially the entire longitudinal length of said cylindrical battery cells and the entire length of said linear row; and

wherein a single heat spreader contacts at least a portion of said radial outer surface of each said cylindrical battery in said row.

2. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein said graphite sheet comprises compressed expanded natural graphite.

3. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein said graphite sheet comprises resin impregnated compressed natural graphite sheet.

4. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein said graphite sheet comprises graphitized polyimide sheet.

5. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein said heat spreader includes a top surface and a bottom surface, said heat spreader contacting said battery cells in said row alternately on said top surface and said bottom surface.

6. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein said heat spreader includes a plurality of semi-circular portions in cross-section, each said semi-circular portion receiving a portion of the radial outer surface of each battery cell in said row.

7. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein a leg extends perpendicular to said row at opposed ends of said heat spreader.

8. The battery pack of claim 7 wherein said heat spreader further comprises a top sheet that extends between said legs and forms an interior channel.

9. A battery pack comprising:

a plurality of cylindrical battery cells having a longitudinal length and a radial outer surface; and

a plurality of heat spreaders comprised of a graphite sheet, each said cylindrical battery being positioned in a heat spreader, said heat spreader extending at least substantially the entire longitudinal length of said battery cell and contacting at least a portion of said radial outer surface.

10. The battery pack of claim 9 wherein said heat spreaders are piscine shaped in cross-section.

11. The battery pack of claim 9 wherein said heat spreaders are cruciform shaped in cross-section.

12. The battery pack of claim 9 wherein said heat spreaders each include a square outer wall and a plurality of legs extending inwardly, at least one of said legs contacting said radial outer surface of said battery cell.

13. The battery pack of claim 9 wherein said heat spreaders having a corrugated cross-section.

14. The battery pack of claim 9 wherein said heat spreaders are eyelid shaped in cross-section.

15. The battery pack of claim 9 wherein said heat spreaders are teardrop shaped in cross-section.

16. The battery pack of claim 9 wherein said heat spreaders are U-shaped in cross-section.

17. The battery pack of claim 9 wherein a longitudinally extending channel is formed between each said heat spreader and an associated battery cell.

18. The battery pack of claim 9 wherein said graphite sheet comprises compressed expanded natural graphite.

19. The battery pack of claim 9 wherein said graphite sheet comprises resin impregnated compressed natural graphite sheet.

20. The battery pack of claim 9 wherein said graphite sheet comprises graphitized polyimide sheet.