BATTERY WITH SOLID STATE COOLING
First Claim
1. An electrochemical unit for assembly with like units in making a vehicle battery, the electrochemical unit comprising:
- a pouch comprising at least one set of electrodes and an electrolyte, the pouch and its contents being shaped as a two-sided unit with opposing faces for generally face to face contact in assembly with like pouch units, the electrochemical unit requiring heating or cooling during its operation, each face of the pouch being defined by a first layer of a first polymer composition overlain by at least a second polymer layer of a second polymer composition, the first polymer layer being in intimate contact with the electrolyte and with at least an electrode;
the electrochemical unit further comprisinga plurality of spaced-apart, like-shaped, alternating, n-type and p-type semiconductor thermoelectric elements, each with opposing first and second faces, the first faces of adjacent elements being electrically connected to form a first junction, the second faces of adjacent elements being electrically connected to form a second junction, the first and second junctions being arranged to enable serial connection of the plurality of elements, the elements and their associated junctions being generally co-extensive with, supported by, and attached to the first polymer layer to form an assembled thermoelectric device integral with the pouch structure, the device being activatable by passage of direct electric current to produce a cooling or a heating face in contact with the pouch face;
the thermoelectric device being substantially covered by the second polymer layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A battery is provided with solid state cooling means so that it may operate within a predetermined operating temperature range is described. Suitably such a battery may be a high voltage-high current battery intended for use in a vehicle propelled by an electric motor such as a hybrid or electric vehicle. A plurality of thermoelectric assemblies is positioned in thermal contact with the assembled cells and/or modules which comprise the battery. These assemblies may be appropriately powered to pump heat from the battery responsive to a plurality of temperature sensors associated with individual cells or modules so that the battery temperature is maintained within the predetermined temperature range. The thermoelectric assemblies may also be powered to pump heat to the battery to more rapidly increase its temperature to the predetermined operating range under low temperature conditions.
33 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electrochemical unit for assembly with like units in making a vehicle battery, the electrochemical unit comprising:
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a pouch comprising at least one set of electrodes and an electrolyte, the pouch and its contents being shaped as a two-sided unit with opposing faces for generally face to face contact in assembly with like pouch units, the electrochemical unit requiring heating or cooling during its operation, each face of the pouch being defined by a first layer of a first polymer composition overlain by at least a second polymer layer of a second polymer composition, the first polymer layer being in intimate contact with the electrolyte and with at least an electrode;
the electrochemical unit further comprisinga plurality of spaced-apart, like-shaped, alternating, n-type and p-type semiconductor thermoelectric elements, each with opposing first and second faces, the first faces of adjacent elements being electrically connected to form a first junction, the second faces of adjacent elements being electrically connected to form a second junction, the first and second junctions being arranged to enable serial connection of the plurality of elements, the elements and their associated junctions being generally co-extensive with, supported by, and attached to the first polymer layer to form an assembled thermoelectric device integral with the pouch structure, the device being activatable by passage of direct electric current to produce a cooling or a heating face in contact with the pouch face; the thermoelectric device being substantially covered by the second polymer layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A module for assembly with like modules in making a vehicle battery, the module having capability for cooling or heating the module, the module comprising:
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a substantially closed housing containing at least an electrochemical unit comprising a pouch containing electrodes and an electrolyte, the electrochemical unit being adapted to receive, store and discharge electricity on demand, the module housing being shaped as a two-sided unit with co-extensive opposing faces for generally face to face contact in assembly with like modules, the housing faces each having a thickness and an interior and an exterior surface, the faces having a perimeter, the faces being joined to a strip with edges, with each strip edge being attached to one of the face perimeters of the opposing faces to define the housing; and a plurality of like-shaped, spaced-apart alternating p-type and n-type semiconductor thermoelectric elements with opposing first and second faces, the first faces of adjacent elements being electrically connected to form a first junction, the second faces of adjacent elements being electrically connected to form a second junction, the first and second junctions being arranged to enable serial electrical connection of the plurality of elements, the elements and their associated junctions being generally co-extensive with, supported by and attached to a face of the housing to form an assembled thermoelectric device integral with the module housing, the device being activatable by passage of direct electric current to produce a cooling or a heating face in contact with the module face. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification