RECHARGEABLE BATTERY INCLUDING BATTERY CELL SEPARATORS

• US 20140242435A1
• Filed: 02/24/2014
• Published: 08/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Callahan, Kevin S.
• Granted Patent: US 10,044,077 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/120
• 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 10/625 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/647 Prismatic or flat cells, e.g. pouch cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/658 by thermal insulation or shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2200/00 Safety devices for primary or secondary batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/293 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A rechargeable battery comprises a plurality of individual sealed battery cells, and dielectric separators between the battery cells for creating thermal barriers between opposing surfaces of the battery cells. The dielectric separators are made of a fiber composite.

Claims

1. A rechargeable battery comprising a plurality of individual sealed battery cells;

and dielectric separators between the battery cells for creating thermal barriers between opposing surfaces of the battery cells, the dielectric separators made of a fiber composite.

2. The battery of claim 1, wherein each battery cell includes first and second electrodes, a case for the electrodes, and electrolyte sealed within the case.

3. The battery of claim 1, wherein the fiber composite includes fibers in a phenolic resin matrix.

4. The battery of claim 1, wherein the fiber composite includes a glass fiber phenolic.

5. The battery of claim 1, wherein the fiber composite includes fiber basalts.

6. The battery of claim 1, wherein the separators are at least as large as opposing surfaces of the battery cells.

7. The battery of claim 1, wherein each battery cell is wrapped with a polyimide film.

8. The battery of claim 1, wherein the battery cells are prismatic, wherein the battery cells are arranged in an array, and wherein the dielectric separators form a lattice.

9. The battery of claim 8, wherein the dielectric separators are interlockable.

10. The battery of claim 8, wherein the battery cells are lithium-ion battery cells, and wherein the battery is configured for a passenger vehicle.

11. A rechargeable battery comprising:

a lattice of dielectric separators; and

an array of battery cells populating spaces formed by the lattice;

the dielectric separators configured to prevent propagation of thermal runaway between the battery cells, the dielectric separators composed of fibers in a phenolic resin matrix.

12. The battery of claim 11, wherein the separators are composed of glass fiber phenolic.

13. The battery of claim 11, wherein the dielectric separators are interlockable.

14. The battery of claim 11, wherein the battery cells are lithium-ion battery cells, and wherein the battery is configured for a passenger vehicle.

15. Apparatus for preventing thermal runaway from propagating in an array of rechargeable battery cells, the apparatus comprising a plurality of dielectric separators that are interlocked to form a lattice, the lattice forming spaces for the battery cells to populate, the dielectric separators composed of fibers in a phenolic resin matrix.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the dielectric separators are composed of glass fiber phenolic.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein dielectric separators are configured for an array of prismatic lithium-ion battery cells.