ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20170170439A1
• Filed: 10/03/2016
• Published: 06/15/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arconic Technologies LLC (Arconic Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Alcoa Incorporated (Howmet Aerospace, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dick, Robert E., Weiland, Hasso, Jarvis, Glenn W., Fridy, Joseph M., McNeish, David J., Bhattacharyya, Rabindra K., Krish, John M., Ference, David M., Cobes, John W., Watters, Brock, Catrambone, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 10,446,817 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 2200/20 Pressure-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/30 Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/3425 in the form of rupturable membranes or weakened parts, e.g. pierced with the aid of a sharp member
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/578 in response to pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

The present application provides for various embodiments of energy storage devices and various methods of utilizing the same.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a sealed container configured to house a plurality of energy storage devices and enable electrical communication across the container;

a vent device configured along a portion of the container, the vent device comprising;

a circular countersink extending perimetrically adjacent to an edge of a substrate to define a central panel, the countersink, and an outer edge, and

a score configured on an outer surface of the substrate and positioned within the countersink, such that the container is configured to vent via a snap-through buckling event triggered by the countersink, where the countersink is configured to fracture the score along the score region when the pressure in the container exceeds a predetermined value; and

a current interrupt device comprising;

an actuator configured with;

a dome having a perimetrical countersink, wherein the dome is positioned on the container such that the dome extends towards the inside of the container so that the interior pressure of the container acts upon an inner surface of the dome;

a flexible member attached via a first end to at least one of;

a first terminal and the container and attached at a second end to the outer surface of the dome, wherein the flexible member is configured to electrically communicate with the first terminal; and

a connecting member configured to attach the flexible member at its second end to the outer surface of the dome to retain the flexible member on the dome; and

a fuse element, wherein the fuse element is in electrical communication with the second terminal, further wherein the fuse element is positioned at a predetermined distance from the actuator,

wherein the dome is specifically designed to undergo a snap-through buckling event initiated by the interior pressure of the container exceeding a predetermined value, wherein the snap-through buckling event is configured to move the flexible member into electrical communication with the fuse element, thus initiating an electrical short in the container.

2. An apparatus, comprising:

a container including;

a body and a cover sealed via a forming operation,

wherein the container is configured to house a plurality of energy storage devices,

wherein the container is configured to enable electrical communication between the plurality of energy storage devices and two terminals located on an external side of the container, the two terminals including a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the two terminals are configured with opposite polarizations; and

a current interrupt device comprising;

an actuator configured with;

a dome having a perimetrical countersink, wherein the dome is positioned on the container such that the dome extends towards the inside of the container, wherein the dome is configured to communicate with the interior of the container such that internal pressure acts upon an inner surface of the dome;

a flexible member attached via a first end to at least one of;

a first terminal and the container and attached at a second end to an outer surface of the dome, wherein the flexible member is configured to electrically communicate with the first terminal; and

a connecting member configured to attach the flexible member at its second end to the outer surface of the dome in order to retain the flexible member on the dome; and

a fuse element, wherein the fuse element is in electrical communication with the second terminal, further wherein the fuse element is positioned at a predetermined distance from the actuator,

wherein the dome is specifically designed to/configured to undergo a snap-through buckling event initiated by the interior pressure of the container exceeding a predetermined value,

wherein the snap-through buckling event is configured to move the flexible member into electrical communication with the fuse element to initiate an electrical short in the container.

3. An apparatus, comprising:

a sealed container configured to house a plurality of energy storage devices and enable electrical communication across the container; and

a vent device configured along a portion of the container, the vent comprising;

a substrate having two generally opposed surfaces, including a first surface configured to communicate with the interior of the container and a second surface configured on the outside of the container the panel configured with a circular countersink extending perimetrically around the substrate to define a central panel; and

a score configured on the outer surface of the substrate and positioned within the countersink, such that the container is configured to vent via a snap-through buckling event triggered by the countersink, where the countersink is configured to fracture the score along the score region when the pressure in the container exceeds a predetermined value.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the score is configured to extend along a portion of the countersink to define a scored portion and an unscored portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the vent device is configured with a buckling initiator on the first surface of the substrate.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the buckling initiator is configured on the countersink.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the buckling initiator is configured to intersect with the countersink region having a score.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the vent device is attached to the container via a welding operation.

9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the vent device is integral with the container.

10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the container is configured to retain:

a support matrix wherein the support matrix is configured to house a plurality of li-ion batteries and maintain the batteries in spaced relation from each other.

11. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the support matrix includes:

at least one of;

an energy absorbing material and a flame arresting material.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

a metallic container including;

a body, the body including a bottom and at least one perimetrical sidewall connected to and extending in an upward direction from the base to define an open upper end having a perimetrical rim and a closed lower end;

a cover having a perimetrical edge, the cover configured to be positioned into the open upper end and cooperate with the perimetrical rim; and

a seal configured between the cover and the perimetrical rim, the seal including a hermetic seal configured via a forming operation;

wherein the metallic container is configured with electrical terminals on at least one of;

the body and the cover of the container;

further wherein the metallic container is configured to retain;

a plurality of li-ion batteries;

a support matrix configured to house the plurality of li-ion batteries and maintain the batteries in spaced relation from each other; and

corresponding electrical connections configured to connect the li-ion batteries to the terminals and promote electrical communication between the li-ion batteries and the terminals.

13. A device, comprising:

an actuator configured for electrically communicating with other components and having a first polarization;

a member having a second polarization, wherein the first polarization and second polarization are oppositely polarized (e.g. positive and negative polarization);

the actuator comprising a dome configured with a perimetrical countersink, the dome configured to have;

a first position and a second position;

wherein the first position comprises the dome configured to extend away from the member and having a distance from the member to prevent electrical arching; and

wherein the second position comprises the dome in a displaced position and in contact with the member to yield an electrical short (e.g. by contacting two oppositely polarized components);

wherein the device is actuated via a pressurization event initiating a snap-through buckling of the dome to displace the dome from the first position to the second position.

14. A method, comprising:

operating an energy storage assembly, wherein the energy storage assembly is sealed and is configured to operate with an internal pressure not exceeding a predefined pressure, P1;

interrupting the current to a to the energy storage assembly as the internal pressure of the energy storage device exceeds P1, the internal pressure above operating pressure defined as P2; and

venting the internal pressure of the energy storage assembly as the internal pressure of the energy storage assembly exceeds a threshold vent pressure defined as P3.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the interrupting step further comprises:

electrically disconnecting the energy storage assembly from electrically communicating with at least one of;

a product form and another energy storage assembly, the electrical disconnection configured via a current interrupt device.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the venting step further comprises propagating a perforation of a scored vent via a snap-through buckling event of a dome configured proximate to the scored vent.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises venting the energy storage assembly via a position between a wall and a lid of the energy storage assembly when the internal pressure of the energy storage device exceeds a housing failure pressure defined as P4.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the cover is sealed to the body via a forming operation.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the cover is sealed to the body via a welding operation.

20. A method, comprising:

forming a housing via a forming operation;

attaching a current interrupt device onto a portion of the housing;

configuring a vent into a portion of the housing;

inserting a support matrix into the housing;

configuring li-ion storage devices in the support matrix;

attaching the li-ion storage devices to the housing to enable electrical communication between the housing and the li-ion storage devices; and

sealing the housing to enclose the li-ion storage devices, support matrix, and electrolyte therein.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein sealing comprises sealing the lid and the housing via a forming operation.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein configuring the li-ion storage devices further comprises:

positioning each li-ion storage device into a via in the support matrix; and

priming the li-ion storage device with electrolyte.