Method and apparatus for detection and control of thermal runaway in a battery under charge
First Claim
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1. A method controlling charging of a battery, comprising the steps of:
- charging the battery through a first battery terminal and a second battery terminal;
injecting a time varying current through the first and second battery terminals;
monitoring a voltage between the first and second battery terminals generated in response to the known current;
detecting a decrease in the monitored voltage indicative of a thermal runaway condition; and
reducing the charging of the battery in response to a detected decrease in the monitored voltage.
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Abstract
A thermal runaway detection apparatus is provided for use during charging of a battery. The thermal runaway detection apparatus includes circuitry for determining internal resistance (impedance) or conductance (admittance) of the battery under charge. Detection circuitry detects an increase in internal battery conductance or a decrease in internal battery resistance and provides an output. The output is indicative of a thermal runaway condition in the battery. The circuitry can be used to provide feedback which controls charging of the battery.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method controlling charging of a battery, comprising the steps of:
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charging the battery through a first battery terminal and a second battery terminal; injecting a time varying current through the first and second battery terminals; monitoring a voltage between the first and second battery terminals generated in response to the known current; detecting a decrease in the monitored voltage indicative of a thermal runaway condition; and reducing the charging of the battery in response to a detected decrease in the monitored voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of controlling charging of a battery, comprising the steps of:
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charging a battery through a first battery terminal and a second battery terminal; applying a time varying signal voltage between the first and second battery terminals; monitoring a current flowing through the first and second battery terminals generated in response to the known voltage; detecting an increase in the monitored current indicative of a thermal runaway condition; and reducing the charging of the battery in response to a detected increase in the monitored current. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A method of detecting thermal runaway in a battery under charge, comprising:
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a) determining a first conductance of the battery at a first time; b) determining a second conductance of the battery at a second time; c) comparing the first and second conductances of the battery; d) detecting an increase in battery conductance over time based upon the step of comparing, and responsively providing an output indicative of a thermal runaway condition in the battery; and e) repeating steps a through d. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for sensing thermal runaway in a battery under charge, comprising:
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a time varying current source coupled to the battery for providing a current therethrough; sense circuitry for sensing a voltage between two terminals of the battery developed in response to the current flowing therethrough; detection circuitry coupled to the sense circuitry for detecting a decrease in sensed voltage over time indicative of a thermal runaway condition in the battery under charge; and output circuitry coupled to the detection circuitry providing an output upon detection of a thermal runaway condition in the battery under charge. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for sensing thermal runaway in a battery under charge, comprising:
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a time varying voltage source for applying a time varying voltage between two terminals of the battery; sense circuitry for sensing a current flowing through the battery developed in response to the time varying voltage applied thereto; detection circuitry coupled to the sense circuitry for detecting an increase in sensed current over time indicative of a thermal runaway condition in the battery under charge; and output circuitry coupled to the detection circuitry providing an output upon detection of a thermal runaway condition in the battery under charge. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification