Rechargeable battery system having intelligent temperature control

• US 5,795,664 A
• Filed: 12/05/1996
• Issued: 08/18/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intermec (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Norand Corporation (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Kelly, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Skapars, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US08/761,094
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 429/90-93, 429/7, 429/62, 429/120, 320/35, 320/48, 307/150, 361/434, 340/636, 340/640, 340/643
• US Class Current: 429/7
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/615 Heating or keeping warm
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/623 Portable devices, e.g. mobile telephones, cameras or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/633 characterised by algorithms, flow charts, software details or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/657 by electric or electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6571 Resistive heaters arrangements for heating the battery by its resistance to the internal current H01M10/637
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6572 Peltier elements or thermoelectric devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/658 by thermal insulation or shielding
• 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: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007194 of the battery
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A rechargeable battery system utilizes intelligent temperature control to enhance and optimize battery cell capacity and performance in low and high temperature environments. A temperature varying element (heating and/or cooling) modifies the temperature of battery cells utilizing an amount of energy that is less than that gained by making such temperature modification. A control circuit optimally control the temperature varying element to maximize battery operation. The control circuit also utilizes the temperature varying element to prevent cell damage in extreme conditions. A battery pack contains a plurality of cells also houses the control circuit, the temperature varying element and a temperature sensor. At least a portion of the control circuit and temperature varying element may alternately be located within a portable electronic device. A second temperature sensor may be added to monitor ambient temperature, and Insulating material may be used in the construction of the battery pack housing.

Claims

1. A battery pack used in a portable electronic device, the battery pack comprising:

a plurality of electrochemical cells for storing and delivering energy;

a temperature varying element;

a temperature sensor;

a control circuit responsive to the temperature sensor by selectively controlling the operation of the temperature varying element; and

a housing that encloses the electrochemical cells, the temperature varying element, the temperature sensor and the control circuit.

2. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the temperature varying element comprises a heating element.

3. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the temperature varying element comprises a cooling element.

4. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the control circuit selectively controls the operation of the temperature varying element by considering whether the energy required to conduct such operation is predicted to yield overall energy savings.

5. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the control circuit selectively controls the operation of the temperature varying element by considering whether the battery pack is in use.

6. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the control circuit selectively controls the operation of the temperature varying element by considering the likelihood of battery damage without such operation.

7. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the control circuit selectively controls the operation of the temperature varying element to reach a target temperature within the housing.

8. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the control circuit selectively controls the operation of the temperature varying element by considering whether the battery pack has access to energy not originating from the plurality of electrochemical cells.

9. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the control circuit selectively controls the operation of the temperature varying element by considering whether the battery pack is being charged.

10. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the control circuit selectively controls the operation of the temperature varying element by considering the energy efficiency of such operation.

11. The battery pack of claim 10 wherein such consideration comprises at least a first threshold temperature to enable the temperature varying element and at least a second threshold temperature to disable the temperature varying element.

12. A portable electronic device operating from battery power, the portable electronic device comprising:

at least one rechargeable electrochemical cell for storing energy and delivering energy at an output voltage and an output current;

a temperature sensor;

a battery pack housing that encloses at least the temperature sensor and the at least one electrochemical cell;

the temperature sensor producing an indication of the temperature within the battery pack housing;

a temperature varying element disposed to affect the temperature within the battery pack housing; and

a control circuit responsive to the temperature sensor by selectively controlling the operation of the temperature varying element.

13. The portable electronic device of claim 12 wherein the temperature varying element and at least part of the control circuit is disposed within the portable electronic device external to the battery pack housing.

14. The portable electronic device of claim 12 wherein the temperature varying element and at least part of the control circuit is disposed within the battery pack housing.

15. The portable electronic device of claim 14 further comprising a second temperature sensor that produces an indication of the temperature outside of the battery pack housing.

16. The portable electronic device of claim 12 wherein the control circuit selectively controls the operation of the temperature varying element by considering the energy efficiency of such operation.

17. The portable electronic device of claim 12 wherein the control circuit selectively controls the operation of the temperature varying element by considering whether the battery pack is in use.

18. The portable electronic device of claim 12 wherein the control circuit selectively controls the operation of the temperature varying element by considering the likelihood of battery damage without such operation.

19. The portable electronic device of claim 12 wherein the control circuit selectively controls the operation of the temperature varying element to reach a target temperature within the housing.

20. The portable electronic device of claim 12 wherein the control circuit selectively controls the operation of the temperature varying element by considering whether the battery pack has access to energy not originating from the at least one electrochemical cells.