Thermal management system and method for a solid-state energy storing device
First Claim
1. An electrochemical energy storing device, comprising:
- a plurality of thin-film electrochemical cells maintained in a state of compression;
a plurality of thermal conductors, each of the plurality of thermal conductors defining a positive or negative contact for one of the plurality of electrochemical cells, the thermal conductors conducting current into and out of the cells and conducting thermal energy between the cells and a first electrically resistive surface of a thermally conductive structure disposed adjacent the thermal conductors; and
a cooling apparatus in thermal contact with a second surface of the thermally conductive structure, a heat transfer medium provided within the cooling apparatus to enhance thermal energy conduction between the cells and the thermally conductive structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved electrochemical energy storing device includes a number of thin-film electrochemical cells which are maintained in a state of compression through use of an internal or an external pressure apparatus. A thermal conductor, which is connected to at least one of the positive or negative contacts of each electrochemical cell, conducts current into and out of the electrochemical cells and also conducts thermal energy between the electrochemical cells and thermally conductive material disposed on a wall structure adjacent the conductors. The wall structure includes electrically resistive material, such as an anodized coating or a thin film of plastic. The thermal conductors are fabricated to include a spring mechanism which expands and contacts to maintain mechanical contact between the electrochemical cells and the thermally conductive material in the presence of relative movement between the electrochemical cells and the wall structure. An active cooling apparatus may be employed external to a hermetically sealed housing containing the electrochemical cells to enhance the transfer of thermal energy into and out of the electrochemical cells. An integrated interconnect board may be disposed within the housing onto which a number of electrical and electro-mechanical components are mounted. Heat generated by the components is conducted from the interconnect board to the housing using the thermal conductors.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. An electrochemical energy storing device, comprising:
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a plurality of thin-film electrochemical cells maintained in a state of compression; a plurality of thermal conductors, each of the plurality of thermal conductors defining a positive or negative contact for one of the plurality of electrochemical cells, the thermal conductors conducting current into and out of the cells and conducting thermal energy between the cells and a first electrically resistive surface of a thermally conductive structure disposed adjacent the thermal conductors; and a cooling apparatus in thermal contact with a second surface of the thermally conductive structure, a heat transfer medium provided within the cooling apparatus to enhance thermal energy conduction between the cells and the thermally conductive structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An electrochemical energy storing device, comprising:
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an enclosure including a thermally conductive first wall and a second wall; an electrically resistive material disposed on or adjacent to the first wall; a plurality of thin-film electrochemical cells maintained in a state of compression and disposed between the first and second walls; a plurality of thermal conductors, each of the plurality of thermal conductors attached to one of the plurality of electrochemical cells, the thermal conductors defining a current flux path for conducting current to and from the electrochemical cells, and defining a thermal flux path for conducting thermal energy between the electrochemical cells and the first wall of the enclosure; a cover of the enclosure defining first and second holes through which positive and negative conduits respectively pass; and a hermetic seal respectively disposed between the positive and negative conduits and respective perimeters of the first and second holes in the cover. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of transferring thermal energy and electrical current into and out of thin-film electrochemical cells encased in a housing, comprising:
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conducting current over a current flux path defined between the electrochemical cells and a contact external to the electrochemical cells; conducting thermal energy, using a portion of the current flux path and a thermal flux path substantially separate from the current flux path, between the electrochemical cells and thermally conductive material disposed adjacent the thermal conductors; maintaining mechanical contact between the thermal conductors and the thermally conductive material in the presence of relative movement between the electrochemical cells and the thermally conductive material; and maintaining the electrochemical cells in a state of compression. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
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Specification