Method and device relating to battery temperature regulation

• US 6,596,433 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2001
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Hammarling, Jan-Olof Tage, Gudmundsson, Björn Gudmund
• Primary Examiner(s): Gulakowski, Randy
• Assistant Examiner(s): CREPEAU, JONATHAN
• Application Number:
  US09/782,225
• Publication Number:
  US 20010033961A1
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 429/50, 429/62, 429/120
• US Class Current: 429/62
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/615 Heating or keeping warm
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/635 based on ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/651 characterised by parameters specified by a numeric value or mathematical formula, e.g. ratios, sizes or concentrations
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/652 characterised by gradients for achieving a desired temperature gradient H01M10/617
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6556 Solid parts with flow channel passages or pipes for heat exchange closed pipes H01M10/6552
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6565 with recirculation or U-turn in the flow path, i.e. back and forth
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6568 characterised by flow circuits, e.g. loops, located externally to the cells or cell casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/658 by thermal insulation or shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/659 by heat storage or buffering, e.g. heat capacity or liquid-solid phase changes or transition
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

The present invention pertains to the field of methods and devices for battery (9) temperature regulation. Phase change material (7;7a,7b) having a phase change temperature within a preferred operating temperature range is employed in order to maintain the battery temperature within the preferred operating temperature range during extreme ambient temperature conditions. When the temperature of an ambient medium (21) so allows, a transfer of heat between the phase change material (7;7a,7b) and ambient medium (21) is effected for quickly restoring the capability of the phase change material (7;7a,7b) to maintain the battery temperature at the phase change temperature. Otherwise, thermal insulation between the phase change material (7;7a,7b) and the ambient medium (21) is provided.

Claims

1. A method for regulating a temperature of a battery having a preferred operating temperature range, the method comprising:

providing an amount of phase change material having a phase change temperature within the preferred operating temperature range, the amount of phase change material being in thermal communication with the battery, and a phase change in the amount of phase change material maintaining the temperature of the battery essentially at the phase change temperature; and

influencing heat transfer with respect to the amount of phase change material in dependence of a temperature of an ambient medium, the method for influencing heat transfer including;

providing thermal insulation between the amount of phase change material and the ambient medium responsive to the temperature of the ambient medium being above the phase change temperature; and

providing a transfer of heat from the amount of phase change material to the ambient medium responsive to the temperature of the ambient medium being below the phase change temperature.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the providing of a transfer of heat includes producing a flow of heat transfer fluid which receives heat from the amount of phase change material and delivers heat to the ambient medium.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the heat transfer fluid includes parts of the ambient medium.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the phase change temperature is in upper portion of the preferred operating temperature range.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises protecting the battery from the ambient medium.

6. A method for regulating a temperature of a battery having a preferred operating temperature range, the method comprising:

providing an amount of a phase change material having a phase change temperature within the preferred operating temperature range, the amount of the phase change material being in thermal communication with the battery, and a phase change in the amount of phase change material maintaining the temperature of the battery essentially at the phase change temperature; and

influencing heat transfer with respect to the amount of phase change material in dependence of a temperature of an ambient medium, the method for Influencing heat transfer including;

providing thermal insulation between the amount of phase change material and the ambient medium responsive to the temperature of the ambient medium being below the phase change temperature; and

providing a transfer of heat from the ambient medium to the amount of phase change material responsive to the temperature of the ambient medium being above the phase change temperature.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the providing of a transfer of heat includes producing a flow of heat transfer fluid which receives heat from the ambient medium and delivers heat to the amount of the phase change material.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the heat transfer fluid includes parts of the ambient medium.

9. A method according to claim 6, wherein the phase change temperature is in a lower portion of the preferred operating temperature range.

10. A method according to claim 6, wherein the method further comprises protecting the battery from the ambient medium.

11. A device for regulating the temperature of at least one battery having a preferred operating temperature range, the device comprising:

a region for receiving at least one battery;

an amount of a phase change material having a phase change temperature within the preferred operating temperature range, the amount of phase change material being in thermal communication with the region, and a phase change in the amount of the phase change material maintaining the temperature of the region essentially at the phase change temperature; and

means for influencing heat transfer with respect to the amount of phase change material in dependence of a temperature of an ambient medium, the means for influencing heat transfer includes;

means for providing thermal insulation between the amount of phase change material and the ambient medium responsive to the temperature of the ambient medium being above the phase change temperature; and

means for providing a transfer of heat from the amount of phase change material to the ambient medium responsive to the temperature of the ambient medium being below the phase change temperature.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the means for providing the transfer of the heat includes means for producing a flow of a heat transfer fluid which receives heat from the amount of phase change material and delivers heat to the ambient medium.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the heat transfer fluid includes parts of the ambient medium.

14. A device according to claim 11, wherein the phase change temperature is in a upper portion of the preferred operating temperature range.

15. A device according to claim 11, wherein the device further comprises means for protecting the region from the ambient medium.

16. A device for regulating the temperature of at least one battery having a preferred operating temperature range, the device comprising:

a region for receiving at least one battery;

an amount of a phase change material having a phase change temperature within the preferred operating temperature range, the amount of phase change material being in thermal communication with the region, and a phase change in the amount of the phase change material maintaining the temperature of the region essentially at the phase change temperature; and

means for influencing heat transfer with respect to the amount of phase change material in dependence of a temperature of an ambient medium, the means for influencing heat transfer includes;

means for providing thermal insulation between the amount of phase change material and the ambient medium responsive to the temperature of the ambient medium being below the phase change temperature; and

means for providing a transfer of heat from the ambient medium to the amount of phase change material responsive to the temperature of the ambient medium being above the phase change temperature.

17. A device according to claim 16, wherein the means for providing the transfer of heat includes means for producing a flow of heat transfer fluid which receives heat from the ambient medium and delivers heat to the amount of phase change material.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the heat transfer fluid includes parts of the ambient medium.

19. A device according to claim 16, wherein the phase change temperature is in a lower portion of the preferred operating temperature range.

20. A device according to claim 16, wherein the device further comprises means for protecting the region from the ambient medium.