Battery cooling system

• US 7,014,945 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2002
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Brotto, Daniele C., Bradus, Robert, White, Paul S., Watts, Fred S., Cochran, John R., Embrey, Janet M., Bailey, Rouse R. Jr., Ramstrom, Lee W., Moores, Robert G. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kalafut, Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US10/223,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20020197527A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,309 Days
• Field of Search: 429/71, 429/82, 429/83, 429/90, 429/120, 429/148, 429/159
• US Class Current: 429/71
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/008 Cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/482 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• 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 10/617 for achieving uniformity or desired distribution of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/623 Portable devices, e.g. mobile telephones, cameras or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6235 Power tools
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/63 Control systems charging or discharging in response to temperature H01M10/44 , H01M10/443; measurement of temperature H01M10/48 , H01M10/486
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/643 Cylindrical cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/652 characterised by gradients for achieving a desired temperature gradient H01M10/617
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/653 characterised by electrically insulating or thermally conductive materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6551 Surfaces specially adapted for heat dissipation or radiation, e.g. fins or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6554 Rods or plates
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6555 arranged between the cells
• 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 10/6557 arranged between the cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6563 with forced flow, e.g. by blowers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6566 Means within the gas flow to guide the flow around one or more cells, e.g. manifolds, baffles or other barriers H01M10/6565 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6572 : Peltier elements or thermoelectric devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/66 : Heat-exchange relationships between the cells and other systems, e.g. central heating systems or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/667 : the system being an electronic component, e.g. a CPU, an inverter or a capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 : Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• 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: H01M 50/247 : specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/30 : Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 : characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 : specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 : Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 : Electric battery cell making

Abstract

A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a vent system in the battery pack housing which enables fluid to move through the housing. A mechanism is associated with the battery pack to dissipate heat from the battery pack.

Claims

1. A power tool system comprising:

a power tool;

a battery pack to be inserted in an electrical appliance by movement along a first direction comprising a pack housing having top, bottom and side walls, a terminal tower disposed on the top wall, an air inlet disposed on at least one of the terminal tower and the top wall, and a pack air outlet for allowing air to exit from the pack housing, a plenum disposed within the pack housing and connected to the air inlet, the plenum having at least one hole for allowing air to move therethrough, a first cell disposed within the pack housing and against the plenum, a filter disposed within the pack housing, and an insulation plate disposed between the filter and the first cell; and

a charger electrically connectable to the battery pack for charging the battery pack.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the charger has a charger housing, a fan disposed within the charger housing for moving air, and a housing air outlet on the charger housing for allowing air to exit the charger housing and enter the battery pack through the air inlet.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the pack air outlet is disposed on one of the side walls.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first cell has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first direction.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein air entering the pack housing through the air inlet moves along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein air exiting the pack housing through the air outlet moves along a second direction substantially parallel to the first direction.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the plenum comprises at least one rib for holding the first cell in place.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the pack housing comprises at least one rib for holding the first cell in place.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery pack further comprises a temperature indicating device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the temperature indicating device is exposed to the air entering and exiting the pack housing.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the temperature indicating device is at least one of the group consisting of thermistor, thermostat, capacitor and resistor.