Heat and gas exchange system for battery

• US 7,045,236 B1
• Filed: 08/09/2002
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Dougherty, Thomas J., Andrew, Michael G., Wruck, William J., Houchin-Miller, Gary P., Segall, William P. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan, Patrick Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Martin, Angela J.
• Application Number:
  US10/216,060
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• Field of Search: 429/26, 429/34, 429/38, 429/39, 429/24
• US Class Current: 429/83
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/643 Cylindrical cells
• 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 10/6565 with recirculation or U-turn in the flow path, i.e. back and forth
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/249 specially adapted for aircraft or vehicles, e.g. cars or trains constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles B60L50/64
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/271 Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A heat and gas exchange system for a battery is disclosed. The batter includes a plurality of cells and at least one space between the cells. The system includes a base configured to support the battery. The system also includes a plurality of members coupled to the base. Each of the members is configured to extend at least partially within at least one space between the cells of the battery. A heat and gas exchange system for a battery is also disclosed. A module for a battery for a vehicle is also disclosed. The battery includes a plurality of cells and at least one space between the cells. The module includes a base for supporting the battery. The module also includes a plurality of members coupled to the base. The module also includes a control system configured to provide air through the plurality of members from the space between the cells.

Claims

1. A heat and gas exchange system for a battery for a vehicle, the battery having a plurality of cells and at least one space between the cells comprising:

a base configured to support the battery; and

a plurality of members coupled to the base;

wherein each of the members is configured to extend at least partially within at least one space between the cells of the battery; and

wherein the heat and gas exchange system is configured to draw air into the at least one space along an exterior surface of a first member of the plurality of members and to remove the air from the at least one space through an interior of the first member.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the members are hollow.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the members are elongate tubes.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the members are configured to provide air from the space between the cells of the battery along a first air flow path.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising a fan configured to provide the air through members.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the members are vertical members.

7. The system of claim 4 further comprising a cover coupled to the base and providing a second air flow path across an exterior surface of the battery.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising an outlet configured to vent air of the first air flow path to an interior of the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 7 further comprising an outlet configured to vent air of the second air flow path to an exterior of the vehicle.

10. A heat and gas exchange system for a battery for a vehicle, the battery having a plurality of cells and a plurality of spaces between the cells comprising:

a housing comprising;

a base configured to support the battery;

a cover coupled to the base;

first means for venting air from the spaces between the cells of the battery;

second means for venting air across an exterior surface of the battery;

wherein the first means for venting and the second means for venting both at least partially regulate the temperature within the housing.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the first means for venting comprises a plurality of hollow members coupled to the base.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising a fan configured to provide air through the members from the space between the cells of the battery along a first air flow path.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the second means for venting comprises a fan configured to provide air along a second air flow path access on exterior surface of the battery.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising an partition configured to inhibit the communication of air between the first air flow path and a second air flow path.

15. A module for a battery for a vehicle, the battery having a plurality of cells and at least one space between the cells comprising:

a base for supporting the battery;

a plurality of members coupled to the base;

a control system configured to provide air through the plurality of members from the space between the cells such that air introduced into the space along an exterior surface of the plurality of members is removed from between the cells through an interior of the members.

16. The module of claim 15 wherein each of the members are configured to extend at least partially within at least one space between the cells of the battery.

17. The module of claim 16 further comprising a cover coupled to the base and defining a first air flow path along the space between the cells and a second air flow path along an exterior surface of the battery.

18. The module of claim 17 wherein the control system further comprises at least one fan configured to provide the air along at least one of the first air flow path and the second air flow path.

19. The module of claim 18 wherein the control system further comprises a sensor configured to monitor the temperature of the battery.

20. The module of claim 19 wherein the control system is configured to activate the fan when the temperature of the battery is above a predetermined value.