Energy storage device configured to discharge energy in response to unsafe conditions
First Claim
1. A method for discharging a battery, comprising:
- employing electronics to electronically monitor an output from a sensor,the output indicating one or more operating states of a battery,the electronics and the sensor being different components; and
employing the electronics to initiate a discharge of energy stored in the battery in response to the one or more operating states failing to meet one or more parameters that indicate safety of the battery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, device and system is disclosed for rapidly and safely discharging remaining energy stored in an electrochemical battery 104 in the event of an internal short circuit or other fault. In its best mode of implementation, if a sensor 116 detects one or more parameters such as battery temperature 204 or pressure 206, exceeding a predetermined threshold value 334, the terminals 144 of the battery or cell are intentionally short-circuited external to the battery through a low or near zero resistance load 150 which rapidly drains energy from the battery 104. Heat generated by such rapid drain is absorbed by a heat absorbing material 151 such as an endothermic phase-change material like paraffin. The rate energy is drained via the external discharge load 150 may be controlled with an electronic circuit 136 responsive to factors such as state of charge and battery temperature. Devices such as inductive charging coils 160, piezoelectric and Peltier devices 300, may also be used as emergency energy discharge loads. Heat absorption material 163 may be used to protect adjacent issue in medically-implanted devices.
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Citations
55 Claims
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1. A method for discharging a battery, comprising:
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employing electronics to electronically monitor an output from a sensor, the output indicating one or more operating states of a battery, the electronics and the sensor being different components; and employing the electronics to initiate a discharge of energy stored in the battery in response to the one or more operating states failing to meet one or more parameters that indicate safety of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An energy discharge system, comprising:
electronics configured to monitor an output from a sensor, the output indicating one or more operating states of a battery, the electronics and the sensor being different components, and the electronics also being configured to initiate discharge of energy stored in the battery in response to the one or more operating states failing to meet one or more parameters that indicate safety of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
Specification