System for altering temperature of an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device using high thermal conductivity materials based on states of the device

• US 8,101,293 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2009
• Issued: 01/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Chan, Alistair K., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THANH TAM T
• Application Number:
  US12/455,019
• Publication Number:
  US 20100304192A1
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 429/62, 429/120, 429/434
• US Class Current: 429/62
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2260/02 having microchannels
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/18 against thermal overloads, e.g. heating, cooling or ventilating
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 2/08 Cooling arrangements; Heating arrangements; Ventilating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/633 characterised by algorithms, flow charts, software details or the like
• 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 10/6556 Solid parts with flow channel passages or pipes for heat exchange closed pipes H01M10/6552
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04067 Heat exchange or temperature measuring elements, thermal insulation, e.g. heat pipes, heat pumps, fins
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04701 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 Energy storage using capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A method is generally described which includes altering temperature of an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical electrochemical energy generation device, includes providing at least one thermal control structure formed of a high thermal conductive material, the high thermal conductive material having a high k-value. The high k-value is greater than approximately 410 W/(m*K). The thermal control structures are disposed adjacent at least a portion of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical electrochemical energy generation device. The thermal control structures are configured to provide heat transfer away from the portion of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical electrochemical energy generation device. Further, the method includes configuring a controller with a control algorithm to control the actions of a controllable fluid flow device as a function of current draw from the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical electrochemical energy generation device, the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical electrochemical energy generation device configured to provide electrical current and the controllable fluid flow device providing a fluid to the at least one thermal control structure. Further still, the method includes providing an electrical characteristic sensor coupled to the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical electrochemical energy generation device and configured to sense at least one electrical characteristic of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical electrochemical energy generation device and to provide a signal representative of the at least one characteristic to the controller.

Claims

1. An electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device temperature altering system, comprising:

a fluid flow system with a controllable flow coupled to a plurality of thermal control structures of a high thermal conductive material, the high thermal conductive material having a high k-value, the high k-value being greater than approximately 400 W/(m*K), the thermal control structures disposed adjacent at least a portion of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device, the thermal control structures configured to provide heat transfer away from the portion of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device;

an electrical characteristic sensor coupled to the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device; and

a controller configured with a control algorithm and configured to control the function of the control system with a controllable flow as a function of at least one state of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the high thermal conductive material is disposed adjacent a portion of a wall of a housing of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the high thermal conductive material is disposed adjacent a portion of at least one internal component of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the high thermal conductive material is disposed adjacent a portion of at least one internal component of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device and the at least one internal component includes a cathode.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the high thermal conductive material is disposed adjacent a portion of at least one internal component of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device and the at least one internal component includes an anode.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the high thermal conductive material is disposed adjacent the material including a portion of at least one internal component of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device and at least one component includes a catalyst material.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the high thermal conductive material is disposed adjacent the material including a portion of at least one internal component of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device and at least one component includes a solid electrolyte material.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the high thermal conductive material is disposed adjacent a portion of at least one internal component of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device and the at least one internal component includes an electrical contact.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the high thermal conductive material is disposed adjacent a portion of at least one internal component of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device and the at least one internal component includes a current carrying conductor.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the high thermal conductive material is disposed adjacent a portion of at least one internal component of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device and the at least one internal component includes a dielectric.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the high thermal conductive material is disposed adjacent a portion of at least one internal component of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device and the at least one internal component includes a separator.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the high thermal conductive material is disposed adjacent an internal surface of a housing of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the high thermal conductive material is disposed adjacent a surface of at least one internal component of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is at least partially circulated by a pump.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is at least partially circulated by a mechanical pump.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is at least partially circulated by an electromagnetic (MHD) pump.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is at least partially circulated by an electroosmotic pump.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is at least partially circulated by convection.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is at least partially circulated by electroosmosis.

20. The system of claim 1, further comprising providing an electrolyte within a housing of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device.

21. The system of claim 1, further comprising providing capacitive elements within a housing of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device includes a fuel cell.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device includes a fuel cell and the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one internal component of the fuel cell and the at least one internal component includes an electrode.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device includes a fuel cell and the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one internal component of the fuel cell and the at least one internal component includes a bipolar structure.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device includes a fuel cell and the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one internal component of the fuel cell and at least one component includes a solid electrolyte.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one component of the power source includes an electrode, and the electrode includes microchannels alternating with current flow pathways.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed by etching.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a current sensor.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a voltage sensor.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a temperature sensor.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a chemical state sensor.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the control algorithm includes, a classical control algorithm.

33. The system of claim 1, wherein the control algorithm includes a feedback control algorithm.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein the control algorithm includes a nonlinear control algorithm.

35. The system of claim 1, wherein the control algorithm includes an optimal control algorithm.

36. The system of claim 1, wherein the control algorithm includes a state estimator.

37. The system of claim 1, wherein the control algorithm includes an adaptive control algorithm.

38. The system of claim 1, wherein the control algorithm includes a Kalman filter.

39. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid control system flow is increased as current draw is increased.

40. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid control system flow is increased linearly as current draw is increased.

41. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid control system flow is decreased as current draw is decreased.

42. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid control system flow is decreased linearly as current draw is decreased.

43. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid control system flow is increased linearly as current draw is increased and fluid control system flow is decreased nonlinearly as current draw is decreased.

44. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid control system flow is increased nonlinearly as current draw is increased and the fluid control system flow is decreased linearly as current draw is decreased.

45. The system of claim 1, wherein the high thermal conductive material includes thermal conductivity control system configured to alter the thermal conductivity of the high thermal conductive material.

46. An electrical energy storage device temperature alteration system, comprising:

a fluid control system with a controllable flow coupled to a plurality of thermal control structures of a high thermal conductive material, the high thermal conductive material having a high k-value, the high k-value being greater than approximately 400W/(m*K), the thermal control structures disposed adjacent at least a portion of the electrical energy storage device, the thermal control structures configured to provide heat transfer away from the portion of the electrical energy storage device;

an electrical characteristic sensor coupled to the electrical energy storage device; and

a controller configured with a control algorithm and configured to control the function of the control system with a controllable flow as a function of charge current provided to the electrical energy storage device.

47. A method of altering temperature of an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device, comprising:

providing at least one thermal control structure formed of a high thermal conductive material, the high thermal conductive material having a high k-value, the high k-value being greater than approximately 400 W/(m*K), the thermal control structures disposed adjacent at least a portion of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device, the thermal control structures configured to provide heat transfer away from the portion of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device; and

configuring a controller with a control algorithm to control the actions of a controllable fluid flow device as a function of current draw from the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device, the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device configured to provide electrical current and the controllable fluid flow device providing a fluid to the at least one thermal control structure; and

providing an electrical characteristic sensor coupled to the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device and configured to sense at least one electrical characteristic of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device and to provide a signal representative of the at least one characteristic to the controller.

48. A method of altering temperature of an electrical energy storage device, comprising:

providing at least one thermal control structure formed of a high thermal conductive material, the high thermal conductive material having a high k-value, the high k-value being greater than approximately 400 W/(m*K), the thermal control structures disposed adjacent at least a portion of the electrical energy storage device, the thermal control structures configured to provide heat transfer away from the portion of the electrical energy storage device; and

configuring a controller with a control algorithm to control the actions of a controllable fluid flow device as a function of charge current being delivered to the electrical energy storage device, the electrical energy storage device configured to provide electrical current and to receive the charge current and the fluid control system providing a fluid to the at least one thermal control structure; and

providing an electrical characteristic sensor coupled to the electrical energy storage device and configured to sense at least one electrical characteristic of the electrical energy storage device and to provide a signal representative of the at least one characteristic to the controller.