Battery thermal event detection system using an electrical conductor with a thermally interruptible insulator
First Claim
1. A detection system for detecting a battery thermal event, the detection system comprising:
- at least one battery;
an insulated conductive member comprised of a conductive core and an insulator covering said conductive core, said insulated conductive member proximate to an external surface of said at least one battery, wherein a portion of said insulator melts when a temperature corresponding to said at least one battery exceeds a predetermined temperature; and
a voltage measuring system coupled to said insulated conductive member and monitoring a voltage corresponding to said insulated conductive member, wherein said voltage measuring system outputs a first signal when said at least one battery is operating within a prescribed temperature range and outputs a second signal when said temperature corresponding to said at least one battery exceeds said predetermined temperature, wherein said predetermined temperature is outside of said prescribed temperature range.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for determining when a battery, or one or more batteries within a battery pack, undergoes an undesired thermal event such as thermal runaway. The system uses an insulated conductive member mounted in close proximity to, or in contact with, an external surface of the battery or batteries to be monitored. A voltage measuring system is coupled to the conductive core of the insulated conductive member, the voltage measuring system outputting a first signal when the temperature corresponding to the battery or batteries is within a prescribed temperature range and a second signal when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature that falls outside of the prescribed temperature range.
12 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A detection system for detecting a battery thermal event, the detection system comprising:
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at least one battery; an insulated conductive member comprised of a conductive core and an insulator covering said conductive core, said insulated conductive member proximate to an external surface of said at least one battery, wherein a portion of said insulator melts when a temperature corresponding to said at least one battery exceeds a predetermined temperature; and a voltage measuring system coupled to said insulated conductive member and monitoring a voltage corresponding to said insulated conductive member, wherein said voltage measuring system outputs a first signal when said at least one battery is operating within a prescribed temperature range and outputs a second signal when said temperature corresponding to said at least one battery exceeds said predetermined temperature, wherein said predetermined temperature is outside of said prescribed temperature range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for detecting a battery thermal event, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning an insulated conductive member in proximity to an external surface of at least one battery, wherein said insulated conductive member is comprised of a conductive core and an insulator covering said conductive core; monitoring a voltage corresponding to said conductive core of said insulated conductive member, wherein said voltage is within a first range of voltages when a battery temperature corresponding to said at least one battery is within a prescribed temperature range, and wherein said voltage is within a second range of voltages when said battery temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature and a portion of said insulator melts, wherein said predetermined temperature is outside of said prescribed temperature range; outputting a first signal to a system controller when said voltage is within said first range of voltages; and outputting a second signal to said system controller when said voltage is within said second range of voltages. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification