Minimizing and stabilizing cell temperature gradient in a battery pack

• US 9,017,848 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2011
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Yebka, Bouziane, Holung, Joseph Anthony, Wong, Tin-Lup
• Primary Examiner(s): Alejandro, Raymond
• Application Number:
  US13/005,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20120177968A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,567 Days
• Field of Search: 429/120, 429/7, 429/149, 429 61- 62, 429/82, 296/231, 294/28
• US Class Current: 429/120
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4207 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• 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 10/617 for achieving uniformity or desired distribution of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/633 characterised by algorithms, flow charts, software details or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/643 Cylindrical cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6554 Rods or plates
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6555 arranged between the cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6561 Gases
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6563 with forced flow, e.g. by blowers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6567 Liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/657 by electric or electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/658 by thermal insulation or shielding
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A system includes a first battery cell, a second battery cell, and thermally conductive material that couples to the battery cells. In turn, the thermally conductive material dissipates heat between the first battery cell and the second battery cell, thus reducing a temperature differential between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of battery cells, the plurality of battery cells including a first battery cell and a second battery cell;

a thermally conductive material, wherein the thermally conductive material is configured to dissipate heat between the first battery cell and the second battery cell;

at least one circulation device, wherein the circulation device is configured to circulate the thermally conductive material between the first battery cell and the second battery cell;

a temperature monitor; and

plural temperature sensors configured to respectively communicate with the temperature monitor and to respectively provide input thereto, each of the plural temperature sensors configured to sense a respective temperature at least near at least one of the plurality of battery cells with which a respective temperature sensor is juxtaposed at least adjacent to in order to provide input to the temperature monitor regarding the respective temperature, wherein the temperature monitor receives respective input from each of the plural temperature sensors to determine whether at least one temperature in the system has exceeded at least one temperature threshold, the at least one temperature being sensed by at least one of the plural temperature sensors and input to the temperature monitor, and wherein the temperature monitor actuates the at least one circulation device to reduce the at least one temperature in response to a determination that the at least one temperature exceeds the at least one temperature threshold.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the thermally conductive material is a liquid material.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one circulation device is a fan.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one circulation device is a pump.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature monitor determines whether the at least one temperature has been reduced, and determines whether to continue determining whether at least one temperature in the system exceeds at least one temperature threshold subsequent to a temperature reduction of the at least one temperature.

6. The system of claim 1, comprising plural circulation devices each associated with a respective battery cell of the plurality of battery cells, wherein a respective temperature sensed by a respective temperature sensor is reduced by activating one of the circulation devices associated with the respective battery cell.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein each circulation device is a fan juxtaposed adjacent to a respective battery cell.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature monitor determines whether at least one temperature in the system has exceeded at least one temperature threshold at least partially based on a temperature differential identified by the temperature monitor, the temperature differential identified by the temperature monitor based on input received from at least one of the plural temperature sensors.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature monitor actuates the at least one circulation device to increase at least a first temperature of a first battery cell of the plurality of battery cells in response to a determination by the temperature monitor that the first temperature is below at least one temperature threshold.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature monitor actuates the at least one circulation device to increase at least a first temperature of a first battery cell of the plurality of battery cells in response to a determination that the first temperature is below at least one temperature threshold.

11. A system comprising:

a plurality of battery cells that are configured to provide power to one or more components, the plurality of battery cells comprising a first battery cell and a second battery cell;

at least one thermally conductive material, the thermally conductive material configured to dissipate heat from the first battery cell by directing the heat to the second battery cell;

at least one circulation device, wherein the circulation device is configured to circulate the thermally conductive material between the first battery cell and the second battery cell;

at least one aperture through which air from outside the system travels, the aperture configured to permit air to travel from outside the system to thermally engage with the thermally conductive material to exchange heat therewith, the thermally conductive material being a material other than air;

a temperature monitor; and

plural temperature sensors configured to respectively communicate with the temperature monitor and to respectively provide input thereto, each of the plural temperature sensors configured to sense a respective temperature at least near at least one of the plurality of battery cells with which a respective temperature sensor is juxtaposed at least adjacent to in order to provide input to the temperature monitor regarding the respective temperature, wherein the temperature monitor receives respective input from each of the plural temperature sensors to determine whether at least one temperature in the system has exceeded at least one temperature threshold, the at least one temperature being sensed by at least one of the plural temperature sensors and input to the temperature monitor, and wherein the temperature monitor actuates the at least one circulation device to reduce the at least one temperature in response to a determination that the at least one temperature exceeds the at least one temperature threshold.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the thermally conductive material is a liquid material.

13. The system of claim 11, comprising a device to be powered.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the system actuates the at least one circulation device to increase at least a first temperature of a first battery cell of the plurality of battery cells in response to a determination that the first temperature is below at least one temperature threshold.