Sensor system and method to prevent battery flaming in overcharge

• US 9,088,054 B2
• Filed: 09/01/2010
• Issued: 07/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryten Energy LLC
• Original Assignee: Panacis Inc.
• Inventors: Lukso, Richard, Uprety, Sandip
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US13/390,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20120169296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,784 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/147, 320/150, 320/153
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/441 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/443 in response to temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/482 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/52 Removing gases inside the secondary cell, e.g. by absorption vent plugs or other mechanical arrangements for facilitating escape of gases H01M50/30
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A sensor system for mitigating a flame condition in a battery subject to an overcharge condition and being charged using a charging current is provided. A temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of at least one component of the battery, and a gas sensor is configured to detect an inflammable gas or vapor. A sensor control is configured to, when the temperature of the at least one component of the battery exceeds a pre-determined temperature threshold and when the gas sensor detects an inflammable gas or vapor, halt the charging current.

Claims

1. A sensor system for mitigating a flame condition in a battery subject to an overcharge condition and being charged using a charging current, comprising:

a. a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of at least one component of the battery;

b. a gas sensor configured to detect, in the airspace close to the battery, at least one of an inflammable gas and an inflammable vapor; and

c. a sensor control, the sensor control being configured to, when the temperature of the at least one component of the battery exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold and when the gas sensor detects at least one of an inflammable gas and an inflammable vapor, halt the charging current.

2. The sensor system of claim 1, including a delay circuit configured to delay an operation of the sensor system for a predetermined delay period.

3. The sensor system of claim 2, wherein the pre-determined delay period is greater than 15 seconds.

4. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the gas sensor is configured to detect organic vapors.

5. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of a terminal of the battery.

6. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the pre-determined temperature threshold is 110 degrees Celsius.

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

8. A method for mitigating a flame condition in a battery subject to an overcharge condition and being charged using a charging current, comprising:

a. detecting a temperature of at least one component of the battery;

b. detecting, in the airspace close to the battery, at least one of an inflammable gas and an inflammable vapor; and

c. when the temperature of the at least one component of the battery exceeds a pre-determined temperature threshold and at least one of an inflammable gas and an inflammable vapor is detected, halting the charging current.

9. The method of claim 8, including delaying detection of at least one of an inflammable gas and an inflammable vapor by a predetermined delay period to compensate for a gas sensor start-up period.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the pre-determined delay period is greater than 15 seconds.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein detecting at least one of an inflammable gas and an inflammable vapor includes detecting organic vapors.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein detecting a temperature of at least one component of the battery includes detecting a temperature of a terminal of the battery.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the pre-determined temperature threshold is 110 degrees Celsius.

14. The method of claim 8, including using a thermistor for detecting a temperature of at least one component of the battery.