Analysis of rechargeable batteries
First Claim
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1. A method of analyzing a rechargeable battery design, the method comprising:
- a vacuum test including;
placing a first rechargeable battery in a test vessel;
evacuating the test vessel;
externally heating the first battery to induce thermal runaway;
monitoring a temperature and a pressure inside the test vessel to detect a rupture of the first battery; and
when the rupture of the first battery is determined, analyzing material expelled from the first battery following the rupture to obtain test data under vacuum conditions;
a noble gas test including;
placing a second rechargeable battery in the test vessel;
purging the test vessel with a noble gas;
externally heating the second battery to induce thermal runaway;
monitoring a temperature and a pressure inside the test vessel to detect a rupture of the second battery; and
when a rupture of the second battery is determined, analyzing material expelled from the second battery following the rupture to obtain test data under noble gas conditions; and
an oxygen test including;
placing a third rechargeable battery in a test vessel;
filling the test vessel with air;
externally heating the third battery to induce thermal runaway;
monitoring a temperature and a pressure inside the test vessel to detect a rupture of the first battery; and
when a rupture of the first battery is determined, analyzing material expelled from the third battery following the rupture to obtain test data under oxygen conditions.
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Abstract
A rechargeable battery is externally heated to induce thermal runaway, and material expelled from the battery is analyzed.
9 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of analyzing a rechargeable battery design, the method comprising:
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a vacuum test including; placing a first rechargeable battery in a test vessel; evacuating the test vessel; externally heating the first battery to induce thermal runaway; monitoring a temperature and a pressure inside the test vessel to detect a rupture of the first battery; and when the rupture of the first battery is determined, analyzing material expelled from the first battery following the rupture to obtain test data under vacuum conditions; a noble gas test including; placing a second rechargeable battery in the test vessel; purging the test vessel with a noble gas; externally heating the second battery to induce thermal runaway; monitoring a temperature and a pressure inside the test vessel to detect a rupture of the second battery; and when a rupture of the second battery is determined, analyzing material expelled from the second battery following the rupture to obtain test data under noble gas conditions; and an oxygen test including; placing a third rechargeable battery in a test vessel; filling the test vessel with air; externally heating the third battery to induce thermal runaway; monitoring a temperature and a pressure inside the test vessel to detect a rupture of the first battery; and when a rupture of the first battery is determined, analyzing material expelled from the third battery following the rupture to obtain test data under oxygen conditions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for testing a rechargeable battery design, the apparatus comprising:
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a pressure vessel; means for selectively evacuating the pressure vessel; means for selectively purging the pressure vessel with a noble gas; means for selectively filling the pressure vessel with air; means for externally heating a battery within the pressure vessel to induce thermal runaway and cause the battery to rupture and expel material; means for collecting material expelled by the battery during the external heating and following the rupture when; the pressure vessel is evacuated by the means for selectively evacuating the pressure vessel to obtain test data under vacuum condition; the pressure vessel is purged with noble gas by the means for selectively purging the pressure vessel with the noble gas to obtain test data under noble gas conditions; and the pressure vessel is filled with air by the means for selectively filling the pressure vessel with air to obtain test data under oxygen conditions. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification