System for altering temperature of an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device using microchannels based on states of the device

• US 20100304252A1
• Filed: 05/26/2009
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC A Limited Liability Corporation of The State of Delaware
• Inventors: Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Chan, Alistair K.
• Granted Patent: US 9,093,725 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/432
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/00 Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies F28D17/00, F28D19/00, F28D20/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2015/0225 Microheat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/0029 Heat sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2013/006 Heat conductive materials
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 21/02 of carbon, e.g. graphite
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2260/02 having microchannels
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 3/048 in the form of ribs integral with the element or local variations in thickness of the element, e.g. grooves, microchannels
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 3/12 Elements constructed in the shape of a hollow panel, e.g. with channels F28D1/02, F28D1/03 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/18 against thermal overloads, e.g. heating, cooling or ventilating
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/78 Cases; Housings; Encapsulations; Mountings
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 2/08 Cooling arrangements; Heating arrangements; Ventilating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/0003 Protection against electric or thermal overload; cooling arrangements; means for avoiding the formation of cathode films H01G9/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/08 Housing; Encapsulation
• 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 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/615 Heating or keeping warm
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/623 Portable devices, e.g. mobile telephones, cameras or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/63 Control systems charging or discharging in response to temperature H01M10/44 , H01M10/443; measurement of temperature H01M10/48 , H01M10/486
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/633 characterised by algorithms, flow charts, software details or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/647 : Prismatic or flat cells, e.g. pouch cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/654 : located inside the innermost case of the cells, e.g. mandrels, electrodes or electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6551 : Surfaces specially adapted for heat dissipation or radiation, e.g. fins or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/656 : characterised by the type of heat-exchange fluid
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6562 : with free flow by convection only
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6567 : Liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/003 : of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/006 : of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/02 : Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/86 : Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0258 : characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0267 : having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04007 : related to heat exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04029 : Heat exchange using liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04074 : Heat exchange unit structures specially adapted for fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0432 : Temperature; Ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04365 : of other components of a fuel cell or fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04559 : of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04589 : of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04701 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04731 : of other components of a fuel cell or fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2475 : Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00309 : Overheat or overtemperature protection
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20254 : Cold plates transferring heat from heat source to coolant
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 : Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A method is generally described which includes altering the temperature of an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device includes configuring a controller with a control algorithm to control the actions of a fluid control system 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. The method also includes providing A microchannel thermal control system for the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device. The microchannel thermal control system is configured to cool at least portions of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device. The microchannel thermal control system is configured to flow a fluid through the microchannels and the fluid to receive heat generated by the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device. Further, the method includes 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.

Claims

1. A thermal control system for an energy storage or electrochemical energy generation device, comprising:

a fluid control system with a controllable flow coupled to a microchannel thermal control system for a power source, the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device configured to provide electrical current;

an electrical characteristic sensor coupled to the power source;

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

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of a wall of the housing.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a cathode.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes an anode.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in the material including a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a catalyst material.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a solid electrolyte material.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes an electrical contact.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a current carrying conductor.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a material and the material including a dielectric.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a separator.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed at least partially integrally on the internal surface of the housing.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are formed at least partially integrally on a surface of at least one component.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the microchannels are configured to induce laminar flow of the fluid through at least a portion of the microchannels.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one component includes a thermal control component, and the thermal control component is disposed within the housing.

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

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

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is at least partially circulated by electromagnetic forces.

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

30. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is at least partially circulated by an electro osmotic pump.

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

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

33. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is at least partially circulated by capillary forces.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

51. The system of claim 1, wherein the control algorithm includes a model of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device response to current flow.

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

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

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

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

56. 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.

57. 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.

16-25. -25. (canceled)

34-41. -41. (canceled)

58. An electrical energy storage device thermal control system, comprising:

a fluid control system with a controllable flow coupled to a microchannel thermal control system for the electrical energy storage device, the electrical energy storage device configured to provide electrical current and configured to be charged by an electrical current;

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 fluid control system as a function of at least one state of the energy storage or electrochemical energy generation device.

59-114. -114. (canceled)

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

configuring a controller with a control algorithm to control the actions of a fluid flow control system as a function of at least one state of the energy storage or electrochemical energy generation device, the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device configured to provide electrical current;

providing a microchannel thermal control system for the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device, the microchannel thermal control system configured to cool at least portions of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device, the microchannel thermal control system configured to flow a fluid through the microchannels and the fluid to receive heat generated by the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device; 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.

158. The method of claim 115, wherein the control algorithm includes a classical control algorithm.

159. The method of claim 115, wherein the control algorithm includes a feedback control algorithm.

160. The method of claim 115, wherein the control algorithm includes a nonlinear control algorithm.

161. The method of claim 115, wherein the control algorithm includes an optimal control algorithm.

162. The method of claim 115, wherein the control algorithm includes a state estimator.

163. The method of claim 115, wherein the control algorithm includes an adaptive control algorithm.

164. The method of claim 115, wherein the control algorithm includes a Kalman filter.

165. The method of claim 115, wherein the control algorithm includes a model of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device response to current flow.

116-157. -157. (canceled)

166-171. -171. (canceled)

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

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

providing a microchannel thermal control system for the electrical energy storage device, the microchannel thermal control system configured to cool at least portions of the electrical energy storage device, the microchannel thermal control system configured to flow a fluid through the microchannels and the fluid to receive heat generated during charging of the electrical energy storage device; 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.

173-228. -228. (canceled)