RECHARGEABLE BATTERY WITH CURRENT LIMITER

• US 20120034502A1
• Filed: 08/04/2011
• Published: 02/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Front Edge Technology, Inc
• Original Assignee: Front Row Technologies LLC (Ortiz & Lopez PLLC)
• Inventors: Nieh, Kai Wei, Shih, Tung-Hsiu
• Application Number:
  US13/198,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20120034502A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/62
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0436 Small-sized flat cells or batteries for portable equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/443 in response to temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/637 characterised by the use of reversible temperature-sensitive devices, e.g. NTC, PTC or bimetal devices; characterised by control of the internal current flowing through the cells, e.g. by switching means for preventing undesired use or discharge H01M50/572
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2200/10 Temperature sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/10 Primary casings; Jackets or wrappings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/24 adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion thermal insulation H01M10/658
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/581 in response to temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 Electric battery cell making

Abstract

A rechargeable battery comprises a battery cell comprising a plurality of battery component films on a substrate, the battery component films including at least a pair of electrodes about an electrolyte. A current limiter is electrically coupled to the battery cell to limit the current flowing through the battery cell when (i) the current flowing through the battery cell exceeds a predefined current, (ii) the temperature of the battery cell exceeds a predefined temperature, or (iii) both.

Claims

1. A rechargeable battery comprising:

(a) a battery cell comprising a plurality of battery component films on a substrate, the battery component films including at least a pair of electrodes about an electrolyte; and

(b) a current limiter electrically coupled to the battery cell to limit the current flowing through the battery cell when (i) the current flowing through the battery cell exceeds a predefined current, (ii) the temperature of the battery cell exceeds a predefined temperature, or (iii) both.

2. A battery according to claim 1 wherein the current limiter comprises an interrupter line.

3. A battery according to claim 2 wherein the interrupter line comprises a serpentine line.

4. A battery according to claim 1 wherein the current limiter comprises a material having a melting temperature of less than about 300°

C.

5. A battery according to claim 1 wherein the current limiter comprises a material that increases resistance by at least about 10 ohms when subjected to a current that exceeds 20 mA.

6. A battery according to claim 1 wherein the current limiter comprises a material that increases resistance by at least about 10 ohms when heated to a temperature that is at least about 100°

C.

7. A battery according to claim 1 wherein the current limiter comprises at least one of indium, tin, bismuth, or their alloys.

8. A battery according to claim 1 comprising a battery module comprising a plurality of the battery cells, and wherein the current limiter is electrically connected to one or more of the battery cells or to the battery module.

9. A battery according to claim 8 wherein the battery module comprises top and bottom surfaces that are each covered by a thermal conductor layer.

10. A battery according to claim 9 wherein the current limiter is on at least one of the thermal conductor layers.

11. A battery according to claim 9 wherein the thermal conductor layer comprises a metal, metal compound, or metal alloy.

12. A battery according to claim 11 wherein the thermal conductor layer comprises a foil.

13. A battery according to claim 8 further comprising a protective casing around the battery module.

14. A battery according to claim 13 comprising a plurality of battery modules, and wherein the current limiter is electrically connected to one or more of the battery cells, battery modules or battery.

15. A rechargeable battery comprising:

(a) a battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell comprising a plurality of battery component films on a substrate, the battery component films including at least a pair of electrodes about an electrolyte; and

(b) a current limiter electrically coupled to the battery module to limit the current flowing through the battery module when (i) the current flowing through the battery module exceeds a predefined current, (ii) the temperature of the battery module exceeds a predefined temperature, or (iii) both.

16. A battery according to claim 15 wherein the current limiter comprises an interrupter line electrically coupling a terminal of a battery cell to an electrical contact of the battery module.

17. A battery according to claim 15 wherein the current limiter comprises a material having a melting temperature of less than about 300°

C.

18. A battery according to claim 15 wherein the current limiter comprises at least one of indium, tin, bismuth, or their alloys thereof.

19. A battery according to claim 15 wherein the rechargeable battery comprises a plurality of the battery modules.

20. A battery according to claim 15 wherein the battery module comprises top and bottom surfaces that are each covered by a thermal conductor layer, and the current limiter is positioned on at least one of the thermal conductor layers.

21. A battery according to claim 15 further comprising a protective casing around the battery module.

22. A method of fabricating a rechargeable battery, the method comprising:

(a) forming a battery cell comprising a plurality of battery component films on a substrate, the battery component films including at least a pair of electrodes about an electrolyte; and

(b) forming a current limiter electrically coupled to the battery cell to limit the current flowing through the battery cell when (i) the current flowing through the battery cell exceeds a predefined current, (ii) the temperature of the battery cell exceeds a predefined temperature, or (iii) both.

23. A method according to claim 22 comprising forming a current limiter that comprises an interrupter line.

24. A battery according to claim 22 comprising forming a current limiter comprising a material having a melting temperature of less than about 300°

C.