Minimizing And Stabilizing Cell Temperature Gradient In A Battery Pack

• US 20120177968A1
• Filed: 01/12/2011
• Published: 07/12/2012
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 9,017,848 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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; and

a thermally conductive material, wherein the thermally conductive material dissipates heat between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive material is a solid material in thermal contact with the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a circulation device, wherein the circulation device circulates the thermally conductive material between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the plurality of battery cells, the circulation device, and the thermally conductive material are included in a battery pack.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the system is devoid of a heat exchange device that dissipates the heat external to the battery pack.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein the thermally conductive material is selected from the group consisting of gas and a liquid material.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the dissipated heat reduces a temperature differential between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

8. A system comprising:

one or more system components that consume power; and

a plurality of battery cells that provides power to the one or more system components, the plurality of battery cells including a first battery cell and a second battery cell; and

a thermally conductive material, wherein the thermally conductive material dissipates heat between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the thermally conductive material is a solid material in thermal contact with the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

10. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a circulation device, wherein the circulation device circulates the thermally conductive material between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the plurality of battery cells, the thermally conductive material, and the circulation device are included in a battery pack.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the battery pack is devoid of a heat exchange device that dissipates the heat external to the battery pack.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the thermally conductive material is selected from the group consisting of gas and a liquid material.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein the dissipated heat reduces a temperature differential between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

15. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a thermal insulator that insulates the battery pack from heat generated by the one or more system components.

16. The system of claim 8 wherein the one or more system components further comprise:

one or more processors;

a memory accessible by at least one of the processors; and

a nonvolatile storage area accessible by at least one of the processors.

17. The system of claim 8 wherein the one or more system components comprise a motor included in a transportation vehicle, wherein the motor receives power from the plurality of batteries in order to propel the vehicle.

18. A method for producing a battery pack, the method comprising:

including a first battery cell and a second battery cell in the battery pack; and

including a thermally conductive material in the battery pack, wherein the thermally conductive material dissipates heat between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the thermally conductive material is a solid material in thermal contact with the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

including a circulation device in the battery pack, wherein the circulation device circulates the thermally conductive material between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.