U.S. patent application number 15/896387 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-17 for battery thermal run-away and combustion prevention system.
The applicant listed for this patent is International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to Eric Campbell, Sarah Czaplewski, Elin F. LaBreck, Jennifer Porto.
Application Number | 20190020077 15/896387 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64999202 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-17 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190020077 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Campbell; Eric ; et
al. |
January 17, 2019 |
BATTERY THERMAL RUN-AWAY AND COMBUSTION PREVENTION SYSTEM
Abstract
A device for preventing thermal run-away in a battery. The
device includes a main compartment that is divided into a plurality
of sub-compartments. A layer of material separates (i) a first
sub-compartment containing a first chemical from (ii) a second
sub-compartment containing a second chemical. In the event that a
thermal run-away event is either detected or predicted, the layer
of material degrades/is degraded and allows the chemicals to mix.
The chemicals form an endothermic process that cools the battery,
which at least delays the thermal run-away event. The device
determines a delay period before thermal runaway is likely to occur
and communicates that to a user.
Inventors: |
Campbell; Eric; (ROCHESTER,
MN) ; Czaplewski; Sarah; (ROCHESTER, MN) ;
Porto; Jennifer; (ROCHESTER, MN) ; LaBreck; Elin
F.; (ROCHESTER, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
International Business Machines Corporation |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
64999202 |
Appl. No.: |
15/896387 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15651511 |
Jul 17, 2017 |
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15896387 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 10/4257 20130101;
H01M 2200/10 20130101; H02J 7/0031 20130101; H01M 10/486 20130101;
H02J 7/0029 20130101; H02J 7/007192 20200101; H01M 10/6595
20150401; H01M 10/0525 20130101; G01K 11/125 20130101; G01K 11/165
20130101; H02J 7/0091 20130101; Y02E 60/10 20130101; H01M 10/613
20150401; G01K 11/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01M 10/613 20060101
H01M010/613; H02J 7/00 20060101 H02J007/00; G01K 11/20 20060101
G01K011/20; G01K 11/12 20060101 G01K011/12; H01M 10/48 20060101
H01M010/48; H01M 10/42 20060101 H01M010/42; H01M 10/0525 20060101
H01M010/0525 |
Claims
1. A device for preventing thermal run-away in batteries, the
device comprising: a plurality of endothermic devices arranged in a
pattern with a plurality of power storage devices; one or more
switches incorporated into an electrical circuit between the power
storage devices and one or both of (i) a charging device that
charges the power storage devices and (ii) a power consuming device
that draws stored power from the power storage devices; one or more
computer processors; one or more computer readable storage medium;
program instructions stored on the computer readable storage medium
for execution by at least one of the one or more processors, the
program instructions comprising: program instructions to determine
respective temperatures of the power storage devices; program
instructions to activate at least one endothermic device of the
plurality of endothermic devices in response to a determination
that a temperature of a given power storage device of the plurality
of power storage devices exceeds a threshold that indicates a
potential thermal run-away event for the given power storage
device, wherein the at least one endothermic device abuts the given
power storage device; program instructions to activate at least one
of the one or more switches to electrically disconnect the given
first power storage device from one or both of (i) the charging
device and (ii) the power consuming device in response to the
determination that the temperature of the given power storage
device exceeds the threshold; program instructions to determine a
predicted amount of delay before the potential thermal run-away
event is likely to become an actual thermal run-away event; and
program instructions to communicate the amount of delay to a user
associated with the given power storage device by sending an
electronic message to a computing device of the user in response to
the determination that the temperature of the given power storage
device exceeds the threshold.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to battery device
mechanical design. More specifically, the invention relates to
prevention of thermal run-away in batteries through the use of an
endothermic reaction.
[0002] The battery industry is continually expanding to meet the
increasing energy needs of the portable equipment, transportation,
and communication markets. Lithium-ion is becoming the industry
standard battery chemistry due to its high energy density, sealed
design and high availability in world markets.
[0003] Lithium-ion batteries are produced in a number of
variations; the most popular lithium-ion batteries, which have the
highest energy density, use a cobalt or nickel-cobalt oxide anode.
These batteries have the ability to create their own internal
supply of oxygen when overheated. More specifically, oxygen is
liberated from the oxide material of the anode at elevated
temperatures, which can occur due to a variety of causes, such as
an internal short circuit, overcharging, or other cause. Since both
oxygen and fuel are internally available to the cells, a fire can
start within a single battery cell, and can be difficult to
extinguish with conventional methods. In some cases, the fire will
continue until all the flammable materials in the battery, i.e., in
all of the cells, have been exhausted.
SUMMARY
[0004] Embodiments of the present invention provide a method,
system, program products, and devices for preventing thermal
run-away in batteries, the device comprising:
[0005] In one embodiment, a device for preventing thermal run-away
in batteries is disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of
endothermic devices arranged in a pattern with a plurality of power
storage devices; one or more switches incorporated into an
electrical circuit between the power storage device and one or both
of (i) a charging device that charges the power storage devices and
(ii) a power consuming device that draws stored power from the
plurality of power storage devices; one or more computer
processors; one or more computer readable storage medium; and
program instructions stored on the computer readable storage medium
for execution by at least one of the one or more processors. The
program instructions comprise program instructions to determine
respective temperatures of the power storage devices; program
instructions to activate at least one endothermic device of the
plurality of endothermic devices in response to a determination
that a temperature of a given power storage device exceeds a
threshold that indicates a potential thermal run-away event for the
given power storage device wherein the at least one endothermic
device abuts the given power storage device; program instructions
to activate the at least one of the one or more switches to
electrically disconnect the given first power storage device from
one or both of (i) the charging device and (ii) the power consuming
device in response to the determination that the temperature of the
given power storage device exceeds the threshold; program
instructions to determine a predicted amount of delay before the
potential thermal run-away event is likely to become an actual
thermal run-away event; and program instructions to communicate the
amount of delay to a user associated with the given power storage
device by sending an electronic message to a computing device of
the user in response to the determination that the temperature of
the given power storage device exceeds the threshold.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a side cut-away view illustrating a battery device
with an integrated and un-activated cooling device, in accordance
with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a side cut-away view illustrating a battery device
with an integrated and activated cooling device, in accordance with
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a side cut-away view illustrating a battery device
with a compartment for a removable cooling device, in accordance
with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a side cut-away view illustrating a battery device
with a compartment holding a removable cooling device, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a side cut-away view illustrating a battery device
with additional components for activating a cooling device, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating a battery
control environment, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates operational processes of a thermal
control program, executing on a computing device within the
environment of FIG. 6, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram of components of the
computing device executing a thermal control program, in accordance
with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a side cut-away view illustrating a stack of
alternating battery devices and cooling devices, in accordance with
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a top-down view illustrating a pattern of
alternating battery devices and cooling devices, in accordance with
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 11A-11C show views of a cylindrical shaped removable
cooling device that jackets a battery device, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 12A-12B show views of a removable cooling device jacket
with a channel for a battery device, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed
herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be
understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative
of potential embodiments of the present invention and may take
various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in
connection with the various embodiments is intended to be
illustrative, and not restrictive. Further, the figures are not
necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show
details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one
skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
[0019] References in the specification to "one embodiment", "an
embodiment", "an example embodiment", etc., indicate that the
embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure,
or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include
the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover,
such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.
Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is
described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it
is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such
feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other
embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
[0020] In some instances, battery fires are caused by liberated
oxygen combining with flammable electrolyte. In one such instance,
it was determined that the fire was caused by metal shavings that
were inadvertently encased in a battery cell during the
manufacturing process. A shaving had pierced the battery separator,
resulting in an internal short. The short heated the battery
separator, causing it to melt, thus compromising the electrical
insulation between the positive and negative electrodes. This
further short circuit caused severe internal heating of the cell to
the point where it vented hot gas and internal cell materials.
However, as has been found in many fires involving lithium-ion
battery devices, the event did not stop after the venting of the
first cell. In some scenarios a cell with overheating is able to
heat an adjoining cell to the point where the adjoining cell also
began to overheat, the process can continue until all the cells in
the device have completed the combustion process. This phenomenon
is often referred to in the industry as "thermal run-away".
[0021] The term endothermic process describes a process or reaction
in which the system absorbs energy from its surroundings; usually,
but not always, in the form of heat. In general, an endothermic
reaction is a chemical reaction that depends on absorbing heat if
it is to proceed. As such, these chemical reactions generally
consume reagents and heat in order to produce products.
[0022] A chemical reaction involves the conversion of reactant
molecules to products. This conversion requires cleavage of old
chemical bonds in the reagents and the formation of new chemical
bonds to form the product molecule. All chemical bonds have certain
strength and require some energy for dissociation. This energy is
typically provided by collision between reactant molecules, by
external heating, or by a catalyst. The formation of certain types
of chemical bonds releases some energy. In contrast, the formation
of other types of chemical bonds require the net absorption of
energy, e.g., heat. The overall change in energy during a chemical
reaction is known as heat of reaction. It is typically denoted by
".DELTA.H" and expressed in Kj/mol. In the case of endothermic
reactions, heat is absorbed to form the chemical bonds of the
product, which reduces the available heat, i.e., there is a net
absorption of heat to form the product. In embodiments of the
present invention, such absorption of heat cools a battery that has
met criteria indicating that the battery is at risk of thermal
run-away.
[0023] The present invention provides a novel method, computer
program product, computer system, and device for reducing the
probability of thermal run-away, and thus preventing the start of a
fire in battery devices. Embodiments of the present invention
recognize that preventing the existence of a fire/thermal run-away
is often preferable to attempting to suppress an existing state of
thermal run-away/fire in a battery/battery cell. Embodiments of the
present invention recognize that certain characteristics are
present before a battery begins thermal run-away/fire. Embodiments
of the present invention leverage these characteristics to initiate
preventative actions, thereby preventing thermal run-away/fire in a
given battery/battery cell from occurring in the first place.
[0024] Embodiments of the present invention provide a device for
preventing thermal run-away and fire from occurring in batteries,
such as lithium-ion batteries, that are exhibiting characteristics
that proceed, i.e., indicate conditions that lead to, thermal
run-away and/or combustion. The device includes a battery and a
first compartment that abuts the battery. The first compartment
includes endothermic reagents.
[0025] In one embodiment, the first compartment includes a first
sub-compartment and a second sub compartment that each contain one
or more reagents that, when combined, yield an endothermic
reaction. In one embodiment, the two compartments are separated by
a heat/temperature sensitive membrane that degrades at a
temperature that is below that of thermal run-away of the battery.
When the cell or battery starts to undergo thermal run-away, the
increase in temperature degrades the membrane, thereby mixing the
reagents inside the compartment. The endothermic reaction cools the
battery. Thermal run-away is prevented from occurring when the
battery is cooled down.
[0026] Embodiments of the present invention recognize that in
lithium-ion cells, thermal runaway is typically triggered from
exposure to temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius (.degree. C.),
which may be caused by, but is not limited to, Joule heating (due
to excessive current), excessive environmental temperatures, or
some combination of the two. Embodiments of the present invention
recognize that thermal runaway heats organic solvents in the
electrolyte of the battery, which begin to breakdown due to the
high temperatures. As the solvents convert to gaseous phase,
pressure builds up inside the cell until the gases are released,
via a safety vent, to prevent explosion of the cell. However, the
vented gases begin to combust upon coming into contact with the
outside atmosphere, i.e., the gases combust in the presence of
oxygen.
[0027] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a dual
bladder/compartment system that is incorporated into a battery
housing. In each bladder a separate endothermic chemical reactant
is contained. Separating the two compartments is a low melting
temperature (LMT) material layer that melts, decomposes, or
otherwise breaks down when it reaches a desired trigger
temperature/condition. When the LMT layer decomposes, the reactants
mix causing an endothermic reaction to occur. The endothermic
reaction draws heat away from the battery, preventing the
temperature of the battery from reaching the thermal runaway
threshold.
[0028] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a
temperature sensor that monitors the battery temperature. The data
from that sensor is leveraged to determine whether the endothermic
reaction has been triggered. If it detects it has been triggered a
switch can be opened to prevent the battery from either charging or
discharging.
[0029] The present invention will now be described in detail with
reference to the Figures.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a side cut-away view illustrating a battery
device, 100, with an integrated and un-activated cooling device, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, battery device 100 includes a chamber that
contains, i.e., is at least partly filled by, an endothermic device
composed of chemical storage compartments 110 and 130, and barrier
120, which separates chemical storage compartments 110 and 130. For
example, such an endothermic device fills a space designated by a
bracket 155. Hereinafter, the endothermic device is denoted as
cooling device 160, which includes 110, 120, and 130. In general,
cooling device 160 is configured and to, and includes structures
and components to, generate an endothermic reaction, in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention. An example of an
endothermic reaction is the combination of ammonium nitrate and
water, which produces a standard enthalpy of 25.41 kJ/mol, i.e., it
absorbs thermal energy for the reaction to reach completion. In
this example, there is no actual "chemical reaction". Instead the
endothermic activity results from the dissolution of ammonium
nitrate into an ammonium ion and nitrate ion solution, which is a
solvation event, i.e., NH4NO3(s).fwdarw.NH4+(aq)+NO3-(aq).
[0031] Like many ionic solids, the dissolution of ammonium nitrate
into an ammonium ion and nitrate ion solution is an endothermic
dissolution. To break the ionic bonds holding the lattice together
requires energy, which is absorbed from the surrounding
environment, making the solution cold. While some heat is generated
when the ammonium and nitrate ions interact with the water
molecules (an exothermic reaction), this amount of heat is far less
than that required for the water molecules to break the strong
ionic bonds in the solid ammonium nitrate. Therefore the overall
dissolution of ammonium nitrate in water is strongly endothermic.
In other words, the temperature of the solution is reduced as the
ionic salt dissolves because of the changes in molecular
organization for the before and after states of the salt and the
solvent.
[0032] In another reaction, barium hydroxide is reacted with
ammonium thiocyanate. In this reaction,
Ba(OH).sub.2.8H.sub.2O(s)+2NH.sub.4SCN(s).fwdarw.Ba(SCN).sub.2(s)+10H.sub-
.2O(l)+2NH.sub.3(g). Note that one of the products of this reaction
is ammonia gas. In some scenarios and embodiments, the evolved
ammonia gas is vented into a chamber that holds a reagent (such as
an acid such as nitric acid) that forms a solid when it reacts with
ammonia, e.g., an ammonium salt. Examples of ammonium salts are
ammonium chloride, NH.sub.4Cl, ammonium nitrate, NH.sub.4NO.sub.3,
and ammonium carbonate, (NH.sub.4).sub.2CO.sub.3. As noted above,
ammonium nitrate reacts with water to yield an endothermic
dissolution reaction. As such, certain embodiments recognize and
leverage the products of one endothermic reaction to generate
reagents for/drive a second endothermic reaction. Embodiments of
the present invention, provide various compartments and connections
therebetween, such as one-way valves, that provide for the
transferring and storage of various reagents and chambers in which
reactions occur. In some embodiments, small amounts of certain
products, such as ammonia gas, are released in a controlled manner
to provide an olfactory indication that a cooling device has been
activated. The amount of such released products, e.g., ammonia, is
carefully controlled to prevent toxic affects due to over-exposure
to the product. It is believed that the odor threshold for ammonia
may be low as 0.04 parts per million (ppm) and as high as 57 ppm.
It is also believed that ammonia exposure to ammonia in
concentrations as high as 25 ppm has negligible effects on adult
humans. As such, in one embodiment, ammonia gas is released at a
rate that provides a concentration between 5 ppm and 25 ppm to
ensure that a large percentage of the population will be able to
safely detect, via smell, the activation of cooling device 160.
[0033] In FIG. 1, battery device 100 includes a charge holding
portion, 140. In general, charge holding portion 140 includes
positive and negative terminals that may be, and in some
embodiments are, connected to a device that draws power from charge
holding portion 140. An example of such a charge holding portion
may include, but is not limited to, lithium ion battery cells. In
general, charge holding portion 140 can be any combination of
components consisting of one or more electrochemical cells with
external connections provided to power electrical devices.
[0034] In various embodiments, barrier 120 is a barrier that
prevents the exposure/exchange of chemicals respectively stored in
chemical storage compartments 110 and 130. In one embodiment,
barrier 120 is a plastic material that melts at a temperature that
is equal to or is below the thermal run-away temperature of battery
device 100, i.e., melts at or below 60.degree. C. As such, barrier
120 is designed to fail, i.e., to allow/cause an exchange of
chemicals between chemical storage compartments 110 and 130, when
barrier 120 reaches a specific temperature. One example material
for barrier 120 is Polycaprolactone (PCL), which is a biodegradable
polyester with a low melting point of around 60.degree. C. and a
glass transition temperature of about -60.degree. C. One skilled in
the art recognizes that the inclusion of various substituents in a
polymer can alter the melting point of the polymer. Therefore, the
examples provided herein are not to be construed as limiting.
Instead, many variations and combinations of polymers and materials
may be used within the scope of this invention for a barrier that
fails at a specified temperature. For example, in one embodiment,
barrier 120 is a mixture of materials including fully refined
paraffin (melting point 58-60.degree. C.) and oils to yield a
barrier with a melting point range of 53-55.degree. C.
[0035] Embodiments of the present invention recognize that
structural integrity/strength/resilience often decreases as a
material approaches its melting point. As such, in some
embodiments, barrier 120 includes a mesh of materials (that have a
melting point above 60.degree. C.) that provide structural support
for the low melting temperature material. In some embodiments and
scenarios, such a mesh reduces the chances of premature failure
(degradation) of barrier 120 as barrier 120 increases
toward/approaches 60.degree. C. As such, upon reaching the melting
point of barrier 120, due to the heating of battery device 100,
barrier 120 degrades and becomes permeable, thereby initiating the
mixing of the chemicals respectively stored in chemical storage
compartments 110 and 130. The chemicals respectively stored in
chemical storage compartments 110 and 130 comprise two or more
reagents that, when combined, generate/result in an endothermic
reaction. As such, when barrier 120 degrades (e.g., melts) and
allows the mixing of the chemicals respectively stored in chemical
storage compartments 110 and 130 an endothermic reaction is
created. The close proximity to, and contact between, surfaces of
cooling device 160 and charge holding portion 140 results in a
transfer of thermal energy from charge holding portion 140 to
cooling device 160. In general, in most embodiments, the transfer
of energy thermal energy from charge holding portion 140 to cooling
device 160 drives, in part, the endothermic reaction that occurs in
cooling device 160, since endothermic reactions typically require
the absorption of thermal energy to generate products.
[0036] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, both cooling device
160 and charge holding portion 140 are encapsulated by enclosure
material 150. In one embodiment, enclosure material 150 is a
material that is chemically resistant to (i) the reagents in
chemical storage compartments 110 and 130, (ii) the products of
those reagents, and (iii) the chemical components, or derivatives
thereof, of charge holding portion 140. Note that in one
embodiment, the material is a plastic that is chemical resistant,
as noted above, as well as being temperature resistant within a
temperature range that starts below the temperature generated by
the activation of cooling device 160 and ends above the temperature
generated by the normal charging and discharging of charge holding
portion 140.
[0037] In some embodiments, the temperature range of enclosure
material 150 exceeds the temperature at which charge holding
portion 140 would exhibit one or both of thermal run-away and fire,
i.e., enclosure material 150 retains its structural characteristics
above 60.degree. C. In some such embodiments, enclosure material
150 is a "warning" device that includes temperature changing color
compounds that change color depending on their temperature. Such
color changing materials are known to one having ordinary skill in
the art. For example, enclosure material 150 includes an exterior
layer of thermochromic plastic that changes to a bright color upon
exposure to the temperature generated by activation of cooling
device 160. In another example, enclosure material 150 includes an
exterior layer of thermochromic plastic (which includes microscopic
capsules of thermochromic liquid crystals) that changes to a bright
color upon exposure to the temperature generated by charge holding
portion 140 that is heated to a temperature above a threshold. In
another example, enclosure material 150 is painted with a leucodye
containing paint. As such, based on temperature, enclosure material
150 provides a visual indicator that a problem has occurred with
battery device 100.
[0038] In one embodiment, a chemiluminescent microcapsules are
incorporated into cooling device 160, i.e., into an endothermic
bladder system. Chemiluminescence is the production of light from a
chemical reaction. For example, two chemicals react to form an
excited (high-energy) intermediate, which breaks down releasing
some of its energy as photons of light. In one embodiment, the
microcapsules trigger, i.e., break down and release their chemical
contents, at the same temperature as barrier 120. When the
chemicals of the microcapsules combine they produce light. A light
detecting sensor is incorporated into the battery to detect when
the microcapsules are triggered based on detection of the
chemiluminescent light. When the sensor detects light from the
microcapsules it triggers a switch to turn off the device or the
battery from charging, affectively stopping current flow to or from
the battery.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a side cut-away view illustrating a battery
device, 200, with an integrated and activated cooling device, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
In contrast to battery device 100 of FIG. 1, battery device 200 of
FIG. 2 shows cooling device 210 that is active, i.e., cooling, and
included in, i.e., integrated with, compartment 260. Note that
cooling device 210 lacks barrier 120. In this embodiment, a
temperature above the melting threshold of barrier 120 has resulted
in disintegration of barrier 120, which resulted in the mixing of
the chemicals that were respectively stored in chemical storage
compartments 110 and 130. As such, chemical storage compartments
110 and 130 have been joined to form a contiguous compartment,
i.e., compartment 260. In some embodiments, portions of barrier 120
may still exist in cooling device 210 but are not shown to
illustrate the mixing of the chemicals that were included in
chemical storage compartments 110 and 130.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a side cut-away view illustrating a battery
device, 300, with a compartment for a removable cooling device, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
In some embodiments, once a cooling device has been activated, the
cooling device can be removed and replaced with a new un-activated
cooling device. As shown in FIG. 3, enclosure material 151 (which
is similar to enclosure material 150) includes removable portion,
310, which has been removed and an activated cooling device,
similar to cooling device 210, has been removed, i.e., compartment
314 is empty. At this point, a new cooling device can be placed
into compartment 314 and removable portion 310 secured into area
312 to yield a battery device that is similar to battery device
100. In some embodiments, enclosure material 151 includes locking
devices that lock removable portion 310 into place, thereby
retaining the containment aspects similar to those provided by
enclosure material 150.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a side cut-away view illustrating a battery
device, 400, with a compartment holding a removable cooling device,
in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment, with reference to FIG. 4 and in
continuation of the discussion of FIG. 3, (i) a new cooling device
(comprising 110, 120, and 130 which are enclosed in a covering,
denoted using dashed line 412) is shown inserted into compartment
314 and (ii) removable portion 310 has been secured into place
using threaded locks, denoted using dashed ellipses 410. As such
battery device 400 shares similarities with battery device 100 of
FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the covering 412, and the components
enclosed therein, are removable as a single component to provide
ease of replacement. While not always shown in the Figures or noted
in the description, one having skill in the art recognized that
certain component may be combined together, or made separate, using
various combinations of coverings, in accordance with a desired
embodiment. Such modular designs are understood by those having
ordinary skill in the art. In this embodiment, the threading of
removable portion 310 fills the corresponding grooves that are cut
into enclosure material 151, similar to, for example, a nut and
bolt. While one specific example of a locking mechanism is provided
herein one having skill in the art appreciates that there are
numerous variations of locking devices that are within the scope of
this disclosure.
[0042] FIG. 5 is a side cut-away view illustrating a battery
device, 500, with additional components for activating a cooling
device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 5, in one embodiment, battery device
500 includes control device 520, sensors 510, and heating element
530. In this embodiment, heating element 530 is embedded in barrier
120. In this embodiment, heating element 530, once activated by
control device 520, produces heat that exceeds the melting point of
barrier 120. As such, activation of heating element 530 results in
the mixing of the chemicals that are respectively stored in
chemical storage compartments 110 and 130. In this embodiment,
control device 520, receives sensor data from sensors 510 and
determines whether or not to activate heating element 530. In one
embodiment, the sensor data is, at least in part, sent to and
received by control device 520 wirelessly using connection 515. In
other embodiments, connection 515 is a wired connection connecting
sensors 510 to control device 520. In one embodiment, some of the
logic and decision making functions of control device 520 are
included in a computing device that is included as part of
connection 515. For example, battery device 500 is a battery for a
laptop computer and the logic and decision making functions of
control device 520 are included as part of the laptop computer. In
this example, control device 520 includes a small power source as
part of battery device 500 that, once activated, provides power to
heating element 530. In one embodiment, charge holding portion 140
provides power to heating element 530. In some scenarios and
embodiments, such a configuration not only provides a ready and
sufficient source of power to activate and power heating element
530, but the activation of heating element 530 serves to further
reduce the charge held by charge holding portion 140. In one
embodiments, control device 520 is a switching device that responds
to signals from sensors 510 and includes a switch that (i)
electrically disconnects charge holding portion 140 from a device
it was powering and (ii) activates an electrical connection that
provides power to heating element 530. For example, in response to
a sensor signal that indicates the temperature of, and/or the rate
of temperature increase of, battery device 500 is above a
threshold, control device 520 disconnects an electrical connection
to a device being powered by battery device 500 and creates and
electrical connection to heating element 530.
[0043] In one embodiment, control device 520 includes logic to
identify/differentiate between various scenarios that lead to
increasing heat in battery device 500 based, at least in part, on
sensor data from sensors 510. Some such scenarios include, but are
not limited to, heat generated from (i) a high rate of power
consumption by a device being powered by battery device 500; (ii) a
level of resistance during charging of battery device 500; and
(iii) an internal short circuit within battery device 500. For
example, control device 520 receives data from sensors 510 that
indicates battery device 500 is not (i) being used to power a
device connected to battery device 500, or (ii) being charged.
However, the sensor data indicates that the temperature in battery
device 500 is rising and the stored charge is being reduced at
rates that indicate eventual thermal run-away in battery device
500. As such, control device 520 sends power from a power source
(included in control device 520) to heating element 530, which in
turn results in the mixing of the chemicals that are respectively
stored in chemical storage compartments 110 and 130. In general,
control device 520 includes a set of rules that are followed by
control device 520 to determine which actions to take based on a
set of criteria being met. In this embodiment, control device 520
includes the ability to deactivate electrical connections to
battery device 500 such that battery device 500 is deactivated,
i.e., prevented from (i) being charged or (ii) used to power to
power a device connected to battery device 500. In addition, in
this embodiment, control device 520 sends an alert to notify one or
both of a user and a computing device that battery device 500 has
been deactivated.
[0044] In one embodiment, the alert includes one or more of (i) an
audio alert, for example, a beeping tone; (ii) a visual alert, for
example, a flashing light/indicator, (iii) an electronic message
that may be processed by a computing device and/or displayed for a
user. For example, control device 520 deactivates battery device
500. Since data from sensors 510 that indicates battery device 500
is not (i) being used to power a device connected to battery device
500, or (ii) being charged, control device 520 determines, based on
the set of rules, that a short in battery device 500 is likely to
have occurred and that activation of the cooling device in battery
device 500 is insufficient to permanently prevent thermal run-away
and/or fire from occurring. As such, control device 520 activates
all available alert methods to warn of the impending danger. In
this embodiment, in addition to activating one or more of (i) an
audio alert, for example, a beeping tone; (ii) a visual alert, for
example, a flashing light/indicator, (iii) an electronic message
that may be processed by a computing device and/or displayed for a
user, control device 520 also sends one or more of text messages,
high priority emails, and/or initiates one or more phone calls to
user(s) that are included in a list of emergency contacts. One
having skill in the art appreciates that various rules and response
combinations are within the scope of the invention and that the
forgoing examples are not limiting the scope of the invention to
just those examples.
[0045] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating a battery
control environment, generally designated 600, in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention. Battery control
environment 600 includes thermal control program 620, battery data
625, computing device 605, cooling device 655, and battery device
650 connected over network 630. Computing device 605, includes
thermal control program 620, battery data 625. Battery device 650
includes cooling device 655. In some embodiments, battery device
650 is included as part of computing device 605. In other
embodiments, battery device 650 is located externally to, i.e., is
not physically included as part of, computing device 605. In such
embodiments, computing device communicates with/is connected to
battery device 650 and provides battery control services to battery
device 650, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. An example of such battery control service is provided
hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 7 and its associated
description.
[0046] In various embodiments of the present invention, computing
device 605 is a computing device that can be a standalone device, a
server, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a netbook computer, a
personal computer (PC), or a desktop computer. In another
embodiment, computing device 605 represents a computing system
utilizing clustered computers and components to act as a single
pool of seamless resources. In general, computing device 605 can be
any computing device or a combination of devices with access to
thermal control program 620, battery data 625 and is capable of
executing thermal control program 620. Computing device 605 may
include internal and external hardware components, as depicted and
described in further detail with respect to FIG. 8.
[0047] In this exemplary embodiment, thermal control program 620
and battery data 625 are stored on computing device 605. However,
in other embodiments, thermal control program 620 and battery data
625 may be stored externally and accessed through a communication
network, such as network 630. Network 630 can be, for example, a
local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the
Internet, or a combination of the two, and may include wired,
wireless, fiber optic or any other connection known in the art. In
general, network 630 can be any combination of connections and
protocols that will support communications between thermal control
program 620, battery data 625, computing device 605, and battery
device 650, in accordance with a desired embodiment of the present
invention.
[0048] In exemplary embodiments, battery device 650 is a battery
that includes cooling device 655. Cooling device 655 functions in a
manner following the description of the cooling devices described
with reference to FIGS. 1-5, 9, 10, 11A-11C, and 12A-12B.
[0049] In exemplary embodiments, battery data 625 includes data
regarding at least battery device 650. In some embodiments, battery
data 625 includes profiles and data regarding a plurality of
batteries, of a type, that includes battery device 650. For
example, battery data 625 includes a thermal profile (expected
changes in the temperature) for charging and discharging of a
specific type of lithium-ion battery ("Type A"). Since battery data
625 is of Type A, data received regarding battery device 650 is
associated with and interpreted, in part, according to/in
comparison with, what is expected for a battery of type A.
[0050] In exemplary embodiments, thermal control program 620 is a
computer program that actively monitors data about battery device
650 (i.e., monitors battery data 625) and controls, at least in
part the activation/activity of cooling device 655. For example,
battery device 650 is charging (based on data received regarding
battery device 650) and the temperature of battery device 650 is
fifteen percent what is expected for battery device 650, based on a
charging profile associated with battery device 650. In response,
thermal control program 620 determines that battery device 650 is
exhibiting abnormal behavior, i.e., a temperature above a
threshold, and triggers the activation of cooling device 655.
[0051] In one embodiment, battery device 650 includes one or more
sensors to determine performance characteristics that may include,
but are not limited to, temperature, output voltage, output
current, and resistance of battery device 650. In this embodiment,
battery device sends the sensor data to computing device 605 and
the sensor data is stored as part of battery data 625. In one
embodiment, battery device 650 has three states that battery device
650 can be in and each state has a profile associated with it. The
states include a state of discharging, a state of charging, and a
state of standby (not actively charging or discharging) in which
power is not actively being drawn to power a device, although the
stored charge may slowly decline due to a self-discharge process in
battery device 650.
[0052] FIG. 7 illustrates operational processes of a thermal
control program, 620, executing on a computing device within the
environment of FIG. 6, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0053] In process 710, thermal control program 620 determines the
status of battery device 650 by accessing the data included in
battery data 625 and determining a state of battery device 650
based, at least in part, on that data, i.e., thermal control
program 620 monitors (collects sensor data regarding) battery
device 650 and determines its state accordingly. For example, based
on the current flowing from battery device 650, thermal control
program 620 determines that battery device 650 is in a state of
discharge, i.e., the stored energy included in battery device 650
is being consumed by a device that is connected to/is being powered
by battery device 650. In another example, thermal control program
620 matches the electrical characteristics of battery device 650 to
a profile and determines that battery device 650 is being charged.
In one embodiment, thermal control program 620 periodically
determines the state of battery device 650 and stores that
information as part of battery data 625. In one embodiment, the
stored data regarding the state of battery device 650 is leveraged
for further analysis/determinations in other instances of process
710 and/or in decision process 720. Embodiments of the present
invention recognize that, in certain scenarios, iterative
analysis/determinations of the state of battery device 650 indicate
that battery device 650 is exhibiting a pattern of behavior that is
indicative of, will likely cause/lead to, a condition of
thermal-runaway or fire.
[0054] In decision process 720, thermal control program 620
determines if a trigger is present. In one embodiment, thermal
control program 620 determines that a trigger is present if one or
more conditions are met that indicate an abnormal operation of
battery device 650. Such conditions may be determined based one or
more of known patterns/characteristics that is indicative of, will
likely cause/lead to, a condition of thermal-runaway or fire. For
example, thermal control program 620 accesses a profile for battery
device 650, which is included in battery data 625. The profile
indicates a rate of heat generation during normal use of battery
device 650, i.e., during a period of discharge to power as device
connected to battery device 650. However, a determined rate of heat
generation for battery device 650 is fifty percent above the
expected rate, i.e., is 150% the expected/acceptable rate of heat
generation. In response to the determined rate of heat generation
being above a threshold of ten percent variance (i.e., the
determined rate of heat generation is greater than 110% of the
acceptable rate of heat generation), thermal control program 620
determines that a trigger is present. If thermal control program
620 determines that a trigger is not present (decision process 720,
NO branch), then thermal control program 620 returns to process 710
and continues to determine/monitor the state of battery device 650.
If thermal control program 620 determines that a trigger is present
(decision process 720, YES branch), then thermal control program
620 proceeds to process 730.
[0055] In process 730, thermal control program 620 initiates
cooling of battery device 650 by activating cooling device 655.
[0056] In process 740, thermal control program 620 disconnects
battery device 650. In other words, thermal control program 620
removes one or more electrical connections that enable battery
device 650 to supply power to a device connected to/is powered by
battery device 650. For example, battery device 650 is included in
a bank of batteries that provide emergency power for a power plant
facility. Thermal control program 620 activates a switch that
electrically disconnects battery device 650 from the rest of the
bank of batteries. As such, battery device 650 can neither be
charged nor used to provide power.
[0057] In process 750, thermal control program 620 sends out one or
more messages indicating that cooling device 655 has been activated
and that battery device 650 exhibited a type of behavior. In one
embodiment, the type of behavior indicates a probable type of
malfunction in battery device 650 that resulted in the type of
behavior. For example, the trigger determined in decision process
720 indicates that an internal short is likely. As such, the
message indicates that battery device 650 has experienced an
internal short and been disabled (disconnected). In some
embodiments, based on the probable type of malfunction, the message
includes additional instructions. For example, activating cooling
device 655 provides a time period during which battery device 650
can be safely removed, i.e., thermal runaway and/or fire is
unlikely to occur due to the cooling of battery device 650. As
such, the message includes instructions and a time frame during
which battery device 650 should be removed, which prevents the
spread of thermal run-away to other battery devices included in a
bank of batteries. In this scenario, thermal run-away and/or fire
can only be prevented for a time period based on the cooling, and
duration thereof, provided by cooling device 655. Determinations of
how long a given endothermic reaction can cool an object (that is
generating heat at a given rate) are well understood by those
having skill in the art. Further understood, is how long it will
take for an object that is generating heat to reach a temperature.
As such, predictions of how long it is likely to take for a thermal
run-away event to commence is clearly disclosed herein and is well
understood by those having skill in the art. In other scenarios,
thermal run-away and/or fire is preventable indefinitely by
removing the source of the heat generation, e.g., disconnecting
battery device 650 that is overheating due to a high rate of
discharge/power drain by a device being powered by battery device
650.
[0058] FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram of components of the
computing device executing thermal control program 620, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0059] FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram, 800, of components of
computing device 605, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment
of the present invention. It should be appreciated that FIG. 8
provides only an illustration of one implementation and does not
imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which
different embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the
depicted environment may be made.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 8, computing device 605 includes
communications fabric 802, which provides communications between
computer processor(s) 804, memory 806, persistent storage 808,
communications unit 810, and input/output (I/O) interface(s) 812.
Communications fabric 802 can be implemented with any architecture
designed for passing data and/or control information between
processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network
processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other
hardware components within a system. For example, communications
fabric 802 can be implemented with one or more buses.
[0061] Memory 806 and persistent storage 808 are computer-readable
storage media. In this embodiment, memory 806 includes random
access memory (RAM) 814 and cache memory 816. In general, memory
806 can include any suitable volatile or non-volatile
computer-readable storage media.
[0062] Thermal control program 620 and battery data 625 are stored
in persistent storage 808 for execution and/or access by one or
more of the respective computer processors 804 via one or more
memories of memory 806. In this embodiment, persistent storage 808
includes a magnetic hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in addition
to a magnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage 808 can include a
solid state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, read-only
memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash
memory, or any other computer-readable storage media that is
capable of storing program instructions or digital information.
[0063] The media used by persistent storage 808 may also be
removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be used for
persistent storage 808. Other examples include optical and magnetic
disks, thumb drives, and smart cards that are inserted into a drive
for transfer onto another computer-readable storage medium that is
also part of persistent storage 808.
[0064] Communications unit 810, in these examples, provides for
communications with other data processing systems or devices,
including resources of network 630. In these examples,
communications unit 810 includes one or more network interface
cards. Communications unit 810 may provide communications through
the use of either or both physical and wireless communications
links. Thermal control program 620 and battery data 625 may be
downloaded to persistent storage 808 through communications unit
810.
[0065] I/O interface(s) 812 allows for input and output of data
with other devices that may be connected to computing device 605.
For example, I/O interface 812 may provide a connection to external
devices 818 such as a keyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and/or some
other suitable input device. External devices 818 can also include
portable computer-readable storage media such as, for example,
thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards.
Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present
invention, e.g., thermal control program 620 and battery data 625,
can be stored on such portable computer-readable storage media and
can be loaded onto persistent storage 808 via I/O interface(s) 812.
I/O interface(s) 812 also connect to a display 820.
[0066] Display 820 provides a mechanism to display data to a user
and may be, for example, a computer monitor, or a television
screen.
[0067] The present invention may be one or more of (i) a cooling
device and battery device combination that performs a method, (ii)
a computer program product that utilizes a cooling device and
battery combination, and (iii) a computer system that utilizes a
cooling device and battery combination. The computer program
product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media)
having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a
processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.
[0068] Some embodiments of the present invention recognize that
certain power consuming devices/systems utilize multiple battery
sources in tandem and/or in parallel. As such, a variety of
combinations/organizations of battery devices and cooling devices
are within the scope of the present invention.
[0069] FIG. 9 is a side cut-away view illustrating a stack of
alternating battery devices, 910 and 912, and cooling devices, 920
and 922, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment and example, battery device 912 is
exhibiting characteristics that are indicative of imminent thermal
run-away/fire, e.g., is malfunctioning. In this embodiment and
example, a malfunction in battery device 912 activates abutting
cooling devices 922. As such, malfunctioning battery device 912 is
cooled by two different cooling devices. Embodiments of the present
invention recognize that activating multiple cooling devices
provides an amount of redundancy and insurance that a given
malfunctioning battery device will be cooled and that thermal
run-away/fire is prevented, at least temporarily.
[0070] FIG. 10 is a top-down view illustrating a pattern of
alternating battery devices and cooling devices, in accordance with
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the
stack described in FIG. 9, FIG. 10 includes a pattern of
alternating battery devices, 910 and 912, and cooling devices, 920
and 922, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment and example, battery device 912 is
exhibiting characteristics that are indicative of imminent thermal
run-away/fire, e.g., is malfunctioning. In this embodiment and
example, a malfunction in battery device 912 activates abutting
cooling devices 922. As such, malfunctioning battery device 912 is
cooled by four different cooling devices. Embodiments of the
present invention recognize that such a pattern of alternating
battery devices and cooling devices, and their activation, provides
an amount of redundancy and insurance that a given malfunctioning
battery device will be cooled and that thermal run-away/fire is
prevented, at least temporarily. In one embodiment, such a
configuration is used to create a power storage device utilized by,
for example, and is not limited to, a municipal power system, a
data center, a hospital, a law enforcement building, a fire
response facility, and an electric vehicle.
[0071] FIG. 11A-11C show views of a cylindrical shaped removable
cooling device that jackets a battery device, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 11A, a
battery device 1110 is shown and is jacketed by cooling device
1120. In this example embodiment, a barrier (indicated by dashed
line 1125) separates cooling device 1120 into chemical storage
compartments that hold endothermic reactants. This embodiment
recognizes that certain combinations of shapes for battery devices
and cooling devices provide more surface area than others, which
can be leveraged to provide enhanced rates of cooling. In the
present example embodiment, the nesting cylindrical shapes of
cooling device 1120 and battery device 1110 respectively provide
surfaces 1122 and 1111, that abut and align in FIG. 11A, along the
respective lengths of their cylinders, which yields an increased
the rate of cooling when aligned as in FIG. 11A and cooling device
1120 is active.
[0072] In the embodiment of FIGS. 11A-11C, cooling device 1120 is
separate from, i.e., not enclosed as part of battery device 1110.
In the illustrated embodiment, cooling device 1120 includes a
cavity, 1121, into which battery device 1110 is placed. As such, in
FIG. 11A, in configuration 1101, battery device 1110 is fills
cavity 1121 of cooling device 1120. In FIG. 11B, in configuration
1102, battery device 1110 is shown as mostly removed from cavity
1121. In FIG. 11C, in configuration 1103, battery device 1110 is
completely removed from cavity 1121 of cooling device 1120. As
such, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11C provides an
alternative for a removable/replaceable cooling device for a given
battery device. Note that the embodiment of FIGS. 11A-11C may
include some or all of the features of other embodiments as
described herein.
[0073] FIG. 12A-12B show views of a removable cooling device jacket
with a channel for a battery device, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment shown
in FIGS. 12A and 12B is similar, in some respects, to the
embodiment of FIGS. 11A-11C. In contrast to the embodiment of FIGS.
11A-11C, the embodiment of FIG. 12A-12B show views of a "U" shaped
removable cooling device that jackets a battery device, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 12A, a battery device 1210 is shown and is jacketed by
cooling device 1220. In this example embodiment, a barrier
(indicated by dashed line 1225) separates cooling device 1220 into
chemical storage compartments that hold endothermic reactants.
[0074] Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 11A-11C, this embodiment
recognizes that certain combinations of shapes for battery devices
and cooling devices provide more surface area than others, which
can be leveraged to provide enhanced rates of cooling and/or
increased storage efficiency. In the present example embodiment,
the nesting rectangular shapes of cooling device 1220 and battery
device 1210 provide a total surface area of a multiple abutting
surfaces of cooling device 1220 and battery device 1210 that, when
aligned, yield an increased the rate of cooling. In this
embodiment, as numbered in FIG. 12A, one having skill in the art
sees that a back surface, 1212, a top surface, 1211, and a bottom
surface, 1213, of battery device 1210 abut corresponding interior
surface of cooling device 1220. In the embodiment of FIGS. 12A-12B,
cooling device 1220 is separate from, i.e., not enclosed as part of
battery device 1210. In the illustrated embodiment, cooling device
1220 includes a channel, indicated by bracket 1221 in FIG. 12B,
into which battery device 1210 is placed. As such, in FIG. 12A, in
configuration 1201, battery device 1210 fills the channel of
cooling device 1220. In FIG. 12B, in configuration 1202, battery
device 1210 is shown as mostly removed from the channel of cooling
device 1220. Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 11C, battery device
1210 is completely removable from the channel of cooling device
1220. As such, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12A-12B provides
an alternative for a removable/replaceable cooling device for a
given battery device. Note that the embodiment of FIGS. 12A-12B may
include some or all of the features of other embodiments as
described herein.
[0075] The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a
computer program product. The computer program product may include
a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer
readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to
carry out aspects of the present invention.
[0076] The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible
device that can retain and store instructions for use by an
instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium
may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage
device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an
electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or
any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of
more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium
includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk,
a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static
random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only
memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a
floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or
raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon,
and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable
storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being
transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely
propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves
propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g.,
light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical
signals transmitted through a wire.
[0077] Computer readable program instructions described herein can
be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a
computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or
external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a
local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.
The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical
transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls,
switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter
card or network interface in each computing/processing device
receives computer readable program instructions from the network
and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage
in a computer readable storage medium within the respective
computing/processing device.
[0078] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out
operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions,
instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine
instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware
instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object
code written in any combination of one or more programming
languages, including an object oriented programming language such
as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural
programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or
similar programming languages. The computer readable program
instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on
the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on
the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on
the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote
computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type
of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area
network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external
computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet
Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry
including, for example, programmable logic circuitry,
field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays
(PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by
utilizing state information of the computer readable program
instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to
perform aspects of the present invention.
[0079] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products
according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable
program instructions.
[0080] These computer readable program instructions may be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in
a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a
programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable
storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an
article of manufacture including instructions which implement
aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block
diagram block or blocks.
[0081] The computer readable program instructions may also be
loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing
apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps
to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or
other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that
the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable
apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0082] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products
according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one
or more executable instructions for implementing the specified
logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the
functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in
the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in
fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may
sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the
functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of
the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations
of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can
be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that
perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations
of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
[0083] The programs described herein are identified based upon the
application for which they are implemented in a specific embodiment
of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that any
particular program nomenclature herein is used merely for
convenience, and thus the invention should not be limited to use
solely in any specific application identified and/or implied by
such nomenclature.
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