U.S. patent application number 16/911324 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-24 for thermal runaway shield enclosure for li-ion battery packs/cells.
The applicant listed for this patent is KULR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Michael Mo, Juergen Mueller, Yoshio Robert Yamaki.
Application Number | 20200403281 16/911324 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005002178 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-24 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200403281 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mo; Michael ; et
al. |
December 24, 2020 |
Thermal Runaway Shield Enclosure for Li-Ion Battery Packs/Cells
Abstract
An apparatus for a thermal runaway shield enclosure for Li-ion
batteries is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a thermal runaway
shield ("TRS") case having rigid walls with openings on at least
one side of the case, and a heat-resistant, permeable fabric
configured to line interior walls of the TRS case, wherein at least
one Li-ion battery is placed inside the TRS case.
Inventors: |
Mo; Michael; (Saratoga,
CA) ; Yamaki; Yoshio Robert; (San Diego, CA) ;
Mueller; Juergen; (San Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KULR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION |
Campbell |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005002178 |
Appl. No.: |
16/911324 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62865719 |
Jun 24, 2019 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 10/0525 20130101;
H01M 10/658 20150401; H01M 2/1094 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01M 10/658 20060101
H01M010/658; H01M 2/10 20060101 H01M002/10 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for a thermal runaway shield enclosure for Li-ion
batteries comprising: a thermal runaway shield ("TRS") case having
rigid walls with openings on at least one side of the case; and a
heat-resistant, permeable fabric configured to line interior walls
of the TRS case, wherein at least one Li-ion battery is placed
inside the TRS case.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat-resistant, permeable
fabric is made from Kevlar.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the TRS enclosure includes
openings on another side of the case.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the openings include a
plurality of circular openings.
5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the openings include at least
one elongated slot.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a rigid divider
configured to separate an interior of the TRS case into a first
compartment and a second compartment, wherein the at least one
Li-ion battery is in a first compartment and another Li-ion battery
is in a second compartment separated by the rigid divider.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a flexible TRS
substantially sized as the rigid divider, wherein the rigid divider
encloses the flexible TRS.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a first flexible TRS
and a second flexible TRS substantially sized as the rigid divider,
wherein the rigid divider is lined with a first flexible TRS on a
first side of the rigid divider and a second flexible TRS on a
second side of the rigid divider.
9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the rigid divider is made of
phenolic thermoset laminate.
10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the flexible TRS includes a
cavity to enclose elements for heat dissipation including
water-based coolant.
11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the flexible TRS includes a
cavity to enclose a heat spreader for heat dissipation.
12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the flexible TRS includes a
cavity to enclose a carbon veil for heat dissipation.
13. A method for a thermal runaway shield ("TRS") enclosure for
storage of thermal runaway shielded battery packs comprising the
steps: providing a thermal runaway shield ("TRS") case having rigid
walls with openings on at least one side of the case; lining
interior walls of the TRS case with a heat-resistant, permeable
fabric; and placing at least one thermal runaway shielded battery
pack into the interior of TRS case.
14. The method of 13, wherein the TRS case and the heat-resistant,
permeable fabric are made from Kevlar.
15. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of
separating an interior of the TRS case with a rigid divider into a
first compartment and a second compartment; placing the at least
one thermal runaway shielded battery pack into the first
compartment; and placing a second thermal runaway shielded battery
pack into the second compartment of the TRS case.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of separating an
interior of the TRS case with a divider includes the step of
enclosing a flexible TRS substantially sized as the rigid divider
within the rigid divider.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of enclosing a
flexible TRS includes the step of creating a cavity within the
flexible TRS to include a heat spreader for heat dissipation.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of separating an
interior of the TRS case with a divider includes the step of
attaching a flexible TRS substantially sized as the rigid divider
on each side of the rigid divider.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of attaching a
flexible TRS includes the step of creating a cavity within the
flexible TRS to enclose a carbon veil for heat dissipation.
20. An apparatus for a thermal runaway shielded enclosure for a
thermal runaway shielded Li-ion battery pack comprising: a thermal
runaway shield ("TRS") case having rigid walls with openings on at
least one side of the case; a heat-resistant, permeable fabric
configured to line interior walls of the TRS case, wherein at least
one Li-ion battery is placed inside the TRS case; a rigid divider
configured to separate an interior of the TRS enclosure into a
first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the first
compartment is configured to contain at least one thermal runaway
shielded battery pack and the second compartment is configured to
contain at least one other thermal runaway shielded battery pack;
and at least two flexible TRS's configured to attach on each side
of the rigid divider, wherein each flexible TRS includes a cavity
to enclose elements for heat dissipation including water-based
colored coolant.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE
[0001] This application claims priority to a provisional patent
application, entitled "Thermal Solutions for Shipping Li-Ion
Battery Packs/Cells", filed on Jun. 24, 2019 and having application
No. 62/865,719. Said application is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure relates to thermal protection for an
energy storage device and, in particular, to a thermal runaway
shield for the energy storage device (e.g., a battery) to prevent
thermal runaway propagation.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Lithium-Ion ("Li-Ion") 18650 cells (and other batteries)
have a slight chance of spontaneously shorting, which heats the
interior gradually until a separator film within the cell melts,
resulting in an internal short. Consequently, an explosive release
of thermal energy can be triggered. The explosion can cause an end
cap of the shorted cell to rupture. A flare briefly emerges (e.g.,
of around 1 second) from that ruptured end cap. For a minute or so,
the cell's materials combust, releasing heat and driving the
shorted cell to about 500 degrees Celsius ("C") or greater.
[0004] If there are any neighboring cells that are consequently
heated near or above a critical temperature (e.g., around
130.degree. C.), the neighboring cells can also short with the same
consequences causing additional explosions and ruptures; hence
giving the well-known problem of thermal runaway propagation. To
combat thermal runaway, Telsa, Inc. equips their Tesla's electric
automobiles with an active cooling system to prevent thermal
runaway propagation of their installed battery cells.
[0005] However, there is a desire to seek a passive solution
suitable for battery packs of arbitrary cell sizes and shapes.
Therefore, there exists a need for a novel system, method, and
apparatus for preventing thermal runaway propagation for cells in
an energy storage device.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] A method and apparatus for a thermal runaway shield
enclosure for Li-ion batteries is disclosed. The apparatus for a
thermal runaway shield enclosure for Li-ion batteries comprises a
thermal runaway shield ("TRS") case having rigid walls with
openings on at least one side of the case; and a heat-resistant,
permeable fabric configured to line interior walls of the TRS case,
wherein at least one Li-ion battery is placed inside the TRS
case.
[0007] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the openings
include a plurality of circular openings.
[0008] In a further aspect of the present disclosure, a rigid
divider is configured to separate an interior of the TRS case into
a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the at least
one Li-ion battery is in a first compartment and another Li-ion
battery is in a second compartment separated by the rigid
divider.
[0009] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a flexible TRS
is substantially sized as the rigid divider, wherein the rigid
divider encloses the flexible TRS.
[0010] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a first
flexible TRS and a second flexible TRS are substantially sized as
the rigid divider, wherein the rigid divider is lined with a first
flexible TRS on a first side of the rigid divider and a second
flexible TRS on a second side of the rigid divider.
[0011] In accordance to another aspect of the present disclosure, a
method for a thermal runaway shield ("TRS") enclosure for storage
of thermal runaway shielded battery packs comprises the steps of
providing a thermal runaway shield ("TRS") case having rigid walls
with openings on at least one side of the case, lining interior
walls of the TRS case with a heat-resistant, permeable fabric, and
placing at least one thermal runaway shielded battery pack into the
interior of TRS case.
[0012] In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the method
further comprises the step of separating an interior of the TRS
case with a rigid divider into a first compartment and a second
compartment, placing the at least one thermal runaway shielded
battery pack into the first compartment, placing a second thermal
runaway shielded battery pack into the second compartment of the
TRS case.
[0013] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an
apparatus for a thermal runaway shielded enclosure for a thermal
runaway shielded Li-ion battery pack comprises a thermal runaway
shield ("TRS") enclosure having rigid walls with openings on at
least one side of the enclosure, a heat-resistant, permeable fabric
configured to line interior walls of the TRS enclosure, wherein at
least one Li-ion battery is placed inside the TRS enclosure, a
rigid divider configured to separate an interior of the TRS
enclosure into a first compartment and a second compartment,
wherein the first compartment is configured to contain at least one
thermal runaway shielded battery pack and the second compartment is
configured to contain at least one other thermal runaway shielded
battery pack, and at least two flexible TRS's configured to attach
on each side of the rigid divider, wherein each flexible TRS
includes a cavity to enclose elements for heat dissipation
including water-based colored coolant.
[0014] Other advantages of the disclosed method and apparatus for a
thermal runaway shield enclosure for Li-ion batteries will be
readily apparent from the description of the drawings and detailed
description.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The foregoing and other objects, aspects, and advantages of
the present disclosure can be better understood from the following
detailed description of various embodiments of the present
disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
as follows.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a thermal runaway shield shipping package
of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a thermal runaway
shield shipping package of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a thermal runaway shield bag system of
the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates an edge cross-sectional view of a thermal
runaway shield shipping solution using a rigid thermal runaway
shield and thermal runaway shield shipping packages of the present
disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a thermal runaway shield enclosure of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0021] In the following detailed description of the embodiments,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part
hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration of specific
embodiments in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is
appreciated that the terms "a" or "an," as used herein, are defined
as one or more than one. Also, unless stated otherwise, terms such
as "first", "second", "third", etc. are used to distinguish between
elements such terms describe. These terms are not necessarily
intended to indicate temporal or prioritization of such
elements.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a thermal runaway shield (TRS) shipping
package of the present disclosure. The thermal runaway shield
shipping package 10 includes at least two TRS outer bag flat liners
14 and an outer bag 19. Two energy storage cells 12a, 12b (e.g.,
Li-Ion 18650 cells or other battery cells) are placed between the
TRS outer bag flat liners 14 and into the outer bag 19. The TRS
outer bag flat liners 14 can be fabricated from low-permeability
film. In accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
TRS outer bag flat liners 14 are made of polyethylene
terephthalate/aluminum foil laminated film. The low-permeability
film encloses additional elements for heat dissipation that can
include water-based coolant, wicking mechanism to distribute
coolant either in a woven or nonwoven configuration. The wicking
material can be made from Nomex, Kevlar, carbon fiber veil, or
other heat-resistant material. The outer bag 19 is fabricated from
heat-resistant, permeable fabric such as Nomex, Kevlar, or other
heat resistant material that permits controlled release of gas from
any thermal event. The outer bag 19 affords controlled release of
gas but contains flame and ejecta that can be generated in a
thermal runaway event. Once the two energy cells 12a, 12b are
placed between the two TRS outer bag liners 14 and inserted into
the outer bag 19, the outer bag 19 is a closable bag and includes a
fold 15 that affords the outer bag with fastener 18 to seal at fold
15 an opening of the outer bag 19. The fastener 18 can be made of
Velcro or other suitable sealing mechanism. Once sealed, the outer
bag 19 can be further wrapped to form a wrapped package
substantially shaped and larger than the unwrapped energy cells as
the energy cells are now wrapped in the TRS outer bag liners 14 and
the outer bag 19. In accordance to another embodiment of the
present disclosure, slits 16 are located on the sides of the outer
bag 19 to further enhance the permeability of the outer bag 19
during a thermal runaway event. The slits 16 can be fabricated from
high temperature fiberglass material or other suitable material
capable of withstanding high temperatures.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the thermal runaway
shield (TRS) shipping package of the present disclosure. The
thermal runaway shield shipping package 20 includes at least two
TRS individual flexible wraps 24, one for each energy storage cell
12a, 12b, and an outer bag 19. The TRS outer bag flexible wraps 24
can be fabricated from low-permeability film. The low-permeability
film encloses additional elements for heat dissipation that can
include water-based coolant, wicking mechanism to distribute
coolant either in a woven or nonwoven configuration. The wicking
material can be made from Nomex, Kevlar, carbon fiber veil, or
other heat-resistant material. The outer bag 19 is fabricated from
heat-resistant, permeable fabric that permits controlled release of
gas from any thermal event. Materials such as Nomex, Kevlar, or
other heat resistant material can be used to manufacture the outer
bag 19. The outer bag 19 affords controlled release of gas but
contains flame and ejecta that can be generated in a thermal
runaway event. The two energy cells 12a, 12b are each wrapped in a
direction 13, for example, by the TRS flexible wrap 24 to form TRS
wrapped cells 17, represented as arrows. In accordance to an
embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible TRS is made of
polyethylene terephthalate/aluminum foil laminated film. The TRS
wrapped cells 17 are placed into the outer bag 19 that is a
closable bag and includes a fold 15 that affords the outer bag with
fasteners 18 to seal at fold 15 an opening of the outer bag 19. The
fasteners 18 can be made of Velcro or other suitable sealing
mechanism. In accordance to another embodiment of the present
disclosure, slits 16 are located on the sides of the outer bag 19
to further enhance the permeability of the outer bag 19 during a
thermal runaway event. The slits 16 can be fabricated from high
temperature fiberglass material or other suitable material capable
of withstanding high temperatures.
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the thermal runaway
shield (TRS) shipping package of the present disclosure. The
thermal runaway shield shipping package 40 includes at least one
energy storage cell 12 wrapped inside an inner bag 49, and an outer
bag 19 for receiving the inner bag 49. The inner bag 49 is
fabricated from low-permeability film. The low-permeability film
encloses elements for heat dissipation that includes water-based
coolant, wicking mechanism to distribute coolant either in a woven
or nonwoven configuration. The wicking material can be made from
Nomex, Kevlar, carbon fiber veil, or other heat-resistant material.
The inner bag 49 is a closable bag and includes fasteners 48 that
can be folded to seal the inner bag 49. The fasteners 48 can be
made of Velcro or other suitable sealing mechanism. In accordance
to another embodiment of the present disclosure, slits 46 are
located on the sides of the inner bag 49 to further enhance the
permeability of the outer bag 49 during a thermal runaway event.
The slits 46 can be fabricated from high temperature fiberglass
material or other suitable material. The inner bag 49 can manage
incidental gas venting as long as the gas venting is not
excessive.
[0025] The outer bag 19 receives the wrapped inner bag 49. The
outer bag 19 is fabricated from heat-resistant, permeable fabric
that permits controlled release of gas from any thermal event.
Materials such as Nomex, Kevlar, or other heat resistant material
can be used to manufacture the outer bag 19. The outer bag 19
affords controlled release of gas but contains flame and ejecta
that can be generated in a thermal runaway event. The outer bag 19
is a closable bag and includes fasteners 48 attached to the outer
bag 19 that can be folded over to seal the inner bag 19. The
fasteners 48 can be made of Velcro or other suitable sealing
mechanism. Once sealed, the outer bag 19 can be further wrapped to
form a wrapped package substantially shaped and larger than the
unprotected unwrapped energy cells as the energy cells are now
wrapped and protected in the TRS outer bag liners 14 and the outer
bag 19. In accordance to another embodiment of the present
disclosure, slits 16 are located on the sides of the outer bag 19
to further enhance the permeability of the outer bag 19 during a
thermal runaway event. The slits 16 can be fabricated from high
temperature fiberglass material or other suitable material that can
withstand high temperatures.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates an edge cross-sectional view of a thermal
runaway shield shipping solution using a rigid thermal runaway
shield and thermal runaway shield shipping package of the present
disclosure. A first thermal runaway shield shipping package 10 of
FIG. 1 is shown as the wrapped package substantially shaped and
larger than the unwrapped and unprotected energy cells 12a, 12b.
The first thermal runaway shield shipping package 10 encloses
within the TRS outer bag 19 energy cells 12a, 12b, placed between
two TRS outer bag flat liners 14 that are wrapped to form the first
thermal runaway shield shipping package 10. A second thermal
runaway shield shipping package 20 of FIG. 2 is shown as a wrapped
package substantially shaped and larger than the unwrapped and
unprotected energy cells 12a, 12b. The second thermal runaway
shield shipping package 20 encloses within the TRS outer bag 19
energy cells 12a, 12b, each wrapped by a TRS flexible wrap 24 that
are then wrapped by the outer bag 19 to form the second thermal
runaway shield shipping package 20. A rigid thermal runaway shield
assembly 31 separates the first thermal runaway shield shipping
package 10 and the second thermal runaway shield shipping package
20. The rigid thermal runaway shield assembly 31 reduces heat
transfer by blocking heat transfer through a rigid thermal runaway
shield 36. Two embodiments of the rigid thermal runaway shield
assembly 31 are illustrated in FIG. 4: a rigid exterior thermal
runaway shield 34 and a pliable exterior thermal runaway shield
32.
[0027] In accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
the rigid exterior thermal runaway shield assembly 34 includes a
pliable thermal runaway shield 24 core with a rigid thermal runaway
shield 36 attached to each side of the pliable thermal runaway
shield 24. The rigid thermal runaway shields 36 reduce heat
transfer by blocking heat transfer through the rigid thermal
runaway shields 36. Rigidity can be imparted to the pliable thermal
runaway shield 24 by a thin sheet or sheets of phenolic/paper
laminate or similar heat-resistant material. In accordance to an
embodiment of the present disclosure, the rigid exterior thermal
runaway shield assembly 34 includes a pliable thermal runaway
shield 24 sandwiched between two rigid thermal runaway shields 36.
A secure attachment of the rigid exterior thermal runaway shield
assembly 34 can be achieved by means of pressure-sensitive
adhesive, rivets, or a combination of adhesives and rivets. The
pliable thermal runaway shield 24 core is fabricated from
low-permeability film. The low-permeability film encloses elements
for heat dissipation that includes water-based coolant, wicking
mechanism to distribute coolant either in a woven or nonwoven
configuration. The wicking material can be made from Nomex, Kevlar,
carbon fiber veil, or other heat-resistant material.
[0028] In accordance to another embodiment of the present
disclosure, the pliable exterior thermal runaway shield assembly 32
includes a rigid thermal runaway shield 36 with a pliable thermal
runaway shield 24 attached to each face of the rigid thermal
runaway shield 36. The rigid thermal runaway shield 36 reduces heat
transfer by blocking heat transfer through the rigid thermal
runaway shield 36. Rigidity can be imparted to the pliable thermal
runaway shield 24 by a thin sheet or sheets of phenolic/paper
laminate or similar heat-resistant material. In accordance to an
embodiment of the present disclosure, the pliable exterior thermal
runaway shield assembly 32 includes a rigid thermal runaway shield
36 sandwiched between two pliable thermal runaway shields 24. A
secure attachment of the pliable exterior rigid thermal runaway
shield assembly 32 can be achieved by means of pressure-sensitive
adhesive, rivets, or a combination of adhesives and rivets. The
pliable thermal runaway shield 24 is fabricated from
low-permeability film. The low-permeability film encloses elements
for heat dissipation that includes water-based coolant, wicking
mechanism to distribute coolant either in a woven or nonwoven
configuration. The wicking material can be made from Nomex, Kevlar,
carbon fiber veil, or other heat-resistant material. During a
thermal runaway incident, the water-based coolant is converted to a
gaseous state as the coolant absorbs the heat generated in the
thermal runaway incident. Moreover, the wicking mechanism can serve
as a coolant resorvior for keeping the liquid in the affected area
for converting the coolant to a gaseous state when adequate heat
energy is released from the affected ESD cells.
[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates a thermal runaway shield enclosure of the
present disclosure. The thermal runaway shield (TRS) enclosure 52
contains a thermal runaway incident of a Li-on or other type
rechargeable battery. The TRS enclosure is a rigid case with
openings 54, 56 on the sides of the enclosure to afford expansion
gases an avenue to vent during a thermal runaway incident. The
openings may be slits 54, holes 56, or other geometrically shaped
openings. On the interior, the TRS enclosure 52 is lined with a
permeable fabric that is strong, heat resistant and able to contain
any debris and gases from a thermal runaway incident. The permeable
fabric can be made of Kevlar or other material with similar
properties.
[0030] In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, there is
at least one divider that is substantially sized approximate to the
enclosure base and is placed horizontally inside at the top and at
the bottom of the TRS enclosure. The divider affords additional
protection from expanding gases and debris during a thermal runaway
incident. The divider can be flexible, rigid, or a combination.
Referring to FIG. 4, the flexible divider can be at least one
pliable TRS 24. In a further embodiment, the divider can be the
rigid exterior TRS 34 that includes a pliable thermal runaway
shield 24 core with a rigid thermal runaway shield 36 attached to
each side of the pliable thermal runaway shield 24. In another
embodiment, the divider can be a pliable exterior thermal runaway
shield 32 that includes a rigid thermal runaway shield 36 with a
pliable thermal runaway shield 24 attached to each face of the
rigid thermal runaway shield 36.
[0031] While the present disclosure has been described with
reference to certain preferred embodiments or methods, it is to be
understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such
specific embodiments or methods. Rather, it is the inventor's
contention that the disclosure be understood and construed in its
broadest meaning as reflected by the following claims. Thus, these
claims are to be understood as incorporating not only the preferred
methods described herein but all those other and further
alterations and modifications as would be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art.
* * * * *