Abstract:
A battery protection and monitoring system includes a plurality of MAFET (Mechanically Actuated Field Effect Transistor) switches, wherein each MAFET switch among the MAFET switches is capable of switching from an open switch condition to a closed switch condition or vice versa, such that the plurality of MAFET switches are connectable to a battery. Such a system further includes one or more transistors associated with and which communicate electrically with at least one MAFET switch among the MAFET switches. A PPTC (Polymeric Positive Temperature Coefficient) device is also associated with the transistors and the MAFET switches, such that the PPTC device, the MAFET switches and the transistors operate in association with one another and the open switch condition or the closed switch condition of the plurality of MAFET switches to identify, monitor and thus prevent at least one dangerous condition associated with the battery.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    Embodiments are generally related to MEMS (Micro-Electromechanical) based components, devices and systems. Embodiments are also related to techniques and devices for battery monitoring. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The increasing demand for high performance, lightweight, small size portable electronic devices is also increasing the requirements of rechargeable battery performance. Therefore, the amount of energy stored in a battery is increasing. Packing more energy into a cell, however, increases safety concerns. With larger batteries, an increased amount of stored energy is present, resulting in greater hazards, such as a risk that the battery may explode, causing harm to users. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in multiple paths for monitoring the status of a battery or group of batteries during different stages such as, for example, a charging phase, an operational phase, and during and transportation of the battery or batteries. Safety issues have already reached the critical stage in the case of larger batteries used in portable electronics such as laptop computers. It is therefore believed that in the future, these issues will only become increasingly of paramount importance. 
         [0003]    Batteries with much larger capacities and increased energy densities are expected to play a significant role in tomorrow&#39;s energy and transportation systems. From storing distributed electrical power produced using intermittent renewable resources, to plug-in hybrids cars, all-electrical or battery-fuel cells hybrid cars, extra-large batteries with a large amount of packed energy densely will likely be developed for widespread use. 
         [0004]    For instance, one favored type of high-energy density batteries whose use is expanding is the rechargeable lithium-based battery. This type of battery requires precise monitoring during its charging, operational and transportation phases, because if something goes wrong during these stages, the potential for dangerous “venting with flame’ (explosion) could occur. Under certain conditions, such as when a battery is overcharged, overheated or a short-circuit occurs, the chemical reaction can spin out of control, causing a thermal runaway situation and pressure build-up within the cell that ultimately could cause the battery to explode. Therefore, key safety challenges include preventing accidental overcharging, overheating, over-pressure, overshock and damage that could cause an internal short-circuit. Despite various and complex safety mechanisms developed, the safety issue of such batteries remains an important issue in the continued development of batteries such as those utilized in laptop computers and hybrid vehicles. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The following summary of the invention is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present invention and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the invention can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole. 
         [0006]    It is, therefore, one aspect of the present invention to provide for an improved battery monitoring system. 
         [0007]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide for a MEMS-based battery monitoring system. 
         [0008]    It is yet a further aspect of the present invention to provide for a battery monitoring system that utilizes MAFET (Mechanically Actuated Field Effect Transistor) switches. 
         [0009]    The aforementioned aspects of the invention and other objectives and advantages can now be achieved as described herein. A battery protection and monitoring system is disclosed, which includes a plurality of MAFET (Mechanically Actuated Field Effect Transistor) switches, wherein each MAFET switch among the MAFET switches is capable of switching from an open switch condition to a closed switch condition or vice versa, such that the plurality of MAFET switches are connectable to a battery. 
         [0010]    Each MAFET switch generally constitutes a Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) with a suspended gate that is capable of an “up” or “down” position as a function of bias and external physical parameters such as pressure, temperature, acceleration, etc. With the gate in the “up” position, the MAFET switch is in the “OFF” condition and electric current cannot flow through the MAFET switch. With the gate in the “down” position, the MAFET switch is in the “ON” condition and the electric current flows through the MAFET switch. 
         [0011]    Such a system or circuit further includes one or more transistors associated with and which communicate electrically with at least one MAFET switch among the MAFET switches. A PPTC (Polymeric Positive Temperature Coefficient) device is also associated with the transistors and the MAFET switches, such that the PPTC device (e.g., a temperature dependent organic resistance, highly increasing its value when temperature value is high), the MAFET switches and the transistors operate in association with one another and the open switch condition or the closed switch condition of the plurality of MAFET switches is attained in order to identify, monitor and prevent one or more dangerous condition associated with the battery. 
         [0012]    The disclosed system thus generally constitutes a battery protection circuit including Mechanically Actuated Field Effect Transistor (MAFET) switches. Such an approach provides for over-temperature protection and also provides the battery protection system with new functions such as shock protection and active pressure monitoring inside the cell with low cost components. Utilizing MAFET switches, which are based on the moving gate field effect transistor principle, it is possible to monitorize directly the pressure build-up inside the cell. Since the pressure build-up is finally the dangerous process which could conduct to an explosion, by its permanent monitoring an increased battery safety is obtained. Due to its programmable ON/OFF characteristic, the included MAFET pressure switch allows an earlier detection of the dangerous pressure build-up than the existing mechanical circuit breakers. Also included in the protection system is a movable gate FET based shock switch, which makes it is possible to stop the charging process in case of an accident that could affect the battery life time or even worse, the physical integrity of the battery and its surroundings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ) illustrate respective side-sectional views of a MAFET (Mechanically Actuated Field Effect Transistor) switch, which can be adapted for use in accordance with one or more embodiments; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates a battery protection system, which can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates a battery protection system, which can be implemented in accordance with an alternative embodiment; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates a battery protection system, which can be implemented in accordance with another embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ) illustrate respective side-sectional views of a MAFET (Mechanically Actuated Field Effect Transistor) switch  100 , which can be adapted for use in accordance with one or more embodiments. For an extended monitoring of rechargeable batteries (e.g., lithium-based batteries) during charge, operation, and transportation, one or more Mechanically Actuated Field Effect Transistor (MAFET) switches  100  can be implemented in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. MAFET switch  100  generally includes a source  108  and a drain  110 . An air gap  104  is generally located between in insulation layer or insulator  102  and a gate (or beam)  103 . Note that in  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ), identical or similar parts or elements are generally indicated by identical reference numerals.  FIG. 1(   a ) illustrates the MAFET switch  100  in a “beam up” transistor OFF, opened switch configuration, whereas  FIG. 1(   b ) illustrates MAFET switch  100  in a beam down, transistor ON, closed switch state. 
         [0020]    MAFET switch  100  operates based on the moving gate MOS field effect transistor principle schematically depicted with respect to  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ). MAFET switch  100  contains an actuating gate  103  that is sensitive to external inputs. Such inputs can be either acceleration, temperature, or pressure. The beam that operates as the transistor gate deflects as a function of the external input and applied gate voltage. As the external input (i.e. temperature, acceleration, or pressure) changes from some nominal point, the beam begins to deflect downward toward the transistor surface. The applied gate voltage completes this movement with respect to the transistor surface and pulls the moving gate  103  closed (e.g., snapping down) when the external input exceeds the design threshold. This allows current to flow from the source  108  to the drain  110  in the transistor or MAFET switch  100 . Some non-limiting examples of MAFET based switches, which may be adapted for use in accordance with one or more embodiments, are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,388,299 (pressure switch), U.S. Pat. No. 6,720,634 (acceleration switch) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,034,375 (thermal switch). 
         [0021]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,388,299 entitled, “Sensor Assembly and Method” which issued to Kang et al on May 14, 2002, and is assigned to Honeywell International Inc of Morristown, N.J., U.S.A., is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 6,720,634 entitled, “Contactless Acceleration Switch” which issued to Joon-Won Kang on Apr. 13, 2004 is also assigned to Honeywell International Inc and is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 7,034,375 entitled “Micro Electromechanical Systems Thermal Switch” which issued to Joon-Won Kang on Apr. 26, 2006 is additionally assigned to Honeywell International Inc and is incorporated herein by reference. It can be appreciated that the aforementioned patents are cited for general edification and informational purposes only and are not considered limiting features of the embodiments. Instead, such patents are discussed herein as an illustration of some examples of MAFET components that can be adapted for use in accordance the one or more embodiments. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates a battery protection system  200 , which can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The proposed battery protection circuit or system  200  depicted in  FIG. 2  includes a MAFET pressure switch  201  (T 1 ), a MAFET temperature switch  202  (T 2 ), and a MAFET shock switch  203  (T 3 ) together with MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) field effect transistors  204 ,  205 , and  206  (respectively also labeled T 4 , T 5 , and T 6 ) and a polymeric positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) device  210 . A load resistance R is connected to MAFET switches  201 ,  202 ,  203 , and FET  204 . Transistor  205  is connected to the PPTC device  210 . Transistor  206  is connected to transistor  205  and transistors  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204 , and also to the load resistance R. The system or circuit  200  is generally connected to a battery represented by battery terminals  214  and  216 . Respective positive and negative “Pack” terminals  208  and  212  are also illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Terminal  208 , for example, is connected to the PPTC device  210 . A legend  201  is additionally illustrated in  FIG. 2 , which describes the general components of system/circuit  200 . 
         [0023]    In a normal battery operational phase, the power MOSFET transistor  205  is OFF and the MOSFET transistor  206  is ON. When a dangerous phenomenon occurs (e.g., pressure build-up inside the cell, a temperature increase above a safety threshold, a threshold mechanical shock that could damage the battery, etc.) the corresponding MAFET switch (MAFET transistor  201  or  202 , or  203 ) senses such a dangerous condition and turns itself into the ON state. Therefore, a current begins to flow through the load resistance R. This will produce a decrease of the voltage on the gates of MOS field effect transistors  205  and  206 . Note that MOS power transistor  205  can also function as a P-channel transistor, and MOS transistor  206  can function as an N-channel transistor. The voltage decrease will turn ON the P-channel MOS power transistor  205  and also turn OFF the N-channel MOS T 6  transistor. By turning ON the power MOS transistor  205 , the resulting current path can take place through the PPTC device  210  and the transistor  205 , thus shunting the battery and preventing it from further charging. Due to their closed spatial location between PPTC device  210  and the power transistor  205 , the high current flowing through the power transistor  205  can further increase the temperature on the PPTC device  205 , which can increase its electrical resistance and thus limits the current flowing through the power MOS transistor  205 , thereby protecting it from thermal runaway conditions. 
         [0024]    A supplementary protection feature of the battery can be enhanced as result of turning OFF the MOS transistor  206 , which can also disconnect the battery represented by terminals  214 ,  216  from the charger. The over-voltage protection can be accomplished by the N-channel field effect MOS transistor  204  whose gate and source are connected directly to the battery (i.e., see battery terminals  214 ,  216 ). In this manner, the battery voltage is the same with respect to the gate-source voltage of transistor  204 . By properly selecting MOS transistor  204 , its gate-source threshold value may be the same as the dangerous over-voltage value. Therefore, when a dangerous high value of the battery voltage occurs, the T 4  MOS transistor  204  will turn ON and consequently, a current will flow through the load resistance R depicted in  FIG. 2 . This functionality will turn ON the T 5  MOS transistor  205  and simultaneously will turn off the MOS T 6  transistor  206  as in the case of the over-pressure, over-temperature or shock situations described above. 
         [0025]    When a battery voltage decreases lower than a certain specific value (e.g., an under-voltage situation), this voltage may also constitute the gate-source voltage of transistor  206  (assuming that transistors  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204  are in the OFF state). By properly selecting the T 6  MOS transistor  206 , it can turn OFF at this low voltage value and thus disconnect the battery. The PPTC device  210  offers protection against both charge and discharge over-currents and a supplementary over-temperature protection. Additionally, in case that PPTC device  210  is in thermal contact with the MOSFET power transistor  205 , the PPTC device  210  can detect also any overheating of this transistor and thus protect it. In addition, the PPTC device  210  can offer a supplementary protection against any over-temperature or over-voltage, or, pressure build-up or dangerous mechanical shock, due to thermal coupling with the T 5  MOS transistor  205 , which may enter the ON state and heat up when, any of the aforementioned events occur. 
         [0026]    In this manner, such a protection circuit including MAFET switches can offer an elegant and low cost protection system for rechargeable batteries. Due to the simultaneous turn ON of transistor  205  and turn OFF of transistor  206  in case of any excessive temperature, pressure, charge voltage or mechanical shocks, such a circuit can offer double layer protection against all or only a part of such dangers. As described above, a supplementary protection is achieved via the PPTC device  210 . In the illustrative circuit or system  200  depicted in  FIG. 2 , the MAFET switches generally contain P-channel transistors. However, such a circuit can be modified to employ MAFET switches built with N-channel transistors. 
         [0027]    Also, it should be recognized that the protection circuit  200  depicted in  FIG. 2  could be realized in less complex versions, with less protection functions. As the MAFET pressure, temperature and shock switches are parallel connected; the circuit  200  could be implemented to contain only one of the three MAFET switches or any combination of two switches. Its working principle will remain the same, only the protection functions will be reduced accordingly with the eliminated switches. For instance, if in some specific cases the shock danger is not so great (e.g. in a battery for stationary application), the MAFET switch  203  may not be included in circuit  200 . In such a case the circuit  200  can still function in the same manner as all switches were present, but will not be able to detect and offer protection against a mechanical shock. 
         [0028]    It can additionally be appreciated that the MAFET-based protection circuit  200  of  FIG. 2  can be used as a double layer protection together with classical protection circuits containing two FETs and an integrated circuit, such as those that are currently utilized for battery protection. An example of such a configuration is depicted in  FIG. 3 , which illustrates a battery protection system  300 , which can be implemented in accordance with an alternative embodiment. Note that in  FIGS. 2-3 , identical or similar parts or elements are generally indicated by identical reference numerals. 
         [0029]    In the alternative configuration circuit  300 , which is depicted in  FIG. 3 , the MAFET based protection circuit  200  depicted in  FIG. 2  can act as a supplementary battery protection system. Circuit  300  generally includes battery terminals  216 ,  214  and MAFET switches  201 ,  202 ,  203 , along with the MOS transistors  204 ,  205 , and  206 . A dashed line  303  depicted in  FIG. 3  generally represents symbolically the dividing line between the supplementary battery protection system and a primary battery protection system. The primary battery protection system generally includes transistors MOSFET  304  and  305  connected to an IC protection circuit  302 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  illustrates a battery protection system or circuit  400 , which can be implemented in accordance with another embodiment. Note that in  FIGS. 2-3 , identical or similar parts or elements are generally indicated by identical reference numerals. The circuit/system  400  includes a supplementary batter protection system and a primary batter protection system which are indicated via the dashed line  403  in  FIG. 4 . A legend  401  indicates properties associated with MAFET switches  201 ,  202 , and  203 . 
         [0031]    Circuit/System  400  represents a modified version of the MAFET based protection circuit or system  300 . The circuit  200  depicted in  FIG. 2  can be integrated in association with a classic protection circuit in the context of a hybrid system. In such case, the MAFET switches as well as the over-voltage protection MOSFET  204  (i.e., T 4 ) can act only as threshold sensors that detect dangerous pressure build-up, over-temperature conditions, mechanical shock and/or over-voltage and can signal such conditions to the protection IC  302 . Such a system  300  or  400  can also be used for recording data regarding any potential dangerous event that occurs. 
         [0032]    A number of advantages can result from the implementation of circuits/systems  200 ,  300  and/or  400  in the context of battery protection. Such a system(s) can utilize a MAFET pressure switch (MOSFET principle based) for battery protection against explosion due to high pressure built-up during charging the battery. Such a system(s) can also utilize a MAFET temperature switch in a circuit for battery protection against overheating due to overcharging the battery. Additionally, such a system(s) can also make use of a MAFET acceleration switch for battery protection against hazardous operations due to a shock to which it may have been exposed. Such a system(s) also offers battery protection functions with respect to dangerous battery conditions such as over-voltage, under-voltage, over-temperature, over-pressure and over-shock. Such protection features can be performed with MOSFET devices and sensors acting in the context of a multi-functional standalone battery protection circuit. 
         [0033]    An integrated system can also be implemented that includes the aforementioned active devices located within a battery for accurate monitoring of its operation. A MOSFET based protection circuit can also be added as a back protection circuit to existing battery protection circuitry, where for example, two MOSFET components may be located in series with a battery charging circuit for interrupting the battery operation in case of over-voltage or under-voltage charging current. Additionally, switching temperature, pressure and shock specific to a certain type of battery can be set by the battery manufacturer by means of a preset voltage by considering the value specific to the battery chemistry and its operation in case of over-pressure and or over-temperature. 
         [0034]    The embodiments and examples set forth herein are presented to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those skilled in the art to make and utilize the invention. Those skilled in the art, however, will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purpose of illustration and example only. Other variations and modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art, and it is the intent of the appended claims that such variations and modifications be covered. 
         [0035]    The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the scope of the following claims. It is contemplated that the use of the present invention can involve components having different characteristics. It is intended that the scope of the present invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.