Patent Publication Number: US-2023136430-A1

Title: Battery including enclosure for battery cell groups

Description:
INTRODUCTION 
     The present disclosure relates to thermal management of battery systems and, more particularly, to battery systems including dynamic structural enclosures for containing thermal runaway conditions. 
     A battery is a device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy by means of electrochemical reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions. In secondary or rechargeable batteries, these electrochemical reactions are reversible, which allows the batteries to undergo multiple charging and discharge cycles. Electric vehicles, including hybrid electric vehicles, are powered by electric motors or generators that, in turn, are typically powered by onboard rechargeable batteries. Such batteries typically include multiple individual electrochemical cells (referred to herein as battery cells) arranged in series and/or parallel and positioned adjacent one another to form battery modules and/or battery packs that, when incorporated in a battery system of an electric vehicle, provide the vehicle with a combination of high voltage and high capacity. 
     Rechargeable batteries employed in electric vehicles internally generate heat under normal charging and discharge operations. To optimize the performance and life of such batteries, it is beneficial to implement cooling systems that effectively transfer heat away from the battery cells during operation to maintain the temperature of the battery cells within a desirable operating temperature range. Sometimes a battery cell may generate a greater amount of heat than can be effectively removed from the battery cell by the cooling system, which may cause the battery cell to enter a condition referred to as thermal runaway. During a thermal runaway event, the heat generated by the battery cell may be unbounded and may, in turn, cause adjacent battery cells to undergo thermal runaway, potentially initiating a cascading reaction that may spread through an entire battery system. In addition, battery cells undergoing thermal runaway may emit hot gases and/or particulate matter, and it may be desirable to protect other components of the battery system and the vehicle being powered by the battery system from exposure to such emissions. 
     To prevent thermal runaway propagation between adjacent battery cells or battery cell groups, thermal barriers may be positioned between the cells or groups to contain the heat generated during a thermal runaway event. To prevent accumulation of emissions from the battery cells, and to protect battery system components from exposure to such emissions, battery housings may include a venting system configured to direct and control the flow of emissions through and out of the battery system. 
     SUMMARY 
     A battery is disclosed that comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis and including a base. A battery cell stack and an enclosure are supported on the base of the housing. The battery cell stack includes a plurality of battery cells stacked relative to one another along a thickness direction thereof. The plurality of battery cells is physically separated into a first battery cell group and a second battery cell group. The enclosure includes first and second support walls respectively disposed on opposite first and second sides of the first battery cell group and a canopy that extends between distal ends of the first and second support walls, above the first battery cell group. Proximal ends of the first and second support walls are supported on the base of the housing and the distal ends of the first and second support walls extend away from the base, above the plurality of battery cells. The enclosure defines an inner chamber within the housing. The enclosure partially surrounds the first battery cell group on three sides and establishes a physical and thermal barrier between the first battery cell group and the second battery cell group. 
     The canopy may include a first end and an opposite second end. The first end of the canopy may be fixedly attached to the distal end of the first support wall and the second end of the canopy may be fixedly attached to the distal end of the second support wall. 
     The proximal ends of the first and second support walls may be biased toward each other such that the first and second support walls exert pressure in a longitudinal direction respectively on the first and second sides of the first battery cell group. 
     The housing may include a top and at least one sidewall extending between the base and the top of the housing. A gap may be defined between the battery cell stack and the at least one sidewall of the housing. Emissions from the first battery cell group may be directed through the inner chamber in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing into the gap. 
     The first and second support walls and the canopy may be of unitary one-piece construction. 
     The canopy may include a corrugation that allows the canopy to stretch or compress in a longitudinal direction at the corrugation. 
     The first and second support walls are moveably supported on the base of the housing such that the first and second support walls are moveable in a longitudinal direction relative to one another on the base to accommodate volumetric changes in the plurality of battery cells. 
     The canopy may be coupled to the distal end of the first support wall and may extend from the distal end of the first support wall in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing to a free end. The free end of the canopy may be configured to pivot about the distal end of the first support wall between a closed position, in which the free end of the canopy is supported on the distal end of the second support wall, and an open position in which an opening is defined between the free end of the canopy and the distal end of the second support wall. 
     The distal end of the second support wall may include one of: a cantilever that extends in a longitudinal direction from the distal end of the second support wall toward the first support wall, a flange that extends in a longitudinal direction from the distal end of the second support wall away from the first support wall, or a hemmed end. In such case, when the canopy is in the closed position, the free end of the canopy may be supported on the cantilever, the flange, or the hemmed end. 
     The canopy may be biased toward the closed position and against the distal end of the second support wall. The canopy may be configured to transition from the closed position to the open position in response to a pressure increase within the inner chamber. 
     The housing may include a top and at least one sidewall extending between the base and the top of the housing. A plenum may be defined in the housing between an upper end of the battery cell stack and the top of the housing. When the canopy is in the open position, emissions from the first battery cell group may be directed from the inner chamber, through the opening, and into the plenum. 
     The plenum may be in fluid communication with a vent in the top of the housing. When the canopy is in the open position, the canopy may direct the emissions in the plenum to flow in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing toward the vent. 
     A battery is disclosed that comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis and including a base, a top, and a sidewall extending between the base and the top of the housing. A battery cell stack and a dynamic enclosure are supported on the base of the housing. The battery cell stack includes a plurality of battery cells stacked relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of the housing. The plurality of battery cells is physically separated into a first battery cell group that includes at least two adjacent battery cells and a second battery cell group that includes at least two adjacent battery cells. The dynamic enclosure includes first and second support walls and a canopy. The first and second support walls are respectively disposed on opposite first and second sides of the first battery cell group. Each of the first and second support walls includes a proximal end supported on the base of the housing and a distal end extending away from the base, above the first battery cell group. The canopy is coupled to the distal end of the first support wall and extends in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The canopy includes a free end that is configured to pivot about the distal end of the first support wall between a closed position, in which the free end of the canopy is supported on the distal end of the second support wall, and an open position in which an opening is defined between the free end of the canopy and the distal end of the second support wall. The dynamic enclosure defines an inner chamber within the housing. When the canopy is in the closed position, the dynamic enclosure establishes a physical and thermal barrier between the first battery cell group and the second battery cell group. 
     The canopy may be configured to transition from the closed position to the open position in response to a pressure increase within the inner chamber. 
     A gap may be defined in the housing between the battery cell stack and the sidewall of the housing. When the canopy is in the closed position, emissions from the first battery cell group may be directed through the inner chamber in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing into the gap. 
     A plenum may be defined in the housing between an upper end of the battery cell stack and the top of the housing. When the canopy is in the open position, emissions from the first battery cell group may be directed from the inner chamber, through the opening, and into the plenum. 
     The plenum may be in fluid communication with a vent in the top of the housing. When the canopy is in the open position, the canopy may direct the emissions in the plenum to flow in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing toward the vent. 
     The distal end of the second support wall may include a cantilever that extends in a longitudinal direction from the distal end of the second support wall toward the first support wall. When the canopy is in the closed position, the free end of the canopy may be supported on the cantilever. 
     The cantilever may be coupled to the distal end of the second support wall and may be configured to pivot about the distal end of the second support wall from a closed position to an open position in response to a pressure increase within the inner chamber. The canopy may have a first length and the cantilever may have a second length. A ratio of the first length of the canopy to the second length of the cantilever may be selected to control a first amount of emissions directed through the inner chamber in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing with respect to a second amount of emissions directed through the opening and in a longitudinal direction through the housing. 
     A battery is disclosed that comprises a housing including a base and a battery cell stack supported on the base of the housing. The battery cell stack includes a plurality of battery cells stacked relative to one another along a thickness direction thereof. A partition physically separates the plurality of battery cells into a first battery cell group and a second battery cell group. A first enclosure is supported on the base of the housing that forms a physical and thermal barrier on three sides of the first battery cell group. A second enclosure is supported on the base of the housing that forms a physical and thermal barrier on three sides of the second battery cell group. Each of the first and second enclosures includes: first and second support walls and a canopy. The first and second support walls have proximal ends supported on the base of the housing and distal ends extending away from the base, above the plurality of battery cells. The canopy extends between the distal ends of the first and second support walls. 
     The above summary is not intended to represent every possible embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. Rather, the foregoing summary is intended to exemplify some of the novel aspects and features disclosed herein. The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of representative embodiments and modes for carrying out the present disclosure when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic perspective view of a rechargeable battery for an electric vehicle, the battery including a battery cell stack disposed within a housing and including a plurality of battery cells separated into first and second battery cell groups by a partition. 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic perspective view of an electric vehicle including the rechargeable battery of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic side-sectional view of the rechargeable battery of  FIG.  1   , wherein the battery includes a first enclosure that partially surrounds the first battery cell group on three sides and a second enclosure that partially surrounds the second battery cell group on three sides. 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic side-sectional view of the rechargeable battery of  FIG.  1   , wherein the first and second battery cell groups are respectively enclosed within first and second dynamic enclosures, with each of the first and second dynamic enclosures including first and second support walls and a canopy hingedly coupled to the first support wall. 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic side-sectional view of the rechargeable battery of  FIG.  1   , wherein the first and second battery cell groups are respectively enclosed within first and second dynamic enclosures, with each of the first and second dynamic enclosures including first and second support walls, a canopy hingedly coupled to the first support wall, and a cantilever extending from the second support wall. 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic side-sectional view of the rechargeable battery of  FIG.  1   , wherein the first and second battery cells groups are respectively enclosed within first and second dynamic enclosures, with each of the first and second dynamic enclosures including first and second support walls, a canopy hingedly coupled to a distal end of the first support wall, and a flange extending from a distal end of the second support wall. 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic side-sectional view of the rechargeable battery of  FIG.  1   , wherein the first and second battery cells groups are respectively enclosed within first and second dynamic enclosures, with each of the first and second dynamic enclosures including first and second support walls, a canopy hingedly coupled to the first support wall, and with a distal end of the second support wall having a hemmed end. 
     
    
    
     The present disclosure is susceptible to modifications and alternative forms, with representative embodiments shown by way of example in the drawings and described in detail below. Inventive aspects of this disclosure are not limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the present disclosure is intended to cover modifications, equivalents, combinations, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The presently disclosed enclosures may be incorporated into batteries that include multiple individual battery cell groups to help physically and thermally isolate the individual battery cell groups from one another. In situations where hot gases and/or hot particulate matter are emitted from one or more of the battery cell groups, the enclosures are configured to protect other battery cell groups from exposure to the hot emissions, for example, by containing the emissions within the enclosure or by dynamically directing the emissions away from the battery cell groups and out of the battery. 
     In the following text, the term “battery” means a device that includes multiple interconnected electrochemical cells (battery cells) arranged in series and/or parallel and may refer to battery cells that are grouped together, e.g., in stacks, to form battery modules and/or battery packs. 
     The term “about” means “within acceptable manufacturing tolerances” or “within 0-5% of.” 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the drawing figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device or system in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawing figures. 
       FIG.  1    depicts a battery  10  that may be used in an electric power supply  12  of a vehicle  14 , such as an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), as shown in  FIG.  2   . The battery  10  includes a housing  16  having a longitudinal axis that extends in a longitudinal direction  102 . The housing  16  at least partially defines an interior  18  and a battery cell stack  20  is disposed within the interior  18  of the housing  16 . The battery cell stack  20  includes multiple battery cells  22  stacked relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of the housing  16 . Each of the battery cells  22  has a length  23  extending in a transverse direction  104 , perpendicular to the longitudinal direction  102 , a height  25  extending in a vertical direction  106 , perpendicular to the longitudinal direction  102 , and a thickness  27  ( FIG.  3   ) extending in the longitudinal direction  102 . The battery cells  22  in the battery cell stack  20  may be stacked relative to one another along a thickness direction thereof, which, in  FIGS.  1  and  3   , is parallel to the longitudinal direction  102 . 
     The battery cells  22  in the battery cell stack  20  are separated into first and second battery cell groups  28 ,  30  by a partition  32 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , each of the first and second battery cell groups  28 ,  30  includes an upper end  56 , an opposite lower end  58 , a first side  60  and an opposite second side  62 . The first and second battery cell groups  28 ,  30  are physically and thermally isolated from one another by respective first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  that extend along the first and second sides  60 ,  62  of the first and second battery cell groups  28 ,  30  and above the upper ends  56  of the battery cell groups  28 ,  30 . 
     In  FIG.  1   , the battery cell stack  20  includes six (6) battery cells  22  that are separated into groups of three (3); however, the number of battery cells  22  in the battery cell stack  20  may be less than or greater than six and/or the number of battery cells  22  in the first battery cell group  28  and/or the second battery cell group  30  may be less than or greater than three. In addition, in  FIG.  1   , the battery cell stack  20  includes the first and second battery cell groups  28 ,  30 ; however, the number of battery cell groups in the battery cell stack  20  may be less than or greater than two, with adjacent pairs of battery cell groups being separated from one another by partitions. 
     The housing  16  is configured to support the battery cell stack  20  within the vehicle  14  and to protect the battery cell stack  20  from exposure to ambient environmental conditions. As best shown in  FIG.  3   , the housing  16  includes a top  34 , a base  36 , and at least one end wall  38  extending between the top  34  and the base  36  of the housing  16 . In aspects, a vent  40  may be in the top  34  of the housing  16  that facilitates pressure-induced venting of hot gases and/or particulate matter from the interior  18  of the housing  16 . In aspects, the base  36  of the housing  16  may be in the form of a heatsink that is configured to transfer thermal energy (i.e., heat) away from the battery cell stack  20  to a heat transfer fluid (e.g., air or a liquid coolant) during operation of the battery  10 . In such case, one or more passageways  46  may be defined in the base  36  of the housing  16  that facilitate a continuous flow of the heat transfer fluid therethrough during operation of the battery  10 . A thermally insulating pad  64  may be positioned between the top  34  of the housing  16  and the battery cell stack  20 . In aspects, the thermally insulating pad  64  may be carried on an underside  66  of the top  34  of the housing  16 . The housing  16  may be made of a thermally conductive material to allow heat to dissipate away from the battery cell stack  20  during operation. The housing  16  may be made of a metal or a polymeric material having high thermal conductivity. For example, the housing  16  may be made of aluminum (Al) and/or copper (Cu). The term “metal,” as used herein, refers to materials made of a single elemental metal, as well as materials made of a mixture of two or more elements, wherein at least one of the elements is a metal. The other element(s) can be a non-metal or a different metal. 
     The battery cell stack  20  includes an upper end  42  adjacent the top  34  of the housing and a lower end  44  supported on and in thermal contact with the base  36  of the housing  16 . The battery cell stack  20  is disposed within the interior  18  of the housing  16  such that the battery cell stack  20  is spaced-apart from the top  34  of the housing  16 . For example, as best shown in  FIG.  3   , the battery cell stack  20  is disposed within the interior  18  of the housing  16  such that a plenum  48  is defined between the top  34  of the housing  16  and the upper end  42  of the battery cell stack  20 . The battery cell stack  20  may be disposed within the interior  18  of the housing  16  such that the battery cell stack  20  is spaced-apart from a sidewall (not shown) of the housing  16 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  1   , the battery cell stack  20  may be disposed within the interior  18  of the housing  16  such that a gap  78  is defined between a sidewall of the housing  16  and the battery cell stack  20 . 
     Each of the battery cells  22  in the battery cell stack  20  includes an electrode assembly  50  (including a separator sandwiched between a positive electrode and a negative electrode) infiltrated with an electrolyte (not shown) and sealed within a case  52 . Electrically conductive positive and negative electrode tabs  54  are electrically coupled to the electrode assembly  50  and extend from the electrode assembly  50  outside the case  52 . The case  52  of each of the battery cells  22  may be formed and/or sealed around the electrode assembly  50  by laminating two sheets of polymeric material together along a periphery thereof. After the electrode assembly  50  is sealed within the case  52 , the case  52  of each of the battery cells  22  may include a thin and flexible laminated portion  68  that extends along a periphery thereof. To help avoid physical contact between the laminated portion  68  of the case  52  and other adjacent components of the battery  10 , the laminated portion  68  may be bent over upon itself, away from the top  34  of the housing  16 . 
     The battery cells  22  may be lithium battery cells. For example, the battery cells  22  may be pouch-type lithium battery cells. In other aspects, the battery cells  22  may be prismatic or can-type lithium-ion battery cells. 
     In assembly, the battery cells  22  of the battery cell stack  20  may be electrically coupled to a battery management system (BMS)  70  ( FIG.  1   ), which may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to measure certain operating parameters of the battery cells  22  (e.g., cell voltage and/or temperature), to control operation of the battery cells  22  (e.g., charging and discharging), and/or to couple the battery cells  22  to the electric power supply  12  of the vehicle  14  and/or to an external power source. As shown in  FIG.  1   , in aspects, the battery management system  70  may be positioned within the interior  18  of the housing  16  between the battery cell stack  20  and a sidewall (not shown) of the housing  16 . Or the battery management system  70  may be positioned outside of the housing  16  and supported by the top  34  or the end wall  38  of the housing  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  physically and thermally isolate the first and second battery cell groups  28 ,  30  from one another and from other components of the battery  10 . The first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  partially surround the first and second battery cell groups  28 ,  30 , with the first enclosure  24  extending over the upper end  56  and along the first and second sides  60 ,  62  of the first battery cell group  28  and the second enclosure  26  extending over the upper end  56  and along the first and second sides  60 ,  62  of the second battery cell group  30 . Each of the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  includes a pair of first and second support walls  72 ,  74  and a canopy  76  that extends between the first and second support walls  72 ,  74 , above the upper ends  56  of the first and second battery cell groups  28 ,  30 . The first and second support walls  72 ,  74  are respectively disposed on the first and second sides  60 ,  62  of the first and second battery cell groups  28 ,  30 . Each of the first and second support walls  72 ,  74  has a proximal end  80  supported on the base  36  of the housing  16  and a distal end  82  extending in a vertical direction  106  away from the base  36 , above the battery cells  22 . 
     In  FIG.  3   , the canopy  76  of each of the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  is fixedly attached to the distal ends  82  of the first and second support walls  72 ,  74 . In aspects, flexible joints  84  may be formed between the distal ends  82  of the first and second support walls  72 ,  74  and the canopy  76  to allow for easy opening and closing of the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  during assembly of the battery  10 , i.e., during stacking of the battery cells  22  in the battery cell stack  20 . 
     The first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  may be of unitary, one-piece construction. In such case, the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  may be formed from a single sheet of material and bent into the desired shape of the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26 . The first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  may be made of a rigid, structural material that is capable of retaining its physical shape and mechanical strength when exposed to high temperatures, e.g., temperatures experienced during a thermal runaway event. The first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  may be made of a material that is capable of being formed into the shape of the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26 , for example, by bending. For example, the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  may be made of metal, e.g., stainless steel. In aspects where the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  are made of an electrically conductive material (e.g., metal), exterior surfaces of the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  may be laminated or coated with a layer of electrically insulating material. 
     The canopy  76  of the first enclosure  24  is substantially flat. On the other hand, the canopy of the second enclosure  26  includes a corrugation  86 . Formation of one or more corrugations  86  in the canopy  76  of the first or second enclosure  24 ,  26  may allow the canopy  76  to stretch in the longitudinal direction  102  at the corrugation  86  to accommodate increases in the thickness  27  of one or more of the battery cells  22  over the life of the battery  10 . In the event a compressive force is exerted on the first and second support walls  72 ,  74  in the longitudinal direction  102 , the corrugation  86  may help the second enclosure  26  to absorb the impact, for example, by allowing the second enclosure  26  to compress in the longitudinal direction  102  at the corrugation  86 . 
     The proximal ends  80  of the first and second support walls  72 ,  74  may be biased toward each other. In such case, the first and second support walls  72 ,  74  may exert pressure in the longitudinal direction  102  respectively on the first and second sides  60 ,  62  of the first and second battery cell groups  28 ,  30 , which may assist in stacking of the battery cells  22  in the battery cell stack  20  during assembly of the battery  10 . In aspects where the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  are made of metal, the first and second support walls  72 ,  74  may be biased toward each other by the inherent tensile and compressive stresses imparted on the metal when the metal is bent from a flat sheet to the shape of the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26 . 
     Laminate structures  90  may be disposed along inner surfaces  88  of the first and second support walls  72 ,  74 , between the first and second support walls  72 ,  74  and the first and second sides  60 ,  62  of the first and second battery cell groups  28 ,  30 . Each of the laminate structures  90  may include a thermally insulating layer  92  disposed on the inner surface  88  of the first or second support wall  72 ,  74  and a compression layer  94  disposed on the first or second support wall  72 ,  74  over the thermally insulating layer  92 . In aspects, the laminate structures  90  disposed on the inner surfaces  88  of the first and second support walls  72 ,  74  may include one or more additional layers and or different materials, as desired. 
     The partition  32  may provide a thermal and physical barrier between the first and second battery cell groups  28 ,  30  and may be made of a thermally insulating material. 
     Compression pads  96  may be disposed on opposite ends of the battery cell stack  20 , between the end walls  38  and the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26 . The compression pads  96  may provide a layer of cushioning between the battery cell stack  20  and the end wall  38  of the housing  16  and may help protect the battery cells  22  from external impacts, assist during assembly of the battery cell stack  20 , and/or help compensate for volumetric changes in the battery cells  22  over the life of the battery  10 . 
     The size (i.e., the length and height) of the laminate structures  90 , the partition  32 , and the compression pads  96  may be commensurate with or larger than the length  23  and the height  25  of the facing surfaces of the battery cells  22  to help ensure even pressure distribution along the facing surfaces thereof. 
     During a thermal runaway event, the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  may inhibit propagation of thermal runaway temperatures throughout the battery  10 . For example, in aspects, the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  may help contain hot gases and/or particulate matter emitted from the first and/or second battery cell groups  28 ,  30  within the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26 . In addition, the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  may help direct emissions from the first and/or second battery cell groups  28 ,  30  in a transverse direction  104  toward the gap  78  between the battery cell stack  20  and the sidewall of the housing  16 . In aspects, emissions the first and/or second battery cell groups  28 ,  30  may be directed in the transverse direction  104  toward the vent  40  in the top  34  of the housing  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4   , in aspects, the battery  10  may include a pair of first and second dynamic enclosures  124 ,  126 . The first and second dynamic enclosures  124 ,  126  are similar in many respects to the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  depicted in  FIGS.  1  and  3   , and a description of common subject matter generally may not be repeated here. Each of the first and second dynamic enclosures  124 ,  126  includes a pair of first and second support walls  172 ,  174  and a canopy  176  that together define an inner chamber  108 . The first and second support walls  172 ,  174  are respectively disposed on the first and second sides  60 ,  62  of the first and second battery cell groups  28 ,  30 . The first and second support walls  172 ,  174  of the first and second dynamic enclosures  124 ,  126  have proximal ends (not shown) supported on the base  36  of the housing  16  and respective distal ends  182 ,  183  extending in a vertical direction  106  toward the top  34  of the housing  16 , above the battery cells  22 . The first and second dynamic enclosures  124 ,  126  may be made of the same material(s) as that of the first and second enclosures  24 ,  26  may be formed by the same manufacturing processes. 
     Each canopy  176  of the first and second dynamic enclosures  124 ,  126  is hingedly coupled to the distal end  182  of the first support wall  172  and has a free end  198  that is configured to pivot about the distal end  182  of the first support wall  172  to transition the canopy  176  from a closed position (dashed lines) to an open position. For example, each canopy  176  of the first and second dynamic enclosures  124 ,  126  may be coupled to the distal end  182  of the first support wall  172  by a hinge or by other means that allows the free end  198  of the first support wall  172  to pivot about the distal end  182  of the first support wall  172 , as shown in  FIG.  4   . When the canopy  176  of each of the first and second dynamic enclosures  124 ,  126  is in the closed position, each canopy  176  is oriented in a substantially horizontal position, the free end  198  of the canopy  176  is supported on the distal end  183  of the second support wall  174 , the first battery cell group  28  is sealed and/or enclosed within the inner chamber  108  defined by the first dynamic enclosure  124 , and the second battery cell group  30  is sealed and/or enclosed within the inner chamber  108  defined by the second dynamic enclosure  126 . 
     The canopy  176  of each of the first and second dynamic enclosures  124 ,  126  may be biased toward the closed position and may be configured to pivot about the distal end  182  of the first support wall  172  to the open position, for example, in response to an increase in pressure within the inner chamber  108 . The canopy  176  of each of the first and second dynamic enclosures  124 ,  126  may be biased toward the closed position, for example, by pressure exerted on the canopy  176  by the top  34  of the housing  16 . In aspects where the canopy  176  is made of a metal, the canopy  176  may be biased toward the closed position by the inherent tensile and compressive stresses imparted on the metal when the metal is bent from a flat sheet to the shape of the first support wall  172 . 
     When the first support wall  172  is in the open position, an opening  204  is defined between the distal end  183  of the second support wall  174  through which hot gases and/or particulate matter in the inner chamber  108  may be released. In situations where one or more of the battery cells  22  of the first and/or second battery cell group  28 ,  30  is undergoing thermal runaway and emitting hot gases and/or particulate matter, the force  200  exerted on the canopy  176  may cause the free end  198  of the canopy  176  to pivot about the distal end  182  of the first support wall  172  to the open position. When the canopy  176  is in the open position, emissions from the first and/or second battery cell groups  28 ,  30  may be directed through the opening  204  and into the plenum  48 . In the plenum  48 , the canopy  176  may direct the emissions to flow in a longitudinal direction  102  toward the vent  40 . In situations where the first battery cell group  28  is emitting hot gases and/or particulate matter (e.g., undergoing thermal runaway) and the second battery cell group  30  is operating normally, the increased pressure in the inner chamber  108  defined by the first dynamic enclosure  124  may cause the canopy  176  to pivot to the open position so that the emissions may be released therefrom. At the same time, the canopy  176  of the second dynamic enclosure  126  may be retained in the closed position, thereby maintaining a physical and thermal barrier around the second battery cell group  30 . 
     When the canopy  176  transitions from the closed position to the open position, the free end  198  of the canopy  176  may exert a force  202  on the underside  66  of the top  34  of the housing  16 . The force  202  exerted on the underside  66  of the top  34  of the housing  16  by the canopy  176  may cause the top  34  of the housing  16  to slide or move in a vertical direction  106  along the end walls  38  of the housing  16  and lift further away from the base  36 . 
     During normal operation of the battery  10 , the top  34  of the housing  16  (or the thermally insulating pad  64 ) may rest against the canopy  176  of the first and second dynamic enclosures  124 ,  126  and, in aspects, may help maintain the canopy  176  in the closed position so that emissions from the first and/or second battery cell groups  28 ,  30  are retained within the inner chambers  108 . Pressure exerted on the top  34  of the housing  16  may be transferred to the first and second support walls  172 ,  174  of the first and second dynamic enclosures  124 ,  126  and through the first and second support walls  172 ,  174  to the base  36  of the housing  16 , which may help protect and prevent physical damage to the battery cells  22  of the first and second battery cell groups  28 ,  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5   , in aspects, the battery  10  may include a pair of first and second dynamic enclosures  224 ,  226 . The first and second dynamic enclosures  224 ,  226  are similar in many respects to the first and second dynamic enclosures  124 ,  126  depicted in  FIG.  4   , and a description of common subject matter generally may not be repeated here. Each of the first and second dynamic enclosures  224 ,  226  includes a pair of first and second support walls  272 ,  274  and a canopy  276  that together define an inner chamber  208 . The first and second support walls  272 ,  274  of the first and second dynamic enclosures  224 ,  226  have proximal ends (not shown) supported on the base  36  of the housing  16  and respective distal ends  282 ,  283  extending in a vertical direction  106  toward the top  34  of the housing  16 , above the battery cells  22 . Each canopy  276  of the first and second dynamic enclosures  224 ,  226  is hingedly coupled to the distal end  282  of the first support wall  272  and has a free end  298  that is configured to pivot about the distal end  282  of the first support wall  272  to transition the canopy  276  from a closed position ( FIG.  5   ) to an open position (not shown). 
     In  FIG.  5   , the distal end  283  of each of the second support walls  274  includes a cantilever  212  that is oriented in a horizontal position and extends in a longitudinal direction  102  from the distal end  283  of the second support wall  274  toward the first support wall  272 . When the canopy  276  is in the closed position, the canopy  276  may overlap the cantilever  212 . The cantilever  212  may be configured to support the free end  298  of the canopy  276  when the canopy  276  is in the closed position. To help direct forces exerted on the top  34  of the housing  16  to the first and second support walls  172 ,  174 , a spacer  214  may be positioned between the cantilever  212  and the top  34  of the housing  16 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  5   , the spacer  214  may be positioned in vertical alignment with the cantilever  212  between the underside  66  of the top  34  of the housing  16  and the thermally insulating pad  64 . Additional or alternatively, the spacer  214  may be positioned in vertical alignment with the cantilever  212  and disposed between the thermally insulating pad  64  and the canopy  276 . 
     In aspects, the cantilever  212  may be hingedly coupled to the distal end  283  of the second support wall  274  and may be configured to pivot about the distal end  283  of the second support wall  274  to transition from a closed position ( FIG.  5   ) to an open position (not shown). In such case, the length of the cantilever  212  may be selected to control the amount of emissions released from the inner chamber  208  when the canopy  276  and the cantilever  212  are in the open position. 
     In aspects, the cantilever  212  may be fixedly attached to the free end  298  of the canopy  276  after assembly of the battery cell stack  20 , for example, using an adhesive. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   , in aspects, the battery  10  may include one or more dynamic enclosures  324 . The dynamic enclosure  324  is similar in many respects to the first and second dynamic enclosures  224 ,  226  depicted in  FIG.  5   , and a description of common subject matter generally may not be repeated here. The dynamic enclosure  324  includes a pair of first and second support walls  372 ,  374  and a canopy  376  that together define an inner chamber  308 . The first and second support walls  372 ,  374  of the dynamic enclosure  324  have proximal ends (not shown) supported on the base  36  of the housing  16  and respective distal ends  382 ,  383  extending in a vertical direction  106  toward the top  34  of the housing  16 , above the battery cells  22 . 
     The canopy  376  of the dynamic enclosure  324  is hingedly coupled to the distal end  382  of the first support wall  372  and has a free end  398  that is configured to pivot about the distal end  382  of the first support wall  372  to transition the canopy  376  from a closed position ( FIG.  6   ) to an open position (not shown). 
     In  FIG.  6   , the distal end  383  of the second support wall  374  includes a flange  316  that is oriented in a horizontal position and extends in a longitudinal direction  102  from the distal end  383  of the second support wall  374  away from the first support wall  372 . The flange  316  may be configured to support the free end  398  of the canopy  376  when the canopy  376  is in the closed position and, in assembly, may allow for additional vertical clearance above the laminated portions  68  of the battery cells  22 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  7   , in aspects, the battery  10  may include one or more dynamic enclosures  424 . The dynamic enclosure  424  is similar in many respects to the dynamic enclosure  324  depicted in  FIG.  6   , and a description of common subject matter generally may not be repeated here. The dynamic enclosure  424  includes a pair of first and second support walls  472 ,  474  and a canopy  476  that together define an inner chamber  408 . The first and second support walls  472 ,  474  of the dynamic enclosure  424  have proximal ends (not shown) supported on the base  36  of the housing  16  and respective distal ends  482 ,  483  extending in a vertical direction  106  toward the top  34  of the housing  16 , above the battery cells  22 . 
     The canopy  476  of the dynamic enclosure  424  is hingedly coupled to the distal end  482  of the first support wall  472  and has a free end  498  that is configured to pivot about the distal end  482  of the first support wall  472  to transition the canopy  476  from a closed position ( FIG.  7   ) to an open position (not shown). 
     In  FIG.  7   , the distal end  483  of the second support wall  474  includes a hemmed edge  418 . The hemmed edge  418  may be configured to support the free end  498  of the canopy  476  when the canopy  476  is in the closed position and, in assembly, may allow for additional vertical clearance above the laminated portions  68  of the battery cells  22 . 
     These and other benefits will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the forgoing disclosure. 
     While some of the best modes and other embodiments have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the present teachings defined in the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the present concepts expressly include combinations and sub-combinations of the described elements and features. The detailed description and the drawings are supportive and descriptive of the present teachings, with the scope of the present teachings defined solely by the claims.