PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11757149-B1
Application Number: US-201715703114-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Battery liquid quench system and methods of manufacture thereof

Abstract:
A battery quenching system includes a reservoir that holds a quenching material. The battery quenching system further includes a distribution system for carrying the quenching material from the reservoir to a battery pack, a battery module, or a plurality of battery cells. The battery quenching system further includes a melting plug configured to melt at a predefined temperature, the melting of the plug resulting in release of the quenching material into the battery pack via the distribution system. The melting plug may be positioned within a tube of the distribution system or within an aperture of a battery enclosure. The battery quenching system may further include one or more quenching channels positioned within a battery pack. The distribution system may be configured to carry the quenching material to any or several of a plurality of locations within a battery pack or battery system.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells;   a reservoir comprising a quenching material; and   a distribution system for directing the quenching material from the reservoir to the battery pack, the distribution system positioned at least partially within an enclosure of the battery pack, the distribution system comprising:
 a manifold positioned within the battery pack between two battery cells of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the manifold comprises:
 a pair of exterior vertical walls extending between top and bottom exterior horizontal walls to define an interior volume of the manifold; 
 a pair of interior vertical walls extending from the bottom exterior horizontal wall to define an interior reservoir; 
 one or more baffles positioned within the interior reservoir, the one or more baffles extending orthogonally to the interior vertical walls; 
 a nozzle positioned at the top exterior horizontal wall and arranged to direct the quenching material into the interior reservoir; and 
 at least one vent defined by the pair of exterior vertical walls and fluidly coupled to the interior reservoir. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the distribution system further comprises a ductile tubing connection between the reservoir and the nozzle. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein a melting plug is positioned within the ductile tubing connection. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a melting plug is positioned at an end of the nozzle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the melting plug comprises a eutectic material. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is positioned within a cell block of the battery pack, and wherein a melting plug is positioned tangent to a surface of a cell of the cell block at the manifold. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the reservoir is pressurized. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir further comprises:
 a pressurized chamber; and   a pressure separator adjacent the pressurized chamber, the pressure separator comprising at least one of a diaphragm, a bellows, or a piston.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir further comprises:
 a pressurizing fluid, wherein the pressurizing fluid is maintained at a higher pressure than the quenching material;   a pressure separator for separating the pressurizing fluid from the quenching material; and   wherein the reservoir is configured to dispense the quenching material via the distribution system regardless of a physical orientation of the reservoir.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the pressure separator comprises at least one of a diaphragm, a bellows, or a piston. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is hermetically sealed. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each wall of the pair of exterior vertical walls defines a respective vent of the at least one vent. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interior volume is accessible through one or more gaps defined in the pair of interior vertical walls. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more gaps are defined proximate an end of the manifold at which the nozzle is located. 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising:
 a reservoir comprising a quenching material;   a battery pack comprising:
 a plurality of battery cells, and 
 a manifold positioned between two battery cells of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the manifold comprises:
 a pair of exterior vertical walls extending between top and bottom exterior horizontal walls to define an interior volume of the manifold; 
 a pair of interior vertical walls extending from the bottom exterior horizontal wall to define an interior reservoir; 
 one or more baffles positioned within the interior reservoir, the one or more baffles extending orthogonally to the interior vertical walls; 
 a nozzle positioned at the top exterior horizontal wall and arranged to direct the quenching material into the interior reservoir; and 
 at least one vent defined by the pair of exterior vertical walls and fluidly coupled to the interior reservoir. 
 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a melting plug configured to at least partially melt when the melting plug reaches a predefined temperature, wherein melting of the melting plug results in distribution of at least a portion of the quenching material within the manifold. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interior walls do not extend a full height of the manifold, and wherein fluid access between the interior reservoir and the volume is limited to a region within the manifold above the interior walls. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein each vent of the one or more vents is defined at a height along the pair of exterior vertical walls that is at or below a top of the interior walls.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE WITH RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Serial No. 62/397,308, filed Sep. 20, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Battery packs are used to provide electrical power to numerous devices, including tools, vehicles, laptop and tablet computers, and mobile phones. Most or all known chemical battery technologies generate heat within a battery cell during operation. Simultaneously, many electronic devices and battery applications are sensitive, to one degree or another, to heat. Excessive heat may disrupt the proper functioning of the battery. 
     A conventional battery pack contains a plurality of cells within an enclosure. Cells within a pack may be arranged individually, or in banks of cells. In some cases, a battery pack may contain one or more battery modules, each of which may include a sub-enclosure and a plurality of cells within the module. Some battery packs encourage air circulation within a battery pack by leaving space between cells or cell banks, or by employing carefully designed air channels, so as to improve thermal stability. 
     SUMMARY 
     A battery quenching system is configured to maintain safe operating temperatures and reduce the likelihood of thermal runaway within a battery pack. A battery quenching system includes a reservoir that holds a quenching material. The battery quenching system further includes a distribution system for carrying the quenching material from the reservoir to a battery pack, a battery module, or a plurality of battery cells. The battery quenching system further includes a melting plug configured to melt at a predefined temperature, the melting of the plug resulting in release of the quenching material into the battery pack via the distribution system. In some embodiments, the melting plug may be positioned within a tube of the distribution system. In other embodiments, the melting plug may be positioned within an aperture of a battery enclosure. 
     The distribution system may include one or more nozzles, which may be positioned near or partially within an interior of a battery pack. In some embodiments, the distribution system may include a tubular system physically connecting a quenching material reservoir to one or more battery packs or battery cells. The battery quenching system may additionally or alternatively include one or more quenching channels positioned within a battery pack. The distribution system may be configured to carry the quenching material to any or several of a plurality of locations within a battery pack or battery system. In some embodiments, a battery quench material reservoir may be pressurized. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a basic battery quenching system including a battery quench material reservoir, a quenching material distribution system, and a battery pack. 
         FIG.  2 A  illustrates a cross-section of an example nozzle of a battery quenching system according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  2 B  illustrates a cross-section of another example nozzle of a battery quenching system according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  2 C  illustrates a bottom view of an example nozzle end of a battery quenching system according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an example battery quenching system including multiple battery packs and melting plugs according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  4 A  illustrates an example of a pressurized quenching material reservoir according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  4 B  illustrates an example of a pressurized quenching material reservoir including a diaphragm according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  4 C  illustrates an example of a pressurized quenching material reservoir including a piston according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  4 D  illustrates another example of a pressurized quenching material reservoir including a piston according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  5 A  illustrates an overhead view of an example two-cell battery pack including a single quenching material injection location according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  5 B  illustrates an overhead view of an example two-cell battery pack including two quenching material injection locations according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  5 C  illustrates an overhead view of four cells of an example battery pack including inter-cell quenching manifolds according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  5 D  illustrates an overhead view of an example two-cell battery pack including an overhead quenching manifold according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  6 A  is an isometric view of an example quenching manifold according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  6 B  illustrates a cross-section of an example quenching manifold according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  7 A  illustrates a cross-section of an example battery pack including a cooling manifold and a separate quenching material distribution system according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  7 B  illustrates a cross-section of an example battery pack including an integrated quenching material distribution system and cooling manifold according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  8 A  illustrates an example battery pack including cooling coils and an external quenching material reservoir according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  8 B  illustrates an example battery pack including cooling coils and an internal quenching material reservoir according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  9    is a high-level flowchart illustrating various methods of fabricating a battery quenching system. 
     
    
    
     This specification includes references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment.” The appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner consistent with this disclosure. 
     “Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims, this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider a claim that recites: “An apparatus comprising one or more processor units ....” Such a claim does not foreclose the apparatus from including additional components (e.g., a network interface unit, graphics circuitry, etc.). 
     “Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may be described or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, “configured to” is used to connote structure by indicating that the units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry) that performs those tasks during operation. As such, the unit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to perform the task even when the specified unit/circuit/component is not currently operational (e.g., is not on). The units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” language include hardware—for example, circuits, memory storing program instructions executable to implement the operation, etc. Additionally, “configured to” can include generic structure (e.g., generic circuitry) that is manipulated by software and/or firmware (e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processor executing software) to operate in manner that is capable of performing the task(s) at issue. “Configure to” may also include adapting a manufacturing process (e.g., a semiconductor fabrication facility) to fabricate devices (e.g., integrated circuits) that are adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks. 
     “First,” “Second,” etc. As used herein, these terms are used as labels for nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). For example, a buffer circuit may be described herein as performing write operations for “first” and “second” values. The terms “first” and “second” do not necessarily imply that the first value must be written before the second value. 
     “Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or more factors that affect a determination. This term does not foreclose additional factors that may affect a determination. That is, a determination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least in part, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.” While in this case, B is a factor that affects the determination of A, such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being based on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The systems and methods described here may implement battery thermal quenching. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a basic battery quenching system including a battery quench material reservoir, a quenching material distribution system, and a battery pack. System  100  includes a reservoir  110 . Reservoir  110  holds a quenching material  120 . The interior of reservoir  110  may be pressurized according to some embodiments. For example, air or another fluid  130  may be held at a pressure sufficient to force quenching material  120  out of reservoir  110  when a quenching process is triggered. 
     According to some embodiments, when a melting plug  160  reaches a pre-tuned temperature, melting plug  160  melts, resulting in an end of distribution system  140  being open to an interior or battery pack  150 . Quenching material  120 , under pressure within reservoir  110 , is forced out of reservoir  110 , via distribution system  140 , and into battery pack  150 . 
     Melting plug  160  according to some embodiments may be engineered to melt upon reaching a specific temperature. For example, water evaporates at 100° C., while aluminum, a common component of battery packs and battery cells, has a melting point of about 660° C. In some embodiments, a melting plug be tuned to melt between 100 and 600° C., or even lower temperatures in systems for which an activation temperature below 100° C. may be desired or necessary. 
     Melting plug  160  may be any substance or compound tuned to melt at a desired temperature. For example, various alloys may be employed containing any combination of quantities of bismuth (Bi), lead (Pb), tin (Sn), indium (In), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), antimony (Sb), aluminum (Al), einsteinium (Es), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), or other suitable material as one having ordinary skill in the art will recognize. Modern alloys typically present highly stable and repeatable properties suitable for applications such as a battery quenching system. In some embodiments, melting plug  160  may comprise a eutectic material. 
     The function of a melting plug may be further tuned by its positioning, for example its position within distribution system  140 . In an example where a melting plug is deployed immediately adjacent a target location, the tuned melting temperature of a melting plug may be higher, for example, than in another system wherein a melting plug is placed some distance away from the target location. 
     For example, suppose designers of a battery pack have concluded that quenching is desired when a particular cell A reaches 550° C. Suppose further that a nozzle of a quenching material distribution system is positioned directly in contact with cell A, and a melting plug is positioned at or very near the nozzle. In such an example, the melting plug should be tuned to melt at 550° C. If, however, the melting plug is placed within the distribution system at a location three inches away from the nearest surface of cell A, the melting temperature of the melting plug may be tuned lower than 550 C. More specifically, the tuned melting temperature of the plug may be the temperature expected within the distribution system at the location of the melting plug when cell A reaches 500 C. 
     Quenching material  120  may, in some embodiments, comprise a fire or thermal suppression material as appropriate for a particular application, as determined, for example, by the particular application or device, battery chemistry of cells to be quenched, operating environment, expected operators, and expected operating parameters such as temperature, voltage, and current of a battery pack. 
     In various embodiments, any mixture of ethylene glycol and water may be used as a quenching material. In other embodiments, a quenching material may include carbon dioxide or nitrogen in liquid or gas states. In some examples, a quenching material may include a brominated flame retardant. In various embodiments, similar or identical materials may be employed as both quenching materials or as a cooling medium in a vehicle thermal management system. Some embodiments may use one or more dielectric liquids, such as a fluoroether or fluoroketone as a quenching material. Such materials may, for example, have a low boiling point and/or high vapor pressure, allowing for the quenching material to volatilize after being dispensed, leaving very little or no residue that might otherwise cause a malfunction or shorten the lifespan of components of a battery. 
     In one example, a quenching material  120  may be a mixture of approximately 45% deionized water and approximately 55% ethylene glycol. One or ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many appropriate quenching materials may be available and suitable according to the requirements of a particular system. A quenching material  120  may be chosen or engineered with additional properties. For example, a quenching material  120  may be designed to largely or completely evaporate after being dispensed within a battery pack, in order to reduce the likelihood of causing additional damage to the battery pack, interference with other battery management systems, or disrupting chemical reactions of the battery such as within an electrolyte or cathode or anode active material. 
     Reservoir  110  according to some embodiments may be hermetically sealed and the quenching material disposed within the reservoir at the time of its manufacture. In some embodiments, distribution system  140  may be manufactured with reservoir  110  and similarly sealed. In some embodiments, reservoir  110  may be designed to be refilled after a triggering thermal event. Reservoir  110  or distribution system  140  according to some embodiments may be manufactured using all welded, brazed, or soldered construction. Such measures, according to some embodiments, may for example improve reliability and safety of a quenching system, or reduce or eliminate a permeation rate of reservoir  110 . Reservoir  110  or distribution system  140   may be constructed of a metal such as aluminum in some embodiments, or another suitable material. 
     One having ordinary skill in the art will understand that reservoir  110  may be any size or shape, according to the requirements of a particular application, including the space available for the reservoir itself, the amount of quenching material required, the number of cells or volume of a battery pack to be protected, the expected temperature, or other operating parameters of the device, etc. 
     Distribution system  140 , according to some embodiments, may comprise a tubular structure. Alternatively or additionally, distribution system  140  may include cooling or quenching channels as described further below. 
     Reservoir  110  according to some embodiments may be configured to operate at any physical orientation. For example, the contents of reservoir  110  may be held under pressure. In some embodiments, any combination of a diaphragm, bellows, piston, or spring may be included for purposes of pressurizing quenching material  120  within reservoir  110 , as further described below with reference to  FIGS.  4 A- 4 D . 
       FIG.  2 A  illustrates a cross-section of an example nozzle of a battery quenching system according to some embodiments. Nozzle  200  according to some embodiments may be a part of, or connected to, a distribution system such as distribution system  140  of  FIG.  1   . 
     According to some embodiments, a quenching material may be held at an interior  260  of nozzle  200 . Alternatively, a quenching material may be held remotely from nozzle  200 , such as in a system where a melting plug is positioned within a distribution system upstream of nozzle  200  instead of, or in addition to, the nozzle  230  illustrated at  FIG.  2 A . 
     Body  220  of nozzle  200  may be constructed of the same material (e.g. aluminum, copper) as a distribution system, or any other suitable material as one having ordinary skill in the art will understand. According to some embodiments, all or a portion of nozzle  200  may be covered with a dielectric layer  210 , for example to avoid interfering with proper electric operation of a battery. 
     A melting plug  230  as shown in  FIG.  2 A  may be disposed near the end of nozzle  200 . Alternatively or additionally, a melting plug may be disposed within a distribution system upstream of nozzle  200 . A nozzle end plate  240  may include one or more apertures  250 , through which a quenching material may flow when melting plug  230  melts. Apertures  250  according to some embodiments may be designed to distribute a quenching material in a particular direction or pattern, according to the requirements of a particular design or application. 
       FIG.  2 B  illustrates a cross-section of another example nozzle of a battery quenching system according to some embodiments. In the example of  FIG.  2 B , nozzle  280  does not include any end plate (reference  240  of  FIG.  2 A ). A melting plug  270  is disposed within nozzle  280  near an end of nozzle  200 . In the example of  FIG.  2 B , when melting plug  270  has melted, nozzle  280  is open at one end, allowing any quenching material present within nozzle  280  to flow out of nozzle  280 . 
       FIG.  2 C  illustrates a bottom view of an example nozzle end of a battery quenching system according to some embodiments.  FIG.  2 C  illustrates a bottom view of nozzle end plate  240  as described with reference to  FIG.  2 A  according to some embodiments. Apertures  250  of end plate  240  according to some embodiments may be designed to distribute a quenching material in a particular direction or pattern, according to the requirements of a particular design or application. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates an example battery quenching system including multiple battery packs and melting plugs according to some embodiments. In the example shown of  FIG.  3   , a single reservoir  310  can serve to quench multiple battery packs  350   a - 350   f . In other examples, multiple reservoirs may be employed for a single or multiple battery packs, according to the requirements of a particular system. 
     Quenching material  320  may be held at pressure by a pressurized fluid  330 , which may be air or any other suitable fluid as one having ordinary skill in the art will understand. In various example embodiments, pressurized fluid  330  may include carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or argon. In some embodiments, all or portion of pressurized fluid  330  may be used for other purposes—for example a cooling system within a battery, device, or vehicle. Distribution system  360  according to some embodiments protrudes into reservoir  310  and protrudes partially into each of battery packs  350   a - 350   f . 
     According to some embodiments, melting plugs  340   a - 340   f  may be positioned within distribution system  360  in order to control dispensation of quenching material  320  into battery packs  350   a - 350   f , respectively. Melting plugs  340   a - 340   f  of  FIG.  3    are shown positioned slightly remote from battery packs  350   a - 350   f , respectively. In other embodiments, one or more of melting plugs  340   a - 340   f  may be positioned elsewhere, for example, within a portion of distribution system  360  that protrudes into one of battery packs  350   a - 350   f . 
     In some embodiments, additional melting plugs may be used, for example at other locations within distribution system  360 . One having ordinary skill in the art will understand that the particular locations and melting temperatures of melting plugs  340   a - 340   f  may be tuned to the design requirements of specific systems or safety protocols. 
       FIG.  4 A  illustrates an example of a pressurized quenching material reservoir according to some embodiments. Example reservoir  410   a  of  FIG.  4 A  contains a quenching material  420   a  and air or another pressurized fluid  430   a . A portion  440   a  of a quenching material distribution system protrudes into reservoir  410   a . 
     According to some embodiments, when a melting plug (not shown at  FIG.  4 A ) positioned within a remote portion of distribution system  440   a  melts, quenching material  420   a  is forced out of reservoir  410   a  via distribution system  440   a . However, without a barrier between quenching material  420   a  and pressurized fluid  430   a , reservoir  410   a  may not be able to dispense quenching material  420   a  when reservoir  410  is positioned in certain physical orientations (for example, upside-down of the orientation shown in  FIG.  4 A ). 
       FIG.  4 B  illustrates an example of a pressurized quenching material reservoir including a diaphragm according to some embodiments. Example reservoir  410   b  contains a quenching material  420   b  and air or another suitable pressurized material or fluid  430   b . A portion  440   b  of a quenching material distribution system protrudes into reservoir  410   b . 
     Example reservoir  410   b  further includes a diaphragm or bellows  450  between quenching material  420   b  and material or fluid  430   b . Diaphragm  450  according to some embodiments is configured to maintain pressure against quenching material  420   b , such that when a melting plug (not shown at  FIG.  4 B ) positioned within a remote portion of distribution system  440   b  melts, quenching material  420   b  is forced out of reservoir  410   b  via distribution system  440   b . According to some embodiments, diaphragm  450  is free to slide along a longitudinal axis of reservoir  410   b . 
     Example reservoir  410   b  according to some embodiments includes diaphragm  450  in order to maintain pressure on, and allow dispensation of, quenching material  420   b  regardless of a physical orientation of example reservoir  410   b . In some embodiments, an additional pressurization system (not shown) may be employed to help maintain pressure within the chamber containing material or fluid  430   b . For example, a pressurized air system may pressurize chamber  430   b  via a tube (not shown), thus forcing diaphragm  450  against quenching material  420   b . Additionally or alternatively, a spring mechanism may be used to aid pressurization. 
       FIG.  4 C  illustrates an example of a pressurized quenching material reservoir including a piston according to some embodiments. Example reservoir  410   c  contains a quenching material  420   c  and air or another suitable pressurized material or fluid  430   c . A portion  440   c  of a quenching material distribution system protrudes into reservoir  410   c . 
     Example reservoir  410   c  further includes a piston  460  between quenching material  420   c  and material or fluid  430   c . Piston  460  according to some embodiments is configured to maintain pressure against quenching material  420   c , such that when a melting plug (not shown at  FIG.  4 C ) positioned within a remote portion of distribution system  440   c  melts, quenching material  420   c  is forced out of reservoir  410   c  via distribution system  440   c . According to some embodiments, piston  460  is free to slide along a longitudinal axis of reservoir  410   c . 
     Example reservoir  410   c  according to some embodiments includes piston  460  in order to maintain pressure on, and allow dispensation of, quenching material  420   c  regardless of a physical orientation of example reservoir  410   c . In some embodiments, an additional pressurization system (not shown) may be employed to help maintain pressure within the chamber containing material or fluid  430   c . For example, a pressurized air system may pressurize chamber  430   c  via a tube (not shown), thus forcing diaphragm  450  against quenching material  420   c . Additionally or alternatively, a spring mechanism may be used to aid pressurization. 
       FIG.  4 D  illustrates another example of a pressurized quenching material reservoir including a piston according to some embodiments. Example reservoir  410   d  contains a quenching material  420   d  and air or another suitable pressurized material or fluid  430   d . A portion  440   d  of a quenching material distribution system protrudes into reservoir  410   d . 
     Example reservoir  410   c  further includes a piston  470  between quenching material  420   d  and material or fluid  430   d . Piston  470  according to some embodiments is configured to maintain pressure against quenching material  420   d , such that when a melting plug (not shown at  FIG.  4 D ) positioned within a remote portion of distribution system  440   d  melts, quenching material  420   d  is forced out of reservoir  410   d  via distribution system  440   d . According to some embodiments, piston  470  is free to slide along a longitudinal axis of reservoir  410   d . 
     Example reservoir  410   d  according to some embodiments includes piston  470  in order to maintain pressure on, and allow dispensation of, quenching material  420   d  regardless of a physical orientation of example reservoir  410   d . In some embodiments, an additional pressurization system (not shown) may be employed to help maintain pressure within the chamber containing material or fluid  430   d . For example, a pressurized air system may pressurize chamber  430   d  via a tube (not shown), thus forcing diaphragm  450  against quenching material  420   d . 
     Additionally or alternatively, a member  480  may be used to maintain pressure on piston  470 . For example, member  480  according to some embodiments may include a spring mechanism to aid pressurization. In other embodiments, member  480  may comprise a substantially solid member that may be physically manipulated from within or outside reservoir  410   d  to apply pressure to piston  470 . 
       FIG.  5 A  illustrates an overhead view of an example two-cell battery pack including a single quenching material injection location according to some embodiments. Battery pack  510   a   includes cells  520   a  and  520   b . According to some embodiments, a quenching material (not shown at  FIG.  5 A ) may be dispensed according to the methods and apparatus described herein via distribution system  530   a  at a single location. 
       FIG.  5 B  illustrates an overhead view of an example two-cell battery pack including two quenching material injection locations according to some embodiments. Battery pack  510   b  includes cells  520   c  and  520   d . According to some embodiments, a quenching material (not shown at  FIG.  5 B ) may be dispensed according to the methods and apparatus described herein via distribution systems  530   b  and  530   c  in at least two locations within battery pack  510   b . 
       FIG.  5 C  illustrates an overhead view of four cells of an example battery pack including inter-cell quenching manifolds according to some embodiments. Battery pack  510   c  includes cells  520   e - 520   h . According to some embodiments, a quenching material (not shown at  FIG.  5 C ) may be dispensed according to the methods and apparatus described herein via distribution system  530   d  into an inter-cell quenching manifold  540   a , and by distribution system  530   e  into an inter-cell quenching manifold  540   b . 
     According to some embodiments, inter-cell quenching manifold  540   a  may be disposed between battery cells  520   e  and  520   f . Inter-cell quenching manifold according to some embodiments  540   b  may be disposed between cells  520   g  and  520   h . According to some embodiments, a quenching manifold similar to example manifolds  540   a  and  540   b  may be disposed adjacent a face of a battery cell or pack. Purposes of such a manifold in some embodiments include more uniform and repeatable cooling coverage, avoidance of cell hot spots, improved containment of a thermal event by insulating surrounding cells, and improved physical separation of quenching material from electronics and electrochemical components of a battery system, among other purposes. 
       FIG.  5 D  illustrates an overhead view of an example two-cell battery pack including an overhead quenching manifold according to some embodiments. Battery pack  510   d  according to some embodiments includes a distribution system  530   f  for delivering a quenching material (not shown at  FIG.  5 D ) to a quenching manifold  550  positioned above cells  520   i  and  520   j  of battery pack  510   d . 
     Example quenching manifold  550  may be positioned above and in proximity or contact with cells  520   i  and  520   j . The example manifold  550  of  FIG.  5 D  is shaped and positioned to allow access to the battery terminals of  520   i  and  520   j  when manifold  550  is in place. Purposes of such a manifold in some embodiments include more uniform and repeatable cooling coverage, avoidance of cell hot spots, improved containment of a thermal event by insulating surrounding cells, and improved physical separation of quenching material from electronics and electrochemical components of a battery system, among other purposes. 
       FIG.  6 A  is an isometric view of an example quenching manifold according to some embodiments. Quenching manifold  610  according to some embodiments may include an aperture  630  for receiving, for example, a quenching material (not shown at  FIG.  6 A ), air, or a cooling liquid. 
     According to some embodiments, example manifold  610  may include one or more vents  640 . Vents  640  according to some embodiments may be suitable for venting evaporated quenching material or cooling liquid, or for promoting air circulation through manifold  610 . For example, according to some embodiments, a liquid quenching material may be designed to evaporate after providing some cooling effect, in order to avoid having liquid permanently disposed within a battery system in response to a temporary over-temperature condition. 
       FIG.  6 B  illustrates a cross-section of an example quenching manifold according to some embodiments. Manifold  610  according to some embodiments includes one or more external wall sections  650  and a manifold reservoir structure  660 . According to some embodiments, quenching material  620  or liquid coolant may enter manifold  610  via aperture  630  and be held within a tub created by manifold reservoir structure  660 . 
     One or more baffles  670  according to some embodiments stabilize quenching material  620  within reservoir  660  while allowing vaporized material to escape via vents  640 . The arrow paths of  FIG.  6 B  show example gas escape routes. 
     According to some embodiments, an example quenching manifold similar to that shown in  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  may be employed within a battery pack, according to the specific arrangement and cooling requirements of a particular application. For example, a quenching manifold  610  may be deployed as an inter-cell quenching manifold as shown and described with reference to  FIG.  5 C  or in a manner similar to manifold  550  of  FIG.  5 D . Additionally or alternatively, one or more manifolds  610  may be deployed near boundaries of a battery pack or at any other location where cooling is required or desired. A quenching manifold similar to manifold  610  may in some embodiments be deployed in conjunction with a traditional cooling mechanisms, for example existing heat-exchange based air or liquid cooling mechanisms. 
       FIG.  7 A  illustrates a cross-section of an example battery pack including a cooling manifold and a separate quenching material distribution system according to some embodiments. Battery pack  710   a  may contain one or more battery cells or modules (not shown at  FIG.  7 A ) within interior  750   a  of battery pack  710   a . The example embodiment of  FIG.  7 A  shows a quenching material distribution system separate from a cooling system associated with one or more manifolds  720   a . 
     According to some embodiments, one or more manifolds  720   a  may be positioned adjacent to battery pack  710   a . In the example of  FIG.  7 A , two manifold portions  720   a  are illustrated adjacent to a top face of battery pack  710   a . A quenching material distribution system  730  is positioned between manifold portions  720   a , at an aperture which is filled with a melting plug  740   a . In some embodiments, manifold  720   a  may be associated with a traditional cooling mechanism, for example existing heat-exchange based air or liquid cooling mechanisms. 
     Melting plug  740   a  according to some embodiments may be manufactured within an aperture of a casing of battery pack  710   a . One having ordinary skill in the art will understand that numerous configurations of such a plug are possible, not all of which are shown. For example, a melting plug  740   a  may be positioned flush with an exterior surface of a face of battery pack  710   a . In other embodiments not shown at  FIG.  7 A , a melting plug may be positioned at a recessed or raised portion of a face of a battery pack, for example in a manufactured recessed or raised portion of an external casing of a battery pack. 
       FIG.  7 B  illustrates a cross-section of an example battery pack including an integrated quenching material distribution system and cooling manifold according to some embodiments. Battery pack  710   b  may contain one or more battery cells or modules (not shown at  FIG.  7 B ) within interior  750   b  of battery pack  710   b . The example embodiment of  FIG.  7 B  shows a quenching material distribution system integrated with one or more manifolds  720   b . 
     According to some embodiments, one or more manifolds  720   b  may be positioned adjacent to battery pack  720   b . In the example of  FIG.  7 B , two manifold portions  720   b  are illustrated adjacent to a top face of battery pack  720   b . A quenching material distribution system according to some embodiments may be integrated with manifolds  720   b  to enable dispensation of a quenching material (not shown at  FIG.  7 B ) into interior  750   b  of battery pack  710   b  via manifolds  720   b  when one or more of melting plugs  740   b  and  740   c  have melted. In some embodiments, manifold  720   b  may be associated with a traditional cooling mechanism, for example existing heat-exchange based air or liquid cooling mechanisms, in addition to a quenching material distribution system similar to those described in detail by this disclosure. 
     Melting plugs  740   b  and  740   c  according to some embodiments may be manufactured within an aperture of a casing of battery pack  710   b . One having ordinary skill in the art will understand that numerous configurations of such a plug are possible, not all of which are shown. For example, a melting plug  740   b  or  740   c  may be positioned flush with an exterior surface of a face of battery pack  710   b . In other embodiments not shown at  FIG.  7 B , a melting plug may be positioned at a recessed or raised portion of a face of a battery pack, for example in a manufactured recessed or raised portion of an external casing of a battery pack. 
       FIG.  8 A  illustrates an example battery pack including cooling coils and an external quenching material reservoir according to some embodiments. Example battery pack  820   a  of  FIG.  8 A  according to some embodiments may integrate a liquid quenching material reservoir and distribution system with an example heat-exchange cooling system. 
     Example battery pack  820   a  of  FIG.  8 A  includes a plurality of cells  850   a - 850   f  and a plurality of cooling coils  860   a - 860   f  positioned about cells  850   a - 850   f . One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that numerous configurations of cooling coils are possible depending on the specific requirements and characteristics of a particular application. 
     Cooling coils  860   a - 860   f  according to some embodiments may be connected to inlet  830   a  and outlet  840   a . According to some embodiments, a quenching material, air, or liquid coolant, or a combination thereof may be circulated via cooling coils  860   a - 860   f  to cool a battery system. One or more melting plugs (not shown at  FIG.  8 A ) may be deployed within the cooling system, for example by being disposed within a wall of a tube of a cooling coil. 
     According to some embodiments, upon an overtemperature event within battery pack  820   a , a nearby melting plug may melt and cause the cooling mixture to be dispensed into an area adjacent the triggered melting plug. Reservoir  810   a  may provide additional quenching material into the cooling coils via inlet  830   a . 
     In other embodiments, cooling coils  860   a - 860   f  may not carry quenching material at all until a thermal event triggers release of quenching material from reservoir  810   a . For example, in some embodiments, a melting plug may be deployed at one or more junctions between a main coolant supply line and a coolant coil. For example, a melting plug positioned at a coil junction near cell  850   c  may melt if cell  850   c  reaches a predefined temperature, resulting in quenching material being released from reservoir  810   a  and flowing only through cooling coil  860   c . 
       FIG.  8 B  illustrates an example battery pack including cooling coils and an internal quenching material reservoir according to some embodiments. Example battery pack  820   b  of  FIG.  8 B  is similar to example battery pack  820   a  of  FIG.  8 A , except that reservoir  810   b  is located within battery pack  820   b  instead of outside it. In other embodiments (not shown) multiple reservoirs may be employed, in any combination of external and internal. Example battery pack  820   b  of  FIG.  8 B  according to some embodiments may integrate a liquid quenching material reservoir and distribution system with an example heat-exchange cooling system. 
     Example battery pack  820   b  of  FIG.  8 B  includes a plurality of cells  850   g - 850   i  and a plurality of cooling coils  860   g - 860   i  positioned about cells  850   g - 850   i . One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that numerous configurations of cooling coils are possible depending on the specific requirements and characteristics of a particular application. 
     Cooling coils  860   g - 860   i  according to some embodiments may be connected to inlet  830   b  and outlet  840   b . According to some embodiments, a quenching material, air, or liquid coolant, or a combination thereof may be circulated via cooling coils  860   g - 860   i  to cool a battery system. One or more melting plugs (not shown at  FIG.  8 B ) may be deployed within the cooling system, for example by being disposed within a wall of a tube of a cooling coil. 
     According to some embodiments, upon an overtemperature event within battery pack  820   b , a nearby melting plug may melt and cause the cooling mixture to be dispensed into an area adjacent the triggered melting plug. Reservoir  810   b  may provide additional quenching material into the cooling coils via inlet  830   b . 
     In other embodiments, cooling coils  860   g - 860   i  may not carry quenching material at all until a thermal event triggers release of quenching material from reservoir  810   a . For example, in some embodiments, a melting plug may be deployed at one or more junctions between a main coolant supply line and a coolant coil. For example, a melting plug positioned at a coil junction near cell  850   i  may melt if cell  850   i  reaches a predefined temperature, resulting in quenching material being released from reservoir  810   g  and flowing only through cooling coil  860   i . 
       FIG.  9    is a high-level flowchart illustrating various methods of fabricating a battery quenching system. Various embodiments may include several or all of the steps described herein with reference to  FIG.  9   , and the order of some steps may be changed according to various embodiments. 
     Step  910  of process  900  includes forming a battery enclosure. The battery enclosure according to various embodiments may contain one or more battery cells or battery packs requiring cooling. The battery enclosure according to various embodiments may also include any of a number of various features of modern battery packs not specifically described here in detail. For example, the battery enclosure may include interconnects between battery cells, modules, or packs; one or more battery management systems, one or more cooling plates, and one or more battery management devices, among other possible features. 
     Step  920  of process  900  includes forming a reservoir containing a quenching material. The reservoir according to some embodiments may be hermetically sealed and the quenching material disposed within the reservoir at the time of its manufacture or at a later time. In some embodiments, the reservoir may be manufactured to allow refilling after a triggering thermal event. 
     One having ordinary skill in the art will understand that the reservoir may be any size or shape, according to the requirements of a particular application, including the space available for the reservoir itself, the amount of quenching material required, the number of cells or volume of a battery pack to be protected, the expected temperature and other operating parameters of the device, etc. 
     Step  930  of process  900  includes fabricating a distribution system for delivery of a quenching material from the reservoir to an interior of the battery enclosure. The distribution system, according to some embodiments, may comprise a tubular structure. Alternatively or additionally, the distribution system may include cooling or quenching channels as described in detail above. 
     The reservoir or distribution system according to some embodiments may be manufactured using all welded, brazed, or soldered construction. Such measures, according to some embodiments, may for example improve reliability and safety of a quenching system, or reduce or eliminate a permeation rate of the reservoir or distribution system. The reservoir or distribution system may be constructed of a metal such as aluminum in some embodiments, or another suitable material. 
     One having ordinary skill in the art will understand that the reservoir may be any size or shape, according to the requirements of a particular application, including the space available for the reservoir itself, the amount of quenching material required, the number of cells or volume of a battery pack to be protected, the expected temperature, or other operating parameters of the device, etc. 
     Step  940  includes fabricating one or more dispensing nozzles as described in detail in this disclosure. For example, a dispensing nozzle may be constructed of the same material (e.g. aluminum, copper) as a distribution system, or any other suitable material as one having ordinary skill in the art will understand. According to some embodiments, all or a portion of a dispensing nozzle may be covered with a dielectric layer, for example to avoid interference with other battery management systems of a battery pack or otherwise interfering with proper electric operation of a battery. 
     Step  950  includes positioning at least one dispensing nozzle wholly or partially within an interior of the battery enclosure of step  910 . 
     Step  960  includes positioning a melting plug within a tube or nozzle of the distribution system. A melting plug may be disposed near the end of a nozzle. Alternatively or additionally, a melting plug may be disposed within a distribution system upstream of a nozzle. 
     A melting plug according to some embodiments may be engineered to melt upon reaching a specific temperature. For example, water evaporates at 100° C., while aluminum, a common component of battery packs and battery cells, has a melting point of about 660° C. In some embodiments, a melting plug be tuned to melt between 100 and 600° C., or even lower temperatures in systems for which an activation temperature below 100° C. may be desired or necessary. 
     A melting plug may be any substance or compound tuned to melt at a desired temperature. For example, various alloys may be employed containing any combination of quantities of bismuth (Bi), lead (Pb), tin (Sn), indium (In), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), antimony (Sb), aluminum (Al), einsteinium (Es), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), or other suitable material as one having ordinary skill in the art will recognize. Modern alloys typically present highly stable and repeatable properties suitable for use in a battery quenching system. In some embodiments, a melting plug may comprise a eutectic material. 
     The function of a melting plug may be further tuned by its positioning, for example its position within the distribution system of step  930 . In an example where a melting plug is deployed immediately adjacent a target location, the tuned melting temperature of a melting plug may be higher, for example, than in another system wherein a melting plug is placed some distance away from the target location. 
     Step  970  includes fabricating one or more quenching channels. For example, quenching channels may be positioned between battery cells or battery packs within the battery enclosure of step  910 . Additionally or alternatively, quenching channels may include manifolds or cooling coils as described in detail elsewhere herein. 
     Step  980  includes positioning a quenching channel of step  970  adjacent a face of the battery enclosure. Alternatively or additionally, one or more quenching channels may be placed within the battery enclosure, for example between cells or packs within the battery enclosure, near one or more boundaries of a battery enclosure, or above or below a cell or bank of cells within the battery enclosure of step  910 . 
     Step  990  includes positioning a melting plug within an aperture of the battery enclosure of step  910 . Alternatively or additionally, a melting plug may be positioned within an aperture of any number of other structures. For example, a melting plug may be positioned within an aperture of a battery pack within the battery enclosure of step  910 , within an aperture of a cooling channel tube, within an aperture of a cell casing, or within an aperture of a cooling manifold. 
     For example, a melting plug may be positioned flush with an exterior surface of a face of the battery enclosure of step  910  or a battery pack within. In other embodiments, a melting plug may be positioned at a recessed or raised portion of a face of a battery enclosure, for example in a manufactured recessed or raised portion of an external casing of the battery enclosure of step  910 . 
     Various methods described herein may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof, in different embodiments. In addition, the order of the blocks of the methods may be changed, and various elements may be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc. Various modifications and changes may be made as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The various embodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be provided for components described herein as a single instance. Particular operations are illustrated in the context of specific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall within the scope of claims that follow. Finally, structures and functionality presented as discrete components in the example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of embodiments as defined in the claims that follow.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20170913
Publication Date: 20230912
Grant Date: 20230912
Priority Date: 20160920
Inventors: HALL, JONATHAN L.
WILHELM, LUKE ASHER
Loveness, Ghyrn Evan
IJAZ, MUJEEB
MILER, Josef L.
CAULK, ABRAHAM BRUNO
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01M10/6568", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/63", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/613", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y02E60/10", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/6556", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/63", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/6568", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/625", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/6567", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/613", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M2220/20", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/6568", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/613", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/63", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 87933447