Capacitance reduction in battery systems

A method, comprising:

• providing a battery cell;
• providing a thermally insulating layer;
• and
• providing a thermally conducting layer which includes a fin, wherein:
• the fin is configured to push against an interior surface that is anodized of a case which surrounds the battery cell, the thermally insulating layer, and the thermally conducting layer;
• and
• the thermally conducting layer includes a discontinuity, wherein:
• the discontinuity is configured to reduce an individual capacitance associated with the thermally conducting layer compared to when the thermally conducting layer does not include the discontinuity;
• the individual capacitance contributes to a combined capacitance that is observable from an exterior of the case, including when the thermally conducting layer is sealed inside of the case with a lid, such that the combined capacitance that is observable from the exterior of the case is reduced when the thermally conducting layer includes the discontinuity compared to when the thermally conducting layer does not include the discontinuity;
• and
• one or more of the following:
• a) the anodization of the interior surface of the case increases an electrical insulation associated with the interior surface of the case, such that the combined capacitance that is observable from the exterior of the case is further reduced when the interior surface of the case is anodized compared to when the interior surface of the case is not anodized, the exterior of the case not being anodized, wherein the anodization of the interior surface of the case decreases a thermal conductivity of the case by 22% or less;
• b) a path which includes the fin and the case includes an insulator that increases electrical insulation and does not substantially decrease thermal conductivity such that any change in thermal conductivity is within 22%, inclusive;
• and
• the insulator that increases electrical insulation and does not substantially decrease thermal conductivity such that any change in thermal conductivity is within 22%, inclusive, includes a layer of insulating material between the fin and the case, the insulator being separate from the fin and the case;
• or
• c) a path which includes the fin and the case includes an insulator that increases electrical insulation and does not substantially decrease thermal conductivity such that any change in thermal conductivity is within 22%, inclusive;
• and
• the insulator that increases electrical insulation and does not substantially decrease thermal conductivity such that any change in thermal conductivity is within 22%, inclusive, includes a layer of insulating material deposited on at least a tip of the fin, the layer of insulating material including grease, thermal grease, polymeric matrix, metal-oxide filler, resin, or adhesive.

A system, comprising:

• a battery cell;
• a thermally insulating layer;
• and
• a thermally conducting layer which includes a fin, wherein:
• the fin is configured to push against an interior surface a case which surrounds the battery cell, the thermally insulating layer, and the thermally conducting layer;
• and
• one or more of the following:
• a) a path which includes the fin and the case includes an insulator that increases electrical insulation and does not substantially decrease thermal conductivity such that any change in thermal conductivity is within 22%, inclusive;
• and
• the insulator that increases electrical insulation and does not substantially decrease thermal conductivity such that any change in thermal conductivity is within 22%, inclusive, includes a layer of insulating material between the fin and the case, the insulator being separate from the fin and the case;
• or
• b) a path which includes the fin and the case includes an insulator that increases electrical insulation and does not substantially decrease thermal conductivity such that any change in thermal conductivity is within 22%, inclusive;
• and
• the insulator that increases electrical insulation and does not substantially decrease thermal conductivity such that any change in thermal conductivity is within 22%, inclusive, includes a layer of insulating material deposited on at least a tip of the fin, the layer of insulating material including grease, thermal grease, polymeric matrix, metal-oxide filler, resin, or adhesive,
• wherein the insulator that increases electrical insulation and does not substantially decrease thermal conductivity such that any change in thermal conductivity is within 22%, inclusive, is formed by anodizing at least a tip of the fin.