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US 10,763,477 B2Granted
Hazard mitigation through gas flow communication between battery packs
AssigneeTesla, Inc.
InventorWeston Arthur Hermann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for mitigating the effects of a thermal event within a non-metal-air battery pack is provided in which the hot gas and material generated during the event is directed into the metal-air cells of a metal-air battery pack. The metal-air cells provide a large thermal mass for absorbing at least a portion of the thermal energy generated during the event before it is released to the ambient environment. As a result, the risks to vehicle passengers, bystanders, first responders and property are limited.
Claims25
A battery system comprising:
- a first battery pack having a plurality of metal-air cells, a first air inlet, a second air inlet, and an air outlet;
- a second battery pack having a plurality of non-metal-air cells and a hot gas outlet;
- an air passageway coupling the hot gas outlet of the second battery pack to the second air inlet of the first battery pack;
- and
- a first valve configured to control air flow out of the hot gas outlet, through the air passageway, through the second air inlet, through at least a portion of the plurality of metal-air cells, and out of the air outlet, the first valve having a first position that permits air flow and a second position that prevents air flow, wherein during normal operation the first valve is in the second position, and wherein the first valve is configured to switch from the second position to the first position upon an occurrence of a thermal event within the second battery pack.
2 more elements
A battery system comprising:
- an enclosure;
- a barrier;
- a first battery pack contained within the enclosure having a plurality of metal-air cells, a first air inlet, a second air inlet, and an air outlet;
- a second battery pack contained within the enclosure having a plurality of non-metal-air cells and a hot gas outlet, the barrier isolating the first battery pack from the second battery pack;
- an air passageway coupling the hot gas outlet of the second battery pack to the second air inlet of the first battery pack, the passageway extending through the barrier;
- and
- a first valve configured to control air flow out of the hot gas outlet, through the air passageway, through the second air inlet, through at least a portion of the plurality of metal-air cells, and out of the air outlet, the first valve having a first position that permits air flow and a second position that prevents air flow, wherein during normal operation the first valve is in the second position, and wherein the first valve is configured to switch from the second position to the first position upon an occurrence of a thermal event within the second battery pack.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.