Acoustic signal based analysis of films
AssigneeLiminal Insights, Inc.
InventorsShaurjo Biswas, Shan Dou, Aleksandr Kiessling, Andrew Hsieh, Barry Van Tassell, Marc Juzkow
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Abstract
Systems, techniques, and computer-implemented processes are provided for acoustic signal based analysis of thin-films, electrode coatings, and other components of batteries. Data analytics on signals obtained by ultrasound excitation of materials is used to analyze electrode coating parameters, analyzing separators, and other battery components. Using the disclosed techniques in battery manufacturing and production can lead to reduction in wastage of damaged/scrapped battery cells and shorten production time.
Claims20
A method of acoustic signal-based analysis, the method comprising:
- transmitting at least one acoustic excitation signal into at least a portion of a battery sheet during an electrode fabrication step as part of a battery manufacturing process;
- receiving acoustic response signal data in response to transmitting the at least one acoustic excitation signal into the portion of the battery sheet;
- determining at least one metric associated with the battery sheet based on the acoustic response signal data;
- and
- detecting one or more properties of the battery sheet based on comparing the at least one metric associated with the battery sheet to corresponding one or more reference metrics previously determined for at least one reference battery sheet,
- wherein the acoustic signal-based analysis is performed in-line with the electrode fabrication step and on a first side and a second side of the battery sheet after a coating is applied to the first side and the second side of the battery sheet, and
- the battery manufacturing process includes a plurality of steps subsequent to the electrode fabrication step before completion of the battery manufacturing process.
An apparatus configured to perform an acoustic signal-based analysis in-line with an electrode fabrication step as part of a battery manufacturing process, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of transducers installed in-line with the electrode fabrication step;
- one or more memories having computer-readable instructions stored therein;
- one or more processors communicatively coupled to the plurality of transducers and configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to:
- control the plurality of transducers to:
- transmit at least one acoustic excitation signal into at least a portion of a battery sheet during the electrode fabrication step;
- receive acoustic response signal data in response to transmitting the at least one acoustic excitation signal into the portion of the battery sheet;
- determine at least one metric associated with the battery sheet based on the acoustic response signal data;
- and
- detect one or more properties of the battery sheet based on comparing the at least one metric associated with the battery sheet to corresponding one or more reference metrics previously determined for at least one reference battery sheet,
- wherein the acoustic signal-based analysis is performed in-line with the electrode fabrication step and on a first side and a second side of the battery sheet after a coating is applied to the first side and the second side of the battery sheet, and
- wherein the battery manufacturing process includes a plurality of steps subsequent to the electrode fabrication step before completion of the battery manufacturing process.
One or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising computer-readable instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus configured to perform an acoustic signal-based analysis in-line with an electrode fabrication step as part of a battery manufacturing process, cause the apparatus to:
- transmit at least one acoustic excitation signal into at least a portion of a battery sheet;
- receive acoustic response signal data in response to transmitting the at least one acoustic excitation signal into the portion of the battery sheet;
- determine at least one metric associated with the battery sheet based on the acoustic response signal data;
- and
- detect one or more properties of the battery sheet based on comparing the at least one metric associated with the battery sheet to corresponding one or more reference metrics previously determined for at least one reference battery sheet,
- wherein the acoustic signal-based analysis is performed in-line with the electrode fabrication step and on a first side and a second side of the battery sheet after a coating is applied to the first side and the second side of the battery sheet, and
- wherein the battery manufacturing process includes a plurality of steps subsequent to the electrode fabrication step before completion of the battery manufacturing process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.