Heat conducting element for transferring heat away from a battery system

A battery system, comprising:

• a plurality of battery cells;
• at least one heat conducting element that is thermally connected to the plurality of battery cells for transferring heat away from the plurality of battery cells, the heat conducting element having a heat pipe or a vapor chamber with a hollow structure;
• wherein the hollow structure has at least one opening that reaches from outside the hollow structure into an interior of the hollow structure;
• wherein the at least one opening is sealed by a meltable material, such that the interior of the hollow structure is fluid-tight;
• wherein, inside the interior of the hollow structure, a working fluid in a form of a saturated liquid and vapor is provided for receiving, transferring, and dissipating heat;
• wherein the heat conducting element has a predetermined operating temperature range, with a minimum operating temperature and a maximum operating temperature, and
• wherein the meltable material has a predetermined melting temperature that exceeds the maximum operating temperature by a predetermined temperature difference;
• wherein, during operation within the predetermined operating temperature range, the heat pipe or vapor chamber transfers heat between the plurality of battery cells to equalize temperatures of the plurality of battery cells;
• and
• wherein, when the hollow structure is exposed to a temperature that is a same as or greater than the melting temperature, the meltable material melts to unseal the at least one opening, such that the working fluid is discharged from the hollow structure and heat transfer through the working fluid is terminated, thereby interrupting heat transfer between the plurality of battery cells.