US 2017/0288186 A1 · THERMAL RUNAWAY CONTAINMENT APPARATUS FOR A BATTERY

Abstract

A thermal runaway containment apparatus for a battery includes an enclosure base configured to receive a battery therein, an enclosure lid, and a lid constraining structure. The enclosure base has an interconnected floor and side walls, with a top rim defining an open top. The enclosure lid is seatable on the top rim in a seated position that closes the enclosure base. The lid constraining structure is positioned above the lid such that vertical movement of the lid is constrained between the seated position and a maximum partially separated position. When the lid is in the maximum partially separated position, a tortuous flow path into the base is defined; the tortuous flow path allows for venting of pressurized gases out of the enclosure base while impeding inflow of gases at a lower pressure than the pressurized gases into the enclosure base.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A thermal runaway containment apparatus for a battery, comprising:

(a) an enclosure base configured to receive a battery therein, the base having an interconnected floor and side walls, with a top rim defining an open top;
(b) an enclosure lid seatable on the top rim in a seated position that closes the enclosure base;
(c) a lid constraining structure positioned above the lid such that vertical movement of the lid is constrained between the seated position and a maximum partially separated position;
and
(d) when the lid is in the maximum partially separated position, a tortuous flow path into the base, the tortuous flow path allowing for venting of pressurized gases out of the enclosure base while impeding inflow of gases at a lower pressure than the pressurized gases into the enclosure base.

2 more elements

A thermal runaway containment apparatus for a lithium ion battery, comprising:

(a) at least one enclosure, comprising:
an enclosure base configured to receive a lithium ion battery therein, the base having an interconnected floor and side walls and an open top;
(ii) an enclosure lid configured to establish a fluid tight seal with the base when the lid is in a seated position on the top of the base, and to define a venting gap between the lid and base when the lid is in a top separated position above the top of the base;
and
(iii) a releasable coupling which couples the lid to the base in the seated position, and is configured to release the lid from the base when an internal pressure caused by a thermal runaway event inside the enclosure exceeds a threshold release pressure;
and
(b) a rack assembly comprising interconnected vertical upright and horizontal shelf members that form at least one slot for housing at least one of the enclosures, wherein the height of the at least one slot is selected such that for at least one of the enclosures mounted in the at least one slot, the vertical movement of the lid is constrained between the seated position and the top separated position.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Thermal runaway containment apparatus for a battery

Life of this patent

Thermal runaway containment apparatus for a battery

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17