Method and Device for Detecting a Thermal Runaway in a Battery Module

A device for detecting a thermal runaway of a battery module with a number of cells, the device comprising:

• a current acquisition module that is configured to capture a set of currents, the set of currents comprising a respective cell current value for each cell of the number of cells;
• a temperature acquisition module that is configured to capture a set of temperatures within the battery module, the set of temperatures comprising at least one temperature value;
• a state of charge capturing module that is configured to capture a set of states, the set of states comprising a respective state of charge value for each cell of the number of cells;
• a resistance calculation module that is configured to derive a set of resistances using the at least one temperature value of the set of temperatures and using the state of charge values of the set of states, the set of resistances comprising a respective cell resistance value for each cell of the number of cells;
• a temperature prediction module that is configured to calculate a set of temperature predictors using the set of currents and the set of resistances, the set of temperature predictors comprising at least one temperature prediction value that is estimated for a location within the battery module;
• a runaway prediction module that is configured to calculate a set of runaway predictors using the set of currents, the set of temperatures, the set of resistances, and the set of temperature predictors, the set of runaway predictors comprising a respective runaway predictor value for each cell of the number of cells;
• and
• a warning module that is configured to set a warning indicator when at least one runaway predictor value of the set of runaway predictors exceeds a predefined threshold value,
• wherein the device is configured to, for each point in time and on a continuing basis, execute the capture of the set of currents, the capture of the set of temperatures, the capture of the set of states, the derivation, the calculation of the set of temperature predictors, the calculation of the set of runaway predictors, and the set of the warning indicator.

A battery system comprising:

• a battery module comprising a number of cells;
• and
• a detection device for detecting a thermal runaway of the battery module, the device comprising:
• a current acquisition module that is configured to capture a set of currents, the set of currents comprising a respective cell current value for each cell of the number of cells;
• a temperature acquisition module that is configured to capture a set of temperatures within the battery module, the set of temperatures comprising at least one temperature value;
• a state of charge capturing module that is configured to capture a set of states, the set of states comprising a respective state of charge value for each cell of the number of cells;
• a resistance calculation module that is configured to derive a set of resistances using the at least one temperature value of the set of temperatures and using the state of charge values of the set of states, the set of resistances comprising a respective cell resistance value for each cell of the number of cells;
• a temperature prediction module that is configured to calculate a set of temperature predictors using the set of currents and the set of resistances, the set of temperature predictors comprising at least one temperature prediction value that is estimated for a location within the battery module;
• a runaway prediction module that is configured to calculate a set of runaway predictors using the set of currents, the set of temperatures, the set of resistances, and the set of temperature predictors, the set of runaway predictors comprising a respective runaway predictor value for each cell of the number of cells;
• and
• a warning module that is configured to set a warning indicator when at least one runaway predictor value of the set of runaway predictors exceeds a predefined threshold value,
• wherein the device is configured to, for each point in time and on a continuing basis, execute the capture of the set of currents, the capture of the set of temperatures, the capture of the set of states, the derivation, the calculation of the set of temperature predictors, the calculation of the set of runaway predictors, and the set of the warning indicator.

An aircraft comprising:

• a battery module comprising a number of cells;
• and
• a detection device for detecting a thermal runaway of the battery module, the device comprising:
• a current acquisition module that is configured to capture a set of currents, the set of currents comprising a respective cell current value for each cell of the number of cells;
• a temperature acquisition module that is configured to capture a set of temperatures within the battery module, the set of temperatures comprising at least one temperature value;
• a state of charge capturing module that is configured to capture a set of states, the set of states comprising a respective state of charge value for each cell of the number of cells;
• a resistance calculation module that is configured to derive a set of resistances using the at least one temperature value of the set of temperatures and using the state of charge values of the set of states, the set of resistances comprising a respective cell resistance value for each cell of the number of cells;
• a temperature prediction module that is configured to calculate a set of temperature predictors using the set of currents and the set of resistances, the set of temperature predictors comprising at least one temperature prediction value that is estimated for a location within the battery module;
• a runaway prediction module that is configured to calculate a set of runaway predictors using the set of currents, the set of temperatures, the set of resistances, and the set of temperature predictors, the set of runaway predictors comprising a respective runaway predictor value for each cell of the number of cells;
• and
• a warning module that is configured to set a warning indicator when at least one runaway predictor value of the set of runaway predictors exceeds a predefined threshold value,
• wherein the device is configured to, for each point in time and on a continuing basis, execute the capture of the set of currents, the capture of the set of temperatures, the capture of the set of states, the derivation, the calculation of the set of temperature predictors, the calculation of the set of runaway predictors, and the set of the warning indicator.