Optimized cell pack for large sealed nickel-metal hydride batteries
AssigneeOvonic Battery Company, Inc.
InventorsStanford R. Ovshinsky, Michael A. Fetcenko, Arthur Holland, Kevin Dean, Donn Fillmore
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sealed prismatic metal hydride battery greater than 10 Ah in size comprising a battery case of high thermal conductivity; and at least one bundle of metal hydride electrodes of high thermal conductivity in thermal contact with said battery case. Batteries according to the invention prevent the accumulation of heat that can damage nickel metal hydride batteries particularly during overcharge.
Claims36
A sealed prismatic metal hydride battery greater than 10 Ah in size comprising:
- a battery case of metallic thermally conductive material;
- nickel hydroxide positive electrodes, and
- at least one bundle of thermally conductive sintered metal hydride electrodes in thermal contact with said battery case.
A sealed prismatic metal hydride battery module comprising:
- a plurality of metal hydride cells each comprising a case of metallic thermally conductive material enclosing at least one bundle of thermally conductive sintered metal hydride electrodes in thermal contact with said case;
- and
- a module case of metallic thermally conductive material enclosing said plurality of metal hydride cells and in thermal contact with at least one case of said plurality of metal hydride cells.
A battery module for heat dissipation and pressure containment comprising:
- a plurality of cells each comprising a case of metallic thermally conductive material enclosing at least one bundle of thermally conductive sintered metal hydride electrodes and current connectors in thermal contact with said bundle of electrodes;
- a top frame positioned around the periphery of said plurality of cells;
- a bottom frame positioned opposite said top frame and around the opposite periphery of said plurality of cells;
- a first finned plate positioned perpendicular to said top frame and said bottom frame and connecting said top and bottom frames;
- a second finned plate positioned perpendicular to said top frame and said bottom frame, connecting said top and bottom frames, and opposing said first finned plate;
- and
- at least two opposing restraining means perpendicular to and connecting said first and said second finned plate;
- where heat generated inside said cell follows said metal hydride electrodes to said current connector to said case, said top frame, said bottom frame, said first finned plate, said second finned plate, and said at least two opposing restraining means.
A battery module for heat dissipation and pressure containment comprising:
- a plurality of cells;
- each comprising a case of metallic thermally conductive material enclosing at least one bundle of thermally conductive sintered metal hydride electrodes and current connectors in thermal contact with said bundle of electrodes:
- a plurality of thermal conduction plates positioned to prevent adjacent cells of said plurality of cells from contacting each other;
- opposing end panels positioned parallel to said plurality of thermal conduction plates at the outermost cells of said plurality of cells;
- and
- restraining means positioned around said plurality of cells, said plurality of thermal conduction plates, and said opposing end panels to form a pressure containment system where heat generated inside said cell follows said metal hydride electrodes to said current connector to said case, said plurality of thermal conduction plates, said opposing end panels, and said opposing restraining means.
A prismatic battery module for heat dissipation and pressure containment comprising:
- a plurality of prismatic metal hydride cells in individual cases, each cell comprising thermally conductive sintered electrodes and current connectors in thermal contact with said thermally conductive sintered electrodes in a case of metallic thermally conductive material;
- opposing end panels positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of said plurality of cells in thermal contact with said plurality of prismatic metal hydride cells;
- and
- restraining means positioned on the widest axis of said plurality of prismatic metal hydride cells to prevent deformation of said individual cases, where said restraining means and said opposing end panels form a pressure containment system;
- and
- where heat generated inside said cell follows said thermally conductive electrodes to said current connectors to said case, said opposing end panels, and said restraining means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.