# US 9,437,849 B2 · Battery damage indicator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,437,849 B2 - Document ID: US9437849B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/837,720 - Filed: 2013-03-15 - Published: 2014-09-18 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15 - Assignees: Elwha LLC - Applicants: Elwha, LLC - Inventors: William David Duncan; Roderick A. Hyde; Jordin T. Kare; David B. Tuckerman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9437849B2 ## CPC - H01M 10/4228: {Leak testing of cells or batteries} - G08B 21/182: {Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold} - H01M 10/425: {Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing (printed circuits H05K1/00)} - H01M 10/48: Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte (constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569) - H01M 10/488: {Cells or batteries combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light density} - H01M 50/209: adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells (H01M50/216 takes precedence) - H01M 50/24: adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion (thermal insulation H01M10/658) - H01M 50/579: in response to shock - H01M 2010/4271: {Battery management systems including electronic circuits, e.g. control of current or voltage to keep battery in healthy state, cell balancing} - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract The present disclosure provides systems and methods for indicating battery damage. A battery may comprise an odorant and/or visible indicator material configured to be released in response to battery damage. The battery may be configured to release the odorant and/or visible indicator in response to damage to the battery housing, a cell or cells in the battery, a seal of the battery, or any other specific component of the battery. The odorant and/or visible indicator may be stored in free space in the battery housing, a battery cell, or other battery component. The battery may be configured to emit an audible and/or visible indication of battery damage in addition to releasing the odorant and/or visible indicator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A battery comprising: an enclosed battery housing; an external set of battery terminals coupled to the battery housing; a battery cell disposed in the battery housing; and a visible indicator material disposed within the battery housing; wherein the visible indicator material comprises at least one of a liquid, a powder, or a foam; wherein the battery is configured to release the visible indicator material from an interior portion of the battery housing to the atmosphere in response to battery housing damage; and wherein the visible indicator material is spatially separated from electrolytes within the battery cell. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The battery of claim 1, wherein the visible indicator material is disposed within the battery cell. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The battery of claim 1, wherein the visible indicator material comprises a liquid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The battery of claim 1, wherein the visible indicator material comprises a liquid. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The battery of claim 1, wherein the visible indicator material comprises a liquid. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The battery of claim 1, wherein the visible indicator material comprises an odorant. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The battery of claim 1, wherein the visible indicator material comprises a fire retardant. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The battery of claim 1, wherein the battery housing comprises a free space configured store the visible indicator material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The battery of claim 1, wherein the battery cell comprises a free space configured store the visible indicator material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The battery of claim 1, wherein the battery housing comprises a plurality of walls including a free space therebetween, and wherein the free space is configured to store the visible indicator material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The battery of claim 1, wherein the battery comprises a dedicated container configured to store the visible indicator material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The battery of claim 1, wherein the battery comprises a sealed wrapper configured to store the visible indicator material, and wherein the sealed wrapper at least partially surrounds the battery cell. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The battery of claim 1, wherein the battery comprises a plurality of storage compartments for storing the visible indicator material. ### Claim 14 A battery comprising: an enclosed battery housing; an external set of battery terminals coupled to the battery housing; a battery cell disposed in the battery housing; a visible indicator material disposed within the battery housing; and a damage indicator configured to release the visible indicator material from an interior portion of the battery housing to the atmosphere in response to battery damage; wherein the visible indicator material is spatially separated from electrolytes within the battery cell; and wherein the visible indicator material is selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a powder, a foam, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The battery of claim 14, wherein the battery damage comprises damage to the battery cell. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The battery of claim 14, wherein the battery damage comprises battery cell deformation. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The battery of claim 14, wherein the damage indicator comprises an accelerometer configured to detect when the battery is damaged based on a measured acceleration of the battery. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The battery of claim 14, wherein the damage indicator comprises a force meter configured to detect when the battery is damaged based on a measured force applied to the battery. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The battery of claim 14, wherein the damage indicator comprises an electrolyte sensitive actuator configured to detect when the battery is damaged based on a presence of electrolyte outside of the battery cell. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The battery of claim 14, wherein the damage indicator comprises a chemical sensor configured to detect when the battery is damaged based on a presence of electrolyte outside of the battery cell. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The battery of claim 14, wherein the damage indicator is configured to store the visible indicator material under pressure. ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The battery of claim 14, wherein the visible indicator material is dispersed by a gas flow. ### Claim 23 (depends on 14) The battery of claim 14, wherein the damage indicator is further configured to release a test portion of the visible indicator material in response to an external electrical signal when the battery housing is in an undamaged state. ### Claim 24 (depends on 14) The battery of claim 14, wherein the damage indicator is further configured to emit an audible alarm in response to battery damage. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The battery of claim 24, wherein the battery comprises an aerophone, and wherein the audible alarm is created by the visible indicator material venting through the aerophone. ### Claim 26 (depends on 14) The battery of claim 14, wherein the damage indicator is further configured to provide an electrical signal in response to battery damage. ### Claim 27 (depends on 14) The battery of claim 14, wherein the damage indicator is further configured to provide a light signal in response to battery damage. ### Claim 28 (depends on 14) The battery of claim 14, wherein the damage indicator is further configured to provide a radio signal in response to battery damage. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) The battery of claim 1, wherein the battery comprises a plurality of storage compartments for storing the visible indicator material, and wherein the plurality of storage compartments comprise microsphere compartments. ### Claim 30 (depends on 1) The battery of claim 1, wherein the battery housing comprises a honeycomb battery housing and wherein chambers of the honeycomb battery housing are filled with the visible indicator material. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1) The battery of claim 1, wherein the battery comprises a plurality of sealed volumes for storing the visible indicator material. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The battery of claim 31, wherein the sealed volumes of the plurality of sealed volumes are regularly spaced and each of the sealed volumes comprises a pliable material. ### Claim 33 (depends on 1) The battery of claim 1, wherein the battery is configured to, in response to battery housing damage, release the visible indicator material from the interior portion of the battery housing to the atmosphere such that the visible indicator material is released from the battery to contact the atmosphere but is not airborne. ### Claim 34 (depends on 7) The battery of claim 7, wherein the damage indicator is configured to, in response to battery damage, release the visible indicator material from the interior portion of the battery housing to the atmosphere such that the visible indicator material is released from the battery to contact the atmosphere but is not airborne.