Methods of inerting lithium-containing batteries and associated containers
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMaurice P. Bianchi, David Kirshman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure is related to articles (e.g., containers, battery packs, etc.) including a lithium material (e.g., one or more lithium-containing batteries) housed therein. The articles include sulfur hexafluoride located within an interior compartment of the article to provide an inert atmosphere within the interior compartment. The present disclosure is also related to methods of inerting such articles (e.g., containers, battery packs, etc.) with sulfur hexafluoride. Additionally, the present disclosure is related to conveyed (e.g., pumped, blown, etc.) looped cooling apparatuses and systems.
Claims19
A method for suppressing thermal runaway in a lithium-containing battery, the method comprising:
- removing air from an interior compartment of a lithium-containing battery via a first orifice;
- introducing an inert gas comprising sulfur hexafluoride into the interior compartment via a second orifice;
- contacting an electrolyte release from the lithium-containing device with the inert gas;
- reacting the sulfur hexafluoride with the electrolyte to produce a non-volatile lithium sulfide;
- and
- dissipating an ambient temperature of the electrolyte release.
A method for suppressing thermal runaway in a lithium-containing battery, the method comprising, comprising:
- a. adding sulfur hexafluoride into an interior compartment of a casing enclosing a lithium-containing battery via a first orifice;
- b. displacing oxygen from said interior compartment via a second orifice;
- c. reacting the sulfur hexafluoride with a lithium containing electrolyte that is released from the lithium-containing battery to produce a non-volatile lithium containing solid.
A method of inerting a container including a lithium material, comprising:
- a. positioning at least one lithium material inside of a sealable container, wherein the lithium material includes at least one lithium ion battery;
- b. adding sulfur hexafluoride into an interior compartment of said sealable container via a first orifice;
- c. removing air via from said interior compartment via a second orifice;
- and
- d. reacting the sulfur hexafluoride with said at least one lithium material to produce a non-volatile lithium containing solid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.