Battery failure venting system
AssigneeOlaeris, Inc.
InventorPaul E. I. Pounds
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention extends to methods, systems, devices, apparatus, and computer program products for protecting against runaway thermal failure of a battery pack. A fireproof container is built with a thermo-sensitive panel cover leading to the outside environment. When battery failure causes temperatures to rise inside one of the compartments, the panel cover material reacts, causing it open, allowing flames and hot gasses to vent and preventing the buildup of heat internally. Internal sensors may detect the activation of the cover material and allow an electric or electronic circuit to isolate the contents of the failed container from the rest of the system.
Claims20
An apparatus for protecting against runaway thermal failure at a battery pack, the apparatus comprising:
- a sealed container forming the battery pack, a wall portion of the sealed container constructed from and sealed by a thermo-sensitive panel;
- an interior of the sealed container having storage space for one or more battery cells;
- and
- the thermo-sensitive panel configured so that any portion of the thermo-sensitive panel exposed to sufficient heat crumbles, the crumbling creating an opening in the wall portion of the sealed container to allow gases to vent out of the interior of the sealed container.
A system for protecting against runaway thermal failure within a plurality of battery packs, the system comprising:
- a network of sealed containers forming battery packs, each sealed container having:
- a wall portion constructed from and sealed by a thermo-sensitive panel;
- an interior with storage space for one or more battery cells;
- and
- wherein the thermo-sensitive panel is configured so that any portion of the thermo-sensitive panel exposed to combustion products from within the interior of the sealed container crumbles without burning, the crumbling creating an opening in the thermo-sensitive panel to allow gases to vent out of the interior of the sealed container and to prevent buildup of heat within the interior of the sealed container.
An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) comprising:
- an apparatus for protecting against runaway thermal failure of one or more battery cells contained in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to protect components of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from damage, the apparatus including:
- a sealed container, a wall portion of the sealed container constructed from and sealed by a thermo-sensitive panel, the thermo-sensitive panel included in an external wall of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV);
- an interior of the sealed container having storage space for the one or more battery cells, the one or more battery cells for powering one or more components of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV);
- and
- the thermo-sensitive panel configured so that any portion of the thermo-sensitive panel exposed to sufficient heat from within the interior of the sealed container crumbles, the crumbling creating an opening in the external wall to allow gases to vent outside of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.