Patent · US Expired

Mechanical and thermal improvements in metal hydride batteries, battery modules and battery packs

US6878485B2 · kind B2 · utility

30Cited by
9References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 12, 2002
Grant dateApr 12, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 25, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/4911
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Mechanically and thermally improved rechargeable batteries, modules and fluid-cooled battery pack systems. The battery is prismatic in shape with an optimized thickness to width to height aspect ratio which provides the battery with balanced optimal properties when compared with prismatic batteries lacking this optimized aspect ratio. The optimized thickness, width and height allow for maximum capacity and power output, while eliminating deleterious side affects. The battery case design allows for unidirectional expansion which is readily compensated for by applying external mechanical compression counter to that direction. In the module, the batteries are bound within a module bundling/compression means under external mechanical compression which is optimized to balance outward pressure due to expansion and provide additional inward compression to reduce the distance between the positive and negative electrodes, thereby increasing overall battery power. The fluid-cooled battery pack includes; 1) a battery-pack case having coolant inlet and outlet; 2) battery modules within the case such that the battery module is spaced from the case walls and from other battery modules to form co…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.