Coating Techniques to Prevent Thermal Runaway in EV Batteries
49 patents in this list
Updated:
Electric vehicle batteries face the critical challenge of thermal runaway, a condition where excessive heat triggers a chain reaction leading to potential failure. This issue becomes more pressing as battery systems grow larger and more powerful, increasing the risk and impact of uncontrolled temperature rise. Effective thermal management is essential to ensure safety and reliability, making it a top priority for engineers and researchers in the field.
Professionals encounter numerous obstacles, such as finding materials that can withstand high temperatures while maintaining structural integrity. Balancing thermal insulation with efficient heat dissipation and managing the spatial constraints of battery packs are ongoing challenges. The intricate dance of controlling heat flow without compromising performance requires innovative approaches and meticulous design.
This page explores a range of coating and layering techniques aimed at preventing thermal runaway, as demonstrated in recent patents. These solutions include syntactic foam insulation, phase change materials, and thermally conductive interfaces. By incorporating these advanced materials and structures, engineers can enhance battery safety, improve thermal regulation, and ensure reliable operation under demanding conditions.
1. Secondary Battery Pack with Syntactic Foam Insulation and Thermal Isolation Spacers
ELKEM SILICONES USA CORP., 2024
A secondary battery pack for electric vehicles that improves thermal management to prevent thermal runaway and propagation between cells. The pack uses a syntactic foam insulation made of hollow glass beads in a silicone binder. This foam provides thermal insulation and minimizes temperature differences between cells. It also has low water absorption to prevent swelling in wet conditions. The pack also has thermal barriers and spacers to isolate cells and prevent thermal propagation. The spacers maintain cell position during thermal events. The pack may also have coolant channels to dissipate heat. This comprehensive thermal management strategy mitigates cell-to-cell thermal effects and risks.
2. Battery Pack with Syntactic Foam Insulation Comprising Silicone Rubber and Hollow Glass Beads
Elkem Silicones USA Corp., 2023
A secondary battery pack with improved thermal management to prevent propagation of thermal runaway between cells and minimize the effects of extreme temperatures. The pack uses a specific syntactic foam made of silicone rubber binder and hollow glass beads. This foam is sandwiched between the battery cells to insulate them from each other and the pack enclosure. It also absorbs thermal energy to reduce temperature spikes. The foam has low water absorption to prevent swelling in wet conditions. The pack may also have thermal management features like cooling channels, heat sinks, and spacers to further isolate cells and dissipate heat.
3. Battery Pack with Phase Change Material and Thermal Exchange Device for Thermal Isolation Between Battery Arrays
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, 2023
Reducing thermal energy transfer between battery arrays of a battery pack to prevent venting during high temperature events. The technique involves using a phase change material (PCM) sandwiched between adjacent battery arrays and a thermal exchange device like a liquid coolant channel. The PCM absorbs excess heat from one array to prevent it transferring to the other array. This prevents one array overheating and venting due to thermal runaway, as the PCM acts as a thermal barrier. The PCM can be adhesively secured to the thermal exchange device.
4. Battery Power Supply Device with Flexible Heat-Insulating Separators Featuring Restorative Deformability and Mesh Structures
SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., 2022
Power supply device for batteries that reduces thermal propagation (fire spread) between cells and allows adaptability to swelling. The device uses separators made of flexible, heat insulating materials with restoring force. The separators deform when pressed by cells but recover shape to prevent thermal runaway spread. They have mesh structures or coatings to allow air pockets for insulation. This prevents fire propagation between cells while accommodating cell swelling.
5. Thermally Conductive Foam Interface with Graphite or Boron Nitride Fillers and Low-Density Structure
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, 2022
Cure-in-place, lightweight, thermally conductive interface between a thermal energy source like a battery and adjacent structures to prevent thermal runaway propagation. The interface has a thermally conductive foam pad with filler material like graphite or boron nitride. The foam pad is disposed between the battery and adjacent components like other batteries. It absorbs and conducts heat from the battery to prevent neighboring batteries from overheating if one enters thermal runaway. The foam pad density is below 0.5 g/cm3 for lightweight contact with the batteries.
6. Lithium-Ion Battery Module with Reinforced Thermal Interface Layer for Vibration and Shock Resistance
Clarios Advanced Solutions GmbH, 2021
Temperature management system for lithium-ion battery modules used in hybrid vehicles that prevents short circuits and cell damage when the heat conducting element separates from the heat exchanger or cells. A reinforcement layer with higher stiffness than the heat exchanger is sandwiched between the heat conducting element and heat exchanger. This prevents contact loss between the heat conducting element and exchanger/cells during vibrations, shocks, and temperature cycling. The reinforcement layer's higher modulus of elasticity compared to the heat exchanger prevents separation and maintains thermal conductivity between the heat conducting element and heat exchanger/cells.
7. Electrical Energy Storage Device with Compressible Heat-Conducting Interfacial Layers
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, 2021
Electrical energy storage device with improved thermal management between adjacent cells to prevent overheating and aging issues. The device has compressible, flexible, heat-conducting layers sandwiched between cell interfaces. These layers abut the cell interfaces under pressure. Heat-conducting devices in the layers transfer thermal energy from charging/discharging cells to dissipate heat from the cell interfaces. This prevents hotspots and uniformly manages cell temperatures.
8. Electrode and Separator with Heat-Absorbing Composite Layer Containing Inorganic Particles
LG Chem, Ltd., 2020
Electrode, separator, and battery designs with improved thermal stability and safety in lithium-ion batteries. The electrode design involves coating the electrode surface with an organic/inorganic composite separator layer that contains heat-absorbing inorganic particles like antimony compounds, metal hydroxides, guanidine compounds, boron compounds, or zinc tartrate. These particles absorb or consume heat generated inside the battery to prevent overheating and combustion. The separator can also be made by coating the heat-absorbing particles onto a substrate. The composite separator/coating layer improves battery safety by preventing short circuits and suppressing thermal runaway.
9. Battery Enclosure with Multi-Layer Construction Incorporating Thermal Insulation and Airflow Management
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, 2020
Battery enclosure for automotive applications that improves battery thermal stability, safety, and longevity using multi-layer construction with thermal insulation, airflow management, and active cooling. The enclosure has a shaped outer case with an aperture and separable lid. The inner case and lid provide insulation with thickness less than 5 cm. Spacer pads between the inner and outer cases direct airflow. An air inlet draws outside air into the enclosure, and an outlet exhausts warmer air. Thermoelectric pads, cooling coils, or aerogel insulation regulate battery temperature. The multi-layer design prevents heat buildup, isolates the battery, and allows controlled airflow to cool the battery.
10. Secondary Battery Pack with Syntactic Foam Encapsulation Comprising Hollow Glass Microspheres and Silicone Rubber
Elkem Silicones USA Corp., 2019
Secondary battery pack for electric vehicles with improved thermal management and low temperature insulation. The pack contains the battery cells, surrounded by a syntactic foam made of hollow glass microspheres bonded with a silicone rubber. This foam provides thermal insulation and suppresses propagation of thermal excursions between cells. It also helps prevent damage at low temperatures. The foam is formed by mixing the microspheres, silicone rubber, and curing agent, then foaming and curing the mixture. The foam density can be adjusted by varying the glass sphere size and silicone rubber content.
11. Compartmentalized Battery Cell Structure with Intumescent Coated Fire-Resistant Barriers
Firefree Coatings, Inc., 2019
Containing thermal runaway and fires in lithium battery cells to prevent spread and damage. The method involves compartmentalizing battery cells into smaller isolated sections to contain a localized fire within that section. The compartments can be inside a larger container made of materials like cardboard, fiberglass, or aluminum that is coated with an intumescent fire retardant. This coating expands when heated to insulate and contain the fire. The compartments themselves can also be coated or made of fire-resistant materials.
12. Ceramic Matrix Thermal Insulation with Inorganic Endothermic Material for Electrical Energy Storage Devices
Thermal Ceramics, Inc., 2019
A thermal insulation material for preventing cascading thermal runaway in electrical energy storage devices like batteries. The insulation contains a ceramic matrix with an inorganic endothermic material that absorbs heat and generates non-flammable gases at temperatures above normal operating levels but below runaway temperatures. This slows heat transfer, absorbs energy, vents gases, and dilutes toxic fumes to prevent runaway chain reactions. The insulation structure can be shaped using methods like dry pressing, infiltration, vacuum forming, or molding to optimize gas generation and distribution.
13. Rectangular Lithium-Ion Battery Cells with Coiled Electrode Layers and Gasket-Integrated Core Isolation
SHENZHEN BYD AUTO R&D COMPANY LIMITED, 2019
Lithium ion battery cells with improved performance, safety, and longevity for electric vehicles. The battery cells have a core wrapped in a rectangular shell with gaskets to prevent contact between the core and end caps. This prevents short circuits. The core can have coiled electrode layers for high power density. The electrode materials are mixed crystal lithium iron phosphate with additional metal oxides for better cycling. The gaskets compress the core away from the caps to prevent internal hotspots. The rectangular shape reduces stress concentrations compared to cylindrical cells. The improved cell design prevents failures like internal shorts, hotspots, and thermal runaway.
14. Thermally Responsive Busbar with Differential Expansion Core and Conductive Shell
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., 2019
A busbar for electrically connecting cells in a battery module that breaks apart at high temperatures to prevent current and heat transfer between cells in case of a thermal runaway. The busbar has an inner core made of a material with a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the outer shell. When the core expands due to heat, it breaks the shell connection, disconnecting the cells. The shell is electrically conductive while the core can be insulating.
15. Lithium-Ion Battery Electrode and Separator with Heat-Absorbing Inorganic Particle Coatings
LG Chem, Ltd., 2019
Electrode, separator, and battery design for lithium-ion batteries that improve thermal stability and safety. The electrode has a porous coating layer made of heat-absorbing inorganic particles and a binder. The separator can contain heat-absorbing particles as well. These components absorb or consume heat generated inside the battery during charging and discharging, preventing runaway reactions and thermal runaway. The heat-absorbing particles also reduce the risk of ignition and explosion if an internal short circuit occurs. The coating layer and separator designs provide thermal management and short circuit protection without adding mass or thickness.
16. Electrode and Separator Structure with Heat-Absorbing Inorganic Particles for Lithium-Ion Batteries
LG Chem, Ltd., 2019
Electrode and separator design for lithium-ion batteries that improves safety and thermal stability. The electrode has a porous coating layer containing heat-absorbing inorganic particles like antimony compounds, metal hydroxides, boron compounds, or zinc tartrate. These particles absorb or consume heat when the battery overheats, preventing runaway reactions. The separator can also contain heat-absorbing particles to prevent internal shorts. The porous coating and separator layers provide a path for ions while absorbing/consuming heat.
17. Lithium Ion Capacitor with Polyolefin Separator for Thermal-Induced Electrode Shorting
Asahi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha, 2019
Lithium ion capacitor with enhanced safety by using a separator that melts and shorts the electrodes at high temperatures to prevent rupture and ignition. The separator is made of a polyolefin like polyethylene with specific thickness and pore size distribution. It melts and short circuits the capacitor before the outer casing opens due to vapor pressure at very high temperatures. This prevents rupturing and igniting when high energy density and output are promoted.
18. Dual-Layer Thermal Barrier with Insulating and Intumescent Layers for Battery Module Separation
Jaguar Land Rover Limited, 2018
Barrier apparatus between battery modules in electric vehicles to prevent thermal runaway propagation between modules. The barrier has two layers: a thermally insulating layer and an intumescent layer on top. The insulating layer prevents heat transfer between modules, and the intumescent layer expands and seals gaps during thermal events to contain failures.
19. Power Source Module with Potting-Integrated Cooling and Venting Structure for Electric Vehicles
NextEV USA, Inc., 2018
Electric vehicle power source module design to improve safety and thermal management. The module uses a potting material between the cells and a cooling plate. Spacers surround the cell vents to prevent potting intrusion. The potting material joins the cells and plate into a solid unit. The spacers also create expansion areas around the vents. This allows vented pressure to escape through the spacers and cooling plate holes instead of intruding into the potting. The potting provides thermal conduction between cells and plate, joins them, and prevents contact.
20. Inorganic Platelet Composition for Battery Cell Surface Application and Interstitial Insulation
Unifrax I LLC, 2018
A thermal insulation and/or electrical insulation and fire protection material for electrochemical battery cells, modules and packs. The material is an inorganic platelet composition that is applied to battery cell surfaces, interstitial spaces between cells, and battery module/pack housings to prevent thermal runaway propagation and electrical short circuits. It isolates cells to stop thermal runaway from spreading, insulates cells to prevent shorts, and contains fires. The inorganic platelet composition can be coated, impregnated, or wrapped onto support layers like films, felts, or papers.
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