Leak checking enclosures via valves for venting or pressure relief
A valve arrangement for a battery case includes a valve body adapted for connection to the battery case; a valve member moveable along a valve axis relative to the valve body; a membrane carried with the valve member for allowing gas to move in and out of the battery case when the valve member is in a closed position; and a cap adapted to be mounted to the valve body to inhibit fluid flow.
1 . A valve arrangement for a battery case, comprising:
a valve body adapted for connection to the battery case;
a valve member moveable along a valve axis relative to the valve body;
a membrane carried with the valve member for allowing gas to move in and out of the battery case when the valve member is in a closed position; and
a cap adapted to be mounted to the valve body to inhibit fluid flow.
2 . The valve arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the cap inhibits any fluid from escaping from the battery case via the valve body unless the valve body has not been sufficiently sealed to the battery case.
3 . The valve arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the valve body comprises a pressure relief passage,
wherein the valve member is configured to seal the pressure relief passage when in the closed position, the valve member configured to open the pressure relief passage such that pressure within the battery case is relieved when in an open position.
4 . The valve arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising a gasket adapted to seal between the valve body and the battery case.
5 . The valve arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the membrane is hydrophobic.
6 . The valve arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising:
a biasing element for biasing the valve member toward the closed position.
7 . The valve arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the valve member extends a distance into the valve body.
8 . A method for leak testing a battery case to which a first valve and a second valve are mounted, the first valve including a first valve body adapted for connection to the case, the first valve body defining a valve passage, the first valve including a blocking member that is disposed within the first valve body and is movable relative to the first valve body between a blocking position and an unblocking position, the second valve including a second valve body adapted for connection to the battery case; a valve member moveable along a valve axis relative to the second valve body; a membrane carried with the valve member for allowing gas to move in and out of the battery case when the valve member is in a closed position; and a cap adapted to be mounted to the second valve body to inhibit fluid flow, the method comprising:
installing the first valve to the battery case, wherein the blocking member blocks a first flow path through the first valve when disposed in the blocking position and opens the first flow path when disposed in the unblocking position, the first valve being installed while the blocking member is disposed in the blocking position;
after installing the first valve to the battery case, sealing a leak check fixture against an exterior of the first valve body;
after sealing the leak check fixture, opening the first flow path by moving the blocking member to the unblocking position; and
after opening the first flow path, using the leak check fixture to perform a leak check of the case through the first valve.
9 . The method of claim 8 , the method further comprising:
prior to leak testing the case, mounting the cap to the second valve body to close any apertures through the second valve, the cap not covering a sealing interface between the second valve and the case.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein opening the first flow path includes using the leak check fixture to depress a valve cap of the first valve, which moves the blocking member to the unblocking position.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein opening the first flow path includes drawing a vacuum through the first valve.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein opening the first flow path includes directing pressurized fluid into the battery case, the pressurized fluid moving the blocking member to the unblocking position.
13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the first valve includes a gateway member disposed within a vent of the first valve, the gateway member being configured to provide thermal runaway relief.
14 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the first valve is a vent valve that includes a hydrophobic membrane that provides a venting flow path therethrough; wherein the first flow path bypasses the hydrophobic membrane.
15 . A valve arrangement for a battery case, comprising:
a valve body adapted for connection to the battery case;
a valve member moveable along a valve axis relative to the valve body;
a membrane carried with the valve member for allowing gas to move in and out of the battery case when the valve member is in a closed position; and
a means for inhibiting fluid escape during a leak test.
16 . The valve arrangement of claim 15 , wherein the means for inhibiting fluid escape during the leak test comprises a cap adapted to be mounted to the valve body to inhibit fluid flow.
17 . The valve arrangement of claim 15 , wherein the valve body comprises a pressure relief passage.
18 . The valve arrangement of claim 17 , wherein the valve member is configured to seal the pressure relief passage when in the closed position, the valve member configured to open the pressure relief passage such that pressure within the battery case is relieved when in an open position.
19 . The valve arrangement of claim 15 , wherein the means for inhibiting fluid escape during the leak test blocks fluid communication through the membrane during a pressure variation within the battery case.
20 . The valve arrangement of claim 19 , wherein the means for inhibiting fluid escape during the leak test comprises a membrane protective member.