Thermal interconnection for capacitor systems
View Patent ↗Thermal protection is provided in systems utilizing high-current double-layer capacitors. For example, in one implementation, an interconnection coupled to at least one double-layer capacitor that carries capacitor current to or from the at least one double-layer capacitor is functionally coupled to the at least one double-layer capacitor to reduce a temperature of the capacitor is provided.
1. A system, comprising:
at least one double-layer capacitor; and
an interconnection, the interconnection coupled to the at least one double-layer capacitor, the interconnection for carrying capacitor current to or from the a least one double-layer capacitor, the interconnection functionally coupled to the at least one double-layer capacitor to reduce a temperature of the at least one double-layer capacitor,
wherein the interconnection comprises a thermal contactor, the at least one double-layer capacitor comprises a first terminal and a second terminal, and the thermal contactor is connected between the first and second terminal.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the interconnection comprises a low temperature alloy.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the low temperature alloy is selected from a group consisting of Bismuth-Lead, Tin, Cadmium, and Indium.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the temperature is reduced independent of the current.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the interconnection comprises a an increased surface area.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the at current comprises a current of at least 275 amps.
7. The system of claim 5 , wherein above a temperature the thermal contractor provides a path with which to pass the current around the double-layer capacitor.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the temperature is above about 85 degrees Celsius.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one double-layer capacitor is coupled to an electrical device.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the electrical device is a vehicular electrical device.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the electrical device comprises an engine.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the system utilizes a voltage above 40 volts.
13. A system, comprising:
at least one double-layer capacitor;
an interconnection, the interconnection coupled to the at least one double-layer capacitor, the interconnection for carrying capacitor current to or from the a least one double-layer capacitor, the interconnection functionally coupled to the at least one double-layer capacitor to reduce a temperature of the at least one double-layer capacitor, wherein the interconnection comprises a thermal fuse,
wherein the at least one double-layer capacitor comprises a first capacitor and a second capacitor,
wherein the thermal fuse is connected between a first terminal of the first capacitor and a second terminal of the second capacitor, and
wherein above a temperature the thermal fuse interrupts the current between the first and the second terminal.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the temperature is above a safe operating temperature of the capacitors.
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the temperature is reduced independent of the current.
16. The system of claim 13 , wherein the interconnection comprises an increased surface area.
17. The system of claim 13 , wherein the current comprises a current of at least 275 amps.
18. The system of claim 13 , wherein the thermal fuse comprises a bus bar.
19. The system of claim 13 , wherein the at least one double-layer capacitor is coupled to an electrical device.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the electrical device is a vehicular electrical device.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the electrical device comprises an engine.
22. The system of claim 21 , wherein the system utilizes a voltage above 40 volts.
23. The system of claim 13 , wherein the interconnection comprises a low temperature alloy.
24. A system comprising:
a first double-layer capacitor comprising a first terminal and a second terminal;
a second double-layer capacitor comprising a third terminal and a fourth terminal;
an interconnection coupled to the second terminal of the first double-layer capacitor and the third terminal of the second double-layer capacitor for carrying capacitor current to or from the first double-lever capacitor, the interconnection functionally coupled to the at least one double-layer capacitor to reduce a temperature of the at least one double-layer capacitor; and
a balancing circuit connected to the first terminal of the first double-layer capacitor and the fourth terminal of the second double-layer capacitor.
25. The system of claim 24 , wherein the at least one double-layer capacitor is coupled to an electrical device.
26. The system of claim 25 , wherein the electrical device is a vehicular electrical device.
27. The system of claim 26 , wherein the electrical device comprises an engine.
28. The system of claim 27 , wherein the system utilizes a voltage above 40 volts.
29. The system of claim 24 , wherein the interconnection comprises a tow temperature alloy.
30. A system comprising:
at least one double layer capacitor;
an interconnection coupled to the at least one double layer capacitor for carrying current to or from the at least one double-layer capacitor, the interconnection functionally coupled to the at least one double-layer capacitor to reduce a temperature of the at least one double-layer capacitor; and
a source of external heat removal.
31. The system of claim 30 , wherein the source of external heat removal comprises a fluid, and wherein the at least one double-layer capacitor is immersed in the fluid.
32. The system of claim 31 , wherein the fluid is disposed in a sealed container.
33. The system of claim 32 , wherein the fluid comprises an oil.
34. The system of claim 32 , wherein the fluid comprises an alcohol.
35. The system of claim 32 , wherein the fluid comprises a colored fluid.