System and method of operating an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device using microchannels and high thermal conductivity materials
A method is generally described which includes operating an electrical electrochemical energy generation device or an electrochemical energy generation device. The method includes providing a housing having an external surface and an internal surface. The method also includes coupling at least one component within the housing. At least one component is configured to generate electrical energy in combination with other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing. The method includes forming a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or the at least one internal components. At least one microchannel is at least partially formed of a high thermal conductivity material. The high thermal conductivity material has a high k-value, the high k-value is greater than approximately 410 W/(m*K). The method further includes providing a thermal sink coupled to the microchannels. The thermal sink is configured to transfer heat energy to or from the microchannels. Further, the method includes flowing a fluid through the microchannels.
1 . An electrical electrochemical energy generation device or an electrochemical energy generation device, comprising:
a housing having an external surface and an internal surface;
at least one component within the housing, at least one component being configured to generate electrical energy in combination with at least one of other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing;
a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or the at least one internal components, at least one microchannel at least partially formed of a high thermal conductivity material; and
a thermal sink coupled to the micro-channels, the thermal sink being configured to transfer heat energy to or from the microchannel surfaces via the fluid flowing through the microchannels.
2 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of a wall of the housing.
3 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component.
4 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a cathode.
5 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes an anode.
6 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the microchannels are formed in the material including a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a catalyst material.
7 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the microchannels are formed in the material including a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a solid electrolyte material.
8 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes an electrical contact.
9 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the microchannels are formed at least partially in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a current carrying conductor.
10 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the microchannels are formed at least partially in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a dielectric.
11 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the microchannels are formed integrally on the internal surface of the housing.
12 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the microchannels are formed integrally on a surface of at least one component.
13 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the microchannels are configured to induce laminar flow of the fluid through at least a portion of the microchannels.
14 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein at least one component includes a thermal control component, and the thermal control component is disposed within the housing.
15 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid includes air.
16 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid includes a gas.
17 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid includes water.
18 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid includes antifreeze.
19 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid includes molten salt.
20 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid includes molten metal.
21 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid includes micro-particles.
22 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid includes a phase change material.
23 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid includes liquid droplets.
24 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid includes solid particles.
25 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is at least partially circulated by a pump.
26 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is at least partially circulated by a mechanical pump.
27 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is at least partially circulated by an electromagnetic (MHD) pump.
28 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is at least partially circulated by an electro osmotic pump.
29 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is at least partially circulated by convection.
30 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is at least partially circulated by electroosmosis.
31 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the electrical electrochemical energy generation device includes one or more electrochemical cells.
32 . The electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device of claim 1 , wherein the electrical electrochemical energy generation device includes one or more capacitive storage device.
33 - 54 . (canceled)
55 . A method of thermal control of an electrical electrochemical energy generation device or an electrochemical energy generation device, comprising:
providing a housing having an external surface and an internal surface;
coupling at least one component within the housing, at least one component being configured to generate electrical energy in combination with other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing;
forming a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or the at least one internal components, at least one microchannel at least partially formed of a high thermal conductivity material;
providing a thermal sink coupled to the microchannels, the thermal sink being configured to transfer heat energy to or from the microchannel; and
flowing a fluid through the microchannels.
56 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of a wall of the housing.
57 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component.
58 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a cathode.
59 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes an anode.
60 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the microchannels are formed in the material including a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a catalyst material.
61 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the microchannels are formed in the material including a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a solid electrolyte material.
62 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes an electrical contact.
63 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a current carrying conductor.
64 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a dielectric.
65 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the microchannels are formed at least partially integrally on the internal surface of the housing.
66 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the microchannels are formed at least partially integrally on a surface of at least one component.
67 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the microchannels are configured to induce laminar flow of the fluid through at least a portion of the microchannels.
68 . The method of claim 55 , wherein at least one component includes a thermal control component, and the thermal control component is disposed within the housing.
69 - 94 . (canceled)
95 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device includes a fuel cell and the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes an electrode.
96 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device includes a fuel cell and the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a bipolar structure.
97 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device includes a fuel cell and the microchannels are formed in a portion of at least one component and at least one component includes a solid electrolyte.
98 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the high thermal conductivity material is disposed adjacent a portion of a wall of a housing of the electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device.
99 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the high thermal conductivity material is disposed adjacent a portion of at least one internal component of the electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device.
100 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the high thermal conductivity material is disposed adjacent a portion of at least one internal component of the electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device and the at least one internal component includes a cathode.
101 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the high thermal conductivity material is disposed adjacent a portion of at least one internal component of the electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device and the at least one internal component includes an anode.
102 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the high thermal conductivity material is disposed adjacent the material including a portion of at least one internal component of the electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device and at least one component includes a catalyst material.
103 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the high thermal conductivity material is disposed adjacent the material including a portion of at least one internal component of the electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device and at least one component includes a solid electrolyte material.
104 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the high thermal conductivity material is disposed adjacent a portion of at least one internal component of the electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device and the at least one internal component includes an electrical contact.
105 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the high thermal conductivity material is disposed adjacent a portion of at least one internal component of the electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device and the at least one internal component includes a current carrying conductor.
106 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the high thermal conductivity material is disposed adjacent a portion of at least one internal component of the electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device and the at least one internal component includes a dielectric.
107 . The method of claim 55 , wherein the high thermal conductivity material is disposed adjacent an internal surface of a housing of the electrical electrochemical energy generation device or the electrochemical energy generation device.
108 . (canceled)