System and Method for Controlling Humidity in a Battery Module
A method for reducing moisture in a battery enclosure is presented. The method may reduce battery degradation during some conditions. In one example, moisture is controlled in a battery enclosure by a desiccant material. In another example, moisture is controlled in a battery enclosure by periodically passing electrical current through a Peltier device.
1 . A system for controlling humidity of a battery module, comprising:
at least one battery cell;
an enclosure containing said at least one battery cell; and
a desiccant device, said desiccant device removably attached to said enclosure.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said enclosure includes an inclusion, said inclusion capable of enclosing a substantial portion of said desiccant.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said desiccant device is a disposable cartridge.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein cartridge includes a seal for reducing air flow from atmosphere to inside said enclosure or said cartridge.
5 . The system of claim 3 , wherein a content of said cartridge is exposed to an interior of said enclosure when said cartridge is installed to said enclosure.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said desiccant device protrudes from said enclosure.
7 . The system of claim 3 , wherein said disposable cartridge is sized to hold more than 0.1 grams of water.
8 . A system for controlling humidity of a battery module, comprising:
at least one battery cell;
a cold plate for removing heat from said at least one battery cell;
a coolant circuit for removing heat from said cold plate and transferring said heat to a radiator of an automobile;
an enclosure containing said at least one battery cell, said cold plate, and said coolant circuit; and
a desiccant device, said desiccant device removably attachable to said enclosure.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein said enclosure includes an inclusion, said inclusion capable of holding a substantial portion of said desiccant device such that a protrusion of said desiccant device from said enclosure is reduced.
10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein said at least one battery cell is a plurality of battery cells.
11 . The system of claim 8 , wherein said plurality of battery cells are strapped together.
12 . The system of claim 8 , further comprising a humidity sensor for indicating when to change said desiccant device.
13 . The system of claim 8 , wherein said desiccant device includes a hygroscopic material.
14 . A method for removing water vapor from a battery module, comprising:
attaching a desiccant device to an exterior of a battery module, hygroscopic material contained in said desiccant device in communication with an interior of said desiccant device; and
sealing said desiccant device to said battery module.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said desiccant device is replaced at regular service intervals.
16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising removing and replacing said desiccant device in response to a humidity sensor.
17 . The method of claim 14 , where said battery module includes an inclusion, said inclusion capable of enclosing a substantial portion of said desiccant device.
18 . The method of claim 17 , where said desiccant device is a disposable cartridge.
19 . The method of claim 14 , where said battery module is comprised of a plurality of battery cells.
20 . The method of claim 14 , where said desiccant device includes a seal for reducing air flow from atmosphere to inside said battery module.