Battery pack test system
A battery pack test system is provided. The system includes a battery charging device that monitors an output voltage level of the vehicle battery pack. The system further includes a switch electrically coupled between an igniter and a voltage source. The system further includes a first video camera that generates a first plurality of images of an interior of the vehicle battery pack. The switch has a closed operational state at a first time in response to the output voltage level of a battery cell in the vehicle battery pack being greater than a threshold voltage level, to induce the igniter to generate a spark to generate a fire within an interior region of the vehicle battery pack.
1. A battery pack test system for testing a vehicle battery pack, comprising:
a first battery charging device configured to supply a first electrical current to the vehicle battery pack until the vehicle battery pack has a state-of-charge substantially equal to a desired state-of-charge;
a second battery charging device configured to supply a second electrical current to a battery cell in the vehicle battery pack such that a state-of-charge of the battery cell is greater than a threshold state-of-charge, after the vehicle battery pack has the state-of-charge substantially equal to a desired state-of-charge;
a data acquisition computer configured to measure an output voltage level of the battery cell;
an electrically-actuated igniter disposed in the vehicle battery pack;
a switch electrically coupled between the electrically-actuated igniter and a voltage source, the switch having a closed operational state in which a voltage is applied to the electrically-actuated igniter to induce the igniter to generate an electrical spark, the switch further having an open operational state;
a first video camera configured to generate a first plurality of images of an interior of the vehicle battery pack; and
the switch being transitioned from the open operational state to the closed operational state at a first time if either the output voltage level of the battery cell is greater than a threshold voltage level or the first plurality of images indicate gases escaping from the battery cell, to induce the igniter to generate the electrical spark to generate a fire within an interior region of the vehicle battery pack.
2. The battery pack test system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second video camera configured to generate a second plurality of images of a first portion of an exterior of the vehicle battery pack;
a third video camera configured to generate a third plurality of images of a second portion of the exterior of the vehicle battery pack; and
a fourth video camera configured to generate a fourth plurality of images of a third portion of the exterior of the vehicle battery pack.
3. The battery pack test system of claim 2 , wherein the second, third, and fourth video cameras provide 360 degree video monitoring of the exterior of the vehicle battery pack.
4. The battery pack test system of claim 2 , wherein the vehicle battery pack passes a fire safety test if none of the second, third, and fourth plurality of images indicate a flame propagating outside of the vehicle battery pack during a predetermined time interval.
5. The battery pack test system of claim 4 , wherein the predetermined time interval is in a range of 5-10 minutes.
6. The battery pack test system of claim 2 , further comprising a master computer that is operably coupled to the first, second, third, and fourth video cameras, the master computer configured to store the first, second, third, and fourth plurality of images in a memory device.
7. The battery pack test system of claim 1 , wherein the electrically-actuated igniter is disposed within the vehicle battery pack and proximate to a battery module having the battery cell therein.
8. The battery pack test system of claim 1 , wherein the data acquisition computer is operably coupled to the switch, the data acquisition computer programmed to generate a first control signal to induce the switch to transition from the open operational state to the closed operational state at the first time if the output voltage level of the battery cell is greater than the threshold voltage level.
9. The battery pack test system of claim 1 , further comprising a first temperature sensor operably coupled to the data acquisition computer, the first temperature sensor disposed within a battery module of the vehicle battery pack, the first temperature sensor configured to iteratively generate a first temperature signal indicative a first temperature level within the battery module that is received by the data acquisition computer, the data acquisition computer programmed to iteratively store the first temperature level over time in a memory device.
10. The battery pack test system of claim 9 , further comprising a second temperature sensor disposed outside of the battery module and inside of the vehicle battery pack, the second temperature sensor configured to iteratively generate a second temperature signal indicative a second temperature level outside of the battery module that is received by the data acquisition computer, the data acquisition computer further programmed to iteratively store the second temperature level over time in the memory device.
11. The battery pack test system of claim 1 , further comprising a test chamber configured to hold the vehicle battery pack therein.
12. The battery pack test system of claim 11 , wherein the test chamber has a window disposed thereon, a second video camera being disposed outside of the test chamber and proximate to the window.
13. A battery pack test system for testing a vehicle battery pack, comprising:
a first battery charging device configured to supply a first electrical current to the vehicle battery pack until the vehicle battery pack has a state-of-charge substantially equal to a desired state-of-charge;
the first battery charging device further configured to supply a second electrical current to a battery cell in the vehicle battery pack such that a state-of-charge of the battery cell is greater than a threshold state-of-charge, after supplying the first electrical current to the battery pack;
a data acquisition computer configured to measure an output voltage level of the battery cell;
an electrically-actuated igniter disposed in the vehicle battery pack;
a switch electrically coupled between the electrically-actuated igniter and a voltage source, the switch having a closed operational state in which a voltage is applied to the electrically-actuated igniter to induce the igniter to generate an electrical spark, the switch further having an open operational state;
a first video camera configured to generate a first plurality of images of an interior of the vehicle battery pack; and
the switch being transitioned from the open operational state to the closed operational state at a first time if either the output voltage level of the battery cell is greater than a threshold voltage level or the first plurality of images indicate gases escaping from the battery cell, to induce the igniter to generate the electrical spark to generate a fire within an interior region of the battery pack.
14. The battery pack test system of claim 13 , further comprising:
a second video camera configured to generate a second plurality of images of a first portion of an exterior of the vehicle battery pack;
a third video camera configured to generate a third plurality of images of a second portion of the exterior of the vehicle battery pack; and
a fourth video camera configured to generate a fourth plurality of images of a third portion of the exterior of the vehicle battery pack.
15. The battery pack test system of claim 14 , wherein the second, third, and fourth video cameras provide 360 degree video monitoring of the exterior of the vehicle battery pack.
16. The battery pack test system of claim 14 , wherein the vehicle battery pack passes a fire safety test if none of the second, third, and fourth plurality of images indicate a flame propagating outside of the vehicle battery pack during a predetermined time interval.
17. The battery pack test system of claim 16 , wherein the predetermined time interval is in a range of 5-10 minutes.