IP Library Granted Patent US 10,120,035
Granted Patent B2
US 10,120,035 · App. 14/956,011 · Granted Nov 6, 2018

Monitoring and control of electrochemical cell degradation via strain based battery testing

Inventors: Joe Steiber (Spring Branch, TX); Jeff Qiang Xu (San Antonio, TX)
Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
G01R31/3679G01R31/3648
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,120,035
App. No.
14/956,011
Granted
Nov 6, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and system for the monitoring and control of electrochemical cell degradation by use of strain-based battery testing. Strain-based battery is employed to recognize and implement a battery revival cycle to reduce battery degradation rates.

Claims (33)

1. A computer-implemented method for monitoring and control of electrochemical cell degradation and state of health (SOH) of a battery comprising:

applying a strain gauge to said battery;

measuring a first strain of said battery (S 1 ) using said strain gauge at an initial state of said battery ε ;

exposing said battery to charge/discharge cycling;

measuring a second strain ε of said battery (S 2 ) after said charge/discharge cycling, using said strain gauge, wherein said second strain is equal to ε o +Δ ε , where Δ ε is the measured change in strain;

determining, by a controller, said measured change in strain Δ ε based on said measured first (S 1 ) strain and said measured second strain (S 2 ) of said battery, wherein said measured change in strain Δ ε is a function of battery voltage and the rate of change of said battery SOH varies with respect to strain;

determining, by the controller, a change in the SOH of said battery after said charge/discharge cycling; and

subsequent to determining the change in the SOH of said battery after said charge/discharge cycling, exposing said battery to a revival cycle comprising thermal treatment based on the SOH of said battery.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said strain gauge is applied with direct physical contact to said battery.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said strain gauge is applied to a strap, said strap configured to secure one or more battery cells of said battery.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said strain gauge is applied to said battery along a selected dimension comprising at least one of a length, width or height of said battery, said selected dimension based on a response of said battery to a change from said initial state to said aged state.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said strain gauge is applied to said battery along a selected dimension comprising any combination of length, width and height of said battery, said selected dimension based on a response of said battery to a change from said initial state to said aged state.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said strain gauge is applied to said battery along a selected dimension to measure a change in volume of said battery.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said thermal treatment comprises heating said battery at a temperature of less than or equal to 55° C.

8. A computer-implemented method for monitoring and control of electrochemical cell degradation and state of health (SOH) of a battery comprising:

applying a strain gauge to said battery;

measuring a first strain of said battery (S 1 ) using said strain gauge at an initial state of said battery ε o ;

exposing said battery to charge/discharge cycling;

measuring a second strain ε of said battery (S 2 ) after said charge/discharge cycling, using said strain gauge, wherein said second strain is equal to ε o +Δ ε , where Δ ε is the measured change in strain;

determining, by a controller, said measured change in strain based on said measured first (S 1 ) strain and said measured second strain (S 2 ) of said battery, wherein said measured change in strain Δ ε is a function of battery voltage and the rate of change of said battery SOH varies with respect to strain;

determining, by the controller, a change in the SOH of said battery after said charge/discharge cycling; and

exposing said battery to a revival cycle comprising thermal treatment wherein said battery SOH is determined to be less than or equal to 2.0%.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said charge/discharge cycling comprising a plurality of cycles.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said plurality of charge/discharge cycles comprises up to 200 cycles.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein subsequent to said battery revival cycle said battery SOH is determined to be less than or equal to 1.0%.

12. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of non-transitory instructions that when executed by a controller result in the following operations for monitoring and control of electrochemical cell degradation and state of health (SOH) of a battery, wherein said battery includes a strain gauge:

causing to be measured a first strain of said battery (S 1 ) using said strain gauge at an initial state of said battery ε o ;

causing to be exposed said battery to charge/discharge cycling;

causing to be measured a second strain ε of said battery (S 2 ) after said charge/discharge cycling, using said strain gauge, wherein said second strain is equal to ε o +Δ ε , where Δ ε is the measured change in strain;

determining, by a controller, said measured change in strain Δ ε based on said measured first (S 1 ) strain and said measured second strain (S 2 ) of said battery, wherein said measured change in strain Δ ε is a function of battery voltage and the rate of change of said battery SOH varies with respect to strain;

determining a change in the SOH of said battery after said charge/discharge cycling; and

exposing said battery to a revival cycle comprising thermal treatment wherein said battery SOH is determined to be less than or equal to a predetermined value.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12 , wherein said predetermined value is 2.0%.

Assignments (3)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Jun 29, 2016
From: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
To: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 039205/0804 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 28, 2016
From: STEIBER, JOE
To: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Reel/Frame 038112/0070 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 28, 2016
From: XU, JEFF QIANG
To: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Reel/Frame 038112/0275 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170153292A1 · Jun 1, 2017
Cited By (2)
US 12,313,687 US 12,397,678