POUCH CONTAINMENT SYSTEM FOR THERMAL PROTECTION USING A WELDED METAL AIRBAG ASSEMBLY
This disclosure describes a battery device with at least two battery cells and a stainless-steel foil pouch located between the battery cells. The stainless-steel foil pouch holds a liquid and/or chemicals that prevent and/or delay thermal propagation.
1 . A battery protection system comprising:
a plurality of metal sheets sealed together to form a battery protection system comprising at least one chamber configured to expand when heated to separate adjacent battery cells during a thermal event, wherein the at least one chamber contains a liquid, phase-change material configured to vaporize upon heating to generate the expansion.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the battery protection system comprises a single continuous strip configured to span a submodule of battery cells.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one chamber comprises a plurality of discrete pockets.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the battery protection system is sealed by welding.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the battery protection system comprises a polymer coating enclosing the sealed metal sheets.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the battery protection system is configured to unfold upon expansion.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the battery protection system is configured for use at a cell level within a battery system.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the battery protection system comprises a metal selected from stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, Inconel, or carbon steel.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the battery protection system comprises thermally conductive materials to support heat dissipation during operation.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the battery protection system comprises an insulating or intumescent coating.
11 . A method comprising:
sealing a liquid, phase-change material between two metal sheets to form a battery protection system, wherein the liquid, phase-change material is configured to vaporize upon heating to generate an expansion; and
inserting the battery protection system between a plurality of battery cells.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the battery protection system comprises a single continuous strip configured to span a submodule of battery cells.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the at least one chamber comprises a plurality of discrete pockets.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the sealing comprises welding.
15 . The method of claim 11 , comprising coating the battery protection system with a polymer.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the battery protection system is configured to unfold upon expansion.
17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the battery protection system is configured for use at a cell level within a battery system.
18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the two metal sheets comprise a metal selected from stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, Inconel, or carbon steel.
19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein comprising coating the battery protection system with a thermally conductive material.
20 . The method of claim 11 , comprising coating the battery protection system with an insulating or intumescent coating.