POUCH CONTAINMENT SYSTEM FOR THERMAL PROTECTION USING FOLDED AIRBAG AMPLIFICATION AND EXPANSION PATTERNS
This disclosure describes a battery device with at least two battery cells and a stainless-steel foil pouch with folded amplification and expansion patterns located between the battery cells. The metal foil pouch holds a liquid and/or chemicals that prevent and/or delay thermal propagation.
1 . A battery protection system, comprising:
a folded metal barrier disposed between a plurality of battery cells,
wherein:
the folded metal barrier comprises a sealed chamber configured to unfold and expand under internal pressure, providing amplified separation between the plurality of battery cells,
the sealed chamber comprises a fluid, and
the internal pressure is generated at least in part by a thermally induced phase change of the fluid.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the folded metal barrier is operable to separate cylindrical battery cells or prismatic battery cells.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the folded metal barrier is configured to generate curvature during inflation.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein folds of the folded metal barrier are orthogonally aligned to the principal axes of heat flow between the plurality of battery cells.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the folded metal barrier comprises one or more of titanium, stainless steel, copper, Inconel, chromium, chrome, gold, silver, molybdenum, nickel, carbon steel, steel, and tungsten.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the folded metal barrier is constructed as a rollable strip that is trimmable for custom module geometries.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein folds of the folded metal barrier comprise thermally reactive joints that accelerate expansion upon heating.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein unfolding is assisted by a chemical phase change within the sealed chamber.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the expansion is initiated by water or water-based fluids within the sealed chamber configured to vaporize within 100-500 milliseconds of an onset of a thermal event.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the folded metal barrier comprises a plurality of fluid filled chambers.
11 - 20 . (canceled)