초록 ▼

Mechanically and thermally improved rechargeable batteries, modules and fluid-cooled battery pack systems. The battery is prismatic in shape with an optimized thickness to width to height aspect ratio which provides the battery with balanced optimal properties when compared with prismatic batteries

Mechanically and thermally improved rechargeable batteries, modules and fluid-cooled battery pack systems. The battery is prismatic in shape with an optimized thickness to width to height aspect ratio which provides the battery with balanced optimal properties when compared with prismatic batteries lacking this optimized aspect ratio. The optimized thickness, width and height allow for maximum capacity and power output, while eliminating deleterious side affects. The battery case design allows for unidirectional expansion which is readily compensated for by applying external mechanical compression counter to that direction. In the module, the batteries are bound within a module bundling/compression means under external mechanical compression which is optimized to balance outward pressure due to expansion and provide additional inward compression to reduce the distance between the positive and negative electrodes, thereby increasing overall battery power. The fluid-cooled battery pack includes; 1) a battery-pack case having coolant inlet and outlet; 2) battery modules within the case such that the battery module is spaced from the case walls and from other battery modules to form coolant flow channels along at least one surface of the bundled batteries; and 3) at least one coolant transport means. The width of the coolant flow channels allows for maximum heat transfer. Finally the batteries, modules and packs can also include means for providing variable thermal insulation to at least that portion of the rechargeable battery system which is most directly exposed to said ambient thermal condition, so as to maintain the temperature of the rechargeable battery system within the desired operating range thereof under variable ambient conditions.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A fluid cooled battery-pack system, said system including:a battery-pack case, said case including at least one coolant inlet means and at least one coolant outlet means;a plurality of battery modules disposed within and arranged in a matrix configuration within said case, said bat

[ We claim:] [1.] A fluid cooled battery-pack system, said system including:a battery-pack case, said case including at least one coolant inlet means and at least one coolant outlet means;a plurality of battery modules disposed within and arranged in a matrix configuration within said case, said battery modules including a plurality of individual batteries bundled together, said matrix configuration allowing for coolant flow directly across at least one surface of said bundled batteries of each of said battery modules, said modules being positioned within said case such that said battery modules are spacedly disposed from said case and from other battery modules disposed within said case to form coolant flow channels along at least one surface of said bundled batteries, the width of said coolant flow channels optimally sized to allow for maximum heat transfer, through convective, conductive and radiative heat transfer mechanisms, directly from said batteries to said coolant; andat least one coolant transport means, said coolant transport means causing said coolant to enter said coolant inlet means of said case, to flow through said coolant flow channels and to exit said coolant outlet means of said case.