Apple Inc.

Other

Luke A Wilhelm

Josef L Miler

Jonathan L Hall

Mujeeb I Ijaz

Abraham Bruno Caulk

Ghyrn E Loveness

Yu-Hung Li

Maria N Luckyanova

Dirk E Long

Qingcheng Zeng

Edward T Sweet

Donald G Dafoe

Steven Kaye

Edward P Yankoski

Alexander J Clarabut

Andrew C Chu

Edward T Hillstrom

Evan D Maley

Zhongying Shi

Kenneth S Smith

Russell A McLellan

Battery packs according to some embodiments of the present technology may include a first longitudinal beam and a second longitudinal beam. The battery packs may include a plurality of cell blocks disposed between the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam. The plurality of cell blocks may include first and second cell blocks each characterized by a first side surface proximate the first longitudinal beam, a second side surface, a third side surface proximate the second longitudinal beam, and a fourth side surface. The battery packs may include a first interface material thermally coupling the first side surface of the first cell block with the first longitudinal beam. The battery packs may also include a second interface material thermally coupling the third side surface of the second cell block with the second longitudinal beam.

Battery pack heat dispensing systems

Energy storage systems, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include an abatement system for addressing effluent vapors produced by a cell block. The systems may include support structures configured to address vented effluents, and may include oxidants, catalysts, or entrainment systems to assist with the abatement.

On-board vent gas abatement

A battery cell includes a cathode casing forming all or a majority of the external can of the battery cell. The battery further includes an anode tab covering at least a portion of a face of the battery cell and an insulating layer for electrically isolating the anode tab from the cathode casing. A plurality of such battery cells may be arranged within a battery pack in contact with each other, and may be held in compression. A conduction enhancement layer may be applied between the anode tab of a first cell and the cathode casing of a second cell within the battery pack. One or more heat dissipation elements may be arranged within the battery pack, in contact with the battery cells.

Battery cell interconnect and methods of manufacture thereof

A battery quenching system includes a reservoir that holds a quenching material. The battery quenching system further includes a distribution system for carrying the quenching material from the reservoir to a battery pack, a battery module, or a plurality of battery cells. The battery quenching system further includes a melting plug configured to melt at a predefined temperature, the melting of the plug resulting in release of the quenching material into the battery pack via the distribution system. The melting plug may be positioned within a tube of the distribution system or within an aperture of a battery enclosure. The battery quenching system may further include one or more quenching channels positioned within a battery pack. The distribution system may be configured to carry the quenching material to any or several of a plurality of locations within a battery pack or battery system.

Battery liquid quench system and methods of manufacture thereof

Battery packs are presented having structural members for improving thermal management of battery cells therein. In some embodiments, the battery packs include a first end-member positioned opposite a second end-member and parallel thereto. The battery packs also include a first side beam positioned opposite a second side beam and parallel thereto. The first side beam and the second side beam extend longitudinally between the first end-member and the second end-member. A longitudinal member is disposed between the first side beam and the second side beam and defines a plurality of longitudinal rows. The battery packs may additionally include a lateral member disposed between first end-member and the second end-member to partition the plurality of longitudinal rows into an array of battery cell compartments. A battery cell is disposed within at least one battery cell compartment.

Battery packs having structural members for improving thermal management

Energy storage systems, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a heat exchanger or fluid delivery structure that may transfer heat from a battery cell or cell block to a heat exchange fluid. The heat exchanger or fluid delivery structure may substantially maintain an interfacial temperature during a temperature increase from the battery cell or cell block.

Directed quench systems and components

Battery packs are presented. The battery packs include a plurality of cell blocks, each cell block comprising a plurality of battery cells. The battery pack also includes a plenum chamber configured to fluidly couple each of the cell blocks to an exterior of the battery pack in response to a thermal event in the battery cell in a separate cell block. In some embodiments, at least one of the cell blocks is configured to be fluidly coupled to the plenum structure via a cell block vent.

High-density battery pack

Insulators and polymer-coated insulators are provided. The insulators can include thermally-insulating nanoparticles and a binder configured to volatilize at a volatilization temperature. Insulators can also include an inorganic thermally-insulating material forming a porous structure. The porous structure can be configured to reduce the mean free path of gases in the insulator as compared to gases outside the porous structure. Polymer-coated insulators including an inorganic thermally-insulating material and a polymer coating disposed on the surface of the inorganic thermally-insulating material are also provided. Insulators can also include thermally-insulating nanoparticles and an opacifier. The opacifier can include a carbonaceous material coated with a refractory material that inhibits oxidation of the carbonaceous material at a carbon oxidation temperature. The insulators or polymer-coated insulators can be disposed between battery cells or battery cell blocks in an apparatus.

Growing community of inventors

Sausalito, CA, United States of America

Luke A Wilhelm