Other

Rui Zhao

Jie Liu

Long Zhai

A low temperature (e.g., lower than 0&#xb0; C.) or a high temperature (e.g., higher than 50&#xb0; C.) can degrade battery performance, especially within lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries, and even accelerate the capacity fading. To ensure a long term and safe operation of Li-ion batteries, the battery thermal management (BTM) system becomes a crucial part to control the temperature of each discrete battery or every battery within a battery pack. Within the prior art a phase change material (PCM) has been employed combined with a graphite matrix. However, the graphite lowers the latent heat of entire BTM system and increases the manufacturing cost. Embodiments of the invention provide sealed mandrels or elements which immobilize the PCM without impacting the latent heat of the entire BTM system and increasing manufacturing costs.

Internal battery thermal management system for secondary batteries

This patent provides a battery heating technique that preheats the battery from extreme cold condition (e.g., &#x2212;30&#xb0; C.) to an appropriate operating temperature. This technique belongs to the battery energy storage and application field. The battery heating system includes a simple external control circuit and a battery (or battery pack) for heating. During the heating stage, the external control circuit and battery (or battery pack) forms a close loop. A continuous and pulse current will flow through the battery and generate joule heat on the battery internal resistance to preheat the battery (or battery pack). The heating technique can be used on any types of batteries without changing their internal and external structures, and this technique is low cost and can preheats the battery (or battery pack) from &#x2212;30&#xb0; C. to 0&#xb0; C. in one minute. By using the internal resistance as the heat source, the heating technique can heat the battery (or battery pack) uniformly and is of high efficiency.

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Ottawa, Canada

Rui Zhao