Mechanical and thermal improvements in metal hydride batteries, battery modules and battery packs

Abstract

Mechanically and thermally improved rechargeable batteries and modules. 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. Finally the batteries, modules and packs thereof 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 ambient thermal conditions, so as to maintain the temperature of the rechargeable battery system within the desired operating range thereof under variable ambient conditions.