The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 15, 2011
Filed:
May. 28, 2009
Weston Arthur Hermann, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Daniel Nicholas Brncic, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Paul Bryan Kreiner, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Scott Ira Kohn, Redwood City, CA (US);
Dorian West, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Jonathan Louis Hall, San Mateo, CA (US);
Weston Arthur Hermann, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Daniel Nicholas Brncic, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Paul Bryan Kreiner, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Scott Ira Kohn, Redwood City, CA (US);
Dorian West, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Jonathan Louis Hall, San Mateo, CA (US);
Tesla Motors, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for determining when a battery, or one or more batteries within a battery pack, undergoes an undesired thermal event such as thermal runaway. The system uses a conductive member mounted in close proximity to, or in contact with, an external surface of the battery or batteries to be monitored. A resistance measuring system such as a continuity-tester or an ohmmeter is coupled to the conductive member, the resistance measuring system outputting a first signal when the temperature corresponding to the battery or batteries is within a prescribed temperature range and a second signal when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature that falls outside of the prescribed temperature range.