Apparatus, system, and method for battery venting containment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-8956746-B2
Application number	US-15847405-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 22, 2005
Priority date	Jun 22, 2005
Publication date	Feb 17, 2015
Grant date	Feb 17, 2015

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for battery venting containment that include a battery enclosure configured to contain emissions from one or more battery cells within the enclosure upon a rupture of a case of the one or more battery cells. The battery enclosure includes a first side of the battery enclosure configured to expand upon rupture of the case of the one or more battery cells within the enclosure and a second side of the battery enclosure configured to be rigid.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for battery venting containment, the apparatus comprising:
a battery enclosure for containing emissions from one or more battery cells within the enclosure upon a rupture of a case of the one or more battery cells, the battery enclosure comprising
a first side of the battery enclosure that expands upon rupture of the case of the one or more battery cells within the enclosure, wherein the battery enclosure expands to contain the emissions from the rupture and does not contract to a pre-expansion shape;
a sleeve exterior to the first side that directs expansion of the battery enclosure away from a device attached to the battery enclosure;
a second side of the battery enclosure comprising a rigid, the second side comprising a solid substantially planar wall; and
an emissions venting mechanism that vents emissions from the battery enclosure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second side rotates along a hinge as the first side expands.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the battery enclosure is one or more of fire resistant and resistant to explosion of one or more battery cells within the battery enclosure.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the emissions comprise gases, solids or liquids.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the battery enclosure is at least partly formed of meta-aramid synthetic fiber.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the battery enclosure is at least partly formed of para-aramid synthetic fiber.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the emissions venting mechanism comprises a valve.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the emissions venting mechanism comprises a restricted orifice.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the emissions venting device comprises a material porous to at least a portion of the emissions.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more battery cells comprise high energy battery cells.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the high energy battery cells are of the group comprising lithium-ion battery cells, nickel cadmium battery cells, and nickel-hydrogen battery cells.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the battery enclosure further comprises electrical terminals, the electrical terminals connected to the one or more battery cells and extending to the exterior of the battery enclosure, the electrical terminals sealed to the battery enclosure.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more expandable sides are rolled and are configured to unroll to contain the emissions.

14. An apparatus for battery venting containment, the apparatus comprising:
a battery enclosure for containing emissions from one or more battery cells within the enclosure upon a rupture of a case of the one or more battery cells, the battery enclosure comprising
a first side of the battery enclosure that expands upon rupture of the case of the one or more battery cells within the enclosure, wherein the battery enclosure expands to contain the emissions from the rupture and does not contract to a pre-expansion shape;
a second side of the battery enclosure comprising a rigid side, the second side comprising a solid substantially planar wall;
a third side of the battery enclosure comprising a rigid side, the third rigid side on an opposite side of the battery enclosure relative to the second rigid side and connected to the second rigid side by at least the first expandable side of the enclosure such that the third rigid side moves away from the second rigid side in response to expansion of the enclosure, the third side comprising a solid substantially planar wall; and
an emissions venting mechanism that vents emissions from the battery enclosure.

15. A system for battery venting containment, the system comprising:
an electronic device; and
a battery connected to the electronic device, the battery comprising a battery enclosure for containing emissions from one or more battery cells within the enclosure upon a rupture of the case of the one or more battery cells, the battery enclosure comprising
a plurality of first sides of the battery enclosure that expand upon rupture of the case of the one or more battery cells within the enclosure, wherein the battery enclosure expands to contain the emissions from the rupture and does not contract to a pre-expansion shape;
a sleeve exterior to the plurality of first sides that directs expansion of the battery enclosure away from the electronic device;
a second side of the battery enclosure comprising a rigid side, the second side comprising a solid substantially planar wall, the second side connected to the plurality of first sides, the second side rotating along a hinge as the plurality of first sides expand; and
an emissions venting mechanism that vents emissions from the battery enclosure.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the battery enclosure is fire resistant.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the battery enclosure is resistant to explosion of one or more battery cells within the battery enclosure.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the battery enclosure further comprises electrical terminals, the electrical terminals connected to the one or more battery cells and extending to the exterior of the battery enclosure, the electrical terminals sealed to the battery enclosure.

19. A method for battery venting containment, the method comprising:
providing a battery having a battery enclosure for containing emissions from one or more battery cells within the enclosure upon a rupture of a case of the one or more battery cells, the battery enclosure comprising
a first side of the battery enclosure that expands upon rupture of the case of the one or more battery cells within the enclosure, wherein the battery enclosure expands to contain the emissions from the rupture and does not contract to a pre-expansion shape;
a sleeve exterior to the plurality of first sides to direct expansion of the battery enclosure away from an electronic device;
a second side of the battery enclosure comprising a rigid side, the second side comprising a solid substantially planar wall; and
an emissions venting mechanism that vents emissions from the battery enclosure; and

attaching the battery to the electronic device.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising containing emissions from a rupture of a case of one or more battery cells within the enclosure.

21. An apparatus for battery venting containment, the apparatus comprising:
means for containing emissions from one or more battery cells within a battery enclosure of a battery upon a rupture of a case of the one or more battery cells, the battery enclosure comprising a first side of the battery enclosure that expands upon rupture of the case of the one or more battery cells within the enclosure, wherein the battery enclosure expands to contain the emissions from the rupture and does not contract to a pre-expansion shape, the battery enclosure comprising a rigid side, the rigid side comprising a solid substantially planar wall, the battery enclosure further comprising an emissions venting mechanism that vents emissions from the battery enclosure; and
means for attaching the battery to an electronic device.

Assignees

• Cook Derek Kristopher
• Dunbar James Mayes
• Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd

Inventors

• Cook Derek Kristopher
• Dunbar James Mayes

Classifications

• H01M50/24

  adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion (thermal insulation H01M10/658) · CPC title

• H01M50/207

  characterised by their shape · CPC title

• H01M50/227

  Organic material · CPC title

• H01M50/296

  characterised by terminals of battery packs (terminals of batteries H01M50/543) · CPC title

• H01M50/3425 Primary

  in the form of rupturable membranes or weakened parts, e.g. pierced with the aid of a sharp member · CPC title