This disclosure describes a battery device with one or more battery cells and an insulation layer that reduces and/or delays thermal propagation. The insulating layer may be hermetically sealed into the cell. The insulating layer may be thermally stable up to 1800 C. The insulating layer may have a thermal conductivity less than 1 W/(m.Math.K). The insulating layer may comprise a ceramic material. For example, the insulating layer may comprise a porous ceramic paper that is saturated or coated with another material.

This disclosure describes a battery device with one or more battery cells and an insulation layer that reduces and/or delays thermal propagation. The insulating layer may be hermetically sealed into the cell. The insulating layer may be thermally stable up to 1800 C. The insulating layer may have a thermal conductivity less than 1 W/(m.Math.K). The insulating layer may comprise a ceramic material. For example, the insulating layer may comprise a porous ceramic paper that is saturated or coated with another material.

This disclosure describes safety-enhancement state-of-charge (SOC) reduction devices for propagation resistant lithium-ion batteries. The SOC reduction device is added between the electrodes of a lithium-ion cell. Before thermal runaway can occur, the SOC reduction device shorts the electrodes according to a trigger temperature.

A battery module includes neighboring first and second battery cells and a heat sink in contact with and configured to absorb thermal energy from each of the battery cells. The module additionally includes a module enclosure surrounded by ambient environment, housing each of the first and second battery cells and the heat sink, and configured to include a thermal conductivity path from the first cell to at least one of the second cell and the heat sink and from the heat sink to the enclosure. The battery module further includes a metal-hydroxide element configured to undergo a chemical decomposition and discharge moisture within the thermal conductivity path in response to thermal energy released by the first cell when the first cell undergoes a thermal runaway event. The metal-hydroxide element thereby controls propagation of the thermal runaway event from the first cell to the second cell.

A battery module includes neighboring first and second battery cells and a heat sink in contact with and configured to absorb thermal energy from each of the battery cells. The module additionally includes a module enclosure surrounded by ambient environment, housing each of the first and second battery cells and the heat sink, and configured to include a thermal conductivity path from the first cell to at least one of the second cell and the heat sink and from the heat sink to the enclosure. The battery module further includes a metal-hydroxide element configured to undergo a chemical decomposition and discharge moisture within the thermal conductivity path in response to thermal energy released by the first cell when the first cell undergoes a thermal runaway event. The metal-hydroxide element thereby controls propagation of the thermal runaway event from the first cell to the second cell.

The invention provides a thermal runaway suppressant of lithium batteries and the related applications. The thermal runaway suppressant includes a passivation composition supplier, for releasing a metal ion (A), selected from a non-lithium alkali metal ion, an alkaline earth metal ion or a combination thereof, and an amphoteric metal ion (B), a polar solution supplier and an isolating mechanism, which is capable of separating the passivation composition supplier and the polar solution supplier within a predetermined temperature. When the isolating mechanism is failed and the polar solution supplier releases a polar solution to carry the metal ion (A) and the amphoteric metal ion (B) into the lithium battery and react with the positive active material and the negative active material to a state with lower energy. The voltage of the whole battery is decreased and the electrochemical reaction pathway is blocked to prevent the thermal runaway from occurring.

The invention provides a thermal runaway suppressant of lithium batteries and the related applications. The thermal runaway suppressant includes a passivation composition supplier, for releasing a metal ion (A), selected from a non-lithium alkali metal ion, an alkaline earth metal ion or a combination thereof, and an amphoteric metal ion (B), a polar solution supplier and an isolating mechanism, which is capable of separating the passivation composition supplier and the polar solution supplier within a predetermined temperature. When the isolating mechanism is failed and the polar solution supplier releases a polar solution to carry the metal ion (A) and the amphoteric metal ion (B) into the lithium battery and react with the positive active material and the negative active material to a state with lower energy. The voltage of the whole battery is decreased and the electrochemical reaction pathway is blocked to prevent the thermal runaway from occurring.

The invention utilizes the heat storage capabilities of the mineral family of zeolites. Zeolite media is stored in a container. There is a place to add water to the zeolite in the container that will then release heat. The zeolite media releases its heat and heats a coil that is within the container and extends outside the container to heat a battery or a surrounding area. When the heat stored in the zeolite is exhausted it is recharged by using the heat coil in reverse to heat the zeolite and evaporate the water. The steam leaves the container through a one-way steam valve. Once the water is evaporated the zeolite is recharged with heat and ready for another use. This invention has a simple functionality store heat in zeolite, add water to release heat from zeolite, reheat the zeolite when evaporating the water. The invention contains the infrastructure required.

The invention utilizes the heat storage capabilities of the mineral family of zeolites. Zeolite media is stored in a container. There is a place to add water to the zeolite in the container that will then release heat. The zeolite media releases its heat and heats a coil that is within the container and extends outside the container to heat a battery or a surrounding area. When the heat stored in the zeolite is exhausted it is recharged by using the heat coil in reverse to heat the zeolite and evaporate the water. The steam leaves the container through a one-way steam valve. Once the water is evaporated the zeolite is recharged with heat and ready for another use. This invention has a simple functionality store heat in zeolite, add water to release heat from zeolite, reheat the zeolite when evaporating the water. The invention contains the infrastructure required.

A battery cell is presented. The battery cell has a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator positioned between the electrodes. The separator includes a water wicking thermo-responsive organophosphate ceramic coating configured to release water as a temperature within the battery cell rises.