HAZARD MITIGATION THROUGH GAS FLOW COMMUNICATION BETWEEN BATTERY PACKS

Abstract

A system and method for mitigating the effects of a thermal event within a non-metal-air battery pack is provided in which the hot gas and material generated during the event is directed into the metal-air cells of a metal-air battery pack. The metal-air cells provide a large thermal mass for absorbing at least a portion of the thermal energy generated during the event before it is released to the ambient environment. As a result, the risks to vehicle passengers, bystanders, first responders and property are limited.

Claims

1-25. (canceled)

26. A method of mitigating the effects of a thermal event within a non-metal-air battery pack, the method comprising: coupling a hot gas outlet corresponding to the non-metal-air battery pack to an air inlet of a metal-air battery pack upon the occurrence of the thermal event within the non-metal-air battery pack; and directing air flow from the hot gas outlet of the non-metal-air battery pack through the air inlet of the metal-air battery pack and through a plurality of metal-air cells within the metal-air battery pack upon the occurrence of the thermal event within the non-metal-air battery pack.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein directing the air flow comprises opening a valve that controls the air flow from the hot gas outlet of the non-metal-air battery pack, responsive to a temperature within the non-metal-air battery pack exceeding a preset temperature, wherein the preset temperature corresponds to a temperature at which at least one of a plurality of non-metal-air cells within the non-metal-air battery pack enters into thermal runaway.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein directing the air flow comprises opening a valve that controls the air flow from the hot gas outlet of the non-metal-air battery pack responsive to a pressure within the non-metal-air battery pack exceeding a preset pressure, wherein the preset pressure corresponds to a pressure at which at least one of a plurality of non-metal-air cells within the non-metal-air battery pack enters into thermal runaway.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising: monitoring a temperature or pressure within the non-metal-air battery pack; comparing the temperature within the non-metal-air battery pack to at least one of a preset temperature or a preset pressure, the preset temperature corresponding to a temperature at which at least one of a plurality of non-metal-air cells within the non-metal-air battery pack enters or into thermal runaway, or comparing the pressure within the non-metal-air battery pack to a preset pressure, and the preset pressure corresponding to a pressure at which at least one of a plurality of non-metal-air cells within the non-metal-air battery pack entering into thermal runaway; and wherein directing the air flow comprises opening a valve that controls the air flow from the hot gas outlet of the non-metal-air battery pack responsive to the temperature within the non-metal-air battery pack exceeding the preset temperature or the pressure within the non-metal-air battery pack exceeding the preset pressure.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein directing the air flow comprises: opening a first valve that controls the air flow from the hot gas outlet of the non-metal-air battery pack, wherein opening the first valve is performed in response to a non-metal-air battery pack temperature within the non-metal-air battery pack exceeding a first preset temperature, wherein the first preset temperature corresponds to a temperature at which at least one of a plurality of non-metal-air cells within the non-metal-air battery pack enters into thermal runaway; closing a second valve that controls air flow from a primary air source through the air inlet of the metal-air battery pack and through the plurality of metal-air cells within the metal-air battery pack, wherein the primary air source is different from the hot gas outlet, and wherein closing the second valve is performed in response to the non-metal-air battery pack temperature exceeding the first preset temperature; closing a third valve that controls air flow out of the metal-air battery pack and to an ambient environment, wherein closing the third valve is performed in response to the non-metal-air battery pack temperature exceeding the first preset temperature; and opening the third valve that controls air flow out of the metal-air battery pack and to the ambient environment, wherein opening the third valve is performed in response to a metal-air battery pack temperature within the metal-air battery pack exceeding a second preset temperature or in response to a metal-air battery pack pressure within the metal-air battery pack exceeding a preset pressure, and wherein opening the third valve occurs after closing the third valve.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein directing the air flow comprises: opening a first valve that controls the air flow from the hot gas outlet of the non-metal-air battery pack, wherein opening the first valve is performed in response to a non-metal-air battery pack pressure within the non-metal-air battery pack exceeding a first preset pressure, wherein the first preset pressure corresponds to a pressure at which at least one of a plurality of non-metal-air cells within the non-metal-air battery pack enters into thermal runaway; closing a second valve that controls air flow from a primary air source through the air inlet of the metal-air battery pack and through the plurality of metal-air cells within the metal-air battery pack, wherein the primary air source is different from the hot gas outlet, and wherein closing the second valve is performed in response to the non-metal-air battery pack pressure exceeding the first preset pressure; closing a third valve that controls air flow out of the metal-air battery pack and to an ambient environment, wherein closing the third valve is performed in response to the non-metal-air battery pack pressure exceeding the first preset pressure; and opening the third valve that controls air flow out of the metal-air battery pack and to the ambient environment, wherein opening the third valve is performed in response to a metal-air battery pack pressure within the metal-air battery pack exceeding a second preset pressure or in response to a metal-air battery pack temperature within the metal-air battery pack exceeding a preset temperature, and wherein opening the third valve occurs after closing the third valve.

32. A method of mitigating effects of a thermal event within a non-metal-air battery pack, the method comprising: opening a first valve that controls an air flow from a hot gas outlet of the non-metal-air battery pack, wherein the opening of the first valve is performed in response to a non-metal-air battery pack temperature within the non-metal-air battery pack exceeding a first valve opening threshold; and closing a second valve that controls air flow from a primary air source through an air inlet of a metal-air battery pack and through a plurality of metal-air cells within the metal-air battery pack, wherein the primary air source is different from the hot gas outlet, and wherein the closing of the second valve is performed in response to the non-metal-air battery pack exceeding the first valve opening threshold.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising closing a third valve that controls air flow out of the metal-air battery pack and to an ambient environment, wherein closing the third valve is performed in response to the non-metal-air battery pack exceeding the valve opening threshold.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising opening the third valve that controls air flow out of the metal-air battery pack and to the ambient environment, wherein opening the third valve is performed in response to a metal-air battery pack temperature within the metal-air battery pack exceeding a second valve opening threshold, and wherein opening the third valve occurs after closing the third valve.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the first valve opening threshold corresponds to a first preset temperature threshold, the method further comprising: monitoring a temperature within the non-metal-air battery pack; and comparing the temperature within the non-metal-air battery pack to the first preset temperature threshold.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the first preset temperature threshold corresponds to a temperature at which at least one of a plurality of non-metal-air cells within the non-metal-air battery pack enters into thermal runaway.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein the first valve opening threshold corresponds to first pressure threshold, the method further comprising: monitoring a pressure within the non-metal-air battery pack; and comparing the pressure within the non-metal-air battery pack to the first preset pressure threshold.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the first preset pressure threshold corresponds to a pressure at which at least one of a plurality of non-metal-air cells within the non-metal-air battery pack enters into thermal runaway.

39. A method of managing thermal events within a battery pack, the method comprising: coupling a hot gas outlet corresponding to a first battery pack having a first thermal runaway property to an air inlet of a second battery pack having a second thermal runaway property, therein the second thermal runaway property is greater than the first thermal runaway property; and responsive to a thermal event, directing air flow from the hot gas outlet of the first battery pack through the air inlet of the second battery pack.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein directing air flow from the hot gas outlet of the first battery pack through the air inlet of the second battery pack includes opening a first valve that controls the air flow from the hot gas outlet of the non-metal-air battery pack.

41. The method of claim 40 further comprising, responsive to the thermal event, closing a second valve that controls air flow from a primary air source through the air inlet of the metal-air battery pack and through the plurality of metal-air cells within the metal-air battery pack, wherein the primary air source is different from the hot gas outlet.

42. The method of claim 41 further comprising: responsive to the thermal event, closing a third valve that controls air flow out of the second battery pack and to an ambient environment; and subsequent to closing the third valve, opening the third valve that controls air flow out of the metal-air battery pack and to the ambient environment, wherein opening the third valve is performed in response to a second battery pack temperature within the second battery pack exceeding a third valve preset threshold.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein the thermal event corresponds to a temperature associated with the first battery pack exceeding a preset temperature threshold.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein the thermal event corresponds to a pressure associated with the first battery pack exceeding a preset pressure threshold.

45. The method of claim 39, wherein the first battery pack corresponds to a non-metal-air battery pack.

46. The method of claim 39, wherein the second battery pack corresponds to a metal-air battery pack providing access to a plurality of metal-air cells.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates the primary components of an electric vehicle that utilizes both a metal-air battery pack and a conventional battery pack;

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates the basic elements of a hazard mitigation system in accordance with the invention, the figure showing operation of the battery packs during a normal operational period;

[0014] FIG. 3 provides the same hazard mitigation system shown in FIG. 2, modified to show operation when one or more non-metal-air cells enter into thermal runaway;

[0015] FIG. 4 provides the same hazard mitigation system shown in FIG. 2, modified to show operation as the pressure within the metal-air battery pack exceeds a preset level;

[0016] FIG. 5 provides the same hazard mitigation system shown in FIG. 2, modified to show operation of a secondary high pressure relief valve;

[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment in which both non-metal-air cells and metal-air cells are contained within a single battery pack;

[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 in which a barrier separates the non-metal-air cells from the metal-air cells;

[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment utilizing a metal-air battery pack and a conventional battery pack with a duct interposed between the two packs;

[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 which allow the duct of the system shown in FIG. 8 to be minimized or eliminated;

[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 6 utilizing a system controller;

[0022] FIG. 11 illustrates a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 7 utilizing a system controller;

[0023] FIG. 12 illustrates a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 8 utilizing a system controller;

[0024] FIG. 13 illustrates a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 9 utilizing a system controller; and

[0025] FIG. 14 illustrates a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 13 in which the system controller monitors pressure and/or temperature within the metal-air battery pack.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0026] In the following text, the terms battery, cell, and battery cell may be used interchangeably. The term battery pack as used herein refers to one or more individual batteries that are electrically interconnected to achieve the desired voltage and capacity for a particular application. The individual batteries of a battery pack are typically contained within a single piece or multi-piece housing, although it is possible to include multiple battery packs within a single piece or multi-piece housing as described below. The term electric vehicle as used herein refers to an all-electric vehicle, also referred to as an EV, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, also referred to as a PHEV, or a hybrid vehicle (HEV), a hybrid vehicle utilizing multiple propulsion sources one of which is an electric drive system. It should be understood that identical element symbols used on multiple figures refer to the same component, or components of equal functionality. Additionally, the accompanying figures are only meant to illustrate, not limit, the scope of the invention and should not be considered to be to scale.

[0027] Secondary cells may utilize any of a variety of different cell chemistries. As used herein, a conventional cell or conventional cell chemistry refers to a cell that utilizes lithium ion (e.g., lithium iron phosphate, lithium cobalt oxide, other lithium metal oxides, etc.), lithium ion polymer, nickel metal hydride, nickel cadmium, nickel hydrogen, nickel zinc, silver zinc, or similar battery chemistry. In contrast and as used herein, a metal-air cell refers to a cell that utilizes oxygen as one of the electrodes, typically passing the oxygen through a porous metal electrode. The exact nature of the reaction that occurs in a metal-air battery depends upon the metal used in the anode and the composition of the electrolyte. Exemplary metals used in the construction of the anode include zinc, aluminum, magnesium, iron, lithium and vanadium. The cathode in such cells is typically fabricated from a porous structure with the necessary catalytic properties for the oxygen reaction. A suitable electrolyte, such as potassium hydroxide in the case of a zinc-air battery, provides the necessary ionic conductivity between the electrodes while a separator prevents short circuits between the battery electrodes.

[0028] Due to the use of oxygen as one of the reactants, metal-air cells offer a number of advantages over a conventional rechargeable battery, most notably their high energy density and high capacity-to-volume, or capacity-to-weight, ratio. Given these advantages, they are well suited for use in electric vehicles, especially in a dual source configuration in which one or more metal-air battery packs are used in conjunction with one or more conventional battery packs (e.g., lithium ion battery pack(s)). This configuration is illustrated in FIG. 1 which shows the primary components of an EV 100 that utilizes both a metal-air battery pack 101 and a conventional, non-metal-air battery pack 103. As previously noted, as used herein metal-air batteries refer to any cell that utilizes oxygen as one of the electrodes and metal (e.g., zinc, aluminum, magnesium, iron, lithium, vanadium, etc.) in the construction of the other electrode. Conventional battery pack 103 utilizes non-metal-air cells, and preferably ones that provide high power density, thus providing a combined power source that achieves an optimal combination of energy and power. Exemplary batteries used in conventional battery pack 103 include, but are not limited to, lithium ion (e.g., lithium iron phosphate, lithium cobalt oxide, other lithium metal oxides, etc.), lithium ion polymer, nickel metal hydride, nickel cadmium, nickel hydrogen, nickel zinc, silver zinc, etc. In a preferred application, battery packs 101 and 103 are coupled to one or more drive motors 105 that provide propulsion to one or more wheels of EV 100. A controller 107 optimizes the vehicle's dual power source, i.e., battery packs 101 and 103, in light of the current battery pack conditions (e.g., state-of-charge, temperature, etc.), preferred battery pack charge/discharge conditions, and the various operating conditions. Exemplary operating conditions include those placed on the system by the user (e.g., distance, speed, acceleration, etc.), road conditions (e.g., uphill, downhill, traffic, etc.), charging system (e.g., available power, available time for charging, etc.), and environmental conditions (e.g., ambient temperature, humidity, etc.).

[0029] The gas communication system disclosed herein may be used to mitigate the effects of one or more cells within a conventional battery pack undergoing thermal runaway, or undergoing a similar thermal event. FIGS. 2-5 schematically illustrate the basic operation of the hazard mitigation system of the present invention. It should be understood that these figures, as well as those that follow, are intended to illustrate the operation of the invention, and therefore do not show other aspects of a system utilizing the disclosed dual power source. For example, these figures do not show the power electronics, control system, and drive train components that would be necessary to use the dual power source in an electric vehicle, as previously illustrated in FIG. 1. It will be appreciated, however, that the inventors envision the use of the dual power source with the disclosed hazard mitigation system within an electric vehicle (i.e., EV, PHEV, HEV, etc.) as well as other applications.

[0030] In accordance with the invention, during normal use, e.g., during normal vehicle operation, metal-air battery pack 101 and conventional battery pack 103 operate in a manner consistent with a conventional dual power source system. As such, power may be drawn from one or both battery packs 101 and 103, depending upon current battery pack conditions (e.g., state-of-charge (SOC), temperature, etc.) and system needs (e.g., vehicle needs such as speed, acceleration, road conditions, etc.). FIG. 2 illustrates operation of the battery packs during this normal operational period. As shown, preferably conventional battery pack 103 (also referred to herein as the non-metal-air battery pack) is sealed from the ambient environment. Metal-air battery pack 101 is necessarily open to the ambient environment as the metal-air cells within metal-air battery pack 101 require oxygen, for example taken from the ambient atmosphere, since oxygen is one of the reactants and therefore is necessary in order for the cells to discharge. Battery pack 101 also requires a volume, such as the ambient environment or a container system, during the charge cycle when oxygen-rich effluent is generated. Due to the requirement for oxygen during operation, typically all of the metal-air cells within metal-air battery pack 101 are provided with equal access to the air flow. For example, in the exemplary system shown in FIG. 2, metal-air cells 201 are shown positioned in parallel relative to air passageways 203 and 205. In this configuration, either passageway may be used as an inlet, leaving the other passageway to operate as an air outlet. Other approaches may be used to insure sufficient air flow to each of the metal-air cells within pack 101. For example, air may be forced through a plenum that is used to feed the entering air to each of the cells. It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to a specific metal-air cell configuration within battery pack 101, as long as the metal-air cells are provided with sufficient access to oxygen, thus ensuring proper operation.

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates the next stage of operation, when a cell or cells within the non-metal-air battery pack 103 enter into thermal runaway. At this stage, a valve 301 corresponding to conventional battery pack 103 opens. As noted in more detail below, valve 301 may be a pressure valve that opens when the pressure within battery pack 103 exceeds a preset pressure limit. Alternately, valve 301 may open when the temperature within battery pack 103 exceeds a preset temperature. Alternately, valve 301 may be under the control of a system controller that determines when to open valve 301, for example by monitoring pressure and/or temperature within battery pack 103. Note that valve 301 may be a simple open/close valve, or may open in stages, for example depending upon the pressure and/or temperature within pack 103. Once valve 301 opens, the hot gas and material generated during the non-metal-air cell(s) thermal runaway event escapes from pack 103 and is directed into metal-air battery pack 101, and through the metal-air cells 201, as illustrated. Note that as the purpose of the invention is to mitigate hazards by delaying the hot gas generated during the event from reaching the ambient atmosphere, preferably the pathway 303 that couples the two battery packs is sealed to prevent, or at least minimize, the hot gas exiting from pack 103 from coming into contact with the ambient environment. Various ways of sealing this passageway are described more fully below.

[0032] In addition to forming a pathway between the non-metal-air battery pack 103 and the metal-air battery pack 101 during this stage, preferably outlets (e.g., passageway 205) from the metal-air battery pack are closed. Once the pressure becomes great enough, and as illustrated in FIG. 4, valve 205 is opened. Opening valve 205 allows the hot gas escaping from conventional battery pack 103 to pass completely through metal-air battery pack 101. Depending upon the size of the thermal event, as well as the thermal mass of the metal-air cells 201 within metal-air pack 101, potentially the temperature of the hot gas passing through the metal-air pack has been sufficiently lowered to eliminate, or greatly reduce, the risk of spontaneous combustion.

[0033] In a typical configuration, the hot gas and material generated during the thermal event will eventually clog the pores of the porous metal electrodes of metal-air cells 301. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiments of the invention, at least one secondary high pressure relief valve 501 is included in battery pack 103 as shown in FIG. 5. The preset relief pressure for valve 501 is set at a much higher value than that of valve 301. The purpose of valve 501 is to provide a means for relieving the pressure within conventional battery pack 103 once the hot gas generated during the thermal event is no longer able to pass through the metal-air cells 301 of metal-air pack 101 and the pressure within the system begins to raise to an undesirable level.

[0034] As previously noted, the present invention is not limited to a specific configuration for battery packs 101 and 103 as long as the necessary air flow requirements of the invention can be met by the selected configuration. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a single battery pack 601 is used, this battery pack including both metal-air battery pack 101 and non-metal-air battery pack 103. Note that as used in this configuration, battery packs 101 and 103 refer to groups of cells and as such, the groups of cells may or may not be contained within enclosures that are distinct from the enclosure of battery pack 601. In system 600, the groups of cells are not contained within distinct enclosures and therefore metal-air battery pack 101, containing metal-air cells 603, and non-metal-air battery pack 103, containing non-metal-air cells 605, are shown in phantom. If cells 603 and 605 are not contained within separate enclosures, the system may or may not utilize a separation barrier between the cell types. A separation barrier may be used, for example, to control heat flow or air flow between cell types during normal battery operation. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, no separation barrier is used.

[0035] In system 600, pack 601 includes at least a pair of passageways 607 and 609 that allow air to flow into and out of pack 601. The flow of air through passageways 607 and 609 is preferably controlled by valves 608 and 610, respectively. It will be appreciated that while passageways 607 and 609 are shown as singular passageways, each of them may be comprised of multiple passageways in order to provide sufficient air flow, and therefore oxygen, for metal-air cells 603. During a thermal event, passageway 609 is closed (e.g., using valve 610), forcing the hot gas and material generated by one or more non-metal-air cells 605 undergoing thermal runaway to pass through metal-air cells 603 before being expelled through passageway 607. In some embodiments passageway 607 is closed (e.g., using valve 608) during the initial stages of the thermal event, thus delaying the escape of hot gas to the ambient atmosphere. Typically passageway 607 is opened soon after initiation of thermal runaway, thus ensuring that the hot gas passes through metal-air cells 603. Alternately, passageway 607 may be opened only a small amount during the early stages of the event, sufficient to direct the flow of hot gas through the metal-air cells while still limiting airflow out of the pack. As noted above, preferably battery pack 601 includes a secondary high pressure relief valve 611 to avoid over-pressuring pack 601 once the pores of the porous metal electrodes of the metal-air cells 603 become clogged.

[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates a slight modification of system 600. As shown, within battery pack 701, metal-air cells 603 are separated from non-metal-air cells 605 by barrier 703. Barrier 703 prevents the flow of air between the two sets of cell. Accordingly, during normal operation air flows into the portion of battery pack 701 containing metal-air cells 603 through one or more passageways 607, and then out of this portion of the battery pack via one or more passageways 705. Typically the direction of air flow depends upon the orientation and positioning of cells 603 within the battery pack as it is important to maximize air flow during the discharge cycle in order to optimize battery performance.

[0037] In system 700, during a thermal runaway event a valve 707 opens up an air passageway 708 through barrier 703, thus allowing the hot gas and material generated during the event to flow through metal-air cells 603. In addition to opening passageway 707, preferably the passageways that control airflow into and out of the portion of pack 701 containing metal-air cells 603 are also adjusted, for example altering passageways 705 (e.g., using valves 706) to optimize the flow of hot gas from the non-metal-air cells through the metal-air cells. For example, in addition to opening passageway 707 of system 700 during thermal runaway of a non-metal-air cell, preferably passageway 607 is opened and passageways 705 are closed, thus directing the flow of hot gas and material from the non-metal-air cells through the metal-air cells before exiting the pack.

[0038] As previously noted, the present invention may be used in a variety of different system configurations. System 800, shown in FIG. 8, utilizes separate battery packs, i.e., metal-air battery pack 101 and conventional battery pack 103. Preferably, and as shown, a plenum 801 is used to direct the flow of air through metal-air cells 603. It should be understood, however, that other means may be used to direct the flow of air through cells 603, and that plenum 801 is not a requirement of the invention.

[0039] During normal operation, preferably non-metal-air battery pack 103 is closed as previously noted, and air is directed into plenum 801 via passageway 803, the flow through passageway 803 under the control of valve 804. After passing through the metal-air cells 603, the air leaves battery pack 101 via one or more passageways 805. The air flow through passageway 805 is preferably controlled by a valve 806. Once a non-metal-air cell 605 within battery pack 103 begins to overheat and enter into a thermal runaway condition, a valve 809 opens, allowing hot gas and material generated during the event to exit pack 103 via passageway 810 and enter duct 811. At approximately the same time, valve 804 closes and a valve 813 opens, valve 813 allowing the hot gas expelled from battery pack 103 to flow through duct 811 and into plenum 801 via passageway 814. Plenum 801 directs the flow through metal-air cells 803. Exemplary pathways 815 illustrate some of the flow pathways through passageway 814 and plenum 801.

[0040] In system 800, preferably the two battery packs are in close proximity to one another, thereby allowing the length of duct 811 to be minimized. In some configurations, duct 811 may be eliminated altogether. For example, FIG. 9 illustrates slight modification of system 800. As shown, battery packs 101 and 103 are adjacent to one another. In this embodiment, during a thermal event valve 901, controlling the flow of ambient (or other) air into plenum 903 via passageway 902, is closed and valve 903 is opened, thereby allowing the hot gas generated during the thermal event within pack 103 to pass through passageway 904 into plenum 905, and thus through metal-air cells 603 via exemplary pathways 907.

[0041] In the systems illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, if the valve 806 controlling passageway 805 is closed, the hot gas and material from pack 101 will flow into pack 103 until a pressure equilibrium is reached between the packs. The hot gas and material will then be contained within the packs until the thermal event is finished and the packs cool, or until there is a failure within one of the packs (e.g., at an enclosure joint or in a duct, seal, feed-through, valve, etc.). Given the volume of gas generated during a typical thermal runaway event, it will be appreciated that for most systems, maintaining a closed system is not a viable option. Accordingly, in a typical application, passageway 805 is only temporarily sealed, if sealed at all, during the initial stage of thermal runaway. At a predetermined pressure and/or temperature, valve 806 is opened, thus allowing the hot gas and material generated by the event and passing through the metal-air cells to exit the system. As noted above, for many applications the temperature of the hot gas will have been sufficiently reduced to significantly lower the risk of spontaneous combustion of materials in proximity to the expelled hot gas as well as the risks to vehicle occupants, first responders and bystanders.

[0042] In addition to operation of the valve controlling flow through passageway 805, and as noted in the above configurations, preferably battery pack 103 includes a secondary high pressure escape valve 817 that prevents the system from becoming over-pressurized once the pores within the porous metal electrodes of the metal-air cells become clogged. Valve 817 is designed to open at a predetermined pressure and/or temperature that is less than that which would cause the generation of a failure point in one of the packs, ducting, feed-through, seals, etc., but at a sufficiently high pressure, or temperature, to significantly delay the expulsion of hot gas from pack 101.

[0043] The present invention may be implemented either as a mechanical system in which the disclosed hazard mitigation system is automatically implemented by action of one or more valves, or as a smart system in which the valves are under the control of a control system that determines when to open and/or close the control valves. In the first configuration, valves may be used that are designed to open gradually, or completely, based on the pressure and/or temperature. In the second configuration, which is preferred, the valves controlling air flow through the battery packs are under the control of a system controller. Regardless of the technique used to control valve operation, it is important that the valve controlling the flow of hot gas out of the conventional battery pack (e.g., valve 301 in FIGS. 3-5; valve 707 in FIG. 7; valve 809 in FIG. 8; and valve 903 in FIG. 9) opens rapidly, preferably at the onset of a thermal event, thereby quickly mitigating the early effects of a cell undergoing thermal runaway and potentially preventing the initial thermal runaway event from spreading throughout the pack. A rapid response by the system can help contain the event, thus improving the safety to passengers, bystanders and first responders and lowering the risk of collateral damage.

[0044] FIGS. 10-13 illustrate the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6-9, modified to include a system controller 1001 that (i) determines whether a valve is to be opened or closed, and (ii) controls the opening/closing of the valves. As noted below, controller 1001 may be used to control all of the valves, or a subset of the valves. Controller 1001, which includes a processor and memory, may be a stand-alone controller or integrated within another vehicle control system.

[0045] FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG. 6, with the addition of controller 1001. In this embodiment, system controller 1001 determines and controls the operation of valves 608 and 610. Thus, for example, if the metal-air cells 603 are in the discharge mode, controller 1001 opens valves 608 and 610 to ensure sufficient oxygen reaches the cells. Controller 1001 also monitors the pressure and/or temperature within pack 601 and compares the monitored pressure and/or temperature to a preset temperature and/or pressure, the preset values being stored within the controller's memory. FIG. 10 includes at least one pressure sensor 1003 and at least one temperature sensor 1005, although it will be appreciated that the system may monitor only pressure or only temperature, controlling the valves based on the monitored values. In system 1000, once controller 1001 determines that a thermal event is underway, either by determining that the pressure within pack 601 is greater than expected during normal operation or that the temperature within pack 601 is greater than expected during normal operation, valve 610 is closed, thereby forcing the hot gas and material generated by the thermal event to pass through metal-air cells 603 before being expelled through passageway 607. Assuming that the system includes a secondary pressure relief valve 611 as described above, preferably it is also under the control of controller 1001 as shown, although in at least one embodiment, valve 611 is a mechanical valve that operates independently of controller 1001. If valve 611 is under the control of controller 1001, as preferred, then controller 1001 opens valve 611 once the pressure within pack 601 exceeds a second preset value, indicating that the pores within the metal-air cells have become clogged from the material generated by the thermal event and that the pressure within the battery pack has exceeded the second preset value. Preferably the second preset value is less than the failure pressure of the pack.

[0046] FIG. 11 corresponds to FIG. 7, with the inclusion of controller 1001. This system operates in a manner similar to that described previously, given the different valve arrangement. Thus, for example, during normal operation controller 1001 keeps valve 707 closed and valves 608 and 706 open to provide air flow for the metal-air cells. Once a thermal event is detected, controller 1001 opens valve 707 and closes valves 706, thereby forcing the hot gas and material generated by the thermal event to pass through metal-air cells 603 before being expelled through passageway 607.

[0047] FIG. 12 corresponds to FIG. 8, with the inclusion of controller 1001. This system operates in a manner similar to that described previously, given the different valve arrangement. During normal operation controller 1001 keeps valves 809 and 813 closed, and valves 804 and 806 open, thus isolating the non-metal-air cells while providing air flow, and thus oxygen, to metal-air cells 603. When a thermal event is detected, controller 1001 opens valves 809 and 813, and closes valve 804, thereby forcing the hot gas and material generated by the thermal event to pass through metal-air cells 603 before being expelled through passageway 805. As in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, preferably secondary pressure relief valve 817 is under the control of controller 1001, valve 817 being opened when the air flow through the metal-air cells becomes too restrictive, causing the pressure within the conventional battery pack to increase to an undesirable level.

[0048] FIG. 13 corresponds to FIG. 9, with the inclusion of controller 1001. This system operates in a manner similar to that described previously, given the different valve arrangement. Thus, for example, during normal operation controller 1001 keeps valve 903 closed and valves 901 and 806 open. When a thermal event is detected, controller 1001 opens valve 903 and closes valve 901 in order to force the thermal event effluent to pass through the metal-air cells before being expelled through passageway 805.

[0049] It will be appreciated that the invention may be incorporated into other configurations and embodiments than those shown and described above, and the illustrated configurations and embodiments are only meant to illustrate the primary aspects of the invention. For example, the metal-air battery pack may utilize more than the number of illustrated inlets in order to achieve the desired airflow during normal metal-air battery pack operation. To illustrate another variation of the invention, FIG. 14 shows a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13. In system 1400, controller 1001 also monitors the pressure and/or temperature within metal-air battery pack 101 using sensor 1401. In one configuration, during the initial stages of a thermal event, controller 1001 closes valve 806, thus further delaying the expulsion of hot gas from the system. Once the pressure and/or temperature within battery pack 101 exceeds a preset value, or once the pressure within packs 101 and 103 equalize, controller 1001 opens valve 806. Alternately, controller 1001 may control the amount that valve 806 is opened based on the pressure within pack 101, for example just cracking valve 806 open during the initial stages of the thermal event, and then increasing air flow through passageway 805 as the pressure within pack 101 increases due to the escalation of the thermal event. The techniques illustrated in FIG. 14, i.e., monitoring conditions within the metal-air battery pack in order to further control air flow through the metal-air cells, may be used with any of the other configurations and embodiments of the invention.

[0050] It should also be understood that the invention may utilize any means to detect the occurrence of thermal runaway and initiate the disclosed mitigation procedures, i.e., flowing thermal event effluent through the metal-air cells. While pressure and/or temperature are routinely used to detect thermal events, other means may also be used, for example, monitoring the operational condition of the individual non-metal-air cells or groups of non-metal-air cells in order to detect short circuits or other non-standard operating conditions. Regardless of the means used to detect a thermal event, once such an event is detected, the system of the invention would alter the air flow, forcing the hot gas and material generated during the event to pass through the metal-air cells.

[0051] As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the disclosures and descriptions herein are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention which is set forth in the following claims.