Thermal Performance Assessment and Management System for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Invention Description

Technological breakthroughs in electric batteries have resulted in higher energy density batteries which have risks of overheating during high-rate charging and discharging. This leads to performance degradation, limiting battery lifespan and capacity and hindering widespread battery adoption. Battery management systems (BMSs) are a necessary component to avoid abnormal operational conditions, which means battery behavior models and performance metrics are necessary for selecting and assessing the effectiveness of BMSs. While there are proposed metrics for thermal performance evaluation, there have been no clear metrics to assess the performance of battery thermal management systems (BTMSs).

Prof. Arunachala Kannan at Arizona State University and collaborators have developed a novel system utilizing a processor-driven model to assess lithium-ion battery thermal performance based on hybrid pulse power and continuous discharge tests. It establishes normalized metrics such as normalized heat generation ratio (NHGR) and cell thermal efficiency to enable consistent comparison across diverse battery cells. The system evaluates optimal cooling requirements and dissipative capabilities to enhance battery thermal management and ensure efficient operation. Experimental validation with different battery cells demonstrates its effectiveness, supported by a robust computing device design for implementation.

This technology presents an advanced system and method for evaluating and managing the thermo-electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries through standardized metrics and thermal management analysis.

Potential Applications

• Design and optimization of battery thermal management systems for electric vehicles and portable electronics
• Performance evaluation and quality control in battery manufacturing
• Research and development in advanced lithium-ion battery technologies
• Energy storage systems requiring precise thermal monitoring and management
• Battery management system software development integrating thermal assessment tools

Benefits and Advantages

• Provides standardized, normalized metrics independent of cell characteristics for uniform performance comparison
• Enables precise evaluation of thermal management needs, including optimal cooling area
• Utilizes validated thermo-electrochemical models based on real-world testing data
• Supports implementation via adaptable computing devices with advanced data processing
• Facilitates enhanced design of battery thermal management systems (BTMS)