Battery damage indicator

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for indicating battery damage. A battery may comprise an odorant and/or visible indicator material configured to be released in response to battery damage. The battery may be configured to release the odorant and/or visible indicator in response to damage to the battery housing, a cell or cells in the battery, a seal of the battery, or any other specific component of the battery. The odorant and/or visible indicator may be stored in free space in the battery housing, a battery cell, or other battery component. The battery may be configured to emit an audible and/or visible indication of battery damage in addition to releasing the odorant and/or visible indicator.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A battery comprising:
 a battery housing;   a battery cell disposed in the battery housing; and   an audible alarm producing element configured to emit an audible alarm in response to damage to the battery housing or battery cell.   
     
     
         3 . The battery of  claim 2 , wherein the audible alarm producing element comprises a speaker. 
     
     
         4 . The battery of  claim 3 , wherein the speaker is disposed on the battery housing. 
     
     
         5 . The battery of  claim 2 , wherein the battery comprises an aerophone, and wherein the audible alarm is generated when material escaping from a damaged battery cell is vented through the aerophone. 
     
     
         6 . The battery of  claim 2 , wherein the battery is further configured to provide an electrical signal in response to battery damage. 
     
     
         7 . The battery of  claim 6 , wherein the electrical signal is provided through a contact that is closed in response to battery damage. 
     
     
         8 . The battery of  claim 6 , wherein the electrical signal is provided by a sensor configured to detect material leaking from a damaged battery cell. 
     
     
         9 . The battery of  claim 6 , wherein the electrical signal comprises a digital signal. 
     
     
         10 . The battery of  claim 2 , wherein the battery is further configured to provide a light signal in response to battery damage. 
     
     
         11 . The battery of  claim 10 , further comprising a light emitter disposed on the battery housing to generate the light signal. 
     
     
         12 . The battery of  claim 10 , wherein the light signal is displayed remotely from the battery. 
     
     
         13 . The battery of  claim 2 , wherein the battery is further configured to provide a radio signal in response to battery damage. 
     
     
         14 . The battery of  claim 2 , wherein the battery is further configured to provide an electrical signal during normal operation of the battery and stop sending the electrical signal in response to battery damage. 
     
     
         15 . The battery of  claim 2 , wherein battery is configured to provide power to a vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The battery of  claim 15 , wherein the vehicle is one of an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). 
     
     
         17 . The battery of  claim 2 , wherein battery is configured to power a portable computing device. 
     
     
         18 . The battery of  claim 2 , wherein battery is configured to be incorporated into a personal electronic device. 
     
     
         19 . The battery of  claim 2 , wherein the battery is further configured to release a detectable material in response to damage to the battery housing or battery cell. 
     
     
         20 . The battery of  claim 2 , wherein the battery comprises an accelerometer configured to detect when the battery is damaged based on a measured acceleration of the battery. 
     
     
         21 . The battery of  claim 2 , wherein the battery comprises a sensor to detect battery damage selected from the group consisting of a force meter, a strain sensor, and a fracture sensor. 
     
     
         22 . The battery of  claim 2 , wherein the battery comprises an electrolyte sensor configured to detect when the battery is damaged based on a presence of an electrolyte outside of the battery cell. 
     
     
         23 . The battery of  claim 2 , wherein the battery is further configured to release a visible indicator material in response to damage to the battery housing or battery cell. 
     
     
         24 . The battery of  claim 23 , wherein the visible indicator material comprises at least one of a liquid, a powder, a foam, a dye, a fluorescent material, and a luminescent material. 
     
     
         25 . The battery of  claim 2 , wherein the battery is further configured to release an odorant in response to damage to the battery housing or battery cell. 
     
     
         26 . A system comprising:
 a battery including a battery housing and a battery cell disposed in the battery housing;   a sensor configured to generate a signal in response to detecting damage to the battery housing or battery cell; and   an indicator configured to display an indication of battery damage in response to the signal.   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the indicator is disposed on the battery housing. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the indicator is disposed remotely to the battery. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the indicator is further configured to display information concerning a condition of the battery. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 26  further comprising an audible alarm producing element configured to generate an audible alarm responsive to the signal. 
     
     
         31 . The battery of  claim 30 , wherein the audible alarm producing element comprises a speaker. 
     
     
         32 . The battery of  claim 31 , wherein the speaker is disposed on the battery housing. 
     
     
         33 . The battery of  claim 26 , wherein the electrical signal is provided through a contact that is closed in response to battery damage. 
     
     
         34 . The battery of  claim 26 , wherein the signal is provided by a sensor configured to detect material leaking from the damaged battery cell. 
     
     
         35 . The battery of  claim 26 , wherein the signal comprises an analog signal. 
     
     
         36 . The battery of  claim 26 , wherein the signal comprises a digital signal. 
     
     
         37 . The battery of  claim 26 , wherein the signal comprises a radio signal. 
     
     
         38 . The battery of  claim 26 , wherein the indicator comprises a light signal. 
     
     
         39 . The battery of  claim 26 , wherein the battery is further configured to provide an electrical signal during normal operation of the battery and stop sending the electrical signal in response to battery damage. 
     
     
         40 . The battery of  claim 26 , wherein battery is configured to provide power to a vehicle selected from the group consisting of an electric vehicle (EV) and a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). 
     
     
         41 . The battery of  claim 26 , wherein battery is configured to power a portable computing device. 
     
     
         42 . The battery of  claim 26 , wherein the sensor comprises one or more of an accelerometer, a force meter, a strain sensor, a fracture sensor, and a chemical sensor.