Battery cell pack thermal runaway mitigation

Abstract

Systems and methods are described herein for venting battery cells in a battery cell pack assembly. An assembly includes a matrix configured to hold battery cells and channel assemblies that each include a venting channel for venting materials (e.g., flammable gas and conductive particulates) from the interior of the matrix to an outlet. Battery cells, particularly lithium ion battery cells, have a chance of entering a thermal runaway condition that causes the production of flammable gas. The assembly is configured such that battery cells are allowed to vent such flammable gas out of the assembly. A ventilation opening and channel in the assembly cause venting materials to be routed through and out of the assembly.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A battery cell pack assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of battery cells configured to vent out of a top end in a first direction;   a cover layer arranged with the plurality of battery cells such that venting of a battery cell is configured to pass through the cover layer in the first direction; and   a lid layer configured to redirect the venting that passes through the cover layer from the first direction in a second direction different from the first direction.   
     
     
         22 . The battery cell pack assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the top end of each of multiple battery cells, of the plurality of battery cells, are in fluid communication with each other under the cover layer. 
     
     
         23 . The battery cell pack assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the cover layer is made of plastic having a thickness of 0.5 millimeters. 
     
     
         24 . The battery cell pack assembly of  claim 21 , further comprising a plastic spacer configured to maintain relative positions of the plurality of battery cells. 
     
     
         25 . The battery cell pack assembly of  claim 21 , further comprising a venting assembly comprising a venting channel configured to receive the venting redirected by the lid layer and direct the received venting outward of the plurality of battery cells and along the venting channel. 
     
     
         26 . An assembly, comprising:
 a matrix configured to hold a plurality of battery cells, wherein each of the plurality of battery cells comprises a top end and a bottom end and is configured to vent out of the top end in a first direction;   a cover layer arranged with the plurality of battery cells such that venting of a battery cell is configured to pass through the cover layer in the first direction; and   a lid layer configured to redirect the venting that passes through the cover layer from the first direction along a second direction different from the first direction.   
     
     
         27 . The assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the top end of each of multiple battery cells, of the plurality of battery cells, are in fluid communication with each other under the cover layer. 
     
     
         28 . The assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the cover layer is made of plastic having a thickness of 0.5 millimeters. 
     
     
         29 . The assembly of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the matrix comprises two lateral sides opposite each other; and   the assembly further comprises:
 a channel assembly coupled to one of the lateral sides comprising at least one venting channel; and 
 an outlet coupled to the channel assembly, wherein:
 the matrix comprises a plurality of openings along the one lateral side to receive the venting redirected by the lid layer in the second direction, and 
 the venting propagated into the at least one venting channel from the plurality of openings is configured to propagate out of the assembly through the outlet. 
 
   
     
     
         30 . The assembly of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the matrix comprises first and second lateral sides opposite each other; and   the assembly further comprises:
 a first channel assembly coupled to the first lateral side comprising a first venting channel; 
 a first outlet coupled to the first channel assembly, wherein:
 the matrix comprises a first plurality of openings along the first lateral side to receive the venting redirected by the lid layer in the second direction, and 
 the venting propagated into the first venting channel from the first plurality of openings is configured to propagate out of the assembly through the first outlet; 
 
 a second channel assembly coupled to the second lateral side comprising a second venting channel; and 
 a second outlet coupled to the second channel assembly, wherein:
 the matrix comprises a second plurality of openings along the second lateral side to receive the venting redirected by the lid layer a third direction opposite the second direction, and 
 the venting propagated into the second venting channel from the second plurality of openings is configured to propagate out of the assembly through the second outlet. 
 
   
     
     
         31 . The assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the first and second outlets are arranged on respective ones of the first and second lateral sides, proximate to a rear side of the matrix. 
     
     
         32 . The assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the first and second outlets are arranged on respective ones of the first and second lateral sides, proximate to a front side of the matrix. 
     
     
         33 . The assembly of  claim 32 , further comprising two additional outlets, each coupled to a respective one of the first and second channel assemblies, the two additional outlets are arranged on respective ones of the first and second lateral sides, proximate to a rear side of the matrix. 
     
     
         34 . The assembly of  claim 30 , wherein each of the first and second pluralities of openings are configured to be one-way ports that direct venting outwardly. 
     
     
         35 . A method for venting gas in a battery module through an assembly comprising a matrix configured to hold a plurality of battery cells each comprising a top end and a bottom end, a channel assembly, and an outlet, the method comprising:
 directing venting gas from the top end of a ventilating battery cell of the plurality of battery cells through a cover layer in a first direction towards a lid layer; and   redirecting, using the lid layer, the venting gas that passes through the cover layer from the first direction in a second direction towards a side of the matrix, wherein the first direction is different from the second direction.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the top end of each of multiple battery cells, of the plurality of battery cells, are in fluid communication with each other under the cover layer. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 causing the venting gas to propagate from the matrix to the channel assembly via a respective opening in the matrix; and   causing the venting gas to propagate through the channel assembly through the outlet.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the respective opening is configured to be a one-way port that directs the venting gas outwardly. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the matrix comprises a front side, a rear side, and two lateral sides opposite each other, and wherein the channel assembly comprises a first channel assembly, and wherein the first assembly and a second channel assembly are each coupled to a respective one of the two lateral sides. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the cover layer is made of plastic having a thickness of 0.5 millimeters.