Battery thermal management systems including heat spreaders with thermoelectric devices

摘要

Disclosed embodiments include thermoelectric-based thermal management systems and methods configured to heat and/or cool an electrical device. Thermal management systems can include a heat spreader positioned near a localized heat general of the electrical device. A fin can be connected to the heat spreader with a thermoelectric device positioned on the fin. Electric power can be directed to the thermoelectric device to provide controlled heating and/or cooling to the electrical device.

主权项

1. A thermoelectric battery thermal management system configured to manage battery cell temperature, the system comprising:
a battery cell comprising an electrode configured to deliver electric power to or from the battery cell, the electrode connected to the battery cell on a first side of the battery cell, wherein the battery cell is capable of generating a hotspot corresponding to a temperature increase of the battery cell when the battery cell is operating via the electrode delivering electric power to or from the battery cell, the hotspot having a center corresponding to a point or a region of the battery cell having a highest temperature relative to other regions of the battery cell; a heat spreader on a second side of the battery cell and in thermal communication with the hotspot, the heat spreader over the center of the hotspot on the second side of the battery cell; and a thermoelectric device comprising a main surface and a waste surface, the thermoelectric device configured to transfer thermal energy between the main surface and the waste surface of the thermoelectric device upon application of electric current to the thermoelectric device, wherein the main surface of the thermoelectric device is in thermal communication with the heat spreader to heat or cool the battery cell by adjusting a polarity of the electric current delivered to the thermoelectric device, wherein the thermoelectric device is proximate to a third side of the battery cell, and wherein a geometric center of the main surface of the thermoelectric device is substantially on a line along a shortest thermal path on the heat spreader from the center of the hotspot to the third side of the battery cell with the geometric center of the main surface of the thermoelectric device projected onto a plane of the heat spreader extending along the second side of the battery cell.