Battery and battery-sensing apparatuses and methods

摘要

Apparatuses and methods for determining one or more performance related characteristics (such as state of charge and/or health) of one or more electrochemical cells that store and release electrical energy are disclosed. Embodiments include pressure and/or temperature sensors that sense a change in pressure resulting from the tendency of the electrochemical cell to change volume and/or the temperature of the one or more electrochemical cells as the electrochemical cell(s) are charged or discharged. Alternate embodiments include one or more calculating members that receive pressure and/or temperature information from the pressure and/or temperature sensing members and calculate a performance related characteristic of the electrochemical cell. Still further embodiments include determining one or more performance related characteristics of an electrochemical cell by sensing the tendency of an electrochemical cell to change volume (such as by sensing pressure) and/or by sensing the temperature as the electrochemical cell is charged or discharged.

主权项

1. An apparatus for detecting damage to a rechargeable battery, comprising:
a pressure sensing member configured and adapted to sense a two dimensional pressure distribution on a surface of a rechargeable battery, the pressure sensing member including a plurality of pressure sensors, each said pressure sensor configured and adapted to sense a corresponding localized surface expansion or contraction of the battery and provide a signal; a computer having software that receives the plurality of signals from the pressure sensing member, the software using the heterogeneity of the signals to identify damage to the battery.