Adaptive current-collector electrochemical system

摘要

An Adaptive Current-collector Electrochemical (ACE) system utilizes an array of contact pads and associated current control transistors to control localized current generation in discrete regions of a battery. Each contact pad is formed on a battery electrode (anode or cathode) and coupled to an associated discrete battery region, and is connected by an associated transistor to a current collection plate. Sensors are used to monitor operating parameters (e.g., localized current flow and operating temperature) of each discrete battery region, and a control circuit uses the sensor data to control the operating state of the transistors, whereby localized current flow through each transistor is increased, decreased or turned off according to measured local operating parameters. The control circuit utilizes local control circuits that process local sensor data using “stand-alone” control logic, or a central controller that processes all sensor data and coordinates transistor operations.

主权项

1. A battery assembly comprising:
a battery including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte configured to generate localized currents between said anode and said cathode in a plurality of battery regions, wherein both said anode and said cathode comprise continuous sheet-like structures that define an electrode contact area, wherein each of said plurality of battery regions comprises a discrete region of said electrode contact area such that each said localized current passes through an associated portion of said electrolyte disposed between a corresponding portion of said anode and a corresponding portion of said cathode; and an adaptive current-collector electrochemical system configured to control current flow between the battery and a load circuit, the adaptive current-collector electrochemical system including:
a plurality of contact pads attached to one of said anode and said cathode such that each contact pad of said plurality of contact pads is attached to one of said corresponding anode portion and said corresponding cathode portion of a corresponding said battery region, whereby said associated localized current in said corresponding battery region flows through said each contact pad;a current collection substrate;a plurality of transistors, each said transistor having a first terminal connected to an associated contact pad, a second terminal connected to the current collection substrate, and a control terminal;a plurality of sensors, each sensor being configured to measure an operating parameter of each of said plurality of battery regions, and configured to generate a plurality of first sensor signals having values that are determined by said measurements, anda controller configured to process said first sensor signals, and configured to generate a plurality of control voltages such that each said control voltage has a voltage level that is determined by at least one of said first sensor signals, wherein each said control voltage is applied on the control terminal of an associated said transistor such that a localized current portion passing from an associated said contact pad through said associated transistor to said current collection substrate is proportional to said control voltage.