Tesla patent points to battery cell improvements with clever deformation detection process

A current patent published late August has shown that Tesla is working on a tracking system and devices which will allow the electric car maker to detect deformations in battery cells in a better method. 

Tesla’s patent application, known as “Apparatus and Method for Detection of Deformation in Battery Cells,” notes that battery cycle life is one of the most important parameters to guarantee optimal performance in machines such as electric vehicles and energy storage devices. Over the span of their lifetime, battery cells will be exposed occasionally in varying conditions and surroundings, to multiple discharge and charge cycles.  

According to the business there are instances when cells function within an environment in which the ambient temperature may surge to degrees over the secure thermal temperature for ordinary operations. Cells might also be exposed to high charge and discharge rates and big periodic heaps, which could cause significant heating, among other responses. 

Subjected to these factors, battery cells may undergo consequences, such as the thickening of electrodes or the quantity growth of electrochemically active substances within the cell . These expansions could finally result in cells suffering from deformation, which could, in turn, cause both reversible and irreversible mechanical strain, as well as the possible degradation of the battery’s electrodes. 

An illustration depicting Tesla’s devices and method for discovering deformations in battery cells. (Credit: US Patent Office)

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

These battery cell deformations are monitored using optical gauges that rate and completely detect deformations at only points in a cell or strain gauges. Tesla noted that this machine has space for enhancements, since optical evaluations might not offer the correct status of deformation across the whole surface of a battery. This could cause deformation and strain measurements which are incorrect. 

With these factors in mind, Tesla has come up with a deformation detection apparatus that allows the contactless detection of deformations and/or swelling of the battery across the surface of the cell. Tesla refers to the deformation detection apparatus . 

“A deformation detection apparatus comprises a cell movement-control assembly to handle a linear motion along with a rotational motion of a battery cellphone, a body which supports the cell movement-control assembly, an electronic micrometer, and controller circuitry. The controller circuitry controls a displacement of the battery cell between a first location and another position along a longitudinal axis by means of a scanning region of the electronic micrometer and a plurality of rotational areas of the battery cell at a plurality of charge conditions and a plurality of discharge conditions. The controller circuitry steps a plurality of external diameter values of the battery cell to get a plurality of linear positions along with also a plurality of rotational places along the ventral part of the battery cell and determines that a change within an geometrical shape (deformation and/or pressure ) of the battery cell for its plurality of linear positions as well as the plurality of rotational positions. ”

An illustration depicting Tesla’s devices and method for discovering deformations in battery cells. (Credit: US Patent Office)

According to the car maker, the battery cell deformation tracking process will provide advantages over traditional tracking procedures. 

“The devices, such as the devices 100 and process of decision of deformations from the battery cell 112 advantageously provides a solution for deformation detection from the battery cells, as compared to traditional contact-based solutions. Instead of quantifying the plurality of outer diameter values/strain values at a point in time, the advantageously facilitates measurement of the plurality of outer diameter values/strain values. The apparatus 100 enables detection of deformation regions on the battery cell 112, which might exhibit signs of deformation at several points in time at distinct charge/discharge countries. ”

Tesla’s recently published patent application for the battery cell deformation detection devices could be accessed in full here. 

The consequences of Tesla’s patent are noteworthy. By adopting its deformation detection method, the corporation would be able to appraise the caliber of its cells and their working limits more effectively. This may open the doorways to improvements in the firm ’therefore batteries, which could, in turn, result in much more range and performance because of Tesla’s vehicles. 

Tesla retains a prominent lead as exhibited by the firm ’s vehicles’ vastly superior range in comparison to the competition. This is represented by Tesla’s “Raven” upgrade to the 100 kWh Model X, which allowed the SUV to journey 325 miles in one charge. That is notably impressive, considering that the Audi e-tron, somewhat smaller, lighter car equipped with a 95 kWh battery pack (5 percent smaller compared to the Model X), is just EPA-rated for 204 mph (38 percent less range than Tesla’s larger, heavier vehicle). A report by German company paper Wirtschaftswoche has also ascertained that Tesla’s batteries for its Model 3 have more than four times less cobalt compared to the batteries used by Volkswagen today.

The post Tesla patent factors to battery cell improvements with smart deformation detection procedure appeared first on TESLARATI.

Buy Tickets for every event – Sports, Concerts, Festivals and more buy tickets