US 12,322,829 B2
Battery pack with exhaust conduit and gas flow channel for thermal runaway protection
Jishn Yogeshchandra Patel, Rochester Hills, MI (US); and Vicente Domenech-Llopis, Rochester Hills, MI (US)
Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Sep. 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/953,529.
Prior Publication US 2024/0106067 A1, Mar. 28, 2024
Int. Cl. H01M 50/367 (2021.01); H01M 50/209 (2021.01); H01M 50/30 (2021.01); H01M 50/317 (2021.01); H01M 50/249 (2021.01)
CPC H01M 50/367 (2021.01) [H01M 50/209 (2021.01); H01M 50/317 (2021.01); H01M 50/394 (2021.01); H01M 50/249 (2021.01); H01M 2220/20 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A battery pack comprising:
an elongated exhaust conduit defining a gas flow channel therein, the elongated exhaust conduit having a longitudinal center axis and a terminal end;
a pack vent disposed within the terminal end of the elongated exhaust conduit;
a plurality of fins disposed within the gas flow channel, each respective fin of the plurality of fins being overlapping or coextensive along the longitudinal center axis with adjacent fins of the plurality of fins, thereby creating a funnel-like tunnel opening in the gas flow channel; and
a plurality of battery cells arranged adjacent to and above the elongated exhaust conduit, wherein each respective battery cell of the plurality of battery cells comprises:
an outer casing defining a cell cavity therein, wherein the outer casing defines a cell vent opening;
an anode and a cathode disposed within the cell cavity; and
a vent cap covering the cell vent opening, wherein the vent cap is configured to open at a predetermined pressure to release hot gasses from the cell cavity into the gas flow channel, and wherein the fins are configured to direct the hot gasses along the longitudinal center axis and toward the terminal end and the pack vent.