US 12,362,403 B2
Electrode separator with piezoelectric layer for in-stack pressure sensing and dendrite cleaning
Jing Gao, Rochester, MI (US); Zhe Li, Rochester, MI (US); Xingcheng Xiao, Troy, MI (US); Brian J. Koch, Berkley, MI (US); Michael A Lelli, Rochester, MI (US); and Dave G. Rich, Sterling Heights, MI (US)
Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Feb. 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/592,630.
Prior Publication US 2023/0253637 A1, Aug. 10, 2023
Int. Cl. H01M 10/48 (2006.01); H01M 10/0525 (2010.01); H01M 50/293 (2021.01); H01M 50/457 (2021.01); H01M 50/491 (2021.01); H10N 30/30 (2023.01); H10N 30/853 (2023.01); H10N 30/857 (2023.01); H10N 30/87 (2023.01)
CPC H01M 10/48 (2013.01) [H01M 10/0525 (2013.01); H01M 50/293 (2021.01); H01M 50/457 (2021.01); H01M 50/491 (2021.01); H10N 30/302 (2023.02); H10N 30/853 (2023.02); H10N 30/857 (2023.02); H10N 30/875 (2023.02); H01M 2220/20 (2013.01); Y02E 60/10 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electrochemical device, comprising:
a device housing;
an electrolyte located inside the device housing and configured to conduct ions;
an electrode stack located inside the device housing and including first and second working electrodes in electrochemical contact with the electrolyte;
an electrode separator assembly located inside the device housing and interposed between the first and second working electrodes, the electrode separator assembly including:
first and second separator layers including an electrically insulating material and configured to transmit therethrough the ions of the electrolyte; and
a piezoelectric layer interposed between the first and second separator layers, the piezoelectric layer configured to output an electrical output signal in response to deformation of the piezoelectric layer and to deform in response to receipt of an electrical activation signal; and
an electronic controller operatively connected to the electrode separator assembly and programmed to transmit the electrical activation signal to the piezoelectric layer to generate a mechanical vibration with a predetermined amplitude and/or frequency sufficient to break and/or remove dendrite formation from the first and/or second working electrodes.