Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to thermal runaway detection. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a system and a method for detecting onset of thermal runaway in batteries.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Batteries of all types, including Lithium-ion batteries, are prone to catastrophic failures due sudden rise in temperature inside the battery cells. Such a process inside the cell is called “Thermal Runaway”. This process is generally irreversible and can cause a battery fire or explosion. Hence it is important to either predict onset of thermal runaway events to initiate preventive action and raise an alarm to allow operators of the device to initiate said preventive actions.
[0004] Existing solutions for detecting onset of thermal runaway include the use of battery management systems (BMS) having multiple external sensors to detect a huge number of parameters. Such solutions often consume a large amount of computational power to detect abnormalities and predict the onset of thermal runaway events.
[0005] Further, existing BMS are often designed to switch between an energy conservation (sleep) mode and an active (awake) mode. In energy conservation mode, existing BMS cannot able to detect thermal runaway events. Existing BMS have to be kept in an energy consuming active state to predict the onset of thermal runaway events. For making such detections when the BMS is in an energy conservation mode, it may be necessary to develop separate redundant hardware systems.
[0006] There is, therefore, a need for a device that addresses the aforementioned shortcomings of existing solutions.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are listed herein below.
[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and a method to detect onset of thermal runaway in batteries.
[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and a method to detect onset of thermal runaway in batteries that is efficient and has lower computational power requirements compared to existing solutions.
[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and a method to detect onset of thermal runaway in batteries when said systems are in energy conservation mode or sleep mode.
[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and a method to detect onset of thermal runaway that consumes reduced power.
[0012] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and a method that raises an alarm when onset of thermal runaway in batteries are detected.
[0013] The other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated for illustration of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

SUMMARY
[0014] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to thermal runaway detection. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a system and a method for detecting onset of thermal runaway in batteries.
[0015] In an aspect, a system for detecting onset of thermal runaway in batteries may include an alarming unit configured to produce alarms on being actuated by an actuation signal, a set of temperature sensors that detect one or more temperature values associated with one or more batteries, a set of voltage measurement units that detects a one or more voltage measurement value associated with the one or more batteries, and a control unit communicatively coupled to the set of temperature sensors and the set of voltage measurement units such that the control unit transmits the actuation signal to the alarming unit based on the one or more temperature measurements and the one or more voltage measurement value.
[0016] In an embodiment, the control unit may include a processor coupled to a memory, the memory having processor-executable instructions, which, when executed, causes the processor to, receive the one or more temperature values from the set of temperature sensors and the one or more voltage measurement values from the set of voltage measurement units; determine whether any of one or more alarm conditions may be met based on the received one or more temperature values and the one or more voltage measurement values; and transmit one or more alarm signals to the alarming unit when the one or more of alarm conditions are detected.
[0017] In an embodiment, to determine whether any of the one or more alarm conditions are met, the processor may be configured to determine any one or more of whether the one or more temperature values exceed a predetermined temperature threshold; whether rate of change of temperature values over a predefined interval exceeds a predetermined temperature rate threshold; whether an open circuit voltage drop may be detected; and whether a drop in voltage any of the one or more batteries over the predetermined interval exceeds a predetermined voltage drop threshold.
[0018] In an embodiment, the control unit may be configured to operably switch between an active state and an inactive state, the control unit being configured to: detect onset of thermal runaway event when in the active state; and conserve energy by shutting down operations when in the inactive state.
[0019] In an embodiment, the control unit may be configured to periodically switches between the active state and the inactive state at a predetermined interval.
[0020] In an embodiment, the system may include a comparator unit coupled to the set of temperature sensors to receive the one or more temperature values such that the comparator unit transmits an interruption signal to switch the control unit from the inactive state to the active state when the one or more temperatures values exceed the predetermined temperature threshold.
[0021] In an embodiment, the alarming unit may be any one or more of a visual indicator, an audio indicator, and an audio-visual indicator.
[0022] In an aspect, a method for detecting onset of thermal runaway events in batteries may include receiving, by a control unit, one or more temperature values associated with one or more batteries from a set of temperature sensors and one or more voltage measurement values associated with said one or more batteries from a set of voltage measurement units; determining, by the control unit, whether any of one or more alarm conditions are met based on the received one or more temperature values and the one or more voltage measurement values; and transmitting, by the control unit, one or more alarm signals to the alarming unit when the one or more of alarm conditions may be detected.
[0023] In an embodiment, determining whether any of the one or more alarm conditions may be met, may include determining any one or more of: whether the one or more temperature values exceed a predetermined temperature threshold; whether rate of change of temperature values over a predefined interval exceeds a predetermined temperature rate threshold; whether an open circuit voltage drop may be detected; and whether a drop in voltage any of the one or more batteries over the predetermined interval exceeds a predetermined voltage drop threshold.
[0024] In an embodiment, the method may include, transmitting, by a comparator unit coupled to the set of temperature sensors, an interruption signal to the control unit to switch said control unit from an inactive state to an active state when the one or more temperatures values exceed the predetermined temperature threshold.
[0025] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrate exemplary block representations of the disclosed system for detecting onset of thermal runaway, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block representation of the proposed system for detecting onset of thermal runaway, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart depicting a method for detecting onset of thermal runaway in batteries, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0031] The word “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word without precluding any additional or other elements.
[0032] As used herein, “connect,” “configure,” “couple,” and its cognate terms, such as “connects,” “connected,” “configured,” and “coupled” may include a physical connection (such as a wired/wireless connection), a logical connection (such as through logical gates of semiconducting device), other suitable connections, or a combination of such connections, as may be obvious to a skilled person.
[0033] As used herein, “send,” “transfer,” “transmit,” and their cognate terms like “sending,” “sent,” “transferring,” “transmitting,” “transferred,” “transmitted,” etc. include sending or transporting data or information from one unit or component to another unit or component, wherein the content may or may not be modified before or after sending, transferring, transmitting.
[0034] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “an instance” or “one instance” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0035] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed products.
[0036] Embodiments explained herein relate generally to thermal runaway detection. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a system and a method for detecting onset of thermal runaway in batteries.
[0037] In an aspect, a system for detecting onset of thermal runaway in batteries may include an alarming unit configured to produce alarms on being actuated by an actuation signal, a set of temperature sensors that detect one or more temperature values associated with one or more batteries, a set of voltage measurement units that detects a one or more voltage measurement value associated with the one or more batteries, and a control unit communicatively coupled to the set of temperature sensors and the set of voltage measurement units such that the control unit transmits the actuation signal to the alarming unit based on the one or more temperature measurements and the one or more voltage measurement value.
[0038] In an aspect, a method for detecting onset of thermal runaway events in batteries may include receiving, by a control unit, one or more temperature values associated with one or more batteries from a set of temperature sensors and one or more voltage measurement values associated with said one or more batteries from a set of voltage measurement units; determining, by the control unit, whether any of one or more alarm conditions may be met based on the received one or more temperature values and the one or more voltage measurement values; and transmitting, by the control unit, one or more alarm signals to the alarming unit when the one or more of alarm conditions may be detected.
[0039] FIG. 1 illustrate exemplary block representations of the disclosed system 100 for detecting onset of thermal runaway, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown therein, the system 100 includes one or more batteries 105-1, 105-2,….105-N (collectively referred to as batteries 105) coupled to a set of temperature sensors 120 and a set of voltage measurement units 130. The system 100 may also include a control unit 110 communicatively configured to a comparator unit 115 and an alarming unit 140. In an embodiment, the one or more batteries 105, the control unit 110, the set of temperature sensors 120, the set of voltage measurement units 130 and the alarming unit 140 may be indicative of a battery management system.
[0040] In an aspect, the system 100 for detecting onset of thermal runaway in batteries 105, the system 100 may include the alarming unit 140 configured to produce alarms on being actuated by the actuation signal. The system 100 may also include the set of temperature sensors 120 that detect one or more temperature values associated with the one or more batteries 105. In an embodiment, the system 100 may also include the set of voltage measurement units 130 that detects one or more voltage measurement values associated with the one or more batteries 105. In an embodiment, the system 100 can also include a control unit 110 communicatively coupled to the set of temperature sensors 120 and the set of voltage measurement units 130 such that the control unit 110 transmits an actuation signal to the alarming unit 140 based on the one or more temperature value and the one or more voltage measurement value.
[0041] In an embodiment, the set of temperature sensors 120 may be configured to measure the temperature of the one or more batteries 105 as the one or more temperature values. In an embodiment, the set of temperature sensors 120 may be configured to provide the one or more temperature values to the control unit 110, which may use the one or more temperature values to detect the onset of thermal runaway events in the one or more batteries 105. In an embodiment, at least one of the set of temperature sensors 120 may be coupled to each of the one or more batteries 105. In an embodiment, the set of temperature sensors 120 may include, but not be limited to, thermocouples, thermopiles, thermistors, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), optical fibre sensors, and the like.
[0042] In an embodiment, the set of voltage measurement units 130 may be configured to measure the voltage of the one or more batteries 105. In an embodiment, the set of voltage measurement units 130 may be configured to provide the one or more voltage measurement values to the control unit 110, which may use the one or more one or more voltage measurement values to detect the onset of thermal runaway events in the one or more batteries 105. In an embodiment, at least one of the set of voltage measurement units 130 may be coupled to each of the one or more batteries 105. In an embodiment, the set of voltage measurement units 130 may include, but not be limited to, voltmeters, potentiometers, oscilloscopes, resistive dividers, and the like.
[0043] In an embodiment, the alarming unit 140 may be configured to produce alarms on receiving the actuation signal. In the embodiment, the alarming unit 140 may be any one or more of a visual indicator, an audio indicator, and an audio-visual indicator. In an example, the visual indicator may include, but not be limited to, a light-emitting diode (LED), a light bulb, a liquid crystal display (LCD), and the like. In another example, the audio indicator may include, but not be limited to, a loud speaker, a buzzer, a horn, and the like. In other examples, the audio-visual indicator may be any combination of audio indicator and the visual indicator.
[0044] In the embodiment, the control unit 110 may be configured to transmit the actuation signal to the alarming unit 140 based on the one or more temperature values and the one or more voltage measurement values received from the set of temperature sensors 120 and the set of voltage measurement units 130 respectively. In an embodiment, the control unit 110 may include the processor 202 coupled to a memory 204. In an embodiment, the processor 202 may be any one of an 8-bit controller, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital logic circuit, a programmable logic controller, field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any combination thereof. In an embodiment, the memory 204 may be any one or more of volatile memory types including, but not limited to, random access memory (RAM) and non-volatile memory types including, but not limited to, flash memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and the like. In an embodiment, the memory 204 may include one or more processor-executable instructions.
[0045] In an embodiment, the control unit 110 may also include an input-output (I/O) interfaces 206 that allows the control unit 110 to receive input signals and transmit output signals. In an embodiment, the input signals and the output signals may be in the form of including, but not limited to, electrical signals, digital signals, optical signals, radio signals, and any combination thereof. In an embodiment, the input signals and output signals may be used to exchange including, but not limited to, data packets, frames, symbols, bits, signals, and the like.
[0046] In an embodiment, the control unit 110, by the processor 202, may receive the one or more temperature values from the set of temperature sensors 120 and the one or more voltage measurement values from the set of voltage measurement units 130. In an embodiment, the control unit 110 may determine whether any of one or more alarm conditions are met based on the received one or more temperature values and the one or more voltage measurement values. Further, the control unit 110 may transmit one or more alarm signals to the alarming unit 140 when the one or more of alarm conditions are met.
[0047] In the embodiment, the one or more alarm conditions may include determining whether the one or more temperature values exceed a predetermined temperature threshold. In another embodiment, the one or more alarm conditions may include determining whether rate of change of temperature values over the predefined interval exceeds the predetermined temperature rate threshold. In another embodiment, the one or more alarm conditions may include determining whether the open circuit voltage drop may be detected. In an embodiment, the one or more alarm conditions may include determining whether the drop in voltage any of the one or more batteries 105 over the predetermined interval exceeds the predetermined voltage drop threshold. In an embodiment, the control unit 110 may be configured to determine any one or combination of the aforementioned alarm conditions, based on which the control unit 110 may predict the onset of thermal runaway events in the one or more batteries 105.
[0048] In the embodiment, the control unit 110 may be configured to operably switch between the active state and the inactive state, the control unit 110 being configured to: detect onset of thermal runaway event when in the active state, and conserve energy by shutting down operations when in the inactive state. In an embodiment, the control unit 110 may be configured to periodically switches between the active state and the inactive state at the predetermined interval. In such embodiments, the control unit 110 may not consume power when in an inactive state, thereby conserving energy of the system. In an embodiment, the ratio between time spent in an active state and the inactive state in the predetermined interval may be symmetric or asymmetric.
[0049] In the embodiment, the system 100 may include the comparator unit 115 coupled to the set of temperature sensors 120 to receive the one or more temperature values such that the comparator unit 115 transmits the interruption signal to switch the control unit 110 from the inactive state to the active state when the one or more temperatures values exceed the predetermined temperature threshold. In an embodiment, the comparator unit 115 may include, but not be limited to, an integrated circuit (IC), an electronic circuit, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, and the like.
[0050] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block representation of the proposed system for detecting onset of thermal runaway, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0051] In an embodiment, the control unit 110 may include a processing engine 208. In an embodiment, the processing engine 208 may include a receiving module 210, a determination module 212, a transmitting module 214, and other modules 216.
[0052] In an embodiment, the processing engine 208 may be stored within the memory 204. In an example, the processing modules 208 is communicatively coupled to the processor 202. In other embodiments, the processor 202 may be present outside the memory 204, as shown in FIG. 2, and implemented as hardware. In yet other embodiments, the processor 202 may include internal logic gates to process signals. In such embodiments, the controller 110 may not require the memory 204. As used herein, the term modules may refer to an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.
[0053] In an embodiment, the receiving module 210 may receive the one or more temperature values from the set of temperature sensors 120 and the one or more voltage measurement values from the set of voltage measurement units 130. In an embodiment, the determination module 212 may determine whether any of one or more alarm conditions are met based on the received one or more temperature values and the one or more voltage measurement values. In an embodiment, the transmitting module 214 may transmit one or more alarm signals to the alarming unit 140 when the one or more of alarm conditions are detected.
[0054] In an embodiment, the control unit 110 may also be coupled to a database 218. In an embodiment, the database 210 may be configured to store the predetermined temperature threshold, the predetermined temperature rate threshold, the predetermined voltage drop threshold, and the like, as data. The data may be organized using data models, such as relational or hierarchical data models. The data may also include temporary data and temporary files, generated by processing engines 208 for performing the various functions of the system 110. In an embodiment, the control unit 110 may be configured to retrieved data from the database 218 to determine onset of thermal runaway events. In an embodiment, the control unit 110 may compare the one or more temperature values and the one or more voltage measurement values for detecting of thermal runaway events in the one or more batteries 105.
[0055] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart depicting a method for detecting onset of thermal runaway in batteries, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0056] At step 302, the method 300 may include receiving, by a control unit such as the control unit 110 of FIGs. 1 and 2, one or more temperature values associated with one or more batteries 105 from a set of temperature sensors 120 and one or more voltage measurement values associated with said one or more batteries 105 from a set of voltage measurement units 130.
[0057] At step 304, the method 300 may include determining, by the control unit 110, whether any of one or more alarm conditions are met based on the received one or more temperature values and the one or more voltage measurement values.
[0058] At step 306, the method 300 may include transmitting, by the control unit 110, one or more alarm signals to the alarming unit 140 when the one or more of alarm conditions are detected.
[0059] Therefore, the present disclosure solves the need for a system and a method for detecting onset of thermal runaway in batteries that addresses the aforementioned shortcomings of existing solutions.
[0060] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions, or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0061] The present disclosure provides a system and a method to detect onset of thermal runaway in batteries.
[0062] The present disclosure provides a system and a method to detect onset of thermal runaway in batteries.
[0063] The present disclosure provides a system and a method to detect onset of thermal runaway in batteries that is efficient and has lower computational power requirements compared to existing solutions.
[0064] The present disclosure provides a system and a method to detect onset of thermal runaway in batteries when said systems are in energy conservation mode or sleep mode.
[0065] The present disclosure provides a system and a method to detect onset of thermal runaway that consume reduced power.
[0066] The present disclosure provides a system and a method that raise an alarm when onset of thermal runaway in batteries are detected.
, Claims:1. A system (100) for detecting onset of thermal runaway in batteries (105), the system (100) comprises:
an alarming unit (140) configured to produce alarms on being actuated by an actuation signal;
a set of temperature sensors (120) that detect one or more temperature values associated with one or more batteries (105);
a set of voltage measurement units (130) that detects a one or more voltage measurement value associated with the one or more batteries (105); and
a control unit (110) communicatively coupled to the set of temperature sensors (120) and the set of voltage measurement units (130) such that the control unit (110) transmits the actuation signal to the alarming unit (140) based on the one or more temperature measurements and the one or more voltage measurement value.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) comprises a processor (202) coupled to a memory (204), the memory (204) having processor-executable instructions, which, when executed, causes the processor (202) to:
receive the one or more temperature values from the set of temperature sensors (120) and the one or more voltage measurement values from the set of voltage measurement units (130);
determine whether any of one or more alarm conditions are met based on the received one or more temperature values and the one or more voltage measurement values; and
transmit one or more alarm signals to the alarming unit (140) when the one or more of alarm conditions are detected.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein to determine whether any of the one or more alarm conditions are met, the processor (202) is configured to determine any one or more of:
whether the one or more temperature values exceed a predetermined temperature threshold;
whether rate of change of temperature values over a predefined interval exceeds a predetermined temperature rate threshold;
whether an open circuit voltage drop is detected; and
whether a drop in voltage any of the one or more batteries (105) over the predetermined interval exceeds a predetermined voltage drop threshold.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) is configured to operably switch between an active state and an inactive state, the control unit (110) being configured to:
detect onset of thermal runaway event when in the active state; and
conserve energy by shutting down operations when in the inactive state.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control unit (110) is configured to periodically switches between the active state and the inactive state at a predetermined interval.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the system (100) comprises a comparator unit (115) coupled to the set of temperature sensors (120) to receive the one or more temperature values such that the comparator unit (115) transmits an interruption signal to switch the control unit (110) from the inactive state to the active state when the one or more temperatures values exceed the predetermined temperature threshold.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alarming unit (140) is any one or more of a visual indicator, an audio indicator, and an audio-visual indicator.
8. A method (300) for detecting onset of thermal runaway events in batteries (105), the method (300) comprising:
receiving, by a control unit (110), one or more temperature values associated with one or more batteries (105) from a set of temperature sensors (120) and one or more voltage measurement values associated with said one or more batteries (105) from a set of voltage measurement units (130);
determining, by the control unit (110), whether any of one or more alarm conditions are met based on the received one or more temperature values and the one or more voltage measurement values; and
transmitting, by the control unit (110), one or more alarm signals to the alarming unit (140) when the one or more of alarm conditions are detected.
9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 8, wherein determining whether any of the one or more alarm conditions are met, comprises determining any one or more of:
whether the one or more temperature values exceed a predetermined temperature threshold;
whether rate of change of temperature values over a predefined interval exceeds a predetermined temperature rate threshold;
whether an open circuit voltage drop is detected; and
whether a drop in voltage any of the one or more batteries (105) over the predetermined interval exceeds a predetermined voltage drop threshold.
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the method (300) comprises:
transmitting, by a comparator unit (115) coupled to the set of temperature sensors (120), an interruption signal to the control unit (110) to switch said control unit from an inactive state to an active state when the one or more temperatures values exceed the predetermined temperature threshold.