BATTERY LEAKAGE DETECTION SYSTEM

Abstract

Battery leakage detection system comprising a gas sensor having a gas sensitive nanoparticle structure.

Description

Further features, advantages and characteristics of the present invention will now become apparent from the following description which in combination with the appended drawings describes preferred embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of a system for detection of chemical substances according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2A shows a schematic drawing of a chemiresistor-type gas sensor.

FIG. 2B shows a schematic drawing of a sensor system comprised of two gas sensors.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic drawing of a battery pack or battery housing divided in two compartments according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic drawing of a simple arrangement for testing batteries according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a drawing of a further configuration for testing batteries.

FIG. 6 shows another configuration for testing batteries according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic drawing of a configuration for testing batteries consisting of two systems according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic drawing of a configuration for testing batteries according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic drawing of a configuration for testing batteries according to another embodiment and similar to the arrangement in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 shows a chemiresistor device according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 11 a), b) and c) show diagrams representing sensor responses to vapors of different electrolytes.

Claims

1. Battery leakage detection system characterized in that the system comprises a gas sensor (13; 24, 25; 35, 36; 42; 64; 74a, 74b; 84; 97) having a gas sensitive nanoparticle structure (23; 103).

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas sensitive nanoparticle structure (23; 103) is a metal-nanoparticle/organic composite structure or a semi-conducting polymer structure or a polymer/carbon black composite structure or a combination of at least two of these structures.

3. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas sensor (13; 24, 25; 35, 36; 42; 64; 74a, 74b; 84; 97) is a sensor working on the basis of analyte induced changes of its conductance, capacitance, inductance, dielectric permittivity, polarization, impedance, heat capacity or temperature.

4. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas sensor is a mass sensitive gas sensor (13; 24, 25; 35, 36; 42; 64; 74a, 74b; 84; 97), in particular a sensor comprising a quartz crystal microbalance, a surface acoustic wave device or a chemically sensitive field effect transistor.

5. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one reference sensor (25) for said sensor (13; 24; 35, 36; 42; 64; 74a, 74b; 84; 97), said reference sensor (25) and said sensor (13; 24; 35, 36; 42; 64; 74a, 74b; 84; 97) comprising respective gas sensitive structures (23; 103) being isolated from each other.

6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that said reference sensor (25) and said sensor (13; 24; 35, 36; 42; 64; 74a, 74b; 84; 97) are in contact for temperature exchange.

7. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a closed or tight housing (12; 33; 43), in particular a battery housing in which a gas sensor (13; 24, 25; 35, 36; 42; 64; 74a, 74b; 84; 97) is arranged.

8. System according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a further closed or tight housing (12; 33; 43) in which a further gas sensor (13; 24, 25; 35, 36; 42; 64; 74a, 74b; 84; 97) is arranged.

9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that one sensor (13; 24, 25; 35, 36; 42; 64; 74a, 74b; 84; 97) arranged in said housing (12; 33; 43) is a reference sensor for the gas sensor (13; 24, 25; 35, 36; 42; 64; 74a, 74b; 84; 97) in said further housing (12; 33; 43).

10. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a funnel (52; 62; 72; 82) for collecting volatile chemicals from a defective battery (11; 34; 41; 51; 61; 71; 81; 92), a sensor chamber housing said sensor (13; 24, 25; 35, 36; 42; 64; 74a, 74b; 84; 97), a pump (53; 65; 75; 94) for pumping air to and/or drawing air past said sensor (13; 24, 25; 35, 36; 42; 64; 74a, 74b; 84; 97), and/or a pre-concentrator unit (63; 73; 83; 95) connected to each other.

11. System according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a means for conveying batteries (11; 34; 41; 51; 61; 71; 81; 92) to and from a test location provided in the system and/or a means for automatically sorting out defective batteries (11; 34; 41; 51; 61; 71; 81; 92).

12. Electrical equipment comprising a system according to one of claims 1 to 11.

13. Method for detecting a leakage of a battery (11; 34; 41; 51; 61; 71; 81; 92) comprising the steps of: providing a gas sensor (13; 24, 25; 35, 36; 42; 64; 74a, 74b; 84; 97) having a gas sensitive nanoparticle structure (23; 103) close to a battery (11; 34; 41; 51; 61; 71; 81; 92);detecting analyte induced changes of the electrical conductance, capacitance, inductance, dielectric permittivity, polarization, impedance, heat capacity or temperature in said gas sensor (13; 24, 25; 35, 36; 42; 64; 74a, 74b; 84; 97) indicating a defective battery (11; 34; 41; 51; 61; 71; 81; 92).

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized by the further steps of: providing a pre-concentrator unit (63; 73; 83; 95) in front of said gas sensor (13; 24, 25; 35, 36; 42; 64; 74a, 74b; 84; 97);bringing volatile chemicals from a defective battery (11; 34; 41; 51; 61; 71; 81; 92) in contact with said pre-concentrator unit (63; 73; 83; 95);applying a heat pulse to said pre-concentrator unit (63; 73; 83; 95) for desorbing volatile chemical compounds adsorbed to said pre-concentrator unit (63; 73; 83; 95);bringing said desorbed volatile chemical compounds in contact with said gas sensor (13; 24, 25; 35, 36; 42; 64; 74a, 74b; 84; 97).

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by the further step of triggering an optical, acoustical and/or data signal in case an analyte induced change of the electrical conductance, capacitance, inductance, dielectric permittivity, polarization, impedance, heat capacity or temperature in said gas sensor (13; 24, 25; 35, 36; 42; 64; 74a, 74b; 84; 97) is detected.

16. Method according to one of preceding claims, characterized by the further step of automatically sorting out said defective battery (11; 34; 41; 51; 61; 71; 81; 92).