Pressure control valve for large-format battery systems

Engineerlive.com
July 13, 2011

The number of electric cars on the world's roads is continually rising. Moreover, car manufacturers are launching an increasing number of hybrid vehicles on the market. In industrial applications too, lithium batteries and other electrochemical energy storage mechanisms are gaining in importance, for example as back-up systems for evening out peaks and troughs in network supply and for the temporary storage of energy from renewable sources.

Regardless of whether they are used in mobile or stationary applications, such battery systems have to meet the highest safety requirements. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has now developed a brand new pressure control valve for the housing of large-format lithium battery systems. This valve ensures that in the event of overcharge or a short circuit in an individual battery cell, the resulting flammable gas can be released from the battery housing quickly and in a targeted manner, thereby ensuring that the housing is not damaged in any way. To this end, the valve opens, releasing the pressure from the housing.

Compared with conventional pressure-relief systems - such as rupture disks or solenoid valves, which are controlled by pressure sensors - this product from Freudenberg offers a variety of advantages, above all maximum functional reliability. Freudenberg, the Technology Specialist, has already produced and extensively tested its first small series. The elastomer component has been designed to withstand temperatures between -40 and 80°C and functions reliably even when soiled.

To read more click here...