Spatial Thermal Conductivity Characterization in Prismatic Formats
Measuring anisotropic conductivity tensors under mechanical stack compression prevents thermal modeling errors in large prismatic lithium battery packs.
Tab Cooling Thermal Dissipation
Meaning
Heat removal strategy targets the current collectors of a battery cell where ohmic heating is most concentrated during high power operation. Efficiency in tab cooling thermal dissipation is achieved by making direct thermal contact with the metallic tabs that extend from the electrode stack. Since the tabs have high thermal conductivity, they serve as effective pathways for extracting heat from the core of the cell.
This method is often superior to surface cooling because it bypasses the low through plane conductivity of the electrode layers.
Heat Path
Conduction through the copper and aluminum foils provides a low resistance route for thermal energy. Optimized tab cooling thermal dissipation utilizes liquid cooled busbars or thermally conductive potting compounds to move heat to the external radiator. This keeps the internal temperature of the cell more uniform than traditional cooling methods.
Power Capability
Sustained fast charging generates significant heat due to the high current flowing through the narrow tab geometry. Implementing tab cooling thermal dissipation allows for higher charge rates without exceeding the safe temperature limits of the separator. It enables electric vehicles to maintain peak performance for longer durations.
Integration Challenge
Mechanical complexity increases when the cooling system must be electrically isolated from the high voltage current collectors. Design of the tab cooling thermal dissipation system requires careful selection of dielectric interface materials that do not hinder heat flow. Despite the engineering difficulty, this approach is becoming standard in high performance and heavy duty battery packs.