Normal Motors is exploring a brand new association for prismatic battery cells that goals to boost cooling capabilities. A patent utility printed by the USA Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) on December 26, 2024, reveals that the automaker initially filed this doc on June 23, 2023. The patent describes a novel design that arranges battery layers in an inverted “U” form, in distinction to the traditional rolled or stacked configurations present in present prismatic cells.
This modern design reportedly improves thermal conductivity within the horizontal course on the prime of the cell, facilitating higher warmth dissipation. Moreover, within the vertical course close to the underside of the cell, this configuration might improve the effectivity of cooling techniques when these cells are assembled right into a battery pack, in keeping with GM.
The inverted “U” association additionally extends the thermal delay time inside the cell, which means that warmth propagation would happen extra slowly. This attribute might doubtlessly hold peak temperatures decrease and extra contained, even throughout overheating occasions, permitting for a thermal response barrier that’s 50% thinner than earlier designs.
Future iterations of those cells might assist cut back their total dimension or improve vitality density by permitting for a larger quantity of lively materials to suit right into a given house. A extra compact pack dimension might additionally end result from lowered cooling necessities.
Nonetheless, the complexity of the proposed cell form presents potential manufacturing challenges, which can clarify why main battery producers haven’t but adopted this strategy.
GM seems to be adopting a multifaceted battery technique, using pouch, cylindrical, and prismatic codecs in its electrical automobiles, emphasizing design flexibility. The automaker has additionally examined unconventional cell shapes in earlier patent purposes, specializing in enhancing cooling efficiency.
In distinction, corporations akin to Tesla, Lucid, and Rivian are specializing in cylindrical cells, which purportedly supply benefits by way of vary and effectivity. BMW is ready to make use of cylindrical cells in its next-generation Neue Klasse electrical automobiles, with the primary mannequin slated for pre-production in anticipation of a 2025 launch, promising important enhancements in vitality density.
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