Amphenol Sensors, a company comprised of industry-leading sensor brands, including Thermometrics, Inc., Telaire, and NovaSensor, and known for innovative technologies and embedded measurement solutions, now offers a revolutionary sensor technology platform for Robust Early Detection to Thermal Runaway (REDTR) to detect lithium-ion battery cell faults resulting in venting.
While generally an uncommon event, stressed lithium-ion batteries can undergo failure through a variety of causal factors. This failure can result in an internal reaction that generates heat and chemical decomposition of the cell, which can rapidly accelerate into thermal runaway. When this occurs, the cell vents gases, which Amphenol’s REDTR sensor system can rapidly detect within a battery enclosure.
The advantage of REDTR is that it responds to cell venting regardless of cell size, electrochemistry, and battery pack configuration from a single point within the pack. This sensor technology has a demonstrated performance life of up to 20 years in a compact configuration that can be used as a standalone device or integrated directly into the battery management system architecture. REDTR can identify the initial cell vent within seconds and qualify whether the event is contained or cascading to adjacent cells through monitoring various physical aspects of the cell ejecta plume, with fast detection enabling opportunity for rapid countermeasures.