A secondary battery module including a plurality of unit batteries that each include a cap plate and a case connected to either one of a positive electrode and a negative electrode of an electrode assembly and an electrode terminal connected to the other of the positive electrode and negative electrode, wherein the electrode terminal protrudes outside of a unit battery by passing through the cap plate covering the case, and a connector having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end fits on the electrode terminal of one of the unit batteries and is screw-engaged to the electrode terminal by a nut and the second end is connected to the case of another adjacent unit battery.

Secondary battery module

A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a heat exchanger having a thermal energy storage material provided therein, a first coolant loop thermally coupled to an electrochemical storage device located within the first coolant loop and to the heat exchanger, and a second coolant loop thermally coupled to the heat exchanger. The first and second coolant loops are configured to carry distinct thermal energy transfer media. The thermal management system also includes an interface configured to facilitate transfer of heat generated by an internal combustion engine to the heat exchanger via the second coolant loop in order to selectively deliver the heat to the electrochemical storage device. Thermal management methods are also provided.

Thermal management systems and methods

A battery module of the present invention is adaptable to be utilized in various configurations including and not limited to an overlapping battery cell packaging configuration and a vertical stack battery cell packaging configuration used in an automotive and non-automotive applications. The battery module has a plurality of battery heatsink assemblies with the cells disposed therebetween. A plurality of rods extend through the each heatsink assemblies to secure the heatsink assemblies and the cell with one another to form the battery module.

Battery assembly with temperature control device

A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.

Multi-mode charging system for an electric vehicle

A system which can efficiently control the temperature of the battery module, and also can easily control the temperature in the intense environment by actively adapting the exterior environment. The system for controlling temperature of a secondary battery module includes a housing receiving a plurality of unit batteries. The housing has an inlet and an outlet. A heat transfer member is in contact with the unit batteries. The heat transfer member has a portion exposed to a heat transfer medium duct formed inside the housing, and a temperature controller is mounted in the heat transfer member to control temperature of the unit batteries.

System for controlling temperature of a secondary battery module

A battery assembly has a temperature control mechanism for effecting cooling or heating unit batteries for operation in a desired temperature range. First heat-exchange planar members of respective heat-transfer plates are sandwiched between the unit batteries that are arranged in an array, and second heat-exchange planar members thereof are held against transverse narrow side walls of the unit batteries. The unit batteries and the heat-transfer plates are securely fastened together by holder plates. Heat produced when the unit batteries are in operation is transferred through the first and second heat-exchange planar members of the heat-transfer plates and dissipated into an appropriate cooling medium, such as atmospheric air or another cooling fluid, through a heat-exchange.

Battery assembly with temperature control mechanism

A battery temperature regulating apparatus efficiently controls the charging temperature of a battery assembly which serves as a power source to energize a propulsive motor on an electric vehicle to run on a road. A fluid jacket is disposed in heat exchange relationship with the battery assembly and supplied with a coolant to regulate the temperature of the battery assembly with a radiator or an electric heater for allowing the battery assembly to be charged in a temperature range from 20° C. to 35° C., for example, which is optimum for the charging of the battery assembly. The battery temperature regulating apparatus can maintain the optimum temperature range more reliably than a conventional apparatus which regulates the temperature of the battery assembly as it is charged with a forced flow of hot air or cool air, and can reduce the electric energy consumption to 1/3 of that of the conventional apparatus.

Battery temperature regulating apparatus

A method and apparatus for charging a battery which is operable to normally charge the battery at a first state of charge setting, to determine when the battery has been undercharged a predetermined number of times, and to charge the battery at a second state of charge setting after the battery is undercharged the predetermined number of times. The second state of charge setting is greater than the first state of charge setting. The method includes determining when the state of charge of the battery is below a predetermined level, charging the battery at the first state of charge setting, calculating a number of charging times when the battery was charged below the predetermined level after the last time the battery was charged at the predetermined level, and charging the battery with a second state of second charge setting when the calculated number of charging times equals a predetermined number. The apparatus includes a sensor for sensing the state of charge of the battery, a counter for counting the number of charging times that the battery was charged below a predetermined level after the last time the battery was charged to the predetermined level, and a charger for applying the second state of charge setting when the number of charging times counted by the counter equals the predetermined number.

Refreshing charge control method and apparatus to extend the life of batteries

A battery discharge gas control system, which releases a hydrogen gas generated from the battery assembly when the battery assembly is charged and discharged, is capable of keeping the battery structure highly resistant to water or humidity. The battery discharge gas control system has a battery having a gas release port, a passage connected to the gas release port, a control valve connected to the passage, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure in the passage, and a control circuit for opening the control valve to release a gas generated by the battery from the passage, depending on the pressure in the passage as detected by the pressure sensor. During a period of time in which no hydrogen gas is generated or a generated hydrogen gas is not plenty enough to be released while the battery is being charged or discharged, the passage is closed for thereby keeping the battery structure highly resistant to water or humidity. The control valve has a solenoid-operated valve openable in response to a control signal outputted by the control circuit, and a relief valve mechanically openable depending on the pressure in the passage. Even in the event of a failure of the solenoid-operated valve, the relief valve is mechanically opened depending on the pressure in the passage, thereby protecting the passage from damage.

Battery discharge gas control system

For measuring a temperature with a thermistor, an electrical circuit including the thermistor and resistors for voltage division has to be maintained in the normally energized state and a variation in the voltage caused by resistance variation is detected. This requires a considerable amount of power consumption. On the other hand, thermal reed switches SW1 to SWn are mounted on the surfaces of the unit cells 1-1 to 1-n included in the battery pack 10. Each of the thermal reed switches is connected at one end to a common power source VDD and at the other end to a corresponding input terminal of a selector switch 20. The selector switch 20 is responsive to a switch signal from a determining unit 30a for passing selectively and periodically input signals of the input terminals to the determining unit 30a which in turn detects the temperature of a corresponding unit cell on the basis of the input signal selected by the switch signal.

Yasuyuki Sando

Papers

Battery assembly with temperature control mechanism

Battery temperature regulating apparatus

Refreshing charge control method and apparatus to extend the life of batteries

Battery discharge gas control system

Monitor for battery pack