Embodiments discussed herein refer to backwards compatible charging circuits and methods for charging a battery to a relatively high voltage level regardless of whether the charging station is capable of supplying power at that relatively high voltage level. The circuitry and methods according to embodiments discussed herein can use the motor and power electronics (e.g., inverter) to provide a voltage boosting path to increase the charge voltage from a legacy voltage level (e.g., a relatively low voltage level) to a native voltage level (e.g., a relatively high voltage level). When a native voltage charging station is charging the battery, the circuitry and methods according to embodiments discussed herein can use a native voltage path for supplying power, received from the charging station at the native voltage, to the battery.
B60L 53/16 - Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
H02M 3/158 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load
H02M 7/48 - Conversion of DC power input into AC power output without possibility of reversal by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode
H02M 7/06 - Conversion of AC power input into DC power output without possibility of reversal by static converters using discharge tubes without control electrode or semiconductor devices without control electrode
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
A bidirectional bus system that includes a bus master having a first transmitter coupled to a bidirectional bus. The first transmitter transmits a signal in a first voltage range onto the bus. The bus master has a first receiver coupled to the bus. A bus slave having a second transmitter coupled to the bus is included. The second transmitter transmits a signal in a second voltage range onto the bus, where the bus slave having a second receiver is coupled to the bus. The first receiver is configured to interpret the signal in the first voltage range to indicate an idle state while the second receiver interprets the signal in the first voltage range as indicating data. The second receiver interprets the signal in the second voltage range as indicative of an idle state while the first receiver interprets the signal in the second voltage range as indicating data.
G06F 13/00 - Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
G06F 13/42 - Bus transfer protocol, e.g. handshakeSynchronisation
B60R 16/023 - Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided forArrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
G06F 13/364 - Handling requests for interconnection or transfer for access to common bus or bus system with centralised access control using independent requests or grants, e.g. using separated request and grant lines
A method of operating an electric vehicle charging system utilizing a plurality of charging units and charging points and a vehicle charging system are disclosed. The method includes determining a rate of charge to be delivered to each vehicle and then allocating a respective portion of the total charging capacity of the charging station to each vehicle.
A battery is rendered to a consistent discharged state in a two-phase battery discharge operation. In a first of the two discharge phases, a constant discharge current is drawn from the battery until a threshold battery voltage is reached. In the second of the two discharge phases, executed after the threshold battery voltage is reached during the first-phase, a time-varying discharge current is drawn from the battery at a constant battery voltage until a threshold discharge current is reached.
The present invention relates to a motor assembly, a method of operation thereof and a transport vehicle provided with the motor assembly. The motor assembly is provided with an energy source switching controller that is in synchronization with motor operation and provides an improved utilization of energy storage sources in an electric, hybrid electric, or fuel cell based motor vehicle drive train application.
H02P 4/00 - Arrangements specially adapted for regulating or controlling the speed or torque of electric motors that can be connected to two or more different electric power supplies
H02P 9/00 - Arrangements for controlling electric generators for the purpose of obtaining a desired output
B60L 11/18 - using power supplied from primary cells, secondary cells, or fuel cells
B60K 6/445 - Differential gearing distribution type
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
H02J 7/34 - Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other DC sources, e.g. providing buffering
A power device temperature monitor is provided. The power device temperature monitor includes a power device having a control terminal and an output terminal, where the output terminal is configured to output a current as directed by a voltage of the control terminal. The power device temperature monitor includes an inductor coupled to the output terminal of the power device and an amplifier coupled to the inductor. The power device temperature monitor includes a computing device that receives an output of the amplifier, the computing device is configured to derive a temperature of the power device based upon the output of the amplifier.
G01K 7/01 - Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat using semiconducting elements having PN junctions
G01F 1/68 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using thermal effects
G01K 7/00 - Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat
G01K 7/34 - Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat using capacitative elements
39.
Method of controlling battery state using constant-voltage discharge
A battery is rendered to a consistent discharged state in a two-phase battery discharge operation. In a first of the two discharge phases, a constant discharge current is drawn from the battery until a threshold battery voltage is reached. In the second of the two discharge phases, executed after the threshold battery voltage is reached during the first-phase, a time-varying discharge current is drawn from the battery at a constant battery voltage until a threshold discharge current is reached.
A battery assembly provided with an adhesive stop mechanism is disclosed. The battery assembly includes multiple battery cells, a primary retaining frame, a secondary retaining frame, two common electrodes and a bonding layer. The primary and second retaining frames are combined together to constitute accommodation chambers for housing the battery cells. The primary retaining frame includes an outer deck and a shallow deck, wherein the outer deck is formed with adhesive application pores and the shallow deck is formed with stop portions corresponding to the adhesive application pores. The adhesive composition applied through the adhesive application pores is confined by the stop portions and subsequently cured into a bonding layer that firmly holds the battery cells within the accommodation chambers.
A noise resistant switch control circuit is provided. The circuit includes a low pass filter configured to couple to a first terminal of a switch and a first voltage clamp coupled to the low pass filter. The first voltage clamp is configured to couple to a control terminal of the switch and limit a voltage of the control terminal relative to the first terminal to within a first clamping range. The circuit includes a second voltage clamp coupled to an input terminal of the switch control circuit. The second voltage clamp is configured to couple to the control terminal of the switch. The second voltage clamp is further configured to reduce a level of a control voltage coupled to the second voltage clamp. The circuit includes a bias device configured to couple to the control terminal of the switch and to impress a biasing voltage to the control terminal.
A battery system is provided. The battery system includes a base battery pack and a container having the base battery pack therein. The container is configured to receive a boost battery pack, wherein the container can hold the base battery pack and the boost battery pack. The battery system includes a coupling operable to provide electric power from the base battery pack alone or from the base battery pack in combination with the boost battery pack. A method of cooperating a battery pack is included.
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
B60L 11/18 - using power supplied from primary cells, secondary cells, or fuel cells
B60L 3/00 - Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposesMonitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption
H01M 2/10 - Mountings; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
H01M 10/42 - Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
An induction motor controller is provided. The induction motor controller includes a first module that derives a commanded stator voltage vector, in a stator flux reference frame, via a rotor flux regulator loop and a torque regulator loop, which process at least partially in the stator flux reference frame. The induction motor controller includes a second module that processes the commanded stator voltage vector to produce AC (alternating current) power for an induction motor.
A battery module with high thermal conductivity and its assembling method are disclosed. The battery module includes multiple battery cells, a primary retaining frame, a secondary retaining frame, common electrodes and a heatsink device. The primary and second retaining frames are combined together to constitute accommodation chambers for housing the battery cells and formed with interference flanged to secure the battery cells in position. Upon being inserted into the accommodation chambers, the battery cells are electrically connected to the common electrodes. The heatsink device is then coupled to the primary retaining frame and/or the secondary retaining frame, such that the heatsink device abuts against the top common electrode and/or the bottom common electrode of the battery cells.
A bidirectional bus system that includes a bus master having a first transmitter coupled to a bidirectional bus. The first transmitter transmits a signal in a first voltage range onto the bus. The bus master has a first receiver coupled to the bus. A bus slave having a second transmitter coupled to the bus is included. The second transmitter transmits a signal in a second voltage range onto the bus, where the bus slave having a second receiver is coupled to the bus. The first receiver is configured to interpret the signal in the first voltage range to indicate an idle state while the second receiver interprets the signal in the first voltage range as indicating data. The second receiver interprets the signal in the second voltage range as indicative of an idle state while the first receiver interprets the signal in the second voltage range as indicating data.
A bidirectional bus system is provided. The bidirectional bus system includes a plurality of bus slaves configured to couple to a bidirectional bus. Each bus slave of the plurality of bus slaves has a switch operated by a switch control to selectably couple and decouple an upstream portion and a downstream portion of the bidirectional bus relative to the bus slave, with the switch control being powered by activity on the bidirectional bus. A method of operating a bus is also provided.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computerOutput arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
G06F 13/00 - Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
G06F 13/42 - Bus transfer protocol, e.g. handshakeSynchronisation
47.
Bias circuit for a switched capacitor level shifter
A noise resistant switch control circuit is provided. The circuit includes a low pass filter configured to couple to a first terminal of a switch and a first voltage clamp coupled to the low pass filter. The first voltage clamp is configured to couple to a control terminal of the switch and limit a voltage of the control terminal relative to the first terminal to within a first clamping range. The circuit includes a second voltage clamp coupled to an input terminal of the switch control circuit. The second voltage clamp is configured to couple to the control terminal of the switch. The second voltage clamp is further configured to reduce a level of a control voltage coupled to the second voltage clamp. The circuit includes a bias device configured to couple to the control terminal of the switch and to impress a biasing voltage to the control terminal.
A power device temperature monitor is provided. The power device temperature monitor includes a power device having a control terminal and an output terminal, where the output terminal is configured to output a current as directed by a voltage of the control terminal. The power device temperature monitor includes an inductor coupled to the output terminal of the power device and an amplifier coupled to the inductor. The power device temperature monitor includes a computing device that receives an output of the amplifier, the computing device is configured to derive a temperature of the power device based upon the output of the amplifier.
G01K 7/01 - Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat using semiconducting elements having PN junctions
G01F 1/68 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using thermal effects
G01K 7/00 - Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat
G01K 7/34 - Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat using capacitative elements
A power drive apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a first switch having a first plurality of power devices arranged in a back to back configuration within adjacent stacked rows of the first switch. The apparatus includes a second switch having a second plurality of power devices arranged in a back to back configuration within adjacent stacked rows of the second switch. A bus is shared with the first switch and the second switch. The apparatus includes a control drive device coupled to a gate of each power device of the first plurality of power devices and each power device of the second plurality of power devices.
H03B 1/00 - GENERATION OF OSCILLATIONS, DIRECTLY OR BY FREQUENCY-CHANGING, BY CIRCUITS EMPLOYING ACTIVE ELEMENTS WHICH OPERATE IN A NON-SWITCHING MANNERGENERATION OF NOISE BY SUCH CIRCUITS Details
H03K 3/00 - Circuits for generating electric pulsesMonostable, bistable or multistable circuits
H03K 17/60 - Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and -breaking characterised by the use of specified components by the use, as active elements, of semiconductor devices the devices being bipolar transistors
A heat sink is provided. The heat sink includes a single-piece housing having a floor and two walls, the walls perpendicular to the floor and the walls are parallel to each other. The heat sink includes the housing having an inlet and an outlet. The housing is configured to attach power modules to an outer surface of the floor and to outer surfaces of the two walls. The housing is configured to cool the power modules in response to fluid flow into the inlet.
H05K 7/20 - Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
H01L 25/11 - Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid-state devices all the devices being of a type provided for in a single subclass of subclasses , , , , or , e.g. assemblies of rectifier diodes the devices having separate containers the devices being of a type provided for in subclass
H01L 23/473 - Arrangements for cooling, heating, ventilating or temperature compensation involving the transfer of heat by flowing fluids by flowing liquids
A battery pack has bus bars at one end, freeing the other end of the battery pack for cooling or other arrangements. A plurality of battery cells has first terminals of the battery cells at first ends of the battery cells. Portions of second terminals of the battery cells are at the first ends of the battery cells. The first ends of the battery cells are in a coplanar arrangement. A plurality of bus bars is assembled proximate to the first ends of the battery cells. The bus bars are coupled to the first terminals and the second terminals of the battery cells at the first ends of the battery cells to place the battery cells in one of a series connection, a parallel connection or a series and parallel connection.
The present invention relates to a motor assembly, a method of operation thereof and a transport vehicle provided with the motor assembly. The motor assembly is provided with an energy source switching controller that is in synchronization with motor operation and provides an improved utilization of energy storage sources in an electric, hybrid electric, or fuel cell based motor vehicle drive train application.
H02P 1/00 - Arrangements for starting electric motors or dynamo-electric converters
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
H02P 4/00 - Arrangements specially adapted for regulating or controlling the speed or torque of electric motors that can be connected to two or more different electric power supplies
H02P 9/00 - Arrangements for controlling electric generators for the purpose of obtaining a desired output
H02J 7/34 - Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other DC sources, e.g. providing buffering
53.
Characterizing a rechargeable battery through discontinuous charging
A rechargeable battery pack is discontinuously charged in multiple discrete charging intervals. Reductions in battery pack voltage that occur during non-charging intervals, each transpiring between a respective pair of the discrete charging intervals, are measured. Multiple resistance values that characterize the internal resistance (DC resistance) of the battery pack are generated based on the reductions in battery pack voltage that occur during the non-charging intervals.
H02J 7/16 - Regulation of the charging current or voltage by variation of field
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
G01R 31/36 - Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
B60L 3/00 - Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposesMonitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption
B60L 11/18 - using power supplied from primary cells, secondary cells, or fuel cells
54.
Method of electrically connecting cell terminals in a battery pack
A battery pack that economically and reliably interconnects a large number of small form-factor battery cells. A conducting plate with a plurality of sets of tabs protruding from a flat surface of the conducting plate is used to connect electrical terminals of a plurality of battery cells. Each set of tabs is disposed about and exerts a spring force to a respective battery cell, thus mechanically securing and electrically connecting the conducting plate to the cell.
A battery assembly provided with an adhesive stop mechanism is disclosed. The battery assembly includes multiple battery cells, a primary retaining frame, a secondary retaining frame, two common electrodes and a bonding layer. The primary and second retaining frames are combined together to constitute accommodation chambers for housing the battery cells. The primary retaining frame includes an outer deck and a shallow deck, wherein the outer deck is formed with adhesive application pores and the shallow deck is formed with stop portions corresponding to the adhesive application pores. The adhesive composition applied through the adhesive application pores is confined by the stop portions and subsequently cured into a bonding layer that firmly holds the battery cells within the accommodation chambers.
A battery pack management system adjusts the relative state-of-charge of respective battery blocks in a battery pack to equalize (i.e., align, balance or otherwise make similar) the peak battery block voltages (i.e., maximum or “upper peak” battery block voltages when the battery pack is being charged and/or minimum or “lower peak” battery block voltages when the battery is being discharged). Upon detecting an anomalous battery block that exhibits outlier upper and lower peak voltages, the battery pack management system adjusts the relative state of charge of respective battery blocks to center their respective upper and lower peak voltages between operating limits, thus maximizing the operating margin of the battery pack as a whole.
H01M 10/48 - Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte
B60L 11/18 - using power supplied from primary cells, secondary cells, or fuel cells
B60L 3/00 - Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposesMonitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption
B60L 3/04 - Cutting-off the power supply under fault conditions
A battery based power supply assembly is disclosed. The system comprises a discharge initiating device and a plurality of battery modules electrically connected with one another. Each of the battery modules comprises a plurality of battery cells, a discharge load connected in series with the battery cells, a switch coupled between the battery cells and the discharge load, a temperature sensor, and a controller adapted for placing the switch in its electrically connected state upon being driven by the discharge initiating device. The invention further provides a safe method of draining the energy from the power supply assembly disclosed herein.
H01M 10/46 - Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus
B60L 3/00 - Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposesMonitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption
B60L 3/04 - Cutting-off the power supply under fault conditions
The invention relates to a battery assembly with high thermal conductivity. The battery assembly comprises a metal case having a hollow accommodation cavity formed therein, a plurality of battery cores installed parallel to one another within the metal case, and a common electrode for connection to the other electrode in each of the battery cores. Each of the battery cores has two electrodes, with one of the electrodes that corresponds to those of the rest of the battery cores being connected in a thermally conductive manner to the metal case. The invention takes advantage of high thermal conductivity of metallic material and dissipates heat by connecting the metal case to the battery electrodes. The invention further comprises fixation troughs formed on the metal case, thereby reducing the size of the assembly.
H01M 2/06 - Arrangements for introducing electric connectors into or through cases
H01M 2/20 - Current-conducting connections for cells
H01M 2/10 - Mountings; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
H01M 10/654 - Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells located inside the innermost case of the cells, e.g. mandrels, electrodes or electrolytes
H01M 10/659 - Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells by heat storage or buffering, e.g. heat capacity or liquid-solid phase changes or transition
H01M 10/48 - Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte
H01M 10/653 - Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells characterised by electrically insulating or thermally conductive materials
H01M 10/623 - Portable devices, e.g. mobile telephones, cameras or pacemakers
The invention relates to a battery assembly with high thermal conductivity. The battery assembly comprises a metal case having a hollow accommodation cavity formed therein, a plurality of battery cells installed parallel to one another within the metal case, and a common electrode for connection to the other electrode in each of the battery cells. Each of the battery cells has two electrodes, with one of the electrodes that corresponds to those of the rest of the battery cells being connected in a thermally conductive manner to the metal case. The invention takes advantage of high thermal conductivity of metallic material and dissipates heat by connecting the metal case to the battery electrodes. The invention further comprises fixation troughs formed on the metal case, thereby reducing the size of the assembly.
H01M 2/06 - Arrangements for introducing electric connectors into or through cases
H01M 2/20 - Current-conducting connections for cells
H01M 2/10 - Mountings; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
H01M 10/654 - Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells located inside the innermost case of the cells, e.g. mandrels, electrodes or electrolytes
H01M 10/659 - Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells by heat storage or buffering, e.g. heat capacity or liquid-solid phase changes or transition
60.
Method and apparatus for determining the state-of-charge of a battery
A method and apparatus for determining the state-of-charge of a battery. In response to detecting that the battery is in a rest state, a pre-conditioning current is drawn from the battery to affect a correlation between the state-of-charge of the battery and an open-circuit voltage of the battery. Thereafter, the open-circuit voltage of the battery is measured, and used to determine the state-of-charge.
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
G01R 31/36 - Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
A method of operating an electric vehicle charging system utilizing a plurality of charging units and charging points is disclosed. The method includes determining a rate of charge to be delivered to each vehicle and then allocating a respective portion of the total charging capacity of the charging station to each vehicle.
A method for estimating the state-of-charge of a battery. The method includes collecting a plurality of voltage measurements during operation of the system containing the battery and determining a time-constant of relaxation and an open-circuit voltage corresponding to the battery based, at least in part, on the voltage measurements. The method further includes estimating the state-of-charge of the battery based, at least in part, on the open-circuit voltage.
G01R 31/36 - Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
63.
Circuit breaker for use in high power system and the power system
A high power system provided with a circuit breaker is disclosed, in which the circuit breaker controls the electrical connection in the system. The circuit breaker has a switch device and a connecting device. Two conductive terminals provided in the connecting device are spaced apart from each other and connected to a power source. The connecting device is equipped with a safety latch for transmitting a signal demanding the establishment of electrical connection to an interrupting control circuit. A conductive element provided in the switch device is electrically connected to the conductive terminals of the connecting device, and then a latch releasing element provided in the switch device drives the safety latch to activate the interrupting control circuit, so as to permit power transmission in the high power system.
A method for operating a battery system having multiple battery packs. The method includes decoupling the output of a discharged battery pack from the vehicle load, reducing the voltage between an output of a charged battery pack and the vehicle load prior to coupling the output of the charged battery pack to the vehicle load.
In a battery pack having multiple battery cells distributed, for example, between multiple interconnected battery modules, a run-time cooling system is provided to cool (and/or heat) the battery cells during routine charging and discharging of the cells (e.g., powering a load such as a motor within an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle), and an emergency cooling system to cool the battery cells in response to a signal indicating detection of one or more conditions indicating possible thermal runaway within the battery cells or battery modules. The run-time cooling system, which may include a fan, HVAC unit or other fluid pumping device, induces continuous coolant flow within the battery pack (e.g., flow of air or other gaseous or liquid coolant). The emergency cooling system, by contrast, includes a mechanical interface or is otherwise adapted to receive a receptacle containing pressurized coolant or other flash-cooling device.
H01M 10/50 - Heating or cooling or regulating temperature (control of temperature in general G05D 23/00)
H01M 10/48 - Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte
B60K 11/00 - Arrangement in connection with cooling of propulsion units
H01M 10/42 - Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
B60L 1/00 - Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of electrically-propelled vehicles
B60L 11/18 - using power supplied from primary cells, secondary cells, or fuel cells
B60L 3/00 - Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposesMonitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption
B60K 28/14 - Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle responsive to accident or emergency, e.g. deceleration, tilt of vehicle
B60L 3/04 - Cutting-off the power supply under fault conditions
H01M 10/6563 - Gases with forced flow, e.g. by blowers
B60K 1/00 - Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units
66.
High efficiency adaptive power conversion system and method of operation thereof
A power conversion system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of power conversion modules and a controller that turns on/off each power conversion module separately based on changing load conditions, and manages to keep each power conversion module running at its peak efficient state.
A battery pack that economically and reliably interconnects a large number of small form-factor battery cells. A conducting plate with a plurality of sets of tabs protruding from a flat surface of the conducting plate is used to connect electrical terminals of a plurality of battery cells. Each set of tabs is disposed about and exerts a spring force to a respective battery cell, thus mechanically securing and electrically connecting the conducting plate to the cell.
Methods of cooling a battery pack comprising a large number of cells are disclosed in various embodiments. In one embodiment, one or more low thermal resistance heat pipes are used to transfer heat away from the battery pack. In another embodiment, the heat pipes are coupled to a cold plate cooled by circulating liquid.
patents