A battery module includes multiple battery-cell stacks of battery cells. The respective battery cells in the battery-cell stacks are spatially aligned with each other along respective longitudinal axes. The battery cells are oriented such that a positive terminal of a battery cell in one of the battery -cell stacks is spatially aligned with a negative terminal of a battery cell in a neighboring battery -cell stack. The battery-cell stacks are spaced apart to form respective air gaps between neighboring battery-cell stacks. A respective electrical connection layer is disposed on each side of a battery-cell stack to electrically connect the respective battery cells. A respective thermal protection shield is disposed on the respective electrical connection layer. The thermal protection shield includes channels that are spatially aligned with the positive terminals to allow gas and/or thermal energy to escape from a positive terminal in the event of battery-cell damage or breakdown.
H01M 50/30 - Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
H01M 10/658 - Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells by thermal insulation or shielding
H01M 50/14 - Primary casingsJackets or wrappings for protecting against damage caused by external factors
H01M 50/213 - Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells characterised by their shape adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic
H01M 50/24 - MountingsSecondary casings or framesRacks, modules or packsSuspension devicesShock absorbersTransport or carrying devicesHolders characterised by physical properties of casings or racks, e.g. dimensions adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion
H01M 50/242 - MountingsSecondary casings or framesRacks, modules or packsSuspension devicesShock absorbersTransport or carrying devicesHolders characterised by physical properties of casings or racks, e.g. dimensions adapted for protecting batteries against vibrations, collision impact or swelling
H01M 50/126 - Primary casingsJackets or wrappings characterised by the material having a layered structure comprising three or more layers
B60L 50/64 - Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
A cooling plate includes an inlet port, an outlet port, a planar first metal sheet, and a second metal sheet disposed on the first metal sheet. The second metal sheet has stamped and crimped regions that define one or more fluid channels to circulate a cooling fluid within the cooling plate, the one or more fluid channels fluidly coupled to the inlet port and the outlet port. The cooling plate can be in thermal communication with a battery module for an electric vehicle.
B60L 53/80 - Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
F28D 1/03 - Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with the heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with plate-like or laminated conduits
F28F 3/00 - Plate-like or laminated elementsAssemblies of plate-like or laminated elements
F28F 3/02 - Elements or assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with recesses, with corrugations
A vehicle lift includes a platform having an adjustable length according to a wheelbase of the vehicle. A plurality of clamps are mounted on the platform, each clamp having an adjustable lateral position with respect to a width of the platform to mechanically engage a respective tire of the vehicle when the vehicle is located on the platform. A plurality of motorized lifts are located below the platform, each lift mechanically coupled to the platform, each motorized lift having an adjustable height to raise and lower the platform. Each motorized lift is moveable with respect to the first axis to vary the adjustable length of the platform and with respect to the second axis to adjust the lateral position of the respective clamp. When the platform is in a raised position, a service cavity is defined between the platform and a floor to receive a service robot.
B60S 5/06 - Supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles
B60L 53/80 - Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
B60L 53/00 - Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehiclesCharging stations or on-board charging equipment thereforExchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
B66F 7/28 - Constructional details, e.g. end stops, pivoting supporting members, sliding runners adjustable to load dimensions
B66F 3/46 - Combinations of several jacks with means for interrelating lifting or lowering movements
B66F 3/00 - Devices, e.g. jacks, adapted for uninterrupted lifting of loads
B66F 7/00 - Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehiclesPlatform lifts
B66F 7/26 - Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehiclesPlatform lifts for selective lifting of parts of vehicles
B66F 7/12 - Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehiclesPlatform lifts with platforms supported directly by jacks by mechanical jacks
B66F 7/02 - Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehiclesPlatform lifts with platforms suspended from ropes, cables, or chains
B66F 7/04 - Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehiclesPlatform lifts with platforms suspended from ropes, cables, or chains hydraulically or pneumatically operated
A system for exchanging electric-vehicle batteries. The system includes a vehicle lift having a platform that supports and lifts an electric vehicle from a lowered position to a raised position, the platform length measured with respect to a first axis. The platform has a service hole to expose an underside of the electric vehicle. Tracks pass below the platform and into a service cavity defined by the vehicle lift when the platform is in the raised position. The tracks extend along a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis. A battery-exchange robot includes a base mounted on the tracks, a battery receptacle configured to hold one or more batteries, and a telescoping arm attached to the base and the battery receptacle, the telescoping arm configured to extend and contract with respect to the first axis to position the battery receptacle with respect to the underside of the vehicle.
B60S 5/06 - Supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles
B60L 53/80 - Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
B60L 53/00 - Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehiclesCharging stations or on-board charging equipment thereforExchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
B66F 7/28 - Constructional details, e.g. end stops, pivoting supporting members, sliding runners adjustable to load dimensions
B66F 3/46 - Combinations of several jacks with means for interrelating lifting or lowering movements
B66F 7/00 - Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehiclesPlatform lifts
B66F 7/26 - Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehiclesPlatform lifts for selective lifting of parts of vehicles
B66F 7/12 - Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehiclesPlatform lifts with platforms supported directly by jacks by mechanical jacks
B66F 7/02 - Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehiclesPlatform lifts with platforms suspended from ropes, cables, or chains
B66F 7/04 - Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehiclesPlatform lifts with platforms suspended from ropes, cables, or chains hydraulically or pneumatically operated
5.
BATTERY-STORAGE APPARATUS AND BATTERY-EXCHANGE SYSTEM
A battery-storage apparatus includes a plurality of cubbies having respective electrical ports, a tray bay having an adjustable frame that releasably holds a battery tray, and a robotic crane that transports batteries between the battery tray and respective cubbies to charge and/or discharge the batteries using the respective electrical ports. The battery tray can be transported to and from the tray bay by a battery -exchange robot.
A method of operating a battery-exchange service station includes receiving data corresponding to a vehicle to be serviced; automatically adjusting a size of a service platform according to the vehicle, the service platform disposed over a service cavity configured to receive a service robot; automatically presenting one or more visual indicators to guide the vehicle onto the service platform such that the vehicle's front tires are at a target position; automatically detecting a position of the vehicle's front tires with lasers and light sensors, each laser located at a predetermined position relative to the target position for the front tires; automatically updating at least one of the visual indicator(s) based on a detected position of the vehicle's front tires; and while the detected position is at the target position, automatically exchanging one or more depleted batteries in the vehicle, with the service robot, with one or more charged batteries.
B60L 53/80 - Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
B60S 13/00 - Vehicle-manoeuvring devices separate from the vehicle
B66F 7/28 - Constructional details, e.g. end stops, pivoting supporting members, sliding runners adjustable to load dimensions
B60L 53/36 - Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles by positioning the vehicle
B66F 9/06 - Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
B60K 1/04 - Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units of the electric storage means for propulsion
7.
OVER-VOLTAGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
An over-voltage protection circuit is electrically connected to one or more batteries and to a high-voltage bus to power the electrical components of an electric vehicle. The over-voltage protection circuit is configured to produce a short-circuit path for current flowing through the high-voltage bus when the voltage across the high-voltage bus is higher than a threshold voltage. The short-circuit path significantly increases the current flowing through the high-voltage bus, which causes one or more fuses to interrupt current flow. The over-voltage protection circuit includes an energy- harvesting circuit that down-converts the voltage across the high-voltage bus to a lower voltage that can power one or more electrical components of the over-voltage protection circuit.
B60L 3/04 - Cutting-off the power supply under fault conditions
B60L 3/00 - Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposesMonitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption
H02H 1/06 - Arrangements for supplying operative power
H02H 9/04 - Emergency protective circuit arrangements for limiting excess current or voltage without disconnection responsive to excess voltage
8.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY SERVICE STATION WITH RETRACTABLE WALLS
An electric-vehicle (EV) battery service station including a platform configured to receive an EV and a housing attached to the platform, the housing including a stationary housing wall and a roof attached to the stationary housing wall, the roof overhanging the platform. A plurality of retractable walls are attached to the roof, the retractable walls having a raised state in which the retractable walls are raised to allow the EV to drive onto or off of the platform and a lowered state in which the retractable walls extend to the platform such that the stationary housing wall, the retractable walls, the roof, and the platform define an EV service chamber. One or more motors is/are in mechanical communication with the retractable walls to transition the retractable walls between the raised and lowered states.
A self-aligning mechanical fastener includes an active apparatus and a passive apparatus and is configured to have locked and unlocked states. The active apparatus includes a motor that drives a shaft in first direction to advance a plunger towards the passive apparatus to transition the fastener to the locked state. The plunger includes a tapered distal end that mechanically engages a locking body. The locking body is moved laterally by the tapered distal end to apply a force to a locking frame that is located in a slot defined in a housing of the passive apparatus. The force causes the mechanical fastener to be locked. To unlock the mechanical fastener, the motor drives the shaft in a second direction to retract the plunger away from the passive apparatus.
A system and method for operating a multi-battery module electrical power system is disclosed. The system and method permit safe and efficient operation with multiple batteries of varying characteristics including in controlling and connecting said batteries to a bus or load such as a DC motor for one or two-directional current and power flow. In an aspect the present system comprises multi-layer controls that can controllably switch operation of the system or portions thereof between several (e.g., four) operating quadrants defined by a voltage-current characteristic.
H02J 7/14 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle
An apparatus for electrically and mechanically coupling battery modules to an electric vehicle includes an interface plate and one or more battery trays. The interface plate includes an electrical output that electrically couples the interface plate to the vehicle. The interface plate also includes an electrical input that is electrically coupled to the electrical output. The battery tray is configured to receive a plurality of replaceable battery modules and is releasably mechanically coupled to the interface plate.
A ventilator apparatus is disclosed that provides various improvements with regard to features and practicality and overall benefits to patients suffering from respiratory and other conditions. The apparatus is constructed in an efficient and reliable way including a single motor and drivetrain assembly that operates a plurality of fluid pumps thanks to a drive shaft coupled to said drive train, and wherein said drive shaft translates axially along an axis of the drive shaft, said drive shaft forcing a linear movement of both the pistons of said fluid pumps along said axis.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Electric vehicle charging station, namely, automated stations for replacing depleted batteries in electric vehicles with charged batteries; Automated machines for replacing electric vehicle batteries Electric vehicle battery system comprised of car batteries and battery chargers; Electric vehicle battery system, comprised of a plurality of modular batteries, battery chargers and swapping hardware for replacing depleted batteries from electric vehicles with charged batteries
A lift for raising or moving loads is disclosed. The lift is autonomous and comprises several parts for sensing and communicating as well as actuating a displacement. In some instances, the lift is moveable and includes optical and other sensors and can furthermore determine one or more vehicle wheel locations to position itself and raise a vehicle up off of the ground.
A system and method for powering electric vehicles and other equipment is provided. In some aspects, an electric vehicle is powered by a modular set of battery modules which are removeable when depleted and individually replaceable with fresh charged modules on demand. Determination of the overall total battery capacity needed allows for operation of the vehicle or machine using all or a subset of all possible battery modules installed therein. Robotic replacement of the modules and servicing at a battery module service station is also described.
Electric vehicle battery system, namely, apparatus for replacing depleted batteries from electric vehicles with charged batteries; Electric vehicle charging station, namely, automated stations for replacing depleted batteries in electric vehicles with charged batteries; Automated machines for replacing electric vehicle batteries
Electric vehicle battery system, namely, apparatus for replacing depleted batteries from electric vehicles with charged batteries; Electric vehicle charging station, namely, automated stations for replacing depleted batteries in electric vehicles with charged batteries; Automated machines for replacing electric vehicle batteries
