Abstract: Systems are disclosed for battery modules/systems with cooling systems. In accordance with disclosed embodiments, the cooling system may be disposed against an external surface of a housing of the battery system. The cooling system may utilize air as a coolant to remove heat generated by cells within the battery module, to prevent the cells from aging prematurely. Embodiments of the cooling system may include manifolds, channels, fins, or a combination thereof, which may route the cooling air along the surface of the battery module housing. Such features may create an isothermal temperature distribution within the battery system.

Abstract: A start-stop retrofit kit includes a start-stop module configured to monitor one or more parameters of a vehicle, configured to automatically stop an engine of the vehicle when the vehicle is idling during operation, and configured to automatically start the engine when the vehicle is not idling during operation. The retrofit kit further includes a wire harness configured to couple the start-stop module to a switch disposed between a starter motor and an ignition of the engine of the vehicle, wherein the switch is disposed in parallel with an existing connection between the ignition and the starter motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pre-charging a bus capacitance in vehicles that receive at least a portion of their motive power from electricity generated from a battery are provided. By way of example, an embodiment includes a vehicle control unit (VCU) that receives battery pack data from a battery management unit (BMU) of each of a plurality of battery packs and determines, based on the battery pack data, which battery packs may be used to pre-charge the bus capacitance in parallel. The VCU issues commands to each of the BMUs to connect pre-charge circuits between each of the plurality of battery packs and the bus capacitance and receives status information from each of the BMUs to determine whether or not the bus capacitance was successfully pre-charged by the battery packs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for de-energizing battery packs in vehicles that receive at least a portion of their motive power from electricity generated from a battery are provided. By way of example, one embodiment includes a battery de-energizer that is configured to electrically couple to a port or receptacle, such as the service disconnect receptacle, on the vehicle and discharge the electrical energy stored in the battery pack. Another embodiment includes a battery management unit (BMU) designed to monitor one or more sensors to determine if a crash has occurred. If a crash is determined, the BMU electrically couples a battery de-energizer circuit to the battery pack to discharge the electrical energy stored in the battery pack.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery is provided. The battery comprises: an electrolytic solution; a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode active material; a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode active material, and a heat-resistant layer comprising a metal fluoride.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for battery modules with housing systems. In accordance with disclosed embodiments, the housing system may include a four-walled casing (e.g., no top/bottom) with at least one hole and plug that couples with the hole in the casing using a detention mechanism. The casing may house multiple prismatic cells in a face-to-face arrangement. The plug may extend through the hole in the casing to contact and apply a compressive force to the cells within the casing. Further, the casing may have the hole and plug assembly on parallel sides, enabling the compressive force to be applied to the cells from both directions. The compressive force may retain the cells in the casing and limit the swelling of the cells to maintain their product life. The housing system may also include a cooling system in contact with the bottom of the cells and/or compression plates to distribute the compressive force evenly on the prismatic cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for battery cells with positive polarity rigid containers. In accordance with disclosed embodiments, the cell may include a container and a lid piece that couple together to form a rectangular prismatic geometry. An electrode assembly having positive and negative coils may be disposed within the cell, and the positive coil may be conductively coupled to the cell. In this way, the cell (e.g., both the lid and the container) may be positively polarized. Further, the electrode assembly may incorporate a jelly-roll or a stacked structure. In one embodiment, the lid piece may include a vent that opens in response to pressure in the cell surpassing an established threshold. The lid may further include a positive terminal, negative terminal, and a method for filling the cell with electrolyte. Another embodiment may provide a battery module include multiple cells with positive polarity rigid containers.

Abstract: Provided herein is an electrode active material comprising a lithium metal oxide and an overcharge protection additive having an operating voltage higher than the operating voltage of the lithium metal oxide.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided including, but not limited to, a can having a side wall that is coupled to a first end and having a cover at a second end of the can to close the second end of the can, a cell element within the can, electrolyte within the can, and a safety device. The can forms a vent at the first end configured to allow gases and/or effluent to exit the can once the pressure inside the can reaches a predetermined amount. The safety device is provided adjacent a first end of the cell element and between the cell element and the first end of the housing. The safety device is configured to exert an additional force on the vent to aid in the deployment of the vent.

Abstract: A current collector with improved flexibility and electrical conductivity includes at least one flexible leg coupled to a central portion of the current collector. The flexible leg extends substantially orthogonally to the central portion when a force is applied to the central portion. Specifically, the at least one flexible leg extends at least 16 percent of the outer width when a 1000 Newton loading is applied between the central portion and the outer portion.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a battery management unit (BMU) coupled to a battery pack of an xEV. Further, the BMU is configured to determine an energy remaining value for the battery pack based, at least in part, on a minimum cell temperature and a minimum cell state of charge percentage (SOC %) determined by the BMU for the battery pack.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided. The electrochemical cell includes, but is not limited to, a can, a cell element within the can, electrolyte within the can, and a first suppressant container including suppressant and disposed within a void defined within the can. The suppressant is separated from the electrolyte by the first suppressant container.

Abstract: Provided herein are electrochemical cell element systems. One such system includes a first electrode having a desired length and an interrupted second electrode having one or more interruptions disposed between a plurality of electrode segments. The system also includes one or more separators positioned to separate the first electrode and the interrupted second electrode. The first electrode, the interrupted second electrode, and the one or more separators are wound along the length of the cell element.

Abstract: Provided herein are electrochemical cells having improved heat collection and transfer systems. For example, one electrochemical cell includes a drawn can having a blind side and a second side opposite the blind side. The cell also includes a positive terminal disposed in the blind side of the can and electrically coupled to at least one positive electrode disposed within the can and a negative terminal disposed in the blind side of the can and electrically coupled to at least one negative electrode disposed within the can. The cell further includes a base coupled to a substantially flat edge disposed on the second side of the can. A bottom surface of the base is adapted to maintain a substantially flat configuration when coupled to a heat sink.

Abstract: Battery systems and modules having external thermal management systems are provided. In one embodiment, a battery module includes a housing and at least one electrochemical cell disposed within the housing. The battery module also includes a thermal interface having a first side in contact with the at least one electrochemical cell. The battery module also includes a heat sink in contact with a second side of the thermal interface. The thermal interface is adapted to enable heat transfer from the at least one electrochemical cell to the heat sink.

Abstract: A battery module includes a rigid external casing made, for example, of a metallic sheet material. Securement features, tabs, and so forth may be formed in the material of the casing. The casing may be made by stamping and bending metallic sheet. A liner is disposed in the casing, and one or more battery cells are disposed in the liner. The liner may comprise an insulative sheet material that is cut and folded to generally conform to the casing. The structure may include a bus bar assembly, compression members, a thermal component and other structural and functional elements.

Abstract: Provided battery systems include a plurality of battery electronic control units, each associated with a battery pack of a plurality of battery packs. Each battery electronic control unit is adapted to acquire analog current measurements of the associated battery pack and to convert the acquired analog current measurements to a digital value such that the plurality of battery electronic control units produce a plurality of digital values. The system may sum the digital values, or may process pulse-width modulated signals, analog signals and so forth. A battery system electronic control unit is adapted to receive and monitor the plurality of digital values and to determine a total battery system current value based on the received plurality of digital values.

Abstract: A buss bar for connecting electrochemical cells together includes a conductive member having a first end, a second end, and an elongated body between the first end and second end. The body includes a stress relief region configured to dampen vibrational forces received by the buss bar. The buss bar also includes a voltage sense terminal coupled to the conductive member.