Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging a battery pack including a plurality of electrochemical cells distributed within a thermal management composite matrix, including a phase change material. The method operates upon determining that a battery pack temperature and/or voltage measurement is below a predetermined minimum threshold. The pack temperature and/or the voltage measurement is raised to the predetermined minimum threshold, such as by applying a low current rate, and then the charging rate is increased upon reaching the predetermined minimum threshold. The increased charging rate is further selected based upon a thermal state of charge of the thermal management composite matrix.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging a battery pack including a plurality of electrochemical cells distributed within a thermal management composite matrix, including a phase change material. The method operates upon determining that a battery pack temperature and/or voltage measurement is below a predetermined minimum threshold. The pack temperature and/or the voltage measurement is raised to the predetermined minimum threshold, such as by applying a low current rate, and then the charging rate is increased upon reaching the predetermined minimum threshold. The increased charging rate is further selected based upon a thermal state of charge of the thermal management composite matrix.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging a battery pack including a plurality of electrochemical cells distributed within a thermal management composite matrix, including a phase change material. The method operates upon determining that a battery pack temperature and/or voltage measurement is below a predetermined minimum threshold. The pack temperature and/or the voltage measurement is raised to the predetermined minimum threshold, such as by applying a low current rate, and then the charging rate is increased upon reaching the predetermined minimum threshold. The increased charging rate is further selected based upon a thermal state of charge of the thermal management composite matrix.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a thermal state of charge or melt fraction of phase change material in a battery system. The battery system includes a plurality of electrochemical cell elements, a supply of a phase change material in thermal contact with the plurality of electrochemical cell elements, and a battery management system that monitors a thermal storage capacity of the phase change material and automatically controls a power of the plurality of electrochemical cell elements as a function of the thermal storage capacity of the phase change material. The battery management system automatically adjusts a power output of the plurality of electrochemical cell elements as a function of the thermal storage capacity of the phase change material to provide a heat output within a predetermined safe temperature limit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a thermal state of charge or melt fraction of phase change material in a battery system. The battery system includes a plurality of electrochemical cell elements, a supply of a phase change material in thermal contact with the plurality of electrochemical cell elements, and a battery management system that monitors a thermal storage capacity of the phase change material and automatically controls a power of the plurality of electrochemical cell elements as a function of the thermal storage capacity of the phase change material. The battery management system automatically adjusts a power output of the plurality of electrochemical cell elements as a function of the thermal storage capacity of the phase change material to provide a heat output within a predetermined safe temperature limit.