Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Corresponding threaded mechanical fasteners are automatically aligned with an alignment guide. The alignment guide includes a tapered cavity defined in a housing. As the threaded mechanical fasteners are moved towards one another to mate, the tapered cavity in the alignment guide causes the threaded mechanical fasteners to align with each other. The mechanical fasteners can connect a modular rechargeable battery to a battery receptacle in a vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electric vehicle battery systems with replaceable parallel electric vehicle battery modules are described herein. The electric vehicle battery system includes a plurality of electric vehicle battery modules connected in parallel. Each electric vehicle battery module includes a battery. Each electric vehicle battery module can also include a balancing circuit in electrical communication with a current path from the battery to an electric vehicle battery module output node. Each electric vehicle battery module also may have a current sensor in electromagnetic communication with the current path between the battery and the balancing circuit. The current sensor can be configured to sense a current level between the battery and the balancing circuit. The balancing circuit can be configured to balance the current level sensed by the current sensor of each electric vehicle battery module.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electric vehicle battery systems with replaceable parallel electric vehicle battery modules are described herein. The electric vehicle battery system includes a plurality of electric vehicle battery modules connected in parallel. Each electric vehicle battery module includes a battery. Each electric vehicle battery module can also include a balancing circuit in electrical communication with a current path from the battery to an electric vehicle battery module output node. Each electric vehicle battery module also may have a current sensor in electromagnetic communication with the current path between the battery and the balancing circuit. The current sensor can be configured to sense a current level between the battery and the balancing circuit. The balancing circuit can be configured to balance the current level sensed by the current sensor of each electric vehicle battery module.