Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of electrochemical cells provided within a housing. The battery system also includes a thermal management system configured to provide at least one of heating or cooling to the electrochemical cells. The thermal management system includes a solid state coating having a first metal and a second metal different from the first metal. The solid state coating is configured to pass a current therethrough to create a temperature differential across a first surface of the solid state coating and a second surface of the solid state coating to provide the at least one of heating or cooling to the cells.

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged within the battery module and a thermal management system configured to provide thermal management to the plurality of electrochemical cells. The thermal management system includes a first thermal plate provided adjacent a first side of the battery module and a second thermal plate provided adjacent a second side of the battery module opposite that of the first side of the battery module. The first thermal plate includes a series of fins that extend from a surface of the first thermal plate from the first side of the battery module to the second side of the battery module. The second thermal plate comprises a series of fins that extend from a surface of the second thermal plate from the second side of the battery module to the first side of the battery module.

Abstract: A battery module that includes a plurality of electrochemical cells. Each of the electrochemical cells has a first end including at least one terminal and a second end having a vent. The plurality of electrochemical cells are arranged such that the second ends of a first set of the plurality of electrochemical cells face the second ends of a second set of the plurality of electrochemical cells. A central chamber is located between the second ends of the first set of the plurality of electrochemical cells and the second ends of the second set of the plurality of electrochemical cells. The central chamber is configured to receive gases released from the vents of the plurality of electrochemical cells.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a housing and a lid coupled to the housing. The electrochemical cell also includes a first member conductively coupled to the housing and configured to act as a first terminal for the electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell further includes a second member electrically insulated from the lid and configured to act as a second terminal for the electrochemical cell. A first portion of the second member extends through the lid and a second portion of the second member extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the first portion.

Abstract: A storage battery arrangement includes a plurality of battery cells each having a cell housing having at least one cell terminal protruding from an end of the cell housing. The storage battery arrangement also includes a plurality of control units each having a control unit housing and electronic circuitry provided inside the control unit housing for monitoring and controlling at least one of the plurality of battery cells. The control units each include at least one control terminal extending to the outside of the control unit housing, the control terminal being electrically connected to the electronic circuitry. The size and shape of each of the control unit housings are substantially similar to the size and shape of the cell housings so that the control units can be arranged side-by-side among the battery cells and electrically connected the same way to the battery cells.

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in a first row and a second row offset from the first row. The battery module also includes a heat exchanger configured to allow a fluid to flow through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is disposed between the first and second rows of cells and has a shape that is complementary to the cells in the first and second rows of cells so that an external surface of the heat exchanger contacts a portion of each of the plurality of electrochemical cells. The heat exchanger is configured to route the fluid between an inlet and an outlet such that a path of the fluid flow includes a plurality of adjacent fluid flow segments.

Abstract: A battery module having sealed vent chamber includes a plurality of electrochemical cells each having a vent at an end thereof. The module also includes a structure defining a chamber and comprising a plurality of sockets, each socket configured to receive one of the plurality of electrochemical cells such that the vents of the electrochemical cells are located in the chamber. The module further includes a seal provided between at least one of the electrochemical cells and its associated socket. At least a portion of the seal is deformable such that gases released from the electrochemical cells into the chamber compress the deformable portion of the seal against the electrochemical cells to seal the gases in the chamber.

Abstract: A workpiece cutting apparatus includes a laser source, a first suction system, and a first finger configured to guide a workpiece as it moves past the laser source. The first finger includes a first end provided adjacent a point where a laser from the laser source cuts the workpiece, and the first end of the first finger includes an aperture in fluid communication with the first suction system.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a housing having a first end and a vent located at the first end that is configured to deploy from the housing to allow the expulsion of gases from within the cell. The electrochemical cell also includes at least one projection extending outward from the first end adjacent the vent. The at least one projection is configured to prevent accidental deployment of the vent.

Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of battery modules electrically coupled together in series. The battery system also includes a first electronic control unit (ECU) configured to act as a master ECU. The master ECU is electronically coupled to a first one of the plurality of battery modules. The battery system further includes a plurality of slave ECUs, wherein each slave ECU is electronically coupled to one of the other of the plurality of battery modules. The master ECU is configured to control whether electrical power is provided to each of the plurality of slave ECUs.

Abstract: A current collector for an electrochemical cell includes a member having an outer member and an inner member coupled to the outer member by a plurality of flexible arms configured to allow the inner member to move relative to the outer member.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a cell element comprising at least one electrode. A portion of the at least one electrode extends outward from an end of the cell element. The portion of the at least one electrode is folded onto itself to provide a coupling surface for conductive connection to a terminal of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in a first row and a second row offset from the first row. The battery module also includes a heat exchanger configured to allow a fluid to flow through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is disposed between the first and second rows of cells and has a shape that is complementary to the cells in the first and second rows of cells so that an external surface of the heat exchanger contacts a portion of each of the plurality of electrochemical cells. The heat exchanger is configured to route the fluid between an inlet and an outlet such that a path of the fluid flow includes a plurality of adjacent fluid flow segments.

Abstract: A battery module includes multiple electrochemical cells, a circuit board, and multiple interconnectors. Each electrochemical cell includes a terminal. Each of the interconnectors is coupled to the circuit board and to a terminal of one of the electrochemical cells. Each of the interconnectors is a resilient spring-type interconnector.

Abstract: A mandrel for an electrochemical cell includes an elongated hollow tube. At least one drive member is provided at an end of the hollow tube and is configured to receive a driver in order to rotate the mandrel. The drive member is configured to electrically insulate the hollow tube from an electrode that is wound around the hollow tube.

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of cells. The battery module also includes a housing configured to substantially enclose the plurality of cells. The battery module further includes a lower tray configured to receive the plurality of cells. The lower tray is located inside the housing adjacent a bottom of the housing and includes a top side and a bottom side. The top side has a plurality of sockets configured to receive the plurality of cells in a closely packed arrangement. The bottom side is configured to define a chamber between the lower tray and the bottom of the housing. The chamber is sealed off from the rest of the battery module and is configured to receive released gas from the plurality of cells.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell including a housing configured to receive a cell element. The housing has an electrically-insulating material including metal oxide particles provided on at least a portion of an inner surface thereof to prevent electrical contact between the housing and the cell element. A method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell including applying an electrically-insulating material including metal oxide particles to an inner surface of a housing for an electrochemical cell and inserting a cell element into the housing.

Abstract: A battery module having a washer assembly includes a plurality of electrochemical cells. Each of the cells includes at least one terminal. A circuit board includes a plurality of apertures. Each of the apertures is configured for receiving a terminal of one of the plurality of electrochemical cells. A plurality of flat washers are coupled to the circuit board. An inner diameter of each of the washers is aligned with a central axis of each of the apertures of the circuit board and is configured to receive the associated terminal. The circuit board is configured to allow the plurality of washers to be substantially simultaneously conductively coupled to the terminals of the plurality of electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A storage battery assembly for vehicles includes a plurality of battery cells. Each battery cell includes a closed housing and at least one terminal extending from the housing. Conductive bars are mounted on dedicated terminals. The conductive bars electrically connect the battery cells. At least one circuit board comprises electronic circuitry configured for at least one of monitoring and controlling the battery cells. The terminals have electrically conductive interconnection washers mounted thereon. The interconnection washers extend to a dedicated circuit board and are connected with electronic circuitry on the respective circuit board. The circuit is board connected to at least one interconnection washer located adjacent to the at least one terminal to which the at least one interconnection washer is connected.

Abstract: A current collector for an electrochemical cell includes a member having an outer member and an inner member coupled to the outer member by a plurality of flexible arms configured to allow the inner member to move relative to the outer member.