Abstract: Large volume calorimeters (100) and small volume, or cell, calorimeters (700), as well as methods of making and using the same, are provided.

Abstract: Fail-safe systems and design methodologies for large capacity battery systems are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methodologies serve to locate a faulty cell in a large capacity battery, such as a cell having an internal short circuit, determine whether the fault is evolving, and electrically isolate the faulty cell from the rest of the battery, preventing further electrical energy from feeding into the fault.

Abstract: A passive safety device for an energy storage cell for positioning between two electrically conductive layers of the energy storage cell. The safety device also comprising a separator and a non-conductive layer. A first electrically conductive material is provided on the non-conductive layer. A first opening is formed through the separator between the first electrically conductive material and one of the electrically conductive layers of the energy storage device. A second electrically conductive material is provided adjacent the first electrically conductive material on the non-conductive layer, wherein a space is formed on the non-conductive layer between the first and second electrically conductive materials. A second opening is formed through the non-conductive layer between the second electrically conductive material and another of the electrically conductive layers of the energy storage device.

Abstract: Large volume calorimeters (100) and small volume, or cell, calorimeters (700), as well as methods of making and using the same, are provided.

Abstract: A passive safety device for an energy storage cell for positioning between two electrically conductive layers of the energy storage cell The safety device also comprising a separator and a non-conductive layer. A first electrically conductive material is provided on the non-conductive layer. A first opening is formed through the separator between the first electrically conductive material and one of the electrically conductive layers of the energy storage device. A second electrically conductive material is provided adjacent the first electrically conductive material on the non-conductive layer, wherein a space is formed on the non-conductive layer between the first and second electrically conductive materials. A second opening is formed through the non-conductive layer between the second electrically conductive material and another of the electrically conductive layers of the energy storage device.

Abstract: Fail-safe systems and design methodologies for large capacity battery systems are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methodologies serve to locate a faulty cell in a large capacity battery, such as a cell having an internal short circuit, determine whether the fault is evolving, and electrically isolate the faulty cell from the rest of the battery, preventing further electrical energy from feeding into the fault.

Abstract: A battery cooling system (100) is provided to maintain more uniform temperature distribution in vehicle batteries (142). A battery (142) is provided with at least one exposed cell surface (143). A cooling shell (146) is provided with an interior surface spaced apart from the exposed cell surface (143). The interior surface defines a flow channel (147) for cooling fluid (150) such as air (114) provided by a system fan (112), and the air (150) flows in direct contact with the cell surface (143) from an inlet to an outlet of the channel (147). The channel (147) has a first hydraulic diameter at the inlet that is greater than a second hydraulic diameter at the outlet to the channel (147). The hydraulic diameter is varied or decreased along the length of the channel (147) such that the system provides a first surface heat transfer coefficient proximate to the channel inlet that is less than a second surface heat transfer coefficient proximate to the channel outlet.