Abstract: A power module for a vehicle includes a bidirectional voltage converter to i) convert a first voltage to a second voltage and convert the second voltage back to the first voltage, and ii) convert the first voltage to a third voltage and convert the third voltage back to the first voltage. The power module includes one or more power sources coupled to the bidirectional voltage converter and to supply power to auxiliary components of the vehicle. The power module includes a controller to control the bidirectional voltage converter and the one or more power sources. The first voltage is for supplying power to a powertrain of the vehicle, and the second voltage and the third voltage are for supplying power to the one or more power sources.

Abstract: A power module for a vehicle includes a first bidirectional voltage converter to convert a first voltage to a second voltage and convert the second voltage back to the first voltage. The power module includes a second bidirectional voltage converter to convert the first voltage to a third voltage and convert the third voltage back to the first voltage. The power module includes a first battery coupled to the first bidirectional voltage converter to receive the second voltage, and a second battery coupled to the second bidirectional voltage converter to receive the third voltage. The power module includes a controller to control the first and second bidirectional voltage converters and the first and second batteries. The first voltage is for supplying power to a powertrain of the vehicle. The second voltage and the third voltage are for supplying power to the first and second batteries, respectively.

Abstract: A device for charging an energy storage device includes a controller to initiate a charging operation for the energy storage device and control, during a first stage of the charging operation, a thermal control system to direct a first volume of the thermal mass along a first flow path to heat the energy storage device to a first desired temperature. The controller controls, during a second stage of the charging operation, the thermal control system to direct a second volume of the thermal mass along a second flow path to cool the energy storage device from the first desired temperature towards a second desired temperature.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for interconnecting all of the battery cells in a battery module from a single side of the battery cell and module are provided. The cell busbar system comprises a number of thin formed strips arranged to interconnect individual battery cells in a row together in series and each row in parallel along a length of the battery module. In particular, the cell busbar system may include two high voltage, or edge, strips and a number of cell-to-cell, or internal, strips electrically interconnected to the edge strips. All of the battery cells in the battery module may be oriented such that all of the positive terminals are facing the same direction. The interconnections between series-connected rows of cells, and parallel rows of series-connected rows, may all be made in substantially the same plane on a single side of the battery module.

Abstract: A battery module cell cover is provided including a number of features configured to orient, capture, and isolate battery cell interconnections relative to battery cell locations in an array of battery cells. Isolation features may block a negative terminal battery cell interconnect from moving out of an orientation receptacle aligned with a negative terminal of a battery cell and into contact with a positive terminal of the battery cell, or vice versa. The battery module cell cover can include a number of structural connection features protruding from a planar surface into a battery cell containment cavity, between battery cell locations, that provide a number of surfaces for curing to structural adhesive of the battery module. These structural connection features, in conjunction with the structural adhesive, can assist in forming a unified strengthened structure of the battery module.

Abstract: A multiple-zone thermocouple battery module temperature monitoring system is provided configured to determine a plurality of temperatures along a depth of the battery module at different locations. The system may include a number of temperature probes each including a first temperature sensor oriented at a base of a group of cells in the module and a second temperature sensor oriented at an upper portion of the group of cells in the module. Providing upper and lower battery cell temperature sensors in each probe of the system allows a battery management system to detect and record a temperature gradient of the battery cells in the module at a number of different locations. These recordings can determine a gradient and temperature difference between the upper and lower battery cell portions over an operable threshold difference, and command a thermal management system to return the battery module to limits within the operable threshold.

Abstract: An energy storage device and structurally enhanced packaging for energy storage cells is provided. The energy storage device includes a number of energy storage cells spaced apart from one another and contained in a lightweight carrier. The energy storage cells and carrier are mechanically coupled together with a structural adhesive forming a unified structure and framework where each connection point acts as a node in a force distribution structure. The structural adhesive can be injected into the volume between the energy storage cells while in a fluid, or semi-fluid, state. While in this state, a retaining form or gasket inside the carrier can prevent the structural adhesive from leaking out of the energy storage device. When in a cured, or hardened, non-fluid state the structural adhesive may adhere to the various components of the energy storage device to mechanically join the component together into a structurally safe package.

Abstract: A tapered busbar for an energy storage device is provided. The tapered busbar is configured to interconnect with a first row of series-connected energy storage cells in a battery module at a first end of the busbar. As the busbar tapers from a first cross-sectional area at the first end to a larger second cross-sectional area at a second opposite end, the busbar is configured to interconnect with sequentially additional electrically-parallel rows of series-connected energy storage cells. The tapered cross-sectional area of the busbar provides a substantially uniform current density at any point along the length of the busbar regardless of the number of rows of energy storage cells connected before or after the point.

Abstract: An energy storage device including a staggered energy storage cell internal array with two-dimensional inline terminal edges is provided. The energy storage cells in a battery module may be staggered in an internal array, such that a first row of cells in a line are spaced apart, or offset, in a first direction from an immediately adjacent second row of cells in a line, and wherein a first cell in the second row of cells is offset from a first cell in the first row of cells in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. In some cases, at least two adjacent rows in the battery module may include energy storage cells that are offset from one another but aligned in one direction, such as, the second direction. A mechanical frame may define the arrangement of the energy storage cells relative to one another.

Abstract: Battery charging systems and the operations thereof are provided. The battery charging systems provide fast charging. The battery charging systems include a charging unit, a battery, a battery management system, and a number of sensors and battery monitors. The battery includes one or more cells. The battery charging systems include a fast-charge profile including a number of stages.

Abstract: Devices and systems are provided that incorporate fusible links within the electrical traces of a battery module voltage sensing circuit. The fusible links can be integrally formed in an electric trace and provide an overcurrent protection feature for the circuit without requiring fuse elements or components that are separate from the electrical trace. Each of these fusible links include a substantially flat controlled cross-sectional area disposed along a length of the material making up the electrical trace. In an overcurrent situation, the connection between a battery management system and a battery cell may be severed by the overcurrent melting the fusible link. The electrical traces may be spaced apart from one another in the circuit such that an overcurrent situation breaking the connection between one cell and the battery management system would not affect adjacent electrical traces not having an overcurrent situation.

Abstract: Systems of an electrical vehicle and the operations thereof are provided. Inflow current occurs when components of differing voltage are connected absent mitigating components. Batteries and other components may be damaged by unrestrained inflow current. By performing a pre-charge, a battery line is gradually brought up to the voltage source potential. Additionally, by determining the observed voltage, while a lesser voltage is applied, to a connected component, a determination may be made if charging should or should not continue. If the observed voltage is less than that applied, a problem may be present and charging discontinued. As a result, high-voltage current that may be inadvertently exposed may be curtailed.

Abstract: Provided are materials, methods and uses for treating an ophthalmological condition such as Leber Congenital Amaurosis by administering an effective amount of an adeno-associated virus AAV2, serotype 5 (AAV 2/5) or AAV-5 comprising an expressible coding region for human RDH12.

Abstract: A vehicle having a diagnostic system for a fuse is provided. The vehicle has first and second voltage sensors, a current sensor, and a microcontroller. The first and second voltage sensors generate first and second signals, respectively, indicating first and second voltage levels, respectively, at first and second ends, respectively, of the fuse. The current sensor generates a third signal indicating a current level flowing through the fuse. The microcontroller determines first and second voltage values based on the first and second signals, respectively, a current value based on the third signal, and a first resistance value utilizing the first and second voltage values and the current value. The microcontroller generates a diagnostic signal indicating degraded operation of the fuse if the first resistance value is greater than an end-of-life resistance value.

Abstract: Systems of an electrical vehicle and the operations thereof are provided. High-voltage interlock (HVIL) determines if a high-voltage system, such as a power source (e.g., vehicle battery), a load (e.g., vehicle motor), and conductors therebetween, have been properly connected. If not, battery contactor is not allowed to be closed or, if already closed, opened. A redundant HVIL system is provided to mitigate the false positives associated with an HVIL component failure.

Abstract: Systems of an electrical vehicle and the operations thereof are provided. High-voltage interlock (HVIL) determines if a high-voltage system, such as a power source (e.g., vehicle battery), a load (e.g., vehicle motor), and conductors therebetween, have been properly connected. If not, battery contactor is not allowed to be closed or, if already closed, opened. A redundant HVIL system is provided to mitigate the false positives associated with an HVIL component failure.

Abstract: Embodiments include a junction box for an electric vehicle. The junction box includes a charging port to receive power from an external power source, and a plurality of switching elements to control electrical connections between the charging port, a first battery, and a second battery. On/off states of the plurality of switching elements control whether the charging port, the first battery and the second battery are connected in a first configuration or a second configuration.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing multi-battery systems, such as those utilized in an electric vehicle. Multi-battery systems comprise batteries providing power in parallel, thereby making each battery available to the vehicle and avoiding the weight of transporting a backup battery. The methods and systems provided allow for a fault in one battery, in a parallel configuration with at least one other battery, to be detected and managed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for controlling heat within a junction box. The disclosure relates to the use of phase change materials to manage heat generation in a junction box of a vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide for the manufacture of a cylindrical battery cell case that is changed from steel (or nickel-plated steel) to aluminum. With this change, spot welding the copper tab from the anode to the aluminum case will result in the copper and aluminum corroding over time—leading to early battery failure. To manufacture the battery with the aluminum case, one or more manufacturing changes are made including one or more of: 1. changing the polarity of the battery to spot weld the copper tab to a steel top of the battery; 2. coating the copper tab with a second material to prevent corrosion; and/or, 3. use a different welding method (e.g., a friction stir weld) to fuse the copper tab to the aluminum case.