Abstract: An electric drive system for an electric vehicle has a DC power source and a contactor with an output coupled to a main bus and an input adapted to be connected to the DC power source. The contactor is selectably switched between an open state and a closed state. A link capacitor is coupled to the main bus. A precharge circuit is coupled between the DC power source and the link capacitor comprised of a controlled current source. The controlled current source is selectably activated with the contactor in the open state to charge the link capacitor to a predetermined voltage to before switching the contactor to the closed state.

Abstract: A battery is assembled from cells arranged along an axis. The cells have end faces parallel to the line and first and second sides perpendicular to the faces. The first side of a first cell contacts the second side of a second cell. A sealed piping circuit includes a first heat exchanger in contact with, and spanning, the end faces and a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger for heat transfer between the heat exchangers.

Abstract: An electric drive system for an electric vehicle has a DC power source and a contactor with an output coupled to a main bus and an input adapted to be connected to the DC power source. The contactor is selectably switched between an open state and a closed state. A link capacitor is coupled to the main bus. A precharge circuit is coupled between the DC power source and the link capacitor comprised of a controlled current source. The controlled current source is selectably activated with the contactor in the open state to charge the link capacitor to a predetermined voltage to before switching the contactor to the closed state.