Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of battery cells abutting one another to form a battery cell stack. An optical communication link is connected to each of the plurality of battery cells. A battery management system (BMS) connected to the optical communication link configured and adapted to receive information from the optical communication link. A method of controlling heat transfer in a battery system includes monitoring at least one characteristic of at least one battery cell of a plurality of battery cells with at least one sensor, and sending information from the at least one sensor to a battery management system (BMS) with an optical communication link. The optical communication link is connected to each of the plurality of battery cells. The method includes selectively varying a fluid circulation rate in the battery system with the BMS depending on the at least one characteristic.

Abstract: A battery cell system includes a battery cell defined by an outer housing. One or more sensors are positioned within the outer housing of the battery cell. Each of the one or more sensors configured and adapted to be operatively connected to a battery management system (BMS) to provide data thereto. A method for detecting an mitigating failure modes in a battery cell includes reading a battery cell characteristic with a sensor positioned within an outer housing of the battery cell. The method includes sending the battery cell characteristic to a BMS. The method includes determining whether the battery cell characteristic meets a criteria with the BMS. The method includes signaling a failure mode if the battery cell characteristic does not meet the criteria.

Abstract: A system includes a stack of battery cells within a container. An interior space of the container is filled with a coolant in direct contact with the cells. There need be no intervening containers between the coolant in the interior space of the container, and the cells. A method can include detecting a thermal runaway event in one or more of the cells, and admitting some of the coolant at a first pressure into the one or more cells at a second pressure lower than the first pressure.

Abstract: An electrical storage system includes an electric storage zone, an electric storage positioned within the electric storage zone, a cooling fluid source in fluid communication with the electric storage zone via a fluid flow path, a modulating valve in the fluid flow path downstream from the cooling fluid source and upstream from the electric storage zone, and a detector in fluid communication with the electric storage zone. A method for operating an electrical storage system includes adjusting a modulating valve in a fluid flow path to reduce a cooling airflow to an electric storage zone, operating a detector in fluid communication with the electric storage zone configured and adapted to sense at least one of smoke, gas, or other particulates during a detection period with a detection system, and adjusting the modulating valve to increase the cooling airflow to the electric storage zone.

Abstract: A battery cell system includes a plurality of battery cells having an annular shape abutting one another to form a battery cell stack with an annular shape to facilitate cooling. The battery cell system includes a stack interface having an annular housing operatively connected to the plurality of battery cells. A cooling loop is defined about the battery cell stack and the stack interface and through central through holes of the battery cell stack and the stack interface.

Abstract: A system includes a stack of battery cells within a container. An interior space of the container is filled with a coolant in direct contact with the cells. There need be no intervening containers between the coolant in the interior space of the container, and the cells. A method can include detecting a thermal runaway event in one or more of the cells, and admitting some of the coolant at a first pressure into the one or more cells at a second pressure lower than the first pressure.

Abstract: A battery cell system includes a plurality of battery cells having an annular shape abutting one another to form a battery cell stack with an annular shape to facilitate cooling. The battery cell system includes a stack interface having an annular housing operatively connected to the plurality of battery cells. A cooling loop is defined about the battery cell stack and the stack interface and through central through holes of the battery cell stack and the stack interface.

Abstract: A system includes a stack of battery cells within a container. A respective valve is included in at least one of the cells for admitting the coolant into a cell interior of the at least one of the cells in the event of a thermal run away event, and for keeping the coolant out of the at least one cell otherwise.

Abstract: A battery cell system includes a battery cell defined by an outer housing. One or more sensors are positioned within the outer housing of the battery cell. Each of the one or more sensors configured and adapted to be operatively connected to a battery management system (BMS) to provide data thereto. A method for detecting an mitigating failure modes in a battery cell includes reading a battery cell characteristic with a sensor positioned within an outer housing of the battery cell. The method includes sending the battery cell characteristic to a BMS. The method includes determining whether the battery cell characteristic meets a criteria with the BMS. The method includes signaling a failure mode if the battery cell characteristic does not meet the criteria.

Abstract: A battery cell system includes a plurality of battery cells abutting one another to form a battery cell stack. The battery cell system includes a stack interface operatively connected to the battery cells. The stack interface includes a housing defining a center and an outer perimeter. The stack interface includes a plurality of heat dissipating field effect transistors (FETs) arranged more proximate to the outer perimeter than the center.

Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of battery cells abutting one another to form a battery cell stack. An optical communication link is connected to each of the plurality of battery cells. A battery management system (BMS) connected to the optical communication link configured and adapted to receive information from the optical communication link. A method of controlling heat transfer in a battery system includes monitoring at least one characteristic of at least one battery cell of a plurality of battery cells with at least one sensor, and sending information from the at least one sensor to a battery management system (BMS) with an optical communication link. The optical communication link is connected to each of the plurality of battery cells. The method includes selectively varying a fluid circulation rate in the battery system with the BMS depending on the at least one characteristic.

Abstract: A battery system comprising a plurality of stacks of battery cells. Each stack of battery cells has an annular shape. A main battery management system (BMS) operatively connected to at least one of the stacks of battery cells. The main BMS includes an annular housing and a motor drive assembly positioned within an inner diameter hole of the annular housing configured and adapted to drive circulation of a heat transfer fluid around the plurality of stacks.

Abstract: A battery cell system includes a plurality of battery cells abutting one another to form a battery cell stack. The battery cell system includes a stack interface operatively connected to the battery cells wherein the stack interface includes a battery management system (BMS) and a mechanical switch device.

Abstract: An electrical storage system includes an electric storage zone, an electric storage positioned within the electric storage zone, a cooling fluid source in fluid communication with the electric storage zone via a fluid flow path, a modulating valve in the fluid flow path downstream from the cooling fluid source and upstream from the electric storage zone, and a detector in fluid communication with the electric storage zone. A method for operating an electrical storage system includes adjusting a modulating valve in a fluid flow path to reduce a cooling airflow to an electric storage zone, operating a detector in fluid communication with the electric storage zone configured and adapted to sense at least one of smoke, gas, or other particulates during a detection period with a detection system, and adjusting the modulating valve to increase the cooling airflow to the electric storage zone.