Abstract: Provided are a method and device for estimating the utility of replacement of a battery pack for an electric vehicle, and a charging management method and system based on the method and device. The method comprises the following steps: acquiring state data associated with a first battery pack and a second battery pack, the state data comprising usage history of the first battery pack and performance parameters of the first battery pack and the second battery pack; and determining a utility value according to the state data, wherein the utility value is used to characterize a degree of impact of an operation of replacing the first battery pack with the second battery pack on the service efficiency and service life of a battery pack set to which the first battery pack and the second battery pack belong. The method facilitates improving the service efficiency of a managed battery in a battery swap mode and extending the overall service life thereof.

Abstract: Provided are an electric drive system for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle using the electric drive system. The electric drive system for a motor vehicle comprises: an inverter unit (100) configured to convert externally-supplied DC power to AC power; an electric motor unit (300) configured to convert the power from the inverter unit (100) into mechanical rotation and output the mechanical rotation from an output shaft (303); and a gearbox unit (200) configured to decelerate the rotation transmitted from an input shaft (202) and output the decelerated rotation. The electric motor unit (300), the gearbox unit (200) and the inverter unit (100) have respective independent enclosures. The electric motor unit (300), the gearbox unit (200) and the inverter unit (100) are detachably and mutually connected in an axial direction along the input shaft (202) of the gearbox unit (200) with the gearbox unit (200) positioned in between.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the health of smart battery packs in an electric vehicle and determining when one or more of the smart battery packs needs to be replaced. In addition, the system and method locate optimal smart battery packs to exchange with the one or more battery packs that need to be replaced.

Abstract: Provided are a method and device for estimating the utility of replacement of a battery pack for an electric vehicle, and a charging management method and system based on the method and device. The method comprises the following steps: acquiring state data associated with a first battery pack and a second battery pack, the state data comprising usage history of the first battery pack and performance parameters of the first battery pack and the second battery pack; and determining a utility value according to the state data, wherein the utility value is used to characterize a degree of impact of an operation of replacing the first battery pack with the second battery pack on the service efficiency and service life of a battery pack set to which the first battery pack and the second battery pack belong. The method facilitates improving the service efficiency of a managed battery in a battery swap mode and extending the overall service life thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a battery pack fixing structure and a battery pack replacing apparatus. The battery pack fixing structure comprises a base body, a driving unit, a connecting rod transmission unit and a locking unit, wherein the base body is fixed to an electric vehicle body and configured to supporting the driving unit, the connecting rod transmission unit and the locking unit; the driving unit is configured to supply a driving force; the connecting rod transmission unit is configured to enabling the locking unit to be unlocked under action of the driving force, and enabling the locking unit to be locked after the driving force is removed; and the locking unit is configured to lock the battery pack in a locking state, and to release the battery pack in an unlocking state.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the health of smart battery packs in an electric vehicle and determining when one or more of the smart battery packs needs to be replaced. In addition, the system and method locate optimal smart battery packs to exchange with the one or more battery packs that need to be replaced.

Abstract: Provided are an electric drive system for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle using the electric drive system. The electric drive system for a motor vehicle comprises: an inverter unit (100) configured to convert externally-supplied DC power to AC power; an electric motor unit (300) configured to convert the power from the inverter unit (100) into mechanical rotation and output the mechanical rotation from an output shaft (303); and a gearbox unit (200) configured to decelerate the rotation transmitted from an input shaft (202) and output the decelerated rotation. The electric motor unit (300), the gearbox unit (200) and the inverter unit (100) have respective independent enclosures. The electric motor unit (300), the gearbox unit (200) and the inverter unit (100) are detachably and mutually connected in an axial direction along the input shaft (202) of the gearbox unit (200) with the gearbox unit (200) positioned in between.

Abstract: A battery for a vehicle having a fixed battery pack and a replaceable battery pack. The replaceable battery pack has electronic or mechanical locks to semi-temporarily hold the replaceable battery pack in place. The fixed battery pack is held in place via permanent or semi-permanent fasteners such as bolts. A battery controller controls the replaceable battery pack to power motors of the vehicle before controlling the fixed battery pack to power motors of the vehicle.

Abstract: A battery for a vehicle having a fixed battery pack and a replaceable battery pack. The replaceable battery pack has electronic or mechanical locks to semi-temporarily hold the replaceable battery pack in place. The fixed battery pack is held in place via permanent or semi-permanent fasteners such as bolts. A battery controller controls the replaceable battery pack to power motors of the vehicle before controlling the fixed battery pack to power motors of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the health of smart battery packs in an electric vehicle and determining when one or more of the smart battery packs needs to be replaced. In addition, the system and method locate optimal smart battery packs to exchange with the one or more battery packs that need to be replaced.

Abstract: A fuel cell system may have at least one sensor including a pair of electrodes disposed on a substrate. The sensor may be configured to produce an output signal having a magnitude that is proportional to a relative humidity in a vicinity of the sensor and, if liquid water is on the sensor, proportional to an amount of the liquid water on the sensor.

Abstract: A method of conserving energy during a heating event wherein a coolant is heated in a cooling system is disclosed. The method includes establishing a first set point temperature for a first point in the cooling system and establishing a second set point temperature lower than the first set point temperature for a second point in the cooling system. Normally, the coolant is maintained at the second set point temperature at the second set point in the cooling system. During the heating event, the second set point temperature is raised to substantially match the first set point temperature to reduce necessary heating of the coolant at the first point.

Abstract: A fuel cell hydration system comprising a first reservoir is provided. The first reservoir is positioned between a cathode supply and a fuel cell stack. The first reservoir includes corrugated regions positioned axially along the first reservoir to accumulate water discharged from a first fluid stream. The first fluid stream absorbs the accumulated water when an amount of water within the first fluid stream is below a water level to hydrate the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A method of conserving energy during a heating event wherein a coolant is heated in a cooling system is disclosed. The method includes establishing a first set point temperature for a first point in the cooling system and establishing a second set point temperature lower than the first set point temperature for a second point in the cooling system. Normally, the coolant is maintained at the second set point temperature at the second set point in the cooling system. During the heating event, the second set point temperature is raised to substantially match the first set point temperature to reduce necessary heating of the coolant at the first point.

Abstract: A method of conserving energy during a heating event wherein a coolant is heated in a cooling system is disclosed. The method includes establishing a first set point temperature for a first point in the cooling system and establishing a second set point temperature lower than the first set point temperature for a second point in the cooling system. Normally, the coolant is maintained at the second set point temperature at the second set point in the cooling system. During the heating event, the second set point temperature is raised to substantially match the first set point temperature to reduce necessary heating of the coolant at the first point.

Abstract: A fuel cell system may have at least one sensor including a pair of electrodes disposed on a substrate. The sensor may be configured to produce an output signal having a magnitude that is proportional to a relative humidity in a vicinity of the sensor and, if liquid water is on the sensor, proportional to an amount of the liquid water on the sensor.

Abstract: A fuel cell hydration system comprising a first reservoir is provided. The first reservoir is positioned between a cathode supply and a fuel cell stack. The first reservoir includes corrugated regions positioned axially along the first reservoir to accumulate water discharged from a first fluid stream. The first fluid stream absorbs the accumulated water when an amount of water within the first fluid stream is below a water level to hydrate the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A flush and fill process is used to ready a fuel cell cooling circuit for initial use. An external flushing system releasably connected to the cooling circuit circulates flushing coolant through the cooling circuit to remove contaminants from the wetted surfaces of the cooling circuit before the fuel cell is put into use. The flushing system includes a pump for circulating the flushing coolant through the cooling circuit, filters for removing contaminants from the coolant and a heater for elevating the temperature of the coolant. Following the flushing process to remove contaminants, the flushing system is disconnected from the cooling circuit and the cooling circuit is filled with fresh coolant.

Abstract: A flush and fill process is used to ready a fuel cell cooling circuit for initial use. An external flushing system relasably connected to the cooling circuit circulates flushing coolant through the cooling circuit to remove contaminants from the wetted surfaces of the cooling circuit before the fuel cell is put into use. The flushing system includes a pump for circulating the flushing coolant through the cooling circuit, filters for removing contaminants from the coolant and a heater for elevating the temperature of the coolant. Following the flushing process to remove contaminants, the flushing system is disconnected from the cooling circuit and the cooling circuit is filled with fresh coolant.

Abstract: A method of conserving energy during a heating event wherein a coolant is heated in a cooling system is disclosed. The method includes establishing a first set point temperature for a first point in the cooling system and establishing a second set point temperature lower than the first set point temperature for a second point in the cooling system. Normally, the coolant is maintained at the second set point temperature at the second set point in the cooling system. During the heating event, the second set point temperature is raised to substantially match the first set point temperature to reduce necessary heating of the coolant at the first point.