Abstract: A method for charging an electric vehicle using charge current from a charging source. The charge current is determined based at least on the state of charge of the electric vehicle and a chemistry or type of the battery system.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electric vehicle operating on a route includes receiving at a first time, at a control unit of the electric vehicle, data indicative of a condition of a stretch of the route that the electric vehicle will traverse at a second time later than the first time. The method further includes varying a cooling of a battery system of the electric vehicle, using the control unit, based on the received data.

Abstract: A method of controlling the battery system of an electric vehicle includes detecting a thermal event in a first battery pack of a plurality of battery packs of the battery system, and at least partially powering down the electric vehicle automatically in response to the detected thermal event. The method may also include initiating a thermal rejection scheme in response to the detected thermal event.

Abstract: A method of operating an electric vehicle having a battery system with a first battery module and a second battery module includes sending a triggering signal. And, in response to the triggering signal, selectively dissipating energy from the first battery module without dissipating energy from the second battery module.

Abstract: A method of controlling the battery system of an electric vehicle includes detecting a thermal event in a first battery pack of a plurality of battery packs of the battery system, and at least partially powering down the electric vehicle automatically in response to the detected thermal event. The method may also include initiating a thermal rejection scheme in response to the detected thermal event.

Abstract: A method of managing leakage of liquid inside a battery system comprises: containing leaking liquid in a non-liquid sensitive region of the battery system so as to protect internal electrical components of the battery system from coming in contact with the leaking liquid; and in direct response to the leakage, expunging the leaking liquid from the battery system. A drain device includes: a body with a port therethrough, the body configured to be positioned in a wall of a container; means for opening the port in response to a first liquid contacting the drain device on an inside of the container; and means for resisting ingress into the container by a second liquid that contacts the drain device on an outside of the container.

Abstract: A method of managing leakage of liquid inside a battery system comprises: containing leaking liquid in a non-liquid sensitive region of the battery system so as to protect internal electrical components of the battery system from coming in contact with the leaking liquid; and in direct response to the leakage, expunging the leaking liquid from the battery system. A drain device includes: a body with a port therethrough, the body configured to be positioned in a wall of a container; means for opening the port in response to a first liquid contacting the drain device on an inside of the container; and means for resisting ingress into the container by a second liquid that contacts the drain device on an outside of the container.

Abstract: A method of managing leakage of liquid inside a battery system comprises: containing leaking liquid in a non-liquid sensitive region of the battery system so as to protect internal electrical components of the battery system from coming in contact with the leaking liquid; and in direct response to the leakage, expunging the leaking liquid from the battery system. A drain device includes: a body with a port therethrough, the body configured to be positioned in a wall of a container; means for opening the port in response to a first liquid contacting the drain device on an inside of the container; and means for resisting ingress into the container by a second liquid that contacts the drain device on an outside of the container.

Abstract: A method of managing leakage of liquid inside a battery system comprises: containing leaking liquid in a non-liquid sensitive region of the battery system so as to protect internal electrical components of the battery system from coming in contact with the leaking liquid; and in direct response to the leakage, expunging the leaking liquid from the battery system. A drain device includes: a body with a port therethrough, the body configured to be positioned in a wall of a container; means for opening the port in response to a first liquid contacting the drain device on an inside of the container; and means for resisting ingress into the container by a second liquid that contacts the drain device on an outside of the container.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway within a battery pack. The system includes a sealed battery pack enclosure configured to hold a plurality of batteries and at least one exhaust nozzle assembly. The exhaust nozzle assembly includes an exhaust nozzle that passes and directs the flow of hot gas from within the battery pack to the ambient environment during a thermal runaway event, a nozzle seal mounted within the exhaust nozzle that seals the exhaust nozzle during normal operation of the battery pack, and a nozzle seal mounting nut that holds the nozzle seal within the exhaust nozzle during normal operation and then melts during a thermal runaway event, thereby allowing the nozzle seal to be ejected through the exhaust nozzle during the event.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway within a battery pack. The system includes a sealed battery pack enclosure configured to hold a plurality of batteries and at least one exhaust nozzle assembly. The exhaust nozzle assembly includes an exhaust nozzle that passes and directs the flow of hot gas from within the battery pack to the ambient environment during a thermal runaway event, a nozzle seal mounted within the exhaust nozzle that seals the exhaust nozzle during normal operation of the battery pack, and a nozzle seal mounting nut that holds the nozzle seal within the exhaust nozzle during normal operation and then melts during a thermal runaway event, thereby allowing the nozzle seal to be ejected through the exhaust nozzle during the event.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway. The system includes a sealed battery pack enclosure configured to hold a plurality of batteries and at least one exhaust nozzle assembly. The exhaust nozzle assembly includes an exhaust nozzle that passes and directs the flow of hot gas from within the battery pack to the ambient environment during a thermal runaway event, a nozzle seal mounted within the exhaust nozzle that seals the exhaust nozzle during normal operation of the battery pack, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) retaining member that is configured to capture an end portion of the nozzle seal and hold the seal within the exhaust nozzle when the SMA retaining member is configured in its first shape, and that is configured to release the seal from the exhaust nozzle when the SMA retaining member is heated to its transformation temperature.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway within a battery pack. The system is comprised of a sealed battery pack enclosure configured to hold a plurality of batteries, where the battery pack enclosure is divided into a plurality of sealed battery pack compartments. The system also includes a plurality of battery venting assemblies, where at least one battery venting assembly is integrated into each of the sealed battery pack compartments, and where each of the battery venting assemblies includes an exhaust port integrated into an outer wall of the battery pack compartment and a valve, the valve being configured to seal the exhaust port under normal operating conditions and to unseal the exhaust port when at least one of the batteries within the battery pack compartment enters into thermal runaway.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway within a battery pack, the system using an integrated battery venting assembly comprised of an integrated exhaust port, a valve retention plate that covers the exhaust port and includes a plurality of retention plate ports, and a plurality of valves that are configured to seal the retention plate ports under normal conditions and unseal the retention plate ports during thermal runaway. As hot gas passes through the retention plate ports, the plate is configured to melt and be ejected, thereby allowing subsequent hot gas to pass through the larger exhaust port. A perforated cover plate may be used to protect the external surfaces of the retention plate and valves. An internally mounted exhaust guide may be used to direct the flow of hot gas expelled during the thermal runaway event.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway within a battery pack, the system using an integrated battery venting assembly comprised of an integrated exhaust port, a valve retention plate that covers the exhaust port and includes a plurality of retention plate ports, and a plurality of valves that are configured to seal the retention plate ports under normal conditions and unseal the retention plate ports during thermal runaway. As hot gas passes through the retention plate ports, the plate is configured to melt and be ejected, thereby allowing subsequent hot gas to pass through the larger exhaust port. A perforated cover plate may be used to protect the external surfaces of the retention plate and valves. An internally mounted exhaust guide may be used to direct the flow of hot gas expelled during the thermal runaway event.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway within a battery pack. The system is comprised of a sealed battery pack enclosure configured to hold a plurality of batteries, where the battery pack enclosure is divided into a plurality of sealed battery pack compartments. The system also includes a plurality of battery venting assemblies, where at least one battery venting assembly is integrated into each of the sealed battery pack compartments, and where each of the battery venting assemblies includes an exhaust port integrated into an outer wall of the battery pack compartment and a valve, the valve being configured to seal the exhaust port under normal operating conditions and to unseal the exhaust port when at least one of the batteries within the battery pack compartment enters into thermal runaway.