Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a contact plate configured to establish electrical bonds between battery cells in a battery module, including at least one primary conductive layer, and a set of bonding connectors that are configured to provide direct electrical bonds between the contact plate and terminals of a group of battery cells, the set of bonding connectors being configured to connect the group of battery cells in parallel with each other, wherein at least one bonding connector in the set of bonding connectors is configured with a higher fuse rating than each other bonding connector in the set of bonding connectors so as to contain arcs among the set of bonding connectors to the at least one bonding connector.

Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a contact plate configured to establish electrical bonds between battery cells in a battery module, including at least one primary conductive layer, and a set of bonding connectors that are configured to provide direct electrical bonds between the contact plate and terminals of a group of battery cells, the set of bonding connectors being configured to connect the group of battery cells in parallel with each other, wherein at least one bonding connector in the set of bonding connectors is configured with a higher fuse rating than each other bonding connector in the set of bonding connectors so as to contain arcs among the set of bonding connectors to the at least one bonding connector.

Abstract: A connecting element for at least two energy storage cells, having a metal sheet for the electrical connection of the energy storage cells. The metal sheet has at least two perforations for the uptake in each perforation of at least a part of an energy storage cell. Two lugs provided on the metal sheet project into the perforations.

Abstract: An aspect is directed to a contact plate arrangement for a battery module. The contact plate arrangement comprises a first contact plate connected to first terminals of a first parallel group of battery cells (P-Group) and to second terminals of a second P-Group, a second contact plate that is partially stacked over the first contact plate, the second contact plate connected to first terminals of the second P-Group and to second terminals of a third P-Group, and a third contact plate that is partially stacked over the second contact plate, the third contact plate connected to first terminals of the third P-Group.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a multi-cell hold-down mechanism is clamped over multiple contact tabs aligned with respective cell terminals (e.g., positive and/or negative cell terminal(s). While clamped, the contact tabs are securely welded to respective cell terminals through respective gaps in the multi-cell hold-down mechanism. In another embodiment, a multi-cell hold-down mechanism is clamped over an electrically conductive part that is coupled to multiple cell rims which are configured as negative cell terminals. A respective negative contact tab is welded to the electrically conductive part through a gap in the multi-cell hold-down mechanism. In another embodiment, three (or more) battery cell terminals (e.g., positive or negative terminals) are coupled to an electrically conductive bar that is welded to a contact tab of a busbar.

Abstract: In an aspect, a battery module is assembly by mounting first and second jig towers (e.g., monolithic or modular/stackable jig towers) on a surface. Battery cell(s) are arranged between the jig towers and fixed in position based in part on battery cell fixation elements arranged in the respective jig towers. At least one magnetic-based supplemental fixation element is used to apply magnetic force (e.g., attractive and/or repulsive magnetic force) so as to direct the battery cell(s) towards the first jig tower and away from the second jig tower (e.g., so that battery cells in respective rows will be flush with each other).

Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a battery module, including a plurality of battery cell groups that are connected in series with each other, each of the plurality of battery cell groups including a plurality of battery cells that are connected to each other in parallel, a first terminal component at a first terminal of the battery module, the first terminal corresponding to either a positive terminal of the battery module or a negative terminal of the battery module, and a first heat pipe positioned in proximity to the first terminal component and configured to transfer heat away from the first terminal component.

Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a multi-layer contact plate configured to establish electrical bonds to battery cells in a battery module, comprising a first plate section configured with a first set of raised dimples on an inner side of the first plate section, a second plate section configured with a second set of raised dimples on an inner side of the second plate section, a cell terminal connection layer sandwiched between the first and second plate sections, wherein a portion of the cell terminal connection layer is configured to form a set of bonding connectors to provide a direct electrical bond between the multi-layer contact plate and terminals of at least one group of battery cells, and a set of inter-layer connection points arranged between at least the first and second plate sections, each of the set of inter-layer connection points being arranged where raised dimples on the first and second plate sections are aligned with each other.

Abstract: An energy storage arrangement includes an energy storage receptacle which has multiple cup-shaped receiving compartments and energy storages respective positive and a negative electrode and being received in the receiving compartments, wherein one of the electrodes of each of the energy storages is in electrically conductive contact with the receiving compartment that receives the respective energy storage and the electrodes of all energy storages that are in contact with the energy storage receptacle are electrically conductively connected via the energy storage receptacle.

Abstract: An energy storage arrangement, includes multiple energy storages, each energy storage having a housing and a terminal connection, wherein the terminal connection lies on an electrostatic potential of a first terminal of the energy storage and is arranged on an end side of the energy storage, wherein the housing lies on an electrostatic potential of a second terminal of the energy storage. The energy storage arrangement further has a first busbar electrically conductively fastened on the terminal connection of each of the energy storages, and a second busbar electrically conductively fastened on the housing on the end side of the energy arrangement on which the first busbar is arranged.

Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a hybrid contact plate arrangement in a battery module that includes a plurality of contact plates configured to be arranged on a given side of a set of battery cells in the battery module, at least one insulation layer configured to provide insulation between each of the plurality of contact plates, wherein the set of battery cells includes a plurality of groups of battery cells, and wherein the plurality of contact plates each include a set of bonding connectors, the sets of bonding connectors being configured to connect to the positive and negative terminals of the plurality of groups of battery cells so as to connect battery cells in each of the plurality of groups of battery cells in parallel with each other, and to connect the plurality of groups of battery cells in series with each other.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for collecting powder samples in real-time in powder bed fusion additive manufacturing may involves an ingester system for in-process collection and characterizations of powder samples. The collection may be performed periodically and uses the results of characterizations for adjustments in the powder bed fusion process. The ingester system of the present disclosure is capable of packaging powder samples collected in real-time into storage containers serving a multitude purposes of audit, process adjustments or actions.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a contact plate configured to establish electrical bonds between battery cells in a battery module. In a first embodiment, the contact plate includes at least one primary conductive layer, wherein the contact plate is configured to exchange current with at least one group of battery cells in the battery module, and wherein a thickness of the at least one primary conductive layer scales with a current expectation at different portions of the contact plate. In a second embodiment, the contact plate includes at least one primary conductive layer, and a set of bonding connectors that is configured to provide direct electrical bonds between the contact plate and terminals of at least one group of battery cells, wherein the set of bonding connectors is pre-assembled with the contact plate before the contact plate is installed into the battery module.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to contact plates configured to establish electrical bonds between battery cells in a battery module. In a first embodiment, the contact plate includes at least one primary conductive layer including a hole that is aligned with two or more terminals of two or more battery cells in a group of battery cells that are configured to be connected in parallel with each other, and a bonding connector configured to provide direct electrical bonds between the contact plate and the two or more terminals of the two or more battery cells. In a second embodiment, a contact plate includes at least one primary conductive layer and a set of bonding connectors made from at least one material that is selected to match at least one material used for the terminals of the at least one group of battery cells.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system including a two-dimensional energy patterning system for imaging a powder bed is disclosed. Improved structure formation, part creation and manipulation, use of multiple additive manufacturing systems, and high throughput manufacturing methods suitable for automated or semi-automated factories are also disclosed.

Abstract: An endplate of a battery module is configured with holes through which an inlet and outlet for a cooling tube are arranged. Cooling interfaces between the inlet and outlet and a cooling manifold are arranged outside of a battery module compartment that houses the battery module. In a first embodiment, sealing components separate from the cooling tube are arranged inside the inlet and outlet holes, with each sealing component defining multiple sealing areas (e.g., ring-shaped sealing areas) for sealing a respective hole. In a second embodiment, the cooling tube includes integrated sealing components (e.g., threaded sections of the cooling tube) inside the inlet and outlet holes, with each integrated sealing component defining a single sealing area (e.g., a ring-shaped sealing area) for sealing a respective hole.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a center contact plate configured to establish electrical bonds between battery cells in a battery module. In an embodiment, the center contact plate includes at least one primary conductive layer including a first set of holes formed within the at least one primary conductive layer that are aligned with positive terminals of a first group of battery cells that are configured to be connected in parallel with each other, and a second set of holes formed within the at least one primary conductive layer that are aligned with negative terminals of a second group of battery cells that are configured to be connected in parallel with each other, wherein the first and second sets of holes are each clustered together on different sides of the at least one primary conductive layer.

Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a battery module comprising an external frame that comprises a bottom plate configured to mechanically reinforce the battery module, and a plurality of battery cells enclosed by the external frame, wherein each of the plurality of battery cells is thermally coupled to the bottom plate to facilitate heat being spread between the plurality of battery cells via the bottom plate.

Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a battery module, comprising a plurality of battery cells that each include a cell terminal formed from a first metal, and a contact plate including a conductive plate that is formed from a second metal and a first metallic surface layer (e.g., a surface coating or clad material) arranged on a first side of the conductive plate that is formed from the first metal, wherein part of the contact plate is arranged as a plurality of bonding connectors that form direct electrical connections to the cell terminals of the plurality of battery cells. In some designs, a second metallic surface layer (e.g., a surface coating or clad material) may further be arranged on a second side of the conductive plate and may also be formed from the first metal.

Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a cylindrical battery cell, comprising a cell can, a jelly roll area of anode electrode, separator, and cathode electrode foils arranged in a middle section of the cell can. The anode electrode foils, the cathode electrode foils, or both extend out of the jelly roll area into an electrolyte area of the cell can. In one embodiment, some of the extended electrode foils are in direct contact with an end (e.g., top or bottom) of the cell can. In another embodiment, the extended electrode foils contact a plurality of connection taps that are thermally and electrically connected to an end (e.g., top or bottom) of the cell can. In another embodiment, the extended electrode foils are bent and stacked so as to function as a foil-integrated connection tap that is thermally and electrically connected to an end (e.g., top or bottom) of the cell can.