Abstract: Systems and methods for use in a vehicle can involve determining that a plurality of closures of a vehicle have been closed, running an HVAC system in a fresh air mode after determining that the plurality of closures have been closed, and thereafter recirculating air while adding newly filtered air to maintain a positive air pressure level in a passenger cabin of the vehicle. The determining can occur after one or more people enter the vehicle and being driving, and the recirculating and adding can involve activating a recirculation mode and a fresh air mode simultaneously. Adding newly filtered air maintains a positive air pressure level in a passenger cabin, which level can be set based on an amount of leaks, a user setting, a vehicle type and a pollution level. The determining, running, and recirculating and adding can occur again after determining a vehicle closure has been opened.

Abstract: A heat exchanger integrated into an electric vehicle's battery pack enclosure is provided, where the heat exchanger conduits are mechanically and thermally coupled to the inside surface of the enclosure base plate and where the battery pack enclosure is mounted such that ambient air flows over the outside surface of the enclosure base plate during vehicle motion. A thermal management system is coupled to, and controls operation of, the integrated battery pack heat exchanger such that in a first operational mode the heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the batteries within the battery pack, and in a second operational mode the heat exchanger is thermally decoupled from the batteries within the battery pack.

Abstract: A thermal system with high aspect ratio vents for a vehicle. The thermal system comprises: at least one HVAC unit; a first vent with a first high aspect ratio, the first vent coupled to the HVAC unit and configured to generate a first plane of air in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; and a second vent coupled to the HVAC unit and configured to generate a second plane of air in the passenger compartment, the second vent positioned so that the second plane of air intersects the first plane of air.

Abstract: A vortex separator includes: a housing having a cylindrical chamber therein; an inlet through a mantle of the cylindrical chamber, the inlet positioned at a proximal end of the housing; a pipe that enters the housing at the proximal end and extends axially through the cylindrical chamber toward a distal end of the housing which is closed; an outlet through the mantle, the outlet positioned at the distal end; and a catch basin at the outlet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in a vehicle can involve determining that a plurality of closures of a vehicle have been closed, running an HVAC system in a fresh air mode after determining that the plurality of closures have been closed, and thereafter recirculating air while adding newly filtered air to maintain a positive air pressure level in a passenger cabin of the vehicle. The determining can occur after one or more people enter the vehicle and being driving, and the recirculating and adding can involve activating a recirculation mode and a fresh air mode simultaneously. Adding newly filtered air maintains a positive air pressure level in a passenger cabin, which level can be set based on an amount of leaks, a user setting, a vehicle type and a pollution level. The determining, running, and recirculating and adding can occur again after determining a vehicle closure has been opened.

Abstract: A thermal system with high aspect ratio vents for a vehicle. The thermal system comprises: at least one HVAC unit; a first vent with a first high aspect ratio, the first vent coupled to the HVAC unit and configured to generate a first plane of air in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; and a second vent coupled to the HVAC unit and configured to generate a second plane of air in the passenger compartment, the second vent positioned so that the second plane of air intersects the first plane of air.

Abstract: A heat exchanger integrated into an electric vehicle's battery pack enclosure is provided, where the heat exchanger conduits are mechanically and thermally coupled to the inside surface of the enclosure base plate and where the battery pack enclosure is mounted such that ambient air flows over the outside surface of the enclosure base plate during vehicle motion. A thermal management system is coupled to, and controls operation of, the integrated battery pack heat exchanger such that in a first operational mode the heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the batteries within the battery pack, and in a second operational mode the heat exchanger is thermally decoupled from the batteries within the battery pack.

Abstract: A charging system for an electric vehicle includes: a power supply; a cable having first and second ends, the first end attached to the power supply, the cable comprising a charging conductor and a cooling conduit, each of which extends from the first end to the second end; and a connector attached to the second end of the cable, the connector having a form factor corresponding to a charge port of the electric vehicle; wherein the cooling conduit is adapted to convey a fluid that cools the charging conductor.

Abstract: An air filtration system for a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes a HEPA filter for filtering air from an air inlet into filtered air, the HEPA filter including a fine particulate filter and a gas filter, and air passageways formed in the vehicle and configured to convey the air from the air inlet to the HEPA filter, and to convey the filtered air from the HEPA filter to the passenger compartment

Abstract: A vehicle includes an energy storage configured to store electric energy for at least propulsion of the vehicle, an energy storage thermal system configured to provide thermal conditioning of the energy storage, and a coupling configured to receive thermal conditioning of the energy storage from a thermal system external to the vehicle. The coupling provides thermal conditioning of the energy storage while charging when available from the thermal system external to the vehicle. The energy storage thermal system provides thermal conditioning of the energy storage while charging when the thermal system external to the vehicle is not available.

Abstract: An air filtration system for a passenger compartment of a vehicle comprises: a HEPA filter for filtering air from an air inlet into filtered air, the HEPA filter comprising a fine particulate filter and a gas filter; and air passageways formed in the vehicle and configured to convey the air from the air inlet to the HEPA filter, and to convey the filtered air from the HEPA filter to the passenger compartment

Abstract: A vortex separator includes: a housing having a cylindrical chamber therein; an inlet through a mantle of the cylindrical chamber, the inlet positioned at a proximal end of the housing; a pipe that enters the housing at the proximal end and extends axially through the cylindrical chamber toward a distal end of the housing which is closed; an outlet through the mantle, the outlet positioned at the distal end; and a catch basin at the outlet.

Abstract: A method of thermally conditioning an energy storage of a vehicle while charging includes: receiving, at a charging station, thermal information about the energy storage; supplying, by the charging station, electric energy to the energy storage in a charging session; and providing, by the charging station and based on the thermal information, thermal conditioning of the energy storage during at least part of the charging session.

Abstract: A charging system for an electric vehicle includes: a power supply; a cable having first and second ends, the first end attached to the power supply, the cable comprising a charging conductor and a cooling conduit, each of which extends from the first end to the second end; and a connector attached to the second end of the cable, the connector having a form factor corresponding to a charge port of the electric vehicle; wherein the cooling conduit is adapted to convey a fluid that cools the charging conductor.

Abstract: A charging system for an electric vehicle includes: a power supply; a cable having first and second ends, the first end attached to the power supply, the cable comprising a charging conductor and a cooling conduit, each of which extends from the first end to the second end; and a connector attached to the second end of the cable, the connector having a form factor corresponding to a charge port of the electric vehicle; wherein the cooling conduit is adapted to convey a fluid that cools the charging conductor.

Abstract: A method of thermally conditioning an energy storage of a vehicle while charging includes: receiving, at a charging station, thermal information about the energy storage; supplying, by the charging station, electric energy to the energy storage in a charging session; and providing, by the charging station and based on the thermal information, thermal conditioning of the energy storage during at least part of the charging session.

Abstract: A charging system for an electric vehicle includes: a power supply; a cable having first and second ends, the first end attached to the power supply, the cable comprising a charging conductor and a cooling conduit, each of which extends from the first end to the second end; and a connector attached to the second end of the cable, the connector having a form factor corresponding to a charge port of the electric vehicle; wherein the cooling conduit is adapted to convey a fluid that cools the charging conductor.

Abstract: A heat exchanger integrated into an electric vehicle's battery pack enclosure is provided, where the heat exchanger conduits are mechanically and thermally coupled to the inside surface of the enclosure base plate and where the battery pack enclosure is mounted such that ambient air flows over the outside surface of the enclosure base plate during vehicle motion. A thermal management system is coupled to, and controls operation of, the integrated battery pack heat exchanger such that in a first operational mode the heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the batteries within the battery pack, and in a second operational mode the heat exchanger is thermally decoupled from the batteries within the battery pack.

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.