Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary battery pack designs for use in electrified vehicles. Exemplary battery packs may include a polymer-based enclosure assembly having features for both retaining components and transferring loads inside the battery pack. The battery packs may include one or more snap-in features for retaining the components and one or more foam spacers for separating adjacent battery arrays and establishing a load transfer path inside the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery array and an enclosure assembly housing the battery array. The enclosure assembly includes a tray, a cover, and a mid-tray. A plurality of internal components are secured within the mid-tray to establish an electrical subassembly within the enclosure assembly.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle having battery packs coupled to the vehicle in parallel, which each include series-connected cells, a single contactor, a battery pack controller that detects cell voltages, and at least one controller coupled to a bus contactor and the packs. Responsive to a vehicle key on signal, the at least one controller closes the single battery pack contactor for at least one of the battery packs that includes voltage balanced cells. The bus contactor is then closed to deliver electrical power to the vehicle, and may include a precharge contactor that is closed in advance of and until the bus contactor open circuit voltage is reduced to a contactor voltage difference. The battery pack controllers are further configured to detect voltage, current, and temperature of each cell, to open the single contactor, and to adjust the state of charge of unbalanced cells until balanced relative with the others.

Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary battery pack designs for use in electrified vehicles. Exemplary battery packs may include a polymer-based enclosure assembly having features for both retaining components and transferring loads inside the battery pack. The battery packs may include one or more snap-in features for retaining the components and one or more foam spacers for separating adjacent battery arrays and establishing a load transfer path inside the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery array and an enclosure assembly housing the battery array. The enclosure assembly includes a tray, a cover, and a mid-tray. A plurality of internal components are secured within the mid-tray to establish an electrical subassembly within the enclosure assembly.

Abstract: An exemplary battery assembly includes, among other things, a battery array, and an expanded polymer-based enclosure that at least partially surrounds the battery array. The expanded polymer-based enclosure includes a vent manifold to communicate gases vented from the battery array. An exemplary method includes, among other things, forming a vent manifold within a polymer-based enclosure. The vent manifold is to communicate gases vented from a battery array. The method further includes at least partially surrounding the battery array with the polymer-based enclosure.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle having battery packs coupled to the vehicle in parallel, which each include series-connected cells, a single contactor, a battery pack controller that detects cell voltages, and at least one controller coupled to a bus contactor and the packs. Responsive to a vehicle key on signal, the at least one controller closes the single battery pack contactor for at least one of the battery packs that includes voltage balanced cells. The bus contactor is then closed to deliver electrical power to the vehicle, and may include a precharge contactor that is closed in advance of and until the bus contactor open circuit voltage is reduced to a contactor voltage difference. The battery pack controllers are further configured to detect voltage, current, and temperature of each cell, to open the single contactor, and to adjust the state of charge of unbalanced cells until balanced relative with the others.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flexible expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery. The stent generally includes a series of metallic cylindrical rings longitudinally aligned on a common axis of the stent and interconnected by a series of links which be polymeric or metallic. Varying configurations and patterns of the links and rings provides longitudinal and flexural flexibility to the stent while maintaining sufficient column strength to space the cylindrical rings along the longitudinal axis and providing a low crimp profile, enhanced stent security and radial stiffness.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flexible expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery. The stent generally includes a series of metallic cylindrical rings longitudinally aligned on a common axis of the stent and interconnected by a series of links which be polymeric or metallic. Varying configurations and patterns of the links provides longitudinal and flexural flexibility to the stent while maintaining sufficient column strength to space the cylindrical rings along the longitudinal axis. The metallic material forming the rings provides the necessary radial stiffness.