Abstract: A battery module for use in a battery pack is disclosed. The battery module (12, 12?) comprises a plurality of battery cells (24, 25) and a sensing circuit (62) extending across the battery cells. A monitoring unit (46) is connected to the sensing circuit. The monitoring unit comprises a continuity detector (66) arranged to detect a break in continuity of the sensing circuit (62). This can allow a thermal event occurring in one of the plurality of cells to be detected.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a circuit for balancing voltages of battery packs to be connected in parallel, comprising: IN-side switches and OUT-side switches; a DC-DC converter with an IN terminal connected to the IN-side switches and an OUT terminal connected to the OUT-side switches; and a controller to operate an IN-side switch to connect a Vmax battery pack to the IN terminal, operate an OUT-side switch to connect a Vmin battery pack to the OUT terminal, and activate the DC-DC converter to transfer energy from the Vmin battery pack to the Vmin battery pack. The controller responds to an IN terminal voltage being sufficiently close to a voltage of a first battery pack by operating an IN-side switch to connect the first pack to the IN terminal, and responds to an OUT terminal voltage being sufficiently close to a voltage of a second battery pack by operating an OUT-side switch to connect the second battery pack to the OUT terminal.

Abstract: A battery module for use in a battery pack is disclosed. The battery module (12, 12?) comprises a plurality of battery cells (24, 25) and a sensing circuit (62) extending across the battery cells. A monitoring unit (46) is connected to the sensing circuit. The monitoring unit comprises a continuity detector (66) arranged to detect a break in continuity of the sensing circuit (62). This can allow a thermal event occurring in one of the plurality of cells to be detected.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a circuit for balancing voltages of battery packs to be connected in parallel, comprising: IN-side and OUT-side switches; a DC-DC converter with an IN terminal connected to the IN-side switches and an OUT terminal connected to the OUT-side switches; and a controller to operate an IN-side switch to connect a Vmax battery pack to the IN terminal, operate an OUT-side switch to connect a Vmin battery pack to the OUT terminal, and activate the converter to transfer energy from the Vmax pack to the Vmin pack. The controller responds to an IN terminal voltage being sufficiently close to a first battery pack voltage by operating an IN-side switch to connect the first pack to the IN terminal, and responds to an OUT terminal voltage being sufficiently close to a second battery pack voltage by operating an OUT-side switch to connect the second pack to the OUT terminal.

Abstract: A cell assembly group is provided, comprising: a plurality of cell assemblies, each cell assembly including an electrochemical cell and an outer wrap surrounding the cell; a foam sheet positioned adjacent one side of one cell assembly; a plurality of heat plates, each heat plate being positioned between two cell assemblies; and at least one spacer positioned between one heat plate and one cell assembly. Each outer wrap of each cell assembly of the plurality of cell assemblies includes a body having an inner surface that engages a rearward wall of the electrochemical cell of the cell assembly, a first portion having a flame barrier that engages a forward wall of the electrochemical cell of the cell assembly, and a second portion that engages an outer surface of the first portion.