Abstract: An energy regulating system for a habitable space or vehicle interior space is provided which includes a thermally conductive member, such as one or more sheets of flexible graphite member, in thermal communication with a heat source or cold source. The thermally conductive member having an exterior surface adapted to be exposed to an occupant of the vehicle or building. A controller is in operable communication with a power source connected to the heat source or cold source for regulating the temperature perceived by the occupant by varying the power supplied to the heat source or cold source.

Abstract: A composite article is provided for use as a heat spreader, a cooling element or as part of the heating system for a wide variety of items. The composite article can include at least one sheet of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite or graphiiized polymer. A protective coating may be aligned or adhered with a surface of the sheet. The article may also include at least one of a fiber reinforced polymer, a fiber weave or fiber mat or combinations thereof, aligned with at least one of the first surface of the sheet or a second surface of the sheet. The composite article can include a plurality of strips of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite, of graphiiized polymer or combinations thereof, which are woven together and/or it can Include cut outs, slits or other perforations to provide flexibility, stretehabi Kiy, and breathability.

Abstract: A composite article is provided for use as a heat spreader, a cooling element or as part of the heating system for a wide variety of items. The composite article can include at least one sheet of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite or graphiiized polymer. A protective coating may be aligned or adhered with a surface of the sheet. The article may also include at least one of a fiber reinforced polymer, a fiber weave or fiber mat or combinations thereof, aligned with at least one of the first surface of the sheet or a second surface of the sheet.

Abstract: A composite article is provided for use as a heat spreader, a cooling element or as part of the heating system for a wide variety of items. The composite article can include at least one sheet of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite or graphitized polymer. A protective coating may be aligned or adhered with a surface of the sheet. The article may also include at least on of a fiber reinforced polymer, a fiber weave or fiber mat or combinations thereof, aligned with at least one of the first surface of the sheet or a second surface of the sheet. The composite article can include a plurality of strips of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite, of graphitized polymer or combinations thereof, which are woven together and/or it can include cut outs, slits or other perforations to provide flexibility, stretchability, and breathability.

Abstract: An energy regulating system and thermally regulated article for a habitable space or vehicle interior space are provided which include a thermally conductive member, such as one or more sheets of flexible graphite member, in thermal communication with a thermal energy source such as a heat source or cold source. The thermally conductive -member having an exterior surface adapted to be exposed to an occupant of the vehicle or building. A controller is in operable communication with a power source connected in the heat source or cold source for regulating the temperature perceived by the occupant by varying the power supplied to the heat source or cold source.

Abstract: A flexible graphite sheet support structure forms a thermal management arrangement for device having a heat source. The flexible graphite sheet support structure includes first and second spaced apart support members and a flexible graphite sheet secured to the spaced apart support members forming a free standing flex accommodating section that spans between them. Curve retention members having convex curved surfaces are used to keep the flex accommodating section in a bell shaped curve while preventing the flexible graphite sheet from exceeding a minimum bend radius. The thermal management arrangement formed by the flexible graphite sheet support structure enables the flexible graphite sheet to move heat from one support structure to the other while reducing the transmission of vibration between them and allowing relative movement between the spaced apart support structures.

Abstract: A composite article is provided for use as a heat spreader, a cooling element or as part of the heating system for a wide variety of items. The composite article can include at least one sheet of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite or graphitized polymer. A protective coating may be aligned or adhered with a surface of the sheet. The article may also include at least on of a fiber reinforced polymer, a fiber weave or fiber mat or combinations thereof, aligned with at least one of the first surface of the sheet or a second surface of the sheet. The composite article can include a plurality of strips of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite, of graphitized polymer or combinations thereof, which are woven together and/or it can include cut outs, slits or other perforations to provide flexibility, stretchability, and breathability.

Abstract: An electronic device has a heat source and a generally rectangular shape battery proximate the heat source. The battery may have first and second major surfaces. A thermal regulator is in thermal contact with both of the heat source and substantially all of at least the first major surface of the battery. During operation of the device, heat transferred from the heat source to the first major surface via the thermal regulator balances the temperature profile exhibited along the first major surface such that it is substantially uniform.

Abstract: A flexible graphite sheet support structure forms a thermal management arrangement for device having a heat source. The flexible graphite sheet support structure includes first and second spaced apart support members and a flexible graphite sheet secured to the spaced apart support members forming a free standing flex accommodating section that spans between them. Curve retention members having convex curved surfaces are used to keep the flex accommodating section in a bell shaped curve while preventing the flexible graphite sheet from exceeding a minimum bend radius. The thermal management arrangement formed by the flexible graphite sheet support structure enables the flexible graphite sheet to move heat from one support structure to the other while reducing the transmission of vibration between them and allowing relative movement between the spaced apart support structures.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of prismatic format batteries in a stacked configuration. Flexible graphite sheet heat spreaders are interposed between adjacent prismatic batteries in the stack. A heat sink extends the length of the stack of prismatic format batteries. Both heat spreader major surfaces contact the heat sink at contact areas and thereby extend into the heat sink by at least 30 percent of the thru-thickness of the heat sink.

Abstract: An electronic device has a heat source and a generally rectangular shape battery proximate the heat source. The battery may have first and second major surfaces. A thermal regulator is in thermal contact with both of the heat source and substantially all of at least the first major surface of the battery. During operation of the device, heat transferred from the heat source to the first major surface via the thermal regulator balances the temperature profile exhibited along the first major surface such that it is substantially uniform.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of prismatic format batteries in a stacked configuration. Flexible graphite sheet heat spreaders are interposed between adjacent prismatic batteries in the stack. A heat sink extends the length of the stack of prismatic format batteries. Both heat spreader major surfaces contact the heat sink at contact areas and thereby extend into the heat sink by at least 30 percent of the thru-thickness of the heat sink.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of cylindrical battery cells. Damage caused by thermal energy generated in the battery pack is minimized by a one or more graphite sheets in contact with a portion of each cylindrical battery cell.

Abstract: The invention provides to thermal management devices constructed from flexible graphite. In one embodiment, the thermal management device includes a wick structure inside a shell. In certain preferred embodiments, the wick structure is composed of a mass of expanded graphite. In a another embodiment, the shell of the device includes flexible graphite and an optional wick structure. In certain preferred embodiments, the flexible graphite shell is fluid impermeable. The invention further includes methods of making the aforementioned thermal management devices.

Abstract: A construction is provided for a finned heat sink constructed from a plurality of components separately formed from graphite materials. The components include a base and a plurality of fins. In one embodiment, the base is constructed from a first graphite material, and a plurality of elongated fins are constructed from a second graphite material, which may be the same material as the first graphite material. The fins each extend at least partially into the base, and have a length extending away from the base parallel to each other. The graphite material of the fins includes graphene layers aligned in planes parallel to the length of the fins. Two constructions are provided for the base. In one construction the base includes graphene layers aligned in planes parallel to the length of the fins. In another construction the base includes graphene layers aligned in planes perpendicular to the length of the fins.

Abstract: The invention provides to thermal management devices constructed from flexible graphite. In one embodiment, the thermal management device includes a wick structure inside a shell. In certain preferred embodiments, the wick structure is composed of a mass of expanded graphite. In a another embodiment, the shell of the-device includes flexible graphite and an optional wick structure. In certain preferred embodiments, the flexible graphite shell is fluid impermeable. The invention further includes methods of making the aforementioned thermal management devices.

Abstract: A radial finned heat sink assembly for an electrical component is constructed from a graphite material, which may be resin impregnated. The assembly includes a base, and a plurality of spaced parallel planar fin members supported by the base. Each fin member includes a planar fin of an anisotropic graphite material having graphite layers aligned primarily with the plane of the fin. In a first construction the fin members include integral core portions. In a second construction the core portions are separately formed so that the graphene layers of the core portion are aligned primarily parallel to the core axis so that heat is efficiently transmitted from the base to the plate members along the core axis.