Abstract: A method of assembling a battery pack includes, outside of a battery pack enclosure, securing at least one first battery cell to a first side of a thermal barrier, and securing at least one second battery cell to an opposite, second side of the thermal barrier. The method provides a battery cell subassembly with the thermal barrier sandwiched between the at least one first battery cell and the at least one second battery cell.

Abstract: Cell stack end caps are provided for use within traction battery packs. An end cap may be positioned to at least partially fill a volume of space between a cell stack and an enclosure structure (e.g., an enclosure tray) inside the traction battery pack. The end cap may be configured to square a draft angle of a side wall of the enclosure structure in order to impart a compressive load to the cell stack and/or the enclosure structure. A foam structure may be positioned between the end cap and the enclosure structure or within a hollow passageway of the end cap for increasing the structural integrity of the traction battery pack.

Abstract: A battery pack terminal retention system includes a clasp configured to hold tab terminals as the tab terminals are electrically connected together. A battery pack terminal retention method includes holding terminals together using a clasp; and electrically connecting together the plurality of terminals during the holding. The terminals can be tab terminals that are electrically connected together using welds.

Abstract: Nestable cross-member beams are provided for use within traction battery packs. A first cross-member beam of a first cell stack may nest together with a second cross-member beam of a second cell stack to establish a structural cross-member assembly between the first and second cell stacks at a location inside the traction battery pack. The structural cross-member assembly may include one or more venting passageways that facilitate the venting of battery cell vent byproducts to a location external to the traction battery pack during battery thermal events. The venting passageways may direct the vent byproducts through one or more valve assemblies provided within an enclosure assembly of the traction battery pack. The valve assemblies may direct the vent byproducts through one or more vehicle body components.

Abstract: Multifunctional cross-member beams are provided for use within traction battery packs. An exemplary cross-member beam may include features for interfacing with and supporting various subcomponents (e.g., battery cells, cell tab terminals, bus bars, thermal barriers, etc.) of a cell stack of the traction battery pack. The cross-member beam may further incorporate features for facilitating the venting of battery cell vent byproducts during battery thermal events.

Abstract: Divider fins are disclosed for traction battery packs. An exemplary divider fin may be arranged between adjacent battery cells of a battery cell stack. The divider fin may include an upper fin portion configured to interface with an enclosure cover, and a lower fin portion configured to interface with an enclosure tray or a heat exchange plate. The divider fin may be configured to compartmentalize the cell stack, structurally join upper and lower battery structures, contain thermal energy during battery thermal events, etc.

Abstract: A traction battery pack assembly includes a battery pack enclosure that provides an interior area, and at least one cell stack that includes battery cells and at least one divider distributed along a cell stack axis. The at least one divider compartmentalizes the interior area into a plurality of compartments. Each of the compartments holds at least one of the battery cells.

Abstract: A battery pack venting assembly includes a first beam establishing a first side of a passageway and a second beam establishing an opposite, second side of the passageway. The passageway is configured to communicate battery cell vent byproducts. A method of establishing a vent path within a traction battery pack includes, within an enclosure assembly of a battery pack, providing a cross-member assembly having a first beam and a second beam; and communicating battery cell vent byproducts through at least one opening in the first beam into a passageway having a perimeter that is at least partially provided by the first beam and the second beam.

Abstract: A traction battery pack venting assembly includes an enclosure, at least one cell stack within the enclosure, a cross-member assembly within the enclosure, and a valve assembly that opens to provide a vent path from the at least one cell stack to a passageway of the cross-member assembly. A method of establishing a vent path within a traction battery pack includes, within a battery pack enclosure, using a valve assembly to block an opening to a passageway provided by a cross-member assembly; and in response to at least one battery cell within the battery pack enclosure venting, opening the valve assembly to permit flow through the opening to the passageway.

Abstract: Electrical connection systems are provided for electrically connecting cell stacks of a traction battery pack. Exemplary electrical connections systems may include a first high voltage terminal of a first cell stack and a second high voltage terminal of a second cell stack. The first high voltage terminal may be mounted to a first cross-member beam of the first cell stack, and the second high voltage terminal may be mounted to a second cross-member beam of the second cell stack. The first high voltage terminal may be arranged and coupled to the second high voltage terminal to electrically connect the first cell stack and the second cell stack.

Abstract: A protective canopy system that may cover vehicles and other types of inventory stored outside is disclosed, and that protects against damage that would otherwise occur from hailstorms or other severe weather is disclosed. The system may include a screen or canopy that is positioned over the inventory by a support system that may include columns.

Abstract: A method is provided to prepare one or more microfluidic channels on a receptive material by applying an image-forming material to a heat sensitive thermoplastic receptive material in a designed pattern and heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%. In an alternative aspect, the microfluidic channels on receptive material are prepared by etching a designed pattern into a heat sensitive thermoplastic material support and then heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%.

Abstract: A method is provided to prepare one or more microfluidic channels on a receptive material by applying an image-forming material to a heat sensitive thermoplastic receptive material in a designed pattern and heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%. In an alternative aspect, the microfluidic channels on receptive material are prepared by etching a designed pattern into a heat sensitive thermoplastic material support and then heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%.

Abstract: A method is provided to prepare one or more microfluidic channels on a receptive material by applying an image-forming material to a heat sensitive thermoplastic receptive material in a designed pattern and heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%. In an alternative aspect, the microfluidic channels on receptive material are prepared by etching a designed pattern into a heat sensitive thermoplastic material support and then heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%.

Abstract: A scan window apparatus for defining and identifying a selected scan window within an overall scanable surface of a scanning device. The scanable surface is defined by intersecting first and second edges. The scan window apparatus includes moveable position markers which can be moved along the first and second edges of the scanable surface to thereby define the selected scan window. A scan window illumination device is used to illuminate the selected scan window. The illumination device can be a light source directed towards the scanable surface, or a directed, focused light source to trace at least a portion of a perimeter which defines the scan window. The invention also provides for an optical scanning device having a platen, a scan window identification device allowing a user to define a selected scan window on the platen, and a scan window illumination device to illuminate the selected scan window.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for scanning a bounded scan area within a scanable surface of a scanning device are provided. The present invention includes a plurality of members constructed and arranged to define a scan area on a scanable surface of the scanner, a link for communicating with the control interface of the scanner, and a switch for generating a signal to the control interface to initiate and complete a scan of the bounded scan area defined by the plurality of members. The scanning apparatus and system further provide a method for scanning a bounded scan area, which includes the steps of determining whether the scan area is contained entirely within the enclosed scanable surface, scanning the scanable portion of the scan area if the enclosed scan area is not contained entirely within the scanable surface, and scanning the entire scan area if the scan area is contained entirely within the scanable surface.

Abstract: Apparatus are configured to perform optical scanning functions on scannable objects. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes an imaging portion and a scanning portion, wherein the scanning portion is operatively located below the imaging portion. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes an enclosure, a scan head operatively mounted within the enclosure, and a movable platen that is extensible relative to the enclosure to facilitate placement of scannable objects on the platen. In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus can include a sheet feeding mechanism that can be employed to automatically feed image-bearing sheets across the platen for scanning when the platen is retracted in the scan position.

Abstract: A scan window apparatus for defining and identifying a selected scan window within an overall scanable surface of a scanning device. The scanable surface is defined by intersecting first and second edges. The scan window apparatus includes moveable position markers which can be moved along the first and second edges of the scanable surface to thereby define the selected scan window. A scan window illumination device is used to illuminate the selected scan window. The illumination device can be a light source directed towards the scanable surface, or a directed, focused light source to trace at least a portion of a perimeter which defines the scan window. The invention also provides for an optical scanning device having a platen, a scan window identification device allowing a user to define a selected scan window on the platen, and a scan window illumination device to illuminate the selected scan window.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for scanning a bounded scan area within a scanable surface of a scanning device are provided. The present invention includes a plurality of members constructed and arranged to define a scan area on a scanable surface of the scanner, a link for communicating with the control interface of the scanner, and a switch for generating a signal to the control interface to initiate and complete a scan of the bounded scan area defined by the plurality of members.

Abstract: A valve for distributing secondary air from an engine driven pump between the engine exhaust conduit and an accessory device has a valve chamber with an inlet from the air pump and an outlet to the exhaust conduit and a pressure chamber with an outlet to the accessory device and a movable wall biased inward by a spring. A fixed wall between the valve and pressure chambers has a central opening and peripheral openings. A shaft fixed to the movable wall extends through the central opening into the valve chamber and has a valve member on its end for opening and closing the valve chamber outlet. A flexible annular sealing valve member has an inner circular bead sealingly engaging a groove in the shaft, an outer circumferential groove sealingly engaging the periphery of the central opening and an outer peripheral flap valve portion covering the peripheral openings within the pressure chamber to act as a check valve for allowing air flow only from the valve chamber to the pressure chamber.