Abstract: A system for discharging a battery assembly includes a fluid conduit configured to direct a liquid to the battery assembly, the fluid conduit including a fluid outlet, and a mixing device configured to be connected in fluid communication with the fluid conduit and the battery assembly. The mixing device is configured to incorporate a material into the liquid as the liquid flows through the mixing device and before the liquid interacts with the battery assembly. Incorporation of the material increases a conductivity of the liquid so that the liquid causes electrical discharge of the battery assembly when the liquid interacts with the battery assembly.

Abstract: A battery assembly of a vehicle includes a one or more battery cells, a battery housing in which the one or more battery cells are positioned, and a suppressant conduit extending from the battery housing and configured to deliver a flow of fire suppressant to the one or more battery cells. An activation element is configured to block the suppressant conduit and activate when a pressure exceeding a preselected threshold pressure is applied to the activation element, allowing a flow of fire suppressant to flow into the battery housing.

Abstract: A rechargeable energy storage system, includes a housing. A plurality of battery cells are disposed in the housing. A discharge vent passage is in communication with the housing, the discharge vent passage including a one-way valve and a nozzle. A chamber is in communication with the nozzle and including an air inlet passage with a one-way valve. An outlet pipe is connected to the chamber. According to an aspect, the air inlet passage of the thermal vent management system is arranged as a Venturi opening adjacent to the nozzle.

Abstract: A rechargeable energy storage system, includes a housing. A plurality of battery cells are disposed in the housing. A discharge vent passage is in communication with the housing, the discharge vent passage including a one-way valve and a nozzle. A chamber is in communication with the nozzle and including an air inlet passage with a one-way valve. An outlet pipe is connected to the chamber. According to an aspect, the air inlet passage of the thermal vent management system is arranged as a Venturi opening adjacent to the nozzle.

Abstract: An air induction system includes a housing defining an inner cavity. The housing has a first wall with a first air inlet, a second wall with a second air inlet, and an air outlet for directing air to the vehicle engine. A panel filter is mounted within the housing and divides the inner cavity so that the first inlet and the second inlet are upstream of the panel filter and the outlet is downstream of the panel filter when air flows through the housing from either of the air inlets to the air outlet and through the panel filter from a first side of the filter to a second side of the filter. The first air inlet, the second air inlet, and the panel filter are positioned so that the first side is lower than the second side when the housing is installed in the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of controlling airflow through a grille on a front end of a vehicle comprising the steps of: detecting vehicle operating conditions; determining a desired percentage of airflow through the grille based on the desired operating conditions; actuating grille airflow shutters to an open position for the determined desired percentage of a predetermined time interval; and actuating the grille airflow shutter to a closed position for a remaining percentage of the predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an air inlet passage, a cargo compartment, a passenger compartment, a battery, and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. The battery is disposed in the cargo compartment. The HVAC unit is disposed between the engine and passenger compartments. The HVAC unit includes a first inlet, a second inlet, a third inlet, and an outlet all in fluid communication with one another. A recirculation door moves between a pass-through position and a recirculation position. A return air duct extends between the cargo compartment and the second inlet. The return air duct directs the flow of the heated air from the cargo compartment directly to the second inlet of the HVAC unit when the recirculation door is in the recirculation position.

Abstract: A thermal conditioning system for the energy storage system of a hybrid vehicle. At least one auxiliary air source, other than a permanently open air source, has a selectively operable actuator door which either connects or disconnects the auxiliary air source to the energy storage system blower, the air flow being selected to optimally temperature condition the energy storage system. The auxiliary air source preferably includes the HVAC ducting.

Abstract: An air duct for a vehicle includes a housing and a ductile member. The housing is formed from a first extrudable material having a first elastic modulus, and a second extrudable material having a second elastic modulus that is different from the first. The housing has a central longitudinal axis, defines a cavity therethrough along the axis, and is transitionable from a preform configuration in which the axis is substantially straight, to an installation configuration in which the axis is tortuous. The ductile member is embedded within the housing and is formed from a third extrudable material having a third elastic modulus that is greater than each of the first and second. The ductile member is bendable to transition the housing from the preform configuration to the installation configuration and is configured for retaining the housing in the installation configuration. A vehicle includes the air duct.

Abstract: A method of powertrain thermal control in a vehicle having grille airflow shutters. The method comprises the steps of: detecting vehicle operating conditions including at least a temperature condition for an engine cooling loop and engine load; pumping engine coolant through the engine cooling loop including pumping the engine coolant through a radiator under all temperature conditions of the engine cooling loop; and adjusting the grille airflow shutters relative to a grille to selectively block a portion, none or all airflow through the grille to thereby control airflow through the radiator based upon the detected vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: A method of establishing a baseline airflow opening into an under-hood compartment of a vehicle configured to house a powertrain includes providing a fascia for the under-hood compartment. The fascia includes a first grille opening and a second grille opening configured to admit first and second portions of ambient airflow, respectively, into the under-hood compartment. A selectable position shutter assembly is disposed in the second grille opening and configured to control a size of the second grille opening. The baseline airflow opening into the under-hood compartment is the sum of the size of the first grille opening and the minimum size of the second grille opening. The method also includes ascertaining a configuration of the powertrain and setting the minimum size of the second grille opening in response to the ascertained configuration of the powertrain to establish the baseline airflow opening. A system employing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling operation of an adjustable shutter configured to be operated between and inclusive of fully-closed and fully-opened positions for cooling a powertrain in a vehicle having a grille opening. The method includes monitoring operation of a fan capable of being driven at a selectable speed for cooling the powertrain. The method also includes maintaining the fully-closed position of the shutter when the speed of the fan is below a predetermined speed. The method additionally includes selecting a non fully-closed position of the shutter before the predetermined speed of the fan is selected. Furthermore, the method includes selecting the predetermined speed of the fan after the non fully-closed position of the shutter has been selected. A system for controlling operation of such a fan and a vehicle are also provided.

Abstract: A ventilation assembly is configured for operative attachment to a front exterior of a vehicle. The ventilation assembly includes a first and a second section. The first and second sections are configured to move between respective open and closed positions. The first and second sections define respective first and second openings when the first and second sections are in the respective open positions to provide continuous fluid movement from the front exterior of the vehicle therethrough. Likewise, the first and/or second sections are a fluid barrier, configured to prevent the ingress of fluid from the exterior of the vehicle through the respective opening, when the section is in the respective closed position. Additionally, one of the first and second sections is disposed above the other of the first and second sections on the front exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cooling duct connects a passenger compartment of a vehicle and an energy storage system in fluid communication, and directs a flow of air from the passenger compartment to the energy storage system to cool the energy storage system. The cooling duct includes a first portion that is formed from a non-porous material, and a second portion that is formed from a porous material. The first portion and the second portion are attached to define an enclosed flow path. The second portion includes an airflow resistivity that allows air infiltration into the second portion, through the porous material, at a rate of between zero percent (0%) and twenty percent (20%) of a minimum flow rate when an inlet of the cooling duct is unobstructed, and at a rate of at least thirty percent (30%) when the inlet is completely obstructed.

Abstract: A method of controlling airflow through a grille on a front end of a vehicle comprising the steps of: detecting vehicle operating conditions; determining a desired percentage of airflow through the grille based on the desired operating conditions; actuating grille airflow shutters to an open position for the determined desired percentage of a predetermined time interval; and actuating the grille airflow shutter to a closed position for a remaining percentage of the predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A thermal conditioning system for the energy storage system of a hybrid vehicle. At least one auxiliary air source, other than a permanently open air source, has a selectively operable actuator door which either connects or disconnects the auxiliary air source to the energy storage system blower, the air flow being selected to optimally temperature condition the energy storage system. The auxiliary air source preferably includes the HVAC ducting.

Abstract: A method of powertrain thermal control in a vehicle having grille airflow shutters. The method comprises the steps of: detecting vehicle operating conditions including at least a temperature condition for an engine cooling loop and engine load; pumping engine coolant through the engine cooling loop including pumping the engine coolant through a radiator under all temperature conditions of the engine cooling loop; and adjusting the grille airflow shutters relative to a grille to selectively block a portion, none or all airflow through the grille to thereby control airflow through the radiator based upon the detected vehicle operating conditions.