Abstract: A device for thermal control of a battery system includes a heating control module configured to generate an alternating current (AC) heating current and heat the battery system to a desired temperature by applying the AC heating current to the battery system over a selected heating time duration. The heating control module is configured to monitor a rate of increase of a temperature of the battery system during the applying, during the heating time duration, perform a periodic impedance measurement, the periodic impedance measurement including application of a measurement signal having a selected frequency range to the battery system for a measurement period, a length of the measurement period select to minimize a difference between a desired rate of increase and the monitored rate of increase, and adjust the AC heating current during the applying based on the temperature and the impedance measurement.

Abstract: A device for thermal control of a battery system includes a heating control module configured to generate an alternating current (AC) heating current and heat the battery system to a desired temperature by applying the AC heating current to the battery system over a selected heating time duration. The heating control module is configured to monitor a rate of increase of a temperature of the battery system during the applying, during the heating time duration, perform a periodic impedance measurement, the periodic impedance measurement including application of a measurement signal having a selected frequency range to the battery system for a measurement period, a length of the measurement period select to minimize a difference between a desired rate of increase and the monitored rate of increase, and adjust the AC heating current during the applying based on the temperature and the impedance measurement.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an on-vehicle battery includes a battery, a first thermal element, a second thermal element, a battery mounting bracket, and a vehicle body structural element. The battery mounting bracket includes a first portion attached to the vehicle body structural element, and a second portion attached to the first thermal element. The first thermal element is attached to the first end portion of the battery, and the second thermal element is attached to at least one of the second end portion, the first and second side portions, the top portion or the bottom portion of the battery. The first thermal element is composed from a first phase-change material having a first phase-change temperature and the second thermal element is composed from a second phase-change material having a second phase-change temperature, wherein the first phase-change temperature is greater than the second phase-change temperature.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an on-vehicle battery includes a battery, a first thermal element, a second thermal element, a battery mounting bracket, and a vehicle body structural element. The battery mounting bracket includes a first portion attached to the vehicle body structural element, and a second portion attached to the first thermal element. The first thermal element is attached to the first end portion of the battery, and the second thermal element is attached to at least one of the second end portion, the first and second side portions, the top portion or the bottom portion of the battery. The first thermal element is composed from a first phase-change material having a first phase-change temperature and the second thermal element is composed from a second phase-change material having a second phase-change temperature, wherein the first phase-change temperature is greater than the second phase-change temperature.

Abstract: System and methods for mitigating battery damage in a vehicle including a liquid-cooled battery system. In certain embodiments, a system for mitigating damage caused by leaks of liquid coolant in a battery system may include a one or more coolant leak sensors. A coolant leak detection system communicatively coupled to the coolant leak sensors may be configured to detect an occurrence of a liquid coolant leak in the battery system based on information provided by the coolant leak sensors. One or more valves communicatively coupled with the coolant leak detection system may actuate by the coolant leak detection system when a leak of liquid coolant is detected, thereby allowing leaked liquid coolant to drain from the battery system.

Abstract: System and methods for mitigating battery damage in a vehicle including a liquid-cooled battery system. In certain embodiments, a system for mitigating damage caused by leaks of liquid coolant in a battery system may include a one or more coolant leak sensors. A coolant leak detection system communicatively coupled to the coolant leak sensors may be configured to detect an occurrence of a liquid coolant leak in the battery system based on information provided by the coolant leak sensors. One or more valves communicatively coupled with the coolant leak detection system may actuate by the coolant leak detection system when a leak of liquid coolant is detected, thereby allowing leaked liquid coolant to drain from the battery system.

Abstract: A composite article for dissipating thermal energy from a secondary battery cell includes a first graphite layer, a second graphite layer spaced away from and arranged parallel to the first graphite layer, and a metal layer sandwiched between and disposed in contact with each of the first graphite layer and the second graphite layer. The composite article has a thermal conductivity of greater than or equal to about 1,200 W/mK and an electrical conductivity of greater than or equal to about 10,000 S/cm. A secondary battery module includes the composite article and a secondary battery cell having a length and an average measurable temperature along the length during operation of the secondary battery module. The composite article is disposed adjacent and in contact with the secondary battery cell to thereby dissipate thermal energy from the secondary battery cell during operation of the secondary battery module.

Abstract: A composite article for dissipating thermal energy from a secondary battery cell includes a first graphite layer, a second graphite layer spaced away from and arranged parallel to the first graphite layer, and a metal layer sandwiched between and disposed in contact with each of the first graphite layer and the second graphite layer. The composite article has a thermal conductivity of greater than or equal to about 1,200 W/mK and an electrical conductivity of greater than or equal to about 10,000 S/cm. A secondary battery module includes the composite article and a secondary battery cell having a length and an average measurable temperature along the length during operation of the secondary battery module. The composite article is disposed adjacent and in contact with the secondary battery cell to thereby dissipate thermal energy from the secondary battery cell during operation of the secondary battery module.