Caterpillar Inc.

Brian R Bell

Adam R Rosenberger

David Andrew Pierpont

Gary M Bell

Eric Lee Schroeder

Craig Phillip Hittle

Nathan Atterberry

Jeremy Byrd

Hua Xu

Jeff Allen Howard

David Moore

Michael D Gough

Jared P Tolan

Deborah Lee Ribordy

David M Andrews

A battery module has battery cells and a housing. The housing includes a first end plate, a second end plate, a first side plate, and a second side plate. The battery cells are disposed between the first end plate, the second end plate, the first side plate, and the second side plate. A cover is disposed at least partially over the first end plate, the second end plate, the first side plate, and the second side plate. A pressure release vent couples to the housing and includes an interior surface that defines a plurality of sections that are configured to dislodge from the pressure release vent based on a pressure within the battery module exceeding a pressure threshold. The individual sections pivot about segments during rupture of the pressure release vent.

Pressure release vent for battery module

A housing includes a first end plate defining a first end of the housing and a second end plate defining a second end of the housing opposite the first end. The housing also includes a first side plate coupled to the first end plate and the second end plate, thereby defining a first side of the housing, a second side plate coupled to the first end plate and the second end plate, thereby defining a second side of the housing opposite the first side, and a center plate coupled to the first end plate and the second end plate. The housing further includes a back plate coupled to the center plate.

Housing for securing battery cells in a battery module

A battery module for construction of a battery pack includes a battery sealed in a rectangular housing with front and rear open ends closed by front and rear plates, respectively. The rear plate includes a plurality of rear plate bores in axial alignment with a plurality of housing bores proximal the rear open end of the housing. The front plate includes a plurality of front plate bores in axial alignment with a plurality of housing bores proximal the front open end of the housing. The front plate additionally includes positive and negative terminals electrically connected to the battery.

Structural battery module and battery pack

Side gusseted, bottom-gusseted flexible pouch with fitment and side volume scales

A battery module includes a housing, battery cells disposed within the housing, and a wedge apparatus disposed within the housing and configured to exert a substantially constant force on the battery cells. The wedge apparatus includes a first wedge having a first thick end tapering to a first thin end, and a second wedge having a second thick end tapering to a second thin end, the first wedge and the second wedge positioned such that the first wedge and the second wedge at least partially overlap. The wedge apparatus further includes a tensioning mechanism disposed at least partially in the first opening and the second opening and configured to move the first wedge in a first direction relative to the second wedge causing a width of the wedge apparatus to expand and exert a first force on the plurality of battery cells.

Apparatus for compressing battery cells in a battery module

A battery module includes a housing, assembled from a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end plate, and a second end plate, is configured to support a plurality of battery cells. The battery module also includes a heating pad and a cooling plate that are configured to regulate a thermal state of the plurality of battery cell. The heating pad is disposed substantially adjacent to the plurality of battery cells and the cooling plate is disposed adjacent to the heating pad opposite the plurality of battery cells. A controller associated with the battery module is configured receive an indication of battery temperature and active one of the heating pad or the cooling plate based at least on the battery temperature of the plurality of battery cells.

Sealed battery module with cooling and heating

A recirculation system for a power system is disclosed. The recirculation system may determine, according to a sequence for individually activating a plurality of turbochargers of an engine, that a designated turbocharger of the plurality of turbochargers is to be activated. The recirculation system may cause a recirculation valve of a recirculation line to open to increase an airflow between an intake manifold and a compressor of the designated turbocharger.

Recirculation system for a power system that includes a plurality of turbochargers

A system and method for automatically calibrating an engine operating with a first fuel and a second fuel includes comparing each of a plurality of engine operating parameters with a corresponding limit, determining whether any of the plurality of engine operating parameters has exceeded its corresponding limit and, while none of the plurality of engine operating parameters has exceeded its corresponding limit, automatically and incrementally advance start of injection timing.

Growing community of inventors

West Lafayette, IN, United States of America

Brian R Bell