Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Gerald P Spezia

Barry J Lake

Lawrence Ziehr

Richard Harris

Bruce T Siekkinen

Walter W Newgeon

James F Pawlowski

A land vehicle having wholly independent multiple suspension units with integral propulsion systems. The independent suspension unit includes a self-contained return spring, dampener, motor-wheel drive mechanism with attached brake-mechanism, and rotary and linear regenerative devices. The independent suspension system does not require or use an axle. The axleless suspension is mounted to a frame rail of the vehicle, which may be formed generally straight, as there is no axle to accommodate. The vehicle frame includes side rails between which a compartment, such as a battery compartment, may be placed. The frame rails include rollers which facilitate insertion and removal of the compartment between the frame rails. The frame rails also may be formed to enable the passage of conduits, such as fluid transfer or temperature control lines, for routing fluids between the battery compartment and a thermal management system.

Electric vehicle with a movable battery tray mounted between frame rails

The invention provides a battery cooling system to cool an electric vehicle battery pack and extend the operating range of an automotive heat pump system. Waste heat from the battery pack is transferred to a secondary coolant system thereby cooling the battery pack. A secondary heat exchanger is coupled between the secondary cooling system and a reversible HVAC system. The secondary heat exchanger transfers the secondary coolant system heat energy to the reversible HVAC system. The heat energy transferred to the reversible HVAC system supplements the existing stored energy thereby extending the heating mode operating range of the HVAC system. The requirement for supplemental electric heating is reduced, further increasing the electric vehicle energy efficiency.

System for cooling electric vehicle batteries

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Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

Gerald P Spezia