Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Randall S Champagne

Randy C Curtis

Duane D Kruger

Stephen L Gross

Alexander M Bilinski

Leo Francis Schwab

John A Martuscelli

Michael E Fraeyman

Presented are battery assemblies with integrated fuel tanks, methods for making/using such battery assemblies, and fuel cell electric vehicles having rechargeable traction battery packs with integrated fiber-composite hydrogen fuel tanks. A rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) assembly includes a battery pack housing with an internal battery module compartment located between two tank mounting cavities. Each mounting cavity is recessed into a respective lateral side of the battery pack housing. Multiple rechargeable battery modules are electrically interconnected with one another and mounted inside the battery module compartment. Each battery module contains multiple battery cells, such as a stack of series-connected lithium-ion pouch cells. A fuel tank is mounted in each of the tank mounting cavities on the lateral sides of the battery pack housing. Each fuel tank, which may be fabricated from a carbon fiber reinforced polymer, stores and selectively dispenses a fuel, such as a hydrogen-rich, compressed gas fuel.

Propulsion battery packs with integrated fuel tank mounting systems

A vehicle battery coolant system includes a first battery module including a first plurality of cells and a second battery module including a second plurality of cells. A coolant plate is disposed between the first and second battery modules and in heat transfer relationship with the first and second battery modules, wherein the coolant plate has fluid passages therein.

Dual-sided propulsion battery coolant system

An automotive battery pack enclosure, assembly and method of housing battery pack cells within an enclosure. The enclosure includes a tray that defines a mounting surface for the various individual battery cells, as well as an upstanding wall, while the assembly further includes numerous individual battery cells aligned along a stacking axis within the enclosure. The wall is made from a continuous extruded preform with periodically-spaced miters that permit bending such that the wall can assume any shape defined by the various panels. The panels cooperative with the peripheral edges of the tray to define a battery container with a footprint shape generally similar to that of the tray. By being formed from a substantially one-piece preform, all of the corners&#x2014;save the one formed where wall ends are brought into adjacent cooperation with one another&#x2014;define a continuous structural seal without the need for sealants, welds or other supplemental closure approaches.

Extruded battery enclosure joint configuration

Provided herein is a heat exchange assembly for conducting air flow through an air cooled vehicle battery, including: a housing enclosing a battery pack having a plurality of cells; and a manifold operably connected to the housing, wherein the manifold includes an inlet for receiving air flow into the battery pack and an outlet for exhausting air flow out of the battery pack, wherein the inlet and the outlet form a single heat exchange duct that passes through a single opening on a face of the housing. Also provided herein is a vehicle incorporating the disclosed heat exchange assembly and a method of conducting air flow through an air cooled battery in a vehicle.

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Riverview, MI, United States of America

Randall S Champagne