The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 11, 2015
Filed:
Jun. 22, 2012
Melinda Anderson-straley, Linden, MI (US);
Neil Carpenter, Clarkstown, MI (US);
Greg Fritz, Clawson, MI (US);
Rick Rajaie, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Melinda Anderson-Straley, Linden, MI (US);
Neil Carpenter, Clarkstown, MI (US);
Greg Fritz, Clawson, MI (US);
Rick Rajaie, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Magna E-Car Systems of America, Inc., Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A phase-change material is used as part of the thermal management system to assist in maintaining a thermal load, such as a battery pack, within a selected temperature range, thereby reducing the consumption of battery power. The phase-change material may be conditioned to an initial state when the vehicle is on-plug and may be used to heat or cool the battery pack directly or indirectly, thereby reducing the use of an electric battery heater. The phase-change material may be used to heat coolant that flows to the thermal load. In another embodiment the phase-change material may be directly within the battery pack in contact with the cells. The phase-change material may be conditioned via the battery circuit heater when the vehicle is on-plug. The phase-change material may also be recharged during vehicle use off-plug using waste heat from the motor circuit thermal load.