Battery heating device and method
First Claim
1. A battery heating device for delivering thermal energy to at least one vehicle battery, the battery heating device comprising in combination:
- battery support structure for supporting the at least one battery;
heatable fluid accommodation means, thermally coupled with the at least one battery, for accommodating heatable fluid in a region of thermal conductivity with the at least one battery such that thermal energy is transferred from the heatable fluid to the at least one battery to heat the at least one battery; and
electric heating means, thermally coupled with the at least one battery, for generating thermal energy in a region of thermal conductivity with the at least one battery such that thermal energy is transferred from the electric heating means to the at least one battery to heat the at least one battery;
wherein the battery support structure comprises battery support means, coupled with the heatable fluid accommodation means and the electric heating means, for supporting the at least one battery in a predetermined location, the battery support means being thermally conductive to transfer thermal energy from the heatable fluid accommodation means and the electric heating means to the at least one battery;
wherein the battery support means comprises a plate having upper and lower surfaces;
wherein the upper surface of the battery support means plate is constructed to support the at least one battery; and
wherein the lower surface of the battery support means plate supports the heatable fluid accommodation means and the electric heating means.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A battery heating device for delivery thermal energy to at least one vehicle battery includes a battery support plate for supporting the battery, a heatable fluid tube supported underneath the battery support plate for transferring thermal energy from heatable fluid, such as engine coolant, to the battery, and one or more electric heating pads secured to the battery support plate to transfer thermal energy to the battery. The heatable fluid tube preferably is secured to the battery support plate by a continuously distributed, thermally conductive adhesive material, to enhance heat transfer to the battery via the battery support plate. The heatable fluid tube is constructed and disposed to be a non-weight-bearing member, to reduce the likelihood of engine coolant leakage.
96 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A battery heating device for delivering thermal energy to at least one vehicle battery, the battery heating device comprising in combination:
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battery support structure for supporting the at least one battery; heatable fluid accommodation means, thermally coupled with the at least one battery, for accommodating heatable fluid in a region of thermal conductivity with the at least one battery such that thermal energy is transferred from the heatable fluid to the at least one battery to heat the at least one battery; and electric heating means, thermally coupled with the at least one battery, for generating thermal energy in a region of thermal conductivity with the at least one battery such that thermal energy is transferred from the electric heating means to the at least one battery to heat the at least one battery; wherein the battery support structure comprises battery support means, coupled with the heatable fluid accommodation means and the electric heating means, for supporting the at least one battery in a predetermined location, the battery support means being thermally conductive to transfer thermal energy from the heatable fluid accommodation means and the electric heating means to the at least one battery; wherein the battery support means comprises a plate having upper and lower surfaces; wherein the upper surface of the battery support means plate is constructed to support the at least one battery; and wherein the lower surface of the battery support means plate supports the heatable fluid accommodation means and the electric heating means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A battery healing device for delivering thermal energy to at least one vehicle battery, the battery heating device comprising:
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a battery support plate for supporting the at least one battery; a heatable fluid accommodating device thermally coupled with the at least one battery via the battery support plate to accommodate heatable fluid in a region of thermal conductivify with the at least one battery, thermal energy being transferred from the heatable fluid to the at least one battery via the battery support plate to heat the at least one battery; and an electric heating device thermally coupled with the at least one battery via the battery support plate to generate thermal energy in a region of thermal conductivity with the at least one battery, thermal energy being transferred from the electric heating device to the at least one battery via the battery support plate to heat the at least one battery. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of delivering thermal energy to at least one vehicle battery, the method comprising:
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(a) supporting the at least one battery with a battery support plate; (b) transferring thermal energy to the at least one battery from heatable fluid in a region of thermal conductivity with the at least one battery via a heatable fluid accommodating device, a thermally conductive adhesive securing the heatable fluid accommodating device to the battery support plate; and (c) transferring thermal energy to the at least one battery from an electric heating device secured to the battery support plate in a region of thermal conductivity with the at least one battery. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification