Thermal management system for electric vehicle

Abstract

One example provides a thermal management system for an electric vehicle including a pump to pump a thermal transfer fluid through a number of circulation loops, an electric heater to heat the thermal transfer fluid, a heat exchanger to expel heat from the thermal transfer fluid, a number of valves, and a number of fluid pathways fluidically interconnecting the pump, heater, heat exchanger and valves. The valves being controllable to a number of different positions to form the number of circulation loops, the number of circulation loops including a battery heating circulation loop extending through the heater for heating a battery pack of the vehicle, a secondary components cooling circulation loop extending through the heat exchanger to cool secondary components of the vehicle, including a motor and a motor controller, and a battery cooling circulation loop extending through the heat exchanger to cool the battery pack.

Description

THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This Utility Patent Application claims priority to U.S. Serial No. 62 / 931,903 filed November 7, 2019. TECHNICAL FIELD [0001A] The disclosure relates generally to electric vehicles, and more particularly to thermal management for electric vehicles. BACKGROUND

[0002] Powersport vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), personal water craft (PWC), and snowmobiles, for example, continue to grow in popularity. Due to their quieter, cleaner, and more efficient power drive systems, electric powersport vehicles provide an alternative to powersport vehicles powered by traditional internal combustion engines. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Figure 1 generally illustrates an electric power sport vehicle including a thermal management system, according to one example of the present disclosure.

[0004] Figure 2 is a block and schematic diagram illustrating a thermal management system, according to one example of the present disclosure.

[0005] Figure 3 is a block and schematic diagram illustrating a thermal management system operating in an active battery heating mode, according to one example of the present disclosure.

[0006] Figure 4 is a block and schematic diagram illustrating a thermal management system operating in a passive battery heating mode, according to one example of the present disclosure.

[0007] Figure 5 is a block and schematic diagram illustrating a thermal management system operating in a full cooling mode, according to one example of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example operation of a thermal management system, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an example operation of a thermal management system, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[00010] Figure 8 is a block and schematic diagram illustrating a thermal management system, according to one example of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00011] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific examples in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims. It is to be understood that features of the various examples described herein may be combined, in part or whole, with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

[00012] Powersport vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), personal water craft (PWC), and snowmobiles, for example, continue to grow in popularity. Traditionally, such powersport vehicles have been powered by internal combustion engines which emit exhaust gases (e.g., carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide) that contribute to greenhouse gases and other forms of pollution, and which generate high noise levels under certain operating conditions.

[00013] As a result, electric powersport vehicles represent a promising alternative to internal combustion engine-driven powersport vehicles. Powersport vehicles employing electric powertrains are quieter, cleaner, and also more energy-efficient than traditional powersport vehicles employing internal combustion engines. However, in order to be successful, electric powersport vehicles need to meet customers' expectations with regard to performance, range, reliability, and cost.

[00014] Typical electric powertrains of electric powersport vehicles include a battery system, one or more electrical motors with corresponding electronic motor drives, and various auxiliary systems. Unlike automobiles, powersport vehicles are often operated at 'full-throttle" for extended periods of time. However, when operating at high discharge rates, batteries generate large amounts of heat. While increased operating temperatures may improve battery performance in the form of increase power output, high temperature operation can potentially be damaging and reduce battery life. Conversely, battery power output decreases when operating at cold temperatures. As such, in order to optimize battery performance and life, it is desirable to operate batteries within an optimal operating temperature range.

[00015] For electric automobiles, liquid-based heat transfer systems (e.g., glycol-based systems) have been developed to provide thermal management of electric powertrain components, including batteries. However, such systems typically include complicated piping systems having large numbers of control valves and multiple heat exchangers. While such systems are effective at managing thermal loads of powertrain components, they are complicated, expensive, and heavy, making them unsuitable for use with electric powersport vehicles. While liquid-based heat transfer systems have employed in electric powersport vehicles to provide thermal management of motors and corresponding electronic controllers, battery systems have traditionally been air-cooled, which greatly reduces the complexity of the heat transfer system and the battery systems and enables the use of commercially available generic battery modules.

[00016] As described herein, a liquid-based thermal management system (TMS) for electric powersport vehicles is disclosed. In examples, the TMS employs a pump, a heater, a heat exchanger, and a piping system employing a pair of 3-way valves, where each which are controllable based on temperatures of powertrain components to provide a number of different circulation paths (or circulation loops) to enable different modes of operation including an active battery heating mode, a passive battery heating mode (in conjunction with a motor / controller cooling), and an active system cooling mode (including battery and motor / controller cooling). The TMS, in accordance with the present disclosure, maintains the batteries within an acceptable operating temperature range over a wide environmental temperature range, maintains motors / controllers within target temperature ranges, while also being lightweight, thereby enabling acceptable performance of the corresponding electric powersport vehicle over a wide range of conditions to satisfy consumer expectations.

[00017] Figure 1 is a diagram generally illustrating an electrical vehicle 10 in which a TMS, in accordance with the present disclosure, may be employed. In one example, electric powersport vehicle 10 is an electric powersport vehicle, such as a personal watercraft (PWC), as illustrated by Figure 1. Although electric power sport vehicle 10 is illustrated as being a personal watercraft (PWC), in other cases, the TMS may be employed in any number of electric power sport vehicles, such as snowmobiles and ATVs, for example. In one example, vehicle 10 includes an electric power train 12 including at least one motor 14 having a corresponding electronic motor controller 16, and a battery system 18. Vehicle 10 further includes a TMS 20, in accordance with the present application, for thermal management of electrical power train 12, as will be described in greater detail below.

[00018] Figure 2 is a block and schematic diagram illustrating an example implementation of TMS 20, such as employed by PWC 10 of Figure 1, in relation to components of electric powertrain 12. In one example, battery system 18 includes a battery pack 22 including a number of battery modules 24, illustrated as battery modules 1 to N, with each battery module 24 including a number of battery cells 26, illustrated as battery cells 1 to M. In examples, the battery cells 24 of each battery module 26 are electrically connected with one another, with the battery modules 26, in-turn, being electrically connected with one another to form battery pack 22. In one example, each battery cell 24 comprises a lithium-ion battery cell, although any number of other suitable battery chemistries and configurations may be employed.

[00019] In one example, battery system 18 includes a battery management system 30 including a battery monitoring unit 32 and a number of temperature sensors 34 for monitoring the operation temperatures of cells 26 of each battery module 24. In one examples, temperatures sensors 34 include at least one temperature sensor for each battery cell 26 of each battery module 24. In other examples, temperature sensors 34 may include fewer temperature sensors than one for each battery cell 26. In examples, in addition to monitoring a temperature of battery cells 26 of battery modules 24 via temperature sensors 34, battery monitoring unit 32 monitors other operating conditions and parameters of battery pack 22, such as a voltage, current, and charge of each battery cell 26, to name a few.

[00020] In one example, as illustrated, TMS 20 includes a pump 40 having an input port (In) and an output port (Out), an electric heater 42, and a heat exchanger 44. In examples, heat exchanger 44 may be a fluid-to-air heat exchanger (e.g., when employed in an ATV), a fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger (e.g., when employed in a PWC), and a fluid-to-snow heat exchanger (e.g., when employed in a snowmobile). Any suitable type of lightweight heat exchanger may be employed. TMS 20 further includes a first controllable 3-way valve (V1) 50 having an input port, I1, and two valve positions (or output ports) P1 and P2, and a second controllable 3-way valve (V2) 52 having an input port, I1, and two valve positions (or output ports) P1 and P2. In examples, first valve V1 50 may be referred to as a "battery bypass valve" and second valve V2 may be referred to as a "cooling bypass valve".

[00021] A system of fluid pathways 60 interconnects pump 40, heater 42, heat exchanger 44, and first and second valves V1 50 and V2 52, with the positions of first and second valves V1 50 and V2 52 controllable to form a number of flow paths (or circulation loops) for communicating a thermal transfer fluid (e.g., a glycol-based fluid, although any number of suitable thermal transfer fluids may be employed) through motor 14, motor controller 16, and battery pack 22 to transfer heat to and / or remove heat therefrom according to a number of different operational modes of TMS 20 which may be selected during operation of electric powersport vehicle 10. It is noted that more than one motor 14 and corresponding controller 16 may be cooled by TMS 20.

[00022] In one example, the system of fluid pathways 60 includes a number of pipes, where such pipes may be made of any suitable material (e.g., plastic, copper, aluminum). In one example, as illustrated, a pipe 61 provides a fluidic communication path between output port P1 of first valve V1 and heater 42, a pipe 62a provides a fluidic communication path between heater 42 and battery pack 22, and a pipe 62b provides a fluidic communication path between batter pack 22 and input port I1 of second valve V2, where pipes 62a and 62b respectively serve as an input and output paths for communicating heat transfer fluid through battery pack 22.

[00023] In one example, piping arrangements for communicating fluid through battery modules 24, such as illustrated by battery module piping arrangements 63a and 63b, are integral to each battery module 24, where input and output pipes 62a and 62b couple to integral battery module piping arrangements 63a and 63b. In other cases, battery module piping arrangements 63a and 63b may be separate from battery modules 24. In other cases, some portions of battery module piping arrangements 63a and 63b may be integral to battery modules 24 while some portions may be separate from battery modules 24. In some case, as illustrated, battery module piping arrangements 63a and 63b are implemented to communicate fluid between adjacent pairs of battery cells 26. In some examples, not illustrated herein, battery module piping arrangements 63a and 63b include thermal transfer plates disposed between each pair of battery cells 26, where heat transfer fluid is circulated through the heat transfer plates to transfer heat to / from adjacent battery cells 26.

[00024] In one example, a pipe 63a extends from first output port P1 of second valve V2 and a pipe tee 64, and a pipe 63b extends from tee 64 through motor 14 and motor controller 16 to heat exchanger 44. A pipe 65a extends from heat exchanger 44 to a pipe tee 66, and a pipe 65b extends from tee 66 to the input port of pump 40. A pipe 67 extends between the output port of pump 40 and the input port I1 of first controllable valve V1 50. A pipe 68 forms a fluidic path between second output port P2 of second controllable valve V2 52 and pipe tee 66 proximate to the input port of pump 40, and a pipe 69 forms a fluidic path between second output port P2 of first controllable value V1 50 and pipe tee 64 between second valve 52 and motor 14.

[00025] In one example, thermal management system 20 further includes a thermal control system 80 including a thermal control unit 82 and temperature sensors 84 and 86 to respectively provide operating temperatures of motor 14 and motor controller 16. In one example, thermal control unit 82 receives temperature signals from motor and controller temperature sensors 84 and 86 via signal lines 87a and 87b, and heating / cooling requests from battery monitoring unit 32 (as will described in greater detail below, for example, see Figure 6) via signal line 87c. In one example, thermal control unit 82 respectively controls the operation of first and second controllable valves 50 and 52 (e.g., the position of valves 50 and 52) via control lines 88a and 88b, the operation of pump 40 via control line 88c, and the operation of heater 42 via control line 88d. In some examples, battery management system 30 may be separate from thermal control system 80. In other examples, all or portions of battery management system 30 may be included as part of thermal control system 80.

[00026] As will be described in greater detail below, based on operating temperatures of motor 14 and electronic motor controller 16 provided by motor and controller temperature sensors 84 and 86, and based on heating and cooling requests from battery management system 30 (which are based on the temperatures of cells 26 provided by cell temperature sensors 34, and on charge levels of cells 26, for example, see Figure 6), thermal control unit 82 controls the operation of pump 40 (e.g., on / off), the operation of heater 42 (e.g., on / off), and the positions of first and second controllable valves V1 50 and V2 52 to provide various operating modes (e.g., heating and cooling modes) for controlling the operating temperatures of motor 14, electronic motor controller 16, and battery pack 22 to maintain such temperatures at acceptable levels.

[00027] In examples, as will be described below, thermal management system 20 includes an active battery heating mode (see Figure 3), a passive battery heating mode (see Figure 4), and a full cooling mode (see Figure 5). It is also noted that thermal management system 20 includes a standby mode of operation, such as may be illustrated by Figure 2, where pump 40 and heater 42 are deactivated and no thermal transfer fluid is circulated through fluid pathways 60.

[00028] With reference to Figure 3, in one example, thermal management system 20 provides an active battery heating mode of operation by activating pump 40 and heater 42, by switching controllable valve V1 50 to a first position to direct thermal transfer fluid from input port I1 to first output port P1, and by switching controllable valve V2 52 to a second position to direct thermal transfer fluid from input port I1 to second output port P2 to configure fluid pathways 60 to form a circulation loop 90 of heated thermal transfer fluid though battery pack 22. In active battery heating mode, heated thermal transfer fluid is circulated by pump 40 via circulation loop 90 through battery pack 22 via heater 42 so as to heat battery pack 22 while bypassing motor 14, electronic motor controller 16, and heat exchanger 44. In one example, as illustrated, in active battery heating modes, pipe segments 61, 62a, 62b, 68, 65b, and 67 (as well as piping internal to battery pack 22) are employed to form circulation loop 90 to circulate thermal transfer fluid (as indicated by bold lines and directional arrows), while pipe segments 63a, 63b, 65a, and 69 are bypassed (as indicated by dashed lines).

[00029] With reference to Figure 4, in one example, thermal management system 20 provides a passive battery heating mode of operation (or active motor cooling mode) by activating pump 40, by switching controllable valve V1 50 to a first position to direct thermal transfer fluid from input port I1 to second output port P2, and by switching controllable valve V2 52 to an off position to configure fluid pathways 60 to form a circulation loop 92 to circulate thermal transfer fluid through motor 14, electronic motor controller 16, and heat exchanger 44. In passive battery heating mode, heater 42 is deactivated and battery pack 22 is bypassed so that battery pack 22 passively warms via cell discharge, while motor 12 and electronic motor controller 16 are cooled by circulating heat transfer fluid through heat exchanger 44. In one example, as illustrated, in passive battery heating mode, pipe segments 67, 69, 63b, 65a, and 65b are employed to form circulation loop 92 to circulate thermal transfer fluid (as indicated by bold lines and directional arrows), while pipe segments 61, 62a, 62b, 63a, and 68 are bypassed (as indicated by dashed lines).

[00030] With reference to Figure 5, in one example, thermal management system 20 provides a full cooling mode of operation by activating pump 40, by switching controllable valve V1 50 to a first position to direct thermal transfer fluid from input port I1 to second output port P1, and by switching controllable valve V2 52 to a first position to direct thermal transfer fluid from input port I1 to second output port P2 to configure fluid pathways 60 to form a circulation loop 94 to circulate thermal transfer fluid through battery pack 22, motor 14, electronic motor controller 16, and heat exchanger 44. In full cooling mode, heater 42 is deactivated so that battery pack 22, motor 12, and electronic motor controller 16 are cooled by circulating heat transfer fluid through heat exchanger 44. In one example, as illustrated, in active cooling mode, pipe segments 67, 61, 62a, 62b, 63a, 63b, 65a, and 65b (as well as piping internal to battery pack 22) are employed to form circulation loop 94 to circulate thermal transfer fluid (as indicated by bold lines and directional arrows), while pipe segments 68 and 69 are bypassed (as indicated by dashed lines).

[00031] Figure 6 is a flow chart generally illustrating a process 100 for operating a thermal management system, such as TMS 20, according to one example of the present disclosure. In particular, method 100 illustrates an example for determining initiation of a heating request or a cooling request for battery pack 22. According to examples, process 100 may be performed by battery management system 30 where, as described above, portions of battery management system 30 may be implemented as part of thermal control system 80.

[00032] Process 100 begins at 102. At 104, process 100 determines a state of charge of battery pack 22. In one example, to determine a state of charge of battery pack 22, a state of charge is determined for each cell 26 of each battery module 24 of battery pack 22. In one example, a state of charge of each battery cell 26 is determined by battery management unit 32 by monitoring a voltage and current level of each battery cell to determine amp- hours remaining. In other examples, other suitable techniques may be employed to measure the state of charge of battery pack 22. In one example, battery management unit 32 determines a state of charge of each battery cell 26 of each battery module 24. In another case, battery management unit 32 determines an average state of charge of one or more groups of battery cells 26 within each battery module 24. In other examples, battery management unit 32 determines a state of charge of each battery module 24, where such state of charge is an average of the state of charge of each corresponding battery cell 26. In other examples, battery management unit 32 determines a state of charge of battery pack 22 by determining an average state of charge of each battery module 24.

[00033] At 106, process 100 determines a temperature of battery pack 22. In one example, as illustrated, to determine the temperature of battery pack 22, a temperature is determined for each battery cell 26 of each battery module 24 of battery pack 22, such as via temperature sensors 34. In one example, temperature sensors 34 include at least one temperature sensor for each battery cell 26 of each battery module 24. In one example, battery management unit 32 measures the temperature of each individual battery cell 24. In another case, battery management unit may determine an average temperature of one or more groups of battery cells 26 of each battery module 24. In another example, battery management unit 32 may determine a temperature of each battery module 24, where such temperature is an average of the temperatures of each corresponding battery cell 26. In another case, a temperature of battery pack 22 is determined based on an average of the temperatures of each battery module 24.

[00034] At 108, process 100 queries whether the temperature of battery pack 22 is less than a minimum threshold temperature. In one example, as illustrated, process 100 queries whether the temperature of any battery cell 26 within battery pack 22 is less than a minimum threshold temperature. In one example, such minimum threshold temperature is 10 degrees Celsius. In other cases, any suitable minimum threshold temperature may be employed. In one example, in lieu of determining whether any battery cell 26 temperature is below a minimum threshold temperature, the temperature of each battery module 24 (e.g., an average temperature of the corresponding battery cells 26) is compared to the minimum threshold temperature. In other examples, in lieu of determining whether any battery cell 26 temperature is below a minimum threshold temperature, the temperature of each battery pack 22 (e.g., an average temperature of all battery cells 26 within battery pack 22) is compared to the minimum threshold temperature.

[00035] If the answer to the query at 108 is TRUE, meaning that the temperature of at least one cell temperature is less than the minimum threshold temperature, process 100 proceeds to 110, where, in one example, the state of charge of each battery cell 26 is compared to a minimum threshold charge. Similar to that described above with regard to cell temperatures, in some examples, rather than comparing a state of charge of each battery cell 26 to a minimum threshold charge, an average state of charge of each battery module 24 may be compared to the minimum threshold charge, or an average state of charge of battery pack 22 may be compared to the minimum threshold charge value. In one example, a minimum state of charge is 5% of full charge. In other cases, any suitable value for state of charge may be employed.

[00036] If the answer to the query at 110 is TRUE, meaning that state of charge of each battery cell (or, in other examples, the charge of each battery module 24 or battery pack 22) is greater than the minimum threshold charge value, process 100 proceeds to 112, where battery management unit 32 issues a battery heating request to thermal control unit 82 (see Figure 7). If the answer to the query at 110 is FALSE, meaning that the state of charge of at least one battery cell 26 (or, in other examples, the charge of any battery module 24 or battery pack 22) is less than the minimum threshold charge value, process 100 returns to 102. In other words, in one example, as illustrated, a battery heating request is not issued when under low temperature and low state of charge conditions to avoid over-discharge at low temperatures.

[00037] In one example, process 100 may optionally include a query at 114 to determine whether the battery is connected to a charger. If the answer to such query at 114 is TRUE, meaning that the battery is connected to a charger, process 100 proceeds to 116 where a heating request is issued. Under such conditions, the battery may avoid over-discharge at low temperatures by drawing external power from the charger. If the answer to the query at 114 is FALSE, meaning that the battery is not connected to a charger, process 100 proceeds to 102.

[00038] If the answer to the query at 108 is FALSE, meaning that the temperature of each battery cell 26 is greater than the minimum threshold temperature, process 100 proceeds to 116. At 116, process 100 queries whether the temperature of any battery cell 26 within battery pack 22 (or, in other examples, the temperature of any battery module 24 or battery pack 22) is greater than a maximum threshold temperature. In one example, such maximum threshold temperature is 40 degrees Celsius. In other cases, any suitable maximum threshold temperature may be employed. If the answer to the query at 116 is TRUE, process 100 proceeds to 118

[00039] If the answer to the query at 116 is TRUE, meaning that temperature of at least one battery cell (or, in other examples, the temperature of any battery module 24 or the temperature of battery pack 22) is greater than the maximum threshold temperature, process 100 proceeds to 112, where battery management unit 32 issues a battery cooling request to thermal control unit 82 (see Figure 7). If the answer to the query at 116 is FALSE, meaning that the temperature of each battery cell (or, in other examples, the temperature of each battery module 24 or battery pack 22) is less than the maximum threshold temperature, process 100 returns to 102 to continue monitoring the operating conditions of battery pack 22.

[00040] Figure 7 is a flow chart generally illustrating a process 130 of operating a thermal management system, such as TMS 20, according to one example of the present disclosure. Process 130 begins at 132. At 134, queries whether a battery heating request has been issued (see, for example, 112 in Figure 6). If a heating request has been issued, process 130 proceeds to 136 where it is queried whether a "secondary component" critical cooling request condition exists. As used herein, the term "secondary component" refers to components of powertrain 12 other than battery pack 22, such as motor 12, electronic motor controller 14, and other electronic equipment, for example. In one example, a secondary component critical cooling request condition exists if a temperature of any second component exceeds a critical cooling threshold temperature (also referred to as a thermal cutback temperature). In one example, such a thermal cutback temperature may be 100 degrees Celsius. In other examples, other suitable thermal cutback temperature values may be employed. In examples, secondary component temperatures are provided for motor 14 and electronic motor controller 16 by corresponding temperature sensors 84 and 86.

[00041] If the answer to the query at 136 is FALSE, meaning that a secondary component critical cooling request has not been made, process 130 proceeds to 138 where temperature control unit 82 initiates an active battery heating mode of operation for thermal management system 12, such as illustrated by Figure 3. Battery pack 22 is then actively heated via heat transfer fluid which is heated by heater 42, such as via circulation through circulation loop 90, until the temperature of battery pack 22 reaches a desired temperature value within a desired operating temperature range (e.g., between the minimum and maximum battery threshold temperatures) or until a secondary component critical cooling request arises. It is noted that, generally speaking, battery pack 22 will be heated to a desired operating temperature before secondary components heat to a critical cooling threshold temperature, particularly when electric powersport vehicle 10 is operating in a cold weather climate.

[00042] If the answer to the query at 136 is TRUE, meaning that a secondary component critical request has been made (i.e., at least one secondary component is at a critical cooling temperature), process 130 proceeds to 140 where temperature control unit 82 initiates a passive battery heating mode of operation for thermal management system 12, such as illustrated by Figure 4. In examples, when operating in passive battery heating mode, battery pack 22 is bypassed such that battery pack 22 passively heats from thermal energy generated during operation, and secondary components, such as motor 14 and electronic motor controller 16, are cooled by circulating thermal transfer fluid there through via heat exchanger 44, such as via circulation through circulation loop 92.

[00043] If the query at 134 is FALSE, meaning that a battery heating request has not been issued, process 130 proceeds to 142 where it is queried whether a battery cooling request has been issued by battery management unit 32 (see 118 in Figure 6). If the answer to the query at 142 is TRUE, meaning that a battery cooling request has been issued, process 130 proceeds to 144 where temperature control unit 82 initiates a full cooling mode of operation for thermal management system 12, such as illustrated by Figure 5. Battery pack 22 is then cooled by circulating thermal transfer fluid through battery pack 22 and passing thermal transfer fluid through heat exchanger 44, while also cooling secondary components, such as motor 14 and electronic motor controller 16, such as via circulation through circulation loop 94.

[00044] If the answer to the query at 142 is FALSE, meaning that a battery cooling request has not been issued, process 130 proceeds to 146. At 146, process 130 queries whether a secondary component cooling request condition exists. Such request is similar to that described at 136, except that a corresponding cooling temperature threshold is less than the critical cooling temperature threshold. In one example, the cooling threshold temperature may be 60 degrees Celsius. In other examples, other suitable cooling threshold temperature values may be employed, such as 70 degree Celsius.

[00045] If the answer to the query at 146 is TRUE, process 130 proceeds to 140 where thermal control unit 82 initiates the passive battery heating mode of operation (see Figure 4), whereby the secondary components, such as motor 14 and electronic controller 16 are cooled, while battery pack 22 is bypassed. If the answer to the query at 146 is FALSE, process 130 proceeds to 148 where thermal control unit 82 initiates a standby mode of operation for thermal management system 20, such as illustrated by Figure 2, where no thermal transfer fluid is circulated by pump 40.

[00046] Figure 8 is a block and schematic diagram generally illustrating TMS 20, according to one example of the present disclosure. In other implementations, as illustrated by Figure 8, TMS 20 may be implemented with a number of type of valves and with fluid pathway configurations different from that set forth by Figures 2-5. In alternative examples, TMS 20 may be implemented with dedicated piping systems for heating / cooling of battery pack 12 and for cooling of secondary components, such as motor 14 and motor controller 16, where such dedicated piping systems, in some examples, share pump 40 and heat exchanger 44.

[00047] In one alternative implementation, as illustrated by Figure 8, TMS includes controllable valves VA and VB to control heating and cooling of battery pack 22, and valve VC and VD to control cooling of secondary components, such as electric motor 14 and electronic motor controller 16. For example, in one case, valves VC and VD are closed, while valve VA open and valve VB is positioned to direct flow via an output port P2 so as to form a heating circulation loop 140 when heater 42 is activated. In another case valves VA and VB are closed, while valves VC and VC are open to form a secondary component cooling circulation loop 142 through heat exchanger 44 such that motor 14 and motor controller 16 are cooled while battery pack 22 is bypassed and, thus, enabled to passively heat. In other case, valves VC and VD are closed, while valve VA is open and valve VB is positioned to direct flow via an output port P1 so as to form a battery pack cooling circulation loop 144 through each exchanger 44. In another case, battery cooling circulation loop 144 and secondary component cooling circulation loop 142 may be simultaneously operable.

[00048] Any number of alternative valve and piping configurations may be employed within the scope of this disclosure which share pump 40, pump 42, and heat exchanger 44, and which are controllable via battery management system 30 and thermal control system 80 to form cooling and heating and cooling circulation loops for thermal management of battery pack 22 and various secondary components (including motor 14 and motor controller 16).

[00049] Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, a variety of alternate and / or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific examples shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific examples discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

<pat:ClaimStatement>CLAIMS< / pat:ClaimStatement> <pat:Claims com:id="claims"> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00001"> <pat:ClaimNumber>1< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>1. A thermal management system for an electric vehicle, the system comprising: a pump; a heater; a heat exchanger; and a first valve and a second valve, each moveable between at least a first position and a second position; and a number of fluid pathways fluidically interconnecting the pump, heater, heat exchanger and the first and second valves; the system operable in a number of modes including: a first mode with the first valve in the first position and the second valve in the second position to configure the fluid pathways to form a first fluid circulation loop extending through the heater and a battery pack of the vehicle, the pump to circulate fluid heated by the heater through the first fluid circulation loop to heat the battery pack; and a second mode with the first valve in the second position to configure the fluid pathways to form a second fluid circulation loop extending through an electric motor and motor controller of the vehicle and the heat exchanger, the pump to circulate fluid through the second fluid circulation loop to expel heat from the motor and motor controller via the heat exchanger while bypassing the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00002"> <pat:ClaimNumber>2< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>2. The thermal management system of claim 1, the first fluid circulation loop extending from the pump through the first valve, from the first valve though the heater, from the heater through the battery pack, and from the battery pack through the second valve, and returning to the pump from the second valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00003"> <pat:ClaimNumber>3< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>3. The thermal management system of claim 1 or 2, the second fluid circulation loop extending from the pump through the first valve, from the first valve through the motor and motor controller of the vehicle, and returning to the pump through the heat exchanger. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00004"> <pat:ClaimNumber>4< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>4. The thermal management system of any one of claims 1 to 3, including: a third mode with the first and second valves each in their respective first position to configure the fluid pathways form a third fluid circulation loop extending through the heater, the battery pack, the motor and motor controller of the vehicle, and the heat exchanger, the pump to circulate fluid through the third fluid circulation loop to expel heat from the battery pack, and the motor and motor controller via the heat exchanger, the heater being inactivated. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00005"> <pat:ClaimNumber>5< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>5. The thermal management system of claim 4, the third fluid circulation loop extending from the pump through the first valve, from the first valve though the heater, from the heater through the battery pack, from the battery pack through the second valve, from the second valve through the motor and motor controller of the vehicle, and returning to the pump through the heat exchanger. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00006"> <pat:ClaimNumber>6< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>6. The thermal management system of claim 4 or 5, wherein the first mode, second mode or third mode is selected based on operating temperatures of the motor and motor controller and on an operating temperature and a state of charge of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00007"> <pat:ClaimNumber>7< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>7. The thermal management system of claim 6, the system to operate in the first mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the state of charge of the battery pack is greater than a minimum charge threshold; and operating temperatures of secondary components of the vehicle, including the motor and motor controller, are less than a thermal cutback temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00008"> <pat:ClaimNumber>8< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>8. The thermal management system of claim 6, the system to operate in the second mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the state of charge of the battery pack is greater than a minimum charge threshold; and an operating temperature of a secondary component of the vehicle, including the motor and motor controller, is at least equal to a thermal cutback temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00009"> <pat:ClaimNumber>9< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>9. The thermal management system of claim 6, the system to operate in the second mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is greater than a minimum threshold temperature and less than a maximum threshold temperature; and a temperature of a secondary component, including the motor and motor controller, is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00010"> <pat:ClaimNumber>10< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>10. The thermal management system of claim 6, the system to operate in the second mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the state of charge of the battery pack is less than a minimum charge threshold; and a temperature of a secondary component, including the motor and motor controller, is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00011"> <pat:ClaimNumber>11< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>11. The thermal management system of claim 6, the system to operate in the third mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is greater than a maximum threshold temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00012"> <pat:ClaimNumber>12< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>12. The thermal management system of any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the operating temperature of the battery pack represents a temperature of a hottest battery cell of the battery pack and a temperature of a coolest battery cell of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00013"> <pat:ClaimNumber>13< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>13. The thermal management system of any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the operating temperature of the battery pack represents an average temperature of a number of battery cells forming the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00014"> <pat:ClaimNumber>14< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>14. The thermal management system of any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the operating temperature of the battery pack represents an average temperature of a number of battery modules forming the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00015"> <pat:ClaimNumber>15< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>15. The thermal management system of any one of claims 1 to 14, the first and second valves each comprising a 3-way valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00016"> <pat:ClaimNumber>16< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>16. An electric vehicle comprising the thermal management system of any one of claims 1 to 15. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00017"> <pat:ClaimNumber>17< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>17. The electric vehicle of claim 16, wherein the electric vehicle is an electric powersport vehicle. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00018"> <pat:ClaimNumber>18< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>18. A thermal management system for an electric vehicle comprising: a pump to pump a thermal transfer fluid through a number of circulation loops; an electric heater to heat the thermal transfer fluid; a heat exchanger to expel heat from the thermal transfer fluid; a number of valves; and a number of fluid pathways fluidically interconnecting the pump, heater, heat exchanger and valves; wherein the valves are controllable to a number of different positions to form the number of circulation loops, the number of circulation loops including: a battery heating circulation loop extending through the pump and the heater for heating a battery pack of the vehicle; a secondary components cooling circulation loop extending through the pump and the heat exchanger to cool secondary components of the vehicle, including a motor and a motor controller; and a battery cooling circulation loop extending through the pump and the heat exchanger to cool the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00019"> <pat:ClaimNumber>19< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>19. The thermal management system of claim 18, where the secondary components cooling circulation loop and the battery cooling circulation loop are operable together. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00020"> <pat:ClaimNumber>20< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>20. The thermal management system of claim 18 or 19, wherein the valves are controllable to form one circulation loop of the number of circulation loops based on operating temperatures of the motor and motor controller and on an operating temperature and a state of charge of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00021"> <pat:ClaimNumber>21< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>21. The thermal management system of claim 20, wherein the valves are controllable to form the battery heating circulation loop when: an operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; a state of charge of the battery pack is greater than a minimum charge threshold; and operating temperatures of the secondary components of the vehicle, including the motor and motor controller, are less than a thermal cutback temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00022"> <pat:ClaimNumber>22< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>22. The thermal management system of claim 20, wherein the valves are controllable to form the secondary components cooling circulation loop when: an operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; a state of charge of the battery pack is greater than a minimum charge threshold; and an operating temperature of the secondary components of the vehicle, including the motor and motor controller, is at least equal to a thermal cutback temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00023"> <pat:ClaimNumber>23< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>23. The thermal management system of claim 20, wherein the valves are controllable to form the secondary components cooling circulation loop when: an operating temperature of the battery pack is greater than a minimum threshold temperature and less than a maximum threshold temperature; and an operating temperature of the secondary components of the vehicle, including the motor and motor controller, is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00024"> <pat:ClaimNumber>24< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>24. The thermal management system of claim 20, wherein the valves are controllable to form the secondary components cooling circulation loop when: an operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; a state of charge of the battery pack is less than a minimum charge threshold; and an operating temperature of the secondary components of the vehicle, including the motor and motor controller, is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00025"> <pat:ClaimNumber>25< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>25. The thermal management system of claim 20, wherein the valves are controllable to form the battery cooling circulation loop when: an operating temperature of the battery pack is greater than a maximum threshold temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00026"> <pat:ClaimNumber>26< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>26. An electric vehicle comprising the thermal management system of any one of claims 18 to 25. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00027"> <pat:ClaimNumber>27< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>27. The electric vehicle of claim 26, wherein the electric vehicle is an electric powersport vehicle. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00028"> <pat:ClaimNumber>28< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>28. An electric vehicle including: an electric motor; an electronic motor controller; and a thermal management system comprising: a pump; a heater; a heat exchanger; a first valve and a second valve, each moveable between at least a first position and a second position; and a number of fluid pathways fluidically interconnecting the pump, heater, heat exchanger and the first and second valves; the thermal management system operable in a number of modes including: a first mode with the first valve in the first position and the second valve in the second position to configure the fluid pathways to form a first fluid circulation loop extending through the heater and a battery pack of the vehicle, the pump to circulate fluid heated by the heater through the first fluid circulation loop to heat the battery pack; and a second mode with the first valve in the second position to configure the fluid pathways to form a second fluid circulation loop extending through the motor and motor controller and the heat exchanger, the pump to circulate fluid through the second fluid circulation loop to expel heat from the motor and motor controller via the heat exchanger while bypassing the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00029"> <pat:ClaimNumber>29< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>29. The electric vehicle of claim 28, including: a third mode with the first and second valves each in their respective first position to configure the fluid pathways form a third fluid circulation loop extending through the heater, the battery pack, the motor and motor controller of the vehicle, and the heat exchanger, the pump to circulate fluid through the third fluid circulation loop to expel heat from the battery pack, and the motor and motor controller via the heat exchanger, the heater being inactivated. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00030"> <pat:ClaimNumber>30< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>30. The electric vehicle of claim 28, wherein the electric vehicle comprises an electric powersport vehicle. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00031"> <pat:ClaimNumber>31< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>31. A thermal management system for an electric vehicle, the thermal management system comprising: a pump to circulate a fluid; a heater to heat the fluid; a heat exchanger to cool the fluid; and at least one valve to control circulation of the fluid, the at least one valve being operable in any one of a plurality of modes, the plurality of modes comprising: a first mode to circulate the fluid through a first circulation loop comprising the pump, the heater and a battery pack of the electric vehicle; and a second mode to circulate the fluid through a second circulation loop comprising the pump, the heat exchanger and a motor of the electric vehicle, wherein the second circulation loop bypasses the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00032"> <pat:ClaimNumber>32< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>32. The thermal management system of claim 31, wherein the first circulation loop bypasses the heat exchanger. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00033"> <pat:ClaimNumber>33< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>33. The thermal management system of claim 31 or 32, wherein the first circulation loop bypasses the motor. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00034"> <pat:ClaimNumber>34< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>34. The thermal management system of any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein the second circulation loop bypasses the heater. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00035"> <pat:ClaimNumber>35< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>35. The thermal management system of any one of claims 31 to 34, wherein the at least one valve comprises a first valve and a second valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00036"> <pat:ClaimNumber>36< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>36. The thermal management system of claim 35, wherein the second valve comprises a three-way valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00037"> <pat:ClaimNumber>37< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>37. The thermal management system of claim 36, wherein the first valve comprises a further three- way valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00038"> <pat:ClaimNumber>38< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>38. The thermal management system of any one of claims 35 to 37, wherein the first circulation loop circulates the fluid from the pump through the first valve, from the first valve through the heater, from the heater through the battery pack, from the battery through the second valve, and from the second valve through the pump. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00039"> <pat:ClaimNumber>39< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>39. The thermal management system of any one of claims 35 to 38, wherein the second circulation loop circulates the fluid from the pump through the first valve, from the first valve through the motor, from the motor through the heat exchanger, and from the heat exchanger through the pump. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00040"> <pat:ClaimNumber>40< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>40. The thermal management system of any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein: the first valve and the second valve are each moveable between at least a first position and a second position; the first mode having the first valve in the first position and the second valve in the second position; and the second mode having the first valve in the second position. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00041"> <pat:ClaimNumber>41< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>41. The thermal management system of any one of claims 31 to 40, further comprising a thermal control unit to control the at least one valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00042"> <pat:ClaimNumber>42< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>42. The thermal management system of claim 41, wherein: the thermal control unit is connected to the battery pack to receive an operating temperature of the battery pack; and the thermal control unit controls the at least one valve based on the operating temperature of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00043"> <pat:ClaimNumber>43< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>43. The thermal management system of claim 42, wherein: the thermal control unit further receives a state of charge (SOC) of the battery pack; and the thermal control unit controls the at least one valve based on the SOC of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00044"> <pat:ClaimNumber>44< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>44. The thermal management system of claim 43, wherein: the thermal control unit further receives an operating temperature of the motor; and the thermal control unit controls the at least one valve based on the operating temperature of the motor. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00045"> <pat:ClaimNumber>45< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>45. The thermal management system of claim 44, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the first mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is greater than a minimum charge threshold; and the operating temperature of the motor is less than a thermal cutback temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00046"> <pat:ClaimNumber>46< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>46. The thermal management system of claim 44, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the second mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is greater than a minimum charge threshold; and the operating temperature of the motor is greater than or equal to a thermal cutback temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00047"> <pat:ClaimNumber>47< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>47. The thermal management system of claim 44, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the second mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is greater than a minimum threshold temperature and less than a maximum threshold temperature; and the operating temperature of the motor is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00048"> <pat:ClaimNumber>48< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>48. The thermal management system of claim 44, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the second mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is less than a minimum charge threshold; and a temperature of the motor is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00049"> <pat:ClaimNumber>49< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>49. The thermal management system of any one of claims 42 to 48, wherein the operating temperature of the battery pack represents a temperature of a hottest battery cell of the battery pack and a temperature of a coolest battery cell of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00050"> <pat:ClaimNumber>50< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>50. The thermal management system of any one of claims 42 to 48, wherein the operating temperature of the battery pack represents an average temperature of a number of battery cells forming the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00051"> <pat:ClaimNumber>51< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>51. The thermal management system of any one of claims 42 to 48, wherein the operating temperature of the battery pack represents an average temperature of a number of battery modules forming the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00052"> <pat:ClaimNumber>52< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>52. The thermal management system of claim 44, wherein the operating temperature of the motor represents a temperature of a motor controller in the motor. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00053"> <pat:ClaimNumber>53< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>53. The thermal management system of any one of claims 31 to 34, the plurality of modes comprising a third mode to circulate the fluid through a third circulation loop comprising the pump, the heater, the battery pack, the motor and the heat exchanger. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00054"> <pat:ClaimNumber>54< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>54. The thermal management system of claim 53, wherein the at least one valve comprises a first valve and a second valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00055"> <pat:ClaimNumber>55< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>55. The thermal management system of claim 54, wherein the second valve comprises a three-way valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00056"> <pat:ClaimNumber>56< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>56. The thermal management system of claim 55, wherein the first valve comprises a further three- way valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00057"> <pat:ClaimNumber>57< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>57. The thermal management system of any one of claims 54 to 56, wherein the third circulation loop circulates the fluid from the pump through the first valve, from the first valve through the heater, from the heater through the battery pack, from the battery pack through the second valve, from the second valve through the motor, from the motor through the heat exchanger, and from the heat exchanger through the pump. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00058"> <pat:ClaimNumber>58< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>58. The thermal management system of any one of claims 54 to 57, wherein: the first valve and the second valve are each moveable between at least a first position and a second position; and the third mode having the first and second valves each in their respective first position. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00059"> <pat:ClaimNumber>59< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>59. The thermal management system of any one of claims 54 to 58, wherein the heater is disabled when the at least one valve is in the second mode or the third mode. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00060"> <pat:ClaimNumber>60< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>60. The thermal management system of any one of claims 54 to 59, further comprising a thermal control unit to control the at least one valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00061"> <pat:ClaimNumber>61< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>61. The thermal management system of claim 60, wherein: the thermal control unit is connected to the battery pack to receive an operating temperature of the battery pack; and the thermal control unit controls the at least one valve based on the operating temperature of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00062"> <pat:ClaimNumber>62< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>62. The thermal management system of claim 61, wherein: the thermal control unit further receives a state of charge (SOC) of the battery pack; and the thermal control unit controls the at least one valve based on the SOC of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00063"> <pat:ClaimNumber>63< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>63. The thermal management system of claim 62, wherein: the thermal control unit further receives an operating temperature of the motor; and the thermal control unit controls the at least one valve based on the operating temperature of the motor. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00064"> <pat:ClaimNumber>64< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>64. The thermal management system of claim 63, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the first mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is greater than a minimum charge threshold; and the operating temperature of the motor is less than a thermal cutback temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00065"> <pat:ClaimNumber>65< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>65. The thermal management system of claim 63, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the second mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is greater than a minimum charge threshold; and the operating temperature of the motor is greater than or equal to a thermal cutback temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00066"> <pat:ClaimNumber>66< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>66. The thermal management system of claim 63, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the second mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is greater than a minimum threshold temperature and less than a maximum threshold temperature; and the operating temperature of the motor is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00067"> <pat:ClaimNumber>67< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>67. The thermal management system of claim 63, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the second mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is less than a minimum charge threshold; and a temperature of the motor is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00068"> <pat:ClaimNumber>68< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>68. The thermal management system of claim 63, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the third mode when the operating temperature of the battery pack is greater than a maximum threshold temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00069"> <pat:ClaimNumber>69< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>69. The thermal management system of any one of claims 61 to 68, wherein the operating temperature of the battery pack represents a temperature of a hottest battery cell of the battery pack and a temperature of a coolest battery cell of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00070"> <pat:ClaimNumber>70< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>70. The thermal management system of any one of claims 61 to 68, wherein the operating temperature of the battery pack represents an average temperature of a number of battery cells forming the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00071"> <pat:ClaimNumber>71< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>71. The thermal management system of any one of claims 61 to 68, wherein the operating temperature of the battery pack represents an average temperature of a number of battery modules forming the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00072"> <pat:ClaimNumber>72< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>72. The thermal management system of claim 63, wherein the operating temperature of the motor represents a temperature of a motor controller in the motor. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00073"> <pat:ClaimNumber>73< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>73. An electric vehicle comprising: a motor to propel the electric vehicle; a battery pack connected to the motor to provide electric power to the motor; a pump to circulate a fluid; a heater to heat the fluid; a heat exchanger to cool the fluid; and at least one valve to control circulation of the fluid, the at least one valve being operable in any one of a plurality of modes, the plurality of modes comprising: a first mode to circulate the fluid through a first circulation loop comprising the pump, the heater and the battery pack; and a second mode to circulate the fluid through a second circulation loop comprising the pump, the heat exchanger and the motor, wherein the second circulation loop bypasses the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00074"> <pat:ClaimNumber>74< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>74. The electric vehicle of claim 73, wherein the first circulation loop bypasses the heat exchanger. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00075"> <pat:ClaimNumber>75< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>75. The electric vehicle of claim 73 or 74, wherein the first circulation loop bypasses the motor. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00076"> <pat:ClaimNumber>76< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>76. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 73 to 75, wherein the second circulation loop bypasses the heater. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00077"> <pat:ClaimNumber>77< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>77. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 73 to 76, wherein the at least one valve comprises a first valve and a second valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00078"> <pat:ClaimNumber>78< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>78. The electric vehicle of claim 77, wherein the second valve comprises a three-way valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00079"> <pat:ClaimNumber>79< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>79. The electric vehicle of claim 78, wherein the first valve comprises a further three-way valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00080"> <pat:ClaimNumber>80< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>80. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 77 to 79, wherein the first circulation loop circulates the fluid from the pump through the first valve, from the first valve through the heater, from the heater through the battery pack, from the battery through the second valve, and from the second valve through the pump. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00081"> <pat:ClaimNumber>81< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>81. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 77 to 80, wherein the second circulation loop circulates the fluid from the pump through the first valve, from the first valve through the motor, from the motor through the heat exchanger, and from the heat exchanger through the pump. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00082"> <pat:ClaimNumber>82< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>82. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 77 to 81, wherein: the first valve and the second valve are each moveable between at least a first position and a second position; the first mode having the first valve in the first position and the second valve in the second position; and the second mode having the first valve in the second position. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00083"> <pat:ClaimNumber>83< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>83. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 73 to 82, further comprising a thermal control unit to control the at least one valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00084"> <pat:ClaimNumber>84< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>84. The electric vehicle of claim 83, wherein: the thermal control unit is connected to the battery pack to receive an operating temperature of the battery pack; and the thermal control unit controls the at least one valve based on the operating temperature of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00085"> <pat:ClaimNumber>85< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>85. The electric vehicle of claim 84, wherein: the thermal control unit further receives a state of charge (SOC) of the battery pack; and the thermal control unit controls the at least one valve based on the SOC of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00086"> <pat:ClaimNumber>86< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>86. The electric vehicle of claim 85, wherein: the thermal control unit further receives an operating temperature of the motor; and the thermal control unit controls the at least one valve based on the operating temperature of the motor. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00087"> <pat:ClaimNumber>87< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>87. The electric vehicle of claim 86, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the first mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is greater than a minimum charge threshold; and the operating temperature of the motor is less than a thermal cutback temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00088"> <pat:ClaimNumber>88< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>88. The electric vehicle of claim 86, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the second mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is greater than a minimum charge threshold; and the operating temperature of the motor is greater than or equal to a thermal cutback temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00089"> <pat:ClaimNumber>89< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>89. The electric vehicle of claim 86, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the second mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is greater than a minimum threshold temperature and less than a maximum threshold temperature; and the operating temperature of the motor is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00090"> <pat:ClaimNumber>90< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>90. The electric vehicle of claim 86, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the second mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is less than a minimum charge threshold; and a temperature of the motor is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00091"> <pat:ClaimNumber>91< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>91. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 84 to 90, wherein the operating temperature of the battery pack represents a temperature of a hottest battery cell of the battery pack and a temperature of a coolest battery cell of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00092"> <pat:ClaimNumber>92< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>92. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 84 to 90, wherein the operating temperature of the battery pack represents an average temperature of a number of battery cells forming the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00093"> <pat:ClaimNumber>93< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>93. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 73 to 76, the plurality of modes comprising a third mode to circulate the fluid through a third circulation loop comprising the pump, the heater, the battery pack, the motor and the heat exchanger. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00094"> <pat:ClaimNumber>94< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>94. The electric vehicle of claim 93, wherein the at least one valve comprises a first valve and a second valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00095"> <pat:ClaimNumber>95< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>95. The electric vehicle of claim 94, wherein the second valve comprises a three-way valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00096"> <pat:ClaimNumber>96< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>96. The electric vehicle of claim 95, wherein the first valve comprises a further three-way valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00097"> <pat:ClaimNumber>97< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>97. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 94 to 96, wherein the third circulation loop circulates the fluid from the pump through the first valve, from the first valve through the heater, from the heater through the battery pack, from the battery pack through the second valve, from the second valve through the motor, from the motor through the heat exchanger, and from the heat exchanger through the pump. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00098"> <pat:ClaimNumber>98< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>98. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 94 to 97, wherein: the first valve and the second valve are each moveable between at least a first position and a second position; and the third mode having the first and second valves each in their respective first position. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00099"> <pat:ClaimNumber>99< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>99. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 94 to 98, wherein the heater is disabled when the at least one valve is in the second mode or the third mode. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00100"> <pat:ClaimNumber>100< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>100. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 93 to 99, further comprising a thermal control unit to control the at least one valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00101"> <pat:ClaimNumber>101< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>101. The electric vehicle of claim 100, wherein: the thermal control unit is connected to the battery pack to receive an operating temperature of the battery pack; and the thermal control unit controls the at least one valve based on the operating temperature of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00102"> <pat:ClaimNumber>102< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>102. The electric vehicle of claim 101, wherein: the thermal control unit further receives a state of charge (SOC) of the battery pack; and the thermal control unit controls the at least one valve based on the SOC of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00103"> <pat:ClaimNumber>103< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>103. The electric vehicle of claim 102, wherein: the thermal control unit further receives an operating temperature of the motor; and the thermal control unit controls the at least one valve based on the operating temperature of the motor. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00104"> <pat:ClaimNumber>104< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>104. The electric vehicle of claim 103, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the first mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is greater than a minimum charge threshold; and the operating temperature of the motor is less than a thermal cutback temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00105"> <pat:ClaimNumber>105< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>105. The electric vehicle of claim 103, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the second mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is greater than a minimum charge threshold; and the operating temperature of the motor is greater than or equal to a thermal cutback temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00106"> <pat:ClaimNumber>106< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>106. The electric vehicle of claim 103, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the second mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is greater than a minimum threshold temperature and less than a maximum threshold temperature; and the operating temperature of the motor is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00107"> <pat:ClaimNumber>107< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>107. The electric vehicle of claim 103, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the second mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is less than a minimum charge threshold; and a temperature of the motor is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00108"> <pat:ClaimNumber>108< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>108. The electric vehicle of claim 103, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the third mode when an operating temperature of the battery pack is greater than a maximum threshold temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00109"> <pat:ClaimNumber>109< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>109. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 101 to 108, wherein the operating temperature of the battery pack represents a temperature of a hottest battery cell of the battery pack and a temperature of a coolest battery cell of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00110"> <pat:ClaimNumber>110< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>110. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 101 to 108, wherein the operating temperature of the battery pack represents an average temperature of a number of battery cells forming the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00111"> <pat:ClaimNumber>111< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>111. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 101 to 108, wherein the operating temperature of the battery pack represents an average temperature of a number of battery modules forming the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00112"> <pat:ClaimNumber>112< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>112. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 73 to 111, wherein the motor comprises a motor controller. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00113"> <pat:ClaimNumber>113< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>113. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 73 to 112, wherein the electric vehicle is an electric powersport vehicle. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00114"> <pat:ClaimNumber>114< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>114. The electric vehicle of claim 113, wherein the electric vehicle comprises a straddle-seat. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00115"> <pat:ClaimNumber>115< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>115. A method of thermal management for an electric vehicle, the method comprising: circulating a fluid using a pump; operating at least one valve in a first mode to circulate fluid through a first circulation loop comprising the pump, a heater and a battery pack of the electric vehicle; and operating the at least one valve in a second mode to circulate the fluid through a second circulation loop comprising the pump, a heat exchanger and a motor of the electric vehicle, wherein the second circulation loop bypasses the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00116"> <pat:ClaimNumber>116< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>116. The method of claim 115, wherein operating the at least one valve in the first mode comprises bypassing the heat exchanger. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00117"> <pat:ClaimNumber>117< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>117. The method of claim 115 or 116, wherein operating the at least one valve in the first mode comprises bypassing the motor. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00118"> <pat:ClaimNumber>118< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>118. The method of any one of claims 115 to 117, wherein operating the at least one valve in the second mode comprises bypassing the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00119"> <pat:ClaimNumber>119< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>119. The method of any one of claims 115 to 118, wherein operating the at least one valve comprises operating a first valve and a second valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00120"> <pat:ClaimNumber>120< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>120. The method of claim 119, wherein operating the second valve comprises operating a three-way valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00121"> <pat:ClaimNumber>121< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>121. The method of claim 120, wherein operating the first valve comprises operating a further three- way valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00122"> <pat:ClaimNumber>122< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>122. The method of any one of claims 119 to 121, wherein operating the at least one valve in the first mode comprises circulating the fluid from the pump through the first valve, from the first valve through the heater, from the heater through the battery pack, from the battery through the second valve, and from the second valve through the pump. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00123"> <pat:ClaimNumber>123< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>123. The method of any one of claims 119 to 122, wherein operating the at least one valve in the second mode comprises circulating the fluid from the pump through the first valve, from the first valve through the motor, from the motor through the heat exchanger, and from the heat exchanger through the pump. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00124"> <pat:ClaimNumber>124< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>124. The method of any one of claims 119 to 123, wherein: the first valve and the second valve are each moveable between at least a first position and a second position; operating the at least one valve in the first mode comprises moving the first valve to the first position and the second valve to the second position; and operating the at least one valve in the second mode comprises moving the first valve to the second position. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00125"> <pat:ClaimNumber>125< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>125. The method of any one of claims 115 to 124, wherein operating the at least one valve comprises controlling the at least one valve using a thermal control unit. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00126"> <pat:ClaimNumber>126< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>126. The method of claim 125, comprising receiving, by the thermal control unit, an operating temperature of the battery pack, wherein controlling the at least one valve is based on the operating temperature of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00127"> <pat:ClaimNumber>127< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>127. The method of claim 126, comprising receiving, by the thermal control unit, a state of charge (SOC) of the battery pack, wherein controlling the at least one valve is based on the SOC of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00128"> <pat:ClaimNumber>128< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>128. The method of claim 127, comprising receiving, by the thermal control unit, an operating temperature of the motor, wherein controlling the at least one valve is based on the operating temperature of the motor. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00129"> <pat:ClaimNumber>129< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>129. The method of claim 128, wherein operating the at least one valve in the first mode is responsive to determining: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is greater than a minimum charge threshold; and the operating temperature of the motor is less than a thermal cutback temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00130"> <pat:ClaimNumber>130< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>130. The method of claim 128, wherein operating the at least one valve in the second mode is responsive to determining: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is greater than a minimum charge threshold; and the operating temperature of the motor is greater than or equal to a thermal cutback temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00131"> <pat:ClaimNumber>131< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>131. The method of claim 128, wherein operating the at least one valve in the second mode is responsive to determining: the operating temperature of the battery pack is greater than a minimum threshold temperature and less than a maximum threshold temperature; and the operating temperature of the motor is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00132"> <pat:ClaimNumber>132< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>132. The method of claim 128, wherein operating the at least one valve in the second mode is responsive to determining: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is less than a minimum charge threshold; and a temperature of the motor is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00133"> <pat:ClaimNumber>133< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>133. The method of any one of claims 126 to 132, wherein receiving the operating temperature of the battery pack comprises receiving a temperature of a hottest battery cell of the battery pack and a temperature of a coolest battery cell of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00134"> <pat:ClaimNumber>134< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>134. The method of any one of claims 126 to 132, wherein receiving the operating temperature of the battery pack comprises receiving an average temperature of a number of battery cells forming the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00135"> <pat:ClaimNumber>135< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>135. The method of any one of claims 126 to 132, wherein receiving the operating temperature of the battery pack comprises receiving an average temperature of a number of battery modules forming the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00136"> <pat:ClaimNumber>136< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>136. The method of claim 128, wherein receiving the operating temperature of the motor comprises receiving a temperature of a motor controller in the motor. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00137"> <pat:ClaimNumber>137< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>137. The method of any one of claims 115 to 118, comprising operating the at least one valve in a third mode to circulate the fluid through a third circulation loop comprising the pump, the heater, the battery pack, the motor and the heat exchanger. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00138"> <pat:ClaimNumber>138< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>138. The method of claim 137, wherein operating the at least one valve comprises operating a first valve and a second valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00139"> <pat:ClaimNumber>139< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>139. The method of claim 138, wherein operating the second valve comprises operating a three-way valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00140"> <pat:ClaimNumber>140< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>140. The method of claim 139, wherein operating the first valve comprises operating a further three- way valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00141"> <pat:ClaimNumber>141< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>141. The method of any one of claims 138 to 140, wherein operating the at least one valve in the third mode comprises circulating the fluid from the pump through the first valve, from the first valve through the heater, from the heater through the battery pack, from the battery pack through the second valve, from the second valve through the motor, from the motor through the heat exchanger, and from the heat exchanger through the pump. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00142"> <pat:ClaimNumber>142< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>142. The method of any one of claims 138 to 141, wherein: the first valve and the second valve are each moveable between at least a first position and a second position; and operating the at least one valve in the third mode comprises moving the first valve to the first position and moving the second valve to the first position. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00143"> <pat:ClaimNumber>143< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>143. The method of any one of claims 138 to 142, wherein operating the at least one valve in the second mode or in the third mode comprises disabling the heater. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00144"> <pat:ClaimNumber>144< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>144. The method of any one of claims 137 to 143, wherein operating the at least one valve comprises controlling the at least one valve using a thermal control unit. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00145"> <pat:ClaimNumber>145< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>145. The method of claim 144, comprising receiving, by the thermal control unit, an operating temperature of the battery pack, wherein controlling the at least one valve is based on the operating temperature of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00146"> <pat:ClaimNumber>146< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>146. The method of claim 145, comprising receiving, by the thermal control unit, a state of charge (SOC) of the battery pack, wherein controlling the at least one valve is based on the SOC of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00147"> <pat:ClaimNumber>147< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>147. The method of claim 146, comprising receiving, by the thermal control unit, an operating temperature of the motor, wherein controlling the at least one valve is based on the operating temperature of the motor. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00148"> <pat:ClaimNumber>148< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>148. The method of claim 147, wherein operating the at least one valve in the first mode is responsive to determining: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is greater than a minimum charge threshold; and the operating temperature of the motor is less than a thermal cutback temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00149"> <pat:ClaimNumber>149< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>149. The method of claim 147, wherein operating the at least one valve in the second mode is responsive to determining: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is greater than a minimum charge threshold; and the operating temperature of the motor is greater than or equal to a thermal cutback temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00150"> <pat:ClaimNumber>150< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>150. The method of claim 147, wherein operating the at least one valve in the second mode is responsive to determining: the operating temperature of the battery pack is greater than a minimum threshold temperature and less than a maximum threshold temperature; and the operating temperature of the motor is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00151"> <pat:ClaimNumber>151< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>151. The method of claim 147, wherein operating the at least one valve in the second mode is responsive to determining: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum threshold temperature; the SOC of the battery pack is less than a minimum charge threshold; and a temperature of the motor is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00152"> <pat:ClaimNumber>152< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>152. The method of claim 147, wherein operating the at least one valve in the third mode is responsive to determining an operating temperature of the battery pack is greater than a maximum threshold temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00153"> <pat:ClaimNumber>153< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>153. The method of any one of claims 145 to 152, wherein receiving the operating temperature of the battery pack comprises receiving a temperature of a hottest battery cell of the battery pack and a temperature of a coolest battery cell of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00154"> <pat:ClaimNumber>154< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>154. The method of any one of claims 145 to 152, wherein receiving the operating temperature of the battery pack comprises receiving an average temperature of a number of battery cells forming the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00155"> <pat:ClaimNumber>155< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>155. The method of any one of claims 145 to 152, wherein receiving the operating temperature of the battery pack comprises receiving an average temperature of a number of battery modules forming the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00156"> <pat:ClaimNumber>156< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>156. The method of claim 147, wherein receiving the operating temperature of the motor comprises receiving a temperature of a motor controller in the motor. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00157"> <pat:ClaimNumber>157< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>157. An electric vehicle comprising: a motor to propel the electric vehicle; a battery pack connected to the motor to provide electric power to the motor; a pump to circulate a fluid; a heat exchanger to cool the fluid; and at least one valve to control circulation of the fluid, the at least one valve being operable in any one of a plurality of modes, the plurality of modes comprising: a passive battery heating mode to circulate the fluid through a first circulation loop comprising the pump, the heat exchanger and the motor, wherein the first circulation loop bypasses the battery pack; and a full cooling mode to circulate the fluid through a second circulation loop comprising the pump, the battery pack, the motor and the heat exchanger. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00158"> <pat:ClaimNumber>158< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>158. The electric vehicle of claim 157, wherein the heat exchanger is a fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00159"> <pat:ClaimNumber>159< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>159. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 157 or 158, wherein the electric vehicle is a personal watercraft. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00160"> <pat:ClaimNumber>160< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>160. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 157 to 159, wherein the electric vehicle is an all-terrain vehicle. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00161"> <pat:ClaimNumber>161< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>161. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 157 to 160, wherein the at least one valve comprises a first valve and a second valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00162"> <pat:ClaimNumber>162< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>162. The electric vehicle of claim 161, wherein the second valve comprises a three-way valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00163"> <pat:ClaimNumber>163< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>163. The electric vehicle of claim 162, wherein the first valve comprises a further three-way valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00164"> <pat:ClaimNumber>164< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>164. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 161 to 163, wherein the first circulation loop circulates the fluid from the pump through the first valve, from the first valve through the motor, from the motor through the heat exchanger, and from the heat exchanger through the pump. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00165"> <pat:ClaimNumber>165< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>165. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 161 to 164, wherein the second circulation loop circulates the fluid from the pump through the first valve, from the first valve through the battery pack, from the battery pack through the second valve, from the second valve through the motor, from the motor through the heat exchanger, and from the heat exchanger through the pump. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00166"> <pat:ClaimNumber>166< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>166. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 161 to 165, wherein: the first valve and the second valve are each moveable between at least a first position and a second position; the passive battery heating mode having the first valve in the second position; and the full cooling mode having the first valve in the first position and the second valve in the first position. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00167"> <pat:ClaimNumber>167< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>167. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 157 to 166, further comprising a thermal control unit to control the at least one valve. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00168"> <pat:ClaimNumber>168< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>168. The electric vehicle of claim 167, wherein: the thermal control unit is connected to the battery pack to receive an operating temperature of the battery pack; and the thermal control unit controls the at least one valve based on the operating temperature of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00169"> <pat:ClaimNumber>169< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>169. The electric vehicle of claim 168, wherein: the thermal control unit further receives a state of charge (SOC) of the battery pack; and the thermal control unit controls the at least one valve based on the SOC of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00170"> <pat:ClaimNumber>170< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>170. The electric vehicle of claim 169, wherein: the thermal control unit further receives an operating temperature of the motor; and the thermal control unit controls the at least one valve based on the operating temperature of the motor. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00171"> <pat:ClaimNumber>171< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>171. The electric vehicle of claim 170, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the passive battery heating mode when: the SOC of the battery pack is greater than a minimum charge threshold; and the operating temperature of the motor is greater than or equal to a thermal cutback temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00172"> <pat:ClaimNumber>172< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>172. The electric vehicle of claim 170, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the passive battery heating mode when: the operating temperature of the battery pack is less than a maximum threshold temperature; and the operating temperature of the motor is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00173"> <pat:ClaimNumber>173< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>173. The electric vehicle of claim 170, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the passive battery heating mode when: the SOC of the battery pack is less than a minimum charge threshold; and a temperature of the motor is greater than a cooling temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00174"> <pat:ClaimNumber>174< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>174. The electric vehicle of claim 170, wherein the thermal control unit is to set the at least one valve in the full cooling mode when an operating temperature of the battery pack is greater than a maximum threshold temperature. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00175"> <pat:ClaimNumber>175< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>175. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 168 to 174, wherein the operating temperature of the battery pack represents a temperature of a hottest battery cell of the battery pack and a temperature of a coolest battery cell of the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00176"> <pat:ClaimNumber>176< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>176. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 168 to 174, wherein the operating temperature of the battery pack represents an average temperature of a number of battery cells forming the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00177"> <pat:ClaimNumber>177< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>177. The electric vehicle of any one of claims 157 to 176, wherein the motor comprises a motor controller. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00178"> <pat:ClaimNumber>178< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>178. A method of operating a thermal management system for an electric vehicle, the method comprising: determining whether or not a battery heating request has been issued; determining whether or not a motor critical cooling request has been issued; responsive to determining that the battery heating request has been issued and the motor critical cooling request has not been issued, initiating a battery heating circulation loop extending through a heater for heating a battery pack of the electric vehicle; and responsive to determining that the battery heating request has been issued and the motor critical cooling request has been issued, initiating a motor cooling circulation loop extending through a heat exchanger to cool a motor of the electric vehicle and initiating a passive battery heating mode. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00179"> <pat:ClaimNumber>179< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>179. The method of claim 178, comprising: responsive to determining that the battery heating request has not been issued, determining whether or not a battery cooling request has been issued; and response to determining that the battery cooling request has been issued, initiating a battery cooling circulation loop extending through the heat exchanger to cool the battery pack. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00180"> <pat:ClaimNumber>180< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>180. The method of claim 178 or 179, wherein determining that the battery heating request has been issued comprises: determining a state of charge of the battery pack; determining a temperature of the battery pack; determining that the temperature of the battery pack is less than a minimum temperature threshold; and determining that the state of charge is greater than a minimum charge threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00181"> <pat:ClaimNumber>181< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>181. The method of claim 179, wherein determining that the battery cooling request has been issued comprises: determining a state of charge of the battery pack; determining a temperature of the battery pack; determining that the temperature of the battery pack is greater than or equal to a minimum temperature threshold; and determining that the temperature of the battery pack is greater than a maximum temperature threshold. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> < / pat:Claims>