Battery with liquid temperature control system
By adopting a liquid temperature control system in an all-electric carrier, the problem of difficult battery temperature is solved, more efficient charging and operation is achieved, and the service time of the carrier is extended.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN201980082624.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2018-12-12
- Filing Date
- 2019-12-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-28
- Estimated Expiration
- 2039-12-12
AI Technical Summary
The existing fully electric carriers are difficult to effectively control the battery temperature during charging and operation, resulting in an extended charging time and a decrease in the operation efficiency of the carrier.
The liquid temperature control system is used to heat or cool the battery through liquid circulation to ensure that the battery reaches an acceptable temperature range before, during and after charging.
Through the liquid temperature control system, the battery's temperature control accuracy and efficiency are significantly improved, the charging time is shortened, and the carrier's uptime is extended.
Smart Images

Figure CN113165548B_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 217,616, filed on December 12, 2018, and entitled “Battery with Liquid Temperature Control System,” which was granted as U.S. Patent No. 10,497,996, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Background Art
[0003] New all-electric vehicles are being developed, including all-electric aircraft. New techniques and / or devices that improve the operation and / or management of such all-electric vehicles would be desirable. For example, these vehicles may be deployed in fleets or shared-use applications, and increasing the "uptime" of these vehicles would be desirable (e.g., because more passengers can be served by the fleet of vehicles and / or the wait time for available vehicles is reduced). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
[0005] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a battery in an aircraft that is temperature controlled using a liquid temperature control system.
[0006] Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a process for heating or cooling a battery using a liquid temperature control system and charging a temperature controlled battery.
[0007] Figure 3A is a diagram showing an example of a double-sided rack with battery submodules.
[0008] Figure 3B is a diagram showing an example of a rack including a support structure for the bottom of a battery submodule.
[0009] Figure 4A It is a diagram showing an example of a support structure without an O-ring.
[0010] Figure 4B is a diagram showing an embodiment of a support structure with two sets of O-rings to form a channel for a temperature controlled liquid to directly contact a battery submodule.
[0011] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an embodiment of where a temperature controlled liquid contacts a battery submodule.
[0012] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a channel formed by a support structure with an O-ring is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The present invention may be implemented in a variety of ways, including as a process; an apparatus; a system; a composition of matter; a computer program product embodied on a computer-readable storage medium; and / or a processor, such as configured to execute instructions stored on and / or provided by a memory connected to the processor. In this specification, these embodiments or any other form in which the present invention may take may be referred to as techniques. In general, the order of steps of the disclosed processes may be changed within the scope of the present invention. Unless otherwise stated, a component such as a processor or memory described as being configured to perform a task may be implemented as a general component temporarily configured to perform a task at a given time or as a specific component manufactured to perform the task. As used herein, the term "processor" refers to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores configured to process data such as computer program instructions.
[0014] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the present invention is provided below together with the accompanying drawings illustrating the principles of the present invention. The present invention is described in conjunction with such embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to any embodiment. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the claims, and the present invention encompasses many alternatives, modifications and equivalents. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. These details are provided for the purpose of example, and the present invention can be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical materials known in the technical field related to the present invention are not described in detail so that the present invention will not be unnecessarily obscure.
[0015] Various embodiments of batteries that use a liquid temperature control system for temperature control (e.g., before, during, and / or after charging) are described herein. In some embodiments, a battery (e.g., a battery in a vehicle) and a liquid temperature control system are detachably coupled (e.g., when the battery in the vehicle is to be charged). A temperature-controlled liquid (e.g., a liquid that has been heated or cooled) is circulated between the liquid temperature control system and the battery to produce a temperature-controlled battery. In various embodiments, the liquid may be a gel, water, or the like. The temperature-controlled battery is charged (e.g., once the temperature-controlled battery is within a temperature range that allows charging; alternatively, charging may be performed while the battery is heated or cooled). The temperature-controlled liquid is removed from the temperature-controlled battery, and then the battery and the liquid temperature control system are disconnected. As will be described in more detail below, this allows the battery to be cooled or heated to a desired temperature using a liquid (e.g., having better thermal performance than using air to heat or cool the battery), while avoiding the added weight of the liquid used to heat or cool during flight or other travel.
[0016] Figure 1 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a battery in an aircraft that is temperature controlled using a liquid temperature control system. In the illustrated example, an exemplary vehicle 100 is an all-electric aircraft that is powered entirely by batteries 102. When on the ground (as shown here), the batteries are charged using a charger 104. In order for the vehicle to be ready for operation, the batteries should be charged and the battery temperature should be within an acceptable range. Examples of when the battery temperature may be outside of the acceptable range include if the vehicle is stored outside at an ambient temperature that is below the acceptable battery temperature range, or if the vehicle's batteries are rapidly charged such that their temperature is above the acceptable range.
[0017] In this example, the battery 102 is connected to a liquid temperature control system 106 so that the battery is temperature controlled while on the ground (e.g., before, during, and / or after charging). The temperature-controlled liquid is delivered to the battery 102 via an input hose or connection 108. For example, if the battery is too hot, a cooled or refrigerated liquid is pumped into the battery. Once in the battery, the cooled liquid (at least in this example) absorbs some of the heat from the battery. The heated liquid then leaves the battery via an output hose or connection 110 and returns to the liquid temperature control system 106, where the liquid is cooled again and returned to the input line 108.
[0018] For simplicity and ease of explanation, it is assumed that the battery 102 includes a temperature sensor, and the measured temperature is transmitted to the liquid temperature control system 106. In one example, the liquid temperature control system 106 receives the measured battery temperature via a battery management system. The battery management system is an existing internal system in place that already measures the battery temperature and transmits it to the charger. In one example, the liquid temperature control system 106 is controlled via the same interface and / or device as the charger 104. This may be desirable due to the simplicity of ground personnel operating the system and / or the ease of technical implementation (e.g., because all information required for the battery is already available at the charger).
[0019] Similarly, assume that the liquid temperature control system 106 has some desired battery temperature. For example, the desired battery temperature may be derived or determined by the battery cell operating limits, which are specified by the battery cell manufacturer. Knowing both the measured temperature and the desired temperature, the liquid temperature control system may then decide whether to pump heated or cooled liquid into the battery and when to remove liquid from the battery (e.g., because the measured temperature has reached the desired temperature and / or the battery has finished charging).
[0020] In order to maintain the weight of the aircraft 100 during flight, the heated or cooled liquid is in the battery only when the aircraft is on the ground. For example, when the liquid temperature control system 106 is first connected to the battery 102, any channels through which the liquid will pass in the battery will be air-filled, rather than liquid-filled. The liquid temperature control system 106 then uses the input connector 108 and the output connector 110 to pump the heated or cooled liquid through the battery 102 in a closed and liquid-filled loop until the battery reaches the desired temperature. At that time, the channels in the battery will be liquid-filled to heat or cool the battery (e.g., to improve charging time). The temperature-controlled liquid is then drained from the battery (e.g., using passive and / or active techniques) until no liquid remains in the battery 102 and / or on the aircraft 100. The liquid temperature control system is then disconnected from the battery, and the aircraft (e.g., with the recharged battery) can take off without the excess weight due to the liquid used to heat or cool the battery.
[0021] In some cases, the battery warms up. For example, during the winter, the battery may need to warm up to a certain minimum charging temperature before the battery can be charged for the first time on a given day. In this case, the fluid pumped through the battery may be heated by the fluid heating and / or cooling system 106 to warm the battery. Once the battery reaches the desired temperature (e.g., the minimum battery charging temperature), the charger 104 begins charging the battery 102.
[0022] Using the exemplary liquid temperature control system shown herein, the better thermal properties of liquids can be utilized (e.g., using liquids can change the temperature of a battery faster than using air to heat or cool the battery) while avoiding the additional weight in flight that the liquids would add if they occupied the battery and / or the aircraft during flight. The additional weight from the liquids would consume more power and correspondingly reduce flight time, which is undesirable. In other words, the exemplary liquid temperature control system has the better thermal properties of liquids (e.g., compared to air) without the disadvantages (e.g., not having to deal with the added weight of liquids during flight).
[0023] In one example application, the system may be particularly desirable or useful if the ambient temperature is relatively high (e.g., above 40°C) or relatively low (e.g., below 0°C). For example, if the aircraft is flying on a very hot summer day, cooling the batteries will reduce charging and / or turnaround time. In some cases, aircraft are deployed in fleets or shared use applications. Reducing charging time in fleets or shared use applications will reduce passenger waiting time and / or allow more passengers to be served.
[0024] The following diagrams describe these examples more generally and / or formally as flow charts.
[0025] Figure 2 1 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of a process for heating or cooling a battery and charging a temperature controlled battery using a liquid temperature control system. As described above, this can help reduce the amount of time to charge a battery (e.g., in a vehicle such as an all-electric aircraft).
[0026] At 200, the battery and the liquid temperature control system are removably coupled. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the input connector 108 and the output connector 110 are connected to the battery 102, so that the liquid temperature control system 106 and the battery 102 are detachably coupled to each other.
[0027] At 202, a temperature controlled liquid is circulated between a liquid temperature control system and a battery to produce a temperature controlled battery. Figure 1 , via input connection 108, Figure 1 The liquid temperature control system 106 in the embodiment can deliver heated or cooled liquid to the battery. Once in the battery, the temperature controlled liquid heats or cools the battery, producing the temperature controlled battery. The liquid then leaves the battery via the output connection 110. Note that prior to the coupling step of step 200, Figure 1 The exemplary battery 102 in does not contain any liquid for heating or cooling the battery.
[0028] At 204, the temperature controlled battery is charged. Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, the charger 104 will be used to charge the battery 102, which is temperature controlled by the liquid temperature control system 106. In various embodiments, the charging at step 204 can occur at various times relative to the circulation (i.e., heating or cooling) of the liquid at step 202. For example, assume that there is an acceptable temperature range within which it is safe or otherwise allowed to charge the battery. In one example, the measured temperature of the battery is within the acceptable temperature range, and therefore the charging at step 204 is substantially started at the same time as the heating or cooling at step 202. In another example, the battery is too hot or too cold to start charging immediately (i.e., the measured temperature is not within the acceptable battery charging temperature range). In that case, the heating or cooling at step 202 will occur first. Then, when the measured temperature of the temperature-controlled battery falls within the allowed battery charging temperature range, the charging at 204 is triggered.
[0029] At 206, the temperature controlled liquid is removed from the temperature controlled battery. Figure 1In some embodiments, an input connection 108 between the liquid temperature control system 106 and the battery 102 can blow air from the liquid temperature control system to the battery. This can help flush or otherwise actively remove liquid from the battery. In some embodiments, a passive technique is used to remove the temperature controlled liquid from the battery. For example, gravity can be used to drain the temperature controlled liquid from the temperature controlled battery.
[0030] Relative to the other steps, the removal of the temperature-controlled liquid at step 206 may occur at a variety of times. For example, if gravity is used to drain the temperature-controlled liquid from the temperature-controlled battery, it may take minutes rather than seconds. In some embodiments, to accommodate the relatively long drain time, the draining at step 206 is initiated while the battery is still being charged at step 204 (e.g., using gravity). For example, if it takes approximately T 200 to drain the temperature-controlled liquid from the battery, the draining may take minutes rather than seconds. draining If the amount of time required for the battery to be discharged is greater than the amount of time required for the battery to be discharged, then the discharge may begin that amount of time prior to the expected end of the charge (eg, at step 204). Alternatively, once the measured temperature of the battery reaches a certain desired temperature, the removal of liquid from the battery may begin.
[0031] Alternatively, if the temperature controlled liquid is removed using some faster and / or more active technique (eg, a liquid temperature control system flushes the battery by pumping or blowing air through an input connection), charging may be completed first at step 204 before removing the temperature controlled liquid at step 206 .
[0032] At 208, the battery and fluid temperature control systems are disconnected. For example, Figure 1 The hoses or connections between the liquid temperature control system 106 and the battery 102 will be removed or otherwise disconnected. With the battery charged, the temperature controlled liquid removed from the battery and vehicle, and all connections disconnected, the vehicle can resume travel (e.g., flight) using the recharged battery and without the added weight from the temperature controlled liquid.
[0033] As described above, with the liquid removed from the battery (and therefore the vehicle), when subsequently traveling (e.g., flying), the vehicle does not have to expend power to transport any added weight from the liquid. For example, if the vehicle is an all-electric aircraft, keeping the weight light by removing the liquid prior to takeoff may extend the flight time of the aircraft.
[0034] It may be helpful to illustrate exemplary batteries and components for forming a temperature controlled passage of liquid through the battery without damaging the battery (e.g., the liquid does not come into contact with any electronic equipment or other sensitive components). The following figure describes one such exemplary battery system. First, an exemplary battery system without above-ground liquid heating or cooling features or components is described. Then, some examples of new components that allow above-ground liquid heating or cooling are described. Naturally, these examples are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting.
[0035] Figure 3A is a diagram showing an example of a double-sided rack with battery submodules. In some embodiments, Figure 1 The battery 102 in is implemented using a double-sided rack with battery submodules (eg, similar to the double-sided rack shown here).
[0036] In this example, the battery submodule 300 includes battery cells (not shown) that are pouch cells. Pouch cells perform better when pressure (e.g., about 3-5 PSI) is applied. More specifically, the cycle life of the pouch cells can be extended by applying pressure to the pouch cells. For this reason, the battery cells in the battery submodule 300 are placed in a metal container 302 that compresses the battery cells therein. The container 302 is sealed with a cover 304 that includes a positive terminal or connector and a negative terminal or connector.
[0037] The frame includes slots or openings for inserting the battery submodules with the covers facing outward. To secure the battery submodules 300 to the frame 306, screws are passed through holes in the covers and screwed into the frame. With the covers of the battery submodules facing outward, the positive and negative terminals or connectors exposed by the covers can be electrically connected to each other and / or to other electrical components (not shown).
[0038] The opposite side of the rack (not shown) includes another array of battery submodules, and the rack is therefore referred to as a double-sided rack. Note that not all slots or openings are filled with battery submodules in the figures shown here, but in an actual battery, all slots or cutouts would be filled with battery submodules.
[0039] Figure 3B 3 is a diagram showing an example of a rack including a support structure for the bottom of a battery submodule. For clarity, the rack 350 in this figure is shown without any battery submodules to obstruct the components shown here. In this example, Figure 3A The double-sided frame 306 has been cut in half down the middle, with the center portion (eg, where the cut occurs) shown.
[0040] As shown from this view, the rack 350 cut in half includes a plurality of support structures 352, wherein each support structure corresponds to a row of battery submodules (not shown). The support structures are portions of the rack that are in (e.g., directly) contact with the battery submodules (not shown), particularly the bottom of the container (e.g., away from the cover). For example, the support structures include rectangular cutouts with rounded edges for inserting and placing the battery submodules (more specifically, the bottom of the container) while the cover is screwed into the opposite (i.e., external) side of the rack to secure the battery submodules to the rack. The following figure shows a closer view of an exemplary support structure 352.
[0041] Figure 4A is a diagram showing an example of a support structure without an O-ring. In this example, the support structure 400 shows Figure 3B 352. As shown here, the exemplary support structure is relatively thin and provides only structural support (eg, without any thermal control or management features).
[0042] The figure below shows an example of a thicker support structure with an O-ring. This support structure can be used to form a channel or path for a temperature-controlled liquid to directly contact the battery submodules in the support structure so that the entire battery system can be cooled or heated (for example, using Figure 1 As shown in Figure 2 system described in ).
[0043] Figure 4B is a diagram showing an embodiment of a support structure with two sets of O-rings to form a channel for a temperature-controlled liquid to directly contact a battery submodule. In the example shown, the support structure 450 is larger than Figure 4A The support structure 400 shown in FIG. 4 is thick. This thickness is used to form a channel or path for the temperature-controlled liquid to directly contact the battery submodules inserted into the support structure 450, thereby heating or cooling the battery submodules and the entire battery system.
[0044] The support structure 450 is located in the center of the frame of the battery and interfaces with the battery submodules on each side (e.g., a left row of battery submodules and a right row of battery submodules) to form a cooling channel. For example, the left O-ring 454 forms a seal around the battery submodule on the left side (not shown) (more specifically, around the bottom of the container), and the right O-ring 452 forms a seal around the battery submodule on the right side.
[0045] When the left and right battery submodules (not shown) are inserted into a cutout in the support structure, the left and right O-rings (respectively) they contact will form a ring or band around the bottom (not shown) of the container of the battery submodules for the temperature-controlled liquid to be in direct contact with the container of the battery submodules. Since the exemplary container is metal and direct contact is made between the battery submodules and the liquid, a good thermal interface is formed for the temperature-controlled liquid to heat or cool the two battery submodules. The relatively large amount of surface area on the bottom surface of the container also helps with heating or cooling.
[0046] In this example, to take advantage of gravity, the temperature controlled liquid enters the support structure through the male connector 456 at the top of the support structure and exits via the female connector 458 at the bottom of the support structure. The height of the male connectors can be sized so that the female connector from one row fits into the male connector in the next row below. This allows the temperature controlled liquid to first heat or cool the battery submodules in the top row, then descend to the next row below and heat or cool the battery submodules and the next row, and so on.
[0047] Briefly return to Figure 2 ,like Figure 4B As shown in , in some embodiments, circulating the temperature-controlled liquid at step 202 includes circulating the temperature-controlled liquid, including circulating the temperature-controlled liquid through a channel formed by using a container and an O-ring configured to fit around the container, wherein the temperature-controlled liquid is in direct contact with at least the bottom surface of the container when in the channel. In some embodiments (also in Figure 4B ), a channel is formed using a first container, a second container, a first O-ring configured to be assembled around the first container, and a second O-ring configured to be assembled around the second container, wherein the temperature-controlled liquid is in direct contact with at least the bottom surface of the first container and the bottom surface of the second container when in the channel. Figure 4B It is also shown that in some embodiments, the support structure includes a first O-ring and a second O-ring, and the temperature-controlled liquid enters the channel from a first opening at the top side of the support structure and exits the channel from a second opening at the bottom side of the support structure. As described above, allowing the liquid to enter from above and exit from below utilizes gravity.
[0048] Use something like Figure 4B One benefit of the support structure shown in is that it does not require extensive modifications to the design of the entire battery system. For example, Figure 4B The increased thickness of the support structure shown in can be relatively small, and the battery can still be fitted into the allotted space in the fuselage of the aircraft (see, for example, Figure 1, where the battery 102 must be mounted into the fuselage behind the cockpit). The exemplary support structure shown can also be weight efficient because it uses a single structure to heat or cool the battery submodules on both sides (e.g., rather than having one structure for the right side and another structure for the left side), which keeps the battery lightweight. Additionally, the support structure allows the temperature-controlled liquid to flow over the bottom surface of the container, which provides a relatively large surface area (e.g., conducive to heating or cooling).
[0049] The following figure shows the use of Figure 4B An exemplary support structure is shown in FIG. 1 , where the temperature-controlled liquid will come into contact with the battery submodules.
[0050] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an embodiment of where a temperature controlled liquid contacts a battery submodule. In the example shown, the battery submodule 500 uses Figure 4B The support structure 450 shown in FIG. 5 is secured to the rack. The bottom 502 of the container 504 is where the temperature-controlled liquid comes into (direct) contact with the container. Either a right or left O-ring (not shown) will be fitted around the container to ensure that the liquid stays in the area 502 shown and does not come into contact with any delicate or sensitive electronics. For example, it would be undesirable if the liquid escaped from the O-ring and came into contact with the cutout 508 in the container, which is used to vent hot gases in the event of thermal runaway. The cutout can only be properly protected with tape on it to prevent water intrusion.
[0051] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a channel formed by a support structure with an O-ring is shown. In this example, Figure 4B The support structure 450 forms the exemplary channels shown here to allow temperature-controlled liquid to flow through. In this example, the support structure 600 includes a left O-ring 602 and a right O-ring 604. The left O-ring 602 fits around the container 606 of the battery submodule inserted from the left hand side. Similarly, the right O-ring 604 fits around the container 608 of the battery submodule inserted from the right hand side. The liquid enters 610 from the top of the support structure, flows through the bottom surfaces of the two containers (606 and 608), and then exits as liquid exit 612 at the bottom of the support structure.
[0052] In this example, from Figure 4BThe support structure 450 has a wall or barrier between each cutout of the battery submodule. Thus, each pair of left and right battery submodules has its own separate channel, and the temperature-controlled liquid that heats or cools one pair does not mix with the temperature-controlled liquid that heats or cools an adjacent pair in the same row. For example, this approach may be designed because it allows for better uniformity of fluid flow rate around each pair, and therefore more uniform heat transfer throughout the battery. Naturally, in some other embodiments, the support structure has openings or connectors between adjacent pairs so that the temperature-controlled liquid can mix across different adjacent pairs in the same row.
[0053] Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in detail for the purpose of clarity of understanding, the invention is not limited to the details provided. There are many alternative ways to implement the invention. The disclosed embodiments are exemplary rather than restrictive.
Claims
1. A system for a vehicle including a battery, comprising: A liquid temperature control system configured to: detachably coupling the battery and the liquid temperature control system; circulating a temperature controlled liquid between the liquid temperature control system and the battery to produce a temperature controlled battery before, during, or after the battery is charged on the surface; removing the temperature-controlled liquid from the temperature-controlled battery; as well as disconnecting the battery from the liquid temperature control system; wherein the battery comprises at least two battery submodules each having a container and a support structure having an O-ring configured to fit around the container, wherein when the container is inserted into the support structure and the O-rings, each O-ring forms a seal between the container and the support structure, and a channel is formed between the base of the container and the wall of the support structure; wherein circulating the temperature-controlled liquid comprises circulating the temperature-controlled liquid through the channel, wherein the temperature-controlled liquid is in direct contact with at least a bottom surface of the container when in the channel; and A charger configured to charge the temperature controlled battery.
2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The battery is in the carrier.
3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The battery is in the vehicle, and the vehicle comprises an aircraft.
4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that Charging of the temperature controlled battery is triggered by the measured temperature of the temperature controlled battery falling within an allowed battery charging temperature range.
5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that Removing the temperature-controlled liquid from the temperature-controlled battery includes blowing air from the liquid temperature control system toward the battery.
6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that Removing the temperature-controlled liquid from the temperature-controlled battery includes draining the temperature-controlled liquid from the temperature-controlled battery using gravity.
7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that: removing the temperature-controlled liquid from the temperature-controlled battery includes draining the temperature-controlled liquid from the temperature-controlled battery using gravity; as well as While the temperature controlled battery is being charged, draining the temperature controlled liquid from the temperature controlled battery using gravity is initiated.
8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support structure includes a first O-ring and a second O-ring; and The temperature-controlled liquid enters the channel from a first opening at the top side of the support structure and exits the channel from a second opening at the bottom side of the support structure.
9. A method for a vehicle including a battery, comprising: using a liquid temperature control system to circulate a temperature controlled liquid between the liquid temperature control system and the battery to produce a temperature controlled battery, wherein the battery and the liquid temperature control system are removably coupled at least while the temperature controlled liquid is circulated before, during, or after the battery is charged on the surface; removing the temperature-controlled liquid from the temperature-controlled battery, wherein after the temperature-controlled liquid is removed, the battery and the liquid temperature control system are disconnected; wherein the battery comprises at least two battery submodules each having a container and a support structure having an O-ring configured to fit around the container, wherein when the container is inserted into the support structure and the O-rings, each O-ring forms a seal between the container and the support structure, and a channel is formed between the base of the container and the wall of the support structure; wherein circulating the temperature-controlled liquid comprises circulating the temperature-controlled liquid through the channel, wherein the temperature-controlled liquid is in direct contact with at least a bottom surface of the container when in the channel; and The temperature controlled battery is charged using a charger.
10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The battery is in the carrier.
11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The battery is in the vehicle, and the vehicle comprises an aircraft.
12. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that Charging of the temperature controlled battery is triggered by the measured temperature of the temperature controlled battery falling within an allowed battery charging temperature range.
13. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that Removing the temperature-controlled liquid from the temperature-controlled battery includes blowing air from the liquid temperature control system toward the battery.
14. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that Removing the temperature-controlled liquid from the temperature-controlled battery includes draining the temperature-controlled liquid from the temperature-controlled battery using gravity.
15. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that: removing the temperature-controlled liquid from the temperature-controlled battery includes draining the temperature-controlled liquid from the temperature-controlled battery using gravity; as well as While the temperature controlled battery is being charged, draining the temperature controlled liquid from the temperature controlled battery using gravity is initiated.
16. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that: The support structure includes a first O-ring and a second O-ring; and The temperature-controlled liquid enters the channel from a first opening at the top side of the support structure and exits the channel from a second opening at the bottom side of the support structure.
17. A system for a vehicle including a battery, comprising: a plurality of battery submodules, including a first battery submodule and a second battery submodule; a support structure coupled to the plurality of battery submodules, the support structure comprising: a first O-ring disposed on a first surface of the support structure around the first battery submodule; and a second O-ring disposed on a second surface of the support structure opposite to the first surface surrounding the second battery submodule, an opening for receiving a portion of the first battery submodule and a portion of the second battery submodule, wherein the opening extends between the first O-ring and the second O-ring; a passage formed within the opening between a portion of the first battery submodule and a portion of the second battery submodule; an inlet disposed on a top surface of the support structure and adapted to receive a fluid; An outlet is disposed on a bottom surface of the support structure and is adapted to receive the fluid after the fluid has traveled through the channel in a direction of gravity, wherein the channel extends between the inlet and the outlet.
18. The system according to claim 17, characterized in that The support structure includes a plurality of channels such that a corresponding channel is formed between each pair of adjacent battery submodules in the plurality of battery submodules.
19. The system according to claim 17, characterized in that The plurality of battery submodules include a first group of battery submodules and a second group of battery submodules, wherein the second group of battery submodules extends along a horizontal plane parallel to the first group of battery submodules, the first group of battery submodules includes the first battery submodules, and the second group of battery submodules includes the second battery submodules.
20. The system according to claim 17, characterized in that The system is coupled to a battery powered aircraft, the system further comprising: a liquid temperature control system coupled to the battery powered aircraft when the battery powered aircraft is on the ground, wherein the liquid temperature control system is configured to: removably coupling the support structure and the plurality of battery submodules to the liquid temperature control system; circulating a temperature controlled liquid as the fluid through the channels to produce a plurality of temperature controlled battery submodules, wherein the temperature controlled liquid is in direct contact with the plurality of battery submodules; removing the temperature-controlled liquid from the plurality of temperature-controlled battery submodules; and The plurality of temperature-controlled battery submodules are disconnected from the liquid temperature control system.
21. The system according to claim 20, characterized in that Removing the temperature-controlled liquid from the plurality of temperature-controlled battery submodules includes blowing air from the liquid temperature control system toward the plurality of battery submodules.
22. The system according to claim 20, characterized in that Removing the temperature-controlled liquid from the plurality of temperature-controlled battery submodules includes draining the temperature-controlled liquid from the plurality of temperature-controlled battery submodules using gravity.
23. The system according to claim 17, characterized in that The system is coupled to a battery-powered aircraft, and wherein the fluid traveling through the passage in the direction of gravity when the battery-powered aircraft is air.
24. A method for a vehicle including a battery, comprising: A system is provided, the system comprising a plurality of battery submodules coupled to a support structure in a battery powered aircraft, wherein the support structure comprises: a first O-ring disposed on a first surface of the support structure surrounding a first battery submodule; and a second O-ring disposed on a second surface of the support structure opposite to the first surface, surrounding a second battery submodule, an opening for receiving a portion of the first battery submodule and a portion of the second battery submodule, wherein the opening extends between the first O-ring and the second O-ring; a passage formed within the opening between a portion of the first battery submodule and a portion of the second battery submodule; an inlet disposed on a top surface of the support structure and adapted to receive a fluid; an outlet disposed on a bottom surface of the support structure adapted to receive the fluid after the fluid has traveled through the channel in a direction of gravity, wherein the channel extends between the inlet and the outlet; removably coupling the support structure and the plurality of battery submodules to a liquid temperature control system; circulating a temperature controlled liquid through the channels of the support structure to produce a plurality of temperature controlled battery submodules, wherein the temperature controlled liquid is in direct contact with the plurality of battery submodules; removing the temperature-controlled liquid from the plurality of temperature-controlled battery submodules; and The plurality of temperature-controlled battery submodules are disconnected from the liquid temperature control system.
25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that Removing the temperature-controlled liquid from the plurality of temperature-controlled battery submodules includes: Air is blown from the liquid temperature control system toward the plurality of battery submodules.
26. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that Removing the temperature-controlled liquid from the plurality of temperature-controlled battery submodules includes: The temperature-controlled liquid is drained from the plurality of temperature-controlled battery submodules using gravity.
27. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The support structure includes a plurality of channels such that a corresponding channel is formed between each pair of adjacent battery submodules in the plurality of battery submodules.
28. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The plurality of battery submodules include a first group of battery submodules and a second group of battery submodules, wherein the second group of battery submodules extends along a horizontal plane parallel to the first group of battery submodules, the first group of battery submodules includes the first battery submodules, and the second group of battery submodules includes the second battery submodules.
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