BATTERY THERMAL MANAGEMENT

Battery thermal management in electric vehicles is critically important. This applies to performance and safety.

What impacts EV battery life?
EV Batteries are susceptible to fluctuating temperatures caused by internal and external factors. As a result they can become damaged or degraded if exposed to temperatures outside their optimal range. This is especially relevant when operating in extreme ambient temperatures. Damage can also occur during rapid charging.

How can we minimise degradation?
Our Battery Thermal Management systems maintain stack temperatures within extremely tight tolerances. This helps to ensure optimum levels of safety, performance and battery life.

Thermal management influences a number of other factors. For instance, the availability of discharge power (for start-up and acceleration), energy, and charge acceptance during energy recovery from regenerative braking.

Designs are evolving and the technology is fast becoming more effective. In conclusion trade-offs still remain between performance, functionality, volume, mass, cost, maintenance, and safety.

Heat Exchange Plates
We have a wealth of experience in designing and manufacturing liquid cooled heat exchangers for the land vehicle market. We have developed a number of systems to ensure precise temperature control of the battery module. Our systems are designed to maximise power density. Other benefits include minimising package space, weight, and coolant pressure drop.

• Stainless Steel plates with extremely tight flatness tolerances. This allows us to fit in very tight package spaces (3mm plate height).
• Aluminium extrusions allow the heat exchanger plate to be integrated into the battery module structure. This removes the need for additional components.
• Glass filled nylon manifolds allow precise coolant control. This helps to maximise heat exchange efficiency, whilst minimising cost.

Coolant Tubes
We are experts in manufacturing thin walled tubing for a variety of fluid transfer applications. Combined with our heat exchange plates, we offer expertly flow-balanced systems to ensure your battery is maintained at its optimum working temperature.