In a rechargeable battery module including a plurality of unit batteries, the unit batteries include: an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator between the first and second electrodes; a case having a polygonal column shape for accommodating the electrode assembly; and first and second plates respectively sealing openings formed at opposite sides of the case, wherein a surface of the case of a unit battery of the unit batteries contacts a neighboring unit battery of the unit batteries.

In a rechargeable battery module including a plurality of unit batteries, the unit batteries include: an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator between the first and second electrodes; a case having a polygonal column shape for accommodating the electrode assembly; and first and second plates respectively sealing openings formed at opposite sides of the case, wherein a surface of the case of a unit battery of the unit batteries contacts a neighboring unit battery of the unit batteries.

An energy storage device comprising: a container, a mandrel, at least one sheet of separator material, and two or more electrodes. The container comprises a base and an inner surface forming an internal space. The mandrel is positioned in the container and is spaced apart from the inner surface to define a cavity within the container. The sheet of separator material is arranged about the mandrel to provide a plurality of discrete separator layers within the cavity. At least one electrode is provided between each of the discrete separator layers, and at least a portion of an external surface of a container has a curved profile.

An energy storage device comprising: a container, a mandrel, at least one sheet of separator material, and two or more electrodes. The container comprises an internal space defined by at least one internal wall and a base. The mandrel comprises a longitudinal axis, and is positioned in the container such that the longitudinal axis passes through the internal space and the base. The sheet of separator material is arranged about the mandrel to provide a plurality of discrete separator layers which are spaced apart in a packing direction normal to the longitudinal axis. At least one electrode is provided between each of the discrete separator layers, and the mandrel has at least one hollow column running along the length of its longitudinal axis such that a part of the base is accessible via the hollow column.

An energy storage device comprising: a container, a mandrel, at least one sheet of separator material, and two or more electrodes. The container comprises an internal space bounded by an internal wall. The mandrel is positioned in the internal space and forms a cavity between a mandrel surface and the internal wall of the container. The sheet of separator material is arranged within the cavity about the mandrel to provide a plurality of discrete separator layers. An electrode is provided between each of the discrete separator layers, the mandrel is compressible, and the shape of the mandrel surface is concentric with the internal wall of the container.

A battery system includes a plurality of battery cells abutting one another to form a battery cell stack. An optical communication link is connected to each of the plurality of battery cells. A battery management system (BMS) connected to the optical communication link configured and adapted to receive information from the optical communication link. A method of controlling heat transfer in a battery system includes monitoring at least one characteristic of at least one battery cell of a plurality of battery cells with at least one sensor, and sending information from the at least one sensor to a battery management system (BMS) with an optical communication link. The optical communication link is connected to each of the plurality of battery cells. The method includes selectively varying a fluid circulation rate in the battery system with the BMS depending on the at least one characteristic.

A flexible, jelly-roll type battery cell with a hollow core is disclosed. The battery cell includes a pair of electrodes wound together around a hollow core, a plurality of electrode tabs, each coupled to a separate one of the electrodes, and a flexible outer wrapper enclosing the pair of electrodes.

A flexible, jelly-roll type battery cell with a hollow core is disclosed. The battery cell includes a pair of electrodes wound together around a hollow core, a plurality of electrode tabs, each coupled to a separate one of the electrodes, and a flexible outer wrapper enclosing the pair of electrodes.

The invention concerns a heat management device for at least one battery cell, including at least one rigid support part, a fluid recovery plate and a fluid distribution plate, the plates being arranged on either side of the rigid support part in a vertical direction of the rigid support part. The rigid support part includes at least one cavity for receiving the at least one battery cell and at least one channel formed parallel with the receiving cavity in the vertical direction and participating in forming a thermal regulation component.

Connection apparatus (500; 500.sub.1, 500.sub.2) for controlling the temperature of a battery cell (100.sub.1, 100.sub.2), characterized by: a fastening device for fastening the connection apparatus (500; 500.sub.1, 500.sub.2) to a temperature-control element (400; 400.sub.1, 400.sub.2) which comprises a channel for accommodating a temperature-control medium, and a connection device (510; 510.sub.1, 510.sub.2), which comprises a channel for accommodating the temperature-control medium, for connection of a connecting line (600.sub.11, 600.sub.12, 600.sub.21, 600.sub.22) to an opening in the channel of the connection device (510; 510.sub.1, 510.sub.2), wherein: the connection apparatus (500; 500.sub.1, 500.sub.2) can be fastened to the temperature-control element (400; 400.sub.1, 400.sub.2) in such a way that a further opening in the channel of the connection device (510; 510.sub.1, 510.sub.2) is aligned with an opening in the channel of the temperature-control element (400; 400.sub.1, 400.sub.2).