A battery and capacitor assembly for a hybrid vehicle includes a plurality of battery cells, a plurality of capacitor cells, a cooling plate, a pair of end brackets, and a housing. The plurality of capacitor cells are arranged adjacent to the plurality of battery cells such that the plurality of battery cells and the plurality of capacitor cells form a cell stack. The pair of end brackets are disposed at opposite ends of the cell stack and are attached to the cooling plate. The pair of end brackets compress the plurality of battery cells and the plurality of capacitor cells. The housing is attached to the cooling plate and encloses the cell stack and the pair of end brackets.

A battery and capacitor assembly for a hybrid vehicle includes a plurality of battery cells, a plurality of capacitor cells, a cooling plate, a pair of end brackets, and a housing. The plurality of capacitor cells are arranged adjacent to the plurality of battery cells such that the plurality of battery cells and the plurality of capacitor cells form a cell stack. The pair of end brackets are disposed at opposite ends of the cell stack and are attached to the cooling plate. The pair of end brackets compress the plurality of battery cells and the plurality of capacitor cells. The housing is attached to the cooling plate and encloses the cell stack and the pair of end brackets.

A secondary battery is provided in the present application. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly including a cathode and an anode facing the cathode, thermoelectric elements columns arranged on a surface of the electrode assembly, and a circuit structure that electrically connects the thermoelectric element columns. The circuit structure includes a series/parallel switching unit configured to switch a connection between the thermoelectric element columns from a series connection to a parallel connection or from a parallel connection to a series connection. The thermoelectric element columns are connected selectively in parallel or in series to improve rapid charging and life-span properties.

A secondary battery is provided in the present application. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly including a cathode and an anode facing the cathode, thermoelectric elements columns arranged on a surface of the electrode assembly, and a circuit structure that electrically connects the thermoelectric element columns. The circuit structure includes a series/parallel switching unit configured to switch a connection between the thermoelectric element columns from a series connection to a parallel connection or from a parallel connection to a series connection. The thermoelectric element columns are connected selectively in parallel or in series to improve rapid charging and life-span properties.

A load handling device for lifting and moving one or more containers stacked in a storage system with a grid framework structure supporting a plurality of tracks arranged in a grid pattern, the load handling device comprising: A) a driving mechanism; and B) a vehicle body having a footprint that occupies a single grid cell in the storage system, the vehicle body housing including: i) a rechargeable power source; ii) a first space configured for accommodating a container and the rechargeable power source is housed in a second space; and iii) a lifting device to releasably grip a container and lift the container from the stack into the first space, wherein the rechargeable power source is arranged above the first space such that the centre of mass of the load handling device is in the second space.

A multi-stage cascaded thermoelectrical cooler (TEC) package is used in conjunction with an air cooling system to control temperature of battery cells in a battery module such that the temperature differences stay within a predetermined range. Battery cells in the battery module are divided into one or more regular sections and one or more TEC enhancing sections. A regular section and a TEC enhancing section can use different types of battery cell holders to assemble the battery cells. TECs in the TEC package are integrated into each enhancing section, where each stage of the TEC package is attached to one or more battery cells in a different region of the enhancing section. A higher stage, which is more powerful in enhancing heat transfer and extracting heat from battery cells, is attached to one or more battery cells in a section closer to the air outlet. The TEC package is powered by a discharging convertor circuit of the battery module.

A thermal management system for high power electrical equipment includes temperature adjustment means, sensing means, and a microcontroller. The temperature adjustment means includes small and large temperature adjustment units and a selection device, wherein the small and large temperature adjustment units are thermally connected to the battery cells and the battery enclosure, respectively. The sensing means includes temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures of the battery cells, and capacity sensors for measuring the remaining capacities of the battery cells available for the electrical equipment, wherein the temperature and capacity sensors can output corresponding signals. The microcontroller receives the signals from the temperature and capacity sensors, and enables or disenables the temperature adjustment means according to the temperature signals. Next, the microcontroller operates the selection device to start the small temperature adjustment unit and/or the large temperature adjustment unit according to the capacity signals when the temperature adjustment means is enabled.

A thermal management system for high power electrical equipment includes temperature adjustment means, sensing means, and a microcontroller. The temperature adjustment means includes small and large temperature adjustment units and a selection device, wherein the small and large temperature adjustment units are thermally connected to the battery cells and the battery enclosure, respectively. The sensing means includes temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures of the battery cells, and capacity sensors for measuring the remaining capacities of the battery cells available for the electrical equipment, wherein the temperature and capacity sensors can output corresponding signals. The microcontroller receives the signals from the temperature and capacity sensors, and enables or disenables the temperature adjustment means according to the temperature signals. Next, the microcontroller operates the selection device to start the small temperature adjustment unit and/or the large temperature adjustment unit according to the capacity signals when the temperature adjustment means is enabled.

A temperature controlled enclosure that includes a temperature control device for controlling the temperature within an internal cavity of the temperature controlled enclosure. The temperature controlled enclosure also includes one or more charging ports for receiving and charging a battery pack. A controller within the temperature controlled enclosure controls the temperature within the internal cavity to a predetermined or desired temperature (e.g., 20° C.). When a battery pack is received in the one or more charging ports, the temperature of the battery pack can be determined. If, for example, the temperature of the battery pack is below 0° C., the battery pack is allowed to warm up inside the temperature controlled enclosure before the battery pack is charged.

A temperature controlled enclosure that includes a temperature control device for controlling the temperature within an internal cavity of the temperature controlled enclosure. The temperature controlled enclosure also includes one or more charging ports for receiving and charging a battery pack. A controller within the temperature controlled enclosure controls the temperature within the internal cavity to a predetermined or desired temperature (e.g., 20° C.). When a battery pack is received in the one or more charging ports, the temperature of the battery pack can be determined. If, for example, the temperature of the battery pack is below 0° C., the battery pack is allowed to warm up inside the temperature controlled enclosure before the battery pack is charged.