A riding lawn mower comprising, a pair of rear drive wheels, a pair of front wheels, a deck positioned between the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear drive wheels, a rotatable cutting blade, and multiple battery packs removably coupled to the riding lawn mower and structured to provide power to the riding lawn mower, each battery pack graspable and removable by a user, wherein the multiple battery packs sequentially provide power to the riding lawn mower.

A riding lawn mower comprising, a pair of rear drive wheels, a pair of front wheels, a deck positioned between the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear drive wheels, a rotatable cutting blade, and multiple battery packs removably coupled to the riding lawn mower and structured to provide power to the riding lawn mower, each battery pack graspable and removable by a user, wherein the multiple battery packs sequentially provide power to the riding lawn mower.

Systems and methods for storing energy for use by an electric vehicle are disclosed. Systems can include an electric vehicle battery pack including a rack configured to couple a plurality of independently removable battery strings to the vehicle, the battery strings configured to be selectively coupled in parallel to a vehicle power bus. The battery strings may include a housing, a plurality of electrochemical cells disposed within the housing, a circuit for electrically connecting the electrochemical cells, a positive high-voltage connector, a negative high-voltage connector, a switch within the housing, and a string control unit configured to control the switch. Each battery string can include a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet configured to couple with and sealingly uncouple from an external coolant supply conduit and an external coolant return conduit, and an auxiliary connector configured to couple with an external communications system and/or an external low-voltage power supply.

Systems and methods for storing energy for use by an electric vehicle are disclosed. Systems can include an electric vehicle battery pack including a rack configured to couple a plurality of independently removable battery strings to the vehicle, the battery strings configured to be selectively coupled in parallel to a vehicle power bus. The battery strings may include a housing, a plurality of electrochemical cells disposed within the housing, a circuit for electrically connecting the electrochemical cells, a positive high-voltage connector, a negative high-voltage connector, a switch within the housing, and a string control unit configured to control the switch. Each battery string can include a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet configured to couple with and sealingly uncouple from an external coolant supply conduit and an external coolant return conduit, and an auxiliary connector configured to couple with an external communications system and/or an external low-voltage power supply.

A method and to a device for ascertaining a state of health of a battery for a transportation device. The method includes: charging the battery until a predefined target voltage is reached in a first charging phase of the battery, ascertaining a first voltage value of the battery at a first predefined point in time after the predefined target voltage has been reached in a relaxation phase of the battery, ascertaining a second voltage value of the battery at a second predefined point in time, deviating from the first predefined point in time, in the relaxation phase of the battery, ascertaining a piece of information about the state of health of the battery based on a change of the second voltage value with respect to the first voltage value, and using the piece of information in the transportation device and/or in an external server.

A method and to a device for ascertaining a state of health of a battery for a transportation device. The method includes: charging the battery until a predefined target voltage is reached in a first charging phase of the battery, ascertaining a first voltage value of the battery at a first predefined point in time after the predefined target voltage has been reached in a relaxation phase of the battery, ascertaining a second voltage value of the battery at a second predefined point in time, deviating from the first predefined point in time, in the relaxation phase of the battery, ascertaining a piece of information about the state of health of the battery based on a change of the second voltage value with respect to the first voltage value, and using the piece of information in the transportation device and/or in an external server.

A battery module comprising a plurality of battery cell units, each one comprising: a battery cell having a first pole and a second pole, and a switch circuit, comprising a plurality of switches, and a switch controller arranged to control the switches of the switch circuit to enter either of a first state, in which the battery cell is connected in parallel with a neighboring battery cell, and a second state, in which the battery cell is connected in series with a neighboring battery cell. The battery module is configured to control the switching between the first and second states on a probabilistic basis.

A battery module comprising a plurality of battery cell units, each one comprising: a battery cell having a first pole and a second pole, and a switch circuit, comprising a plurality of switches, and a switch controller arranged to control the switches of the switch circuit to enter either of a first state, in which the battery cell is connected in parallel with a neighboring battery cell, and a second state, in which the battery cell is connected in series with a neighboring battery cell. The battery module is configured to control the switching between the first and second states on a probabilistic basis.

An electric machine including a first energy consuming unit and a second energy consuming unit, the first energy consuming unit requiring a higher power energy source and the second energy consuming unit requiring a lower power energy source, wherein the machine further includes a first energy storage device and a second energy storage device, the first energy storage device having a higher power with respect to the second energy storage device, wherein the first energy storage device is configured to power the first energy consuming unit, wherein the second energy storage device is configured to power the second energy consuming unit, and wherein the first energy storage device is connectable to a charger for charging, the first energy storage device requiring a lower charging time for reaching its maximum state of charge than the second energy storage device, and wherein the first energy storage device is configured to directly provide power to the first energy consuming unit.

An electric machine including a first energy consuming unit and a second energy consuming unit, the first energy consuming unit requiring a higher power energy source and the second energy consuming unit requiring a lower power energy source, wherein the machine further includes a first energy storage device and a second energy storage device, the first energy storage device having a higher power with respect to the second energy storage device, wherein the first energy storage device is configured to power the first energy consuming unit, wherein the second energy storage device is configured to power the second energy consuming unit, and wherein the first energy storage device is connectable to a charger for charging, the first energy storage device requiring a lower charging time for reaching its maximum state of charge than the second energy storage device, and wherein the first energy storage device is configured to directly provide power to the first energy consuming unit.