FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments of the present invention generally relate to batteries, and more particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a partially submerged battery module, and a battery pack containing the battery module.
BACKGROUND
Batteries are an important source of electric power. The batteries are used in various applications such as electric vehicle energy storage, power plant energy storage, wind energy storage, solar energy storage etc. The batteries can usually be charged, discharged into a load, and recharged many times. Due to the charging and discharging of a battery, cells of the batteries generate significant amount of heat.
When significant amount of heat is generated, undesirable effects can impact the operation of the batteries. Such batteries are unsafe in case of a thermal runaway event. Thus, the batteries are provided with a cooling system to combat heat generation events. The cooling systems ordinarily provide indirect cooling of the cells through cooling channels and have a small thermal contact area with the cells. Since the temperature difference within such cells is huge, such cooling systems are inefficient and restrict the charging of the batteries at high C rates. Also, using the conventional cooling system increases the dead weight of the batteries.
In view of the above, there remains a need for a novel and an inventive battery pack that can overcome the above-mentioned limitations.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack containing the

battery module.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module and a battery pack that provides higher rate of heat transfer.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module and a battery pack having increased overall energy density.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module and a battery pack having better structural stiffness.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module and a battery pack having reduced dead weight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an aspect of the present invention, a battery module is disclosed. The battery module includes a plurality of cells, a cell holder, and a cell locator. The cell holder and the cell locator each have a plurality of pockets to retain the plurality of cells inside the battery module. In addition, the cell holder and the cell locator are operably assembled to form a manifold for partial submersion of the plurality of cells within a coolant fluid and for the flow of the coolant fluid. Additionally, an interface between curved surface of the plurality of cells and curved surface on the plurality of pockets of at least one of the cell holder and the cell locator is sealed using a sealant. Further, an interface between the cell holder and the cell locator is sealed. The battery module further includes a current collector. The current collector is electrically coupled to the plurality of cells. The current collector has a first module terminal and a second module terminal. Moreover, one of the first module terminal and the second module terminal extends throughout a length of the plurality of cells. The battery module further includes an insulating sheet. The insulating sheet is disposed between the cell

locator and the current collector.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the flow of the coolant fluid in the battery module may be reversed at predefined intervals during high charging and discharging rates to ensure homogeneous cell surface temperature.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the coolant fluid may be one of a hydrocarbon-based dielectric oil and a deionized water.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the coolant fluid may be in contact with at least 70 percent of a curved surface area of the plurality of cells.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the cell holder and the cell locator each may have at least one coolant port to allow the flow of the coolant fluid into the battery module and out of the battery module. The coolant port may be one of a female coolant port and a male coolant port. The male coolant port of the battery module may be arranged to be received in the female coolant port of the adjacent battery module.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the interface between the cell holder and the cell locator may be sealed through one of a potting layer and an adhesive layer.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the insulating sheet may have a plurality of pins to locate the current collector. The plurality of pins may be plastically deformed to hold the current collector in place adjacent to the insulating sheet.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the cell holder and

the cell locator may be made of material selected from a group consisting of Nylon, High Crystalline Polypropylene, and Polypropylene Copolymer. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the flow of the coolant fluid may be a cross flow which ensures efficient cooling of the plurality of cells.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a battery pack is disclosed. The battery pack includes at least one battery module. The battery module includes a plurality of cells, a cell holder, and a cell locator. The cell holder and the cell locator each have a plurality of pockets to retain the plurality of cells inside the battery module. In addition, the cell holder and the cell locator are operably assembled to form the manifold for partial submersion of the plurality of cells within a coolant fluid and for the flow of the coolant fluid. Additionally, the interface between curved surface of the plurality of cells and curved surface on the plurality of pockets of at least one of the cell holder and the cell locator is sealed using the sealant. Further, the interface between the cell holder and the cell locator is sealed. The battery module further includes a current collector. The current collector is electrically coupled to the plurality of cells. The current collector has a first module terminal and a second module terminal. The first module terminal and the second module terminal of the battery module are electrically connected to adjacent battery module to form the battery pack. Moreover, one of the first module terminal and the second module terminal extends throughout the length of the plurality of cells. The battery module further includes an insulating sheet. The insulating sheet is disposed between the cell locator and the current collector.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the cell holder and the cell locator each may have at least one coolant port to allow the flow of the coolant fluid into the battery module and out of the battery module. The coolant port may be one of the female coolant port and the male coolant port. The male coolant port of the battery module may be arranged to be received in the female coolant port of adjacent battery module while forming the battery pack.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a mechanical gasket may be placed between the female coolant port and the male coolant port for sealing interconnections within the battery pack.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the module terminals may close an electrical contact on stacking the at least one battery module with end plates to form the battery pack.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack may include a pack constraining frame supporting the at least one battery module. Additionally, the battery pack may include a plurality of studs which extends from a peripheral face of the pack constraining frame to engage with the at least one battery module. Furthermore, the battery pack may include an end plate which is disposed at opposite ends of the battery pack between the pack constraining frame and the battery module. Moreover, the battery pack may include a pack coolant inlet to supply the coolant fluid to the manifold of the at least one of battery module and a pack coolant outlet for the coolant fluid to flow out of the manifold.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may have been referred by embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other

equally effective embodiments.
These and other features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following figures, wherein:
Fig. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a battery pack, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 1B illustrates an exploded view of the battery pack, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 1C illustrates a front view of the battery pack, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 1D illustrates a rear view of the battery pack, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a battery module of the battery pack, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2B illustrates an exploded view of the battery module of the battery pack, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2C illustrates a front view of the battery module of the battery pack, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2D illustrates a rear view of the battery module of the battery pack, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a cell holder, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3B illustrates a front view of the cell holder, in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4A illustrates a front perspective view of a cell locator, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4B illustrates a rear perspective view of the cell locator, in accordance with
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5 illustrates a first half section view of the battery pack, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 6 illustrates a second half section view of the battery pack, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
While the present invention is described herein by way of example using embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of drawing or drawings described, and are not intended to represent the scale of the various components. Further, some components that may form a part of the invention may not be illustrated in certain figures, for ease of illustration, and such omissions do not limit the embodiments outlined in any way. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim. As used throughout this description, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense, (i.e. meaning must). Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one” and the word “plurality” means “one or more” unless otherwise mentioned. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant

to the present invention.
In this disclosure, whenever a composition or an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase “comprising”, it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element or group of elements with transitional phrases “consisting of”, “consisting”, “selected from the group of consisting of, “including”, or “is” preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa.
The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawing correspond to the like elements throughout the description. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following detailed description, numeric values and ranges are provided for various aspects of the implementations described. These values and ranges are to be treated as examples only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In addition, a number of materials are identified as suitable for various facets of the implementations. These materials are to be treated as exemplary, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring now to Figure 1A, Figure 1B, Figure 1C and Figure 1D, a perspective view, an exploded view, a front view and a rear view respectively of a battery pack (100) is illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The battery pack (100) may be used in various kinds of application such as, but not limited to, electric vehicle energy storage, grid energy storage, local energy storage, and emergency energy storage.

The battery pack (100) includes at least one battery module (102), and in case of a plurality of battery modules (102), the plurality of battery modules (102) are connected in series and/or parallel. With this configuration, it is possible to obtain the battery pack (100) having a required voltage and capacity depending on the application. Referring now to Figure 2A, Figure 2B, Figure 2C and Figure 2D, a perspective view, an exploded view, a front view and a rear view respectively of the battery module (102) is illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The battery module (102) includes a plurality of cells (104) that are horizontally oriented within the battery module (102) to electrically connect with the cells of adjacent battery module. The plurality of cells (104) may have any suitable shape including a cylindrical shape, a prismatic shape and the like. According to an embodiment, the plurality of cells (104) may be rechargeable battery cells. In such an embodiment, the plurality of cells (104) may be one of Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) cells, Nickel metal hydride (Ni-M-H) cells, or Lithium ion cells. According to another embodiment, the plurality of cells (104) may be non-rechargeable battery cells.
The battery module (102) further includes a cell holder (106) and a cell locator (108). In an example, the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) may be made of a material selected from a group consisting of Nylon, High Crystalline Polypropylene, and Polypropylene Copolymer. The cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) each have a plurality of pockets to retain the plurality of cells (104) inside the battery module (102). The cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) are operably assembled to form a manifold for partial submersion of the plurality of cells (104) within a coolant fluid and for the flow of the coolant fluid. In an example, the coolant fluid may be one of a hydrocarbon-based dielectric oil and a deionized water. In certain embodiments, the flow of the coolant fluid in the battery module (102) may be reversed at predefined intervals during high charging and discharging rates to ensure homogeneous surface temperature of the plurality of cells (104). According to an embodiment, the coolant fluid may be in contact with at least 70 percent of a curved surface area of the plurality of cells (104).

Moreover, the flow of the coolant fluid may be a cross flow. Due to this, the heat transfer rate improves which subsequently ensures efficient cooling of the plurality of cells (104).
For the purpose of explanation, the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) when assembled, may resemble a case encasing the plurality of cells (104). Additionally, an interface between curved surface of the plurality of cells (104) and curved surface on the plurality of pockets of at least one of the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) is sealed using a sealant. Due to this, the sealant may provide structural stiffness to the battery module (102). In an example, the sealant may be any silicone-based adhesive. According to another embodiment, the interface between curved surface of the plurality of cells (104) and curved surface on the plurality of pockets of at least one of the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) may be potted using epoxy resins. It will be further apparent to a person skilled in the art that the interface may be sealed using any other adhesive means.
Further, an interface between the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) is sealed through one of a potting layer and an adhesive layer. Due to this, leakage of the coolant fluid from the battery module (102) may be prevented and additional structural stiffness may be provided to the battery module (102).
The cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) each may have at least one coolant port to allow the flow of the coolant fluid into the battery module (102) and out of the battery module (102). According to an embodiment, the coolant port may be one of a female coolant port (110) and a male coolant port (112). In such an embodiment, the male coolant port (112) of the battery module (102) may be arranged to be received in the female coolant port (110) of the adjacent battery module (102). Additionally, a mechanical gasket may be placed between the female coolant port (110) and the male coolant port (112) to seal interconnections within the battery pack (100). Through the coolant port of the cell holder (106)

and the cell locator (108), the flow of the coolant fluid in the battery module (102) may be reversed at the predefined intervals during the high charging and discharging rates to ensure the homogeneous surface temperature of the plurality of cells (104). In various embodiments, the coolant fluid may flow into one end of the battery module (102) and out the other end. A person skilled in art will appreciate that the flowing coolant fluid may absorb the heat generated by the plurality of cells (104).
According to an embodiment, the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) may be manufactured through a process of injection moulding. It will be further apparent to a person skilled in the art that the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) may be manufactured using any other suitable manufacturing processes.
Referring now to Figure 3A and Figure 3B, a perspective view and a front view respectively of the cell holder (106) of the battery module (102) is illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. According to an embodiment, the cell holder (106) may include the female coolant port (110) at its rear face and a groove (114) on edges extending at its front face. Such groove (114) may accommodate the cell locator (108). Further, the groove (114) may enable leakage free interconnection between the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108). Furthermore, the groove (114) may be filled with the sealant.
The cell holder (106) includes the plurality of pockets on its inner face to hold one of the ends of the plurality of cells (104). According to an embodiment, the pockets of the cell holder (106) are blind holes. In such an embodiment, one of the ends of the plurality of cells (104) is inserted inside the pockets of the cell holder (106) either manually or through machines. Further, the interface between curved surface of one of the ends of the plurality of cells (104) and the curved surface on the plurality of pockets of the cell holder (106) is sealed using the sealant. The sealant has low viscosity, due to which, the sealant may easily flow through the plurality of cells (104) and cover the interface, thus, forming a sealant layer

between the cell holder (106) and the plurality of cells (104). Moreover, the sealant layer may provide additional mechanical strength to the battery pack (100). The sealant layer further holds the plurality of cells (104) within the pockets of the cell holder (106). According to another embodiment, the pockets of the cell holder (106) are through holes.
Referring now to Figure 4A and Figure 4B, a front perspective view and a rear perspective view respectively of the cell locator (108) of the battery module (102) is illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. According to an embodiment, the cell locator (108) may include the male coolant port (112) at its front face and a protrusion (115) on corners of its rear face. Such protrusion (115) may be inserted into the groove (114) of the cell holder (106).
The cell locator (108) includes the plurality of pockets to hold another end of the plurality of cells (104). According to an embodiment, the pockets of the cell locator (108) are through holes. In such an embodiment, another end of the plurality of cells (104) is inserted inside the pockets of the cell locator (108). Further, the pockets of the cell locator (108) facilitate exposure of the terminal of the plurality of cells (104) for cell to cell interconnection within the battery module (102). The sealant is applied on the interface between curved surface of another end of the plurality of cells (104) and the curved surface on the plurality of pockets of the cell locator (108), thus, forming a sealant layer. In an example, the cells each having a diameter of about 21 millimetres is held inside the pockets each having a diameter of about 21.05 millimetres.
According to an embodiment, a gasket is placed into an additional groove provided between the cell locator (108) and the cell holder (106) of the battery module (102) which is compressed against the rear side of the cell holder (106) of the adjacent battery module (102) for providing additional protection against fluid leakage. In such embodiment, the additional groove may be potted in order to join the cell locator (108) and the cell holder (106) of the battery module (102).

The battery module (102) further includes a current collector (116). The current collector (116) is electrically coupled to the plurality of cells (104). The current collector (116) includes a first module terminal (118) and a second module terminal (120). The first module terminal (118) and the second module terminal (120) of the battery module (102) are electrically connected to the adjacent battery module (102) to form the battery pack (100). Additionally, one of the first module terminal (118) and the second module terminal (120) extends throughout the length of the plurality of cells (104). According to an embodiment, the second module terminal (120) may be a positive module terminal. In such an embodiment, the positive module terminal of the current collector (116) may extend throughout the length of the plurality of cells (104) from the cell locator (108) to the cell holder (106). Such an arrangement may enable the first module terminal (118) and the second module terminal (120) to close an electrical contact on stacking the at least one battery module (102) along with an end plate (128a, 128b) on opposite sides to form the battery pack (100). Due to this, no separate electrical connectors may be required. Further, the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) when assembled forms the manifold for the coolant fluid to flow through, while exposing the first module terminal (118) and the second module terminal (120) on either top, or bottom, or both. The current collector (116) may enable electrical connection of the plurality of cells (104) of the battery module (102) with the cells of adjacent battery module. According to an embodiment, the cell to cell interconnection may be done through a spot welding. According to another embodiment, the cell to cell interconnection may be done through a wire bonding. According to yet another embodiment, the cell to cell interconnection may be done through a laser welding.
Referring now to Figure 5, a first half section view of the battery pack (100) is illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The first half section view clearly depicts that the first module terminal (118) of the battery module (102) may be pressed against the second module terminal

(120) of the adjacent battery module (102) to ensure that the electrical contact is closed on stacking the at least one battery module (102) to form the battery pack (100). Further, the pressing of the first module terminal (118) and the second module terminal (120) may eliminate the need of busbars for connecting one battery module (102) to another.
Referring now to Figure 6, a second half section view of the battery pack (100) is illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The second half section view clearly depicts the battery module (102) to the battery module (102) interconnection within the battery pack (100) for flow of the coolant fluid and a parallel flow within the battery pack (100). The parallel flow in the battery pack (100) ensures that same temperature of the coolant fluid is maintained in each of the battery module (102) at the coolant port.
The battery module (102) further includes an insulating sheet (122). The insulating sheet (122) is disposed between the cell locator (108) and the current collector (116). The insulating sheet (122) is placed on top of the plurality of cells (104) and bonded to the cell locator (108) through the adhesive layer on the front face of the cell locator (108). The insulating sheet (122) holds the current collector (116) in place for cell-to-cell interconnection within the battery module (102). Additionally, the insulating sheet (122) prevents short circuit of the plurality of cells (104) through the current collector (116). Further, the insulating sheet (122) may be firmly bonded with the sealant layer formed at the front face of the cell locator (108) through a plurality of pins. The plurality of pins locates the insulating sheet (122) over the plurality of cells (104) and bonds into the adhesive layer.
According to an embodiment, the insulating sheet (122) is having the plurality of pins to locate the current collector (116). The plurality of pins are plastically deformed through a tool to hold the current collector (116) in place adjacent to the insulating sheet (122). The tool applies force on the head of the plurality of pins to

plastically deform the pins and rivet the current collector (116) to the insulating sheet (122). In such an embodiment, the current collector (116) has holes for locating the current collector (116) over the insulating sheet (122) through the plurality of pins. The plastic riveting may either be done through pressing the plurality of pins using a heated punch or ultrasonic vibration of the punch. According to another embodiment, the current collector (116) may be glued to the insulating sheet (122) using an adhesive.
The battery module (102) may further include an electrical connector (123) installed at an opening provided on one of sides of the cell holder (106). According to an embodiment, the electrical connector (123) may be glued at the periphery of the opening using an adhesive. According to another embodiment, the electrical connector (123) may be potted at the opening provided on the cell holder (106). According to yet another embodiment the electrical connector (123) may be screwed to the wall of the cell holder (106). The electrical connector (123) is connected to the current collector (116) through wires which electrically connects the plurality of cells (104) in desired series and parallel configuration. The wires may be connected to the current collector (116) through either soldering or ultrasonic welding. Additionally, the electrical connector (123) further connects thermistors which are affixed on to either the cell terminal or the current collector (116) through a thermally conductive adhesive for fetching cell temperature data. The electrical connector (123) further connects the battery module (102) to a battery management system (BMS). Generally, the BMS facilitates monitoring and controlling of the plurality of cells (104) by applying one or more hardware run algorithms for controlling power supply with respect to a load. The BMS further uses the voltage data of the cells connected in series and the cell temperature data from the thermistors to execute the hardware run algorithms. The BMS further ensures safe operation of the battery pack (100) during discharging and charging through various critical functions.
Referring back to Figure 1A, the battery pack (100) may further include a pack

constraining frame (124) supporting the at least one battery module (102). The pack constraining frame (124) may enable stacking of the least one battery module (102) to form the battery pack (100). According to an embodiment, the pack constraining frame (124) may provide structural stability to the battery pack (100) and may enable stacking of one or more elements of the battery pack (100). Further, the pack constraining frame (124) may simultaneously surround a portion of opposite sides of the battery module (102).
The battery pack (100) may further include a plurality of studs (126). The plurality of studs (126) may extend from a front peripheral face of the pack constraining frame (124) at front end of the battery pack (100) to a rear peripheral face of the pack constraining frame (124) at rear end of the battery pack (100) engaging with the at least one battery module (102). According to an embodiment, a plurality of tabs (127) having a plurality of holes is provided for installing the plurality of studs (126) through the at least one battery module (102). Additionally, the plurality of studs (126) is fastened against the pack constraining frame (124). Further, the plurality of holes on the tabs (127) constraints the battery pack (100) to a battery tray through bolting. Moreover, a set of studs (126a, 126b) from the plurality of studs (126) ensures that the terminals are effectively pressed against each other. The set of studs (126a, 126b) is in the vicinity of pack positive and negative terminals. Simultaneously, spring loaded contacts may be used to ensure the electrical connectivity.
The battery pack (100) may further include the end plate (128a, 128b) disposed at opposite ends of the battery pack (100) between the pack constraining frame (124) and the battery module (102). The end plate (128a) may be secured at front end of the battery pack (100) adjacent to and between the pack constraining frame (124) and the battery module (102). Similarly, the end plate (128b) may be secured at rear end of the battery pack (100) adjacent to and between the pack constraining frame (124) and the battery module (102). In addition, the end plates (128a and 128b) may have the at least one coolant port to allow the flow of the coolant fluid

into the battery pack (100) and out of the battery pack (100). Further, at extreme ends of the battery pack (100), the end plates (128a and 128b) may be installed which shut the additional coolant ports and may have a provision for connection with pack positive and negative terminals. Moreover, the first module terminal (118) and the second module terminal (120) close the electrical contact on stacking the at least one battery module (102) with the end plates (128a and 128b) to form the battery pack (100).
The battery pack (100) may further include a pack coolant inlet (130) to allow the coolant fluid to flow into the manifold of the at least one battery module (102). According to an embodiment, the pack coolant inlet (130) may allow flow of the coolant fluid from a coolant fluid reservoir to the manifold of the battery module (102) using a pumping device.
The battery pack (100) may further include a pack coolant outlet (132) (shown in fig. 1D). According to an embodiment, the pack coolant outlet (132) is diagonally opposite to the pack coolant inlet (130) of the battery pack (100). Additionally, the coolant fluid is allowed to discharge through the pack coolant outlet (132) after absorbing the heat generated by the plurality of cells (104) inside the battery pack (100).
Various modifications to these embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and the accompanying drawings. The principles associated with the various embodiments described herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown along with the accompanying drawings but is to be providing broadest scope of consistent with the principles and the novel and inventive features disclosed or suggested herein. Accordingly, the invention is anticipated to hold on to all other such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the present invention and appended claims.

We Claim:
1. A battery module (102), comprising:
a plurality of cells (104);
a cell holder (106) and a cell locator (108) each having a plurality of pockets for retaining the plurality of cells (104) inside the battery module (102), the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) operably assembled to form a manifold for partial submersion of the plurality of cells (102) within a coolant fluid and for flow of the coolant fluid;
a current collector (116) electrically coupled to the plurality of cells (104), the current collector (116) having a first module terminal (118) and a second module terminal (120); and
an insulating sheet (122) disposed between the cell locator (108) and the current collector (116),
wherein an interface between curved surface of the plurality of cells (104) and curved surface on the pockets of at least one of the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) is sealed using a sealant;
wherein an interface between the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) is sealed; and
wherein one of the first module terminal (118) and the second module terminal (120) extends throughout a length of the plurality of cells (104).
2. The battery module (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow of the coolant fluid in the battery module (102) is reversed at predefined intervals during high charging and discharging rates to ensure homogeneous cell surface temperature.
3. The battery module (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coolant fluid is one of a hydrocarbon-based dielectric oil and a deionized water.
4. The battery module (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coolant fluid is in contact with at least 70 percent of a curved surface area of the plurality of cells (104).

5. The battery module (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) each is having at least one coolant port for allowing the flow of the coolant fluid into the battery module (102) and out of the battery module (102), the coolant port is one of a female coolant port (110) and a male coolant port (112), the male coolant port (112) of the battery module (102) being arranged to be received in the female coolant port (110) of adjacent battery module.
6. The battery module (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface between the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) is sealed through one of a potting layer and an adhesive layer.
7. The battery module (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insulating sheet (122) is having a plurality of pins to locate the current collector (116), the plurality of pins are plastically deformed to hold the current collector (116) in place adjacent to the insulating sheet (122).
8. The battery module (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) are made of material selected from a group consisting of Nylon, High Crystalline Polypropylene, and Polypropylene Copolymer.
9. The battery module (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow of the coolant fluid is a cross flow which ensures efficient cooling of the plurality of cells (104).
10. A battery pack (100), comprising:
at least one battery module (102) being stacked to form the battery pack (100), the battery module (102) comprising:
a plurality of cells (104);
a cell holder (106) and a cell locator (108) each having a plurality of pockets for retaining the plurality of cells (104) inside the battery module (102), the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) operably assembled to form a manifold for partial submersion of the plurality of cells (104) within a coolant fluid and for flow of the coolant fluid;

a current collector (116) electrically coupled to the plurality of cells (104), the current collector (116) has a first module terminal (118) and a second module terminal (120), the first module terminal (118) and the second module terminal (120) of the battery module (102) are electrically connected to adjacent battery module to form the battery pack (100); and
an insulating sheet (122) disposed between the cell locator (108) and the current collector (116),
wherein an interface between curved surface of the plurality of cells (104) and curved surface on the pockets of at least one of the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) is sealed using a sealant;
wherein an interface between the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) is sealed; and
wherein one of the first module terminal (118) and the second module terminal (120) extends throughout a length of the plurality of cells (104).
11. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the flow of the coolant fluid in the at least one battery module (102) is reversed at predefined intervals during high charging and discharging rates to ensure homogeneous cell surface temperature within the battery pack (100).
12. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the coolant fluid is one of a hydrocarbon-based dielectric oil and a deionized water.
13. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the coolant fluid is in contact with at least 70 percent of a curved surface area of the plurality of cells (104).
14. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) each is having at least one coolant port for allowing the flow of the coolant fluid into the battery module (102) and out of the battery module (102), the coolant port is one of a female coolant port (110) and a male coolant port (112), the male coolant port (112) of the battery module (102)

being arranged to be received in the female coolant port (110) of adjacent battery module while forming the battery pack (100).
15. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 14, wherein a mechanical gasket is placed between the female coolant port (110) and the male coolant port (112) for sealing interconnections within the battery pack (100).
16. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the interface between the cell holder (106) and the cell locator (108) is sealed through one of a potting layer and an adhesive layer.
17. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the module terminals (118, 120) close an electrical contact on stacking the at least one battery module (102) to form the battery pack (100).
18. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 10, the battery pack (100) further comprising:
a pack constraining frame (124) supporting the at least one battery module (102);
a plurality of studs (126) extending from a peripheral face of the pack constraining frame (124) to engage with the at least one battery module (102);
an end plate (128) disposed at opposite ends of the battery pack (100) between the pack constraining frame (124) and the battery module (102);
a pack coolant inlet (130) to supply the coolant fluid to the manifold of the at least one battery module (102); and
a pack coolant outlet (132) for the coolant fluid to flow out of the battery pack (100).