Thermal management system including phase-change materials having different phase-change temperatures for an on-vehicle battery

A thermal management system for an on-vehicle battery, comprising:

• a battery attached to a vehicle body structure via a plurality of battery mounting brackets, a plurality of first thermal elements;
• and a plurality of second thermal elements;
• wherein the battery is arranged as a rectangular prism including first and second side portions, first and second end portions, a top portion and a bottom portion;
• wherein each of the battery mounting brackets includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is in physical contact with the vehicle body structural element and wherein the second portion is in physical contact with and coextensive with one of the first thermal elements;
• wherein each of the first thermal elements is interposed between one of the battery mounting brackets and one of the first and second side portions, the first and second end portions, the top portion and the bottom portion of the battery;
• wherein the second thermal elements are in physical contact with and coextensive with at least one of the first and second side portions, the first and second end portions, the top portion and the bottom portion of the battery that are not attached to one of the battery mounting brackets;
• wherein the first thermal elements are composed from a first phase-change material having a first solid-liquid phase-change temperature;
• wherein the second thermal elements are composed from a second phase-change material having a second solid-liquid phase-change temperature;
• and
• wherein the first solid-liquid phase-change temperature is greater than the second solid-liquid phase-change temperature.