Battery cell including a selectively activated fluid inlet

A vehicle comprising:

• a body including a passenger compartment;
• a drive motor mounted in the body;
• and
• a rechargeable energy storage system including a battery assembly mounted to the body, the battery assembly comprising:
• a battery module comprising:
• a module housing including a plurality of walls defining an interior;
• an amount of fluid arranged in the interior;
• a plurality of battery cells arranged in the interior and at least partially immersed in the amount of fluid, each of the plurality of battery cells including a cell can having an interior portion defined by a first wall member, a second wall member arranged opposite the first wall member, a first side wall member, and a second side wall member extending between and connected with the first wall member and the second wall member, the second wall member including a vent;
• and
• an electrode stack arranged in the interior portion,
• wherein the cell can includes a thermally responsive fluid inlet arranged in one of the first wall member, second wall member, first side wall member, and the second side wall member, the thermally responsive fluid inlet selectively exposing the interior portion of the cell can to the amount of fluid contained in the interior of the module housing.

A method of cooling a battery cell, the method comprising:

• venting high temperature, high pressure gases from the battery cell through a vent;
• activating a thermally responsive fluid inlet with the high temperature, high pressure gases;
• forcing the thermally responsive fluid inlet closed with the high temperature, high pressure gases after activating the thermally responsive fluid inlet;
• opening the thermally responsive fluid inlet;
• and
• flooding the battery cell with fluid passing through the thermally responsive fluid inlet.