Bimodal electric vehicle battery system

Abstract

The capacity of a nickel hydroxide based battery is increased when recharge is carried out at a much lower temperature than its discharge. In the instance of a vehicle including a load powered by a nickel oxide-hydrogen battery, a generator is provided for recharging the battery. A switch is selectively movable between a first position electrically coupling the battery to the load for operating the load and a second position electrically coupling the battery to the generator for recharging. Temperature control apparatus maintains the temperature of the battery at a first temperature in the range of approximately 10.degree. C. to 50.degree. C. when the battery is electrically coupled to the load and is operable for maintaining the battery at a second temperature substantially lower than the first temperature and in the range of approximately 10.degree. C. to -30.degree. C. when the battery is electrically coupled to the generator. When the battery is used to propel the vehicle, the temperature control apparatus may include a stationary heat exchanger external to the vehicle to which the battery can be coupled for cooling and an external source of EMF may also be provided to which the battery can be coupled for recharging.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.