Patent ID: 8247097
Filing Date: 2012-08-21
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling battery pack humidity, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first air passageway between a battery pack enclosure and a desiccant enclosure, wherein said battery pack enclosure is configured to hold a plurality of batteries and said desiccant enclosure is configured to contain a volume of desiccant; providing a second air passageway between said desiccant enclosure and a volume of air external to said battery pack enclosure and external to said desiccant enclosure; removing water vapor from said battery pack enclosure, wherein said water vapor is absorbed and adsorbed by said volume of desiccant; determining if said volume of desiccant has lost absorption/adsorption efficacy; outputting a first heater control signal when it is determined that said volume of desiccant has lost absorption/adsorption efficacy; closing said first air passageway and opening said second air passageway after receipt of said first heater control signal; heating said volume of desiccant in situ within said desiccant enclosure upon receipt of said first heater control signal, wherein said step of heating said volume of desiccant further comprises the step of reactivating said volume of desiccant; outputting a second heater control signal after a preset period of time has passed since initiation of said step of heating said volume of desiccant; opening said first air passageway and closing said second air passageway after receipt of said second heater control signal; and terminating said heating step upon receipt of said second heater control signal.