Patent ID: 7607501

Claim:
A cooling system for a battery in a vehicle having a passenger compartment, the cooling system comprising: an air intake for receiving air from an ambient environment outside the vehicle; a duct system capable of providing communication between the air intake and the battery, the duct system being configured to inhibit air flow between the duct system and the vehicle passenger compartment, the duct system including a first structure movable between a first position for facilitating communication between the air intake and the battery, while inhibiting recirculation of air across the battery, and a second position for inhibiting communication between the air intake and the battery, while facilitating recirculation of air across the battery; a fan cooperating with the duct system for moving air through at least a portion of the duct system and across the battery; and a heat exchanger cooperating with the duct system and selectively operable to cool air flowing in the duct system before the flowing air reaches the battery.