Patent ID: 8734975

Claim:
A modular thermal management system for a traction battery in an electric vehicle, the thermal management system comprising: a plurality of manifold segments each having a female end and a male end, the male end receivable in the female end of an adjacent manifold segment to form a compact coupling joint when two manifold segments are coupled longitudinally; a plurality of retention features formed along an exterior surface of the manifold segments, at least one retention feature formed at each of the female end and at the male end, wherein each of the retention features includes an elevated portion that extends above the exterior surface of the manifold segments; and at least one manifold clip for securing two adjacent manifold segments, the manifold clip bridging the coupling joint and engaging the retention features on each of the two manifold segments, thereby inhibiting separation longitudinally between the two manifold segments, wherein the manifold clip includes at least one anti-rotation claw, the anti-rotation claw engaging one of the elevated portions to minimize rotation of the manifold clip with respect to the manifold segments.