How a Battery Heats Itself in the Cold for Better Performance
This patent describes a rechargeable battery that can warm itself up in freezing temperatures by temporarily increasing its internal electrical resistance, then switching back to normal operation for full power.
Original patent title: “All climate battery and manufacturing and using the same”
This patent describes a rechargeable battery that can warm itself up in freezing temperatures by temporarily increasing its internal electrical resistance, then switching back to normal operation for full power. Granted to EC Power in 2018 with 28 claims and 8 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2034.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent details a rechargeable battery designed to work well in all climates. It includes a standard internal resistance (R1) for normal operation and a second, higher internal resistance (R2) created by a special "resistor sheet" located inside or next to a battery cell (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1, 2). When the battery is cold, below a certain temperature (T1), a "switch" connects this resistor sheet to the battery's terminals (Claim 1, 13). This causes current to flow through the higher resistance (R2), generating heat internally to warm the battery quickly (AbstractabstractA short summary at the front of the patent describing the invention. Not legally binding.Read more →). Once the battery reaches a normal operating temperature (T2), the switch disconnects the resistor sheet, and the battery operates with its lower, normal resistance (R1), delivering full power and energy (Abstract). For example, an electric vehicle battery could use this to rapidly warm itself on a freezing morning, ensuring optimal range and acceleration from the start.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover battery heating systems that use external heating elements, rather than an internal resistor sheet (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1 specifies the resistor sheet is "within or adjacent a cell").
- Does not cover batteries that generate heat through chemical reactions without an additional, switchable high-resistance electrical circuit (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1 defines R1 and R2 electrically).
- Does not cover systems that lack a switch to change between a high-resistance heating mode and a lower-resistance operating mode (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1 requires "a switch configured to electrically connect or disconnect").
- Does not cover batteries where the high-resistance element is not connected via an additional terminal (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1 specifies "at least one high resistance terminal").
- Does not cover batteries that only have a single, fixed internal resistance, regardless of temperature.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The innovation lies in integrating a dedicated, switchable heating element directly inside the battery cell. This allows the battery to use its own electrical power to rapidly and efficiently warm itself from within, rather than relying on external heaters, and then seamlessly switch to optimal performance once warm.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Electric vehicle battery packs designed for cold climates
Drones operating in arctic or high-altitude environments
Outdoor energy storage systems in regions with harsh winters
Portable electronic devices used in subfreezing temperatures
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Batteries, especially lithium-ion types, perform poorly in cold weather, losing capacity and power. This patent offers a solution by allowing the battery to quickly warm itself from the inside, significantly improving performance in subfreezing conditions. This is crucial for electric vehicles, drones, and other battery-powered devices that need reliable operation across diverse climates, extending their usability and lifespan.
Filed
April 17, 2014
Granted
January 30, 2018
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
EC Power LLC, the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, is actively developing and commercializing this self-heating battery technology. Major electric vehicle battery manufacturers like CATL, LG Energy Solution, and Panasonic are also investing heavily in improving cold-weather battery performance, often exploring similar internal heating strategies to enhance their products for global markets.
Market impact
This technology addresses a critical limitation of batteries in cold climates, which previously hindered the adoption of electric vehicles and other battery-powered systems in colder regions. By enabling rapid self-heating, it improves battery performance, extends range, and reduces charging times in freezing conditions. This innovation helps expand the market for battery-dependent products into more diverse geographical areas, making them more practical and reliable for a wider user base.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent details a rechargeable battery designed to work well in all climates. It includes a standard internal resistance (R1) for normal operation and a second, higher internal resistance (R2) created by a special "resistor sheet" located inside or next to a battery cell (Claim 1, 2). When the battery is cold, below a certain temperature (T1), a "switch" connects this resistor sheet to the battery's terminals (Claim 1, 13). This causes current to flow through the higher resistance (R2), generating heat internally to warm the battery quickly (Abstract). Once the battery reaches a normal operating temperature (T2), the switch disconnects the resistor sheet, and the battery operates with its lower, normal resistance (R1), delivering full power and energy (Abstract). For example, an electric vehicle battery could use this to rapidly warm itself on a freezing morning, ensuring optimal range and acceleration from the start.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in integrating a dedicated, switchable heating element directly inside the battery cell. This allows the battery to use its own electrical power to rapidly and efficiently warm itself from within, rather than relying on external heaters, and then seamlessly switch to optimal performance once warm.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover battery heating systems that use external heating elements, rather than an internal resistor sheet (Claim 1 specifies the resistor sheet is "within or adjacent a cell").
- Does not cover batteries that generate heat through chemical reactions without an additional, switchable high-resistance electrical circuit (Claim 1 defines R1 and R2 electrically).
- Does not cover systems that lack a switch to change between a high-resistance heating mode and a lower-resistance operating mode (Claim 1 requires "a switch configured to electrically connect or disconnect").
- Does not cover batteries where the high-resistance element is not connected via an additional terminal (Claim 1 specifies "at least one high resistance terminal").
- Does not cover batteries that only have a single, fixed internal resistance, regardless of temperature.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
19/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
19/20
Very broad protection
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$87K – $280K
Midpoint $175K · 7.6 yr remaining · industry ×1.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
28 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
GE, S., & Wang, C. (2018). How a Battery Heats Itself in the Cold for Better Performance (U.S. Patent No. 9,882,197). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9882197/all-climate-battery-and-manufacturing-and-using-the-same
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How a Battery Heats Itself in the Cold for Better Performance cover?
This patent describes a rechargeable battery that can warm itself up in freezing temperatures by temporarily increasing its internal electrical resistance, then switching back to normal operation for full power.
Who owns patent US 9882197?
EC Power owns this patent, granted in 2018.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on April 17, 2034, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 9882197 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 8 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
Batteries, especially lithium-ion types, perform poorly in cold weather, losing capacity and power. This patent offers a solution by allowing the battery to quickly warm itself from the inside, significantly improving performance in subfreezing conditions. This is crucial for electric vehicles, drones, and other battery-powered devices that need reliable operation across diverse climates, extending their usability and lifespan.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover battery heating systems that use external heating elements, rather than an internal resistor sheet (Claim 1 specifies the resistor sheet is "within or adjacent a cell").
Same assignee
More from EC Power
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