Patent attributes
A battery thermal management system for an air vehicle includes a liquid heat exchange circuit, an air heat exchange circuit in selective fluid communication with ram air, a liquid-air heat exchanger positioned on the liquid heat exchange circuit and the air heat exchange circuit to exchange heat therebetween. The system includes at least one battery in thermal communication with the liquid heat exchange circuit. The at least one battery is configured to charge and/or discharge to heat the at least one battery above a pre-determined minimum battery temperature. A method for controlling a thermal management system for an air vehicle includes determining if at least one battery is within a thermal range of operation for heating. The method includes charging and/or discharging the at least one battery to heat the at least one battery if the at least one battery is within the thermal range of operation for heating.