US Patent 7510797 High capacity battery with integrally-powered cooling assembly

A high capacity battery including terminals on a terminal-bearing face thereof, and a plate member coupled in spaced-apart relationship to the terminal-bearing face to define a coolant gas flow space therebetween including a peripheral gap for coolant gas communication with an exterior environment of the battery. One or more motive coolant gas drivers is mounted on the plate member and arranged for effecting flow of coolant gas through the coolant gas flow space and the peripheral gap, and the motive coolant gas drivers are electrically coupled with the terminal-bearing face for powering of such drivers. Such high capacity battery can be substituted for a conventional battery in a battery-powered apparatus such as a forklift vehicle, to provide extended use operation as a result of the on-board thermal management capability of the battery.