CONTROL OF THERMAL RUNAWAY EVENT IN BATTERY SYSTEM

A method of controlling a thermal runaway event in a battery system having first and second battery modules. The method includes detecting a thermal runaway event in the first battery module, and, in response to the detection of the thermal runaway event, determining whether an electrical current is flowing through the first battery module. The method also includes electrically decoupling the first battery module from the second battery module in response to the detection of the thermal runaway event, if the current is not flowing through the first battery module. Furthermore, the method includes electrically connecting the second battery module to an electrical load to discharge the second module through the load, if the current is determined to be flowing through the first battery module or after decoupling the first module. Discharging the second battery module is intended to control propagation of the thermal runaway event through the second module.