c2 United States Patent Johnston et al. ‘USO10828582B2 US 10,828,582 B2 Noy. 10, 2020 (10) Patent No.: (45) Date of Patent: os) om 2) 3) o a @) (6) @) () (2) (58) PASSIVE AIR BLEED FOR IMPROVED COOLING SYSTEMS Applicant: Tesla, In., Palo Alto, CA (US) Inventors: Vineent G. Johnston, Oakland, MI (US); Paul Daniel Yeomans, S Oxfordshire (GB); Rieeardo Mareo Pagliarella, San Francisco, CA (US) Assignee: Tesla, Ine. Palo Alto, CA (US) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35, US.C. 1540) by 136 days, Appl. No. 157820,788 Filed: Nov. 22, 2017 Prior Publication Ds US 20180117498 Al May 3, 2018 Related US. Application Data Continuation of application No, 13/489,560, filed on Jun. 6, 2012, now abandoned, Int. Cl BoLD 19/00 (2006.01) FRE 92 (2006.01), us. cl, cre BOLD 19/0052 (2013.01); F28F 9/02 (2013.01); F28F 2265/18 (201301): YIOT 137/3084 (2015.08) Field of Classification Search CPC ... BOID 1910042; F28F 2265/18; F28F 9102; YIOT 1373084 usec 310/52 ‘Soo application file for complete search history. 66) References Cited US. PATENT DOCUMENTS. 1.646.070 A. 2336.068. 2Be.145 A 3ass300 A 101927 Smith 121945 Habe 219M Heiney 6196 Epp Bennet Moranie Nilleval Aaya et Nilleval Cars Goode ASIC 106 Osi 101970 1988 71984 vig 1985 61986 1988 Fico 621502 ‘31988. Polidori ot 81988. Temmesfel etal M198 Schule (Continved) Primary Examiner — Alex W Mok (74) Atomnes, Agent, or Firm — Knobbe Martens Okon & Bear LLP) on ABSTRACT An electric vehicle drive unit includes an inverter, a gear box, am eletric motor coupled to the inverter and to the gear box. a cooling jacket, and coupled tothe gear box, a main coolant inlet, a coolant outlet, and an exteral passive air bleed device: The cooling jacket has a cooling chamber and surrounds atleast a portion of the electric moter. The main coolant inlet coup esto the cooling jacket. The caclant outlet, is located at a lower portion of the gear box. The external passive ar bleed device runs between an upper portion ofthe cooling jacket and the coolant outlet. The inverter may couple toa ist sie of the gearbox and the eletrie motor ‘may couple to a second side of the gear box such thatthe inverter and the electric motor reside on opposite sides ofthe gear box, 13 Claims, 6 Drawing SheetsUS 10,828,582 B2 Page 2 (56) References Cited US. PATENT DOCUMENTS: 698,890 BL* 1206 Malbie FB Us 417201 1.681597 B2_ 2010 Savage al 2u07]193291 AL* $2007 Reddin Boot 100387 229) 20070199318 AI* 82007 Wood FB 290475 601509 20070298825 AL* 122007 McNaughton .... BOOS 1487 27123 B 20100033038 AI* 22010 Woody isk 6365 3104 201L/0296855 At 122011 Johnson ta 20120090848 AI 42012 ORourke eta. 20120168125 AL 72012 Johnston ta 20120180097 AL 72012 Jonson et 30120183815 AL 72012 Jason eta * cited by examinerUS. Patent Nov. 10, 2020 Sheet 1 of 6 US 10,828,582 B2 140 135 FIG. 1US. Patent Nov. 10, 2020 Sheet 2 of 6 US 10,828,582 B2 200 \ 130 205 \ 20 210 140 120 FIG. 2 4 \os FIG. 3US. Patent Nov. 10, 2020 Sheet 3 of 6 US 10,828,582 B2 400. 440 405 415 FLUID DEAEREATE [RESERVOIR PROCESS! PUMPING | | | | | | | | | | | | | 200 | 125 } | 205 | | | | | | | | yy FIG. 4US. Patent Nov. 10,2020 Sheet 4 of 6 US 10,828,582 B2US. Patent Nov. 10,2020 Sheet 5 of 6 US 10,828,582 B2US 10,828,582 B2 Sheet 6 of 6 Nov. 10, 2020 USS. PatentUS 10,828,582 B2 1 PASSIVE AIR BLEED FOR IMPROVED. ‘COOLING SYSTEMS (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION ‘The preset US. Uility Patent Application claims priority pursuant t0 35 USC. § 120 asa continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 13/489,560, entitled “PASSIVE AIR BLEED FOR IMPROVED COOLING SYSTEMS," filed un, 6, 2012, which is hereby incorporated herein by refer- ‘ence ints entirety and made part ofthe present U.S. Utility Patent Application forall purposes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ‘The present invention relates generally to emoval of gas, interference in a liquid manifold, and more specifically to liquid cooling, and more specifically, but ot exclusively, to passive air removal from a heat tansferor that employs Tiquid coolant, For purposes ofthis application, the term liquid eootaat hheat exchanger encompasses mechanisms that use a liquid fluid (hereafer just “liquid” identifying the Tiguid subset of fluid phases) to promote heat transfer from one set of 2 ‘components ofa system to another set of components in ‘onder to maintain a desired operating temperature The liguid includes water, water mixtures (eg, glycol! ‘water formulations), vils,delecses, and the ike. Te iquid is used in cooperation with an interface for heat exehange that provides a iguid-o-arineface ofa liguido-iguid imteriae. These interfaces inchude heat exchangers known 8 radiators, coolers, cold plate heatsinks, cooling jacks, ‘and tho like hat mavelguid elatve tothe intriaee in oder to tanser heat Cooling effeetiveness depends. upon several factors including thennal impedance ofthe heat exchange atthe interface. The thennal impedance i adversely allected when ‘movement ofthe liquid is impaired or when the quid does not diet contac the inteeace. The greater the impairment in igi flow or decrease in surlace area contac, the more that the thermal impedance increases and heat transfer elceney declines. A common source of impsiment or surface area contact decreas sar entrapment atthe inter- face, Air may be inadvertently intrevce (though in other contexts airs purposefillyintruced) int the liquid and ‘movereat ofthe entapped air in the Liquid low causes the Tiguid steam and the airflow direction to diverge, particn- larly when entering into chambers, manfols and the ike. ‘Thebvoyaney ofthe sircausesito rise and accumulate, and ifthe rising ai accumulates at aerial interes, cooting cflectivenes can be degraded. Conventional guid heat exchangers and liquid cooling systems are typically designed with pathways inthe cooing circuit that allow air to migrate cut ofthe cooling cet vin buovaney, in many’ cases by placing an otlet atthe top of the component though which coolant is ewig or avoiding internal high points, cavities and. pockets that make it dificult forthe id to cay air though the component without itheing rapped. In oer design itations, ative air scrubbers are regired to remeve ai rom highpoint in the system or components being cooked. In some design situations there are constraints fom ‘component packaging and coolant ine routing that require component eookntiales and outlets to be both on the bottom, Soch @ design can result in a situation where air either ses above the igi and eretes an ar pocket, oF the x0 ” 4s 0 © 2 cooling system cannot be filled without leaving a large {quantity of sr trapped inthe upper portion ofthe component ‘once the cooling system pumps sre engaged. ‘What is needed is a system and method for passively removing accumulated gas from manifold or thermal transfer interface that employs a moving liquid BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ‘The accompanying figures, in. which Tike reference ‘aumerals refer to identical or functionaly-similar elements, throughout the separate views and which are ineoeporated in and fom. a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention, FIG. 1 illustates a perspective view of a manifold in which entrapped gas introduced from an inlet port accum- Iates at a top; FIG, 2 illstates a side view of an improved manifold including an internal passive air bled device; FIG, 3 illustrates @ side view of an improved manifold including an extemal passive air bled deviee; FIG. 4 illustrates a coolant system using a passive air bleed device; FIG. 5 illustrates a radiator employing an intemal passive air bleed device; FIG, 6 illustrates the rdiator of FIG. § with a cutaway revealing the intemal passive ai bleed device: and FIG. 7 illusrates a drive unit for an electric vehicle incorporating an external passive air bleed device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION. Embodiments of the present invention provide a system. ‘and method for passively removing accumulated gas from a ‘manifold or thermal transfer interface that employs a mov ing liquid. The following deseription is presented to enable ‘one of ordinary ski inthe at to make and use the invention and is provided in the context ofa patent application and its requirements. ‘Various modifications to the prefered embodiment and the gener principles and features deseribed herein will be readily apparent to those skilld in the at. Ths, the present invention isnot intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but isto be accorded the widest soape consistent with, the principles and features described herein. FIG. 1 illustates a perspective view of a manifold 100. ‘Manifold 100 includes a sealed housing with one or more inlets 108 and one or more outlets 110. An input steam 115, of a first moving fuid enters an inlet 108 and begins to fill a chamber 120 of manifold 100. At some point, an output steam 128 of a second moving Mud exits manifold 100 at an outlet 110. Depending upon an arrangement of inlets 105, ‘and outlets 110, and relative low rates of input steam 115, and output stream 125, chamber 120 fills with a manifold uid. The manifold ud is responsible for implementing the finetion of the manifold by interation with elements of ‘manifold 100. ‘Manifold 100 preferably includes one or more rig wall orming the enclosed space and may be virally any shape. Inlet 105 and outlet 10 (collectively ‘ports”) are cannulated structures including a channel, with circular, square, or ther crose-seetions for an outer Wall and a perimeter of theUS 10,828,582 B2 eS channel. Typically the ports and channels both have circular cross-sections and are integrated or joined to a wall of manifold 100, Input stream 118 ineludes 2 mixture of frst uid witha second fluid that separate when entering chamber 120, The separation is due to differences in densities, with one (ex, the second fuid) more “buoyant” than the other (ie the ist fluid). The first fluid is often the desired manifold fluid and the second fuid is inadvertently mixed into the manifold ‘ud from pumping, cooling, andthe ike. The second Muid accumulates in chamber 120 (e., at a portion 130) and iterferes wit the manifold fluid interaction. In this context, either of the fuids may one oF more Figuids, one oF more ‘gasses, or combinations thereof. ‘The accumulation ofa uid (eg. gs) at an undesired location in a chamber may occur in other contexts besides, Separation of an incoming fluid mixture into constituent part. In some contexts, nucleate boiling may occur on an inner surface, such boiling producing bubbles that release ‘and accumulate within chamber 120, Bubbles may also be created in a bio-eactor resulting. rom a chemical, biologi- cal, or other process, particularly when enlanced through addition of heat. In other contexts, a pump for circulation of the laid may cause cavitation that introduces bubbles In some sitnatons, micro bubbles may be created in a circulating fuid stream that are too small to have sullicient buoyaacy to separate in conventional deaeraton systems. ‘One reason is thatthe miero bubbles are readily entrained in the moving fd and do not accumulate as long asthe Bid is moving. However, when circulation stops, the bubbles are able o rise and accumulate in local high spots, such a in a radiator oF a motor cooling jacket. “The manifold arrangements and functions, Sid types, fluid separation modalities, and manifold Muid interactions (and interferences) can vary widely within the spirit ofthe present invention. AS an aid to understanding the preseat invention, a specific embodiment is described and is not to be taken as limiting the scope ofthe present invention. The following explanation details specific example fora liquid ‘cooled heat transfer device used in an eletric vehicle (EV), ‘Manifold 100 as a heat transfer device may thus represent heat exchanger (eg, 2 radiator, a transmnission/gear cooler, ‘8 cold plate heat sink a cooling jacket, and the like). A heat transfer device includes a heat transfer interface surface (ea, a back wall 138 of manifold 100) disposed within chamber 120 that is in thermal communication with an object (e.g, 2 material, component, device, structure, or the like) that is to be cooled. A liguid coolant (ez, a water! ‘lycol mixture) enters chamber 120 from ialet 108 and then ‘contaets and moves relative to back wall 138 to transfer eat from the object to the coolant. The transfer of heat causes the coolant within chamber 120 to become heated. The heated coolant exits from chamber 120 via outlet 110 and is replaced with cooler fluid entering trom inlet 108, The ‘exiting coolant is cooled and recirculated back to inet 105 to maintain the objoct within a desired temperature range. ‘The heat exchanger has a cooling efficiency that depends upon several factors including an ficiency of the heat transfer interaction of the coolant at the beat transfer inter- face surface (back wall 135 in this case). Tis the case that input stream 115 does not inchude coolant only, but includes a coolant mixed with a second fui. In this example, the coolant is mixed with air (the second uid in this example). As this coolanvsir mixture ‘enters into chamber 120, the ait separates from the coolaat and accumulates at porto 130. The accumulated air in portion 130 displaces coolant and limitsfinterferes with the x0 ” 4s 0 © 4 cooling interaction ofthe coolant over a portion ofa surface area of back wall 138, This interference degrades the cooling efficiency and can cause a hotspot, an undesired temperature rise of the object or portion thereof, of other undesired condition. For this arrangement of air mixed into coolant, the air is less dense and its buoyancy causes the air to rise which Tocates portion 130 a he top of chamber 120. Manifold 100, includes a lateral wall 140 of chamber 120 that defines an aperture 148. An opening of outlet 110 is connected to aperture 145 and is part of the route that fluid exiting from ‘manifold 190 takes when lowing to, and through, outlet 110. In some eases, it may be possible o locate aperture 148 at the top of chamber 120 in portion 130 in onder to limit, ‘accumulation of air within ehamber 120, However, in cases where a location for outlet 110 is constrained and must be located further towards bottom of chamber 120, the mone risk there is that air will accumulate ia portion 130 and degrade the desired cooling interaction, with portion 130 expanding in volume as more ai accumulates In the context of the present application, up (including terms such as fop/upper) and down (including terms such 2s bottonvlower) are determined by gravitational potential. Itis grvitaional potential that cause density and buoyancy dilrences between the frst uid and mixed second fuid to be important considerations for fluid separation and accu- ‘mulation within chamber 120, FIG. 2ilustrates a side view of an improved manifold 200, including manifold 100 of FIG. 1 and an internal passive ait bleed device 205. Improved manifold 200 is similar to ‘manifold 100 except tat the amount of socumulating gas is passively controlled using interal passive air bleed device 208. Outlet 110is disposed below a level of portion 130, ad ‘more preferably ata bottom of chamber 120, Potion 130 is, disposed at the top of ehamnber 120 when improved maxifold 200 operates using coolan/air mixtures fr input steam 115, Intemal passive air bleed device 203 is a cannulated structure including a channel 210 provided within an outer wall 215, with circular, square, or other cross-sections for channel 210 and outer wall 218. (Iypically the wall and channel both have a circular erosssection,) In FIG. 2, ‘internal passive ar bleed device 208 i a rig tube having ‘proximal end 220 provided with frst opening and a distal end 228 provided with a second opening. Channel 210 couples the first opening to the second opening, InFIG. 2, intemal passive sir bleed device 208 is mounted inside improved manifold 200, Proximal end 220s disposed ‘near portion 130 and distal end 225 is disposed within outlet, 110 ata point euside of chamber 120, Fluid flow through improved manifold 200 produces a jet effect in which a velocity of output stream 128 is faster than fhid flowing inside chamber 120, Consequently, a static pressure in outlet 110 is lower than. a state pressure inside chamber 120. Placement ofthe first opening of intemal passive air bleed ‘device 205 inside chamber 120 and placement ofthe second ‘pening oF internal passive air bleed device 208 inside outlet, 110 creates a pressure differential that draws in hid proxi- ‘mate proximal end 220 to be exited a distal end 225, Setting the height of the first opening of intemal passive air bleed device 208 within chamber 120 determines maximum height of portion 130 and # maximum quantity of accumu Tated gas. As portion 130 increases, for example because of additional accumulation of gas, a boundary of portion 130 moves downward. When the boundary reaches the first opening, accumulated gas enters and is moved through channel 210 to exit from the second opening in outlet 110. Counterating effects of a rate of gas accumulation fromUS 10,828,582 B2 5 input stream 118 versus gas depletion though intra pusiveaie bled dovie 208 determines the atl boundary Tocaton, As Tong as there is a pressure differential, act mulated gos below a level of the fist opening of internal passive air bled device 208 contines to be depleted from chamber 120. The pressure differential exists a long asad is Mowing through improved manifold 200, “Pasive™ in the context of internal pusive air Blew! device 208 means non-motorized, non powered. IG. 3 llsirates side view ofan improve manifold 300 including manifold 100 of FIG. 1 and an exteral passive sie bleed device 308. Improved manifold 300 is similar to ‘manila 100 except thatthe amount of accumlating as is passively controlled using extemal passive air bled device 305, Ouilt 110s disposed below a evel of potion 130, and ‘more preferably at a bottom of chamber 120, Portion 130s Alispsed atthe top of chamber 120 when improved manifold ‘30 operates using colanlae mixtures for input steam IIS External passive air Bleed device 30S is a cannulated strocre including a channel 310 peovidd within an outer wall 315, with circular, square, oF other eros-seetions for uae! 310 and outer wall 318, (Typically the wall and channel both have a cieular cross-section) In FIG. 3, ‘exteral pestive air Bleed devie 305 is gid the having ‘proximal end 320 provided witha fst opening anda distal end 328 provide with @ second opening. Channel 310 ‘couples the fist opening tothe second opening. In FIG. 3, extemal passive air bleed device 308 is ‘mounted substantially outside improved manifold. 300. Proximal end 320 pases through ltr wall 140 and is disposed near portion 130 and distal end 325 is disposed ‘within tet 110 a a point cutside of chamber 120, Fluid How though iamproved manifold 300 produces jet effect a ‘which 4 velocity of outpt steam 128 is faster than Did Flowing inside chamber 120, Consoquealy a static presie in outlet 10 is lowe than a static pressive inside chamber 120, Placement of the fst opening of external passive sir blead device 308 inside chamber 120 and placement of the second opening of extemal passive air bleed device 305, inside outlet 110 creates a pressure dilleential that draws in fluid proximate proximal end 320 tobe exited at distal end 4325. Setting the height of the fist opening of external passive air bled device 38 within chamber 120 determines ‘8 maximum height of portion 130 and a maximum quantity of accumulated as. AS portion 130 increases, for example ‘cause of addtional accumulation of gas, 2 boundary of potion 130 moves downward, When the boundary reaches the fst opening, accumulated gas enters and is moved trough channel 310 to exit fom the second opening in ‘outlet 110, Counteracting efets of arate of gas aecurnla- tion from input steam 115 versus gas depletion through external passive air blood device 38 detemines the acta boundary location. As long as theresa pressure differential, socumulated gas below a level of the fist opening of external passive air bleed device 305 is depleted from chamber 120. The pressure differential exists as long as id is lowing troogh improved manifold 300, “Pasive™ inthe context of extemal passive air bleed device 308 means non-motorized, non powered FG. 4 ilstates a coolant sytem 400 using improved ‘manifold 200 (it being understod that improved manifold 300 could be substituted for improved manifold 200). In ‘dition to improved. manifold 200, coolant system 400 includes a de-aeration subsystem 408, @ reservoir 410, and 2 fd processing subsystem 5 (often desertion is inte gtd ito the reservoir) Coolant system 400 as strated Snuplitcation of a actual coolant system for use With x0 ” 4s 0 © 6 a vehicle. Improved manifold 200 operates as described herein with heated ovtpot stream 125 including a coolant having gas drawn through internal passive air bleed device 205 mixed therein. De-eration subsystem 405 processes heated output stream 125 and removes the mixed-in ga. Coolant, with reduced amounts of inter-mixed air, is then moved into reservoir 410. Subsystem 41S processes coolant {rom reservoir 410 (for example cools it and pumps it) and returns it to improved manifold 200 to be used to maintain a temperature of the associated object within temperature thresholds, Subsystem 415 also collectively represen the various processes and funetions that inadvertently introduce and mix gas into the coolant. Improved manifold. 200 provides an option for designers of coolant system 400 t0 reduce the heat transfer interferences resulting from accu- ‘ulation ofthis inadvertently introduced gas. FIG, 5 illustrates a radiator 500 employing an internal passive air bleed device, and FIG. illustrates radiator 500, with a cutaway ofa portion of an inlet tank S08 revealing fan internal passive air blood device 608, Radistor 500, includes inlet tank 508 coupled to an ilet $10 and aa outlet, S15. Coolant flowing into inlet tank $08 is distributod and circulated through cooling tubes 825 before entering into a second tank $20 asa cooled coolant. first opening 610 of internal passive sir bleed device 60S is set high in inet tank 508 to help inhibit any air accumulation from interfering With coolant flow through any of cooting tubes $25. A. second opening 615 of internal passive ar Bleed device 60S is shown disposed inside outlet $15 and outside of inlet tank 508. FIG, 7 illustrates a dive unit 700 for an electric vehicle incorporating. an external passive air bleed device 708, similar to extemal passive air bloed device 308 shown in FIG. 3. Drive unit 700 includes an inverier 710 on a lefi-hand side of the ilusation, a gear box 71S in the middle, and an electric motor 721 having. a cooling jacket ‘720 on right-hand side. A main coolant inlet (aot shown) is pearan axis of the motor housing anda coolant outlet 725, (similar to outlet 110) is positioned at a bottom of wear box 7S nea inverter 710, External passive sir bleed device 705, i a small line that runs outside drive unit 700 from a top point neara junction of gearbox 718 andl cooling jacket 720, Coolant enters into the main coolant inlet and enters into «cooling chamber of cooling jacket 720, The coolant cools the electric motor 721 as it flows through the cooling chamber towards outlet 725, External passive air bleed device 705 removes accumulated air from cooling jacket "720 by entaining it into coolant exiting from outlet 725 28 described herein, While the above description as focused principally on use of local passive sir bleed devices for cooling embodi- ‘ments in the context of re-entraining Separated fhids from coolant mixtures, there are a wide variety of potential applications and embodiments of the present invention, some of which have been suggested herein. ln the context of a bio-reactor or other sealed manifold, some applications may desirably have a defined gas volume above a Figuid volume, This may be for chemical or bio-resetions or the Tike. Use ofa passive air bleed device responsive to a fhid stream into and out of the sealed manifold would allow for continuous introduction of @ gas info the sealed manifold ‘while maintaining a specific concentration of gas species in the defined gas volume. The gas volume is set by placement ‘and operation ofthe passive ar bleed device and fuid flow ‘ates as discussed herein long with a height and shape of the sealed manifoldUS 10,828,582 B2 7 ‘The system and methods above has been described in ‘general terms as an aid to understanding detils of prefered ‘embodiments of the present invention. In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components andor methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present inveation. In some embodiments, itis most convenient and reliable to dispose the distal end ofa passive bleed device in ‘an outlet coupled to the same chamber that includes the proximal end. Other embodiments need not be so config- ured, with the distal end disposed in any lower pressure region (as compared toa statie pressure at the proximal end). “The alterative location for te distal end may be another cutlet or other system passively producing a reliable low slate pressure region, preferably a local region. This is not to be construed as, and is different from, a traditional bleed system where a bleed por is placed ata top ofa radiator and routed to a reservoir, from which aay ai stays in the reservoir while circulating coolant passing through the bleed system is drawn back into the bottom of the main coolaat slream from an outlet a a bottom ofthe reservoir. benefit of the present embodiment is that the passive air bleed device is located in proximity or inside of the chamber Which i being de-eerated, and does not require bleed Hine to a reservoie In some vehicles, the chamber (eg, 2 motor jacket) is at an opposite end of the vehicle from the reservoir ‘which, for’ conventional system, would require a dedicated bleed ine running fom one end to the other For reliability and dependability, particularly in eritical applications, embodiments forthe passive Bleed device will bo rigidly mounted, rigid mbes disposed and operating as dlsclosed herein. In some applications, it may be advanta- ‘ge0us to employ flexible andlor moveable passive air bleed vices. For example, a passive air bleed device having exible outer wall and a proximal end fited with a float ‘would allaw the frst opening to move towards shifting Aid accumulation portions within the improved manifolds (this is easier to implement for interally disposed passive air bleed devices). This is advantageous for applications in ‘which an orientation ofthe improved manifold twists and rotates so thatthe “up direction varies significantly andlor constantly. Some features and benefits of the present invention are realized in such modes and are not required in every case ‘One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment ofthe invention can be practiced without ‘one of mote of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, pats, andr the lke. In other instances, well-nown structures, ‘materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embod ‘ments of the present invention, Reference throughout this specification to “one embod ‘ment, “an embodiment” ora specific embodiment” means that particular feature, structure, or characterise described in connection with the embodiment is included in at leat ‘one embodiment of the present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus, respective sppearanees of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, of “in a specific embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same ‘embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, stn tures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be combined in ny suitable manner With one or more other embodiments, I is to be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments ‘of the present invention described aad illustrated herein ae x0 ” 4s © 8 posible in light of the teachings berein and are to be onnidered as par ofthe sprit and scope of the present TE wl sso be appreciated that one or mere ofthe elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in 4 more separated o integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in eerzin cases, as is wef in accordance with a particular application. Aadtionsly, ay signal amows in the drawings Figures should be considered only as exemplary, and no ining, unless otherwise speciclly noted. Furthennore, te tet “og” as used herein is generally tended to mean “andlor” ules otters indicated, Combinations of components or Steps will ako be considera as being noted, where termi tology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate ot combine is unclear. [As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, 3", “an, and “the” includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. ‘Aso, o8 wed in the description herein and throughout the Claims that follow, the meaning of “in” inlodes in” and “ou ules the contest clearly dictates otherwise “The foregoing description of iustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described inthe Abstract, i not intended to be exhaustive or to int the invention 1 the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiment of, and examples for, the invention are scribed herein for illsteatve purposes ony, various equivalemt modifications ae posible within the sii and seope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modiieations maybe made tothe present invention in Tight ofthe foregoing description of ilustatedenhodiments othe present iavertion and ae o be inluded within the spi and scope ofthe present invention “Tus, while the presen invention has been described herein with refrene to particular embodiments thereof, a Jatiude of modification, various changes and substtons ave intended inthe foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of erod ments ofthe invention willbe employed without a come- sponding use of oer features without departing frm the seope and spirit ofthe invention asset forth, Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt 2 particular Situation or mata othe essential scope and sprit of the present invention. Its intended thatthe invention not be Tinited to the paricular tems used in folowing claims aur o the pticular embodiment disclosed asthe best rode contemplated for carrying out thi invention, but that the invention will ined any and all embodiments snd equivalents falling within the seope of the appends chins. Thus, the seape ofthe inveation iso be determined solely by the appended claims ‘Whats claimed is: 1. An electric vehicle drive unit comprising: 1 gear box; ‘an inverter coupled toa first side ofthe gear box; an electric motor coupled to a second side of the gear box such that the inverter and the eletric motor reside on “opposite sides of the gear box; cooling jacket having a cooling chamber, surrounding at least a portion of the electric motor, and coupled to the second side of the geur box; ‘main coolaat inlet coupled to the cooling jack coolant outlet located ata lower portion ofthe gearbox; andUS 10,828,582 B2 L ‘an extemal passive air bleed device running between an upper portion of the cooling jacket and the coolant outlet, 2, The electric vehicle drive unit of clan 1, wherein the main coolant inlet i located near an axis of the electric motor. 3, The electric vehicle drive unit of claim 1, wherein the clecric vehicle dive unit is configured to: receive coolant atthe main coolant inlet ict the coolant o flow through the cooling chamber to con! a Feast the electri motor; and iret the coolant to flow out ofthe coolant outlet. 4. The electric vehicle drive unit of elaim 3, wherein the clociric vehicle drive unit is futher configured to diret the ‘coolant to flow through the cooling chamber to cool the gear box, 5, The electric vehicle drive unit of claim 1, wherein the ‘extemal passive aie bleed device is configured to remove ‘accumulated ie fom the cooling jacket by enteaining it into ‘coolant exiting from the coolant outlet 6, The electric vehicle drive unit of claim 1, wherein the ‘extemal passive air blood device is a tube that runs outside of the electric motor, ouside ofthe inverter, and outside of the gear box from a junction of the gear box andthe cooling jacket to the coolant out 7. An electric vehicle drive unit comprising sn inverter; 8 gear box: ‘an electric motor coupled to the inverter andl to the gear box: cooling jacket having « cooling chamber, surrounding at least a portion of the electric moto, and coupled to the sear box x0 10 «4 min coolant inlet coupled to the ooling jacket; ‘coolant outlet located at lower potion of the gee box; and ‘an extemal passive ar bleed device running beoween an upper portion of the cooling jacket and the coolant outlet 8, The electric vehicle drive unit of claim 7, wherein: the inverter is atached toa frst side of the gear box; and the electric motor is attached to a second side of the gear ‘box that is opposite the first side of the gear box. 9, The electric vehicle drive ait of elaim 7, wherein the ‘main coolant inlet is located near an axis of the electric motor. 10. The electric vehicle drive unit of elim 7, wherein the electric vehicle drive unit is configured to: receive coolant atthe main coolaat inlet: iret the coolant to flow through the cooking ekamber to ‘ool atleast the eletric motor, and direct the coolant to flow out of the cookant out 11 The electric vehicle drive unit of elaim 10, wherein the electric vehicle drive units furher configured to direct the coolant to flow through the cooling chamber to cool the gar box. 12, The levtie vehicle drive unit of cui 7, wherein the external passive air bleed device is configured to remove accumulated air from the cooling jacket by entraning it nto coolant exiting fom the coolant out. 13. The eleccic vehicle drive unit of euim 7, wherein the external passive aie bleed device is a mbe that runs outside ofthe electric motor, outside of the inverter, and outside of the gear box ftom a junction ofthe gear box and the cooling jacket to the coolant ont