Patent Publication Number: US-9892868-B2

Title: Energy storage device assembly

Description:
This application is a continuation in-part of previous U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/190,684, filed Feb. 26, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Applications No. 61/769,937 filed Feb. 27, 2013, and 61/837,681 filed Jun. 20, 2013, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure relates generally to energy storage devices, and more particularly, to a modular assembly and cooling system for one or more energy storage devices, including capacitors, ultracapacitors, and batteries. 
     In conventional capacitor assemblies, a plurality of capacitor cells, ultracapacitor cells, batteries, or other energy storage devices are loosely held together, through securing components, within a housing that can subject the cells to a certain amount of external forces, including vibratory forces. In some cases, these forces can exceed the strength of the securing components. In such cases, vibratory action can dislodge, rotate, wear and/or destroy portions of the devices and connections within and/or between them. This situation can reduce the durability and lifespan of the energy storage devices. 
     Some energy storage devices, including those with capacitor assemblies, may use adhesive substances and thermal inserts between capacitor cells. These components can dissipate heat generated during operation and reduce rotation and dislodging of the capacitor cells within the assembly, but are typically placed between capacitors and may be located along or nearby the path of an electric current. To connect energy storage devices together, complex bonding mechanisms between numerous surfaces may be used. These design choices have proven to impair the performance of energy storage devices, and can limit the opportunity to make further modifications. 
     Some capacitor assemblies use bus bars with circular ends to connect capacitor cells to one another. These bus bars can be designed to fully surround each end of a capacitor cell or an electrode. These circular ends must be precisely machined as close as possible to the shape of the end of the capacitor cell for the bus bars to properly contact and connect with a device. This limitation can greatly increase manufacturing time and/or produce an imprecise fit, leading to faulty and/or inconsistent performance. 
     In previous energy storage devices, such as traditional capacitor cells, a terminal is attached to an end of the cell through a radial weld or radial interference fit at an interface between the cell and the terminal. These points of attachment used complex geometries, with weld bonds located at several points of contact. Attachment points according to previous designs could cause difficulty or added complexity in manufacturing processes. In addition, a radial weld or radial interference fit can also cause attachment points between the cell and terminal to perform inefficiently or include imprecise geometrical connections. 
     The passage of electrical currents through particular materials, including ultracapacitors, may cause certain materials in an assembly to experience temperature increases. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A first aspect of the present disclosure includes an energy storage device assembly comprising a plurality of energy storage devices, each energy storage device having a first projecting electrode and a second projecting electrode; and a weld directly bonding adjacent first and second projecting electrodes of adjacent energy storage devices to one another in series. 
     A second aspect of the present disclosure includes a bus bar comprising: a base; and a pair of opposing, arcuate ends coupled by the base, the pair of opposing, arcuate ends configured to engage and only partially surround two substantially circular projecting electrodes of two adjacent energy storage devices. 
     Another aspect of the invention includes an apparatus for use in an energy storage device assembly including a plurality of energy storage devices, the apparatus comprising: a structural thermal bridge including at least one thermal plate configured to engage an end of at least a pair of the plurality of energy storage devices to physically secure the energy storage devices and thermally communicate heat therefrom; and an elongated sleeve housing surrounding the plurality of energy storage devices, and the structural thermal bridge further comprises: a first thermal plate positioned between the elongated sleeve housing and a first end of the at least a pair of the plurality of energy storage devices, the first thermal plate including a plurality of recesses shaped to correspond to the first end of the at least a pair of the plurality of the energy storage devices; and a second thermal plate positioned between the elongated sleeve housing and a second end of at least a pair of the plurality of energy storage devices, the second thermal plate including a plurality of recesses shaped to correspond to the second end of the at least a pair of the plurality of energy storage devices. 
     A further aspect of the invention includes a housing for an energy storage device assembly comprising: an elongated sleeve having a contoured interior configured to enclose and contact each of a plurality of energy storage devices and a mount configured to retain a circuit board to the elongated sleeve housing. 
     An additional aspect of the invention includes an energy storage device assembly comprising: a plurality of energy storage devices, each energy storage device including a first projecting electrode and a second projecting electrode; and a weld bond electrically connecting respective first and second projecting electrodes of adjacent energy storage devices end-to-end. 
     Another aspect of the invention includes an energy storage device assembly comprising: a plurality of axially aligned energy storage devices each having electrodes, immediately adjacent energy storage devices being connected at a joint; an elongated sleeve housing having a length, the elongated sleeve housing enclosing the plurality of energy storage devices; a circuit board extending along the length of the elongated sleeve housing; and a plurality of substantially identical wiring harnesses for coupling the circuit board to the plurality of axially aligned energy storage devices. 
     Yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes an energy storage device assembly, which can include: a plurality of energy storage devices, each energy storage device having a first electrode and a second electrode, the plurality of energy storage devices being connected to one another in series; and a liquid coolant transmission line in thermal communication with at least one of the plurality of energy storage devices. 
     An additional aspect of the present disclosure includes a cooling system for an energy storage device assembly, the cooling system including: a plurality of liquid coolant transmission lines positioned within an elongated sleeve housing for enclosing a plurality of energy storage devices therein, the plurality of liquid coolant transmission lines being configured to absorb heat from the plurality of energy storage devices. 
     An aspect of the present disclosure includes an energy storage device assembly, which may include: a plurality of energy storage devices, each energy storage device having a first projecting electrode and a second projecting electrode; a weld directly bonding adjacent first and second projecting electrodes of adjacent energy storage devices to one another in series; and a liquid coolant transmission line in thermal communication with one of the plurality of energy storage devices, the liquid coolant transmission line extending substantially across the length of at least two adjacent energy storage devices bonded to one another in series. 
     The illustrative aspects of the invention are designed to solve one or more of the problems herein described and/or one or more other problems not discussed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features of the disclosure will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various aspects of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of an energy storage device assembly according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of an energy storage device assembly according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of several energy storage devices according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a side view of two energy storage devices connected end-to-end according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a laser welding process according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows a side view of energy storage devices with a thermal insert according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 7A  shows a perspective view of a thermal insert according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 7B  shows a perspective view of two sub-portions of a thermal insert according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 7C  shows a perspective view of a thermal insert located on a projecting electrode of an energy storage device, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7D  shows a perspective view of several energy storage devices in an assembly, with thermal inserts provided at joints between each energy storage device. 
         FIG. 8A  shows a side view of energy storage devices with a thermal conducting layer according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 8B  shows a cross-sectional view of energy storage devices with a thermal conducting filler according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of an elongated sleeve housing according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of an elongated sleeve housing and circuit board according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 11A  shows a schematic view of a circuit board coupled to energy storage devices via a set of a single type of wiring harness according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 11B  shows an alternate, perspective view of a circuit board coupled to energy storage devices using a single type of wiring harness with a housing removed, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of a structural thermal bridge and energy storage devices according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of a thermal plate, bus bar, and terminal according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  shows a thermal plate, and an energy storage device with connected terminal according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of a terminal according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of a terminal in position on an energy storage device according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of a terminal bonded to an energy storage device according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 18  shows a perspective view of a terminal passing through a structural thermal bridge according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 19  shows several bus bars and terminals connected to energy storage devices according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 20  shows a perspective view of a bus bar according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIGS. 21-25  show perspective views of an energy storage device assembly with a cooling system according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 26 and 27  show perspective views of a cooling system for use with an energy storage device assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. It is understood that elements similarly numbered between the figures may be substantially similar as described with reference to one another. Further, in embodiments shown and described with reference to  FIGS. 1-27 , like numbering may represent like elements. Redundant explanation of these elements has been omitted for clarity. Finally, it is understood that the components of  FIGS. 1-27  and their accompanying descriptions may be applied to any embodiment described herein. The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the present teachings may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present teachings and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be used and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present teachings. The following description is, therefore, merely illustrative. 
     When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “disengaged from,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” “inlet,” “outlet,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     The present disclosure generally relates to assemblies of energy storage devices, including energy storage device assembly  10  depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . According to embodiments of the disclosure, assembly  10  can permit several energy storage devices to be electrically connected to each other in series, with a joint such as a weld bond joining an electrode on an energy storage device with a successive energy storage device. As described in further detail herein, applying a weld bond to connect several energy storage devices in a series arrangement can avoid the use of components with higher resistances, such as conventional bus bars. Thus, assembly  10  can allow more energy storage devices to be joined by series connections, thereby providing a more effective energy storage apparatus that avoids the use of conventional bus bars. 
     Energy storage device assembly  10  can also be modular and thus scaled or altered to interact with a plurality of energy storage devices (e.g., sets of capacitors, sets of ultracapacitors, batteries, etc.), according to embodiments of the invention. For instance, energy storage device assembly  10  can be selected to contain a number of energy storage devices that allows for assembly  10  to have a predetermined operational value, including a predetermined voltage or capacitance. In other embodiments, energy storage device assembly can have several rows, with each row containing, for example, one, eight, ten, twenty, or any desired number of energy storage devices per row, with a number selected to yield a desired or pre-defined operational value. Several energy storage device assemblies  10  can be coupled together in a plurality of conceivable mounting variations, such as being stacked together, placed side-by-side, etc. (e.g.,  FIGS. 2, 6, 7D, 8A, 8B, 11B ). In addition, the lengths of energy storage devices can be altered to provide discrete operational values for each device, and thus a different cumulative value for the assembly as a whole. Despite any changes in the size of energy storage devices, the same housing can be employed by cutting an extrusion of the housing to size, thus reducing manufacturing costs and complexity and providing flexibility in customizing for each different assembly&#39;s operational performance. 
     In some embodiments, energy storage device assembly  10  can include a first plate  12  and a second plate  14  located at opposing ends of a housing of energy storage device assembly  10 . In some embodiments, and as further described herein, embodiments of the invention can include housings in the form of an elongated sleeve housing  20 . Elongated sleeve housing  20  can be configured to contain various devices for electrically storing energy, including capacitor cells, ultracapacitors, batteries, and similar components. First and second plates  12 ,  14  can be located at opposing ends of elongated sleeve housing  20 . First and second plates  12 ,  14 , can include apertures  25  dimensioned to complement terminals  26  of devices  100 , which can have connectors  28  mounted thereon, allowing them to pass through aperture  25 . One or more terminals  26  can be made from an electrically conductive material, and terminals  26  can extend substantially through first or second plates  12 ,  14  via one or more corresponding apertures  25 . First plate  12 , second plate  14 , and elongated sleeve housing  20  can also substantially enclose or fluidly isolate the contents of energy storage device assembly  10  and can be connected via adhesives, bolts, clasps, and/or any other means of connection. Together, as will be described herein, first plate  12  and second plate  14  can define a structural thermal bridge  50 , which can allow thermal communication between elongated sleeve housing  20  and its contents or the environment beyond energy storage device assembly  10 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , an exploded view of an embodiment of energy storage device assembly  10  is shown. Energy storage device assembly  10  can include an elongated sleeve housing  20 , with optional contours  60 , surrounding energy storage devices  100 . Optional contours  60  can complement and/or allow (thermal and/or actual) contact between elongated sleeve housing  20  and at least some or all of energy storage devices  100 . Contours  60  allow a portion of each energy storage device  100  to contact elongated sleeve housing  20 . In addition, energy storage devices  100  can be arranged to be in two lateral rows (along Z axis), with each row containing any desired number of energy storage devices in an axial direction (along X axis). In this fashion, each energy storage device  100  contacts (thermally and/or actually) elongated sleeve housing  20  without any energy storage devices  100  being separated from housing  20  by another energy storage device. In the embodiment shown, three lateral columns (along Y axis) are provided, creating a ‘six pack’ configuration (Z-Y plane). It should be recognized, however, that more or fewer columns may be provided. In any event, assembly  10  can be sized to any length capable of providing the desired operational performance (e.g., predetermined levels of voltage and/or capacitance). Energy storage devices  100  can be any device capable of storing electrical energy, including capacitor cells, ultracapacitors, batteries, electrical cells, and other similar components. 
     The embodiment in  FIG. 2  is shown to include six axial rows (in X-axis) of energy storage devices  100 , arranged in a six-pack or side-by-side fashion. The modular design of energy storage device assembly  10  and elongated sleeve housing  20  allow adjustment for accommodating energy storage devices  100  of different sizes and numbers. In an example embodiment, energy storage device assembly  10  can include modular a six-pack of energy storage devices  100  (e.g.,  FIGS. 2, 8B ). Elongated sleeve housing  20  can be provided in varying shapes and dimensions to substantially complement, retain, and/or matingly receive energy storage devices  100 . Retaining contact and/or mating engagement between energy storage devices  100  and elongated sleeve housing  20  can restrict movement of energy storage devices  100  within elongated sleeve housing  20  and/or provide thermal communication between energy storage devices  100  and elongated sleeve housing  20 . 
     In some embodiments, elongated sleeve housing  20  can substantially secure a position of energy storage devices  100  relative to one another and/or elongated sleeve housing  20 . Elongated sleeve housing  20  can include an electrically and/or thermally conductive material, including aluminum and similarly conductive metals. To provide a constant cross-sectional area, elongated sleeve housing  20  can be manufactured by extrusion and cut to a desired length. Forming elongated sleeve housing  20  by extrusion, and later cutting it to the length desired for a design parameter, allows energy storage device assembly  10  to be customized and shaped to have different lengths, contain different numbers of energy storage devices  100 , and/or provide other adjustments without changing the structure of elongated sleeve housing  20  and/or energy storage device assembly  10 . 
     Energy storage devices  100  can have a generally cylindrical geometry, as shown in  FIG. 2 , with a first projecting electrode  102 , “projecting” from the end surface of energy storage device  100  at one end, and a second projecting electrode  104 , similarly “projecting” from the end surface of energy storage device  100  at another end. As will be discussed in further detail below, first and second projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  can be substantially similar or uniformly sized on each energy storage device  100 . Each energy storage device  100  can include first and second projecting electrodes  102 ,  104 , which can be configured for several energy storage devices  100  to be connected to each other in series, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Two or more projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  of energy storage devices  100  can further include or be circumferentially connected to terminals  26 . Terminals  26  can be either positive or negative contacts to act as electrical inputs and outputs, through which external circuits and devices can electrically access energy storage devices  100 . Assembly  10  can further include first plate  12 , and a first gasket  112  for sealing components within the assembly against first plate  12 . Similarly, assembly  10  can further include second plate  14 , and/or a corresponding second gasket  114  for sealing components within the assembly against second plate  14 . First plate  12 , first gasket  112 , second plate  14 , second gasket  114 , and elongated sleeve housing  20  can thus be configured to substantially enclose and/or fluidly seal energy storage devices  100 . 
     In some embodiments, assembly  10  can include a first thermal plate  122  located proximal to first plate  12  and/or a second thermal plate  124  located near or proximal to second plate  14 . First and second thermal plates  122 ,  124  can have any material composition capable of communicating thermal energy and/or insulating electricity. For example, first and second thermal plates can include a thermal transmitting material, such as a plastic, epoxy, phase change material, and/or other similar and equivalent substances currently known or later developed. First thermal plate  122  and/or second thermal plate  124  can include contoured recesses  115  designed to matingly receive or retain energy storage devices  100  and/or their projecting electrodes  102 ,  104 . Sets of contoured recesses  115  can provide an interference or plug-style fit with projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  and/or a circumferential fit with energy storage devices  100  themselves, thereby securing a position of energy storage devices  100  within elongated sleeve housing  20 . In some embodiments, energy storage devices  100  can be substantially secured and/or retained between first thermal plate  122  and second thermal plate  124  by being connected at first and second projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  and/or surrounding structure to first and second thermal plates  122 ,  124 . 
     Thermal plates  122 ,  124  are shown by example in the accompanying figures as being in the form of a continuous unit. It is also understood that each thermal plate  122 ,  124  can be in the form of several smaller plates, or that thermal plates  122 ,  124  may each be part of a larger thermal conduction assembly (e.g.,  FIGS. 2, 12 ). Other embodiments of the present disclosure can also include thermal insulation along the side of one or more energy storage devices  100 , as an addition or alternative to thermal insulation at opposing ends of a particular row (e.g.,  FIG. 8 ). Thermal plates  122 ,  124  can offer several commercial and technical advantages, three examples of which include a high degree of heat transfer, improved structural support (including resistance to shocks and vibrations), and lower manufacturing costs. 
     Assembly  100  can further include one or more bus bars  130  for electrical coupling between energy storage devices  100 , e.g., by way of projecting electrodes  102  and  104 , directly or through intervening components such as electrodes. Bus bar  130  can optionally allow several projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  of adjacent energy storage devices  100  to be connected to each other. In this context, the term “adjacent” can refer to two or more cells locations that are immediately next to each other. Hence, bus bar  130  can connect or couple two or more energy storage devices  100  through physical connections, electrical connections, thermal connections, and other applicable forms of coupling. 
     As will be discussed in further detail herein, assembly  100  can further include a circuit board  140  coupled to energy storage devices  100 . In some embodiments, a particular type of wiring harness used uniformly for each energy storage device  100 , can provide electrical coupling between circuit board  140  and energy storage devices  100 . In addition, an I/O connector  142  may be located on elongated sleeve housing  20  and coupled to circuit board  140  to provide an interface between circuit board  140 , energy storage devices  100 , and a user. Additional details regarding various embodiments of assembly  100  are discussed herein. 
     An embodiment of the disclosure, illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 , provides an energy storage device assembly  10  including a plurality of energy storage devices  100 , such as capacitors, capacitor cells, ultracapacitor cells, and other components used to store energy. Each energy storage device can further include first projecting electrode  102  and second projecting electrode  104 . First and second projecting electrodes  102 ,  104 , are depicted as projecting from the surface of energy storage devices  100  at opposite ends and having corresponding substantially circular shapes. However, the disclosure also contemplates electrodes designed to have other shapes and geometries. To improve performance and reduce the use of components with relatively high resistances, such as previously discussed bus bars  130 , one or more weld bonds  210  can be provided for direct bonding between adjacent first and second projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  of adjacent energy storage devices  100 . Weld bonds  210  can therefore allow several energy storage devices  100  to be electrically connected to each other in series. 
     These series connections allow energy storage devices  100  to be linked in a chain of weld bonds  210  (also referred to herein as joints), allowing assembly  10  to be customizably scaled to applications where more or fewer energy storage devices  100  are desired. Furthermore, series connections between energy storage devices  100  can allow the same or similar housings to enclose variable lengths of energy storage devices  100 . In some cases, housings or enclosures for energy storage devices  100  can be manufactured by extrusion and then dimensioned (e.g., by cutting) to separate a desired number of energy storage devices  100  having a predetermined operational value, such as a capacitance or voltage. 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , a portion of energy storage device assembly  10  is shown and can include several energy storage devices  100 . In some embodiments, energy storage devices  100  can be connected together in series. For example, energy storage devices  100  can be connected end to end, between first and second projecting electrodes  102 ,  104 . Individual energy storage devices  100  can be connected to one another directly, without intervening elements, between projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  of energy storage devices  100  through weld bonds  210 . An end-to-end configuration shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  for connecting energy storage devices  100  in series can further reduce the need for horizontal space as compared to situations where energy storage devices are placed in a side by side configuration. In some embodiments, energy storage devices  100  may be connected with weld bonds  210 . Weld bonds  210  can be formed through a spot weld, a circumferential weld, a TIG (gas tungsten arc) weld, a MIG (gas metal arc) weld, an EB (electric) weld, a laser weld, or any other types of welding currently known or later developed. In one embodiment, laser welding can be used to form weld bond  210  by welding first and second projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  of energy storage devices  100  together along a single circumferential line of each immediately adjacent (X-axis  FIG. 2 ) energy storage device  100 . 
     Joining electrical storage devices  100  in this fashion can reduce the number of bus bars  130  used to connect ends of energy storage devices  100 , as compared to assemblies in which energy storage devices are arranged in a structurally parallel fashion. Since bus bars  130  can have a relatively high level of electrical resistance, reducing their use also reduces resistance in the electrical connections provided between energy storage devices  100  used in assembly  10 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 3-4 , an end-to-end configuration of an energy storage device assembly  10  can include a plurality of energy storage devices  100 , and each of these units in the plurality can include first projecting electrode  102  and second projecting electrode  104  at opposing ends of each energy storage device  100 . As shown previously, energy storage devices  100  can be joined directly by a weld bond  210  between first projecting electrode  102  and second projecting electrode  104 . Several weld bonds  210  can be implemented between pairs of energy storage devices  100  such that all or a portion of the plurality of energy storage devices  100  are electrically connected to each other in series. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , a first projecting electrode  102  of an energy storage device  100  can be connected to a second projecting electrode  104  of an adjacent energy storage device  100  via weld bond  210 , thereby securely connecting energy storage devices  100  in series, optionally along a single circumferential line of contact. First and/or second projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  can also include a fastener  212 , which can allow an electrical lead or contact  215  to be coupled to a joint between two energy storage devices  100 . 
     Fastener  212  can take the form of a rivet that is inserted between energy storage devices  100  by driving a fastener  212  into first projecting electrode  102 , second projecting electrode  104 , or weld bond  210 . Fastener  212  can be connected to wire  215  before being inserted, or wire  215  can be electrically coupled to fastener  212  after installation. Wires  215  coupled to fastener  212  can be used for coupling voltages or electric currents in energy storage devices  100  other locations, including sites in assembly  10 , e.g., circuit board  140  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). In some embodiments, a plurality of fasteners  212  can further be provided at series connections of energy storage devices  100  at a plurality of weld bonds  210  and/or projecting electrodes  102 ,  104 , thereby joining a plurality energy storage devices  100  to circuit board  140  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) via several wires  215 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 5 , an example procedure for welding several energy storage devices  100  together is shown. Two or more energy storage devices  100  to be connected by a series connection can be positioned on top of rollers  212 . For additional stability and ease of manufacture, a third roller  212  can be provided above and adjacent to energy storage devices  100  subject to welding. The energy storage devices  100  to be connected can also be aligned at their first and second protruding electrodes  102 ,  104 . One or more laser welders  214  can be positioned proximate and/or above energy storage devices  100 , such that laser welders  214  are each substantially aligned with points or surfaces of contact between energy storage devices  100 . Laser welders  214  can then transmit welding beams  216  to energy storage devices  100  and form one or more weld bonds  210  between energy storage devices  100  as rollers  212  turn to rotate energy storage devices  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the welding process can be simplified by keeping laser welders  214  stationary and imparting rotational motion  215  to energy storage devices  100  by actuating or applying energy to rollers  212 , thereby providing the entirety of weld bond(s)  210  in a uniform fashion. In other embodiments, energy storage devices  100  can be stationary, while laser welders  214  rotate about the circumference of energy storage devices  100  to apply a laser welds through welding beams  216 . Laser welder  214  can form weld bond  210  by varying the temperature of beams  216  as necessary (e.g. 3000° F., 2000° F., 1200° F., etc.). Further, it is understood that embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to laser welding processes. Several energy storage devices  100  can also be bonded together with EB (electric), TIG (Tungsten Arc), and MIG (gas metal arc) welds if desired, in addition to any other adapted form of one or more currently known or later developed welding techniques. 
     Further embodiments of assembly  10 , examples of which are included in  FIGS. 6-8B , can include thermal transmitting mechanisms for conducting/transmitting heat from energy storage devices  100 . In one embodiment, a thermal transmitting mechanism may include a thermal transmitting material, such as a plastic, resin, epoxy, phase-change material, or similar substance configured to communicate heat from energy storage devices  100  to other components, such as an elongated sleeve housing  20 . As will be described in further detail below, thermal transmitting mechanisms can be provided as additional components within energy storage device assembly  10  that may, for example, be applied to energy storage devices  100 , housings such as elongated sleeve housing  20 , or other components. For example, as will be described herein, thermal transmitting mechanisms can be affixed to weld bonds  210 , applied as a coating to the surface of energy storage devices  100 , coated inside of housings such as elongated sleeve housing  20 , and/or be provided as a liquid or solid substance interposed between energy storage devices  100  and a housing, such as elongated sleeve housing  20 . The embodiments discussed with respect to each of  FIGS. 6-8B  each embody one or more thermal transmitting mechanisms, and other substantially similar mechanisms capable of insulating electricity while thermally conducting heat within and from energy storage device assembly  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6-7C , energy storage device assembly  10  can include thermal transmitting mechanisms in the form of one or more thermal inserts  220  between two energy storage devices  100 . Thermal insert  220  is shown in  FIG. 6  by way of example as being positioned about first and second projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  between energy storage devices  100 . It is also understood that thermal insert  220  can be adapted to be positioned about several energy storage devices  100  simultaneously. Thermal insert  220  can have a material composition of plastic or similar substance capable of insulating an electrical current while transmitting heat from energy devices  100  and offering structural support. Energy storage devices  100  can contact enclosures or the elongated sleeve housing  20  ( FIG. 2 ) through thermal insert  220 , which in turn can act as a bridge or transitional component. The configuration of thermal insert  220  optionally allows heat to be communicated from energy storage devices  100  without altering the connection between them, including weld bonds  210  such that one or more thermal inserts  220  can be added to or removed from energy storage device assembly  10  as desired. Though  FIG. 6  depicts only one thermal insert  220 , embodiments of the disclosure can use any number of thermal inserts at connections between energy storage devices  100  to suit varying design requirements. 
     Thermal insert  220  can offer further customization when provided with a snap-fit design shown in  FIGS. 7A-B . In some embodiments, thermal insert  220  can include sub portions  222 , which can be installed on opposite sides of coupled first and second projecting electrodes  102 ,  104 . Thermal insert  220  and its combined sub-portions  222  can have a ramped or sloped geometry, provided by axial protrusions  227 , allowing for a greater area of contact between thermal insert  220  and energy storage device  100  on one side, and a lesser area of contact between thermal insert  220  and another energy storage device  100  on another side. As discussed below in the discussion accompanying  FIG. 7D , this geometry allows thermal inserts  220  to be installed with alternating orientations, permitting a plurality of similar or substantially identical thermal inserts  220  to be used in one energy storage device assembly  10 . As used in this specification, the term “substantially identical” refers to any two or more components which are identical or designed to be identical, accounting for minor or unexpected deviations with no effect on the component&#39;s performance, e.g. differences or errors caused during manufacture. Thermal insert  220  can include any number of thermal transmitting and electrically insulative materials, including plastics, phase-change materials, and/or other known and later discovered substances capable of communicating heat while insulating electricity. Thermal inserts  220  according to this embodiment are thus capable of being affixed and removed from electrodes  102 ,  104  without destroying weld bond  210 , allowing a single assembly  10  to be adapted to different situations. In some embodiments, thermal inserts  220  can be used as an “internal structural thermal bridge” because of their ability to conduct heat while insulating electricity and structurally locating devices  100  relative to housing  20 . 
     Sub-portions  222  can be configured to join with each other by a snap junction, coupling, or similar mechanical connection  226 , thereby allowing thermal insert  220  to enclose a cross sectional area that is substantially equal to first and second electrodes  102 ,  104  but less than the cross sectional area of energy storage devices  100 . Although sub-portions  222  can have mechanically distinct designs, sub-portions  222  can also be identical, and may feature mating contact points on opposing sides of a semi-circle. In some embodiments, thermal inserts  220  can allow wires  215  ( FIG. 4 ) to run through thermal inserts  220  without being obstructed by them or impairing the transmission of electricity through the wires. Thermal insert  220  can be assembled by joining sub-portions  222  together at mechanical connections  226 , for instance by inserting a protrusion  224  into a receiving slot  225 . As shown in  FIG. 7B , one sub-portion  222  can be substantially semi-circular, including protrusion  224  on one side of sub-portion  222  and receiving slot  225  on another side. Other variants of sub-portions  222  can include designs with three or more components, or with geometries that are not substantially circular. 
     Turning to  FIG. 7C , a design that can be used for some embodiments of thermal insert  220  is shown.  FIG. 7C  shows energy storage device  100  and projecting electrode  102  extending axially therefrom, with additional energy storage devices and weld bond  210  ( FIGS. 2, 3, 4 ) omitted for the sake of demonstration. Thermal insert  220  is shown to have axial protrusions  227 , with a sloped geometry and extending from approximately the circumference of energy storage device  100  to approximately the circumference of projecting electrode  102 . The geometry of thermal insert  227  depicted in  FIG. 7C  therefore can contact energy storage device  100  at a greater surface area on one side, while contacting another energy storage device (not shown) on the other side. 
       FIG. 7D  illustrates an advantage of designing thermal inserts  220  to have different surface areas on opposing sides through use of axial protrusions  227 . In  FIG. 7D , energy storage device assembly  10  is shown to include several energy storage devices, with thermal inserts  220  provided alongside weld bonds  210 . Each thermal insert  220  can include axial protrusions  227 , allowing for adjacent thermal inserts  220  to have alternating orientations. The alternating orientations allow each thermal insert  220  to have similar or substantially identical thermal designs, increasing both the scalability of energy storage device assembly  10  and any thermal communication between the various components. 
     As demonstrated by example in  FIGS. 8A-8B , in another embodiment, each energy storage device  100  may include one or more thermal conducting layers  230  thereon, which can be provided in the form of coatings or layers  230  (hereinafter simply ‘thermal layers’). Thermal layers  230  can be mounted on, placed on, or otherwise coupled or attached to energy storage devices  100 , housings such as elongated sleeve housing  20  ( FIG. 2 ), first and second thermal plates  122 ,  124  ( FIG. 2 ), or any other component of energy storage device assembly  10 . In other embodiments, thermal conducting layers  230  can generally be interposed between energy storage devices  100  and a housing, such as elongated sleeve housing  20  ( FIG. 2 ). Thermal conducting layers  230  can be made from a material that allows heat to be transferred from energy storage device  100  into other components of an assembly  10 , such as elongated sleeve housing  20 . Similar to thermal insert  220 , several thermal conducting layers  230  can be provided within assembly  10 , allowing one or more thermal layers  230  to be included on one energy storage device  100  and/or on several energy storage devices  100 . As energy storage devices  100  are arranged in two rows, each thermal layer  230  can be capable of transferring thermal energy directly to elongated sleeve housing  20  through thermal contact. Thermal layers  230  are shown in  FIG. 8A  as having substantially rectangular geometries that are shaped to match the substantially cylindrical outer surfaces of devices  100 , but other geometries, including substantially quadrilateral, circular, and/or any simple or composite shape capable of being set upon or affixed to energy storage devices  100  are contemplated. 
     Including one or more thermal layers  230  can communicate or dissipate accumulated heat from energy devices  100  caused from operating assembly  10 . Thermal layers  230  can assist in communicating heat from energy storage devices  100  to other areas within and outside energy storage device assembly  10 , without being directly interposed between energy storage devices  100  at weld bonds  210 . Either or both of thermal layers  230  and thermal inserts  220  can allow all of energy storage devices  100  to contact another component, such as a housing of assembly  10 . Assemblies that include serial weld bonds  210  between energy storage devices  100  can be used, with or without any of the previously described modifications, along with any of the further additional components that can be included in energy storage device assembly  10 . Thermal layers  230  can take the form of any now known or later developed material including but not limited to: a resin, an epoxy, or a phase change material. Thermal layers  230  can be selectively applied to the exterior of energy storage devices  100  and/or an interior of elongated sleeve housing  20  ( FIG. 2 ) in any now known or later developed fashion, e.g., adhesion of a layer, coating, dipping, etc., that allows for quality thermal conduction. 
     In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 8B , thermal transmitting mechanism may include a thermal filler  232 . Thermal filler  232  can be provided as a resin, an epoxy or a phase change material. Thermal filler  232  can be installed by pouring, sliding, or mechanically inserting using any known or later developed process. As demonstrated in  FIG. 8B , thermal filler  232  may take the form of a single, continuous component enclosing each energy storage device  100 . In some embodiments, thermal filler  232  can be shaped with the same or similar contours  60  as elongated sleeve housing  20  ( FIG. 2 ), and thereby transmit heat from energy storage device  100  to other components of energy storage device assembly  10  and/or an exterior environment. In another embodiment, thermal filler  232  can be partially applied by providing a resin, epoxy, phase-change material, or similar thermally conductive and electrically insulative material around energy storage devices  100  and/or within elongated sleeve housing  20  ( FIG. 2 ), in a liquid or dry state. 
     Thermal filler  232  thus can take a shape that fills some or all of any gaps between energy storage devices  100  and an enclosure or elongated sleeve housing  20 , while also surrounding any wires  215  ( FIGS. 4, 8A ) present within elongated sleeve housing  20  ( FIG. 2 ). Thus, thermal filler  232  can be customized to take the form of individual units or a continuous unit, as may be desired for various deployments. 
     It is understood that the described thermal inserts  220  and/or thermal filler  230  may be used alone or in combination, and that the materials that make up the mechanisms may be customized to accommodate different thermal loads. For example, thermal transmitting mechanisms in some embodiments can include only one of a resin, epoxy, phase change material, or similar substances currently known or later developed. In addition, the chemical compositions of each thermal transmitting mechanism may be customized to provide a particular thermal transmissivity. 
     An embodiment of the invention provides a housing in the form of an elongated sleeve housing. An example of an elongated sleeve housing, and accompanying components that can be used with embodiments of the invention, are shown in  FIGS. 9-11B . In  FIG. 9 , elongated sleeve housing  20  is shown to be compatible with energy storage device assembly  10  ( FIGS. 1-6 ). Elongated sleeve housing  20  can have a geometry configured to enclose a plurality of energy storage devices  100 . In some embodiments, energy storage device assembly  10  can further enclose a circuit board  140 , which can be coupled to the plurality of energy storage devices  100  with at least one wiring harness  302  (shown in more detail in  FIGS. 11A, 11B ). 
     Wiring harness  302  can include a plurality of wires (shown further in  FIGS. 11A, 11B ) operative to electrically couple or connect circuit board  140  to energy storage devices  100 , e.g., at joints, between energy storage devices  100  such as weld bond  210  ( FIGS. 2, 3, 4 ). In some embodiments, circuit board  140  can be positioned along a length of housing  20  and retained within a mount  304  located within the interior of housing  20 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , in one embodiment, elongated sleeve housing  20  includes mount  304  in the form of opposing slots that engage opposing sides/edges of circuit board  140  to allow circuit board to slidably engage elongated sleeve housing  20  and be retained therein. Other forms of mount  304  may also be possible. Circuit board  140  can further be positioned along a length of housing  20 . Due to circuit board  140  being positioned along a length of housing  20  and the series positioning of energy storage devices  100 , a wiring harness  302  having a single arrangement of wires can be used repeatedly throughout energy storage device assembly  10 . In this fashion, electrical connections between circuit board  140  and each energy storage device  100  can be simplified, allowing the use of similar or substantially identical types of wiring harnesses  302  repeatedly, regardless of the number of energy storage devices  100  ( FIG. 2 ) or the desired size of energy storage device assembly  10 . Using substantially identical wiring harnesses  302  can lower the time and costs associated with manufacturing energy storage device assembly  10 . As discussed herein, the term “substantially identical” can encompass situations in which the same generic components are used for each wiring harness  302 , even when manufacturing errors cause variations between the individual wiring harnesses  302 . 
     The design of elongated sleeve housing  20  features a uniform cross sectional area, and can be of a customizable length, allowing the number of energy storage devices  100  contained within to be customized without changing the shape of elongated sleeve housing  20 , including its cross sectional area, which can further reduce the time and cost of manufacture. 
     In some embodiments, further measures can be employed to enhance thermal communication between energy storage devices  100  and elongated sleeve housing  20 . For example, the plurality of energy storage devices  100  can be arranged in a plurality of rows, each row of energy storage devices  100  being in thermal contact with an interior  310  of elongated sleeve housing  20 . In other embodiments, at least one of the plurality of energy storage devices  100  can also include thermal transmitting mechanisms, e.g., in the form of thermal layer  230  and/or thermal filler  232 , shown previously in  FIGS. 8A, 8B , interposed between the elongated sleeve housing  20  and at least one energy storage device  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the elongated sleeve housing  102  can also include a plurality of interior grooves  312 . Interior grooves  312  can be located within interior  310  of elongated sleeve housing at any desired position, as demonstrated by example in  FIG. 9 . Grooves  312  can retain one or more bolts or screws for coupling first and second thermal plates  122 ,  124  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     Embodiments of elongated sleeve housing  20  include designs in which elongated sleeve housing  20  is a single component of substantially uniform cross sectional area, as depicted in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Such designs allow for elongated sleeve housing to be manufactured with any desired length in which a set number of energy storage devices  100  can be contained within a cross sectional area of elongated sleeve housing  20 . As a result, elongated sleeve housing  20  can allow energy storage device assembly  10  to be scalable to any desired length, and a desired number of series electrical connections between energy storage devices  100  can be provided in each implementation of assembly  10 . Energy storage assembly  10  can be scaled as desired by manufacturing elongated sleeve housing  20  by extrusion to varying lengths of substantially uniform cross sectional area. The extruded elongated sleeve housing  20  can then be cut to size to enclose a desired number of energy storage devices  100 , such that energy storage device assembly  10  can have a predetermined operational value, e.g., a predetermined voltage or capacitance. 
     Turning to  FIG. 11A , an additional embodiment of elongated sleeve housing  20  is shown. Circuit board  140  is shown to be retained within elongated sleeve housing  20 . Wire harnesses  302  can couple circuit board  140  to several wires  215 , which can be provided as single wires, groups or wires, or an extension of a wire harness  302 . Wires  215  thus can be electrically connected or coupled to first and/or second projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  of energy storage devices. 
     In  FIG. 11B , a more detailed illustration of an embodiment of assembly  10  is shown. As was discussed with respect to  FIG. 11A , circuit board  140  can be connected to several wires  215  through wire harnesses  302 . Each wire  215 , which can be provided singly, in a group, or as part of a wiring harness, can electrically connect circuit board  140  to at least one of energy storage devices  100 . 
     As is further shown in  FIG. 11B , consistent electrical couplings by wiring harnesses  302  can be provided in conjunction with providing thermal transmitting material, such as the previously discussed thermal inserts  220 , thermal layers  230 , and/or thermal filler  232 . Each wiring harness  302  shown in  FIG. 11B  is shown as substantially identical to the others, allowing each connection between energy storage devices  100  and circuit board  140  to be consistent. Consistency or identity between each wiring harness  302  can also allow installation of thermal transmitting mechanisms (shown elsewhere), e.g., inserts (which can be further configured to retain wires  215  as discussed previously), thermal layers, and/or thermal filler. In some embodiments, wiring harnesses  302  can be used in user-customized or varying energy storage assemblies  10  without being redesigned or otherwise altered to have different lengths, thereby decreasing manufacturing time and costs. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , assembly  10  can further include first thermal plate  122 , and second thermal plate  124 , which can be coupled together to form structural thermal bridge  50 . As described herein with respect to  FIG. 2 , and now shown in greater detail in  FIG. 12 , first thermal plate  122  can be positioned between first projecting electrodes  102  of energy storage devices  100  and first gasket  112 , and second thermal plate  124  can similarly be positioned between second projecting electrodes  104  of energy storage devices  100  and second gasket  112 . First and/or second thermal plates  122 ,  124  can define apertures  25  configured to complement or matingly receive terminals  26  connected to one or more energy storage devices  100 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 12 , thermal communication between energy storage devices  100  and other components can be increased in some embodiments by structural thermal bridge  50 . In other embodiments, structural thermal bridge  50  can allow for all energy storage devices  100  in assembly  10  to be thermally connected to another structure, such as elongated sleeve housing  20 . Structural thermal bridge  50  can include thermal plates  122 ,  124 , which can be configured to restrain movement by energy storage devices  100 , provide load distribution through energy storage device assembly  10 , and improve thermal conduction to other components or structures, including elongated sleeve housing  20 . 
     Recesses  115  can be shaped according to the component of an energy storage device assembly  10  that they complement or matingly engage. For example, recesses  115  can further be shaped to complement or matingly engage with a bus bar  130  coupled to a projecting electrode  102 ,  104  of energy storage device  100 , terminal  26 , or other components. Thermal plates  122 ,  124  can further be engaged with gaskets  112 ,  114  and further secure thermal plates  122 ,  124  to elongated sleeve housing  20  and/or first and second plates  12 ,  14 . Including gaskets  112 ,  114  in an energy storage device assembly  10  can allow thermal plates  122 ,  124  of structural thermal bridge  50  to retain energy storage devices  100  within elongated sleeve housing  20 , and thereby prevent or reduce rotational action against energy storage devices  100 . 
     Structural thermal bridge  50  and/or thermal plates  122 ,  124  can communicate thermal energy throughout energy storage device assembly  10 . Therefore, thermal plates  122 ,  124  offer structural support for energy storage devices  100 , while also assisting in thermal management within assembly  10 . The amount of thermal transmission to assembly  10  provided by structural thermal bridge  50 , thermal plates  122 ,  124 , thermal inserts  220 , thermal layers  230 , and/or thermal filler  232  can be predefined by selecting sizes, shapes, and materials used for these components. For example, thermal plates  122 ,  124  may be comprised of any thermally conductive material that also has an acceptable low bulk electrical conductivity as compared to the material composition of energy storage devices  100 . In some embodiments, materials used in thermal plates  122 ,  124  can include talc, a talc filled mineral, a talc filled plastic and similar compositions. 
     Thermal plates  122 ,  124  can be customizably manufactured to accommodate various design considerations. In one example, shown in  FIG. 12 , first plate  122  can be formed to include a plurality of surface segments  404 . Segments  404  can further include recesses  410 . For example, some recesses  115  can be configured to mate with bus bars  130  on energy storage devices  100 , while other recesses  115  can be configured to mate with terminals  16  located at first or second projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  of energy storage device  100 . First thermal plate  122  and/or second thermal plate  124  can further include apertures  25 ,  411  to aid in thermal conduction and/or internal clearance. 
     Turning to  FIG. 13 , structural thermal bridge  50  and/or thermal plates  122 ,  124  can be provided with apertures  402 , surface segments  404 , and/or other structural components. As described herein, surface segments  404  of thermal plates  122  and  124  can each include a plurality of recesses  115 , which can be configured as ribs, ridges, and/or indentations. Each recess  115  can be configured to complement all or part of an energy storage device  100 , including projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  (shown in  FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 7 ). 
     First and second thermal plates  122 ,  124  can also include several segments  404 , including two or more recesses  115  defined by a set of ridges  412 , which can complement or matingly receive various components, such as bus bar  130 . First and/or second thermal plates can further include a terminal recess  426  configured either to complement or matingly receive terminal  26 . Segments  404  can include a pocket  436  configured to receive at least a portion of terminal  26  and/or connector  28 . In some embodiments, pocket  436  can project from surface  404 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an interface between terminals  26  and segments  404  of first or second thermal plates  122 ,  124  according to an embodiment. Terminal  26  can be connected to energy storage device  100  before engaging segments  404  or other corresponding structure of structural thermal bridge  50 . Elongated sleeve housing  20  is shown to be coupled to several energy storage devices  100 , which can be connected to each other in series, e.g., at their first and second projecting electrodes  102 ,  104 . A plurality of wiring harnesses  302  can couple circuit board  140  to energy storage devices  100 , such that electrical communication between each energy storage device  100  and circuit board  140  is provided. As discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 4 , fasteners  212  can allow wires or wire leads from wiring harnesses  302  to be electrically coupled to energy storage devices  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the scalable length of elongated sleeve housing  20  and its physical contact with each enclosed energy storage device  100  allows each wiring harness  302  to be similar or substantially identical to each other. Using substantially identical wiring harnesses  302 , when permitted by elongated sleeve housing  20 , allows each energy storage device  100  to be connected to circuit board  140  according to a uniform design. 
     Turning to  FIG. 15 , assembly  10  can include a set of terminals  26  for use with energy storage devices  100 . Terminals  26  can be shaped differently from previously known terminals. For example, in conventional assemblies, a terminal could comprise a cup that sits on a capacitor and totally encloses an end or tip of the capacitor. As such, this terminal would traditionally press-fit or be welded radially at a point where the terminal contacts the capacitor, to secure the terminal to the capacitor. In contrast, disclosed terminals  26  can include a set of arcuate flanges  502  which provide circumferential connection to first or second projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  of energy storage device  104 . 
     Arcuate flanges  502  can be disposed proximate one another and/or be separated by a set of notches  504 . Notches  504  can enable set of arcuate flanges  502  to be adjustable or bendable relative one another, and/or allow connection to energy storage device  100 . Terminal  26  can also engage or connect to projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  of energy storage device  100 . In this context, connections can be provided through interfaces such as press fits, snap fits, interference fits, and/or matingly engagable parts. A first set of apertures  506  may be located in set of arcuate flanges  502  to aid in electrically connecting terminals  26  to circuit board  140 , optionally through wiring harness  302 . A second set of apertures  508  can be provided to couple terminals  26  to previously described first and second plates  12 ,  14 , first and second thermal plates  122 ,  124 , and/or elongated sleeve housing  20 . 
     Terminal  26  can include connector  28 , which can protrude from terminal  26 , optionally through one of the first and second plates  12 ,  14  and/or one of the first and second thermal plates  122 ,  124  for electrical contact between energy storage devices  100  and components, e.g., equipment outside energy storage device assembly  10 . In some embodiments, connector  28  defines a terminal aperture  510 , which can be configured to matingly receive an electrical contact and/or adapter to provide electrical contact. In an embodiment, terminal aperture  510  can include threads  512 , which thereby can allow terminal  26  to connect with a threaded plug (not shown). 
     In another embodiment, connector  28  can define a connector surface  514  configured to connect to a plug, application, and/or a tool. Connector surface  514  can be in the form of a patterned surface, flattened surface, or similar geometry for engaging other components. Connector  28  can be substantially centrally located relative to set of arcuate flanges  502 , and can directly contact energy storage devices  100 . A gap  520  can be present between sets of arcuate flanges  502  and connector  28 . Gap  520  can be configured to matingly receive projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  of energy storage device  100  and provide access to an interface  530  (shown in  FIG. 16 ) between connector  28  and energy storage device  100 . 
     In some embodiments, terminal  26  can be welded circumferentially on projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  of energy storage devices  100 . For example, as shown in more detail in  FIG. 16 , assembly  10  can include terminal  26 , welded circumferentially to first or second projecting electrode  102 ,  104  along interface  530  between set of flanges  502  and first or second projecting electrode  102 ,  104 . Terminal  26  is further shown to be aligned circumferentially about a first or second projecting electrode  102 ,  104 , and can connect to energy storage device  100  along weld region  532 . 
     A process for engaging terminal  26  on energy storage device  100  is shown in further detail in  FIGS. 17, 18 .  FIG. 18  shows an embodiment with which a weld joint  532  can be formed at or applied to interface  530  via access created by gap  520 . Following formation of weld joint  532 , as shown in  FIG. 18 , second plate  124  can matingly engage or contact energy storage devices  100  and/or terminal  26  such that connector  28  extends through aperture  25 . Furthermore, terminal  26  can be dimensioned to matingly engage second plate  124 . In this configuration, torque imparted by tightening a terminal fastener  540  in to terminal  26  can be distributed to other energy storage devices  100  in assembly  10 , thereby reducing direct torque on welded areas about terminal  26 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , assembly  10  can also include one or more bus bars  130  to connect parallel sets of energy storage devices  100 . A notched bus bar  130  according to an embodiment of the disclosure can be made of an electrically conductive material such as metals, e.g., aluminum, steel, tin plated copper, etc. Bus bar  130  can connect groups of series energy storage devices  100 , or can group together parallel sets of energy storage devices  100 . Similar to terminal  26  discussed previously, bus bar  130  can be circumferentially connected to a projecting electrode  102 ,  104  of energy storage devices  100 . Each bus bar  130  can communicate electricity between the adjacent energy storage devices  100  coupled thereto. 
     An embodiment of notched bus bar  130  is shown in  FIG. 20 . Notched bus bars  130  can be configured to connect energy storage devices  100  at their projecting electrodes,  102 ,  104 . Bus bar  130  can include a base  602  and one or more bus flanges  604  connected to base  130 . One or more bus flanges  604  can extend from base  602  and can engage or connect with projecting electrode  102 ,  104  of an energy storage device. Bus flanges  604  can be dimensioned to have varying geometries, including arcs, rigid lines, crescent-type geometries, or other geometries as may be desired, in order to provide contoured regions of contact between bus bar  130  and energy storage devices  100 . 
     Bus flanges  604  can be shaped to form notch  610 , which can improve flexibility of bus flanges  604  to allow notched bus bar  130  to be installed on an energy storage device. Notch  610  can further allow bus flanges  604  to flex within the plane of body  602 , such that one of bus flanges  604  may be spatially displaced from another. Spatial displacement between bus flanges  604  can improve the contour of contact areas between bus bar  130  and energy storage device  100 . This flexibility can provide a secure electrical connection between individual energy storage devices  100  and bus bar  130  without risking electrical shorts, current leakage, etc. In some cases, bus flanges  602  can reduce or even neutralize external forces acting against energy storage devices  100 . Notched bus bars  130  can also be bonded or otherwise affixed to energy storage devices  100  through welding or other forms of structural bonding to increase stability of energy storage device assembly  610 . 
     Bus flanges  602  can be shaped to form two or more substantially circular ends  620 , with each end  620  connected through base  602 . Generally, substantially circular ends  620  can also be substantially circular. Substantially circular ends  620  can thus be configured to engage circumferentially one of the projecting electrodes  102 ,  104  of an energy storage device  100 . Substantially circular ends  620  can therefore geometrically accommodate energy storage devices  100  of varying geometrical design. Substantially circular ends  620  can be configured to be partially circular, instead of completely circular, to avoid situations in which exact geometrical alignment between bus bar  130  and energy storage devices  100  would be necessary. Thus, substantially circular ends  620  can engage either projecting electrode  102 ,  104  of energy storage devices  100  without completely enclosing the device. 
     Some advantages offered by including one or more substantially circular ends  620  in bus bar  130  can include an ability to connect bus bars  130  to energy storage devices  130  through a light press fit, and the adaptability of bus bar  130  to design or manufacturing variances between numerous energy storage device assemblies  10 . Furthermore, any desired number of bus bars  130  can be used to connect energy storage devices  100  in energy storage device assemblies  10 , improving the structural stability and operability of the previously discussed components, such as structural thermal bridge  50 , plates  12 ,  14 , and/or thermal plates  122 ,  124 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 21 , an embodiment of a cooling system  700  for one or more energy storage device assemblies  10  is shown. As discussed herein energy, storage device assembly  10  can include a plurality of energy storage devices  100  (e.g., ultracapacitors) therein. Each energy storage device  100  can include first electrode  102  and second electrode  104  at opposing ends, which may be electrical terminals with opposite polarities. As is also discussed herein, several energy storage devices  100  of energy storage device assembly  10  can be connected to one another in series. Energy storage device  10  can include elongated sleeve housing  20 , in which several series connections of energy storage devices  100  can be enclosed. 
     Cooling system  700  can include a liquid coolant transmission line  702  in thermal communication with at least one energy storage device  100  of energy storage device assembly  10 . Liquid coolant transmission line  702  can be located in close proximity to energy storage device  100  (e.g., separated by a distance with an order of magnitude of decameters, centimeters, millimeters, etc.). During operation, one or more energy storage devices  100  may accumulate heat to be dissipated to other components of energy storage device assembly  10  (e.g., elongated sleeve housing  20 , structural thermal bridge  50  ( FIGS. 1, 12 )). To reduce temperatures about energy storage device  100  and/or other components of energy storage device assembly  10 , liquid coolant transmission line  702  can be composed of a thermally-conductive, electrically-insulating material which absorbs some accumulated heat from at least one energy storage device  100 . In an embodiment, a portion of liquid coolant transmission line  702  can be positioned adjacent to and substantially across a length of adjacent energy storage devices  100 , thereby absorbing heat from two or more adjacent energy storage devices  100 . To increase the rate and magnitude of heat transfer, liquid coolant transmission line  702  may transmit one or more substances capable of absorbing heat without affecting its physical properties. As non-limiting examples, liquid coolant transmission line  702  can transmit: an antifreeze, a compressible refrigerant, an antifreeze-water solution, and/or other currently known or later developed materials with similar heat transfer properties. Liquid coolant transmission line  702  can be composed of any currently known or later developed material for containing and/or transmitting fluids. For example, liquid coolant transmission line  702  can be a reinforced or non-reinforced conduit composed of a plastic, synthetic and/or natural rubbers, non-conductive metals or metal alloys, resinous materials, composite materials including one of the example substances discussed herein, and/or other substances. Where liquid coolant transmission line  702  can be sufficiently electrically insulated from energy storage devices  100  by intervening gaps and/or materials, it may alternatively include conductive metals or metal alloys. As is shown in  FIG. 21 , liquid coolant transmission line  702  may include one or more joints therein, e.g., elbow joints, coupling joints, tee joints, and/or other plumbing and fitting components. In other embodiments, liquid coolant transmission line  702  may be composed of a flexible tubular material which can be worked to integrally include turns, expansions, branches, etc. 
     Embodiments of cooling system  700  can also include a thermally-conductive, electrically-insulative material  704  through which liquid coolant transmission line  702  passes. Thermally-conductive, electrically-insulative material  704  can be composed at least partially of, e.g., a plastic, a phase-change material, a potting material, combinations of the example materials described herein and/or other materials, and/or any other known and later discovered substances capable of communicating heat while insulating electricity. Thermally-conductive, electrically-insulative material  704  can thus be composed of one or more of the same materials as discussed herein regarding structural thermal bridge  50  ( FIGS. 1, 12 ), thermal inserts  220  ( FIGS. 6, 7A, 7C, 7D, 11B ), thermal conducting layers  230  ( FIGS. 8A, 11B ), thermal fillers  232  ( FIG. 8B ), or can be composed of a different material or combination of materials. Thermally-conductive, electrically-insulative material  704  can communicate heat from energy storage devices  100  into liquid coolant transmission line  702  and any substances being transmitted therein. Thermally-conductive, electrically-insulative material  704  can thus allow for a larger separation distance between energy storage devices  100  and liquid coolant transmission line  702  than may be possible with other substances (e.g., air, insulative structural connections, etc.) being positioned therebetween. 
     As shown in  FIG. 21 , a portion of liquid coolant transmission line  702  can extend substantially axially along (i.e., in parallel with the orientation of first and second projecting electrodes  102 ,  104 ) the length of multiple energy storage devices  100  throughout elongated sleeve housing  20  of energy storage device assembly  10 . Turning briefly to  FIG. 22 , in some embodiments, where liquid coolant transmission line  702  includes a material, e.g., aluminum, capable of direct coupling to elongated sleeve housing  20 , a weld bond  705  may be used. Weld bonds  705  may be formed by one or more of, e.g., a spot weld, a circumferential weld, a TIG (gas tungsten arc) weld, a MIG (gas metal arc) weld, an EB (electric) weld, a laser weld, or any other types of welding currently known or later developed. Weld bonds  705  may be formed upon an interior surface of elongated sleeve housing  20 , a protruding surface within elongated sleeve housing  20 , and/or a mounting fixture or intervening component otherwise coupled to the interior of elongated sleeve housing  20 . Through weld bonds  705  or other types of coupling methods or components, liquid coolant transmission line  702  and/or other components of cooling system  700  can be alternatively be directly embedded within and/or upon (e.g., extruded with) portions of elongated sleeve housing  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 23 and 24 , at various locations (such as opposing axial ends) liquid coolant transmission line  702  can include one or more turns  706  that may be, in some instances, oriented substantially perpendicular to the axial direction (i.e., the orientation of first and second projecting electrodes  102 ) of one or more energy storage devices  100  between axially oriented sections of liquid coolant transmission line  702 . Turns  706  can be contained within elongated sleeve housing  20 , or may be located outside of elongated sleeve housing  20 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 23 , elongated sleeve housing  20  can include apertures  708  through which liquid coolant transmission line  702  can pass. Upon passing through apertures  708 , liquid coolant transmission line  702  can temporarily change orientation outside energy storage device assembly  10  at turns  706  and/or be connected to other components of cooling system  700  discussed herein. Turns  706  may be in the form of, e.g., a single section of liquid coolant transmission line  702  which has been bent, shaped, or otherwise formed into a turn, or a group of several smaller conduits with elbow bends or transition adapters positioned therebetween to form the shape of turn  706 . Turns  706  of liquid coolant transmission line  702  can also be positioned within elongated sleeve housing  20  and can extend substantially perpendicular to the axial orientation of energy storage device  100 . In this arrangement, a portion of liquid coolant transmission line  702  can be adjacent to and/or extend across two or more surfaces of the same energy storage device  100 . Embodiments of the present disclosure in which portions of liquid coolant transmission line  702  directly contact one or more energy storage devices  100 , without intervening materials between each component to directly absorb heat from energy storage devices  100 , are also contemplated. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 24 , it is understood that one or more liquid coolant transmission lines  702  can have a substantially helical, sinusoidal, corrugated partially curved, or other type of geometry while being positioned adjacent to one or more corresponding energy storage devices  100 . As is also shown in  FIG. 23 , liquid coolant transmission lines  702  can be embedded within and/or form a part of thermally conductive, electrically insulative material  704 . That is, liquid coolant transmission lines  702  may be defined as cavities extending through thermally conductive, electrically insulative material  704 , which may be formed, e.g., by the use of a mold, or by machining a block of material. In  FIG. 25 , an arrangement with bends  706  positioned outside of elongated sleeve housing  20  is shown. In addition or alternatively, liquid coolant transmission line  702  and/or bends  706  can be contained entirely within elongated sleeve housing  20  where gaps between energy storage devices  100  are sufficiently sized to allow liquid coolant transmission lines  20  to pass therethrough. 
     Turning to  FIG. 26 , other components of cooling system  700  according to embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Energy storage device assembly  10  and/or cooling system  700  can include a heat exchanger  710  in fluid communication with liquid coolant transmission line  702 . Heat exchanger  710  can supply coolant to and/or circulate coolant through energy storage device assembly  10 . The supplied and/or circulated coolant from heat exchanger  710  can continuously absorb heat from energy storage devices  100  and/or other components of energy storage device assembly  10 . In one embodiment, heat exchanger  710  may take the form of a radiator system. In this case, heat exchanger  710  can include a reservoir  712  for storing a liquid coolant to be transmitted to energy storage device assembly  10  through liquid coolant transmission line  702 . Reservoir  712  can be sized and shaped (e.g., a substantially cylindrical) to hold a reserve of liquid coolant of a predetermined amount. A portion of liquid coolant transmission line  702  can fluidly connect a radiator  714  to reservoir  712 . Radiator  714  can further reduce the temperature of liquid coolants traveling through liquid coolant transmission line  702 . In an embodiment, liquid coolants which have absorbed heat from components of energy storage device assembly  10  can enter radiator  714  to be cooled before returning to reservoir  712  and/or energy storage device assembly  10 . 
     Liquid coolants stored in reservoir  712  can be transmitted to energy storage device assembly  10 , e.g., by a pump  716  of heat exchanger  710 . As an alternative, reservoir  712 , pump  716 , and/or other components of heat exchanger  710  may be provided as distinct, independent components coupled to each other and/or energy storage device assembly  10 . Pump  716  can be in the form of a mechanically actuated pump, an electrically actuated pump, or any other currently known or later developed component for directing liquid from a reservoir through a particular conduit or pathway. Pump  716  can relay liquid coolant from reservoir  712  into elongated sleeve housing  20  of energy storage device assembly  10 , where the pumped liquid coolant can absorb heat from energy storage devices  100  and/or other components within energy storage device assembly  10 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 27 , cooling system  700  and/or heat exchanger  710  can include a fan  718  adjacent to radiator  714 . Fan  718  can provide an airflow to radiator  714  to reduce the temperature of coolants or other components within radiator  714 . Radiator  714  and fan  718  together can increase the total amount of cooling provided by liquid coolant within liquid coolant transmission line  702  to energy storage device assembly  10 . 
     Other mechanisms for cooling particular coolants may also be provided in addition to or as an alternative to heat exchanger  710  in the form of a radiator system, and include components and systems such as but not limited to: refrigeration systems with compressed or uncompressed refrigerants, air conditioning systems, heat sinks, convective cooling systems, evaporative cooling systems, etc. 
     Although embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein as including energy storage device assembly  10  and cooling system  700  as elements of a complete system, it is also understood that cooling system  700  can be manufactured, assembled, provided, etc. separately from energy storage device assembly  10 . In an example embodiment, energy storage device assembly  10  can be adapted to hold one or more cooling systems  700  therein, which can be provided separately and integrated with the existing energy storage device assembly  10 . Thus, cooling system  700  can include a plurality of liquid coolant transmission lines  702  positioned within elongated sleeve housing  20  of energy storage device assembly  10 , along with several energy storage devices  100 . The plurality of liquid coolant transmission lines  702  can be spatially arranged to absorb heat from one or more energy storage devices  100  of energy storage device assembly  10 . As discussed elsewhere herein, cooling system  700  can also include heat exchanger  710  and/or any of its components, and may be modified or adapted to include other features. Cooling system  700  can also include one or more thermally-conductive, electrically-insulative materials positioned between liquid coolant transmission lines  702  and other components to be cooled to increase the rate and amount of cooling provided. 
     It is further understood that cooling system  700  can be combined with one or more of the alternative embodiments and/or additional features of energy storage device assembly  10  discussed elsewhere herein. For example, cooling system  700  can be used with energy storage device assemblies  10  which include several energy storage devices  100  with first and second projecting electrodes  102 ,  104 , and bonded directly together in series with weld bonds  210  ( FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7A, 7D ). One or more liquid coolant transmission lines  702  of cooling system  700  can absorb heat from one or more of energy storage devices  100 , and can optionally be bonded to a base plate  720  of elongated sleeve housing  20  for additional stability and thermal communication. One or more other optional components of energy storage device assembly  10  discussed herein can also be coupled to a component of cooling system  700  where applicable. 
     It is further understood that cooling system  700  can be combined with energy storage device assemblies and systems other than that described and illustrated herein, all of which are considered within the scope of the invention. For example, cooling system  700  can be combined with an energy storage device assembly without series connections between two or more ultracapacitors, or where alternative spatial arrangements of energy storage devices within an assembly are used. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.