Patent ID: 8212522

Claim:
A battery module, comprising: a plurality of battery cells arranged in a plurality of columns, each column including a subset of battery cells connected to each other in series, wherein an electrical connection between the subset of connected battery cells is reinforced by an outer sleeve fitted to an outer casing of each battery cell, and a conductive epoxy disposed between facing ends of connected battery cells, each column have a top end and bottom end and providing a terminal at the top end and a terminal at the bottom end; a rack for holding the columns, the rack supporting opposing sides of each battery cell and arranging the plurality of battery cells to form defined rows of battery cells; a bus bar electrically connecting the terminals at the top ends of the columns and a bus bar electrically connecting the terminals at the bottom ends of the columns; and a band electrically connecting said outer casing of each battery cell in each row to equalize the charge existing in each of the cells connected to the band.