Patent ID: 7916453

Claim:
A method for supporting a plurality of energy storage cells within a vehicle, each of the plurality of energy storage cells having a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, a first terminal extending beyond the first end portion, and a second terminal extending beyond the second end portion, the method comprising: attaching a first energy storage support adapter to the first end portion of each of the plurality of energy storage cells, each first energy storage support adapter extending beyond each first terminal and configured to transfer support loading to each first end portion and provide a first flow path across each first terminal, respectively; attaching a second energy storage support adapter to the second end portion of each of the plurality of energy storage cells, each second energy storage support adapter extending beyond each second terminal and configured to transfer support loading to each second end portion and provide a second flow path across each second terminal, respectively; placing the plurality of energy storage cells and attached first and second energy storage support adapters between a first support surface and a second support surface; and, mechanically joining the first and second support surfaces such that the plurality of energy storage cells are supported within the vehicle by the first and second support surfaces via the first and second energy storage support adapters.