Patent ID: 7855011

Claim:
A monoblock lithium ion battery comprising: a base with an open top, the base having two ends joined to two sides with a bottom connected to the two ends and the two sides, the base having compartment walls defining cell compartments, the cell compartments defining a chamber, the cell compartments receiving a plurality of lithium ion cells, the plurality of lithium ion cells having terminals; a first tray, the first tray dimensioned and configured to seal the chamber, the first tray having terminal openings and vent openings, the vent openings having check valves to permit one-way movement for gas or liquid from the chamber; a second tray, the second tray dimensioned and configured to the first tray, the second tray and the first tray forming a plenum, the second tray having terminal openings; a spring used to hold each of the plurality of lithium ion cells, the spring applying uniform compression on each of the plurality of lithium ion cells; and a cover dimensioned and configured to seal the open top of the base, the cover being disposed over the second tray to form a second chamber, wherein terminals of the plurality of lithium ion cells extend into the plenum between the first tray and the second tray and extend into the second chamber between the second tray and the cover, wherein gas produced by the plurality of lithium ion cells is vented into the plenum.