Energy storage system with heat pipe thermal management

An energy storage system comprising:

• multiple cells, each cylindrically shaped cell having a first end with anode and cathode terminals, and a second end opposite the first end, the multiple cells arranged so that the second ends are aligned;
• a flexible printed circuit that overlies and interconnects electrical terminals of the multiple cells;
• a heat pipe having a U-shape, the heat pipe including an evaporation portion having a flat evaporation surface thermally coupled to the second ends of the multiple cells, a first condensation portion oriented substantially perpendicular to the evaporation portion, and a second condensation portion oriented substantially perpendicular to the evaporation portion, the first condensation portion at a first end of the evaporation portion, and the second condensation portion at a second end of the evaporation portion, wherein the multiple cells are vertically oriented with respect to the flat evaporation surface;
• an electric insulator layer disposed between the flat evaporation surface and the multiple cells, the electrical insulator being thermally conductive;
• a first heat transfer channel abutting the first condensation portion, the first heat transfer channel configured to reject thermal energy from, or bring thermal energy to, the first condensation portion;
• and
• a second heat transfer channel abutting the second condensation portion, the second heat transfer channel configured to reject thermal energy from, or bring thermal energy to, the second condensation portion.

An energy storage system for containing multiple cells, each cylindrical shaped cell having a first end with anode and cathode terminals, and a second end opposite the first end, the multiple cells arranged so that the second ends are aligned, the energy storage system comprising:

• a heat pipe having a U-shape, the heat pipe including an evaporation portion having a flat evaporation surface thermally coupled to the second ends of the multiple cells, a first condensation portion oriented substantially perpendicular to the evaporation portion, and a second condensation portion oriented substantially perpendicular to the evaporation portion, the first condensation portion at a first end of the evaporation portion, and the second condensation portion at a second end of the evaporation portion;
• a first heat transfer channel abutting the first condensation portion, the first heat transfer channel configured to reject thermal energy from, or bring thermal energy to, the first condensation portion;
• and
• a second heat transfer channel abutting the second condensation portion, the second heat transfer channel configured to reject thermal energy from, or bring thermal energy to, the second condensation portion.