High-power ultracapacitor energy storage pack and method of use

A method of supporting a plurality of energy storage cells in a hybrid electric vehicle, each of the plurality of energy storage cells having a first terminal, a first end portion, a second terminal, and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, the method comprising

• inserting the plurality of energy storage cells into a first cradle member so that the end portions of the energy storage cells are supportably cupped by a first array of energy storage cell body support structures with the respective first terminals passing through the first cradle member;
• adding a second cradle member onto the energy storage cells so that the second end portions of the energy storage cells are supportably cupped by a second array of energy storage cell body support structures with the respective second terminals passing through the second cradle member;
• mechanically coupling the second cradle member to the first cradle member such that the plurality of energy storage cells, the first cradle member, and the second cradle member form a single energy storage pack;
• electrically coupling the plurality of energy storage cells to each other;
• and,
• mounting the single energy storage pack on to the hybrid electric vehicle such that the energy storage cells are oriented along a dominant axis of vibration of the hybrid electric vehicle.

An system for securing a plurality of energy storage cells in a hybrid electric vehicle, each of the plurality of energy storage cells having a first terminal, a first end portion, and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, the system comprising:

• a first cradle member including a first array of energy storage cell body support structures configured to support each first end portion and to provide access to each first terminal of the plurality of energy storage cells, respectively;
• a second cradle member including a second array of energy storage cell body support structures configured to support each second end portion of the plurality of energy storage cells, respectively;
• and,
• a mechanical couple connecting the first cradle member and the second cradle member together;
• a plurality of electrical bridging devices that electrically connect a plurality of the first terminals between adjacent energy storage cells;
• and,
• a plurality of terminal cooling devices, each having a terminal interface configured to mechanically and thermally couple the terminal cooling device to the plurality of first terminals, each terminal cooling device also having a heat exchanger configured to convectively transfer heat away from the first terminal of its respective coupled energy storage cell, and further configured to mechanically couple one end of one of the plurality of the electrical bridging devices to its respective coupled energy storage cell.