Support assembly for an array of battery cells

摘要

A battery includes a plurality of stacking supports including retaining flanges and support surfaces; and a plurality of generally cylindrical cells. Each cell is supported on a pair of the support surfaces. Each cell has an annular notch defined in a side wall with the annular notch mating with one retaining flange. The cells are arranged upon the stacking supports in a plurality of cell rows. The support surfaces are arranged on the stacking supports in such a manner so that the cells are arranged in a close-packed array and to maintain at least a predetermined distance between adjacent cells.