LOAD DISTRIBUTING THERMAL RUNAWAY BARRIER FOR A BATTERY CELL

A load distributing thermal runaway barrier for an energy storage battery cell pack includes a first separator plate, a second separator plate, and at least one first elastic member arranged between the first and second separator plates. Each first elastic member is configured to maintain a first load in response to a pressure applied to at least one of the first and second separator plates. The load distributing thermal runaway barrier also includes a third separator plate, a fourth separator plate, and at least one second elastic member arranged between the third and fourth separator plates. Each first elastic member is configured to maintain a second load in response to a pressure applied to at least one of the third and fourth separator plates. The load distributing thermal runaway barrier additionally includes a thermally insulating pad arranged between the second and third separator plates.