Electrode Support For Suspending Or Holding An Electrode In A Battery Patents (Class 429/208)
  • Patent number: 6551737
    Abstract: A cylindrical alkaline storage battery including a group of spiral electrodes composed of positive and negative electrode plates spirally wound with a separator interposed therebetween. A winding end of the positive electrode plate is positioned in a maximum diameter portion of the group of spiral electrodes. The separator is reinforced by an additional separator of the same kind of material adhered thereto at an outside of the winding end of the positive electrode plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Takee
  • Patent number: 6544678
    Abstract: Improved metal-air fuel cell battery systems having metal-fuel realized in the form of metal-fuel tape cartridges and metal-fuel cards, which can be either manually or automatically inserted within the power generation bay of the system. In order to produce a range of output voltages, the metal-fuel tape has a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel tracks and the metal-fuel cards have a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel strips. An output voltage configuration subsystem is provided for configuring the voltages produced by the individual cells to produce a desired output. A subsystem is provided for detecting oxide formation on the metal-fuel tracks and strips so that only metal-fuel that has been oxidized is reduced during recharging operations. A subsystem is also provided for controlling the flow of oxygen into the power generation head in order to control the power output from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
    Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Yuen-Ming Chang, Tsepin Tsai, Wayne Yao
  • Patent number: 6541153
    Abstract: An electrical power generator includes a plastic cylindrical case that has an interior divided into a plurality of chambers. A copper electrode and a zinc electrode are disposed within each of the chambers. The copper electrodes have a positive electromotive force. The zinc electrodes have a negative electromotive force. The electrodes are in a circuit arrangement that has a negative terminal and a positive terminal. The negative output and a positive output terminals are respectively connected to the positive and negative outputs of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Iradj Hessabi
  • Publication number: 20030031920
    Abstract: An element body for a compressible stack of battery elements is provided. The element body defines a cavity for receiving the compressible stack of battery elements. The cavity has a height that is smaller than an uncompressed height of the compressible stack of battery elements. A cover compresses the compressible stack of battery elements to about the height of the cavity. The stack has a plurality of positive plates each having a positive lug, a plurality of non-conductive separators, and a plurality of negative plates each having a negative lug is provided. The positive plates, separators, and negative plates are configured into the compressible stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Roderick L. Hoffman, Rex W. Holliday, Jason E. Connell
  • Publication number: 20030017376
    Abstract: A metal air cell system comprises a frame structure configured with variable airflow paths. The variable airflow paths provide alternatives between direct open loop airflow and semi-closed loop air flow, wherein air is at least partially circulated around the cell components. This is particularly useful for operation in different temperature environments. The open loop mode is useful for high temperature environments, and the semi-closed loop mode is useful for low temperature environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Tsepin Tsai, William F. Morris
  • Patent number: 6485859
    Abstract: An improved electrode assembly for batteries and the like including a central mandrel configured to exert a resilient outward force on a multilayer web wound around the mandrel. The multilayer web includes a positive electrode layer, a negative electrode layer, and a separator layer separating the positive and negative layers. The resilient outward force acts to maintain the tightness of the web roll, thus lowering electrical resistance and enhancing battery cycle life. The mandrel is preferably formed of sheet metal configured to define an S-shape having a central section and first and second resilient leaves extending therefrom. The leaves preferably define substantially planar areas for bearing against an inner turn of the web roll to exert a resilient outward force thereagainst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research
    Inventor: Andrew J. Szyszkowski
  • Patent number: 6479180
    Abstract: In a vehicle fuel cell supporting apparatus and method supporting a fuel cell formed by a plurality of unit cells, each of which is provided with an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte film, and is laminated together with a separator intervening therebetween in a forward and rearward direction of the vehicle, relative movement, in a forward direction of the vehicle, of the cell element located at the front most position of the fuel cell with respect to the vehicle is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Uozumi
  • Publication number: 20020160247
    Abstract: A metal air cell system is provided. The system includes a cathode having a pair of oxidant sides and anode sides. An anode is provided in two parts, each part having a side complementary each anode side of the cathode. A separator is disposed between the anode and cathode to electrically isolate the anode and the cathode. Electrolyte is disposed between the cathode and the anode, the electrolyte provided within the anode, separately at the interface between the cathode and the anode, or both within the anode and separately at the interface between the cathode and the anode. This configuration generally allows a single oxidant flow to be exposed to both portions of the cathode due to the central passage of the oxidant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: George Tzong-Chyi Tzeng, Craig L. Cole
  • Patent number: 6444355
    Abstract: A lithium ion battery comprising a positive electrode 1, a negative electrode 4 and a separator 7 for retaining an electrolyte, characterized in that as an adhesive 8 for bonding said positive electrode 1 to said separator 7 and said negative electrode 4 to said separator 7 there is used a thermosetting adhesive comprising a mixture of at least one organic vinyl compound containing two or more vinyl groups per molecule, a reaction catalyst and a volatile organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michio Murai, Takayuki Inuzuka, Yasuhiro Yoshida, Kouji Hamano, Hisashi Shiota, Shigeru Aihara, Syo Shiraga
  • Publication number: 20020064710
    Abstract: A highly reliable rechargeable battery comprising an anode, a separator, a cathode, an electrolyte or an electrolyte solution, and a housing, characterized in that said anode is structured to have a size which is greater than that of said cathode. The rechargeable battery provides an increased energy density and has a prolonged charging and discharging cycle life, in which a dendrite causing a reduction in the battery performance, which is generated upon operating charging in the conventional rechargeable battery, is effectively prevented from generating or from growing in the case where it should be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: SOICHIRO KAWAKAMI, SHINYA MISHINA, NAOYA KOBAYASHI, MASAYA ASAO
  • Patent number: 6383673
    Abstract: Improved electro-chemical power generation devices (e.g., metal-air fuel cell battery devices) having metal-fuel realized in the form of a metal-fuel card including a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel elements (e.g., strips) disposed on the surface of substantially rigid and planar non-electrically-conductive substrate. The metal-fuel elements are in electrical contact with the anode contacting elements of the power generation device when the metal-fuel card is spatially registered to anode contacting elements of the electro-chemical power generation device. In another aspect of the present invention, an aperture formed in the substrate provides electrical contact between the metal-fuel element disposed on the first side of the substrate and the anode contacting element disposed on the second side of the substrate when the metal-fuel card is spatially registered to the anode contacting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
    Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Yuen-Ming Chang, Tsepin Tsai, Wayne Yao
  • Patent number: 6368746
    Abstract: A molded solid electrolyte, a molded electrode and an electrochemical device which contain a polymer composition consisting of 50 to 100 wt % of 1,2-polybutadiene having a 1,2-vinyl content of 70% or more and a crystallinity of 5 to 50%, and 0 to 50 wt % of polar rubber. According to the present invention, it becomes possible to obtain a molded solid electrolyte provided with high ionic conductivity and high workability, or a molded electrode having high electrode activity, and it is also possible to obtain an electrochemical device showing excellent activating properties by using the molded solid electrolyte and the molded electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., JSR Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Takada, Kazuya Iwamoto, Shigeo Kondo, Yasumasa Takeuchi, Naoshi Yasuda, Fusazumi Masaka
  • Patent number: 6348277
    Abstract: An improved metal-air fuel cell battery (FCB) system and a method of producing and supplying electrical power to an electrical power consuming device. The method involves packaging and distributing together (i) a metal-air FCB module for producing electrical power using a metal-fuel card insertable within the metal-air FCB module, and (ii) a supply of metal-fuel cards, available as metal-fuel consumable within the metal-air FCB module. The metal-air FCB module includes a cathode structure and an anode contacting structure wherebetween a metal-fuel card can be inserted during a metal-fuel card loading operation, when electrical power is required from the metal-air FCB module. By virtue of the present invention, consumers can now quickly and easily refuel a metal-air FCB module used to power electrical power consuming devices, without wasting or otherwise replacing the typically massive, expensive, and non-consumed components of the metal-air FCB module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
    Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai
  • Publication number: 20020009634
    Abstract: The present invention provides a battery, which maintains stable conductive connection between an electrode guiding pin and an electrode pulling member. The invention provides a sealed battery, which comprises an insulating member with a through-hole, said insulating member is placed on an opening of a planar member, an electrode guiding pin connected in conductive manner to a power generating element is passed through said through-hole and caulked and fixed, whereby an electrode pulling member is placed on the insulating member, and the electrode pulling member is connected in conductive manner with the electrode guiding pin by welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: NEC MOBILE ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuhiro Oogaku
  • Patent number: 6309771
    Abstract: Improved metal-air fuel cell battery systems having metal-fuel realized in the form of substantially planar metal-fuel cards of rigid construction, which can be either manually or automatically inserted within the power generation bay of the system. The power generation bay includes at least one electrically-conductive cathode element supported by a cathode support structure in a stationary position with respect to the cathode support structure, and at least one electrically-conductive anode-contacting element supported by an anode contacting structure in a stationary position with respect to the anode contacting structure. In order to produce a range of output voltages, the power generation bay includes a plurality of cells comprising cathode elements spatially arranged with anode contacting elements, and each metal-fuel card has a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel strips that are spatially arranged with these cells when the metal-fuel card is inserted to the power generation bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Reveo, Inc
    Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Yuen-Ming Chang, Tsepin Tsai, Wayne Yao
  • Publication number: 20010031395
    Abstract: A rectangular electrode plate including a core metal sheet and a mixture paste coated thereon has a lead on one long side edge thereof where no mixture is coated, and a mixture non-coated part on the other side edge thereof. Positioning holes are punched only in the lead so that the stress exerted when punching the holes will not cause the mixture paste to fall off. Stacked electrode plates are accommodated within a magazine with a certain clearance between the three side edges of the electrodes other than the lead and the inner surface of the magazine, and fed one by one to be assembled into an electrode plate group to form a battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Fukuda, Izumi Yamamura, Hiromi Kajiya, Yoshihiro Tokutome
  • Patent number: 6296960
    Abstract: Improved metal-air fuel cell battery systems having metal-fuel realized in the form of metal-fuel tape cartridges and metal-fuel cards, which can be either manually or automatically inserted within the power generation bay of the system. In order to produce a range of output voltages, the metal-fuel tape has a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel tracks and the metal-fuel cards have a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel strips. An output voltage configuration subsystem is provided for configuring the voltages produced by the individual cells to produce a desired output. A subsystem is provided for detecting oxide formation on the metal-fuel tracks and strips so that only metal-fuel that has been oxidized is reduced during recharging operations. A subsystem is also provided for controlling the flow of oxygen into the power generation head in order to control the power output from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
    Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Yuen-Ming Chang, Tsepin Tsai, Wenbin Yao
  • Publication number: 20010008724
    Abstract: In order to be able to produce prismatic, unsealed nickel-cadmium batteries without limiting the amount of electrolyte, employing fiber-structure electrodes which, while retaining the above-described advantages over conventional nicad batteries in terms of the charging voltages, are compatible with these conventional products by not requiring higher charging voltages yet involve less maintenance in connection with water consumption, the invention proposes the manufacture of an electrode system for nicad batteries under at least partial utilization of fiber-structure electrodes, for which purpose positive and negative lamellar electrodes are produced and, with separator material interlayered, stacked in alternating fashion in a defined number to form an electrode assembly, with the respective equidirectional electrodes mutually connected by means of connecting straps; the said electrode assembly is pressed and positionally locked between mechanical clamping elements into a unitized, coplanar, undeformable bloc
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventors: DETLEF OHMS, WILLI KITZHOFER, UWE SCHAFFRATH, GABOR BENCZUR-URMOSSY
  • Patent number: 6256187
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck device is characterized in the provision of a ceramic layer, which serves as an adsorption surface, via an electricity insulating elastic layer, and an electrode that is formed between the ceramic layer and the electricity insulating elastic layer. The electricity insulating elastic layer consists of an adhesive that contains a rubber component and a phenol-type antioxidant. This electrostatic chuck device does not easily experience wear or deformation, and has extremely high durability. The electricity insulating elastic layer relieves stress caused by differences in coefficients of thermal expansion during heating, or by slight volume changes in the resin material. As a result, the stress applied on the ceramic layer can be reduced, making it possible to limit a reduction in the degree of flatness and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Tomoegawa Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadao Matsunaga, Masaharu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6190794
    Abstract: Prismatic battery including a metal container (1) within which is arranged a non circular spiral winding (2) of at least one composite strip (10) including an anode (2a) and a cathode (2c), separated by porous separators (2b) impregnated by an electrolyte, said container (1) being sealed at its upper portion by a cover (4). The spiral winding (2) is formed around a rigid spool (20) including an upper flange (21), having the dimensions of the opening of the cavity (16), and a lower flange (22), having the inner dimensions of the bottom (15), said flanges being joined by a central neck (24) and, on either side, by two lateral necks (23, 25), said necks (23, 24, 25) delimiting two openings (26a, 26c) in the median portion of the spool (20) and a free space (27) at its periphery to accommodate the winding (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Renata AG
    Inventor: Paul Julian Wyser
  • Patent number: 6117583
    Abstract: The invention concerns a lead-acid battery having all the surfaces of all the electrodes under high pressure and their circumferences kept unchanged by support from mechanically rigid cell walls such that only the thickness of the electrodes is allowed to expand under strong resilient load during the discharge and return during charge. The pressure is 0.49-10.sup.5 -9.81-10.sup.5 Pa (0.5-10 kp/cm.sup.2), and may be obtained by separators or by springs applied to the outer sides of the cell container and may be changed for increased or decreased capacity. The construction of the tubular battery design, prevents material losses due to sludging and a long working life is obtained, since also a totally corroded lead conductor under high pressure may function as a current conductor. The rigid outer containers also allow high liquid pressure and thus a high oxygen solubility and oxygen recombination for sealed cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Power Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Ove Nilsson, Erik Sundberg
  • Patent number: 6103424
    Abstract: A rectangular battery having an electrode group which is inserted in a battery case having an airtight structure. The electrode group is formed by alternately stacking positive electrodes and negative electrodes via separators. The battery case is rectangular had has a closed bottom and an open part that is airtightly sealed by a cover. The outermost electrodes, which are located on both faces of the electrode group, are coated with an active material on a surface of a core. Furthermore, the outermost electrodes have the same polarity and the cores thereof directly contact an inside surface of the outer battery case. In one embodiment, the capacity of the outermost electrodes is smaller than the capacity of the inwardly disposed electrodes of the same polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Hamamatsu, Masao Inoue, Takashi Nagase, Satoru Kometani, Nobuyoshi Oi, Hirofumi Sako, Hiroshi Sato, Tadashi Ise, Yasushi Kuroda
  • Patent number: 6103417
    Abstract: The invention discloses a flat elementary electrochemical cell including first and second electrode foils between which there are two layers of permeable separator material for an electrolyte under pressure. According to the invention, this cell includes a non-conductive fastening system of the electrode foil and layer(s) of separator material for pressing them together. The invention also discloses a precursor element for realizing one or various such cells and a flat accumulator element including at least one such cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Juha Rapeli
  • Patent number: 6083640
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes a case, a rolled electrode assembly disposed within the case, and an electrode assembly fixing member receiving a portion of the rolled electrode assembly so that expansion and contraction of the rolled electrode assembly can be suppressed during charging and discharging operations of the battery, and deformation of the rolled electrode assembly caused by outer impact can be prevented. The electrode assembly fixing member comprises a cap fitted onto at least one of upper and lower ends of the rolled electrode assembly. The electrode assembly fixing member further comprises a gripper holding the rolled electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Display Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Uk Lee, Jun-Won Kang, Chang-Seob Kim
  • Patent number: 6074781
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a large anode-to-cathode interface area which achieves low current density to provide high cell efficiency. The electrochemical cell includes a can containing a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode has an outer perimeter which substantially conforms to the interior walls of the can and further has a non-cylindrical cavity provided therein. The second electrode is disposed within the non-cylindrical cavity of the first electrode. The first and second electrodes provide an interface area that varies along the length of the cell. A separator is disposed between the first and second electrodes and a cover and seal assembly is assembled to an open top end of the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Romulus P. Jurca
  • Patent number: 6027830
    Abstract: An electrode set (i.e., a separator between two electrodes) is placed within an electrically nonconductive mounting cage prior to sealing the mounting cage/electrode set assembly within a battery container having a cup-shaped lower part and a lid-shaped upper part. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting cage has a ring from which extend retaining arms with a projection at the end. The retaining arms are interconnected by curved-rib connections positioned near the separator. The mounting cage enables the electrode set to be accurately assembled before being sealed within the battery container. The ring of the mounting cage forms a sealing ring between the battery container (which acts as one electrical contact for the battery) and a contact spring that is placed within the mounting cage before the electrode set and acts as the other electrical contact. The retaining arms and projections hold the components of the electrode set accurately in place during battery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Varta Batterie Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Jurgen Lindner
  • Patent number: 6020084
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a spiral winding around a central core, wherein the central core is provided with longitudinal grooves on its outer surface to facilitate electrolyte filing and accommodate overpressure. The core itself improves dissipation of heat generated along the center of the cell, and the hollow core design allows the cell core to have a larger radius, permitting the "jelly roll" winding to begin at a larger radius and thereby facilitate the initial turns of the winding by decreasing the amount of bending required of the electrode laminate at the beginning of the winding operation. The hollow core also provides mechanical support end-to-end. A pair of washers are used at each end of the cell to sandwich current collection tabs in a manner that improves electrical and thermal conductivity while also providing structural integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Antonio Romero, Salah Oweis, Guy Chagnon, Robert Staniewicz, Douglas Briscoe
  • Patent number: 6013389
    Abstract: An improvement is provided in the shape of current collectors welded to the respective terminal edges of electrode plates projecting from the upper and the lower end plane of a spirally coiled electrode plate assembly incorporated in a cylindrical storage battery. In the preferred embodiment, the current collector formed essentially of a rectangular flat plate is provided with an I-shaped cutout hole which passes the center of the plate and ends inside the plate near to its outer peripheral edge and two of rectangular cutout parts which are approximately at a right angle to the I-shaped hole and extend from the neighborhood of the center of the plate to its outer peripheral part without intersecting the I-shaped hole, downward rib-formed projections being respectively formed integrally at the edge parts of the cutout hole and the respective cutout parts, the respective rib-formed projections crossing the terminal edges of the electrode plate and being welded to the terminal edges at a plurality of spots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisao Nakamaru, Norio Suzuki, Toshihide Eguchi, Masato Onishi
  • Patent number: 6010801
    Abstract: A cylindrical storage battery has a spirally coiled electrode plate assembly in which the shape of the current collector welded to the end part of the electrode plate assembly and the crossing parts of the rib-formed projections of the current collector and the electrode plate terminal edges are welded with sufficient strength to permit a high-rate charge and discharge. A storage battery having a spirally coiled electrode plate assembly includes a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, a separator, and rectangular current collectors, respective ones of which are welded respectively to terminal edges of the electrodes respectively projecting outward from the upper and the lower end planes of the electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisao Nakamaru, Norio Suzuki, Toshihide Eguchi, Masato Onishi
  • Patent number: 5942350
    Abstract: A graded metal hardware component for an electrochemical cell is shown for mechanically supporting electrochemical cell structures and defining fluid cavities and fluid passages in a cell employing a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The graded metal hardware component includes a substrate such as stainless steel, a surface layer made of a precious metal such as gold, and a graded boundary layer adjacent to and between the substrate and surface layer, wherein the graded boundary layer is an interdiffusion of the substrate and surface layer so that the graded boundary layer is between 0.5 wt. %-5.0 wt. % of the material making up the substrate, and between 99.5 wt. %-95.0 wt. % of the material making up the surface layer, and the graded boundary layer has a thickness of between 10%-90% of a shortest distance between the substrate and an exterior surface of the surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Roy, Andrei Leonida, Thomas J. Garosshen, Trent M. Molter
  • Patent number: 5882815
    Abstract: A spiral rolled non-aqueous electrochemical cell using a serrated segment on at least one end of the flash line of a hollow center pin disposed in the center of a spiral rolled electrode assembly so that when the cell is collapsed under external force, the serrated edge shorts the electrodes so that local high temperature can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Kazuo Tagawa
  • Patent number: 5800941
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell and method for producing same. The cell includes a metal anode, a non aqueous liquid cathode solution, an electrolyte dissolved in the non aqueous liquid cathode solution, a porous carbon current collector, a separator disposed between said anode and said porous carbon current collector, and a non-porous current collector disposed adjacent the porous current collector for conducting current from the porous current collector to the cell pole, the non-porous current collector being characterized in that its surface adjacent the porous current collector is made essentially of non-porous carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Tadiran Ltd.
    Inventors: Esther Elster, Herzel Yamin
  • Patent number: 5712061
    Abstract: An anode immersed in liquid electrolyte of a battery is threadily engaged with a plastic holder impervious to the corrosive action of the electrolyte. Electrical connection is made to the underside of the anode through a liquid-tight fitting which passes up through the underside of the holder. A sealing gasket is placed at the lower interface between the anode and its holder and the threads are provided with a sealing tape. Additional anode capacity may be provide with the provision of a threaded aperture on the surface of the anode for receiving a supplemental anode having a threaded projection which engages the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Spak, Nicholas Shuster, David E. Harney
  • Patent number: 5681670
    Abstract: An electrode support in a multilayer cell, comprises an electrode material coating portion and an electrode lead portion which are formed integrally from a metal sheet, wherein a plurality of electrode lead portions are formed integrally with said metal sheet. In such electrode support, the process for joining each of the electrode lead portions is accomplished by folding the sheet in an extremely easy manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Yuukichi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5677080
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a battery which is contained in a casing having an electrolyte as a conductive medium. The battery includes a first electrode of a first electric polarity formed as a single-body inserting electrode. The battery further includes a second electrode of a second electric polarity formed as a single-receiving-body with a cavity to receive the first electrode therein. The battery further includes a insulation layer for insulating the first electrode from the second electrode. In one of the preferred embodiments, the first electrode is formed as an elongated cylinder and the second electrode is formed as an elongated hollow-cylindrical shell to receive the first electrode therein. In another embodiment, the first electrode is formed as an elongated star-shape-body and the second electrode is formed as an elongated-hollow-body having a star-shape-cavity corresponding to the star-shape-body to receive the first electrode therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Delta Green Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: James Chin-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 5663013
    Abstract: The battery of the present invention includes a case, an electrode group introduced into the case and a cover sealing the open side of the case. The cover has a battery electrode, an insulation panel, spacers, and a cover tab, fixed thereto. The battery electrode and the cover tab are electrically welded, and are insulated from the cover. The spacers and the insulation panel are made of an insulating material. A connection opening is formed between the introduction of the spacers and enables welding material to weld the cover tab to the electrode group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Narukawa, Toru Amazutsumi, Hideki Fukuda, Yasuhiro Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 5607797
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lead acid storage battery and provides a lead acid storage battery having a high durability against complicated vibrations such as perpendicular and horizontal vibrations and the combination of these vibrations applied by vehicles or machines on which the battery is installed and having a long shelf life. A polyolefin resin having good fluidity is heat molten and poured into two portions above and near the left and right ends of the plate group comprising positive and negative plates having lugs at nearly the center portion so that the resin reaches at least one of the inner wall or inner partition wall, thereby to form a beam-shaped plate fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshirou Hasegawa, Kazuhiko Shimoda, Kunio Makino, Mitsuo Tomioka
  • Patent number: 5547778
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell, such as a rechargeable lithium battery, having cavitands associated with a metal ion source-electrode and an electrolyte. The cavitands, which are anchored to the electrode by a polymer leash, are capable of releasably attracting particular ions, such as lithium ions, which are migrating from the electrolyte, toward the surface of the electrode during electrodeposition. The polymer leash serves to continuously maintain the cavitands at a predetermined distance away from the surface of the electrode, regardless of surface area fluctuations, typically caused during deposition and dissolution of the particular ions. Accordingly, the cavitands facilitate substantially uniform electrodeposition of the particular ions, which, in turn, substantially suppresses and/or controls the formation and growth of a passive film or layer, on the electrode surface, which may otherwise promote the formation of dendrites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Arthur D. Little, Inc.
    Inventors: Denis G. Fauteux, Martin Van Buren, Jie Shi
  • Patent number: 5496660
    Abstract: The invention discloses a polar element (1) for storage batteries comprising a pole (2) made of lead and electrically connected with the internal elements of the battery, an insert (4) lodged in said pole, supporting the connection (7) between the polar elements connected to one another, said polar element being characterized in that said pole (2) is obtained by means of cold-forming casting process and in that the insert (4) is connected to said pole through connecting means such that it becomes removable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Inventor: Olimpio Stocchiero
  • Patent number: 5418087
    Abstract: A small to miniature pressurized secondary cell of planar configuration has a case comprising a generally cylindrical sidewall open at one end and closed at the other end by a circular end wall. The open end of the case is closed by a cover which includes a positive terminal electrically isolated from the case. A plurality of substantially rectangular positive and negative stacked electrode plates with interleaved separator components are supported within the cell to define chordal volumes between the stacked electrode plates and the cylindrical sidewall of the cell sufficient to establish equilibrium gas pressures within the cell. The positive electrode plates are connected to the positive terminal and the negative electrode plates are electrically grounded to the case. Compressible electrolyte reservoir plates can also be provided at one or both ends of the stacked electrode plates to provide additional electrolyte during the service life of the cell and to absorb expansion of the electrode stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Saft America, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn C. Klein
  • Patent number: 5409787
    Abstract: This invention relates to method and apparatus for compressing an assembly of plates inside a valve regulated lead-acid battery thereby allowing the battery case to expand without causing slippage or partial loss of contact between the battery plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Electrosource, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Blanyer, Benny E. Jay
  • Patent number: 5230968
    Abstract: A laterally compressed envelope of solid electrolyte material is provided for use as an electrode holder in an electrochemical cell. It has two opposed major faces sealed together along at least part of the periphery of the envelope, each major face being provided by a sheet of said solid electrolyte material. Each sheet is provided on its inner surface with a plurality of ribs or corrugations extending alongside one another, each rib or corrugation of each said sheet crossing over a plurality of the ribs or corrugations of the other said sheet. The envelope has an internal volume, between the sheets, defined at least in part by grooves or valleys between the ribs or crests of the corrugations. Each part of said internal volume is in communication with each other part of said internal volume. The invention also provides a method of making the envelope, and an electrochemical cell in which the envelope forms an electrode holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Programme 3 Patent Holdings
    Inventors: Roger J. Bones, David Teagle, Marion R. Rance, Johan Coetzer, James H. Duncan
  • Patent number: 4927717
    Abstract: A bipolar battery assembly of the consumable metal anode type is described. Contact between internal battery elements is now enhanced by air assisted, internally exerted compressive force. Battery elements are constructed in modular manner that assists in the ease of battery assembly and disassembly. Furthermore, ease of anode replenishment is maintained. A multitude of individual cells can now be joined together in an efficient bipolar assembly cell stack for augmented electrical energy generation. In addition to being bipolar, the battery is of rugged construction, providing for dependable, long-life operation that is desirably maintenance-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: ELTECH Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Homer L. Turley, Marilyn J. Niksa, Gerald R. Pohto, Andrew J. Niksa
  • Patent number: 4735873
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide the active substances in storage batteries, both the lead acid and alkaline types, in quasi-fluid form so that they can be replaced by newly charged substances, for rejuvenating the battery after long use, or for immediate charge of the battery.Said battery has a casing (5); active solid cathodic and anodic substances in the form of surface-convoluted negative (15) and positive globules (16), that are close-packed in negative and positive cell compartments (7) and (8) respectively; electrolyte which fills the space between and inside said globules, circulates freely throughout the battery and, if needed, through an external supplementary storage; dielectric separators between cell compartments, electrically insulating negative and positive globules in each cell; and conductive separators providing series connection of adjacent cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Inventor: George J. Doundoulakis
  • Patent number: 4693946
    Abstract: A battery assembly of the consumable metal anode type has now been constructed for ready assembly as well as disassembly. In a non-conductive and at least substantially inert cell body, space is provided for receiving an open-structured, non-consumable anode cage. The cage has an open top for facilitating insertion of an anode. A modular cathode is used, comprising a peripheral current conductor frame clamped about a grid reinforced air cathode in sheet form. The air cathode may be double gridded. The cathode frame can be sealed, during assembly, with electrolyte-resistant-sealant as well as with adhesive. The resulting cathode module can be assembled outside the cell body and readily inserted therein, or can later be easily removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: ELTECH Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Marilyn J. Niksa, Gerald R. Pohto, Leslie K. Lakatos, Douglas J. Wheeler, Andrew J. Niksa, Thomas J. Schue
  • Patent number: 4603093
    Abstract: A sealed, low maintenance battery (10, 100) is formed of a casing (14, 102) having a sealed lid (12, 104) enclosing cell compartments (22, 110) formed by walls (24, 132). The cells comprise a stack (26) of horizontally disposed negative active plates (30) and positive active plates (28) interspersed with porous, resilient separator sheets (30). Each plate has a set of evenly spaced tigs (40, 41) disposed on one side thereof; like polarity tigs being disposed on one side and opposite polarity tigs on the other. Columns of tigs are electrically and mechanically joined by vertical bus bars (46). The bus bars contain outwardly projecting arms (56) of opposite polarity which are electrically joined at each partition wall (24) to electrically connect the cells in series. The stack is compressed by biasing means such as resilient pad (58) attached to the lid or by joining the tigs (52) to the post (48) at a distance less than the thickness of the mat (124).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Dean B. Edwards, Wally E. Rippel
  • Patent number: 4495259
    Abstract: An electrode plate group combination insulator and vibration support at least partially envelopes a plate group connecting strap. The insulator and vibration support includes a comb-like portion which underlies the strap, having teeth which intermesh with tabs projecting from the plates, and a hood portion which overlies the strap. The insulator and vibration support is preferably attached to the walls of the cell of the battery to thereby support the battery plate group and withstand vibrational forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: The Gates Rubber Company
    Inventor: Toshio Uba
  • Patent number: 4427750
    Abstract: A wet-type self energizing power pack is disclosed which uses an electrolyte essentially made of oil, sulfuric acid and a minor amount of acetic acid. The device includes positive and negative plates which are separated by means of separators. The positive plates mainly consist of an alveolated structure filled with a compound of carbon, lead oxide, glycerine are provided with a diagonal row of holes while the negative plates are made of lead-tin alloy and are provided with two rows of holes, one appearing at the top and the other one appearing at the bottom of the plate. A method of preparing the electrolyte is disclosed as well as the method of charging the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Inventors: Jacques Bilodeau, Gaston Marier
  • Patent number: 4421830
    Abstract: A replaceable electrode primary battery utilizing hollow zinc anodic electrodes and hollow nickel oxide cathodic electrodes immersed in a potassium hydroxide electrolyte solution. The electrodes are arranged in stacks formed by electrically conducting guides contacting the outer surfaces of the spherical electrodes, the respective guides forming the battery anode and cathode. Fresh electrodes are added to the top of the stack from a supply of electrodes, causing a spent electrode to be ejected from the bottom of the stack. The ejected electrode floats to the surface of the electrolyte solution and is collected in a holding compartment. The spent electrodes may be reused by electroplating the appropriate material on the outer surface of the spherical shell. The battery finds particular utility with electric vehicles where electrodes may be dispensed from conventional filling stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Inventors: Richard T. Schneider, Frederick A. Hauck
  • Patent number: 4336314
    Abstract: A pasted type lead-acid battery with greatly extended service life and capacity over the usable service life thereof has a glass mat, which may have a dual layer construction, disposed adjacent positive plates of assembled elements. Each plate is constructed as a grid having main and small members with the small members entirely embedded in an active material. Pressure is applied to the assembled element within disclosed ranges. The assembled elements may be pressurized by a binding band or pressure may be applied from outside the battery container. In the latter case, the side and bottom walls of the container are made pleat-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1982
    Assignee: Japan Storage Battery Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Yonezu, Masaharu Tsubota, Katsuhiro Takahashi