Patents Assigned to Wilson Greatbatch
  • Patent number: 5298349
    Abstract: A chemical pretreatment method for inserting lithium into cathode active material silver vanadium oxide to provide a reduced form of silver vanadium oxide which, when included into a cathode mixture and incorporated into an electrochemical cell, may result in a cell with a lowered initial open circuit voltage, thereby eliminating the need to lower unstably high initial cell voltages through external loads after cell construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch, Ltd.
    Inventor: Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 5250373
    Abstract: An electrode for an alkali metal electrochemical cell comprising a unitary conductive body having a pair of wing-like sections joined by an intermediate web section. The cell anode or cathode parts are in contact with corresponding ones of the electrode wing sections, and the electrode web section is adapted to be placed in contact with the cell conductive casing. This results in a case negative or case positive electrical configuration depending upon whether the anode or cathode parts are in contact with the electrode wing sections. In forming an anode-cathode sub-assembly the anode or cathode parts are joined to the electrode wing sections and then the electrode wing sections are folded relative to the electrode web section and toward each other in a manner to place the anode and cathode parts in operative contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Barry C. Muffoletto, Raymond J. Kuwik
  • Patent number: 5147737
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a serpentine-like electrode wherein electrode active material thereon is distributed for maximizing capacity and minimizing volume. The electrode active material extends along the length of the current collecting element of the electrode and terminates at a fold which defines an outer side of an outer section so that electrode active material is not positioned on this outer side where it would not be facing an opposite polarity electrode and where it may thus be generally ineffective for increasing battery capacity. The resulting savings in volume allows the thickness of the electrode active layer to be increased so that additional battery capacity may be achieved in the same battery volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Clifford J. Post, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 5114810
    Abstract: A highly alloyed nickel-containing ferritic stainless steel material for use as a cathode current collector for lithium solid cathode cells is provided. The material does not require costly melting practices and provides high corrosion resistance particularly where elevated temperature, 72.degree. C. or higher, storage and performance is required relative to other cathode current collector materials thereby increasing cell longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Christine A. Frysz, W. Richard Brown
  • Patent number: 4964877
    Abstract: A solid cathode liquid organic electrolyte lithium cell for delivering high current pulses comprising a casing, a cathode structure in the casing comprising a plurality of plates in spaced apart relation, a lithium anode comprising a plurality of anode sections interposed between the cathode plates, a non-aqueous liquid organic electrolyte comprising the combination of a lithum salt and an organic solvent in the casing operatively contacting the anode and the cathode an electrical connection provided to the anode and an electrical connection provided to the cathode. In accordance with one aspect of the invention the cathode includes as active material Ag.sub.x V.sub.2 O.sub.y where x is in the range from about 0.5 to about 2.0 and y is in the range from about 4.5 to about 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Pamela P. Keister, Ralph T. Mead, Barry C. Muffoletto, Esther S. Takeuchi, Steven J. Ebel, Michael A. Zelinsky, John M. Greenwood
  • Patent number: 4934306
    Abstract: In an alkali metal/halogen or oxyhalide electrochemical cell wherein an alkali metal anode, preferably lithium, has a surface in operative contact with a halogen-containing or oxyhalide cathode/electrolyte including a solvent if necessary, a coating on the anode surface comprising a thin film or substrate material impregnated with organic material, for example organic electron donor material, or other suitable coating material. The substrate material is flexible, preferably a synthetic open mesh fabric material, and the film is prepared by contacting the substrate material with a solution of the organic material and solvent followed by drying. The resulting film is flexible and is applied to the operative surface of the anode thereby coating the same, preferably adhered to the surface by pressing. The flexible film can be applied equally well to anode surfaces which are either smooth and flat or irregular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventor: Frank W. Rudolph
  • Patent number: 4830940
    Abstract: A solid cathode liquid organic electrolyte lithium cell for delivering high current pulses comprising a casing, a cathode structure inthe casing comprising a plurality of plates in spaced apart relation, a lithium anond comprising a plurality of anode sections interposed between the cathode plates, a non-aqueous liquid organic electrolyte comprising the combination of a lithum dalt and an organic solvent in the casing operatively contacting the anode and the cathode an electrical connection provided to the anode and an electrical connection provided to the cathode. In accordance with one aspect of the invention the cathode includes as active material Ag.sub.x V.sub.2 O.sub.y where x is in the range from about 0.5 to about 2.0 and y is in the range from about 4.5 to about 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Pamela P. Keister, Ralph T. Mead, Barry C. Muffoletto, Ester S. Takeuchi, Steven J. Ebel, Michael A. Zelinsky, John M. Greenwood
  • Patent number: 4812376
    Abstract: In an alkali metal/halogen or oxyhalide electrochemical cell wherein an alkali metal anode, preferably lithium, has a surface in operative contact with a halogen-containing or oxyhalide cathode/electrolyte including a solvent if necessary, a coating on the anode surface comprising a thin film or substrate material impregnated with organic material, for example organic electron donor material, or other suitable coating material. The substrate material is flexible, preferably a synthetic open mesh fabric material, and the film is prepared by contacting the substrate material with a solution of the organic material and solvent followed by drying. The resulting film is flexible and is applied to the operative surface of the anode thereby coating the same, preferably adhered to the surface by pressing. The flexible film can be applied equally well to anode surfaces which are either smooth and flat or irregular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventor: Frank W. Rudolph
  • Patent number: 4601962
    Abstract: An anode assembly for a lithium-halogen cell including halogen-containing cathode material, i.e. depolarizer, such as an iodine-organic complex wherein the anode comprises an electrical conductor sandwiched between a pair of lithium plates defining substantially oppositely directed lithium surfaces terminating in a peripheral lithium edge and characterized by a major portion of the length of the peripheral edge being exposed to the cathode material. This greatly increases the available internal volume of the cell for cathode material which, in turn, increases the theoretical ampere-hour rating of the cell. At least one and preferably both oppositely directed lithium surfaces have formations such as ribs or the equivalent which increases the surface area thereof, and the formations terminate a short distance from the edge to form a marginal type, peripheral border and highly effective seal therearound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert A. Zayatz
  • Patent number: 4421833
    Abstract: An anode assembly for a lithium-halogen cell including halogen-containing cathode material, i.e. depolarizer, such as an iodine-organic complex wherein the anode comprises an electrical conductor sandwiched between a pair of lithium plates defining substantially oppositely directed lithium surfaces terminating in a peripheral lithium edge and characterized by a major portion of the length of the peripheral edge being exposed to the cathode material. This greatly increases the available internal volume of the cell for cathode material which, in turn, increases the theoretical ampere-hour rating of the cell. At least one and preferably both oppositely directed lithium surfaces have formations such as ribs or the equivalent which increases the surface area thereof, and the formations terminate a short distance from the edge to form a marginal type, peripheral border and highly effective seal therearound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert A. Zayatz
  • Patent number: 4401736
    Abstract: An anode assembly for a lithium-halogen cell including halogen-containing cathode material, i.e. depolarizer, such as an iodine-organic complex wherein the anode comprises an electrical conductor sandwiched between a pair of lithium plates defining substantially oppositely directed lithium surfaces terminating in a peripheral lithium edge and characterized by a major portion of the length of the peripheral edge being exposed to the cathode material. This greatly increases the available internal volume of the cell for cathode material which, in turn, increases the theoretical ampere-hour rating of the cell. At least one and preferably both oppositely directed lithium surfaces have formations such as ribs or the equivalent which increases the surface area thereof, and the formations terminate a short distance from the edge to form a marginal type, peripheral border and highly effective seal therearound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert A. Zayatz
  • Patent number: 4391729
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell incorporating cathode materials comprising at least one metal oxide, at least one metal, or mixture of metals or metal oxides incorporated in the matrix of a host metal oxide. The cathode materials of this invention are constructed by the chemical addition, reaction, or otherwise intimate contact of various metal oxides and/or metal elements during thermal treatment in mixed states. The materials thereby produced contain metals and oxides of the groups IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, and VIII, which includes the noble metals and/or their oxide compounds.The incorporation of the metal oxides, metals or mixtures thereof substantially increases the discharge capacity and the overall performance of the cathode materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Charles C. Liang, M. Elizabeth Bolster, Robert M. Murphy
  • Patent number: 4385439
    Abstract: A lithium-iodine cell comprising a casing of electrically conducting material, an anode including a lithium element within the casing, an electrical conductor operatively connected to the lithium element and extending out from the casing, and a cathode comprising iodine-containing material in operative contact with both the casing and the lithium element. The anode electrical conductor is completely sealed from the rest of the cell, and the casing serves as the cathode current collector. The anode operative surface is provided with a coating of an organic electron donor material. The anode conductor is enclosed within the combination of an insulator element within the casing, an isolator element between the insulator and the conductor, and a ferrule having one end within the insulator and the other end extending from the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1983
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ralph T. Mead, Frank W. Rudolph, Norbert W. Frenz, Jr., Wilson Greatbatch
  • Patent number: 4359818
    Abstract: A film of organic electron donor material is formed to a predetermined thickness and shape and then the preformed film and a lithium element are pressed together in a manner bonding the film to the surface of the lithium element to form a coated lithium anode. During the pressing operation, the surface of the lithium element can be shaped to include formations such as corrugations which serve to increase the surface area thereof, and the pressure bonded film is of substantially uniform thickness over these formations. The resulting coating also is substantially free of voids so as to be of substantially uniform solidity. An entire coated anode assembly is formed in one pressing operation, so that bare lithium is not subjected to prolonged atmospheric exposure which, in turn, reduces or substantially eliminates the possibility of nitride formation on the surface of the lithium element which is coated simultaneously while being pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert A. Zayatz
  • Patent number: 4310609
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell incorporating cathode materials comprising at least one metal oxide, at least one metal, or mixture of metals or metal oxides incorporated in the matrix of a host metal oxide. The cathode materials of this invention are constructed by the chemical addition, reaction, or otherwise intimate contact of various metal oxides and/or metal elements during thermal treatment in mixed states. The materials thereby produced contain metals and oxides of the groups IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, and VIII, which includes the noble metals and/or their oxide compounds.The incorporation of the metal oxides, metals or mixtures thereof substantially increases the discharge capacity and the overall performance of the cathode materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1982
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Charles C. Liang, M. Elizabeth Bolster, Robert M. Murphy
  • Patent number: 4307509
    Abstract: A solid electrolyte primary cell comprising a lithium anode, a chlorine cathode and a lithium chloride electrolyte. A solid lithium element operatively contacts the cathode material, and one form of cathode material in a charge transfer complex of an organic donor component material and chlorine. The organic donor component material can be poly-2 vinyl pyridine. Another cathode material can be formed from liquid chlorine. The surface of the lithium anode element which operatively contacts the cathode material can be provided with a coating of an organic electron donor component material. When the lithium anode operatively contacts the chlorine cathode, a solid lithium chloride electrolyte begins to form at the interface and an electrical potential difference exists between conductors operatively connected to the anode and cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1981
    Assignee: Eleanor & Wilson Greatbatch Foundation
    Inventors: Robert L. McLean, Wilson Greatbatch
  • Patent number: 4211832
    Abstract: A lithium halogen cell comprising a lithium anode, a solid electrolyte comprising lithium halide and a cathode comprising a charge transfer complex of a monomer and a halogen. The monomer is an aromatic tertiary amine which forms a complex with the halogen, and one monomer found to be satisfactory is pyrrole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1980
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Max A. Mueller, Curtis F. Holmes
  • Patent number: 4210708
    Abstract: A lithium-iodine cell comprising a casing of electrically conducting material, an anode including a lithium element within the casing, an electrical conductor operatively connected to the lithium element and extending out from the casing, and a cathode comprising iodine-containing material in operative contact with both the casing and the lithium element. The anode electrical conductor is completely sealed from the rest of the cell, and the casing serves as the cathode current collector. The lithium anode element is shaped in a manner increasing the area of the operative surface thereof and enhancing the bond to the anode conductor, and the anode operative surface is provided with a coating of an organic electron donor material. The anode conductor is enclosed within the combination of an insulator element within the casing, an isolator element between the insulator and the conductor, and a ferrule having one end associated with the insulator within the casing and the other end extending from the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1980
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Ralph T. Mead, Norbert W. Frenz, Jr., Frank W. Rudolph, Wilson Greatbatch
  • Patent number: 4203201
    Abstract: A lithium-iodine cell comprising a casing of electrically conducting material, an anode including a lithium element within the casing, an electrical conductor operatively connected to the lithium element and extending out from the casing, and a cathode comprising iodine-containing material in operative contact with both the casing and the lithium element. The anode electrical conductor is completely sealed from the rest of the cell, and the casing serves as the cathode current collector. The anode operative surface is provided with a coating of an organic electron donor material. The anode is enclosed within an insulator element within the casing and a ferrule having one end within the insulator and the other end extending from the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Ralph T. Mead, Wilson Greatbatch, Frank W. Rudolph, Norbert W. Frenz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4166887
    Abstract: A lithium halogen cell comprising a lithium anode, a solid electrolyte comprising lithium halide, and a cathode comprising a mixture of halogen and activated charcoal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Max A. Mueller, Robert L. McLean, Curtis F. Holmes, Wilson Greatbatch