Abstract: A lead-acid battery includes cell rooms in which cells are stored and a partition wall separating the cell rooms. The cell rooms include an electrode plate assembly having electrode plates facing each other with a separator sandwiched between the electrode plates, and positive and negative straps extending in a laminated direction of the electrode plates in a bar shape. The positive and negative straps are connected in parallel with lug portions of the electrode plates. An intercell electrically connecting member having a H-shaped cross-section and formed of a lead-based material is held by the partition wall to interconnect cells in adjacent cell rooms. The intercell electrically connecting member has a first butting end surface in a flat plane shape butt welded to the positive strap, and a second butting end surface in a flat plane shape butt welded to the negative strap.

Abstract: A battery module including multiple battery packs having electrode terminals and bypass terminals. The battery packs are compactly arranged end to end within the module with a first end of a forward battery pack proximate a second end of a rearward battery pack. Positive and negative electrode terminals at the first end of a battery pack are electrically connected to the positive and negative electrodes of a battery contained within an outer casing. Auxiliary terminals at the first end are each connected to a corresponding auxiliary terminal at the second end by an individual conductive element, such as a thin ribbon conductor running along the casing just inside its outer layer.

Abstract: An improved housing system for a multi-cell battery including a container and a cover. The container has a bottom and a plurality of external walls cooperating to define a well and a plurality of internal walls which cooperate with the external walls and the bottom to define a plurality of cell reservoirs for receiving cells of a multi-cell battery. The external walls and the internal walls terminate in an array of edges oriented in a pattern substantially in a plane. The container and the cover are of material amenable to heat bonding. The improvement comprises the cover having an underside with a plurality of zones. Each zone has a respective thickness; one zone is oriented substantially in a plane and generally in register with the pattern of the array of edges presented by the container when the cover is positioned for attachment with the container. The one zone has a thickness which is greater than the thickness of adjacent zones.

Abstract: A metal-air battery assembly having plurality of free standing metal-air cells forming a cell group within a battery case assembly. Each free standing cell has flexible, compressible walls capable of containing electrolyte, the walls comprising air cathodes including cathode current distributors. Each cell has a split anode assembly and current. The anode assembly has one or more reactive anode fuel plates and an anode current collector. Each of the cells is free standing and easily replaced. The battery case assembly has a mechanism for compressing the cells when the lid is closed and releasing the cell group for servicing when the lid is open.

Abstract: A recombinant lead acid battery is provided having positive and negative plates coated with active material and separated by a compressible separator material containing an electrolyte. A casing provides structural support for the plates and encases the battery's components. The battery is preferably a recombinant lead acid battery with its plates being formed of lead foil sheets. The casing is reinforced and arranged to i) maintain a substantially evenly distributed compressive force on the separator material and ii) maintain a constant spacing between the plates. The battery is arranged to maintain a compressive force of at least eight psi on the plates which has been found to significantly reduce the incidence of premature capacity loss (PCL). By way of example, compressive forces in the range of 8-14 psi work well for conventional separator materials.

Abstract: A combination battery comprising a medium rate cell portion intended to be discharged under a substantially constant drain and a high rate cell portion intended to be pulse discharged, is described. Both cell portions are housed in the same casing and activated with the same electrolyte. The respective cells are capable of both independent and simultaneous discharge.

Abstract: A module for liquid electrolyte, electric energy storing devices. The module includes a double-walled container having an innerwall and an outerwall and a rim. The container includes a first well for holding liquid electrolyte electric energy storing devices and which is defined by the inner wall. The container also includes a first electrolyte reservoir having a shelf and a lid for covering the first reservoir. The innerwall and outerwall define a second electrolyte reservoir which surrounds the first electrolyte reservoir so that the first and second reservoirs are in nested relationship. The reservoirs are designed so that a physical puncture of the module will cause the electrolyte from the first reservoir to mix with the electrolyte from the second before it leaks from the module.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical storage device having a plurality of serially connected individual cells, each of the individual cells having two spatially separated electrodes, between which an electrolyte and an intermediate part ensuring the spacing of the electrodes is arranged. In the interior of the storage device, each individual cell has a protective element which is formed from a solid material having a nonlinear current/voltage characteristic curve, and which makes electrical contact with the positive and the negative electrode within the individual cell and provides a voltage-dependent electrical connection between said electrodes. The electrical resistance of the protective element above a critical voltage is smaller, and below the critical voltage larger, than the resistance present between the electrodes at the respective voltages without the protective element.

Abstract: A lead acid storage battery has a cell composed of a positive plate comprising a positive active material layer and a positive current collector plate, a negative plate comprising a negative active material layer and a negative current collector plate, a separator and a frame-shaped gasket. In the cell, the positive plate and the negative plate are laminated with the gasket put between them. The gasket is in contact with peripheral edges of the positive current collector plate and the negative current collector plate. The positive active material layer and the negative active material layer are located in a cell space surrounded by both of the plates and the gasket with the separator put between them.

Abstract: A flexible battery pack for providing electrical power to a downhole tool is provided. The battery pack may be mounted in any orientation and about the interior or exterior circumference of the tool. It may further be used to provide a plurality of voltage or current levels to the tool.

Abstract: An improved case is provided for a lithium/metal sulfide battery. The improved case is arranged such that the largest surface, corresponding to the side of a traditional cell case, is left open. The remaining five sides of the case can be formed in a drawn form from a single sheet of metal. The electrode plates can be provided within this drawn case and a cover can then be welded to the case to form the cell assembly. Utilizing the side of the cell case rather than the top of the cell case provides easier handling and installation of the electrode plates within the cell case.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium ion battery comprises a plurality of interleaved flexible electrolytic cells, each of which is a unitary planar laminated structure comprising polymeric anode, cathode, and intermediate electrolyte layers disposed between electrically conductive anode and cathode collector foil elements. One of the collector foils of a cell has an open grid structure to allow penetration of electrolyte solution into the cell layer while the other is substantially more continuous to provide supporting strength to the cell. At least a pair of cells having respective continuous foil anode and cathode collectors are interleaved in spiral-folded fashion to present those collector foils at the outer surface of the resulting structure to provide terminal contacts for the resulting high-capacity, low-profile battery.

Abstract: A current collector in electrical contact with an anode of a battery is extended beyond the anode to serve as a heat sink and presents a substantial surface area through which heat is dissipated from inside the battery to the atmosphere. When multiple battery cells are stacked, the current collectors extend to form fins across which air flows to efficiently dissipate heat.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to electrode structures that are adaptable for primary and electrically rechargeable electrochemical wafer cells. A flat wafer cell is disclosed that includes conductive, carbon-filled polymeric outer layers that serve as electrode contacts and as a means of containment of the cell. Multi-cell, higher voltage batteries may be constructed by stacking individual cells. Specially formulated electrodes and processing techniques that are compatible with the wafer cell construction are disclosed for a nickel-metal hydride battery system. The cell design and electrode formulations provide for individual operation of a vented or low pressure sealed cell and/or for operation of these cells in a stacked array in an outer battery housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rechargeable batteries which include cell casing components enclosing positive and negative plates, separator material and acid electrolyte. The battery includes a plurality of support members extending from one or the other of the casing components, or from both casing components, the support members passing through the plates to permit uniform compression of the internal components. In its preferred embodiment, the battery includes one or more intermediate cell partitions which permit stacking of individual cells to increase voltage. The partition continues the utilization of the support members. In another disclosed embodiment, the electrode plates contained within any particular cell are punched to permit the support members to pass therethrough, with hole sizing selected so that a small hole will remain at each support location, while also insuring that for each support member, only one of the positive and negative plates will touch it, but not both.

Abstract: Flat pack rechargeable batteries which include internal support members are disclosed. In the most preferred form of the invention, an intermediate support extender plate is provided. The plate also includes holes to maintain a common path for electrolyte.

Abstract: There is described an electrochemical cell comprised of at least one flexible side wall attached to another side wall forming an electrolyte chamber and wherein one side wall is formed or provided with an air cathode mounted in spaced apart relationship to a metallic anode by a dielectric member and wherein battery assemblies may be produced by mounting a plurality of such electrochemical cells to each by support members with desired series or parallel electrical circuitry as required for intended duty.

Abstract: A battery is prepared by dipping battery elements (which may be surrounded by a thin, lightweight material, such as a plastic bag) into a liquid encapsulating, acid-resistant liquid material such as a rubber or resin. Individual elements can be connected either before or after hardening of the liquid to create a battery of the desired voltage. Heavy thermoplastic resin containers need not be used, and the weight of the resultant battery is thereby substantially reduced.

Abstract: A high-temperature bipolar battery consisting of a plurality of stacked individual cells. A first, thermal-sprayed electrode or electrolyte resistant material ceramic layer is sprayed to the exterior of the face-to-face stacked array and onto the peripheral faces of the battery metal end plates remote from the individual cells of a thickness sufficient to virtually eliminate all through pores therein. A second thermal-sprayed ceramic layer is of a thickness sufficient to form a metal support and containment structure of the bipolar battery stack. The thermal-sprayed layers have similar coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE). A metal cup surrounds and encloses at least one of the electrodes of each individual cell tending to form an inter-cell seal between the thermal-sprayed ceramic layer and the metal cup to prevent communication of electrolyte from cell to cell.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a sealed, oxygen recombinant lead-acid battery which includes a series of modules, e.g. 4-volt modules. The modules are prepared from frame and film assemblies which are easily stacked to the desired voltage or capacity. In the preferred embodiment, the assemblies include two 2.0 normal voltage cells, attached in series, three of which are then combined to form a 12-volt system. Modularity eliminates the need for expensive tooling and parts inventory and permits the creation of a wide variety of battery designs. Specially designed vents are employed to permit gas escape during overcharge or if recombination efficiencies are less than desired and to prevent entry of oxygen or moisture when the battery is in its recombinant mode.

Abstract: Two metallic foils each have a continuous band of polyethylene film adhesively bonded thereto. The lithium battery is sandwiched between these two metallic foils and a thermo-seal is provided to join the two polyethylene films. This construction prevents any outside substance from contacting the lithium battery.

Abstract: The separator (20) comprises a mat of glass micro-fibers and a binder. The binder is an aqueous mixture of colloidal silica particles and a sulfate salt. The mat is impregnated with the binder, compressed, and dried into a rigid state that makes the separator easy to handle. The binder is formulated to release the mat from the compressed state contacted by the sulfuric acid electrolyte between the electrode plates (24, 26) of the battery. The mat expands against the electrode plates to provide the separator-to-electrode contact that is necessary for proper battery performance. The silica particles of the binder then facilitate oxygen transport between the battery electrodes (24, 26).

Abstract: Various constructions of battery are disclosed, each comprising one or more arrays of single cells or series arrangements of cells, arranged between bus plates and separated by separator members and spacers.

Abstract: A battery assembly and method for making the same comprising:a laminar battery, said laminar battery including:an anode layer;an ionically conductive electrolyte layer;a cathode layer;said electrolyte layer being interposed between said anode layer and said cathode layer, and said layers being assembled to form an electrical cell;a pair of electrically conductive terminals in electrical contact with said anode layer and said cathode layer; anda protective sheet material enveloping said laminar battery;said sheet material being heat sealed at the periphery of said laminar battery and about said terminals to exclude air and moisture and said terminals extending from or being accessible through said protective sheet material for connection to a device which is powered by said laminar battery is disclosed. The battery assembly is formed, and the method includes that the sealing occur under a vacuum.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery is provided having positive and negative plates formed of flexible substantially solid sheets. The plates are each pasted with an active material and separated by a light weight absorbent separator. A light weight casing provides structural support for the plates and encases the battery's components. The battery is preferably a recombinant lead acid battery with its plates being formed of lead foil sheets. The casing is preferably reinforced to maintain a constant spacing between the plates by a plurality of support pins extending between upper and lower casing members through the plate sheets. Plates may be stacked one above another to provide a plurality of cells. In separate aspects of the invention, a battery may be formed having a polar plate that has positive and negative surfaces on its opposite sides. In another separate aspect of the invention a novel terminal arrangement is provided.

Abstract: In an electric cell stack assembly, each cell (1) in the top cell stage of the stack abuts against a holder member (7) in the very top stage of the stack having substantially the same mechanical characteristics, relative to a cell of the top cell stage, as has each cell relative to a cell of the next lower stage in the stack. Reinforcing members (8, 9) run along the entire length of the stack, including the said very top stage. The assembly is inserted in a tube and is encapsulated in a compound which preferably has a useful temperature range extending from -55.degree. C. or less to +250.degree. C. or more.

Abstract: An activatable electrochemical battery implementing lithium/oxyhalide couples.The present invention relates to an activatable lithium/SOCl.sub.2 or lithium/SO.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 primary battery in which means are provided for eliminating leakage currents and means are provided for controlling the temperature rise during discharge.Thus, each electrochemical element is enclosed, in a sealed insulating housing constituted by a bottom, a cover, and a spacer constituting its side wall. The terminals of the elements are plates of nickel enabling heat to be dissipated into a heat-conducting resin.

Abstract: A high-temperature storage battery includes a housing and a stack of at least two storage cells disposed in the housing. Each of the storage cells has components loosely disposed on top of one another in the stack. The components include two reactant chambers, a planar ion-conducting solid electrolyte mutually separating the reactant chambers, and planar components serving as electrodes and bordering the storage cells toward the outside. At least one common resilient structural element presses the components of all of the storage cells together in a leakproof manner.

Abstract: A combined electrical filter and interrupted energy source for a space satellite or other DC powered apparatus. The disclosed filter battery preferably employs an array of nickel-cadmium cells each having circular configured electrodes parallelly disposed along an axis and interconnected by axially aligned inter-call conductors which attach to central areas of the electrodes. The resulting filter battery is electrically comprised of an array of selected value electrical elements disposed in a parallel-series configured network and related to elements of the battery cell structures. Filtering accomplished with the filter battery achieves high electrical energy per pound storage density, low electrical impedance, long charge/discharge cycle life, large current delivering ability and more constant voltage output in comparison with conventional electrolytic capacitor filter elements and other cell configurations.

Abstract: A lightweight, high energy density, secondary cell battery suited for use as a battery filter element in an electrical network, particularly in space mission hardware. A pseudo-bipolar cell configuration with simple, effective electrolyte sealing and low electrical impedance characteristics is included, along with a sequence for fabricating and assembling a preferred cell arrangement.

Abstract: A bipolar electrode for generating electrical power in an electrochemical cell includes a base member, which is comprised of a core portion composed of titanium. An integral, substantially continuous and non-porous layer of lead is electroplated onto at least one face surface of the core portion and diffused a selected distance into the core portion. A substantially continuous, residual layer of the titanium alloy in the core portion remains substantially free of lead. A negative-type active mass is connected to a first face surface of the base member, and a positive-type active mass is connected to a second face surface of the base member.

Abstract: A battery construction for primary cells of the type comprising a sealed flexible plastic envelope containing electrolyte and the active cell elements wherein an external electrical connection comprises a connector plate within the envelope and that connector pierces the envelope. A seal against the loss of electrolyte from the envelope through the connector aperture is achieved by locating the extension of the connector on the collector plate with portions of the face thereof surrounding it, by forming an adhesive bond between the adjacent inner face of the envelope and the collector plate surrounding the connector extenion, and by imposing external pressure on the adhesive bond by means of a pad which conforms to the envelope and imposes pressure over the bond. The pad is shown as a resilient, elastomeric, sponge sheet positioned between the cell envelope and battery casing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet-shaped polymer secondary battery of layer built type which is a laminate of plurality of sheet-shaped unit cells each of which comprising the following elements (a) to (c):(a) a positive electrode made of a film-shaped polymer having conjugated double bonds and provided with a thin metal layer at one side of the surface of the film and capable of reversibly doping and undoping negative ions,(b) a negative electrode made of a film-shaped polymer having conjugated double bonds and provided with a thin metal layer at one side of the surface of the film and capable of reversibly doping and undoping positive ions, and(c) an insulating porous separator supporting a dopant-containing electrolyte and existing between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed are maintenance-free cells and batteries of the lead/acid type which have improved deep cycle life. The plates are flat and are oriented horizontally as a stack in a cell which contains unabsorbed free electrolyte. The free electrolyte wets but does not cover the top surface of at least one negative plate. The vertical dimension of the plate stack must not exceed one-half its major horizontal dimension.

Abstract: The present application discloses a layer-built cell comprising: a cell assembly formed by putting together a plurality of elemental cells each having thereon a positive terminal and a negative terminal, such that the positive terminals and the negative terminals of the respective elemental cells are located on the same plane; a first insulating plate disposed on the cell assembly and having therein a plurality of through-bores; connecting pieces located on the first insulating plate and passing through the through-bores to connect the elemental cells to one another in series; a second insulating plate disposed on the connecting pieces and having two through-bores; positive and negative lead pieces passing through and projected from the through-bores in the first and second insulating plates; and a terminal plate disposed on the second insulating plate and having thereon a positive external terminal connected to the positive lead piece and a negative external terminal connected to the negative lead piece.

Abstract: A bipolar system comprises a plurality of flexible, conductive electrode strips assembled into a stack with porous, flexible, insulating separator strips being interposed between adjacent electrode strips. Each electrode strip at the exterior of the stack is provided on its innermost surface with electrochemically active material, and the or each electrode strip in the interior of the stack is provided on each of its opposite major surfaces with electrochemically active material. Sealing means is provided around the ends and lowermost edges of the electrode strips.The stack of electrode strips and separator strips is folded into a serpentine configuration and then mounted in a generally rectangular battery box such that the serpentine configuration winds back and forth between opposite walls of the box with electrochemically active material of opposite polarity on an adjacent strip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-celled battery for use in cardiac pacer devices which comprises an outer encasement member and first and second internal cell elements. Each of the first and second cell elements includes an insulating cup, a lithium anode positioned within the cup, and a cathode positioned in contact with said anode. Each of the insulating cups includes an opening therethrough such that the lithium anode in the first cell makes contact with a terminal mounted through and insulated from the encasing means and the anode of the second cell is electrically in contact with the cathode of the first cell. The insulating cup of the second cell is positioned within the insulating cup of the first cell and both first and second cells are positioned within the encasing means such that the terminal contact with the first lithium anode and the encasing means is in contact with the cathode of the second cell.

Abstract: A battery structure using a plurality of cells in stacked array wherein each cell comprises an anode having a centrally positioned opening and flange positioned about the periphery of the opening for contact with the periphery of the opening of an adjacent anode. Each cell includes a pelletized depolarizer material that extends beyond the perimeter of the anode but coextensive with the anode flange. An outer encasement member receives the stacked array so that the depolarizer pellets are in electrical contact with the inner surface of the encasement. The encasement means includes a top member having an opening located to align with the openings in the anode and anode collector positioned through said opening in the top member and electrically insulated therefrom and in electrical contact with each of said anode flanges.

Abstract: An anode structure for a cylindrical primary electrochemical cell. The anode structure in accordance with the invention includes a thin, circular, lithium metal disc having a central opening therein, and a small, thin, resilient, metal (e.g., nickel) contact member secured to the lithium disc. The metal contact member is of a generally circular configuration and has a flat central portion with a circular opening therein aligned with the opening in the lithium disc. The contact member has a plurality of tab portions extending outwardly from, and spaced at regular intervals about, its outer periphery, and a pair of spikes or barbs depending from opposed ends of each tab portion. The spikes are pressed into the soft lithium disc at points spaced from the opening therein for permanently securing the contact member to the disc.

Abstract: A secondary bipolar battery including a conductive intercell barrier having a tortuously-pathed (e.g., finned) peripheral portion outboard the cells to reduce parasitic current flow between adjacent cells around the periphery of the barrier. The battery's end electrodes have greater reactant content than the intermediate electrodes to compensate for parasitic losses. A Li/FeS.sub.2 example is detailed.

Abstract: A high voltage, low impedance laminar battery comprising a stack of series connected cells confined under pressure in a housing. The cells comprise laminar anodes, cathodes and separators. The cells are connected in series by laminar conductive intercell connectors. An annular spacer is associated with each cell. The spacers are separated by interdigitated ones of the separators and intercell connectors.

Abstract: A laminar triplex structure for use in the manufacture of electrical cells and batteries, cells and batteries made therefrom, and methods of making the same. The laminate comprises a thin flat sheet of separator material, a layer of metallic particles on one surface of the separator sheet and adhered thereto with a binder, and a layer of conductive plastic adhered to the layer of metal particles. The laminate is made by the process of coating a dispersion of metal particles in a solution of a polymeric binder in an organic solvent over the separator, drying to remove the solvent, coating over the dried metal layer with a dispersion of conductive particles in a solution of a polymer in an organic solvent, and drying to remove the solvent.

Abstract: A lithium-iodine cell comprising a region of iodine-containing cathode material having at least two surface portions, a current collector element operatively contacting one of the surface portions and a lithium anode element operatively contacting the other cathode surface. The lithium anode element is embraced by a holder in a manner exposing a surface of the element to the cathode material and sealing the corresponding anode current collector element from exposure to the cathode material, the holder being of a material which does not exhibit electronic conduction when exposed to iodine. The anode and cathode current collectors have extending lead portions, and the cathode lead is insulated from the lithium anode element. A pair of cells are combined, being heat sealed together around the peripheries, with the corresponding cathode regions contacting opposite surfaces of a separator sheet to form a battery.

Abstract: A frame and separator assembly for the manufacture of thin, flat laminar batteries in which the frame has adhesive surfaces to which a separator is adhered. The method of making batteries in which these assemblies are placed over electrode slurries extruded onto conductive plastic substrates and the separators are coated with electrolyte and then contacted with dry patch anodes on conductive plastic substrates to form cells.

Abstract: A battery sealed against electrolyte leakage by surrounding a stack of cells with cylindrical layer of two ply construction with absorbing or blotting paper surrounded by an impervious plastic cylindrical layer, with hot melt plastic plugs at both ends of the cylinder to form a leakproof sealed container for the stack of cells.

Abstract: Apparatus for welding together a cover and a vessel formed of thermoplastic material comprises a pair of heating cheeks. Each heating cheek has two arms disposed in essentially L-shaped arrangement. The cheeks are adapted to be disposed between the cover and vessel to heat the respective edges thereof. The cheeks are mounted for movement in separate directions from between the cover and vessel without passing across the opening of the vessel. Therefore, the time required to remove the welding apparatus from between the cover and vessel is reduced, and there need be no concern for hitting elements projecting upwards from the vessel.

Abstract: A battery including means housing a plurality of electrically interconnected electrochemical cells. Each electrochemical cell includes a container retaining an aqueous electrolyte, and anode and cathode electrodes. The aqueous electrolyte evolves hydrogen, under certain conditions, during electrical discharge and/or storage of the cell. The cathode electrode includes a reducible oxide of a metal. The battery housing includes an agent for converting hydrogen to water molecules and a second agent for retaining water molecules.

Abstract: A method for forming a slurry cell electrode structure which serves as a component of a planar battery. The slurry electrode structure is formed in situ as a particulate dispersion of active material in aqueous electrolyte. The method utilizes a slurry precursor prepared by predepositing a liquid carried dispersion of the particulate active material over the surface of a select component, such as a separator, current collector, or intercell connector of the cell. This deposition is dried and prepared as a subassembly which is appropriately inserted within the multicell pile structure as a step in the manufacture of a multicell battery. By wetting the subassembly with a wash coat of aqueous electrolyte, in situ slurry formation is provided.

Abstract: Electrodes utilized in various types of batteries are interconnected by means of a pair of conductive bands insulated from each other and bent into a zig-zag formation. Each conductive band overlays an electrode of one polarity, thus performing the function of separator as well as terminal conductor. Upon compression of the stacked electrodes into a housing, a compact battery is produced.

Abstract: 1. A thermal cell electrode composed of a thin metal sheet in the form of two laterally spaced members integrally connected at adjacent edges by a strip, a first of said members being in the shape of a pair of isosceles triangles joined through their bases and in which the apex of the equal sides of one of said triangles is truncated, and the other of said members defining a truncated triangle smaller than the truncated portion of said first member.