Abstract: A cell is provided in which a flat plate portion of a collector portion is prevented from making contact with a positive or negative electrode in a power generating element to cause a short circuit, the application area of a material can be widened, and edge portions of an electrode plate can be surely connected and fixed to a collector. In a collector portion of a negative or positive collector, press holds of a gap (groove) which opens on the side of a basal portion are formed by bending back a substantially vertical metal plate at an apex. The portion between adjacent press holds of the collector portion is formed into a flat plate-like shape. A window is formed in each of the press holds, or a reduced thick portion is formed in a part of each of the press holds.

Abstract: Positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are arranged alternately with intervening separators, and their end faces are respectively butted on collector plates. A solder material made from nickel alloy is disposed on the surfaces of the collector plates, which are made from nickel. An electron beam is irradiated onto the collector plates for causing the solder material to melt, thereby bonding the end faces of the positive and negative electrode plates with the collector plates.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having a cylindrically shaped battery element includes positive and negative electrodes and a separator sandwiched between the positive and negative electrodes. Each of the positive and negative electrodes has an active material free region, on which no active material is applied. The active material free region has a projecting edge region which projects or extends beyond a first side edge of the separator, wherein a first end of the cylindrically shaped battery element includes the projecting edge region of the active material free region of one of the positive and negative electrodes, and the first end of the cylindrically shaped battery element has a depressed portion. An electrode tab has a first portion engaged within and welded to the depressed portion and a second portion electrically in contact with an electrode terminal.

Abstract: An air cell in which at least one end of a tubular air electrode is positively sealed to assure optimum leakage-proofing characteristics. The air cell includes an air electrode in the form of a hollow tube, a holding member abutted against at least one end of the air electrode along the circumference on the inner peripheral surface of the air electrode, a ring-like gasket arranged facing the holding member with the air electrode in-between, the ring-like gasket abutting along the circumference against the outer peripheral surface of the air electrode and a sealant member clinching the ring-like gasket and the air electrode along with the holding member for closing the end of the air electrode. The ring-like gasket seals the sealant member and the air electrode to each other by being clinched by the sealant member and the holding member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conductive connecting structure exhibiting satisfactory connecting performance to connect a conductive connecting tab being mounted on a battery element to a battery case, said conductive connecting table of the battery is connected to inner wall surface of the battery case or to inner surface of the battery housing, said conductive connecting tab with a plurality of bumps for projection welding is positioned face-to-face to inner wall surface of the battery case or to inner surface of the battery housing, and projection welding is performed to connect the tab.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell composed of a laminate of two electrode structures in the form of current collectors coated with electrode material interposed electrolyte structures. The laminate is wound in a coil, and in at least the initial turn and the final turn, one of the current collectors has a protruding part extending beyond at least one of the edges of the other current collector in the same turn and in the following or previous turn, respectively, and the first current collector has a protruding part extending beyond one of the edges of the second collector foil, the protruding parts of the current collectors along the first and the second edge, respectively, of the laminate are sealed to each other optionally with interposed insulating polymer material.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell has electrode leads of different lengths extending from the terminals to the respective plate sets of the cell. The electrode leads have a cross-sectional area which varies along the length of the electrode leads, such that the electrical resistances of the electrode leads are substantially the same. Typically, each electrode lead has a first region having a first cross-sectional area, and a second region having a second cross-sectional area. The relative lengths of the first region and the second region of the electrode leads are varied to achieve the substantially constant total resistance.

Abstract: A battery apparatus includes an anode terminal and a cathode terminal at least one of which includes a conductive extension extending through and contacting insulative housing material. The extension includes at least one outer rough surface characterized by a plurality of surface nodules at least a majority of which are at least 5 microns in height and have a maximum linear cross dimension of at least 20 microns and which contact and bond with the enveloping electrically insulative housing material. The battery apparatus can include a plurality of bicells. A method of forming a battery apparatus includes brushing an outer surface of at least one of an anode terminal material or a cathode terminal material effective to roughen the outer surface from what it was prior to the brushing. The anode and cathode assembly are enveloped in a housing comprising electrically insulative material with at least the one terminal material projecting therefrom.

Abstract: An improved battery cell having electrodes with active surface areas communicating along an entire edge with conductors thereby minimizing resistance and allowing for communication of electrical current to and from the battery at a high rate with an even discharge from the electrodes. Electrical current is produced by a plurality of electrodes formed of active material adhered to a conductive substrate. The plurality of electrodes is then stacked or wound to a desired configuration with a porous separator separating each adjacent electrode from the other. Communication along the entire edge of the formed electrodes on the conductive substrate with a conductive edge portion of the substrate, provide for maximum current flow in and out of the battery as well as well as reducing thermal concerns in high current applications.

Abstract: A cell is provided in which a flat plate portion of a collector portion is prevented from making contact with a positive or negative electrode in a power generating element to cause a short circuit, the application area of a material can be widened, and edge portions of an electrode plate can be surely connected and fixed to a collector.

Abstract: A polymer lithium ion battery has an aluminum foil case, both surface of which are coated with a thin layer of an insulating polymer and portions of the polymer on the periphery of the case are removed so that the exposed regions can function as battery terminals. Portions of the polymer on the inner surface of the case are removed so that electrode sheets can be electrically connected to the battery terminals.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery includes a battery case, an internal electrode body contained in the battery case and including a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator made of porous polymer. The positive electrode and the negative electrode are wound or laminated so that the positive electrode and negative electrode are not brought into direct contact with each other via the separator. The respective resistance value of multiple tabs for electricity collection to be connected to the positive electrode and negative electrode was set to remain within the range of ±20% of the average resistance value of the tabs. The lithium secondary battery maintains a good charge-discharge characteristic even during high-output cycle operation and in particular may be preferably used for a drive motor of an electric vehicle.

Abstract: The battery has an electrode assembly inserted into a cylindrical external case. A lead plate connected to the electrode assembly is weld attached to the inner surface of the external case by an energy beam applied from outside the external case. The external case has a projection jutting from its inner surface. The energy beam is applied to the projection from outside the external case and weld attaches the lead plate to the inner surface of the projection.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel assembly is made, wherein rows (14, 24) of fuel cells (16, 18, 20, 26, 28, 30), each having an outer interconnection (36) and an outer electrode (32), are disposed next to each other with corrugated, electrically conducting expanded metal mesh (22) between each row of cells, the corrugated mesh (22) having top crown portions (40) and bottom shoulder portions (42), where the top crown portion (40) contacts outer interconnections (36) of the fuel cells (16, 18, 20) in a first row (14), and the bottom shoulder portions (42) contacts outer electrodes (32) of the fuel cells in a second row (24), said mesh electrically connecting each row of fuel cells, and where there are no metal felt connections between any fuel cells.

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of cells accommodating an electrode plate group and an electrolyte, and a single integrated battery case for accommodating the plurality of cells. The ratio of the component resistance including the connecting resistance between the cells to the reactive resistance of the electrode plate group and the electrolyte in each cell, is set in the range of 1:99-40:60 at a temperature of 25° C. Thereby, the internal resistance per cell is reduced, and higher power output and improved service life characteristics are achieved.

Abstract: Mechanically and thermally improved rechargeable batteries and modules. The battery is prismatic in shape with an optimized thickness to width to height aspect ratio which provides the battery with balanced optimal properties when compared with prismatic batteries lacking this optimized aspect ratio. The optimized thickness, width and height allow for maximum capacity and power output, while eliminating deleterious side affects. The battery case design allows for unidirectional expansion which is readily compensated for by applying external mechanical compression counter to that direction. In the module, the batteries are bound within a module bundling/compression means under external mechanical compression which is optimized to balance outward pressure due to expansion and provide additional inward compression to reduce the distance between the positive and negative electrodes, thereby increasing overall battery power.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising: a battery case; a battery element accommodated in the battery case, the battery element comprising laminations of a first polarity type electrode, a second polarity type electrode and a separator sandwiched between the first polarity type electrode and the second polarity type electrode, the first polarity type electrode comprising a first polarity type collector which is provided with at least a first polarity type electrode active material layer except for a first side region extending along one side of the first polarity type collector, and the second polarity type electrode comprising a second polarity type collector which is provided with at least a second polarity type electrode active material layer except for a second side region extending along one side of the second polarity type collector, the first side region of the first polarity type collector projecting from first side edge of the separator and the second sid

Abstract: A method of forming a button-type battery includes, a) providing a conductive first terminal housing member, a conductive second terminal housing member, an anode, and a cathode; b) providing an anode/cathode separator, the separator being pre-configured with a self-aligning shape for self-aligning receipt relative to one of the first or second terminal housing members or the cathode; c) positioning the pre-configured separator relative to the one of the first or second terminal housing members or cathode, the pre-configured separator shape facilitating final alignment of the separator relative to the one of the first or second terminal housing members or the cathode; and d) joining the first and second terminal housing members together into a sealed battery assembly, with the anode, cathode and separator being received within the sealed battery assembly. A button-type battery construction is also disclosed.

Abstract: A battery module is fabricated as follows. A plurality of elements for electromotive force is accommodated in a one-piece cylindrical case and is arranged in series in an axial direction of the case. The elements for electromotive force are electrically connected through an electric connector passing through a resin partition wall which separates the elements for electromotive force from one another. The both ends of the case are sealed with sealing plates.

Abstract: The invention provides a battery cell including an electrode having an area defined by a perimeter including an edge, a counter electrode having an area defined by a perimeter including an edge, and a separator having an area defined by a perimeter including an edge. The separator is sandwiched between the electrode and the counter electrode in a layered relationship with at least portions of the edges being contiguous. The separator and one of the electrode and the counter electrode each include a first notch in the edge exposing a portion of the other of the electrode and counter electrode. The separator and the other of the electrode and the counter electrode each include a second notch in the edge exposing a portion of the one of the electrode and the counter electrode. A method of producing a battery cell having a plurality of film layers, a plurality of current collector layers, and at least one separator layer, with each current collector layer including a predetermined lead portion, is also provided.

Abstract: A storage cell comprises at least two electrodes with different polarities disposed face-to-face on respective opposite sides of a separator and a metal strip fixed along an upper edge of a first of the electrodes and extending at least as far as one end of the upper edge. The part of a second of the electrodes facing the strip in line with the aforementioned one end is partly cut away by means of a cut-out.

Abstract: The use of the Pb—Sn alloy containing Ag and Se of the present invention as a connecting part for connecting internal components makes it possible to improve the resistance of straps, poles and cell connectors to general corrosion and grain boundary corrosion, inhibit the occurrence of the stress corrosion cracking and enhance the alloy strength, thus providing a lead acid battery having an excellent reliability.

Abstract: An improved combining structure between the battery electrode plates and the battery casing, wherein it is mainly comprised of that the bottoms of the electrode plates are respectively series combined by the series combining straps made of electric conductive or non-conductive materials; and for the improved combining structure between the electrode plates and the battery casing, besides of that the bottoms of the electrode plates can be series combined by the series combining straps, the bottom of the battery casing can be provided with foot slots for inserting the plate connectors, or the inside bottom of the battery casing is installed with the support posts protruding upward to support the electrode plates, or the inside bottom of the battery casing is installed with the series combining straps with slots for inserting the electrode plates; thereby with this composition, not only the positioning effect of the electrode plates can be improved, when the series combining straps are made of electric conductiv

Abstract: An electrode comprises a porous three-dimensional conductive support and at least one reinforcing metal band fixed along a longitudinal edge portion of the support and having a coefficient of elongation to rupture equal to at least 20% in a direction parallel to the edge portion of the support. Two longitudinal edge portions of the band are bent against the same face of the band, at least part of whose surface is pressed against the support.

Abstract: In a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell comprising a rolled-up electrode unit 4 encased in a cell can 1, a striplike current collector forming an electrode has an edge 48 projecting from at least one of opposite ends of the electrode unit. A current collecting plate 5 is joined to the current collector edge 48. A plurality of circular-arc protrusions 52 projecting in a circular-arc cross section and a plurality of slit pieces 53 are formed radially on the current collecting plate 5 and opposed to the current collector edge 48. The collecting plate 5 is welded to the current collector edge 48, with the protrusions 52 and the slit pieces 53 biting into the current collector edge 48, whereby high current collecting performance is available.

Abstract: There are provided coiled electrode batteries with high yields, while short-circuiting in the batteries is prevented. A coiled electrode battery according to the invention has coiled electrodes consisting of positive and negative poles 21, 22 and two separators 23 lying between them. In the coiled electrodes, insulating layers 216, 226 made of insulating resin are formed on both sides of the proximal sections of the protrusions 213, 223 of the positive and negative poles 21, 22. Thus, even if the non-protruding sections of the positive and negative electrodes 21, 22 become exposed due to winding misalignment of the separators 23 in the lengthwise direction, the presence of the insulating layers 216, 226 prevents short-circuits between the proximal sections of the protrusions 213, 223 of the positive and negative electrodes 21, 22. As a result, yields are increased as short-circuits are avoided inside the battery.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery configured to yield a high energy density output by minimizing head space, i.e., wasted interior volume, within the battery case and/or by reducing electrical energy losses internal to the battery.

Abstract: A square shaped battery includes: an electrode plate group including a belt-like positive electrode plate, a belt-like negative electrode plate, and a belt-like separator, the belt-like positive electrode plate, the belt-like negative electrode plate, and the belt-like separator being laminated and rolled up to form the electrode plate group; and a pair of power collectors disposed on sides of the electrode plate group for collecting electric power from the electrode plate group.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte cell in which the cell capacity is improved and positioning accuracy of external terminals is assured. An unit cell is housed in an exterior packaging material of a laminated film and encapsulated on heat sealing. To elongated positive and negative terminals of the unit cell are electrically connected electrode terminal leads which are exposed to outside of the exterior packaging material as the leads are surrounded by heat fused portions. The unit cell is a wound assembly of the positive and negative electrodes each of which is comprised of a current collector carrying a layer of an active material. The electrode terminal leads are mounted on the current collectors of the positive and negative electrodes in the vicinity of the innermost turn of the wound assembly. In manufacturing the unit cell, the positions of the electrode terminal leads are detected and positioned with respect to the flat winding arbor. The positive and negative electrodes then are wound on the winding arbor.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery is disclosed which is capable of realizing a sufficiently large space for accommodating a control circuit and preventing enlargement of the size thereof.

Abstract: Positive and negative electrode plates 2, 3 are alternately stacked upon one another with intervening separators 4 to constitute an electrode plate group 1. The respective electrode plates are laterally offset so that side edges of the electrode plates protrude on the opposite sides. Collector plates 5, 6 are perpendicularly welded to the side edges of the electrode plates 2, 3 on both sides of the electrode plate group 1. Loose ends 3c, 3e of the outermost negative electrode plates 3b, 3d that are not welded to the collector plate are secured to the electrode plate group by a holding tape 7.

Abstract: An electric energy storage device for reducing electric resistance between the anode/cathode electrodes and their terminals is disclosed. In the electric energy storage device, an anode electrode and a cathode electrode are stacked to have offset areas with predetermined margins and an insulating film is inserted therebetween. And, the stacked electrodes between which the insulating film is inserted is rolled up so as to form an electrode body. A plate type anode terminal and a plate type cathode terminal which have the thread-like unevenness at their bottoms are connected to a top and bottom of the rolled electrode body respectively. A metal layer is formed on both contact areas of the anode and cathode electrodes by plasma or arc spray.

Abstract: An electrode plate unit capable of suppressing the internal short circuit caused by flashing that is formed on the end portion of a positive electrode plate and a battery using the same. The electrode plate unit includes a group of electrode plates in which a plurality of positive electrode plates and a plurality of negative electrode plates are laminated alternately via separators, a positive electrode collector plate connected to one side face of the group of electrode plates for connection to the positive electrode plate, and a negative electrode collector plate connected to another side face of the group of electrode plates for connection to the negative electrode plate, wherein the edge portion of the positive electrode plate is protruded from the edge portion of the negative electrode plate on the entire side face excluding the side face to which the negative electrode collector plate of the group of electrode plates is connected.

Abstract: A method is disclosed in which the plates 2 of an electrode 1 are connected to a terminal 3 of a storage cell by clamping the plates 2 between the terminal 3 and a holding member such as a ring 6 or a washer 12 and then welding the plates 2 to the terminal 3 by transparent laser welding through the holding member. The plates 2 are preferably bent over a face of the terminal 3 before they are clamped. A tool 14 presses on an area 15 of the washer 12 to clamp the plates 2. The washer 12 and the plates 2 are then transparent laser welded to the terminal 3 along a weld line 16 around the area 15 on which the washer 12 bears. A storage cell that can be obtained by the above method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery design for bi-cell polymer matrix batteries. Each bi-cell comprises, sequentially, a first counter electrode, a first separator membrane, a centrally located electrode, a second separator membrane, and a second counter electrode. The current collector of each of the counter electrodes is positioned other than medially within the counter electrode. Generally, the current collector of the counter electrode is located within the outer half of the counter electrode. When the current collector is located at the extreme outer edge of the counter electrode, a capping film of polymer matrix material is preferably laminated to the perforated current collector, and, through the perforated current collector, to the counter electrode material itself.

Abstract: An electrode for a battery includes an electrode sheet, a lead, and a metal piece. The electrode sheet has a collector, an active material layer formed on the collector, and a lead connecting portion which is configured as an exposed extension of the collector, on both surfaces of which the active material layer is not formed. The lead connecting portion, the lead, and the metal piece are overlapped to and joined to each other. With this configuration, even if a contact area between the lead connecting portion and the lead is small, an electric resistance at the joined portion between the lead connecting portion and the lead becomes small, with a result that it is possible to enhance the strength of the joined portion and to enhance the discharge load characteristic of the battery.

Abstract: An electric double layer capacitor affords cost reduction and miniaturization. In a non-aqueous electrolyte cell and an electric double layer capacitor, which are composed of active materials used as a cathode and an anode, and a container for receiving the materials and an electrolyte, the storage container is composed of a concave-shaped container 101 and a sealing plate 102, and first and second collectors disposed in the container are electrically connected to joining terminals A103, B104 disposed on an outer bottom surface and/or sides of the container, the joining terminals A103, B104 being made integral with the storage container.

Abstract: A valve regulated lead-acid battery having a plurality of negative and positive electrode plates, a plurality of separators soaked with electrolyte interleaved between the plates, a negative strap and positive strap interconnecting the respective plurality of negative and positive electrodes includes separator material soaked with electrolyte disposed adjacent to the negative strap to thereby increase oxygen reduction.

Abstract: A contactless rechargeable hearing aid system in which a rechargeable hearing aid may be optically or inductively recharged by an optical or an inductive recharger. The optically rechargeable hearing aid may have a dual purpose optical fiber that may act as a light conduit for the recharging light, and that may also act as a draw string for the hearing aid. The rechargeable hearing aid may use a high energy nickel metal-hydride rechargeable battery or a high energy, high voltage lithium based rechargeable battery, in conjunction with a DC to DC voltage regulating circuit for converting the rechargeable battery's declining DC output voltage to the fixed DC input voltage needed by the hearing aid's audio related circuitry. The DC to DC voltage regulating circuit may also help to present a supply impedance that matches the input impedance of the audio related circuitry in the hearing aid.

Abstract: An electric energy storage device includes a plurality of electrical energy cells. Each of the cells has an anode plate, a cathode plate, and electrolyte material. Current collectors are provided between the cells to conduct electrical current between the cells. The current collectors optionally include a seal that prevents electrolyte flow between the cells while permitting flow of vapor between the cells. The cells and current collectors may be contained in a common pressure vessel without separate pressure vessels being provided for each of the cells.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention provides a cover for venting gases from thin metal film battery cells having vents disposed at the center of one end of the cells. The vents comprise cylindrical wells that recess into, and substantially fill, the top portions of battery cell cavities within a battery housing. The cavities are sized to hold the battery cells securely and are configured to provide an electrical serial connection. The wells include pipes which extend outward from the bottom of the wells and lead from openings in the bases of the wells. The openings in the pipes are covered with flexible valve caps and well lids cover the wells. The center point arrangement of the recessed wells permit gases from the battery cells to escape through the openings, yet restrict the electrolyte from exiting the housing.

Abstract: A bussing structure for bussing current within an electrochemical cell. The bussing structure includes a first plate and a second plate, each having a central aperture therein. Current collection tabs, extending from an electrode stack in the electrochemical cell, extend through the central aperture in the first plate, and are then sandwiched between the first plate and second plate. The second plate is then connected to a terminal on the outside of the case of the electrochemical cell. Each of the first and second plates includes a second aperture which is positioned beneath a safety vent in the case of the electrochemical cell to promote turbulent flow of gasses through the vent upon its opening. The second plate also includes protrusions for spacing the bussing structure from the case, as well as plateaus for connecting the bussing structure to the terminal on the case of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A fastener system for tab bussing for the multicell batteries and the apparatus to assist this system are described. The holding device is used to hold the tab bussing structure together. The holding device can be a bolt or a rivet. It minimizes the electrical resistance of the multicell battery, allows rework and achieves high energy efficiency and small dimensions for the multicell lithium-polymer batteries.

Abstract: A battery includes a housing, a first electrode, a second electrode having a plurality of cavities within the first electrode, a separator between each cavity and the first electrode, a seal positioned above the first electrode and the cavity, and a current collector. The current collector includes a member passing through the seal, a prong extending into each cavity, and a branch member connecting each prong to the member beneath the seal.

Abstract: A thin metal film battery cell is formed by one or more plates wound in a spiral thereby forming a roll with two ends at which spiralled edges of the plates are exposed. Each end of the roll is covered by an end strap which includes a body of electrically conductive material from which a tab extends. The body contacts each convolution of the roll while leaving a portion of each convolution exposed so that an electrolyte is able to flow into the roll. The tab attached to and projecting outward from the body for making electical connection to the thin metal film battery cell.

Abstract: A sealed secondary battery assembly in which electricity-generating elements are accommodated in cases made of resin formed in rectangular tubular shape having a bottom, a plurality of cells constituted by sealing the apertures of cases by covers made of resin are arranged in series, these being electrically connected by electrical connection elements, wherein: the cases of the individual cells are constituted by a unitary case and the covers of the individual cells are constituted by a unitary cover, support elements made of resin in which are fixed electrical connection elements are joined to support element mounting passage sections provided on partition sections that define the space for the cells, said electrical connection elements being thereby arranged so as to pass through said partition sections.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylindrical non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell according to the present invention comprises a first step of forming a lead-attaching area on which an active material layer is not formed, in a positive electrode wherein a positive electrode active material layer is formed on both sides of the positive electrode current collector and a negative electrode wherein a negative electrode active material layer is formed on both sides of the negative electrode current collector, and winding the positive electrode and the negative electrode with disposing a separator therebetween so that the lead-attaching areas are protruded from the edges of the separator, and a second step of disposing a lead at an end part of the lead-attaching area with interposing a metal plate having a multiplicity of holes, and thereafter laser-welding the lead and the metal plate and the lead-attaching area by applying a laser beam with a spot diameter larger than a hole diameter of the metal plate.

Abstract: A cylindrical alkaline storage battery including a spiraled electrode body composed of a pair of opposed electrodes spirally rolled up through a separator and coupled within a cylindrical casing, at least one of the electrodes being in the form of a non-sintered type electrode composed of an active material retention substrate of three dimensionally meshed structure impregnated with paste of an active material, and a current collector formed with a disc portion for connection to one end portion of the non-sintered type electrode and a lead portion for connection to a terminal, wherein the one end portion of the non-sintered type electrode is formed without impregnation of the paste of the active material, and wherein a perforated sheet metal welded to the one end portion of the non-sintered type electrode is welded at its side edge to the disc portion of the current collector.

Abstract: A thin battery includes a flat battery body having a positive electrode and a negative electrode having an electrolyte layer disposed between the electrodes. A flexible encapsulating bag seals the battery body with a sealing portion. A positive electrode collector tab and a negative electrode collector tab are respectively connected to the positive and negative electrodes. The tabs penetrate the encapsulating bag. At least one of the tabs includes first and second collector tabs and a safety device so that an electrical connection between the first and second collector tabs may be interrupted when the internal pressure of the encapsulating bag exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: An electricity storage/discharge device includes a plurality of electrode plates separated by isolator members. Each of the electrode plates includes at least two outwardly extending current collecting terminals, at least one conductor through-hole, and at least one isolating opening. The electrode plates can be circular, partially circular, or polygonal, and are electrically connected in series or parallel combinations to plates of opposite or same polarity by a plurality of conductor rods arranged to pass through and be electrically connected to selected ones of said through-holes to form multiple input/output circuits. Isolating openings in the form of notches or additional through-holes having a size larger than the size of the conductor rods are provided to permit passage of the conductor rods through plates to which the rods are not electrically connected.