Cover Only Patents (Class 429/175)
  • Patent number: 7378181
    Abstract: An electric storage battery and method of manufacture thereof characterized by a feedthrough pin which is internally directly physically and electrically connected to an inner end of a positive electrode substrate. A C-shaped mandrel extends around the pin and substrate end enabling the pin/mandrel to be used during the manufacturing process as an arbor to facilitate winding layers of a spiral jellyroll electrode assembly. The pin additionally extends from the battery case and in the final product constitutes one of the battery terminals with the battery case comprising the other terminal. Active material is removed from both sides of the outer end of the negative electrode in the jellyroll to allow room for adhesive tape to secure the jellyroll. The electrolyte is injected through the open end of the case after the endcap is welded to the negative electrode but before sealing the endcap to the case. The electrolyte is preferably injected through the C-shaped mandrel to facilitate and speed filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Quallion LLC
    Inventor: David M. Skinlo
  • Patent number: 7348098
    Abstract: A power generation element is stored in an inner space formed by combining a battery case (2) and a seal case (3) formed as a half-shell body with a rectangular plane shape such that the individual openings are placed opposing to each other with a gasket (4) interposed therebetween, and the gasket (4) is pressed between the open end of the battery case (2) and a step (35) of the seal case (3) for sealing during caulking. Because recesses (36) are formed on the individual peripheral edges of a bottom surface (31) of the seal case (3), the strength of straight parts of a seal-case side-peripheral surface (32) of the seal case (3) increases against a seal pressure during caulking, and a decrease of seal capability caused by the straight parts bulging toward the outside during sealing is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Hayashi, Makoto Nakanishi, Kunihiko Bessho
  • Patent number: 7332243
    Abstract: A housing for a vehicle battery includes a top portion configured for attachment to a battery cover and a plurality of containers extending from the top portion for containing elements of a battery. The plurality of containers are arranged in an offset configuration such that at least a portion of the top portion extends away from the plurality of containers due to the offset configuration. A structure for reinforcing the portion of the top portion is provided that extends away from the plurality of containers. According to one embodiment, the structure includes at least one rib for providing enhanced structural integrity for the portion of the top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Gerald A. Cummins, Jack Bruss
  • Patent number: 7332244
    Abstract: A battery case is formed by juxtaposing a plurality of electrode plate group housing chambers. An electrolyte-impregnated electrode plate group is housed in each of the housing chambers. A side plate is arranged in abutment with each side face of the battery case. The respective side faces are faced with the openings of the electrode plate group housing chambers. This makes it possible to close the openings of the electrode plate group housing chambers. Thus, the cells and the battery module are fabricated concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Uemoto, Kenji Kimura
  • Patent number: 7318980
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery comprises an electrode assembly that comprises a positive plate, a negative plate, and a separator interposed between those two plates. It also includes a container for the electrode assembly, a cap assembly fixed to the container to seal the container, and a collector plate coupled to the positive plate or the negative plate of the electrode assembly. The collector plate includes a plate-shaped body and at least two tabs that are integrally formed with the body to be coupled to the cap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Sam Kim
  • Publication number: 20080008935
    Abstract: A case structure for a lithium secondary battery comprises a plurality of threaded holes formed in the annular flange of the case, and the cap is correspondingly formed with a plurality of inserting holes. The cap is fitted at the open ends of the case in such a manner that the inserting holes of the cap are aligned with the threaded holes of the case. Therefore, the case can be hermetically sealed by the cap without using laser welding or complicated precision operation, substantially saving the production cost. Furthermore, the structural design of the present invention allows the battery interior components to be replaced or repaired easily by unscrewing the cap without breaking the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventor: Donald P.H. Wu
  • Patent number: 7314492
    Abstract: In a method in which the inside surface of the negative electrode cup of an alkaline battery is coated with metal or metal alloy having a higher hydrogen overpotential than copper, the mask used for coating processing has the shape in which: when d is the diameter of the negative electrode cup, t is the plate thickness of the negative electrode cup, A is the diameter of the mask opening on the negative electrode cup mounting side, B is the diameter of the mask opening on the negative electrode cup supplying side, h is the depth of the negative electrode cup, C is the thickness of mask on negative electrode cup mounting side, and D is a tapered angle of the mask opening on the negative electrode cup, 2(2t+d)?B>A ?0.7d, (A/2)?h?C>0 mm, and 90°>D?45° are satisfied to coat only the inside surface area except a cuff portion and cuff bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi Ohhara, Satoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 7306877
    Abstract: A corrosion-protective cover 3 is molded of a synthetic resin. The corrosion-protective cover 3 includes a base plate portion 29 having a battery post insertion hole, first hook portions 30 and 30 formed at a rear end of the base plate portion 29 so as to be engaged with a wire connection portion 9, and a second hook portion 31 of a generally U-shape which is formed at a front end of the base plate portion 29, and has elasticity, and can be retainingly fitted on curved surfaces 40 and 40 of fastening portions 6 and 6, with the first hook portions 30 and 30 engaged with the wire connection portion 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Gaku Fujii, Kunihiko Akamatsu
  • Publication number: 20070275293
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with an enhanced pressure relief vent formed in a closed end of the cell container that allows for effective venting of gas from the closed end of the container. The cell includes a container having a first end, a second end, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, and an end wall extending across the first end. The cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, all disposed in the container. The cell further includes a pressure relief vent mechanism having a reduced thickness groove formed in the end wall of the container. A cover is welded to the closed end wall of the container over the pressure relief vent mechanism and is welded via at least three welds, wherein two adjacent welds are angularly separated by more than 120°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: R. Justin Begg, Robert E. Ray
  • Patent number: 7297440
    Abstract: A battery pack including a plastic protective layer bonded to the surface of a cell by spreading over the surface of the cell a polyurethane emulsion having a reaction product obtained by emulsifying and dispersing an intermediate product produced from a compound A made of an organic diisocyanate, a compound B1 made of a polyol mixture having not smaller than at least 2.05 average functional groups and a compound B2 having one hydrophilic center and at least two active hydrogen groups in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Watanabe, Hirotaka Shinya
  • Patent number: 7285355
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Quallion LLC
    Inventors: Alan Ruth, Andy Szyszkowski, Clay Kishiyama, Hiroyuki Yumoto, Hisashi Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 7273504
    Abstract: A battery having a single cell, an outer paper package covering the single cell, and a water-repellent layer included in the outer paper package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Nagai, Masanori Asano
  • Publication number: 20070202396
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery in which at least one step portion is formed on an upper surface of a cap plate, and at least one step portion is formed on a lower or first surface of a battery part opposite to the upper or first surface of the cap plate so that the at least two step portions are complementary. The complementary step portions of the cap plate of the bare cell and the battery part provided at an upper part of the cap plate result in easy coupling of the battery part to the bare cell and stable maintenance of the coupling between the battery part and the bare cell. The coupling structure results in greater ease in performing subsequent manufacturing processes and protects the bare cells coupled to the battery part from dislodging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Sangseok JUNG
  • Publication number: 20070154796
    Abstract: Disclosed is a secondary battery which can prevent twist or bend of a mold resin part of the battery. In one embodiment, a side wall extension part is formed on a top edge of a side wall of a can of the battery. The side wall extension part protrudes upwardly from the top edge of the side wall, and partially encloses a mole resin part that is formed on the top of the can. In another embodiment, a protrusion part is formed on an edge of an upper plane of a cap plate that covers the can of the battery. The protrusion part protrudes upwardly from the upper plane of the cap plate, partially encloses a mole resin part that is formed on the upper plane of the cap plate. In both embodiments, the protruded part adheres to the mold resin part, and supports the mold resin part to prevent mechanical distortion that can be caused by external force. Therefore, the protruded part improves the reliability of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventor: Hwa-Il Uh
  • Publication number: 20070154783
    Abstract: A battery cap assembly, including a first cap part and a safety apparatus provided under the first cap part, wherein the first cap part includes protrusions on a lower surface thereof, the protrusions configured to engage the safety apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventor: Byeongdeok Jeon
  • Publication number: 20070154797
    Abstract: In a cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery, the width of an electrode tab positioned at a center of an electrode assembly is extended so that it serves as a center pin and functions to release heat. Thus, it is not necessary to separately insert a center pin, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and steps. The cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery comprises an electrode assembly, a case for receiving the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly for sealing the top opening of the case. The electrode assembly comprises a positive electrode plate and negative electrode plate. The positive electrode plate has a positive electrode tab, a positive active material region, a positive uncoated region, and a positive current collector exposed through the positive uncoated region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Yooeup Hyung, Jungseok Kim, Yongtae Kim, Sangbong Nam
  • Publication number: 20070154798
    Abstract: A secondary battery including an electrode assembly in which anode and cathode electrodes are laminated with a separator interposed therebetween and are wound together, a can to receive the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly attached to an opening of the top of the can, the cap assembly having an electrode terminal that is electrically connected with one of the electrodes of the electrode assembly and including two protrusion parts formed thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Sangsok Jung
  • Patent number: 7208245
    Abstract: An adapter cap for a sealed lead acid battery comprises a non-conductive housing having a base perimeter adapted for flush alignment with the top surface of a battery which is dimensioned to encompass the tab terminals of the battery. Conductive material is secured to the housing and extends through a portion of the housing which is configured as a female connectors adapted for sliding engagement with the battery tab terminals to provide an electrical coupling external to the housing. A recharging jack is disposed in the housing which is electrically coupled to the portions of conductive material. The housing including an aperture therein to receive a mated component for the recharging jack, whereby the adapter cap provides a charging connection that protects the battery tabs and a recharging connection electrically coupled to the battery tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Moon, Lyle A. Rosine
  • Patent number: 7205068
    Abstract: An energy storage device, such as an electrical storage battery, having a unique terminal structure, sealing arrangement and an S-shaped mandrel for the electrode assembly. The battery generally includes a case in which an electrode assembly is dispose, and a cover provided with a fill hole and fill plug, and a terminal structure that forms a battery terminal. The terminal hole and the fill hole have counter bore structure to provide tighter sealing. A nickel layer is provided on the aluminum fill plug to facilitate electrical contact with the external circuit. A mandrel is provided for the rolled electrode assembly, and is electrically coupled to the terminal structure via a push-in tab inserted into a space in the S-shape of the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Quallion LLC
    Inventors: Wendy Fong, Mikito Nagata, Andrew Szyszkowski, Hisashi Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 7175938
    Abstract: The invention includes a brazed ceramic ring that separates the positive and negative ends of the battery while still providing a leak-tight seal. The ceramic is aluminum oxide or zirconium oxide or zirconium oxide with 3% yttrium. The invention includes a brazing material, which is grater than 50% gold. The invention includes a titanium alloy case (Ti-6Al-4V) which is titanium with 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium as its major alloying elements. The case has the desirable properties of titanium such as high strength for a relatively low weight; and the case has the requisite ability and electro-activity to be used as a positive current carrying element where the battery's positive electrode exhibits more then 3.5 V vs. Li/Li+.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Quallion LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Alan Ruth, II, Hisashi Tsukamoto, Clay Kishiyama, Andrew Szyszkowski
  • Patent number: 7175936
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery 10 is provided with an inner electrode body 1 comprising a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate respectively made up of at least one metal foil 6 wound or laminated; said inner electrode body being impregnated with a non-aqueous electrolyte, current collector members 5A and 5B for leading a current out of this inner electrode body 1, a battery case 11 with both ends left open; said battery case housing the inner electrode body 1, and two caps 13 provided with internal terminals 14A and 14B thereon; said caps being used to seal the inner electrode body 1 at both open ends of the battery 11. By adopting such a configuration that positive and negative external terminals are placed on one end of a battery collectively, protrusions of the battery are so reduced that the collective coupling of batteries becomes easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Kawamura, Kenshin Kitoh
  • Patent number: 7172833
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an alkaline dry cell with a high capacity having a superior liquid leak resistant property. In this alkaline dry cell, the thickness of the trunk portion of an external can is made thinner than 0.18 mm, and the thickness of the sealing edge portion of the external can is set to not less than 1.4 times the thickness of trunk portion. An anode terminal plate is used as a supporting member for a sealing member. Over the entire outer circumferential portion of the anode terminal plate is placed a curved portion having an average curvature radius of not more than 1 mm, which shows a virtually C-letter shape or an arc shape in its cross-section obtained by cutting the anode terminal plate through its center in the thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Urade, Shoichiro Tateishi, Koji Koide, Shinichi Iwamoto, Minajuro Ushijima
  • Patent number: 7166388
    Abstract: This invention is a sealed battery case and a method for making it, including a brazed ceramic ring that separates the positive and negative ends of the battery while providing a leak-tight seal. A brazing material is used that comprises greater than 50% gold. The case is strong, and can be negative, neutral, or positive, withstanding more than 3.5 V vs. Li/Li+.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Quallion LLC
    Inventors: Hisashi Tsukamoto, Clay Kishiyama, Andrew Szyszkowski, Douglas Alan Ruth, II
  • Patent number: 7141082
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gas generating cell including a housing having a cover, an anode cup and a sealing ring. The housing accommodates at least one anode, a cathode and a separator. The cover accommodates at least the cathode and the separator and, with the sealing ring, forms a preassembled unit to be inserted into the anode cup. The present disclosure also relates to a method of producing a gas generating cell, the gas generating cell including a housing having a cover, an anode cup, a sealing ring, and at least one anode, a cathode and a separator. The method steps include: placing at least the cathode and separator into the cover, thereby creating a preassembled unit; and, inserting the preassembled unit and a sealing ring into the anode cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: GCT Gas-Cell-Tec AG
    Inventor: Hans Sauer
  • Patent number: 7101640
    Abstract: A venting plug for a wet, lead-acid storage battery, a battery containing the same, a method of molding the venting plug body, and a mold for molding the venting plug body are disclosed. The sealing surfaces of the venting plug do not include a mold parting line along which acid from inside of the battery could seep between the seal and sealing surfaces. The venting plug body, however, includes a coupling structure that includes a mold parting line. The sealing surfaces of the venting plug body are molded by a single plate such that no mold parting line results along the sealing surfaces, while the coupling structure is molded by plurality of mold components such that a mold parting line results in the vicinity of the coupling structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Exide Technologies
    Inventors: William H. Kump, Steven R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7097935
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes a housing having at least two cells and a cover which closes the housing. The cover includes a lower part which is coupled to the housing, an upper part which is arranged at a distance from the lower part and closes the lower part forming a seal, and labyrinth-like outlet channels provided between the lower part and the upper part for acid deposition. The lower part is cut through in the area of the upper part adjacent to the outlet channels. The cells in the cut-through areas are separated from one another in a liquid-tight manner by cell separating wall sections which are adjacent to the upper part, and which are closed by the upper part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: VB Autobatterie GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Schellenberg, Hans Muehe
  • Patent number: 7087347
    Abstract: A battery jar structure includes a main body, a top cover, a plurality of urging members, a plurality of inner covers, a first top plate, and a second top plate. Thus, the guide portion of each of the support recesses of the top cover and each of the urging members form a double separation effect and an air convection effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventor: Tung-Ming Shen
  • Patent number: 7041413
    Abstract: A sealed electronics package comprising a tubular case wall including first and second conductive portions electrically separated by an insulative partition, a hermetic seal between the insulative partition and the first conductive portion, a hermetic seal between the insulative partition and the second conductive portion, end caps; and a hermetic seal between the end caps to the tubular case wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Quallion LLC
    Inventors: Hisashi Tsukamoto, Clay Kishiyama, Naoki Ota
  • Patent number: 7001689
    Abstract: A zinc/air cell having thin walled cup shaped anode casing and cathode casing. The cell may be a button cell having an anode comprising zinc and a cathode, which may be catalytic, comprising manganese dioxide. The anode and cathode casings have small wall thicknesses, preferably between 2 and 5 mil (0.0508 and 0.127 mm), desirably between about 2 and 3 mil (0.0508 and 0.0762 mm). There is an insulating seal ring covering at least a portion of the anode casing side walls. During cell assembly the cathode casing side wall is pushed over at least a portion of the anode casing side wall with insulating sealing disk therebetween. A tight interference fit is achieved with the outside diameter of the anode casing plus insulating seal thereon being preferably between about 2 and 4.5 mil (0.0508 and 0.114 mm) greater than the inside diameter of the cathode casing. This reduces the tendency of the casing side walls to spring back after crimping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventor: Keith Buckle
  • Patent number: 6986796
    Abstract: A unitary lid for the casing of an electrochemical energy storage device is described. The lid has a terminal lead ferrule and a fillport formed from a single blank in a machining process. The lid does not require any welding except for securing it to the open end of a casing container. This helps the lid contribute to the cell's volumetric efficiency, which is especially important for cells powering implantable medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Warchocki, James Carroll, Paul J. Quattrini, George McNamara
  • Patent number: 6949311
    Abstract: The invention discloses a battery structure formed by the steps of: securing and adhering upper and lower plastic casings; sealing lithium cell raw material using plastic; connecting a contact of the lithium cell raw material to an metal contact of the embedded plastic extrusion contact; and the characteristics thereof are that the upper plastic casing is provided with an explosion-proof ventilator, the cell raw material is sealed by means of plastic, and the explosion-proof ventilator is able to prevent explosions caused by overheating from short circuit and collisions of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventor: Yu-Lin Chung
  • Patent number: 6929882
    Abstract: Described is a battery cover having a moveable handle which assists in movement of the battery comprising a molded cover securely attached to the battery; the cover having a slotted space in which the handle snugly fits during non-use thereof; the handle being comprised of a U shaped configuration wherein the closed end of the U is configured for engagement to assist in moving manually the battery and wherein the legs of the U are each comprised of a generally arcuate member having a step shaped indentation, the handle pivoting about the circular members when moving from a lowered position to a raised position; and a locking member in contact with the generally arcuate member such that when the handle is in the slotted space of the cover the locking member is in contact with a curved portion of the arcuate member and when the handle is in a raised position the step portion of the arcuate member engages the locking member to maintain the handle in a locked raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dane E. Carter
  • Patent number: 6926992
    Abstract: Disclosed is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises a sealing unit including a conductive support plate, wherein the conductive support plate contains at least one kind of a conductive material selected from the group consisting of a metal, an alloy and a composite metallic material, each of the metal, the alloy and the composite metallic material has a modulus of elasticity (Young's modulus) at 25° C. that falls within a range from 1×1011 Pa to 3.27×1011 Pa, and the conductive support plate has an area resistance value RS at 20° C. falling within a range from 0.032 (??·cm2) to 1.24 (??·cm2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Isozaki, Yuji Satoh, Motoya Kanda
  • Patent number: 6924059
    Abstract: A thin rechargeable lithium battery having a battery main body enclosed between sealing members (a) and (b), at least sealing member (a) having a concave portion that extends to either side from a central position so as to have a peripheral collar portion (a-i) which surrounds the concave portion, sealing member (b) having a peripheral collar portion (b-i) corresponding to the collar portion (a-i) of sealing member (a) and the two sealing members (a) and (b) being opposingly arranged such that the face of said concave portion of sealing member (a) faces sealing member (b) through the battery main body, wherein collar portions (a-i) and (b-i) are mutually welded, and either sealing member (a) or (b) is provided with a power output terminal having electrical continuity with the battery main body and an insulating portion for insulating said terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Soichiro Kawakami, Takao Ogura
  • Patent number: 6899972
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes: a battery unit in which a cathode plate, a separator, and an anode plate are sequentially disposed upon one another and wound together; a can provided as a housing for the battery unit, and into which an electrolyte is injected; a cap assembly bound to an upper portion of the can; and a thermal protector installed in the can for electrically connecting an electrode lead drawn from the battery unit to an electrode terminal via the cap assembly, and for cutting off current flow when the battery unit is overcharged. When the inner temperature of the battery rises due to overcharging, the thermal protector installed in the can accurately detects the increase in temperature, and cuts off current flow, thereby preventing thermal runaway and improving reliability of the secondary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Jae Cho
  • Patent number: 6893773
    Abstract: A power generation element is stored in an inner space formed by combining a battery case (2) and a seal case (3) formed as a half-shell body with a rectangular plane shape such that the individual openings are placed opposing to each other with a gasket (4) interposed therebetween, and the gasket (4) is pressed between the open end of the battery case (2) and a step (35) of the seal case (3) for sealing during caulking. Because recesses (36) are formed on the individual peripheral edges of a bottom surface (31) of the seal case (3), the strength of straight parts of a seal-case side-peripheral surface (32) of the seal case (3) increases against a seal pressure during caulking, and a decrease of seal capability caused by the straight parts bulging toward the outside during sealing is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Hayashi, Makoto Nakanishi, Kunihiko Bessho
  • Patent number: 6887618
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell generating hydrogen gas upon discharge, wherein the cell has an outer casing, a vent aperture passing through a wall of the casing, and a rupturable membrane covering the vent aperture. The outer casing preferably has a flat wall running along the cell's length and a vent aperture passing through the flat wall. The cell may typically be an alkaline cell in the shape of a cuboid. The rupturable membrane may be secured by a ring facing the inside surface of the flat wall of the casing in a position adjacent the vent aperture. The rupturable membrane is preferably of polysulfone. The membrane allows hydrogen gas to permeate therethrough to the environment and is rupturable if hydrogen gas within the cell interior builds up rapidly to a threshold pressure level. Optionally, a pointed puncture member extends into the vent aperture to assist membrane rupture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Alexander Shelekhin, Robert S. Ferrin, Matthew Sylvestre, Steven J. Specht, Michael F. Roberts, Mark Ashbolt
  • Patent number: 6881516
    Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a planar bottom, an open top to receive the cover, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Franise D. Bartley, Steve M. Bruesehoff, Kurt J. Casby, David P. Haas, Karl E. Hokanson, Thomas M. Nutzman, Andrew J. Ries, Scott J. Robinson, Randy S. Roles, Sonja K. Somdahl, Walter C. Sunderland, Kimberly A. Chaffin
  • Patent number: 6878481
    Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell is provided having a pressure-responsive apparatus for determining a charge termination point. In particular, a reversible pressure-responsive switch may be disposed in a cap at the open end of a rechargeable metal hydride cell. The reversible pressure-responsive switch may also contain a vent system for releasing the cell internal pressure. Alternatively, a rechargeable cell may include a strain gauge disposed in its outer surface whose resistance changes as the outer surface of the battery expands due to internal pressure accumulation during charging. Additionally, a rechargeable cell is used combination with a charging source that can supply constant voltage, constant current, alternating current, or voltage that varies between a minimum threshold and a maximum threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Rayovac Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Bushong, Cheeseman Paul, Thomas Kaufman, Michael Root, Aaron Rositch, Marc L. Syvertsen, Viet H. Vu
  • Patent number: 6866961
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery has an internal electrode body formed by winding a positive electrode and a negative electrode on an outer peripheral wall of a hollow winding core and filled with nonaqueous electrolyte solution, a cylindrical battery case containing this internal electrode body 1 inside with its both ends being open, and electrode caps which each have a battery cap, an internal terminal, and an external terminal, the internal electrode body being sealed by the electrode caps at both open ends of the battery case. At least one of the electrode caps has a pressure release hole in a position corresponding with the center axis of the winding core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Enomoto, Kenji Kawamura, Kenshin Kitoh, Toshihiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6861174
    Abstract: An electrochemical battery cell comprising a metal container with an open end closed with a metal cover. The top portion of the container side wall has a torus above an inward necked area, and the cover has a flange shaped around the outside of the torus and extending into the necked area. The inside diameter of the cover flange is smaller than the outside diameter of the torus, so that the cover is locked onto the top of the can. The components sealing the top of the cell require a small volume so that the internal volume for active materials and electrolyte is large. The cell can be closed and sealed with little downward force on the can side wall below the neck, allowing use of a thinner can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James X. Wu, Robert E. Ray, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6849357
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery using a case of which the section of the lower part containing an electric element is square or hexagonal and the section of the upper part containing a sealing plate is circular or elliptic. By virtue of the shape of the lower part the space efficiency of the battery pack is enhanced and by virtue of the shape of the upper part the productivity of the battery is improved. Further, preferably, the corners of the lower part of the case are rounded or chamferred, whereby the temperature rise in the battery pack is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Kasahara, Masumi Katsumoto, Masaharu Miyahisa, Yoshihiro Boki
  • Publication number: 20040253511
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an alkaline dry cell with a high capacity having a superior liquid leak resistant property. In this alkaline dry cell, the thickness of the trunk portion of an external can is made thinner than 0.18 mm, and the thickness of the sealing edge portion of the external can is set to not less than 1.4 times the thickness of trunk portion. An anode terminal plate is used as a supporting member for a sealing member. Over the entire outer circumferential portion of the anode terminal plate is placed a curved portion having an average curvature radius of not more than 1 mm, which shows a virtually C-letter shape or an arc shape in its cross-section obtained by cutting the anode terminal plate through its center in the thickness direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Urade, Shoichiro Tateishi, Koji Koide, Shinichi Iwamoto, Minajuro Ushijima
  • Patent number: 6830847
    Abstract: A zinc/air button cell comprising a cathode casing and an anode casing wherein the anode casing is inserted into the cathode casing. The anode casing is formed of multiclad metal layers, for example nickel/stainless steel/copper. A protective metal is plated onto the exposed peripheral edge of the anode casing. The protective metal is desirably selected from copper, tin, indium, silver, brass, bronze or gold. The application of the protective metal covers the multiclad metals exposed along the peripheral edge surface. The protective metal is also desirably plated onto the portion of the outside surface of the anode casing abutting the insulating material placed between the anode and cathode casing. Application of the protective metal to the anode casing peripheral edge eliminates the potential gradients caused by exposure of the different metals comprising the multiclad material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Karthik Ramaswami, Daniel Gibbons, Keith Buckle
  • Patent number: 6828060
    Abstract: Safety battery (10) includes cathode (21) and attached cover (15) that enclose anode (41). Cover (15) includes via (16) for providing access to anode (41). Anode (41) is protected by penetrable insulation medium (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Anthony L. Zavilenski
  • Patent number: 6828061
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a separator having a reinforced edge that provides structural rigidity to the separator after it has been contacted by the cell's electrolyte. The reinforced edge extends beyond the interface between the cell's electrodes and serves to contain fragmented pieces from one of the cell's electrodes that may become dislodged when the cell is dropped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Janmey
  • Publication number: 20040234847
    Abstract: A solid state battery comprising: a substrate; a power-generating element comprising a lower current collector layer, a lower electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, an upper electrode layer and an upper current collector layer laminated in this order on the substrate; and a protective film covering at least side faces of the power-generating element, wherein at least one portion of the protective film has a stepless smooth surface, the portion extending from an upper part covering an edge of the upper current collector layer to a lower end part contacting with the substrate, and an acute angle &thgr; formed between the surface of the substrate and a shortest oblique line is not greater than 70 degrees, the oblique line extending from a point on the edge of the upper current collector layer to a point on the outer perimeter of the interface between the lower end part and the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Shinji Mino, Hironori Ishii
  • Patent number: 6811920
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery is so designed as to facilitate the insertion of the top insulator plate and to secure the fixation of the electrode group. This structure can reduce the probability of the electrode group moving around in the battery case to be damaged when the battery is dropped or shocked, thereby maintaining high safety standards even when a high pressure is applied from outside the battery. In a lithium ion secondary battery provided with a safety valve and composed of an electrode group which consists of a band-shaped positive electrode plate and a band-shaped negative electrode plate wound together with a separator disposed therebetween and which is housed in a cylindrical metal battery case with a bottom, together with a top insulator plate, the top insulator plate is designed to be elastic and is provided in its center with a through hole into which a center core member is press-fitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Murashige, Naoto Arai
  • Patent number: 6808844
    Abstract: A battery pack adapted to be connected to an external circuit includes a battery case in which a power generating element is enclosed, the battery case having at least one side, a cover covering the side of the battery case so that a component disposing space is defined between the battery case and the cover, a circuit element disposed in the component disposing space and connected to the power generating element, and a terminal disposed in the component disposing space and connected both to the power generating element and via the cover to the external circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: GS-Melcotec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Ehara
  • Patent number: 6806000
    Abstract: A terminal post seal arrangement for lead acid batteries is provided which may be used both as a moveable post seal or as a static post seal. In a first aspect of the subject invention, a battery is provided with an elastomeric sealing member rigidly fixed to both the cover of the battery and a bushing about a terminal post. Preferably, the sealing member includes a slack portion between its rigid connections which allows for relative movement between the bushing and the cover. In a second aspect of the subject invention, a collar is formed in the cover to bound the terminal post. The collar and/or the sealing member are formed at least partially tapered such that relative movement between the collar and the sealing member causes interferent engagement. It is preferred that interference between the collar and the sealing member become greater with increasing extent of relative movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: C&D Charter Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudhan S. Misra, Drew D. Heimer, Gregory Scharff