Housing Or Casing With Plural Covers Patents (Class 429/177)
  • Patent number: 6716554
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a hermetically sealed electrical feedthrough for use with a metal battery case. The apparatus includes a ceramic-metal feedthrough subassembly, a metal case of low melt point material, and a clad metal case cover comprising a first layer of high melt point material and a second layer of low melt point material. The first layer is hermetically sealed to the case and the second layer is hermetically sealed to a collar on the feedthrough subassembly. In another embodiment, the case body, clad cover, and feedthrough pin are made of metals that can withstand the temperatures required for hermetically sealing the ceramic cylinder directly to the cover. The cover comprises a first material suitable for installing the feedthrough subassembly and a second material matched to the case body for forming a reliable weld thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Quallion LLC
    Inventors: Hisashi Tsukamoto, Naoki Ota, Hiroshi Nakahara
  • Patent number: 6693408
    Abstract: An electric accumulator battery, comprising a recipient which is closed by means of a lid composed of a lower lid and an upper lid joined together, delimiting an intermediate chamber. The lower lid has filling holes (15), in which closing stoppers with a gas outlet valve are assembled, which end in the chamber defined between the two lids. The upper lid has openings (10) for the passage of the connection terminals (3), and at least one gas outlet hole (12). The two lids have facing ventilation openings (7-7′).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: S.E. Acumulador Yudor, S.A.
    Inventors: Rafael Ruiz Rodriguez, Antonio Ripoll Anton, Ernesto Collado Parra
  • Publication number: 20040029001
    Abstract: A battery packet (50) comprises a battery case (51) formed by processing a battery case forming laminated sheet (10), a battery 50a contained in the battery case (51), and tabs (59, 60) extending outside from the battery case (51). The battery case forming laminated sheet (10) is formed by laminating a first base film layer (1a), i.e., an outermost layer, a metal foil layer (2), and a heat-adhesive resin layer (3) in that order. The first base film layer (1a) is a biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate resin film or a biaxially oriented nylon resin film. The metal foil layer (2) is an aluminum or copper foil. The heat-adhesive resin layer (3) is formed of a polyolefin resin, more preferably, of an acid-denatured polyolefin resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Yamazaki, Kiyoshi Oguchi, Koji Shimizu, Kenichiro Suto, Tsutomu Yoshinaka, Hideki Kurokawa, Hitoshi Sekino, Masahiro Yoshikawa, Hiroshi Miyama, Katsuhiko Hayashi, Jun Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20040018426
    Abstract: The present invention provides a terminal, comprising the contact portion, the insert portion, the engaging portion, the joint portion for connecting the contact portion, insert portion and engaging portion, the stopper for fastening the contact portion, insert portion, or engaging portion on the middle cover of the battery; the contact portion provides external electric appliances with electrical connection through means of contact, the insert portion provides external electric appliances with electrical connection through means of insertion, the engaging portion fastens on the terminal post of the battery so as to transmit electricity from the battery by the joint portion to the contact portion and insert portion through the engaging portion; the present invention further provides a battery having the terminals, mainly utilizing a pair of the terminals as positive and negative electrodes, and the contact portions and the insert portions in a pair of the terminals are disposed on different sides of the batte
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: CSB BATTERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bobby Chieh, Yu-Lung Wang, Shen-Hsiung Lee, David Chen
  • Patent number: 6670073
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a can for containing electrochemical materials including positive and negative electrodes and an electrolyte, the can having an open end and a closed end; a pressure relief mechanism formed in the closed end of the can for releasing internal pressure from within the can when the internal pressure becomes excessive; a first outer cover positioned on the closed end of the can to be in electrical contact therewith and to extend over the pressure relief mechanism; a second outer cover positioned across the open end of the can; and an insulator disposed between the can and the second outer cover for electrically insulating the can from the second outer cover. According to another embodiment, the second cover is dielectrically isolated from a current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Tucholski, Gary A. Laisy, George R. Sondecker
  • Patent number: 6657119
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell assembly, e.g. for use in solar panels, is formed by placing coated metal wires (7,9) between the conducting layers (3,6) of two conducting glasses (1,4), respectively. A pressure force (F) is applied to press the metal wires between the conducting layers and to break the coating of the wires, thereby bringing the metal wires in electrical contact with the conducting layers. The coating protects the wires from harmful contact with an electrolyte inside the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Forskarpatent I Uppsala AB
    Inventors: Sten-Eric Lindquist, Anders Hagfeldt, Henrik Lindstrom, Sven Södergren
  • Patent number: 6635382
    Abstract: The present invention uses a magnesium-based alloy which is excellent in mechanical workability to be formed thinner than conventional alloys. The present invention provides a lithium secondary battery comprising an electrode assembly and a non-aqueous electrolyte, both accommodated in a metal jacket, wherein the metal jacket is made of a magnesium-based alloy containing lithium in an amount of 7 to 20% by weight; and a metal layer or an insulating layer for preventing corrosion of the metal jacket is formed integrally with the metal jacket on the inner wall thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Moriwaki, Masakage Komori, Shingo Tsuda, Hidekazu Eguchi
  • Patent number: 6586132
    Abstract: In a sealed battery pack comprising a plurality of serially disposed cells in which power generating elements are housed in prismatic cell cases and the openings thereof are sealed, the plurality of serially disposed cells are housed in a cooling box, and the top openings in the cooling box and the openings in the various cell cases of the cells are sealed by integrating lids. Coolant passages on both sides between the side surfaces of the cells and the side walls on both sides of the cooling box in the cell arrangement direction, and coolant passages between the cases of the cells are formed so as to communicate with each other, so that all of the side surfaces of the cells are forcibly cooled by a coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Fukuda, Yoshiaki Ogata, Mitsugu Takaki, Yasunori Uchida, Joji Kasugai
  • Patent number: 6582848
    Abstract: End caps for a battery pack. The end caps have opposing flanges for securing therebetween batteries. At the lateral edges of the flanges, a space is provided for at least a portion of a battery being secured in the pack to protrude outwardly, so that the battery pack is secured without extra width for the end caps. The end caps are compressively engaged to make electrical connection with the terminals of the uppermost and the lowermost batteries. A strapping tape is utilized for wrapping the battery pack around a longitudinal exist to tightly compress batteries between the end caps. The tape is covered by and further compressed with a tightly compressing shrink wrap material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: Roland K. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20030108780
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery is integrated with a battery protection circuit that protects the rechargeable battery from overcharging, overdischarging, and so forth. A circuit board (9) on which are formed a battery protection circuit, a positive input and output terminal (4), and a temperature detection terminal (6) is disposed on a rechargeable battery (10) via a spacer (13), and the positive and negative electrodes of the rechargeable battery (10) are connected to the circuit board (9). This assembly is enveloped by a cover cap (15) and a cover plate (14), such that the positive input and output terminal (4) and the temperature detection terminal (6) are exposed to the outside through openings provided in the cover plate (14), and one end of the cover cap (15) in the same plane as these is used for connection as a negative input and output terminal (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Iwaizono, Shoji Konishi, Shigeru Kajiwara, Takeshi Ishimaru, Masaru Kawabe, Katsuyuki Shirasawa
  • Patent number: 6558837
    Abstract: A battery with side flanking terminals wherein the positive and negative terminals are fixed onto the opposite side walls of a casing and connect respectively to a positive and negative post. The battery may be sealed by main cover seal with an adhesive to the casing. The positive and negative terminals are connected respectively to the positive and negative posts through first and second slots located in main cover. The advantages provided by this invention is to prevent the possibility of short circuiting the battery caused by a fallen metal object on top of the battery to increase safety of operation. Further, the connection, space for storage and operation is reduced. Further, the battery may be sealed in a one step process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Xiongtao Power Supply Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Huanong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20030082440
    Abstract: A battery cover system provides secure attachment between an electronic device and a battery terminal. A housing element includes a connector attached to the housing element and configured for electrical attachment to a battery terminal. The housing element also includes an electronic device attached to the housing element and to the connector. The connector may thus be attached to the battery terminal to provide a secure electrical contact throughout the life of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Edward N. Mrotek, Majid Taghikhani, William J. Wruck, Jason E. Muhammad
  • Publication number: 20030072997
    Abstract: A battery having a battery housing defining a receiving area, the housing is configured to receive and engage a plurality of cells each having a cell housing and a cell element received and engaged within each of the cell housings. The cell element has a plurality of positive plates each having a positive tab portion depending outwardly from a periphery, a plurality of negative plates each having a negative tab portion depending outwardly from a periphery, and a nonconductive separator disposed in between the plurality of positive plates and the plurality of negative plates. A positive plate having a positive post is secured to each of the positive tab portions and a negative plate having a negative post is secured to each of the negative tab portions. An inner cover is inserted into the housing after the cells are inserted therein and the inner cover is configured to cover the positive and negative plates while allowing a portion of the positive and negative posts to pass therethough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Denis Estreich, Randall F. Brantley
  • Publication number: 20030059679
    Abstract: An electric accumulator battery, comprising a recipient which is closed by means of a lid composed of a lower lid and an upper lid joined together, delimiting an intermediate chamber. The lower lid has filling holes (15), in which closing stoppers with a gas outlet valve are assembled, which end in the chamber defined between the two lids. The upper lid has openings (10) for the passage of the connection terminals (3), and at least one gas outlet hole (12). The two lids have facing ventilation openings (7-7′).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Rafael Ruiz Rodriguez, Antonio Ripoll Anton, Ernesto Collado Parra
  • Patent number: 6537694
    Abstract: A battery pack (1) has a double casing structure, including an inner case (2) disposed inside an outer case (3). The inner case (2) includes a radiator plate (9) that is in contact with the side walls of battery cells (4) disposed within the battery pack (1). A forked air passage (32) extends from an air inlet (27) and is defined between the inner case (2) and the outer case (3) and along the outer surface of the radiator plate (9) until reaching a pair of air outlets (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Masatoshi Sugiura, Youichi Kato, Kazuyuki Sakakibara
  • Publication number: 20030043534
    Abstract: A portable computer includes a housing having a contacting surface and two clamping surfaces, a processor disposed inside the housing, a first power port, and a detachable power supply module. The power supply module includes a module case having a slot positioned corresponding to the contacting surface of the housing for accommodating a battery, a second power port installed on the slot, two clamping devices installed at two opposite ends of the module case each corresponding to a clamping surface of the housing, and a power supply port positioned corresponding to the first power port and connected to the second power port. When attaching the power supply module onto the housing, each clamping device engages with a corresponding clamping surface, the power supplied by the battery transmits through the second power port, the power supply port and the first power port to the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Wen-Sung Tsai, Wei-Pin Chuang
  • Patent number: 6475669
    Abstract: A header insulator for an electrochemical cell is described. The header insulator provides a boss for the terminal ferrule, a boss for the fill ferrule, and at least one boss disposed along the length of the insulator to provide for alignment of the electrode assembly inside the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Probst, William M. Paulot
  • Patent number: 6461763
    Abstract: A battery cartridge includes a first casing having a wall; and a second casing having an outer wall having a height, and an inner wall having a height less than the height of the outer wall, wherein the walls of the second casing are spaced for receiving the wall of the first casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: John D. Witzigreuter, Christopher S. Pedicini
  • Patent number: 6461765
    Abstract: A metal-air cell housing structure provides a generally L-shaped peripheral grid comprising an upper leg ultrasonically welded to the top edge of a peripheral wall of a lower housing section, and a downwardly extending leg positioned to hold an air electrode against the central panel of the lower housing section. An upper housing section encloses the lower housing section with a top panel and an outer peripheral wall that extends downwardly adjacent to and is adhered to the peripheral grid and the lower housing peripheral wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Aer Energy Resources Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Witzigreuter
  • Patent number: 6458482
    Abstract: Methods of insulating batteries, and in particular thin-profile batteries comprising button-type batteries and resultant insulated battery constructions are described. In one aspect, a flowable insulating material is distributed over an edge region of a battery and subsequently provided into a generally non-flowable state. In one implementation, the battery is rotated while the flowable material is provided over the edge region. Provision of the flowable material over the edge region can comprise dipping the edge region into a volume of flowable material or dispensing a desired amount of flowable material over the edge region. In another implementation, an insulating jacket is provided over the battery having a minimum thickness of no greater than about 2 mils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Rickie C. Lake
  • Patent number: 6458483
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery having an electrode body including a positive electrode made of a positive electrode active material layer joined to a current collector, a negative electrode made of a negative electrode active material layer joined to a current collector, a separator which is disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and retains an electrolytic solution containing lithium ions, and a porous adhesive resin layer which retains the electrolytic solution and joins the separator to at least one of the positive electrode active material layer and to the negative electrode active material layer, the electrode body being sealed into a packaging bag, wherein an adhesive resin film capable of absorbing the electrolytic solution and gelling adheres the electrode body to the packaging bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouji Hamano, Osamu Hiroi, Yasuhiro Yoshida, Shoji Yoshioka, Hisashi Shiota, Makiko Kise, Shigeru Aihara, Daigo Takemura, Jun Aragane, Hiroaki Urushibata, Sei Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 6455192
    Abstract: A battery case for enclosing and hermetically sealing a battery body which generates current. The case includes a first polyethylene terephthalate layer, which is an innermost layer with respect to a battery body, which is adhered to another part of the same layer when sealing the battery body, a polymer layer on the first polyethylene terephthalate layer, a second polyethylene terephthalate layer on the polymer layer, and a polypropylene layer, which is an outermost layer with respect to the battery body, on the second polyethylene terephthalate layer. Therefore, short circuits generated during adhesion between edges of upper and lower portions of the case can be prevented, improving the case sealing process. Also, the deterioration of battery performance, due to a micro short circuit occurring during the sealing of the case, can be avoided. Further, the case sealing process can be safely performed, irrespective of conditions of thermal fusion such as temperature, pressure, and time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-han Chang, Oh-young Hyun
  • Patent number: 6451474
    Abstract: A battery pack that reduces thickness and lightens weight as required for battery power sources of portable electronic equipment. A battery pack is constituted by accommodating a battery and battery protection device between a top case and bottom case forming a pack case. Since the battery is formed accommodated within an external casing wherein positive and negative electrode plates are formed by laminated sheet, reduced thickness and reduced weight of battery pack can be achieved. Also, since the face of bottom case opposite the battery is formed as a resiliently deformable face which is formed of small thickness, when expansion takes place such that the thickness of the battery as a whole increases, resiliently deformable face deforms maintaining a planar condition by resilient deformation, so that there is no possibility of an adverse effect on the equipment due to drum-shaped swelling being produced in battery pack, by such swelling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Kozu, Shigeru Kajiwara, Shoji Konishi, Takashi Takemura, Junji Fujiwara, Ryoichi Kaiwa, Tetsuo Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 6451479
    Abstract: A case of a secondary battery in which a battery unit having a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode, laminated in sequence, is accommodated. One such case includes a fluorocarbon resin based polymer layer as the innermost layer of the case, a nylon layer as the outermost layer of the case, and an aluminum foil layer between the fluorocarbon resin based polymer layer and the nylon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheon-soo Kim
  • Patent number: 6444348
    Abstract: A closing plate for a battery comprises a metal substrate provided with a safety valve at a peripheral portion thereof. The safety valve is protected by applying a protection film to the metal substrate of the closing plate. The closing plate comprises a metal substrate, metal foil which is adhered to the lower surface of the metal substrate, and a protection film attached to the upper surface of the metal substrate, which protection film has previously been provided with a cut in a prescribed shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Toyo Kohan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kinji Saijo, Hiromasa Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6428924
    Abstract: A battery storage apparatus for a portable electronic device is provided which includes a battery storage chamber formed in a casing of the portable electronic device and a storage chamber cover. A guide rail is formed on the casing. A guide groove is formed in the storage chamber cover and engages the guide rail to allow the storage chamber cover to slide on the guide rail when the storage chamber cover is installed on or removed from the casing. A recess is formed in the guide groove. A protrusion is formed on the guide rail and fitted into the recess to hold the storage chamber cover from moving along the guide rail when the storage chamber cover is installed on the casing completely, thereby avoiding dislodgment of the storage chamber cover from the casing even if the portable electronic device undergoes undesirable physical impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Suganuma, Haruo Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 6391490
    Abstract: A battery has one terminal on a sealing assembly fitted to one open end of the cell casing, and the other terminal on the exterior surface of the cell casing such as to extend along the entire circular circumferential surface of a predetermined width. The other end of the cell casing opposite from the terminal is electrically insulated by affixing nonconductive films thereto. Two heat-shrinkable nonconductive labels are wound around and bonded to the cell casing, so that the terminal is formed in a recessed, ring-like form between the heat-shrinkable nonconductive labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Aoi, Takeshi Inui, Takayuki Tanahashi, Toru Hitomi, Ryuichiro Ebi
  • Patent number: 6372382
    Abstract: A lead-acid battery, which achieves a low profile while allowing grids of relative maximum height to be used, comprises a container having the terminal cells located adjacent the front of the battery so as to allow ready access to the battery when located in racks or the like in service, and a cover, preferably a two-piece cover, containing the terminals, interior surfaces of the cover and top surfaces of the container being sloped upwardly in a rearward direction from the front of the battery, thereby allowing the use of relatively tall grids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: GNB Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6358644
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte cell is to be reduced in its projection area in a portable electronic equipment. A unit cell is housed in an exterior packaging material of a laminated film, formed with a spacing by deep drawing, and in which electrode terminal leads electrically connected to respective electrodes of the unit cell are led out to outside from the inside of the exterior packaging material. The exterior packaging material is heat-fused around the spacing formed by deep drawing, with the heat-fused portion of said exterior packaging material being folded on itself except the heat-fused portion of said exterior packaging material from which are led out said electrode terminal leads. The folded exterior packaging material is immobilized by the dielectric sheet to the exterior packaging material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Shibata, Kyoko Obata, Kazuhito Hatsuta
  • Publication number: 20020031705
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a can for containing electrochemical materials including positive and negative electrodes and an electrolyte, the can having an open end and a closed end; a pressure relief mechanism formed in the closed end of the can for releasing internal pressure from within the can when the internal pressure becomes excessive; a first outer cover positioned on the closed end of the can to be in electrical contact therewith and to extend over the pressure relief mechanism; a second outer cover positioned across the open end of the can; and an insulator disposed between the can and the second outer cover for electrically insulating the can from the second outer cover. According to another embodiment, the second cover is dielectrically isolated from a current collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Gary R. Tucholski
  • Patent number: 6348281
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a can with a bottom end and an open top end, and positive and negative electrodes disposed in the can. The cell includes an inner metal cover inserted in the open end of the can for closing the open end of the can. The inner metal cover has a pressure relief mechanism for providing pressure relief to vent high pressure gases upon reaching a predetermined pressure. In addition, an outer cover is preferably positioned over the metal cover to form an electrical contact terminal and to substantially cover the pressure relief mechanism. The pressure relief mechanism advantageously provides for high pressure gas venting while minimizing the amount of volume consumed by the venting components and thereby allowing for a greater amount of electrochemically active materials in the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Huaxin Li
  • Publication number: 20020012835
    Abstract: A lead-acid battery, which achieves a low profile while allowing grids of relative maximum height to be used, comprises a container having the terminal cells located adjacent the front of the battery so as to allow ready access to the battery when located in racks or the like in service, and a cover, preferably a two-piece cover, containing the terminals, interior surfaces of the cover and top surfaces of the container being sloped upwardly in a rearward direction from the front of the battery, thereby allowing the use of relatively tall grids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 1999
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventor: STEVEN R. PETERSON
  • Publication number: 20010049054
    Abstract: To provide a lithium secondary cell, which is excellent in productivity since a cell structure is simple and easy for assembly. Provided is a lithium secondary cell having: an internal electrode body including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate being wound and laminated around an external periphery wall of a hollow cylindrical winding core, and inside the internal electrode body a nonaqueous electrolyte solution being impregnated, a cylindrical cell case contained in this internal electrode body 1 with both ends being opened, and two electrode caps sealing the above described internal electrode body 1 at both the open ends of this cell case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Enomoto, Kenji Kawamura, Kenshin Kitoh, Toshihiro Yoshida, Hiroshi Nemoto, Shinji Otsubo
  • Patent number: 6303248
    Abstract: A solderless battery pack. The pack has a generally thin wall cell body portion with two tubular segments each adapted to hold a plurality of batteries. An upper end cap and a lower end cap are provided for fitting tightly over the upper and lower ends of the cell body portion, respectively. The end caps are compressingly engaged to make electrical connection with the terminals of the uppermost and the lowermost batteries by use of opposing all-thread fasteners, or more preferably, by use of shrink wrap tubing. More preferably, instead of all-thread fasteners, a filament type strapping tape is utilized for wrapping the battery pack around a longitudinal exist to tightly compress batteries in each column of batteries. Then, the tape is covered by and further compressed with a tightly compressing shrink wrap material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Roland K. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6300006
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a can for containing electrochemically active materials including positive and negative electrodes and electrolyte. The can has a bottom end and an open top end, and positive and negative electrodes disposed in the can. An inner metal cover is disposed in the open end of the can and has a first peripheral flange. An outer metal cover is disposed over the inner cover in the open end of the container and has a second peripheral flange juxtaposed to the first peripheral flange. A seal is disposed between the can and both the first and second peripheral flanges. The low profile seal assembly advantageously provides for reduced volume consumption thereby allowing for a greater amount of electrochemically active materials in the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Janmey, Nghia Cong Tang
  • Patent number: 6291099
    Abstract: A battery cell sleeve assembly includes a continuous cylindrical thermal sleeve extending between proximal and distal ends and has a plurality of substantially unidirectional longitudinally extending elongated heat conduction fibers having a thermal conductivity no less than that of aluminum embedded in an adhesive matrix. The thermal sleeve is received on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical battery cell and in a contiguous relationship with the battery cell. A cylindrical base member having an annular flange is attached to the thermal sleeve such that the distal ends of the heat conduction fibers are contiguous with the annular flange. With this construction, the annular flange operates as a heat shunt for drawing heat away from the thermal sleeve by conduction between the heat conduction fibers and the annular flange. In one embodiment, the heat conduction fibers are graphite and the thermal sleeve is between about 0.010 and 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Hall
  • Patent number: 6277517
    Abstract: A battery of the type having electrolyte therein, comprising a case defining at least one electrolyte containing cell, and a primary cover bonded to the case. The primary cover has a barrel extending into the electrolyte cell. A secondary cover is bonded to the primary cover top, and includes an aperture concentric with the primary cover barrel. A baffling plug is disposed in the secondary cover aperture and extends into the barrel. The baffling plug has a lid with a bottom, an inner tubular splash guard extending away from said lid bottom, an outer splash guard concentrically spaced from said inner tubular splash guard. A retaining member formed part of the plug base retains the plug in the aperture, and seals the aperture to prevent the escape of the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Brian J. Thomas, William J. Ross
  • Patent number: 6265103
    Abstract: An enclosure assembly for a dry cell and a dry cell battery including such enclosure assembly wherein the enclosure assembly includes first and second layers of plastic material. The first layer of plastic material closely surrounds the dry cell and has physical characteristics sufficient to resist deterioration when contacted by exudate from the dry cell. Preferably, the first layer possesses chemical and physical barrier properties sufficient to retain cell exudate produced during discharge of the dry cell. The second layer closely surrounds the first layer and is fabricated from shrinkable plastic which encapsulates the first layer and produces a tight and chemically leak resistant seal around the dry cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Steinbeis IBL GmbH
    Inventors: James H. Shacklett, III, Philip M. Henry
  • Patent number: 6265101
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a can for containing electrochemical materials including positive and negative electrodes and an electrolyte, the can having an open end and a closed end; a pressure relief mechanism formed in the closed end of the can for releasing internal pressure from within the can when the internal pressure becomes excessive; a first outer cover positioned on the closed end of the can to be in electrical contact therewith and to extend over the pressure relief mechanism; a second outer cover positioned across the open end of the can; and an insulator disposed between the can and the second outer cover for electrically insulating the can from the second outer cover. According to another embodiment, the second cover is dielectrically isolated from a current collector. The battery comprises a collector assembly and can defining a sealed internal volume within the can and available for containing electrochemically active materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Tucholski
  • Patent number: 6261719
    Abstract: A battery-connecting plate for connecting batteries in series. The batteries, each with a positive and a negative electrodes at opposite ends, are assembled in a row with the positive and negative electrodes reversed in an alternating manner. The battery-connecting plate includes a base plate of synthetic resin; connection portions each having a busbar provided on the base plate, the busbar having a predetermined number of holes for passing therethrough of a corresponding number of the electrodes for connection therewith; and a pitch adjusting means provided on the base plate at every predetermined number of the connection portions for adjusting a deviation in position between the electrodes and the holes of the busbars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignees: Yazaki Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ikeda, Satoshi Saito
  • Patent number: 6238820
    Abstract: A battery cell sleeve assembly includes a continuous cylindrical thermal sleeve extending between proximal and distal ends and has a plurality of substantially unidirectional longitudinally extending elongated heat conduction fibers having a thermal conductivity no less than that of aluminum embedded in an adhesive matrix. The thermal sleeve is received on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical battery cell and in a contiguous relationship with the battery cell. A cylindrical base member having an annular flange is attached to the thermal sleeve such that the distal ends of the heat conduction fibers are contiguous with the annular flange. With this construction, the annular flange operates as a heat shunt for drawing heat away from the thermal sleeve by conduction between the heat conduction fibers and the annular flange. In one embodiment, the heat conduction fibers are graphite and the thermal sleeve is between about 0.010 and 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Hall
  • Patent number: 6235423
    Abstract: Methods of insulating batteries, and in particular thin-profile batteries comprising button-type batteries and resultant insulated battery constructions are described. In one aspect, a flowable insulating material is distributed over an edge region of a battery and subsequently provided into a generally non-flowable state. In one implementation, the battery is rotated while the flowable material is provided over the edge region. Provision of the flowable material over the edge region can comprise dipping the edge region into a volume of flowable material or dispensing a desired amount of flowable material over the edge region. In another implementation, an insulating jacket is provided over the battery having a minimum thickness of no greater than about 2 mils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Rickie C. Lake
  • Patent number: 6231625
    Abstract: Methods of insulating batteries, and in particular thin-profile batteries comprising button-type batteries and resultant insulated battery constructions are described. In one aspect, a flowable insulating material is distributed over an edge region of a battery and subsequently provided into a generally non-flowable state. In one implementation, the battery is rotated while the flowable material is provided over the edge region. Provision of the flowable material over the edge region can comprise dipping the edge region into a volume of flowable material or dispensing a desired amount of flowable material over the edge region. In another implementation, an insulating jacket is provided over the battery having a minimum thickness of no greater than about 2 mils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Rickie C. Lake
  • Patent number: 6224997
    Abstract: Described herein is a flexible battery pack for powering downhole electronic equipment. The pack includes a plurality of electrochemical cells connected and tied together in a stacked working relationship by a pair of semi cylindraceous encapsulating shells which form a primary containment for the electrochemical cells. The shells are secured at each end to a cylindrical insulating plug which secures the shells together. The shells preferably comprise a glass fiber reinforced plastic material. The primary containment is then sealed in a stainless steel tube which is provided to hold the interior components in place during operation. The encapsulating members are provided with an internal grooved recess which receives and holds any electrical conductors which may be required for operation of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Nick Papadopoulos
  • Patent number: 6224999
    Abstract: A header insulator for an electrochemical cell is described. The header insulator provides a boss for the terminal ferrule, a boss for the fill ferrule, and at least one boss disposed along the length of the insulator to provide for alignment of the electrode assembly inside the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Probst, William M. Paulot
  • Patent number: 6197446
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Fukuda, Mitsugu Takaki, Kenji Sato, Rye Iwamura, Toshinobu Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 6174620
    Abstract: A metallic outer case has an opening portion. A first corner portion is provided at an outer periphery of the opening portion. A power generating element is stored within the outer case. The power generating element has a positive electrode and a negative electrode opposed to each other, with a separator interposed. An end face of the opening portion is sealed by a metallic cover member. The cover member has a second corner portion corresponding to the first corner portion of the outer case, and welded to the outer case, with a coupled portion between the cover member and the outer case irradiated with a laser beam. Those portions of the first corner portion of the outer case and the second corner portion of the cover member, which are irradiated with the laser beam, are shaped as angular portions of substantially the same shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Naotada Okada, Katsuhisa Homma, Masahiro Kato
  • Patent number: 6146785
    Abstract: The invention provides a sealed organic-electrolyte cell. A spiral-wound group of electrodes have at least one alternation of negative electrode, separator and positive electrode. The cell has an enclosure made up of a cover and an end wall interconnected in a sealed manner by a side case surrounding the group. Each cover and end wall has a respective current outlet terminal and a central core around which the electrode group is spiral-wound, with an end wall and the cover being fixed to the ends thereof. The case surrounding the group is made of a combined metal-and-plastics multilayer material of a thickness that is smaller than 0.5 mm. The invention also provides a module of such cells and a battery that has at least one such module. The battery is suitable for use as the battery of an electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Gerard Rigobert, Laurent Souliac
  • Patent number: 6004692
    Abstract: A lithium electrochemical cell including an anode and cathode assembly with the anode connected electrically to a conductive cell casing and an insulated cathode conductor extending through a lid at an end of the casing and connected to a cathode lead near the lid and with a first insulating component for insulating the casing from cell components therein and extending along and within the casing from a closed end thereof toward the lid, and which is characterized by a second insulating component for insulating the lid from components in the casing and extending along within the lid and toward the first insulating bag so as to prevent a short circuit between the lid or casing and the cathode assembly caused by formation of lithium clusters in the region between the lid or casing and the cathode connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Barry C. Muffoletto, Raymond J. Kuwik
  • Patent number: 6004689
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell case and method of manufacturing an electrochemical battery are provided. The cell case includes a main body that encloses a plurality of individual cells in separate, contiguous compartments. After the cells have been inserted into the compartments, the compartments are hermetically sealed. The compartments may be separately filled and vented, and the cell of each compartment receives end connectors such as rivet connectors. The elements are electrically interconnected, such as in a series configuration. A top cap attaches to the main body, and encloses the interconnected cell terminals. The top cap may also enclose other electronics, such as battery recharging circuitry or a temperature sensor. The top cap may be sized and shaped to mate with connectors on specific electrical devices, and may be removable so that another top cap may be installed for use with another device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Bolder Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Walker, Tristan E. Juergens