System and method for leak testing a battery cell
AssigneeMarposs, S.p.A.
InventorsElie Cohen, Giuseppe Vollaro
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Leak testing system (100) and method for leak testing a finished battery cell, comprising a vacuum chamber (4), a vacuum pump (6), a detecting and measuring system (1) to detect gases and/or vapors escaping from the cell, the gases and/or vapors deriving from parts and/or substances inside in the cell, and a capillary element (2) which connects the detecting and measuring system to the vacuum chamber and through which the gases and/or vapors leaking from the cell flow. The system further comprises heating devices adapted to heat at least one of the components of system, thereby making the system substantially memory-free.
Claims20
A leak test system for leak testing at least one battery cell, the battery cell being sealed and comprising parts and/or substances used for operation of the battery cell, the system comprising:
- a vacuum chamber;
- a vacuum pump connected to the vacuum chamber;
- a detecting and measuring instrument connected to the vacuum chamber to detect gases and/or vapors derived from the parts and/or the substances inside the battery cell;
- a capillary element connecting the detecting and measuring instrument to the vacuum chamber and through which the gases and/or vapors flow;
- and
- one or more heating devices configured to heat at least one of the components of the leak test system to prevent residues of the gases and/or vapors from being deposited on the internal walls of the components.
A method for leak testing a battery cell, the battery cell being sealed and comprising parts and/or substances used for operation of the battery cell, using a leak test system comprising a vacuum chamber and a detecting and measuring instrument, the method comprising;
- positioning the battery cell in the vacuum chamber;
- sealing the vacuum chamber;
- decreasing the pressure inside the vacuum chamber to a lower level than the level of pressure inside the battery cell;
- detecting the gases and/or vapors using the detecting and measuring instrument;
- identifying the presence of leaks in the battery cell by comparing an amount of the detected gases and/or vapors to a threshold;
- and
- heating at least one of the components of the leak test system using one or more heating devices to prevent residues of the gases and/or vapors from depositing being on the internal walls of the components.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.