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US 2003/0152831 A1Published application
Vent for cylindrical electrochemical batteries
AssigneeRovcal, Inc.
InventorsGregory J. Davidson, David R. Mihara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrochemical cell is presented having a gasket that is sealed against the container to prevent electrolyte leakage during normal operation. When the internal pressure of the cell reaches a predetermined threshold, the seal is removed, thereby permitting electrolyte to escape through a vent.
Claims42
An electrochemical cell having a negative terminal end, comprising:
- (a) a cylindrical container having an upstanding sidewall presenting an inner and outer surface and a terminal end proximal the negative terminal end of the cell;
- (b) an annular cathode ring disposed within the container having an inner peripheral sidewall;
- (c) an ionically permeable separator disposed adjacent the inner peripheral sidewall of the cathode ring and defines a central cylindrically shaped void;
- (d) an anode disposed in the central cylindrically shaped void;
- (e) a negative current collector electrically connected to the anode and closed at its axially outer end by a negative endplate;
- and
- (f) a gasket that extends radially from the negative current collector to the container sidewall, wherein the container is crimped about the gasket to provide a seal therebetween that is removed when internal cell pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold to enable electrolyte to flow out of the cell.
4 more elements
A method of venting pressure from an axially extending electrochemical cell of the type having a container defining an interior, a cathode chamber housing a cathode disposed in the interior, an anode disposed within the interior and separated from the cathode via an ionically permeable separator, a vent extending between the interior and an ambient environment, and a gasket disposed adjacent the container to seal the vent, the method comprising the steps of:
- (A) generating internal cell pressure that exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold;
- (B) in response to step (A), biasing the gasket axially downstream away from the container;
- (C) in response to step (B), removing the seal formed between the gasket and the container;
- and
- (D) in response to step (C), venting pressurized cell contents into the ambient environment via the vent.
2 more elements
A size AAA electrochemical cell disposed in an ambient environment having a negative terminal end, comprising:
- (a) a cylindrical container having an upstanding sidewall presenting an inner and outer surface and a terminal end proximal the negative terminal end of the cell, wherein the container defines an interior container void;
- (b) an annular cathode ring disposed within the container void and presenting an inner peripheral sidewall;
- (c) an ionically permeable separator disposed adjacent the inner peripheral sidewall of the cathode ring and defines a central void;
- (d) an anode disposed in the central void;
- (e) a negative current collector electrically connected to the anode and closed at its axially outer end by a negative endplate;
- and
- (f) a vent placing the container void in fluid communication with the ambient environment;
- and
- (g) a gasket extending radially from the negative current collector to the container sidewall, wherein the negative terminal end defines a negative terminal void disposed between the gasket and the endplate, wherein the negative terminal void has a volume substantially within the range of 0-0.03 cubic centimeters.
6 more elements
A size AA electrochemical cell disposed in an ambient environment having a negative terminal end, comprising:
- (a) a cylindrical container having an upstanding sidewall presenting an inner and outer surface and a terminal end proximal the negative terminal end of the cell, wherein the container defines an interior container void;
- (b) an annular cathode ring disposed within the container void and presenting an inner peripheral sidewall;
- (c) an ionically permeable separator disposed adjacent the inner peripheral sidewall of the cathode ring and defines a central void;
- (d) an anode disposed in the central void;
- (e) a negative current collector electrically connected to the anode and closed at its axially outer end by a negative endplate;
- and
- (f) a vent placing the container void in fluid communication with the ambient environment;
- and
- (g) a gasket extending radially from the negative current collector to the container sidewall, wherein the negative terminal end defines a negative terminal void disposed between the gasket and the endplate, wherein the negative terminal void has a volume within the range of 0-0.09 cubic centimeters.
6 more elements
A size C electrochemical cell disposed in an ambient environment having a negative terminal end, comprising:
- (a) a cylindrical container having an upstanding sidewall presenting an inner and outer surface and a terminal end proximal the negative terminal end of the cell, wherein the container defines an interior container void;
- (b) an annular cathode ring disposed within the container void and presenting an inner peripheral sidewall;
- (c) an ionically permeable separator disposed adjacent the inner peripheral sidewall of the cathode ring and defines a central void;
- (d) an anode disposed in the central void;
- (e) a negative current collector electrically connected to the anode and closed at its axially outer end by a negative endplate;
- and
- (f) a vent placing the container void in fluid communication with the ambient environment;
- and
- (g) a gasket extending radially from the negative current collector to the container sidewall, wherein the negative terminal end defines a negative terminal void disposed between the gasket and the endplate, wherein the negative terminal void has a volume within the range of 0-0.4 cubic centimeters.
6 more elements
A size D electrochemical cell disposed in an ambient environment having a negative terminal end, comprising:
- (a) a cylindrical container having an upstanding sidewall presenting an inner and outer surface and a terminal end proximal the negative terminal end of the cell, wherein the container defines an interior container void;
- (b) an annular cathode ring disposed within the container void and presenting an inner peripheral sidewall;
- (c) an ionically permeable separator disposed adjacent the inner peripheral sidewall of the cathode ring and defines a central void;
- (d) an anode disposed in the central void;
- (e) a negative current collector electrically connected to the anode and closed at its axially outer end by a negative endplate;
- and
- (f) a vent placing the container void in fluid communication with the ambient environment;
- and
- (g) a gasket extending radially from the negative current collector to the container sidewall, wherein the negative terminal end defines a negative terminal void disposed between the gasket and the endplate, wherein the negative terminal void has a volume substantially within the range of 0-1.1 cubic centimeters.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.