System and method for fabricating an electrode with separator
AssigneeEskra Technical Products, Inc.
InventorsMichael David Eskra, Paula Margaret Ralston
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for providing a ceramic-based separator onto an electrode is disclosed. A separator is formed on the electrode via a dry, solvent-free application of a ceramic-based separator to the electrode. An electrode is provided to an application area via a feed mechanism and a separator layer is then applied to the electrode that is comprised of a binder including at least one of a thermoplastic material and a thermoset material and an electrically non-conductive separator material, with the separator layer being applied to the electrode via a dry dispersion application.
Claims20
A system for applying a dry, solvent-free ceramic-based separator to an electrode, the system comprising:
- a feed mechanism configured to provide an electrode to an application region;
- a spray mechanism configured to apply a separator layer comprising a binder and an electrically non-conductive separator material to the electrode via a dry dispersion application, wherein the binder comprises a thermoplastic material, a thermoset material, or a combination thereof;
- and
- a first heater configured to heat the electrode to adhere the separator layer to the electrode;
- wherein the spray mechanism is configured to apply the separator layer by spraying the binder and the electrically non-conductive separator material onto the electrode at between 2 and 20 pound-force per square inch (psi).
A system for manufacturing a battery cell that includes an electrode and a separator, the system comprising:
- a feed mechanism configured advancing an electrode toward an application region;
- a spray mechanism configured to coat the electrode with a mixture of an electrically non-conductive ceramic-based separator material and a binder onto the electrode in the application region via a dry, solvent-free coating process in order to form a separator layer;
- and
- a first heater configured to heat the electrode to adhere the separator layer to the electrode prior to, during, and/or after the spray mechanism coats the electrode with the mixture of the electrically non-conductive ceramic-based separator material and the binder;
- wherein the spray mechanism is configured to coat the mixture of the electrically non-conductive ceramic-based separator material and the binder onto the electrode such that the separator layer is formed on the electrode as a distinct layer from the electrode;
- and
- wherein the spray mechanism is configured to spray the mixture of the electrically non-conductive ceramic-based separator material and the binder onto the electrode at a pressure of between 2 and 20 pound-force per square inch (psi).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.