Parallel plate measurement apparatus for battery thickness measurement

A method for dynamically measuring battery thickness during cycling of a battery, the method comprising:

• applying an upward force to a dynamic top plate that slides linearly along a first rail bearing in response to the upward force to create a space between the dynamic top plate and a stationary bottom plate oriented parallel to the dynamic top plate;
• the dynamic top plate being coupled to a first end of a pivot arm that rotates in a first direction about a pivot bearing to lift the first end upward while simultaneously lowering a second opposite end of the pivot arm attached to a counterweight, the counterweight being slidably coupled to a second rail bearing oriented such that the counterweight slides linearly in response to the upward force in a direction opposing linear movement of dynamic top plate along the first rail bearing;
• placing a battery in the space between the dynamic top plate and the stationary bottom plate;
• removing the upward force to allow the dynamic top plate to fall into contact with a top surface of the battery;
• and
• measuring, with a linear encoder, a separation between the dynamic top plate and the stationary bottom plate.

A parallel plate measurement apparatus comprising:

• a bottom plate;
• a stabilizing mast portion secured to and protruding from the bottom plate;
• a top plate affixed to a first side of the stabilizing mast portion by a first connection mechanism that locks the top plate in an orientation substantially parallel to the bottom plate while permitting selective movement of the top plate in a direction perpendicular to the bottom plate;
• a counterweight affixed to a second side of the stabilizing mast portion by a second connection mechanism that permits selective movement of the counterweight in the direction perpendicular to the bottom plate;
• a pivot arm that rotates about a pivot bearing coupled to the stabilizing mast portion, the pivot arm configured to:
• lift the counterweight and lower the top plate when rotated in a first direction;
• and
• lift the top plate and lower the counterweight when rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction;
• a measurement tool adapted to measure a separation between the bottom plate and the top plate.