Method for rapidly testing quality of incompletely charged electrochemical cells

A method for rapidly testing rechargeable electrochemical cells for defects following assembly while the cells are in a substantially uncharged condition, comprising:

• applying a current to the uncharged electrodes via the positive and negative terminals of the assembled cell under test, such current having a magnitude at least twice the one hour current capacity of the cell and applied for a duration sufficient to develop an increased voltage between the cell terminals but insufficient to sustain the attained voltage upon removal of such current;
• electrically sampling the charge voltage so developed during application of said current at said magnitude and while the electrodes of the cell are substantially uncharged;
• comparing said sampled charge voltage with a reference voltage representing a desired minimum level of acceptable performance;
• thereafter terminating said applied current;
• and
• providing an indication when the sampled charge voltage departs from said reference voltage by a predetermined amount.

A method for rapidly testing rechargeable electrochemical cells for defects following assembly while the cells are in a substantially uncharged condition, comprising;

• applying a current pulse to the uncharged electrodes via the positive and negative terminals of the assembled cell under test, said current having a magnitude substantially greater than the one-hour current capacity of the cell and applied for a duration sufficient to develop an increased voltage between the cell terminals but insufficient to sustain the attained voltage upon removal of such current, the total charge applied to said cell by said current pulse not exceeding about one percent (1%) of the total charge capacity of said cell;
• electrically measuring the current voltage developed during application of said current pulse and while the electrodes of the cell remain substantially uncharged;
• storing an indication of said charge voltage measurement;
• and
• thereafter terminating said current pulse.