# US 7,745,024 B2 · Sealed accumulator equipped with a safety device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,745,024 B2 - Document ID: US7745024B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/341,443 - Filed: 2006-01-30 - Published: 2006-09-07 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2005-02-01 - Assignees: Saft - Inventors: Frederic Dewulf; Nicolas Vigier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7745024B2 ## CPC - H01M 50/3425: {in the form of rupturable membranes or weakened parts, e.g. pierced with the aid of a sharp member} - H01M 2200/00: Safety devices for primary or secondary batteries - H01M 2200/20: Pressure-sensitive devices - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A sealed accumulator (1) having an electrochemical bundle (9) including at least one positive electrode and one negative electrode arranged in a container (2); positive (6) and negative (7) current output terminals arranged on a cover (5) of the container and respectively connected to the positive and negative electrodes; a circuit-breaker including a connecting piece (10) and a membrane (20), electrically insulated from the connecting piece and suitable for deforming under the effect of an overpressure in the container, to break the connecting piece. The connecting piece extends over the top of the cover of the container and conducts an electric current between an electrode of one polarity and its current output terminal. The connecting piece is dimensioned to allow the passage of a current greater than 50 A. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Sealed accumulator comprising: an electrochemical bundle comprising at least one positive electrode and one negative electrode arranged in a container; positive and negative current output terminals arranged on a cover of the container and respectively connected to the positive and negative electrodes; a circuit-breaker comprising: a connecting piece extending over the top of the cover of the container and suitable for conducting an electrical current of between 30 A and 100 A between an electrode of one polarity and its current output terminal; and a membrane, electrically insulated from the connecting piece and suitable for deforming under the effect of an overpressure in the container, the deformation of the membrane being suitable for breaking the connecting piece. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the connecting piece has at least one weakened point. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) Sealed accumulator according to claim 2, wherein the weakened point of the connecting piece is situated close to its point of connection with the current output terminal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the connecting piece has a general shape of a rigid rectangular plate and a section for passage of the current having a cross-sectional area of between 2 mm2 and 3 mm2. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the connecting piece extends between an intermediate terminal connected to an electrode of the electrochemical bundle and the current output terminal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) Sealed accumulator according to claim 5, wherein the connecting piece has two weakened points, a first weakened point being shaped to ensure the rupture of the connecting piece and a second weakened point being shaped to ensure a tilting of the broken connecting piece. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) Sealed accumulator according to claim 6, wherein the first weakened point of the connecting piece comprises two symmetrical V-shaped weakened areas situated respectively on each face of the connecting piece. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) Sealed accumulator according to claim 5, wherein the connecting piece has two weakened points, a first weakened point of the connecting piece comprises two lugs framing an opening made in the piece, with the two weakened points extending respectively over each lug in two substantially perpendicular directions. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the connecting piece is of aluminium. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is of aluminium. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the membrane has a thickness of between 100 and 150 μm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the membrane has a convex shape towards the inside of the container before the circuit-breaker has operated. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) Sealed accumulator according to claim 12, wherein the membrane has a central concave deformation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is suitable for deforming with an amplitude greater than or equal to 1.5 mm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claim 1, wherein an insulating layer is provided between the membrane and the connecting piece, the insulating layer remaining whole when the connecting piece is broken by deformation of the membrane. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is situated in the thickness of the cover. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claim 1, wherein a protective cap covers the circuit-breaker. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the connecting piece is suitable for conducting an electric current between the negative electrode and the negative current output terminal. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the connecting piece is suitable for conducting an electric current between the positive electrode and the positive current output terminal. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claim 1, of cylindrical format. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claim 1, of prismatic format. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is suitable for deforming when the pressure in the container exceeds 3 bar. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the connecting piece is designed to break under the thrust force of the membrane when the pressure inside the container is between 5 and 9 bar. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claims 1, wherein remains tight after the connecting piece has ruptured, when the pressure inside the container is between 5 and 9 bar. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) Sealed accumulator according to claim 1, including a safety cap which tears under the effect of an overpressure in the container of between 12 and 16 bar. ### Claim 26 Sealed accumulator comprising: an electrochemical bundle comprising at least one positive electrode and one negative electrode arranged in a container; positive and negative current output terminals arranged on a cover of the container and respectively connected to the positive and negative electrodes; a circuit-breaker comprising: a connecting piece extending over the top of the cover of the container and suitable for conducting an electrical current of between 30 and 100 A between an electrode of one polarity and its current output terminal; and a membrane, electrically insulated from the connecting piece and suitable for deforming under the effect of an overpressure in the container, the deformation of the membrane being suitable for breaking the connecting piece; wherein the connecting piece has two weakened points, a first weakened point being shaped to ensure the rupture of the connecting piece and a second weakened point being shaped to ensure a tilting of the broken connecting piece, the first weakened point of the connecting piece comprising two symmetrical V-shaped weakened areas situated respectively on each face of the connecting piece. ### Claim 27 Sealed accumulator comprising: an electrochemical bundle comprising at least one positive electrode and one negative electrode arranged in a container; positive and negative current output terminals arranged on a cover of the container and respectively connected to the positive and negative electrodes; a circuit-breaker comprising: a connecting piece extending over the top of the cover of the container and suitable for conducting an electrical current of between 30 and 100 A between an electrode of one polarity and its current output terminal; and a membrane, electrically insulated from the connecting piece and suitable for deforming under the effect of an overpressure in the container, the deformation of the membrane being suitable for breaking the connecting piece; wherein the connecting piece has a general shape of a rigid rectangular plate and a section for passage of the current having a cross-sectional area of between 2 mm2 and 3 mm2.