High voltage rechargeable electrochemical energy storage system structure

• US 20020136946A1
• Filed: 03/21/2001
• Published: 09/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rutgers University
• Original Assignee: Rutgers University
• Inventors: Amatucci, Glenn G., Culver, Duncan
• Application Number:
  US09/813,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20020136946A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/152
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0431 Cells with wound or folded electrodes H01M10/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0525 Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/529 Intercell connections through partitions, e.g. in a battery casing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/548 on opposite sides of the cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/555 Window-shaped terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell structure capable of providing high voltage operation comprises a plurality of electrode and separator member assemblies comprising individual cells disposed in electrical series circuit arrangement with interposed electrically conductive divider members and sealed within an enveloping casing. Each divider member engages the casing to form sealed compartments for the individual electrochemical cell assemblies in order to prevent migration of electrolyte which might otherwise result in deleterious ionic shorting between electrodes of opposite charge and comprising separate component cells.

Claims

1. A high voltage rechargeable electrochemical energy storage system structure comprising an electrical series arrangement of a plurality of individual rechargeable electrochemical cells, each cell comprising a pair of opposed polarity electrode members and a separator member providing an electrolyte interposed between said electrode members, where said structure is arranged such that:

an electrode member of first polarity of a first cell is adjacent an electrode member of second polarity of a second cell;

an electrically conductive divider member is interposed contiguously between said electrode member of said first cell and said electrode member of said second cell;

said plurality of cells is enveloped within a casing; and

said divider member is affixed to said casing and forms therewith a seal isolating ionically each cell from the other cells.

2. A structure according to claim 1 wherein

said casing comprises electrically insulating material;

and

said structure further includes means for communicating electrically between at least one electrode member and the exterior of said casing material.

3. A structure according to claim 2 wherein said means for communicating comprises an opening in said casing material through which said electrode member may be accessed.

4. A structure according to claim 2 wherein said means for communicating comprises

an electrically conductive contact member in circuit with said electrode member;

and

an opening in said casing material through which said contact member may be accessed.

5. A structure according to claim 1 wherein

said casing comprises electrically conductive material;

and

said structure includes means for electrically insulating said divider member from said conductive casing material.

6. A structure according to claim 5 wherein

said casing comprises a first electrically conductive casing member in circuit with an electrode member of first polarity of a first cell and a second electrically conductive casing member in circuit with an electrode member of second polarity of a second cell;

and

said structure comprises means for providing electrical insulation between said first and second casing members.