Method for rapidly testing quality of incompletely charged electrochemical cells
First Claim
1. 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, said current substantially having a magnitude 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;
measuring the charge voltage so developed during application of said current at said magnitude and while the electrodes of the cell are incompletely charged; and
thereafter terminating said current so that the total charge applied to the cell does not exceed about one percent (1%) of the cell'"'"'s fully charged capacity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for rapidly testing rechargeable electrochemical cells following assembly which enables the testing of cells to be carried out in a substantially uncharged condition. Cells in the assembly line are energized with a constant current pulse applied to their electrodes via the cell terminals, the current being of sufficient magnitude and duration so as to develop an increased charge voltage between the cell terminals. The charge voltage so developed during the application of the current and while the electrodes of the cell are incompletely charged is then measured and compared with a predetermined zone of acceptable values for cell performance. Preferably, the developed charge voltage is permitted to stabilize prior to measurement. In addition, measurements of open circuit voltage are taken immediately before and after application of the current pulse.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for rapidly testing rechargeable electrochemical cells for defects following assembly while the cells are in a substantially uncharged condition, comprising:
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applying a current to the uncharged electrodes via the positive and negative terminals of the assembled cell under test, said current substantially having a magnitude 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; measuring the charge voltage so developed during application of said current at said magnitude and while the electrodes of the cell are incompletely charged; and thereafter terminating said current so that the total charge applied to the cell does not exceed about one percent (1%) of the cell'"'"'s fully charged capacity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for rapidly testing rechargeable electrochemical cells for manufacturing defects immediately following assembly while the cells are in a substantially uncharged condition, comprising:
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applying a current pulse to the uncharged electrodes via the terminals of the assembled cell under test, said current pulse having a magnitude greater than the one-hour current capacity of the cell and being applied for a time insufficient to impose a substantial charge on the cell electrodes and insufficient to sustain the cell voltage attained during application of said current pulse, and measuring the open circuit voltage of the cell after termination of the current pulse. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method for rapidly testing rechargeable electrochemical cells on an assembly line basis upon completion of cell assembly and prior to formation of the cell electrodes, comprising:
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contacting cells on the assembly line seriatim with electrical supply means adapted to apply a current to the terminals of the completed cell to be tested, energizing said electrical supply means contacting such cell so as to apply a current to the unformed electrodes of the cell via the cell terminals, said current being greater than the one-hour current rating of said cell and for such time period as to develop a charge voltage between the cell terminals, and measuring the charge voltage developed during application of said current and while the electrodes of the cell are incompletely charged. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for rapidly testing rechargeable electrochemical cells for defects following assembly while the cells are in a substantially uncharged condition, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A method for rapidly testing rechargeable electrochemical cells for defects following assembly while the cells are in a substantially uncharged condition, comprising;
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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. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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Specification