Through-the-partition intercell connection and method

• US 4,521,498 A
• Filed: 07/22/1982
• Issued: 06/04/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hawker Energy Products Limited
• Original Assignee: Gates Energy Products, Inc. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Juergens, Tristan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/400,775
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 429/59, 429/160, 429/161, 429/178
• US Class Current: 429/59
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/342 Gastight lead accumulators H01M10/121 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/529 Intercell connections through partitions, e.g. in a battery casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A through-the-wall intercell connection for adjacent cells of a battery in which integral extensions of the current collector tabs emanating from the respective plates are directly welded together at the partition opening. The individual tabs are bent along a smooth curve which, together with interposed cushioned insulating material between bent tabs, lends vibration resistance to the intercell connection.

Claims

1. A sealed lead-acid gas recombining battery comprising a monobloc container having at least two substantially cylindrical cell compartments in close tangential proximity separated by an intercell partition, cell packs contained in a substantially snug fit within the compartments and comprising at least one positive plate and at least one negative separated from each other by a separator of compressible highly acid-absorbent material compressed against the plates, and an acid electrolyte substantially fully absorbed within the plates and separators of the cell, and the partition being provided with an aperture and a through-the-partition intercell connection comprised respectively of a plurality of malleable current collector tabs integral with the positive plate(s) of a cell pack of one compartment and a plurality of current collector tabs integral with the negative plates(s) of a cell pack of the adjoining cell compartment fused together at said aperture, said current collector tabs being formed of lead having a Brinell hardness (10 mm/31.2 kg-120 sec.) of less than about 10 kg/mm² and at least one of said tabs on each side of the partition being bent toward the aperture along a substantially smooth curve forming a bend angle with its corresponding plate of less that about 60°

, and separator material being interposed between adjacent current collector tabs.

2. The battery of claim 1 wherein said cell packs are formed of a flexible positive plate, a flexible negative plate, and a flexible glass microfiber separator spirally wound together and wherein said electrolyte is present in a starved amount.

3. The battery of claim 1 wherein said intercell partition has side surfaces diverging from a narrowest isthmus portion, and said aperture penetrates said isthmus portion.

4. The battery of claim 3 wherein a notch is provided adjacent said isthmus portion in either of said intercell partition or in a cover portion sealed to the cylindrical cell compartments.