Electrochemical cells
First Claim
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1. An electrochemical cell having a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and at least two electrodes comprising:
- an anode connected to the negative terminal;
a cathode connected to the positive terminal;
a separator interposed between said anode and cathode;
a nonaqueous electrolyte;
a first segment of exposed inert conductive metal coupled mechanically and electrically to the cathode; and
an inert metal dendrite target comprised of a second segment of exposed inert conductive metal coupled mechanically and electrically to the anode;
wherein the position of said first segment of inert metal coupled to the cathode and the position of said second segment of inert metal coupled to the anode are such that said first segment and said second segment face each other and are held in physical separation by the separator, whereby during voltage reversal a dendrite will grow from said first segment toward said dendrite target and come in contact with said dendrite target.
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Abstract
This invention provides a design for spirally wound electrochemical cells which improves their safety during abuse such as voltage reversal. The invention comprises coupling a first segment of inert conductive metal to the cathode and a dendrite target comprised of an inert conductive metal to the anode. When these electrodes are spirally wound together the two segments of inert conductive metal face each other, held in physical separation by the separator, whereby during voltage reversal a dendrite grows from said first segment to said dendrite target.
34 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An electrochemical cell having a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and at least two electrodes comprising:
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an anode connected to the negative terminal; a cathode connected to the positive terminal; a separator interposed between said anode and cathode; a nonaqueous electrolyte; a first segment of exposed inert conductive metal coupled mechanically and electrically to the cathode; and an inert metal dendrite target comprised of a second segment of exposed inert conductive metal coupled mechanically and electrically to the anode;
wherein the position of said first segment of inert metal coupled to the cathode and the position of said second segment of inert metal coupled to the anode are such that said first segment and said second segment face each other and are held in physical separation by the separator, whereby during voltage reversal a dendrite will grow from said first segment toward said dendrite target and come in contact with said dendrite target. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification