Current collectors for high energy density cells

• US 5,747,195 A
• Filed: 05/06/1996
• Issued: 05/05/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lithium Technologies Incorporated (Khoros LLC)
• Original Assignee: Lithium Technologies Incorporated (Khoros LLC)
• Inventors: Alamgir, Mohammed, Shiao, Hung Chieh, Kejha, Joseph B.
• Primary Examiner(s): KALAFUT, STEPHEN J
• Application Number:
  US08/642,937
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 429/235, 429/236
• US Class Current: 429/235
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/382 Lithium H01M4/405 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/661 Metal or alloys, e.g. alloy coatings H01M4/669 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/663 containing carbon or carbonaceous materials as conductive part, e.g. graphite, carbon fibres
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Lightweight current collectors for use in electrochemical cells which are formed of a carbon or graphite fibrous net upon which a thin metallic coating is deposited upon the individual fibers providing a coating thereon, with voids between the fibers which can hold active materials if deposited therein.

Claims

1. A high energy density alkali metal cell which includes an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode having current collecting base means, the improvement which comprises

said cathode base current collecting means is a fibrous net of carbon or graphite with a coating of metal only on the fibers, and adhering to said fibers, with voids between the fibers which can hold active materials if deposited therein.

4. A high energy density cell as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which, said current collector is part of said cathode and an additional coating of active material is provided on said net.

5. A high energy density cell as defined in claim 1 in which, said current collector is part of said anode.

7. A high energy density cell as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which, said metal coating is of aluminum.

8. A high energy density cell as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which, said metal coating is of copper.

9. A high energy density cell as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which, said metal coating is of nickel.

10. A high energy density cell as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which, said metal coating is of stainless steel.

2. A high energy density alkali-metal ion cell which includes an anode, an electrolyte, a cathode, and having current collecting base means, the improvement which comprises

at least one of said anode and cathode base current collecting means is a fibrous net of carbon or graphite with a coating of metal only on the fibers, and adhering to said fibers, with voids between the fibers which can hold active materials if deposited therein.

3. A high energy density cell as defined in claim 2 in which said alkali metal-ion cell is a lithium-ion cell.

6. A high energy density cell as defined in claim 2 or 3 in which said current collector is part of said anode, and an additional coating of active material is provided on said net.