Battery case

• US 5,895,728 A
• Filed: 01/15/1997
• Issued: 04/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GP Batteries International Limited (Gold Peak Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Bolder Biotechnology, Inc.
• Inventors: Walker, Thomas P., Juergens, Tristan E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Skapars, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US08/784,853
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 429/53-54, 429/163, 429/164, 429/177, 429/178, 429/175, 429/176, 429/94.62, 429/159, 429/160, 429/94
• US Class Current: 429/53
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/06 Lead-acid accumulators semi-lead accumulators H01M10/20
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/125 Cells or batteries with wound or folded electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/107 having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/103, H01M50/109, H01M50/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/179 for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/176, H01M50/181 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/271 Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/325 comprising deformable valve members, e.g. elastic or flexible valve members
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/10 with wound or folded electrodes
• 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

An electrochemical cell case and method of manufacturing an electrochemical battery are provided. The cell case includes a main body that encloses a plurality of individual cells in separate, contiguous compartments. After the cells have been inserted into the compartments, the compartments are hermetically sealed. The compartments may be separately filled and vented, and the cell of each compartment receives end connectors such as rivet connectors. The elements are electrically interconnected, such as in a series configuration. A top cap attaches to the main body, and encloses the interconnected cell terminals. The top cap may also enclose other electronics, such as battery recharging circuitry or a temperature sensor. The top cap may be sized and shaped to mate with connectors on specific electrical devices, and may be removable so that another top cap may be installed for use with another device.

Claims

1. An electrochemical cell case, comprising:

(a) a body having a plurality of cavities to receive electrochemical cells, the cavities being hermetically sealed from one another, and each cavity being separately vented by a pressure release valve;

(b) a top to the body to cover a first end of said cavities, wherein the top includes a terminal hole therethrough proximate each said cavity for receiving a terminal of a first polarity of each said electrochemical cell; and

(c) a bottom to the body to cover a second end of said cavities opposite the first end, wherein the bottom includes a terminal hole therethrough proximate each said cavity for receiving a terminal of a second polarity opposite the first polarity of each said electrochemical cell.

2. The case of claim 1, wherein said valves extend from said cavity through at least one of the top and the bottom.

3. The case of claim 2, wherein at least one of the top and the bottom includes a sealable port for introducing electrolyte to the cavity.

4. The case of claim 2, wherein said valves include bunsen valves.

5. The case of claim 2, further comprising a first cap having a raised perimeter attached to one of said top and bottom to define a first space between the first cap and the top or bottom, and an absorbent material disposed in said first space, and wherein said valves extend through said one of said top and bottom whereby fluid released from the valves is absorbed by said material.

6. The case of claim 5, wherein said first cap includes at least one perforation to allow the release of pressure from said first sp ace.

7. The case of claim 5, further comprising a second cap having a raised perimeter attached to the other of said top or bottom to define a second space between the second cap and the top or bottom.

8. The case of claim 7, further comprising a first set of electrical connectors in said first space interconnecting terminals, and a second set of electrical connectors in said second space interconnecting other terminals.

9. The case of claim 8, wherein the case includes at least one terminal port for the passage of an electrical terminal to outside the case.

10. The case of claim 1, wherein said case includes at least three cylindrical cavities positioned adjacent with their longitudinal axes parallel to define a space therebetween to receive a temperature sensor.

11. The case of claim 1, wherein said case includes exactly six cylindrical cavities positioned in two rows of three with their longitudinal axes parallel.

12. The case of claim 1, wherein said cavities are cylindrical in shape so as to receive cylindrical electrochemical cells.

13. The case of claim 1, further comprising a cap attached to one of said top and bottom, said cap allowing for electrical communication between said electrochemical cells and an electrical device.

14. The case of claim 13, wherein said cap is shaped to physically connect with said electrical device.

15. The case of claim 13, wherein said cap includes an electrical device wherein said electrical device is selected from the group consisting of a recharger for recharging said cells and a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature in said body.