Nonaqueous electrical storage device

• US 5,973,913 A
• Filed: 08/12/1997
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covalent Associates, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Covalent Associates, Inc.
• Inventors: Goldman, Jay L., Blakley, Thomas J., Evans, David A., McEwen, Alan B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dinkins, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US08/910,146
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 361/502, 361/505, 361/523, 361/525, 361/527-529, 361/532, 361/434, 429/132, 429/135, 429/129, 429/246, 429/277.192, 429/30, 429/33
• US Class Current: 361/523
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/32 Carbon-based
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/60 characterised by the solvent
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/62 characterised by the solute, e.g. salts, anions or cations therein
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/68 characterised by their material
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/80 Gaskets; Sealings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 Energy storage using capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

An electrochemical capacitor is disclosed that features two, separated, high surface area carbon cloth electrodes sandwiched between two current collectors fabricated of a conductive polymer having a flow temperature greater than 130° C., the perimeter of the electrochemical capacitor being sealed with a high temperature gasket to form a single cell device. The gasket material is a thermoplastic stable at temperatures greater than 100° C., preferably a polyester or a polyurethane, and having a reflow temperature above 130° C. but below the softening temperature of the current collector material. The capacitor packaging has good mechanical integrity over a wide temperature range, contributes little to the device equivalent series resistance (ESR), and is stable at high potentials. In addition, the packaging is designed to be easily manufacturable by assembly line methods. The individual cells can be stacked in parallel or series configuration to reach the desired device voltage and capacitance.

Claims

1. A nonaqueous electrical storage device comprising:

first and second high surface area electrodes in contact with a nonaqueous electrolyte;

a conductive polymer current collector in contact with each of said electrodes, said polymer current collector having a flow temperature greater than 130°

C.;

a separator, between and in contact with each of said electrodes, said separator maintaining a physical spacing in said electrolyte while allowing ionic conduction between each of said electrodes; and

a gasket sealing said storage device, said gasket comprising a thermoplastic material that is stable above 100°

C., said thermoplastic material also having a reflow temperature above 130°

C. but below a softening temperature of said conductive polymer current collector.

2. A nonaqueous electrical storage device of claim 1, wherein said storage device is configured as a capacitor.

3. A nonaqueous electrical storage device of claim 1, wherein each of said electrodes, is selected from the group consisting of a carbon cloth electrode a particulate carbon electrode with or without a binder, a loose carbon fiber electrode, an anchored carbon fiber electrode, and a doped polymer electrode.

4. A nonaqueous electrical storage device of claim 1, wherein said thermoplastic material is a polyester or a polyurethane or a combination thereof.

5. A nonaqueous electrical storage device of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of EMIPF₆ in an alkyl carbonate solvent, tetralkylamine salts in an organic solvent, and Et₄ NBF₄ in propylene carbonate.

6. A nonaqueous electrical storage device according to claim 1, comprising two or more individual storage devices connected in one of a series or parallel-stacking or combinations thereof.

7. A nonaqueous electrical storage device of claim 6 wherein said storage devices are adjacent one another and at least two of said devices sharing a single bipolar current collector.

8. A nonaqueous electrical storage device comprising:

first and second high surface area electrodes in contact with a nonaqueous electrolyte;

a conductive, corrosion resistant steel current collector in contact with each of said electrodes; and

a gasket sealing said storage device, said gasket comprising a thermoplastic material that is stable above 100°

C., said thermoplastic material also having a reflow temperature above 130°

C. but below a softening temperature of said current collector.