Battery cell grading holder
First Claim
1. A test fixture for grading battery cells comprising:
- an array of cell-receiving sockets for receiving individual cells;
an indicator associated with each socket; and
an electrical circuit coupled to each of said sockets and said associated indicators for activating an indicator when the voltage of a cell inserted into the socket associated with said indicator reaches a predetermined level;
said electrical circuit including an electrical contact for each socket, said contact comprising fixed and movable sections, said contact mounted to said socket such that when a cell is removed from said socket, said movable contact section moves to complete said electrical circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cell grading test fixture includes an array of cell sockets electrically interconnected in series so that current through the entire array of cells flows through each of the cells once inserted into the fixture. Associated with each socket is an indicator which indicates to the operator when a cell voltage has fallen to a predetermined level. Each socket of the test fixture includes a spring-loaded switch contact such that upon removal of a cell which has dropped below a threshold voltage, the movable contact engages the contact of an adjacent socket, shorting out the cell location such that the series circuit of cells continues to provide a current path for the remaining cells.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A test fixture for grading battery cells comprising:
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an array of cell-receiving sockets for receiving individual cells;
an indicator associated with each socket; and
an electrical circuit coupled to each of said sockets and said associated indicators for activating an indicator when the voltage of a cell inserted into the socket associated with said indicator reaches a predetermined level;
said electrical circuit including an electrical contact for each socket, said contact comprising fixed and movable sections, said contact mounted to said socket such that when a cell is removed from said socket, said movable contact section moves to complete said electrical circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A test fixture for grading battery cells comprising:
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an array of cell-receiving sockets for receiving individual cells, each of said sockets including an insert having a recess shaped to receive a corresponding cell shape;
an indicator associated with each socket; and
an electrical circuit coupling each of said sockets in series with one another and coupled to said associated indicators for activating an indicator when the voltage of a cell inserted into the socket associated with said indicator falls below a predetermined level; and
each of said sockets also includes an electrical switch contact with a movable element to close the circuit past the socket when a cell is removed from said socket. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of grading a plurality of individual cells comprising the steps of:
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positioning the cells in a test fixture with an array of sockets which include contacts which couple the cells in series when the cells are in position and which short out an individual socket when a cell is removed therefrom;
applying a load to said cells for drawing current therefrom;
coupling an electrical circuit to each of said cells for determining when the cell falls below a predetermined threshold voltage;
providing a visual indication adjacent each cell when such threshold is reached;
removing a cell when it has reached said threshold voltage; and
noting the time at which each cell in the fixture has reached its predetermined threshold voltage.
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20. A test fixture for grading battery cells comprising:
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an array of sockets for receiving individual cells, each socket including a cell-receiving block having a contact mounted thereto, said block including a recess, a contact-receiving member, a cell-receiving recess, a contact-holding member and a floor with an opening for receiving a contact element therethrough; and
a contact comprising fixed and movable elements, said contact mounted to said block with said fixed element positioned adjacent said cell-receiving aperture and said movable element extending outwardly from said mounting block to engage a cell through an opening in the floor of an adjacent socket of the test fixture and short out an individual socket when a cell is removed. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A test fixture for grading electrochemical cells comprising:
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a support structure having an array of apertures for receiving electrochemical cells; and
a plurality of electrical conductors each having a fixed contact pad and a movable contact pad, each of said conductors being mounted to said support structure such that said fixed contact pad extends within one of said apertures to contact a first contact terminal of a cell inserted into that aperture and such that said movable contact extends into an adjacent aperture to contact a second tenninal of a cell inserted into the adjacent aperture and to contact a fixed contact pad of an adjacent conductor when a cell is not inserted in the adjacent aperture.
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Specification