Downhole battery case

• US 6,224,997 B1
• Filed: 04/08/1999
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nick Papadopoulos
• Original Assignee: Nick Papadopoulos
• Inventors: Papadopoulos, Nick
• Primary Examiner(s): Maples, John S.
• Application Number:
  US09/288,228
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 429/173, 429/157, 429/159, 429/99, 429/178
• US Class Current: 429/99
• 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 50/503 characterised by the shape of the interconnectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/51 Connection only in series
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/44 of tubular or cup-shaped cells

Abstract

Described herein is a flexible battery pack for powering downhole electronic equipment. The pack includes a plurality of electrochemical cells connected and tied together in a stacked working relationship by a pair of semi cylindraceous encapsulating shells which form a primary containment for the electrochemical cells. The shells are secured at each end to a cylindrical insulating plug which secures the shells together. The shells preferably comprise a glass fiber reinforced plastic material. The primary containment is then sealed in a stainless steel tube which is provided to hold the interior components in place during operation. The encapsulating members are provided with an internal grooved recess which receives and holds any electrical conductors which may be required for operation of the battery pack.

Claims

1. A battery pack for powering electrical apparatus comprising:

a plurality of battery cells connected together in a predetermined manner and being stacked in an end to end relationship in said battery pack,

said stacked battery cells being held in a secure relationship inside a pair of elongated semi-cylindrical shells which when taken together form a tight fitting internal cylindraceous cavity therein for said battery cells,

one or both of said shells having a longitudinally extending recess formed in an interior surface therein,

said shells being provided with suitable end closure means for securing said shells in a suitable working relationship and providing means for mounting end terminal means thereon,

cover means for enclosing said assembled shells, end closure means and battery cells in a suitable enclosure to prevent the ingress of unwanted material into said battery pack.

2. A battery pack as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shells are comprised of a suitable glass fiber reinforced plastic material.

3. A battery pack as claimed in claim 1 wherein said end terminal means comprises a pair of coaxial members at one end of said pack.

4. A battery pack as claimed in claim 3 wherein one of said members of said pair is a pin and the other member is a cylinder.

5. A battery pack as claimed in claim 4 wherein a conductive strip is housed in said recess and connected to one end of a selected cell and the other end is connected to said other member.

6. A flexible battery pack having the exterior shape of a smooth cylinder comprising a plurality of preconnected cylindrical cells housed in an end to end stacked relationship inside a pair of resilient half shells of such shape as to form an internal cylindraceous cavity therebetween for tightly holding said cells in a predetermined orientation and relationship,

cylindrical end closure means secured to said pair of assembled half shells for mounting a pair of coaxial terminal members thereon at one end thereof,

cover means surrounding said shells and end closure means to seal said battery pack.

7. A battery pack as claimed in claim 6 wherein at least one of said pair of shells is provided with an internal groove which extends substantially the length of shell.

8. A battery pack as claimed in claim 7 wherein a conductor for said battery pack is received in said groove.

9. A battery pack as claimed in claim 8 wherein said shells are formed from a glass fiber containing plastic material.

10. A flexible battery pack as claimed in claim 6 wherein one of said members is a hollow cylinder attached to said cylindrical end closure means and having substantially the same diameter as said end closure means.