Method for transferring thermal energy and electrical current in thin-film electrochemical cells
First Claim
1. A method of transferring thermal energy and electrical current into and out of a thin film electrochemical cell comprising the steps of;
- (a) conducting current between the electrochemical cell and a contact external to the electrochemical cell through a preferential current path of a resilient conductor defining one of a positive or a negative contact for the electrochemical cell;
(b) conducting thermal energy between the electrochemical cell and thermally conductive and electrically resistive material disposed adjacent the resilient conductor, through a preferential thermal path of the resilient conductor distinct from the preferential current path of step (a); and
(c) maintaining mechanical contact between the resilient conductor and the thermally conductive and electrically resistive material disposed adjacent the resilient conductor in the presence of relative movement between the electrochemical cell and the thermally conductive and electrically resistive material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved electrochemical generator is disclosed. The electrochemical generator includes a thin-film electrochemical cell which is maintained in a state of compression through use of an internal or an external pressure apparatus. A thermal conductor, which is connected to at least one of the positive or negative contacts of the cell, conducts current into and out of the cell and also conducts thermal energy between the cell and thermally conductive, electrically resistive material disposed on a vessel wall adjacent the conductor. The thermally conductive, electrically resistive material may include an anodized coating or a thin sheet of a plastic, mineral-based material or conductive polymer material. The thermal conductor is fabricated to include a resilient portion which expands and contracts to maintain mechanical contact between the cell and the thermally conductive material in the presence of relative movement between the cell and the wall structure. The electrochemical generator may be disposed in a hermetically sealed housing.
173 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of transferring thermal energy and electrical current into and out of a thin film electrochemical cell comprising the steps of;
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(a) conducting current between the electrochemical cell and a contact external to the electrochemical cell through a preferential current path of a resilient conductor defining one of a positive or a negative contact for the electrochemical cell;
(b) conducting thermal energy between the electrochemical cell and thermally conductive and electrically resistive material disposed adjacent the resilient conductor, through a preferential thermal path of the resilient conductor distinct from the preferential current path of step (a); and
(c) maintaining mechanical contact between the resilient conductor and the thermally conductive and electrically resistive material disposed adjacent the resilient conductor in the presence of relative movement between the electrochemical cell and the thermally conductive and electrically resistive material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of transferring thermal energy and electrical current into and out of a thin film electrochemical cell comprising the steps of:
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(a) conducting current between the electrochemical cell and a contact external to the electrochemical cell via a preferential current path, the preferential current path comprising a current path through a resilient conductor defining one of a positive or a negative contact for the electrochemical cell and terminating at the contact;
(b) conducting thermal energy between the electrochemical cell and thermally conductive and electrically resistive material disposed adjacent the resilient conductor via a preferential thermal path, the preferential thermal path comprising a thermal path through the resilient conductor and terminating at the thermally conductive and electrically resistive material; and
(c) maintaining mechanical contact between the resilient conductor and the thermally conductive and electrically resistive material disposed adjacent the resilient conductor in the presence of relative movement between the electrochemical cell and the thermally conductive and electrically resistive material. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification