Lithium ion battery utilizing carbon foam electrodes

• US 6,605,390 B1
• Filed: 08/08/2001
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Dinda, Subimal, Moore, Thomas S
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Martin, Angela J
• Application Number:
  US09/786,923
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 429/231.8, 429/231.95, 429/249, 429/209
• US Class Current: 429/231.8
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0525 Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0585 of accumulators having only flat construction elements, i.e. flat positive electrodes, flat negative electrodes and flat separators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2004/021 Physical characteristics, e.g. porosity, surface area
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/133 Electrodes based on carbonaceous material, e.g. graphite-intercalation compounds or CFx
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/136 Electrodes based on inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFy
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/587 for inserting or intercalating light metals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/70 characterised by shape or form
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/528 Fixed electrical connections, i.e. not intended for disconnection
• 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

A lithium ion battery (200) has at least two carbon foam electrodes (54, 56). Each of the electrodes (54, 56) is fitted with a plate (60, 62 respectively) formed from an electrically conductive material. The plate (60, 62) has an underside which is formed so as to be attached to one end of the carbon foam electrode (54, 56). The plate (60, 62) may be fixed to the electrode by crimping or a similar deforming process or may be fitted thereto by an electrically conductive adhesive.

Claims

1. A lithium battery comprising:

a battery case;

at least one carbon foam electrode having a top end, a first side and a second side;

an electrically conductive plate fitted to said top end of said at least one carbon foam electrode, said plate having a top and a first side and a second side extending from said top, said first side extending at least partially along said first side of said carbon foam electrode and said second side extending at least partially along said second side of said electrode.

2. The lithium battery of claim 1 including an electrolyte solution provided in said battery case.

3. The lithium battery of claim 1 further including a conductive adhesive material fitted between said carbon foam electrode and said plate.

4. The lithium battery of claim 1 in which said plate includes a contact pole provided on its upper side.

5. The lithium battery of claim 1 further including an insulative later provided at least partially over said plate and at least partially over said carbon foam electrode.

6. The lithium battery of claim 5 wherein said insulative layer is composed of a polycarbonate material.

7. The lithium battery of claim 5 wherein said insulative layer is composed of an organic material.

8. The lithium battery of claim 1 wherein said battery includes at least four carbon foam electrodes.

9. The lithium battery of claim 1 wherein said carbon foam electrode has a porosity of between 10 and 100 ppi.

10. The lithium battery of claim 1 wherein said carbon foam electrode is silicon carbide foam.