Electric storage battery construction and method of manufacture

• US 6,670,071 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2002
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Quallion, LLC (EnerSys)
• Original Assignee: Quallion, LLC (EnerSys)
• Inventors: Zolotnik, Vladimir, Parkhouse, Leon, Tsukamoto, Hisashi, Skinlo, David M., Szyszkowski, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Chaney, Carol
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yuan, Dah-Wei D.
• Application Number:
  US10/167,688
• Publication Number:
  US 20030134184A1
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 429/94, 296/231, 296/233, 296/235
• US Class Current: 429/94
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0431 Cells with wound or folded electrodes H01M10/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/107 having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/103, H01M50/109, H01M50/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/119 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/154 Lid or cover comprising an axial bore for receiving a central current collector
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/545 formed by the casing of the cells cup shaped terminals adapted for cells having curved cross-section H01M50/56
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/548 on opposite sides of the cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/559 Terminals adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round, elliptic or button cells H01M50/553 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/10 with wound or folded electrodes
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 Electric battery cell making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4911 including sealing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49112 including laminating of indefinite length material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49115 including coating or impregnating

Abstract

An electric storage battery and method of manufacture thereof characterized by a feedthrough pin which is internally directly physically and electrically connected to an inner end of a positive electrode substrate. A C-shaped mandrel extends around the pin and substrate end enabling the pin/mandrel to be used during the manufacturing process as an arbor to facilitate winding layers of a spiral jellyroll electrode assembly. The pin additionally extends from the battery case and in the final product constitutes one of the battery terminals with the battery case comprising the other terminal. Active material is removed from both sides of the outer end of the negative electrode in the jellyroll to allow room for adhesive tape to secure the jellyroll. The electrolyte is injected through the open end of the case after the endcap is welded to the negative electrode but before sealing the endcap to the case. The electrolyte is preferably injected through the C-shaped mandrel to facilitate and speed filling.

Claims

1. An electric storage battery including:

a case comprising a peripheral wall defining an interior volume; and

an electrode assembly mounted in said interior volume, said electrode assembly including;

an electrically conductive elongate pin; and

first and second opposite polarity electrode strips wound together to form a spiral roll, each electrode strip having inner and outer ends, wherein said first electrode strip is electrically coupled to said pin at said inner end; and

a hollow elongate mandrel closely fitted around said pin for mechanically reinforcing said pin.

2. The battery of claim 1 wherein said pin extends exteriorly of said case peripheral wall to function as a first battery terminal.

3. The battery of claim 1 wherein said mandrel is electrically coupled to said pin.

4. The battery of claim 1 wherein said first electrode strip inner end is directly connected to said pin by at least one weld.

5. The battery of claim 1 wherein said pin consists of a PtIr alloy.

6. The battery of claim 1 further comprising a first end cap mounted on said pin, said first end cap including an electrical insulator;

and wherein

said pin extends through and is hermetically sealed to said end cap electrical insulator.

7. The battery of claim 1 wherein said mandrel defines an elongate slot;

and wherein

said first electrode strip extends through said mandrel slot.

8. The battery of claim 1 wherein said mandrel is welded to said pin.

9. The battery of claim 1 wherein said mandrel comprises titanium or an alloy thereof.