Fast microcalorimetry for electrochemical cells
First Claim
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1. A method of testing an electrochemical cell, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a chamber capable of being sealed and then evacuated to provide a vacuum therein;
b) providing a filament having a length between first and second ends;
c) attaching the first end of the filament to the chamber and the second end to at least one electrochemical cell, thereby hanging the cell in the vacuum by the filament; and
d) measuring energy emitted from the at least one electrochemical cell.
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Abstract
The present invention broadly comprises a method and apparatus for testing electrochemical cells which is faster and more cost-effective than current testing methods. Accordingly, the invention provides a method for testing electrochemical cells, particularly batteries for medical applications, such as for implantable devices for pacemakers, defibrillators, etc., comprising the steps of: surrounding at least one electrochemical cell with a vacuum with a pressure range of 0 to 0.001 Torr and measuring energy emitted from the electrochemical cell.
16 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of testing an electrochemical cell, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a chamber capable of being sealed and then evacuated to provide a vacuum therein; b) providing a filament having a length between first and second ends; c) attaching the first end of the filament to the chamber and the second end to at least one electrochemical cell, thereby hanging the cell in the vacuum by the filament; and d) measuring energy emitted from the at least one electrochemical cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for testing an electrochemical cell for defects, comprising:
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a) a sealable chamber capable of having a vacuum provided therein; b) a filament having a length between first and second ends, wherein the first end of the filament is attached to the chamber and the second end is attachable to at least one electrochemical cell housed in the chamber to thereby hang the cell in the vacuum by the filament; and c) at least one heat energy measuring device disposed within the chamber to measure heat energy emitted from the cell. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system for testing electrochemical cells for defects, comprising:
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a) a chamber configured to accommodate a plurality of electrochemical cells in a reduced pressure environment; b) a plurality of filaments each having a length between a first end attached to the chamber and a second end attached to respective ones of the electrochemical cells to thereby hang the cells in the chamber in the reduced pressure environment; and c) a plurality of heat energy measuring devices disposed within the chamber and arranged to individually measure heat energy emitted from respective ones of the plurality of electrochemical cells.
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25. A system for testing electrochemical cells for defects, comprising:
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a) a chamber configured for having a reduced pressure environment therein; b) a plurality of filaments each having a length between a first end attached to the chamber and a second end attached to respective ones of the electrochemical cells to thereby hang the cells in the chamber in the reduced pressure environment; and c) at least one heat energy measuring device disposed within the chamber and configured to measure heat energy emitted from the respective cells in the range of 0 to 100 microwatts.
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26. A system for testing electrochemical cells for defects, comprising:
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a) a chamber configured for having a reduced pressure environment therein; b) a plurality of filaments each having a length between a first end attached to the chamber and a second end attached to respective ones of the electrochemical cells to thereby hang the cells in the chamber in the reduced pressure environment; and c) at least one non-contact infrared heat energy sensing device movable within the chamber for measuring heat energy emitted from respective ones of the cells.
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Specification