High energy cell fusible link

• US 7,837,745 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2007
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bren-Tronics Batteries International, LLC
• Original Assignee: International Battery, Inc.
• Inventors: Barella, Joseph, Andruk, Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan; Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parsons; Thomas H.
• Application Number:
  US11/739,689
• Publication Number:
  US 20090320277A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,309 Days
• Field of Search: 296/231, 429/65, 429/180, 429/185, 429/123, 429/178, 337/159, 337/187
• US Class Current: 29/623.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/583 in response to current, e.g. fuses
• 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

Abstract

A means and method for rendering high energy density cells safe in compliance with transportation requirements, with the incorporation of a cell fusible terminal which is added on or incorporated within the cell terminals to prevent over current and hazards from developing due to external short circuits. As a result, cells made in accordance with the method of the present invention can be shipped by common carriers even though they are classified as hazardous materials and can be readily used and normally discharged with such fusible link element thereon. The fusible terminal comprises a non conductive base element upon which is mounted a fusible link element and wherein the non-conductive or insulative base element comprises means for connection to a terminal of the cell or battery and to an external component.

Claims

1. A method for rendering a high energy cell, subject to detrimental short circuiting conditions, sufficiently safe for the transport thereof on common carriers, said method comprising the step of:

emplacing a fusible link element on a terminal of said cell, wherein said fusible link element comprises an insulative base element integrated with insulative means for connecting the insulative base element to the cell and a device powered thereby and wherein said fusible link element further comprises a conductive fusible element having means for the melting and breaking thereof upon high temperature short circuiting conditions with concomitant opening of a circuit, wherein said fusible element is adapted to be placed on said insulative base element for adjacent electrical contact with a terminal of said cell and said powered device.

2. A method for coupling a fuse to a battery terminal, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a fusible link element having a first engaging element located on a first side of an insulative nut element and a second engaging element located on an opposing side of the insulative nut element, the fusible link having a connecting section connecting the first engaging element and the second engaging element, the insulative nut element having a first insulative post portion extending from the first side thereof and

(b) coupling the first insulative post portion to the battery terminal.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the insulative nut element further comprises a second insulative post portion extending from the second side thereof, the method further comprising the step of:

(c) connecting an external component to the second insulative post portion.

4. A method for rendering a high energy cell, subject to detrimental short circuiting conditions, sufficiently safe for the transport thereof on common carriers, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an electrically insulative element comprising;

a nut element having a first side and an opposing second side;

a first post portion extending from the first insulative side; and

a second post portion extending from the second insulative side;

(b) applying a fusible link element to the electrically insulative element; and

(c) coupling the electrically insulative element to a terminal of the cell such that the fusible link element is electrically coupled to a terminal of the high energy cell.

5. the method according to claim 4, wherein step (c) comprises coupling the first post portion to the terminal.