Method for manufacturing a biplate assembly, a biplate assembly and a bipolar battery

• US 8,053,111 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2002
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nilar International AB
• Original Assignee: Nilar International AB
• Inventors: Puester, Neil H., Fredriksson, Lars
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan; Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mohaddes; Ladan
• Application Number:
  US10/187,200
• Publication Number:
  US 20030013016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,416 Days
• Field of Search: 429/210, 429/233, 429/234, 429/245, 429/246, 429/208, 429/235, 429/236, 429/237, 429/241, 429/244, 429/218.2, 429/223, 429/218.1, 429/518, 429/527, 204/254, 204/268, 204/282
• US Class Current: 429/210
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/282 with bipolar electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/02 Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/043 involving compressing or compaction
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/64 Carriers or collectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/661 Metal or alloys, e.g. alloy coatings H01M4/669 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/668 Composites of electroconductive material and synthetic resins
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/72 Grids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/46 Separators, membranes or diaphragms characterised by their combination with 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

Abstract

A biplate assembly may include a biplate, a negative electrode and a positive electrode. A method for manufacturing the biplate assembly may involve selecting the size of the biplate and arranging the positive electrode, which is formed by a compressed first powder, to a first side of the biplate. The first powder contains positive active material. The method may also involve arranging the negative electrode, which is formed by a compressed second powder, to a carrier arranged within the biplate assembly. The second powder contains negative active material. The carrier may be a side opposite to the first side of the biplate. The biplate assembly may be implemented in a bipolar battery.

Claims

1. A biplate assembly in a bipolar battery consisting of:

a conductive biplate having a first side and a second side opposed to the first side;

a first electrode consisting essentially of a first compressed powder arranged on the first side of the biplate, wherein the first compressed powder comprises a first active material comprising nickel hydroxide and powdered nickel fibers and is not subjected to sintering;

a second electrode consisting essentially of a second compressed powder arranged on the second side of the biplate, wherein the second compressed powder comprises a second active material comprising an AB₅ metal hydride and powdered nickel fibers and is not subjected to sintering;

wherein one of the first active material and the second active material is a positive chemically active material and the other of the first active material and the second active material is a negative chemically active material; and

wherein the positive chemically active material and the negative chemically active material chemically react with at least one electrolyte.

2. The biplate assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

the first electrode exhibits a substantially uniform composition in a direction normal to the first side of the biplate and in a direction parallel to the first side of the biplate; and

the second electrode exhibits a substantially uniform composition in a direction normal to the second side of the biplate and in a direction parallel to the second side of the biplate.

3. The biplate assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

the conductive biplate comprises nickel.

4. The biplate assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

the conductive biplate consists essentially of nickel.

5. The biplate assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

the conductive biplate consists essentially of nickel-plated steel.

6. The biplate assembly according to claim 3, wherein:

conductive material is removed from the first electrode area to provide increased surface roughness; and

conductive material is removed from the second electrode area to provide increased surface roughness.

7. The biplate assembly according to claim 3, wherein:

a first conductive material deposited on the first electrode area provides increased surface roughness in the first electrode area; and

a second conductive material deposited on the second electrode area provides increased surface roughness in the second electrode area.

8. The biplate assembly according to claim 3, wherein:

the powdered nickel fibers form a dendritic structure within the first electrode.

9. The biplate assembly according to claim 3, wherein:

the powdered nickel fibers form a dendritic structure within the second electrode.

10. A biplate assembly in a bipolar battery consisting of:

a conductive biplate having a first side and a second side opposed to the first side;

a first electrode consisting essentially of compressed powder formed on the first side of the biplate, wherein the compressed powder comprises a first active material and is not subjected to sintering;

a non-conductive porous carrier arranged on an upper surface of the first electrode;

a second electrode consisting essentially of compressed powder formed on an upper surface of the carrier, wherein the compressed powder comprises a second active material and is not subjected to sintering;

wherein one of the first active material and the second active material is a positive chemically active material and the other of the first active material and the second active material is a negative chemically active material; and

wherein the positive chemically active material and the negative chemically active material chemically react with at least one electrolyte.

11. A biplate assembly in a bipolar battery consisting of:

a conductive biplate having a first side and a second side opposed to the first side;

a first electrode consisting essentially of compressed powder and a non-conductive supporting mesh, wherein the compressed powder comprises a first active material, encapsulates the supporting mesh and is not subjected to sintering;

a second electrode consisting essentially of compressed powder and a non-conductive supporting mesh, wherein the compressed powder comprises a second active material, encapsulates the supporting mesh and is not subjected to sintering;

wherein one of the first active material and the second active material is a positive chemically active material and the other of the first active material and the second active material is a negative chemically active material; and

wherein the positive chemically active material and the negative chemically active material chemically react with at least one electrolyte.

12. A bipolar battery assembly comprising:

a first end plate assembly;

a second endplate assembly; and

a biplate assembly arranged between the first and second end plate assemblies, wherein the biplate assembly consists of a conductive biplate having a first side and a second side opposed to the first side;

a first electrode consisting essentially of compressed powder, wherein the compressed powder comprises a first active material comprising nickel hydroxide and powdered nickel fibers and is not subjected to sintering;

a second electrode consisting essentially of compressed powder, wherein the compressed powder comprises a second active material comprising an AB₅ metal hydride and powdered nickel fibers and is not subjected to sintering;

wherein one of the first active material and the second active material is a positive chemically active material and the other of the first active material and the second active material is a negative chemically active material; and

wherein the positive chemically active material and the negative chemically active material chemically react with at least one electrolyte to produce an electrical current flowing in a direction substantially normal to the first and second sides of the biplate.