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Zener diode looping element for protecting a battery cell

  • US 4,719,401 A
  • Filed: 12/04/1985
  • Issued: 01/12/1988
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1985
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A battery system comprising:

  • a plurality of battery cells, each having an anode and a cathode connected in series; and

    a plurality of zener diode looping elements, each connected in parallel across an associated one of said cells and each looping element including a zener diode p-n junction, and a package formed so that failure of the package will not occur during high current conditions, each said looping element having its cathode connected to the anode of each said cell and said looping element having its anode connected to the cathode of each said cell;

    said zener diode looping element being constructed so that when a predetermined amount of current is passed therethrough in a forward biasing direction, said p-n junction fuses permanently into a short circuit state, thereby shorting across said associated battery cell.

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