Energy devices with means for failure detection

• US 6,106,969 A
• Filed: 05/31/1998
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amperex Technology Limited (TDK Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wu, Han, Lian, Ke Keryn
• Primary Examiner(s): KALAFUT, STEPHEN J
• Application Number:
  US09/087,889
• Time in Patent Office: 814 Days
• Field of Search: 429/90, 73/49.3, 206/703, 206/704, 206/705
• US Class Current: 429/90
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4228 Leak testing of cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/488 Cells or batteries combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light density
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/553 Terminals adapted for prismatic, pouch or rectangular cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An article comprised of a material that can be wetted by electrolyte solutions contains indicator substances sensitive to acid, caustic and or salt solutes that are present in said electrolyte solutions: said articles are employed as whole or partial encapsulation for devices, especially electrochemical cells, and thereby provide an enhanced alerting function for electrolyte leaks and spills.

Claims

1. An electrochemical cell comprising a packaging element that comprises an indicator substance which changes color upon exposure to electrolyte leaking from the cell;

in which the packaging element comprises a host medium selected from the group consisting of monomers, homopolymers and copolymers of the following;

metal salts of methyl methacrylate, metal salts of 4-styrenesulfonate, and combinations thereof.