×

Reusable electrochemical cell test fixture

  • US 8,557,421 B2
  • Filed: 12/28/2009
  • Issued: 10/15/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A system for testing a single cell removed from a multi-cell battery including:

  • an electrochemical cell from the battery, the electrochemical cell including a negative terminal, a positive terminal, a first negative wire coupled to the negative terminal, and a positive wire coupled to the positive terminal;

    a container including a base and a lid movably coupled to the base between an open position and a closed position, the base and the lid cooperating to define an internal cavity that is sized to interchangeably receive the electrochemical cell, wherein said lid opens an entire side of said cavity and is adapted to permit insertion or removal of said electrochemical cell into said cavity;

    wherein, the container includes;

    a first opening into the internal cavity that is sized to interchangeably receive the negative wire of the first electrochemical cell;

    a second opening into the internal cavity that is sized to interchangeably receive the positive wire of the electrochemical cell;

    a plurality of third openings into the internal cavity that is configured to direct an electrolytic solution into the internal cavity, wherein the plurality of third openings communicates with an inlet channel formed through said base to a port section in an external surface of said base;

    an electrolytic port coupler connected to said port section adapted to couple a pressurized source for said electrolytic solution with a section of said inlet channel which defines an opening in said base; and

    a vacuum port coupler attached to either said port section or to said electrolytic port coupler which is in communication with said inlet channel and is adapted to facilitate evacuation of said cavity after said lid is in said closed position, said vacuum port coupler adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source;

    wherein the base of the container defines a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls of the internal cavity and the lid of the container defines a top wall of the internal cavity;

    wherein at least one of the bottom wall, the plurality of side walls, and the top wall exerts pressure on each of the first and second electrochemical cells when the lid is in the closed position;

    wherein said electrochemical cells comprise at least one positive or negative plate;

    wherein said container further comprises a first and second seal sections respectively disposed in a section of said first and second openings that form openings in an external surface of said base, said first seal section is formed to receive said negative wire, said second seal section is formed to receive said positive wire, wherein said first and second seal sections are further adapted to prevent said electrolytic solution from leaking out of said internal cavity of said container through first and second openings after said electrolytic solution is pressure injected into said container;

    wherein said container further includes a lid seal, wherein at least one of the base and the lid of the container defines a groove that surrounds the internal cavity for receiving the lid seal therein and is adapted to prevent electrolytic solution from leaking out of said internal cavity of said container between said lid and lid seal after said electrolytic solution is pressure injected into said cavity;

    wherein said container further comprises a plurality of removable fasteners disposed around said lid and through said base, said removable fasteners are adapted to secure said lid to said body such that said lid seal is compressed and adapted for said prevention of electrolytic solution from leaking out of said internal cavity up to a first pressure that is higher than an external pressure to said container after said container lid is in said closed position and said electrolytic solution is injected into said internal cavity.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×