EP0225767A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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A silicon diode looping element for protecting a battery cell
Assignee: Powerplex Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1986-11-27
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A special silicon diode is disclosed which is shunted across each cell in a series connected string of battery cells. In response to a cell (40-46) failure which causes a cell to open circuit, all battery current is routed through the diode looping (32-36) element. This current causes a permanent state change of the looping element thereby causing the looping element to become a permanent short circuit. Thus, the failed cell is effectively removed from the circuit. The cell is of the sodium/sulfur type. A special package (fig. 8) enclosing the silicon diode (124) is also described.
Inventors
- 👤 Morrie Altmejd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:52
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/50; H02J7/52; H02J7/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A diode looping element of use in a battery with a plurality of cells, said element used as a shunt across each said cell, comprising: a diode p-n junction, packaged in a heavy duty package so that failure of said package will not occur during extreme overcurrent conditions, said diode fusing to a permanent short circuit condition when a predetermined amount of current is passed through said zener diode in a forward biased direction for a predetermined length of time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A diode looping element of use in a battery with a plurality of cells, said element used as a shunt across each said cell, comprising: a diode p-n junction, packaged in a heavy duty package so that failure of said package will not occur during extreme overcurrent conditions, said diode fusing to a permanent short circuit condition when a predetermined amount of current is passed through said zener diode in a forward biased direction for a predetermined length of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An element as in claim 1 where said predetermined amount of current is less than the expected output current of said battery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
A battery comprising: a plurality of battery cells connected in series; a plurality of diode looping elements, each connected in parallel across each said cell, 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 looping element being constructed so that when a predetermined amount of current is passed in a forward direction, said looping element fuses permanently into a short circuit state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
A battery comprising: a plurality of battery cells connected in series; a plurality of diode looping elements, each connected in parallel across each said cell, 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 looping element being constructed so that when a predetermined amount of current is passed in a forward direction, said looping element fuses permanently into a short circuit state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A battery as in claim 3 wherein said battery is sodium sulfur.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A battery as in claim 3 wherein said battery is of the alkali/chalcogen type.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A battery as in claim 3 further comprising terminal means on said battery for coupling a voltage produced by said series connected cells to an outside source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A battery as in claim 6 further comprising charging means for charging said battery.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A battery as in claim 3 wherein said predetermined amount of current is less than the expected output current of said battery.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A battery as in claim 3 wherein each said looping element is housed in a heavy duty package.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
A battery comprising: a plurality of battery cells connected in series; a plurality of diodes, each said diode connected across each said battery cell so that each said diode is normally reverse biased when each said battery cell is fully charged; said diodes being specially constructed to fail due to overcurrent into a permanent short circuit condition, thereby shorting out an open circuited battery cell when said battery is in a discharge mode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
A battery comprising: a plurality of battery cells connected in series; a plurality of diodes, each said diode connected across each said battery cell so that each said diode is normally reverse biased when each said battery cell is fully charged; said diodes being specially constructed to fail due to overcurrent into a permanent short circuit condition, thereby shorting out an open circuited battery cell when said battery is in a discharge mode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A batter as in claim 10 wherein said battery is of the high temperature type.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A battery as in claim 10 further comprising terminal means electrically coupled to said series connected battery cells for conducting the battery voltage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A battery as in claim 12 further comprising a battery casing, encasing said cells and said diodes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A battery as in claim 13 wherein said battery is of the high temperature type.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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