Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A self-supporting battery cell clamping structure for use with a stack of rechargeable battery cells to prevent expansion of the cells in response to the build-up of pressure therein, including in combination. first and second pressure plates for positioning against substantially the entire surface area presented by the ends of the stack of cells, and a plurality of strips adapted for positioning about the stack of cells and engaging said pressure plates, said strips each having ends secured together to form a pre-tightented band to hold said pressure plates against movement with respect to each other and prevent expansion of the cells positioned between said plates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A self-supporting battery cell clamping structure for use with a stack of rechargeable battery cells to prevent expansion of the cells in response to the build-up of pressure therein, including in combination. first and second pressure plates for positioning against substantially the entire surface area presented by the ends of the stack of cells, and a plurality of strips adapted for positioning about the stack of cells and engaging said pressure plates, said strips each having ends secured together to form a pre-tightented band to hold said pressure plates against movement with respect to each other and prevent expansion of the cells positioned between said plates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said plates and said strips are made of steel, and said ends of said strips are secured together by welding.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure of claim 2 wherein said pressure plates have sufficient mass to form heat sinks to remove heat developed during welding of said strips.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The structure of claim 1 further including a partition positioned between a pair of adjacent cells in the stack, said partition being secured to said strips to prevent expansion of the cells in a direction parallel to said pressure plates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure of claim 4 wherein said partition has right angle edges engaging said strips and welded thereto to hold said strips at a fixed spacing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
A battery structure including in combination, a plurality of rectangular, sealed, rechargeable battery cells each having a first pair of substantially parallel sides, said cells being arranged in a stack with one parallel side of each cell adjacent one parallel side of another cell, first and second pressure plates each engaging substantially the entire surface area of the parallel outer side of said cell at one end of said stack, and a plurality of bands about said cells and said pressure plates, each of said bands being formed by a strip having ends cinched tight about said cells and said pressure plates and secured together to hold said plates against said cells.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
A battery structure including in combination, a plurality of rectangular, sealed, rechargeable battery cells each having a first pair of substantially parallel sides, said cells being arranged in a stack with one parallel side of each cell adjacent one parallel side of another cell, first and second pressure plates each engaging substantially the entire surface area of the parallel outer side of said cell at one end of said stack, and a plurality of bands about said cells and said pressure plates, each of said bands being formed by a strip having ends cinched tight about said cells and said pressure plates and secured together to hold said plates against said cells.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The battery structure of claim 6 further including a septum positioned between parallel sides of adjacent cells and secured to said bands to hold said bands in fixed position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The battery structure of claim 7 wherein said pressure plates, said bands and said septum are formed of steel, and said ends of sid strips are welded together, and said septum is welded to said bands.