Coiled electrode assembly cell construction with pressure contact member

Claim 2

A galvanic cell comprising a coiled electrode assembly housed in a conductive container having a base with an upstanding wall defining an open end and closed by a cover; said coiled electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a second electrode superimposed on said first electrode and a separator disposed between said first electrode and said second electrode and over at least one of said first and second electrodes; and said first electrode, second electrode and separator spirally wound such that said first electrode is electronically insulated from said second electrode by said separator and a portion of said first electrode is exposed to define at least a portion of the outer wall of said coiled electrode assembly and a portion of said second electrode is exposed to define at least a portion of the inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly; said coiled electrode assembly disposed within said container such that the exposed first electrode defining at least a portion of the outer wall of said coiled electrode assembly is in pressure contact with said container upstanding wall thereby adapting said container upstanding wall as the first terminal for said galvanic cell; a flexible electrically conductive member disposed within the opening defined by said inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly and pressure contacting at least a portion of the exposed surface of said second electrode and exerting a radially outward force on the exposed said second electrode defining a portion of said inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly; and said flexible electrically conductive member secured to an electrically conductive terminal at the exterior surface of said galvanic cell, said electrically conductive terminal being electrically insulated from said first terminal so that said electrically conductive terminal is adapted as the second terminal for said galvanic cell.

Claim 3

The galvanic cell of claim 1 wherein said cover is said electrically conductive terminal.

Claim 4

The galvanic cell of claim 1 wherein said first electrode is secured to a collector screen.

Claim 5

The galvanic cell of claim 3 wherein an electrically conductive tab is secured to said collector screen.

Claim 6

The galvanic cell of claim 1 wherein said second electrode is secured to a collector screen.

Claim 7

The galvanic cell of claim 5 wherein an electrically conductive tab is secured to said collector screen.

Claim 8

The galvanic cell of claim 1 wherein said flexible electrically conductive member is made of a material selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, tin, steel, monel, stainless steel, nickel-plated steel, copper clad steel, and tin clad steel.

Claim 9

A galvanic cell comprising a coiled electrode assembly housed in a conductive container having a base with an upstanding wall defining an open end and closed by a cover; said coiled electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a second electrode superimposed on said first electrode and a separator disposed between said first electrode and said second electrode and over at least one of said first and second electrodes; and said first electrode, second electrode and separator spirally wound such that said first electrode is electronically insulated from said second electrode by said separator and a portion of said first electrode is exposed to define at least a portion of the outer wall of said coiled electrode assembly and a portion of said second electrode is exposed to define at least a portion of the inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly; said coiled electrode assembly disposed within said container such that the exposed first electrode defining at least a portion of the outer wall of said coiled electrode assembly is in pressure contact with said container upstanding wall thereby adapting said container as the first terminal for said galvanic cell; a flexible electrically conductive member disposed within the opening defined by said inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly and pressure contacting at least a portion of the exposed surface of said second electrode and exerting a radially outward force on the exposed said second electrode defining a portion of said inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly; and said flexible electrically conductive member secured to an electrically conductive terminal at the exterior surface of said galvanic cell, said electrically conductive terminal being electrically insulated from said first terminal so that said electrically conductive terminal is adapted as the second terminal for said galvanic cell; said flexible electrically conductive member being made by bending a strip of conductive material to form a substantially U-shaped portion having two spaced-apart legs, a portion of the upper end of one leg of said U-shaped portion being bent inwardly to form a neck portion and the extreme upper end of said one leg being bent to form a tab, a portion of the upper end of the second leg of said U-shaped portion being bent in a similar manner as said first leg but in the opposite direction to form a neck portion and a top portion in said second leg, said neck portion of said first leg abutting said neck portion of said second leg with said tab secured to said cover.

Claim 10

A galvanic cell comprising a coiled electrode assembly housed in a conductive container having a base with an upstanding wall defining an open end and closed by a cover; said coiled electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a second electrode superimposed on said first electrode and a separator disposed between said first electrode and said second electrode and over at least one of said first and second electrodes; and said first electrode, second electrode and separator spirally wound such that said first electrode is electronically insulated from said second electrode by said separator and a portion of said first electrode is exposed to define at least a portion of the outer wall of said coiled electrode assembly and a portion of said second electrode is exposed to define at least a portion of the inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly; said coiled electrode assembly disposed within said container such that the exposed first electrode defining at least a portion of the outer wall of said coiled electrode assembly is in pressure contact with said container upstanding wall thereby adapting said container as the first terminal for said galvanic cell; a flexible electrically conductive member disposed within the opening defined by said inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly and pressure contacting at least a portion of the exposed surface of said second electrode and exerting a radially outward force on the exposed said second electrode defining a portion of said inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly; and said flexible electrically conductive member secured to an electrically conductive terminal at the exterior surface of said galvanic cell, said electrically conductive terminal being electrically insulated from said first terminal so that said electrically conductive terminal is adapted as the second terminal for said galvanic cell; said flexible electrically conductive member being made by bending a strip of conductive material to form a substantially U-shaped portion having two spaced-apart legs, a portion of the upper end of one leg of said U-shaped portion being bent inwardly to form a neck portion and the extreme upper end of said one leg being bent to form a tab, a portion of the upper end of the second leg of said U-shaped portion being bent in a similar manner as said first leg but in the opposite direction to form a neck portion and a top portion in said second leg, said neck portion of said first leg abutting said neck portion of said second leg with said tab secured to said cover.

Claim 11

The galvanic cell of claim 8 wherein said neck portion of said first leg of said flexible electrically conductive member is welded to said neck portion of said second leg.

Claim 12

The galvanic cell of claim 1 wherein said separator encases said coiled electrode assembly thereby defining the outer wall of said coiled electrode assembly and wherein an opening is defined in the outer wall defined by said separator to expose a portion of said first electrode so that the exposed portion of said first electrode defines a portion of the outer wall of said coiled electrode assembly.

Claim 13

The galvanic cell of claim 1 wherein said separator encases said coiled electrode assembly thereby defining the inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly and wherein an opening is defined in the inner wall defined by said separator to expose a portion of said second electrode so that the exposed portion of said second electrode defines a portion of the inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly.

Claim 14

The galvanic cell of claim 1 wherein said cover comprises an inner cover and an outer cover and said flexible electrically conductive member is secured to said inner cover.

Claim 15

The galvanic cell of claim 12 wherein said flexible electrically conductive member is made of a material selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, tin, steel, monel, stainless steel, nickel-plated steel, copper clad steel, and tin clad steel.

Claim 16

The galvanic cell of claim 12 wherein said inner cover is composed of a non-conductive material and said flexible electrically conductive member is secured to the outer surface of said non-conductive inner cover.

Claim 17

The galvanic cell of claim 14 wherein said flexible electrically conductive member is made of a material selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, tin, steel, monel, stainless steel, nickel-plated steel, copper clad steel, and tin clad steel.

Claim 18

A galvanic cell comprising a coiled electrode assembly housed in a conductive container having a base with an upstanding wall defining an open end and closed by a cover; said coiled electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a second electroded superimposed on said first electrode and a separator disposed between said first electrode and said second electrode and over at least one of said first and second electrodes; and said first electrode, second electrode and separator spirally wound such that said first electrode is electronically insulated from said second electrode by said separator and a portion of said first electrode is exposed to define at least a portion of the outer wall of said coiled electrode assembly and a portion of said second electrode is exposed to define at least a portion of the inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly; said coiled electrode assembly disposed within said container such that the exposed first electrode defining at least a portion of the outer wall of said coiled electrode assembly is in pressure contact with said container upstanding wall thereby adapting said container as the first terminal for said galvanic cell; a flexible electrically conductive member disposed within the opening defined by said inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly and pressure contacting at least a portion of the exposed surface of said second electrode and exerting a radially outward force on the exposed said second electrode defining a portion of said inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly; and said flexible electrically conductive member secured to an electrically conductive terminal at the exterior surface of said galvanic cell, said electrically conductive terminal being electrically insulated from said first terminal so that said electrically conductive terminal is adapted as the second terminal for said galvanic cell; said cover comprising an inner cover and an outer cover and said flexible electrically conductive member being secured to said inner cover; said inner cover and said flexible electrically conductive member being formed from one integral member.

Claim 19

A galvanic cell comprising a coiled electrode assembly housed in a conductive container having a base with an upstanding wall defining an open end and closed by a cover; said coiled electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a second electroded superimposed on said first electrode and a separator disposed between said first electrode and said second electrode and over at least one of said first and second electrodes; and said first electrode, second electrode and separator spirally wound such that said first electrode is electronically insulated from said second electrode by said separator and a portion of said first electrode is exposed to define at least a portion of the outer wall of said coiled electrode assembly and a portion of said second electrode is exposed to define at least a portion of the inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly; said coiled electrode assembly disposed within said container such that the exposed first electrode defining at least a portion of the outer wall of said coiled electrode assembly is in pressure contact with said container upstanding wall thereby adapting said container as the first terminal for said galvanic cell; a flexible electrically conductive member disposed within the opening defined by said inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly and pressure contacting at least a portion of the exposed surface of said second electrode and exerting a radially outward force on the exposed said second electrode defining a portion of said inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly; and said flexible electrically conductive member secured to an electrically conductive terminal at the exterior surface of said galvanic cell, said electrically conductive terminal being electrically insulated from said first terminal so that said electrically conductive terminal is adapted as the second terminal for said galvanic cell; said cover comprising an inner cover and an outer cover and said flexible electrically conductive member being secured to said inner cover; said inner cover and said flexible electrically conductive member being formed from one integral member.

Claim 20

The galvanic cell of claim 16 wherein an aperture is defined in said inner cover.

Claim 21

The galvanic cell of claim 16 wherein the upper surface of said inner cover is of similar shape as the lower surface of said outer cover.

Claim 22

The galvanic cell of claim 18 wherein an aperture is defined in said inner cover.

Claim 23

A galvanic cell comprising a coiled electrode assembly housed in a conductive container having a base with an upstanding wall defining an open end and closed by a cover; said coiled electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a second electrode superimposed on said first electrode and a separator disposed between said first electrode and said second electrode and over at least one of said first and second electrodes; and said first electrode, second electrode and separator spirally wound such that said first electrode is electronically insulated from said second electrode by said separator and a portion of said first electrode is exposed to define at least a portion of the outer wall of said coiled electrode assembly and a portion of said second electrode is exposed to define at least a portion of the inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly; said coiled electrode assembly disposed within said container such that the exposed first electrode defining at least a portion of the outer wall of said coiled electrode assembly is in pressure contact with said container upstanding wall thereby adapting said container as the first terminal for said galvanic cell; a flexible electrically conductive member disposed within the opening defined by said inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly and pressure contacting at least a portion of the exposed surface of said second electrode and exerting a radially outward force on the exposed said second electrode defining a portion of said inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly; and said flexible electrically conductive member secured to an electrically conductive terminal at the exterior surface of said galvanic cell, said electrically conductive terminal being electrically insulated from said first terminal so that said electrically conductive terminal is adapted as the second terminal for said galvanic cell; said cover comprising an inner cover and an outer cover and said flexible electrically conductive member being secured to said inner cover; said flexible electrically conductive member being made by bending a strip of conductive material to form a substantially U-shaped portion having two spaced-apart legs, a portion of the upper end of one leg of said U-shaped portion being bent inwardly to form a neck portion and the extreme upper end of said one leg being bent to form a tab, a portion of the upper end of the second leg of said U-shaped portion being bent in a similar manner as said first leg but in the opposite direction to form a neck portion and a tab in said second leg, said neck portion of said first leg abutting said neck portion of said second leg with said tabs being in contact with said inner cover.

Claim 24

A galvanic cell comprising a coiled electrode assembly housed in a conductive container having a base with an upstanding wall defining an open end and closed by a cover; said coiled electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a second electrode superimposed on said first electrode and a separator disposed between said first electrode and said second electrode and over at least one of said first and second electrodes; and said first electrode, second electrode and separator spirally wound such that said first electrode is electronically insulated from said second electrode by said separator and a portion of said first electrode is exposed to define at least a portion of the outer wall of said coiled electrode assembly and a portion of said second electrode is exposed to define at least a portion of the inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly; said coiled electrode assembly disposed within said container such that the exposed first electrode defining at least a portion of the outer wall of said coiled electrode assembly is in pressure contact with said container upstanding wall thereby adapting said container as the first terminal for said galvanic cell; a flexible electrically conductive member disposed within the opening defined by said inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly and pressure contacting at least a portion of the exposed surface of said second electrode and exerting a radially outward force on the exposed said second electrode defining a portion of said inner wall of said coiled electrode assembly; and said flexible electrically conductive member secured to an electrically conductive terminal at the exterior surface of said galvanic cell, said electrically conductive terminal being electrically insulated from said first terminal so that said electrically conductive terminal is adapted as the second terminal for said galvanic cell; said cover comprising an inner cover and an outer cover and said flexible electrically conductive member being secured to said inner cover; said flexible electrically conductive member being made by bending a strip of conductive material to form a substantially U-shaped portion having two spaced-apart legs, a portion of the upper end of one leg of said U-shaped portion being bent inwardly to form a neck portion and the extreme upper end of said one leg being bent to form a tab, a portion of the upper end of the second leg of said U-shaped portion being bent in a similar manner as said first leg but in the opposite direction to form a neck portion and a tab in said second leg, said neck portion of said first leg abutting said neck portion of said second leg with said tabs being in contact with said inner cover.

Claim 25

The galvanic cell of claim 20 wherein said neck portion of said first leg of said flexible electrically conductive member is welded to said neck portion of said second leg.

Claim 26

The galvanic cell of claim 20 wherein an aperture is defined in the center of said inner cover and said tabs of said substantially U-shaped portion of said flexible electrically conductive member protrude through said aperture of said inner cover and are in contact with the upper surface of said inner cover.

Claim 27

The galvanic cell of claim 22 wherein said tabs are secured inside the cell by the clamping coaction of said inner cover and said outer cover.