US5460904A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrolyte activatable lithium-ion rechargeable battery cell
Assignee: Valence Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1993-11-30
•
Granted: 1995-10-24
•
Expires: 2013-11-30
Abstract
Abstract Li-ion rechargeable battery cell electrode and electrolyte/separator elements formulated as layers of plasticized polymeric matrix compositions are laminated to form a unitary battery cell structure. The structure may be stored indefinitely, since it is essentially devoid of electrolyte solution which typically comprises a moisture-sensitive lithium salt. Prior to the battery's being put into service, the plasticizer of the polymeric composition is removed by leaching with a selective solvent and is replaced with a lithium salt electrolyte solution by simple imbibition. The battery thus activated may then be charged and recharged in the usual manner.
Inventors
- 👤 Antoni S. Gozdz
- 👤 Jean-Marie Tarascon
- 👤 Paul C. Warren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/05; C; C08; C08J; C08J9/00; C08J9/28; H01M10/04; H01M10/0431; H01M10/052; H01M10/056; H01M10/0564; H01M10/0565; H01M50/00; H01M50/40; H01M50/409; H01M50/411; H01M50/414; H01M50/426; H01M50/489; H01M50/497; H01M6/00; H01M6/14; H01M6/18; H01M6/181; H01M6/30; H01M6/32; H01M6/42; H01M6/46; C08J2327/00; C08J2327/02; C08J2327/12; C08J2327/16; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0085; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49108; Y10T29/4911; Y10T29/49114
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A rechargeable battery structure comprising a positive electrode element, a negative electrode element, and a separator element disposed therebetween characterized in that a) each of said elements comprises a flexible, self-supporting, polymeric matrix film composition substantially devoid of electrolytic salt; b) each said element is bonded to contiguous elements at its respective interfaces to form a unitary flexible laminate structure; and c) said separator element film is substantially devoid of pores and comprises a composition initially comprising a polymeric material and 20 to 70% by weight of a compatible plasticizer therefor and from which composition at least a portion of said plasticizer has been removed, said separator element thereby being in a preconditioned state conducive to absorption of electrolytic solution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A rechargeable battery structure comprising a positive electrode element, a negative electrode element, and a separator element disposed therebetween characterized in that a) each of said elements comprises a flexible, self-supporting, polymeric matrix film composition substantially devoid of electrolytic salt; b) each said element is bonded to contiguous elements at its respective interfaces to form a unitary flexible laminate structure; and c) said separator element film is substantially devoid of pores and comprises a composition initially comprising a polymeric material and 20 to 70% by weight of a compatible plasticizer therefor and from which composition at least a portion of said plasticizer has been removed, said separator element thereby being in a preconditioned state conducive to absorption of electrolytic solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 1 wherein each said element is heat-fused at its respective interfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
92 words
A rechargeable battery structure comprising a positive electrode element, a negative electrode element, and a separator element disposed therebetween characterized in that a) each of said elements comprises a flexible, self-supporting, polymeric matrix film composition; b) each said element is bonded to contiguous elements at its respective interfaces to form a unitary flexible laminate structure; and c) said separator element composition comprises a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride with 8 to 25% by weight hexafluoropropylene and has homogeneously distributed therein 20 to 70% by weight of a compatible organic plasticizer for said copolymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
A rechargeable battery structure comprising a positive electrode element, a negative electrode element, and a separator element disposed therebetween characterized in that a) each of said elements comprises a flexible, self-supporting, polymeric matrix film composition; b) each said element is bonded to contiguous elements at its respective interfaces to form a unitary flexible laminate structure; and c) said separator element composition comprises a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride with 8 to 25% by weight hexafluoropropylene and has homogeneously distributed therein 20 to 70% by weight of a compatible organic plasticizer for said copolymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 3 wherein said separator element composition comprises 10 to 30% by weight based on said copolymer of an inorganic filler selected from fumed alumina and silanized fumed silica.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 3 wherein said positive electrode element composition comprises a lithium intercalation compound homogeneously distributed in a matrix of said separator element composition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 5 wherein said lithium compound has a nominal formula selected from LiMn 2 O 4 , LiCoO 2 , and LiNiO 2 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 6 wherein said lithium compound has the formula Li 1+x Mn 2 O 4 where 0≦x≦1.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 5 wherein said negative electrode element composition comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of carbon intercalation compounds and low-voltage lithium insertion compounds homogeneously distributed in a matrix of said separator element composition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 8 wherein said negative electrode element composition compound is selected from the group consisting of petroleum coke and graphite.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 9 wherein said plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, dibutyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, tris butoxyethyl phosphate, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A rechargeable battery structure comprising a laminate structure according to claim 3 from which at least a portion of said plasticizer has been extracted.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A rechargeable battery structure comprising a laminate structure according to claim 3 in which at least a portion of said plasticizer has been replaced with a lithium battery electrolyte solution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 12 wherein said electrolyte solution comprises a 0.5 to 2M solution of: a) a lithium salt selected from the group consisting of LiPF 6 , LiClO 4 , LiN(CF 3 SO 2 ) 2 , LiBF 4 , LiCF 3 SO 3 , LiSbF 6 , and mixtures thereof; in b) an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethoxyethane, diethyl carbonate, dimethoxyethane, dipropyl carbonate, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 1 wherein the removed plasticizer has been replaced with a battery electrolyte solution.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
144 words
A rechargeable battery structure comprising, in sequence, a positive current collector element, a positive electrode element, a separator element, a negative electrode element, and a negative current collector element characterized in that a) each of said collector elements comprises a flexible electrically-conductive foil, b) each of the others of said elements comprises a flexible, self-supporting, polymeric matrix film composition substantially devoid of electrolytic salt; c) each said element is bonded to contiguous elements at its respective interfaces to form a unitary flexible laminate structure; and d) said separator element film is substantially devoid of pores and comprises a composition initially comprising a polymeric material and 20 to 70% by weight of a compatible plasticizer therefor and from which composition at least a portion of said plasticizer has been removed, said separator element thereby being in a preconditioned state conducive to absorption of electrolytic solution.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
144 words
A rechargeable battery structure comprising, in sequence, a positive current collector element, a positive electrode element, a separator element, a negative electrode element, and a negative current collector element characterized in that a) each of said collector elements comprises a flexible electrically-conductive foil, b) each of the others of said elements comprises a flexible, self-supporting, polymeric matrix film composition substantially devoid of electrolytic salt; c) each said element is bonded to contiguous elements at its respective interfaces to form a unitary flexible laminate structure; and d) said separator element film is substantially devoid of pores and comprises a composition initially comprising a polymeric material and 20 to 70% by weight of a compatible plasticizer therefor and from which composition at least a portion of said plasticizer has been removed, said separator element thereby being in a preconditioned state conducive to absorption of electrolytic solution.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 15 wherein the removed plasticizer has been replaced with a battery electrolyte solution.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
116 words
A rechargeable battery structure comprising, in sequence, a positive current collector element, a positive electrode element, a separator element, a negative electrode element, and a negative current collector element characterized in that a) each of said collector elements comprises a flexible electrically-conductive foil, b) each of the others of said elements comprises a flexible, self-supporting, polymeric matrix film composition; c) each said element is bonded to contiguous elements at its respective interfaces to form a unitary flexible laminate structure; and d) said separator element composition comprises a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride with 8 to 25% by weight hexafluoropropylene and has homogeneously distributed therein 20 to 70% by weight of a compatible organic plasticizer for said copolymer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
116 words
A rechargeable battery structure comprising, in sequence, a positive current collector element, a positive electrode element, a separator element, a negative electrode element, and a negative current collector element characterized in that a) each of said collector elements comprises a flexible electrically-conductive foil, b) each of the others of said elements comprises a flexible, self-supporting, polymeric matrix film composition; c) each said element is bonded to contiguous elements at its respective interfaces to form a unitary flexible laminate structure; and d) said separator element composition comprises a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride with 8 to 25% by weight hexafluoropropylene and has homogeneously distributed therein 20 to 70% by weight of a compatible organic plasticizer for said copolymer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 15 wherein at least one of said collector element foils comprises an open-mesh grid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 18 wherein said at least one collector element is at least partially embedded in the electrode element interfacing therewith.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 18 wherein said structure comprises an additional bonded film of said separator composition overlaying said at least one collector element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 17 wherein said positive electrode element composition comprises a lithium intercalation compound homogeneously distributed in a matrix of said separator element composition.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 21 wherein said lithium compound has a nominal formula selected from LiMn 2 O 4 , LiCoO 2 , and LiNiO 2 .
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 22 wherein said lithium compound has the formula Li 1+x Mn 2 O 4 where 0≦x≦1.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 21 wherein said negative electrode element composition comprises a carbon intercalation compound homogeneously distributed in a matrix of said separator element composition.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 24 wherein said carbon compound is selected from the group consisting of petroleum coke and graphite.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
A rechargeable battery structure comprising a laminate structure according to claim 24 from which at least a portion of said plasticizer has been extracted.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
A rechargeable battery structure comprising a laminate structure according to claim 24 in which at least a portion of said plasticizer has been replaced with a lithium battery electrolyte solution.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 26 wherein said flexible laminate structure is arranged in a manifold zig-zag fashion whereby respective portions of the separate continuous positive and negative collector elements are in electrical contact.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 26 which further comprises a moisture-proof barrier material forming a hermetically sealed enclosure about said flexible laminate structure.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 29 which further comprises means individually communicating electrically between said respective positive and negative current collector elements and the exterior of said enclosure.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
95 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 30 wherein said communicating means comprises: a) a first electrically conductive member in electrical contact within said enclosure with one of said collector elements; b) means associated with said first member for piercing said enclosure barrier material to thereby communicate electrically with the exterior of said enclosure; c) a second member engaging said first member at the exterior of said enclosure; and d) means actuated by the engagement of said first and second members for maintaining a hermetic seal about the pierced area of said enclosure barrier material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
A rechargeable battery structure according to claim 31 wherein said first member comprises means for preventing electrical contact with the other of said collector elements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1459681A
Cited
US4818643A
Cited
US4699857A
Cited
US4714665A
Cited
US4990413A
Cited
US4925752A
Cited
US4925751A
Cited
US5246796A
Cited
US5219680A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-10-23 | 1999-04-24 | 1999-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-23 | 2003-04-24 | 2003-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-23 | 2007-04-24 | 2007-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |