US5552243A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Bipolar electrochemical battery of stacked wafer cells
Assignee: Electro Energy Inc
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Filing: 1995-02-23
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Granted: 1996-09-03
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Expires: 2015-02-23
Abstract
Abstract The subject invention relates to electrode structures that are adaptable for primary and electrically rechargeable electrochemical wafer cells. A flat wafer cell is disclosed that includes conductive, carbon-filled polymeric outer layers that serve as electrode contacts and as a means of containment of the cell. Multi-cell, higher voltage batteries may be constructed by stacking individual cells. Specially formulated electrodes and processing techniques that are compatible with the wafer cell construction are disclosed for a nickel-metal hydride battery system. The cell design and electrode formulations provide for individual operation of a vented or low pressure sealed cell and/or for operation of these cells in a stacked array in an outer battery housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin Klein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 00:02
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/24; H01M10/30; H01M10/04; H01M10/0413; H01M10/0418; H01M10/0468; H01M10/34; H01M10/345; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M4/04; H01M4/043; H01M4/0435; H01M4/24; H01M4/242; H01M4/26; H01M4/32; H01M4/36; H01M4/362; H01M4/364; H01M4/366; H01M4/38; H01M4/383; H01M4/385; H01M4/48; H01M4/481; H01M4/62; H01M4/621; H01M4/622; H01M4/623; H01M4/624; H01M4/626; H01M10/42; H01M10/52; H01M10/526; H01M2004/021; H01M2004/026; H01M2004/027; H01M2004/029; H01M4/50; H01M4/52; H01M4/54; H01M4/64; H01M4/70; H01M4/80; H01M4/808; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49108; Y10T29/49115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A bipolar electrochemical battery comprising: a stack of at least two electrochemical cells electrically arranged in series wherein the adjacent cells have a positive face of one cell contacting a negative face of the adjacent cell and wherein each of said cells contains (a) a negative electrode; (b) a positive electrode; (c) a porous separator between said electrodes, wherein said separator contains an electrolyte; (d) a first electrically conductive polymeric outer layer in electrical contact with the outer face of said negative electrode; and (e) a second electrically conductive polymeric outer layer in electrical contact with the outer face of said positive electrode; wherein said outer layers are sealed peripherally to an electrically non-conductive polymeric material such as to form a sealed enclosure containing said electrodes, said separator and said electrolyte.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A bipolar electrochemical battery comprising: a stack of at least two electrochemical cells electrically arranged in series wherein the adjacent cells have a positive face of one cell contacting a negative face of the adjacent cell and wherein each of said cells contains (a) a negative electrode; (b) a positive electrode; (c) a porous separator between said electrodes, wherein said separator contains an electrolyte; (d) a first electrically conductive polymeric outer layer in electrical contact with the outer face of said negative electrode; and (e) a second electrically conductive polymeric outer layer in electrical contact with the outer face of said positive electrode; wherein said outer layers are sealed peripherally to an electrically non-conductive polymeric material such as to form a sealed enclosure containing said electrodes, said separator and said electrolyte.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 1 wherein said electrodes, said separator and said outer layers are each substantially flat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 1 wherein said negative electrode comprises cadmium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 1 wherein said negative electrode comprises iron.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 1 wherein said negative electrode comprises zinc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 1 wherein said negative electrode is a hydrogen electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 1 wherein said negative electrode comprises an oxide or hydroxide of silver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 1 wherein said positive electrode comprises an oxide or hydroxide of manganese.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 1 wherein said positive electrode comprises an oxide or hydroxide of copper.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 1 wherein said positive electrode comprises an oxide or hydroxide of mercury.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 1 wherein said positive electrode is an oxygen electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 1 wherein said electrically-conductive, outer layers are carbon-filled.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 1 wherein said electrically-conductive, outer layers comprise polymeric film.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 13 wherein said polymeric film comprises a vinyl polymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 14 wherein said outer layers are heat sealed to said vinyl polymer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 1 wherein a conductive paste or cement is present between at least one of said outer layers and said electrode with which it is in contact.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 12 wherein a conductive porous spacer is between said negative electrode and said conductive, carbon-filled outer layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 16 wherein said porous spacer comprises porous graphite paper.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 16 wherein the side of said negative electrode facing said porous spacer is wet proofed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 16 wherein the side of said negative electrode facing said porous spacer is provided with a catalyst for enhancing recombination of oxygen or hydrogen.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 1 wherein said stack of at least two electrochemical cells is contained in a sealed battery housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 20 wherein a pressure measuring device is included in said sealed battery housing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
46 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 20 wherein each electrochemical cell is completely sealed, wherein said battery housing contains an electrically non-conductive fluid that substantially fills the void space around said stack of cells and wherein a pressure measuring device is included in said battery housing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 20 wherein a conductive paste or cement is present between said cells.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 20 wherein at least one of the end cells of said stack of cells is in contact with a metal foil, wherein said metal foil is electrically connected to a battery terminal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 20 wherein a conductive paste or cement is present between at least one of said end cells and said metal foil.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 20 wherein said stack of cells is held in compression by means of tie rods that penetrate through sealed holes in the electrochemical cells.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 20 wherein said stack of cells are held in compression by means of a layer of sponge rubber.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 20 wherein said stack of cells are held in compression by means of a spring.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 20 wherein said stack of cells are held in compression by means of a gas-filled compressible pad.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bipolar electrochemical battery of claim 20 wherein said electrochemical cells include vent ports.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-09-03 | 2000-03-04 | 2000-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-03 | 2004-03-04 | 2004-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-03 | 2008-03-04 | 2008-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |