Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Other

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Christopher J Pulley

Geoffrey Barlow

Steven J Specht

There is described an lithium--alloy/molten salt/metal sulfide electrochemical cell which eliminates the use of perforated baskets to restrain active materials and uses simple mechanical seal made from ceramic material. It also uses high melting point salt as the electrical insulator between the electrodes and the cell can. In the cell, the positive current collector is made from flexible graphite and a corrosion resistant metal. The cell is assembled in a low carbon steel case with side closure.

High temperature rechargeable cell design

An insulator for use in a monopolar cell battery is provided in which the battery includes a first electrode in contact with the case and a second electrode which is not in contact with case. The insulator is a plate which is formed from a higher melting point salt which is provided adjacent the edges of the second electrode. The plate insulates the second electrode from the case. The salt used for the insulator has a melting point that is greater than the operating temperature of the battery.

High temperature cell electrical insulation

An improved positive terminal feedthru for a lithium/metal sulfide battery cell is provided which permits electrical access to the positive terminal of the battery cell from outside the case. The positive terminal feedthru assembly includes a first annular compressible seal which is provided about the positive feedthru and abuts the positive terminal. A first bushing is provided around the positive feedthru adjacent to the first compressible seal. A second annular compressible seal is provided about the positive feedthru between the first bushing and the battery case. A second annular bushing is provided about the positive feedthru adjacent the opposite side of the case from the second compressible seal. An annular washer is provided around the positive feedthru adjacent the second annular bushing. This washer maintains a compressive load on the first and second compressible seals to account for expansion and contraction due to temperature cycling.

Lithium/metal sulfide cell positive terminal feedthru assemblies

An improved case is provided for a lithium/metal sulfide battery. The improved case is arranged such that the largest surface, corresponding to the side of a traditional cell case, is left open. The remaining five sides of the case can be formed in a drawn form from a single sheet of metal. The electrode plates can be provided within this drawn case and a cover can then be welded to the case to form the cell assembly. Utilizing the side of the cell case rather than the top of the cell case provides easier handling and installation of the electrode plates within the cell case.

Side cover battery cell assembly

A current collector for use in a cell. The current collector has a thin sheet of conductive material having oppositely directed planar faces. The sheet is preferably graphite. The current collector also has a metal tab having oppositely directed planar faces. A face of the tab is in planar contact with a face of the sheet. The current collector may further have a second thin sheet of conductive material, preferably graphite, having oppositely directed planar faces. The second sheet is placed in planar contact with the tab such that the tab is disposed between the two conductive sheets.

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Shaker Hts., OH, United States of America

Christopher J Pulley