Greatbatch Ltd.

Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.

Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.

John Skoumpris

Philip S Wutz

Dominick J Frustaci

Paul T Hallifax

Tina L Urso

Kenneth Moceri

Raymond S Konopa

Daniel Baumer

Michael Guidi

Scott Hall

Deborah McNally

Shenandoah Hennrich

Brian Mau

Shenandoah Henrich

Tina Urso

Philip Wutz

An electrochemical cell comprising a cathode material contacted to a perforated current collector having a portion left uncovered and an anode material contacted to an anode current collector is described. A separator sheet segregating the anode from direct contact with the cathode is folded back upon itself along a crease with an upper portion at least partially sealed to a lower portion along an aligned peripheral edge to form an envelope. A first envelope portion houses the cathode having the uncovered portion of the cathode current collector spaced from the crease and a second envelope portion houses the anode. The first envelope portion is sealed to the second envelope portion through the uncovered perforations of the cathode current collector to lock the anode aligned with the cathode. The anode and cathode are then wound into a jellyroll electrode assembly housed in a cylindrical casing and activated with an electrolyte.

Electrochemical cell having a pocket separator design

A method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell is described. A separator sheet segregating the anode from direct contact with the cathode is folded back upon itself along a crease with an upper portion at least partially sealed to a lower portion along an aligned peripheral edge to form an envelope. A first envelope portion houses the cathode having an uncovered portion of the cathode current collector spaced from the crease and a second envelope portion houses the anode. The first envelope portion is sealed to the second envelope portion through uncovered perforations of the cathode current collector to lock the anode aligned with the cathode. The anode and cathode are then wound into a jellyroll electrode assembly housed in a cylindrical casing and activated with an electrolyte.

Method for providing an electrochemical cell having a pocket seperator design

A rod-shaped coupler for connecting a current collector to a terminal pin, is described. The coupler is secured to the entire width of the current collector, preferably the cathode in a cell of a case negative design, and is generally aligned along the longitudinal axis of the electrode assembly. An extension portion of the coupler extends beyond the electrode assembly and is of a hollow, tubular structure crimped or otherwise collapsed into surrounding contact with the terminal pin. The coupler and terminal pin are then welded together. Preferably, the terminal pin is roughened prior to effecting the connection. This method of attachment is suitable for either primary lithium or secondary lithium ion cells, particularly those powering implantable biomedical devices.

Connection for joining a current collector to a terminal pin for a primary lithium or secondary lithium ion electrochemical cell

The present invention provides a new process for attaching the anode lead to the battery case, creating a case negative design. The anode lead is an extension of the anode current collector and is nested between the case and the lid. Excess lead material is ground or cut off and the case to lid seal is achieved by laser/electron beam welding. The new procedure enhances the hermicity of the cell and the new process is applicable to a number of additional applications. This includes primary lithium batteries, implantable batteries, lithium based rechargeable cells, also acid or alkaline based batteries.

Electrode lead to case and header, laser/electron beam welding

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Amherst, NY, United States of America

John Skoumpris