General Electric Company

Moltech Power Systems, Inc.

Other

Gates Energy Products, Inc.

Paul E Pate

William C Thibault

John W Hooke

Raymond K Sugalski

A seal and method of sealing for use in electrochemical cells and similar devices. A preformed seal assembly is produced by insert-molding a seal element about a cell cover plate. By preforming the seal element, a more effective seal geometry is produced. In particular, the seal element is formed with a low profile seal flange on the outer face of the cover plate. One benefit of this lower profile is to assist in increasing the effective capacity of the associated cell. Another benefit of the preformed seal element is that it is not necessary to grossly deform the seal element during cell assembly in order to capture the cover plate. This enables use of more desired seal materials such as amorphous polymers, particularly polysulfone. To improve the effectiveness of the seal, a seal flange and shoulder portions, between which the cover plate is captured, are each axially compressed to increase the leakage path and reduce cold flow of the seal element. The end of the cell container wall is bent inward to form a flange that is permanently biased against the seal flange to establish axial compression. The invention provides an improved method of cell assembly by reducing the seal element and cover plate to a single assembly prior to introduction in a cell. This simplifies cell fabrication and reduces waste due to improper assembly.

Seal for electrochemical cell

A safety vent is provided for incorporation into sealed electrochemical cells. The vent is particularly applicable to cells experiencing transient conditions producing pressures above 250 psi (17.6 kg/cm.sup.2). By configuring a cover plate to plastically deform at elevated pressures, an increased venting area can be produced. The increased venting area allows for venting of solid matter which may be forced into vent holes during high temperatures and pressures. Effective plastic deformation is obtained by proper selection of a ductile material and cover plate thickness. By ensuring that vent clogging does not occur, pressures are limited and the integrity of the cell is maintained. By incorporating this vent into a cell, methods of successfully passing industry standard test procedures for secondary cells are provided. The vent also includes an elastomeric sealing element which is captured between the cover plate and a rigid upper plate. The upper plate has a skirt that covers the sealing element but is lifted out of the way of vented matter by the deforming cover plate. Testing of example nickel-metal hydride based Cs cells demonstrate successful survival of a 'hot plate' and 'continuous overcharge' test procedures. The invention includes cells having increased safety by incorporation of the novel vent structure.

Electrochemical cell safety vent

An electrochemical cell and method of making same are provided wherein the electrochemical cell includes a radial sealing function effected by the combination of a seal comprised of an amorphous polymer and a cell container wall having a stiffening rib on one axial side of the seal and a lip on the other side of the seal wherein the rib and the lip eliminate springback of the container wall upon removal of the external radial force establishing the compressive sealing forces.

Radial seal for an electrochemical cell and method of making same

Method for sealing a rechargable cell

This invention pertains to a novel resealable pressure relief vent valve for use in normally sealed containers such as sealed electric batteries or cells wherein said vent valve includes an outer plate having a centrally-raised area, an inner plate having a centrally recessed area, said plates joined at their ends and forming a cavity therebetween, and a compressed resilient elastomeric member interposed in the cavity and positioned to overlie a vent orifice located in the inner plate, whereby during normal operation of the battery or cell the elastomeric member seals the vent orifice and when internal container pressure exceeds a predetermined limit, the elastomeric member distorts, breaking the seal and allowing the venting of the cell.

Resealable vent valve for containers such as batteries

This invention pertains to a novel resealable pressure relief vent valve for use in normally sealed containers such as sealed electric batteries or cells wherein said vent valve includes an outer rigid plate, an inner flexible disc forming part of the interior of the container, said disc having one or more vent holes and a compressible rubber disc positioned in partially compressed condition between the outer rigid plate and inner flexible disc and situated over each of said vent holes whereby the inner flexible disc flexes upward breaking its seal over the said holes venting the interior of the container when excessive internal pressures occur.

The specification discloses a building system comprising a plurality of modular elements, each having interlockable edges around the entire periphery thereof. These elements are interlockable, one to the other, to form a completed housing structure. The elements include flat side wall members having an interlockable edge around the entire periphery and curved wall joint members having a cross sectional width wider than the thickness of the joint members such that the longitudinal edges of the wall joint members are moved from the immediate corner thereof. Each curved wall joint member has an interlockable edge around its entire perimeter which interconnects with the interlockable edge of the side members such that an enclosed structure can be formed by selective interconnecting the side members and the curved wall joint members. The roof and flooring are added by the use of flat roof and floor members, each having an interlockable edge around the entire perimeter thereof, curved roof to wall joint members having an interlockable edge around the entire edge perimeter and curved floor to wall joint members having an interlockable edge around their entire perimeter for interconnecting with the edge of the side wall members to connect the roof and floor members to the wall members. The structure is further characterized by curved corner members having interlockable edges around their entire edge boundary for interconnection with the interlocking edges of the end of the curved wall joint members and the roof to wall joint members to form a sealed structure. Both the roof and floor to wall joint members and the curved corner members have an overall cross-sectional width wider than the thickness of the wall of the member such that the edges of these members are removed from the center thereof.

Growing community of inventors

Branford, FL, United States of America

Paul E Pate