Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated

Rockwell International Corporation

Richard C Saunders

Norman C Miller

A compact modular electrical energy storage device comprising one or more cell modules in which certain components of the device are maintained in a substantially fixed position in the device by utilizing a resilient porous body of compressed carbon fibers to resiliently urge the components into physical contact with one another. The invention further provides means for maintaining the cell components in such fixed position during cell operation at elevated temperatures for extended periods of time. A preferred compact cell module construction particularly suitable for use in a high-temperature, high-energy-density lithium battery includes two positive electrode assemblies positoned in opposing relationship by a U-shaped spacer member maintained in contact with a separator member of each positive electrode assembly by a resilient porous body of compressed graphite fibers, a unitary double-faced negative electrode assembly being positioned between the two positive electrode assemblies.

Modular electrical energy storage device

A compact modular electrical energy storage device comprising one or more cell modules in which certain components of the device are maintained in a substantially fixed position in the device by utilizing a resilient porous body of compressed carbon fibers to resiliently urge the components into physical contact with one another. The invention further provides means for maintaining the cell components in such fixed position during cell operation at elevated temperatures for extended periods of time. A preferred compact cell module construction particularly suitable for use in a high-temperature, high-energy-density lithium battery includes two positive electrode assemblies positioned in opposing relationship by a U-shaped spacer member maintained in contact with a separator member of each positive electrode assembly by a resilient porous body of compressed graphite fibers, a unitary double-faced negative electrode assembly being positioned between the two positive electrode assemblies.

A bonded electrical contact and method for a thermoelectric element. A thin layer of a ductile diffusion barrier, which is non-poisonous to thermoelectric materials, such as iron, tungsten, molybdenum, or niobium, is disposed between the thermoelectric material and a contacting shoe, such as stainless steel, which has poisonous alloy constituents. The thermal expansion coefficient of the diffusion barrier, which does not match that of the thermoelectric material, is overridden by that of the shoe, whose coefficient does correspond with that of such high expansion thermoelectrics as the telluriden.

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Simi, CA, United States of America

Richard C Saunders