Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Other

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Steven J Specht

Geoffrey Barlow

Christopher J Pulley

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.

Current collector with integral tab for high temperature cell

An improved battery of the type formed of cells stacked in series, each cell comprised of a positive and a negative electrode that contain an electrolyte. The cells are separated from one another by respective bipolar walls. The seal material is affixed to and encapsulates an outer edge of each bipolar wall. The battery preferably also includes a continuous insulating gasket provided around the periphery of each cell. Each gasket opening to a first end and opening to a second end opposite the first end. The first gasket end is in contact with the seal material of a bipolar wall and the second gasket end is in contact with the seal material of another bipolar wall with the electrodes being disposed within the gasket.

Perimeter seal on bipolar walls for use in high temperature molten

A containment for preventing the flow of liquid electrolyte from one cell electrode to adjacent cell electrodes. The battery being of the type formed of cells stacked in series, each cell having a positive electrode and a negative electrode that contain an electrolyte having a melting point lower than the battery operating temperature. Each cell being separated from an adjacent cell by a respective bipolar wall. The containment is comprised of a salt or salt mixture having a higher melting point than the electrolyte. The containment is placed adjacent the periphery of the cell components and may be provided as a packed powder, a fused or melted segment, or a flexible sleeve containing the higher melting point salt.

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Concord, OH, United States of America

Steven J Specht