The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 21, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 04, 1997
S Scot Cheu, San Jose, CA (US);
Russell D Moulton, San Jose, CA (US);
Valence Technology, Inc., Henderson, NV (US);
Abstract
The subject invention discloses apparatus and methods to provide compression of an electrochemical cell independent of atmospheric pressure. One aspect of this invention is directed towards a lithium ion cell assembly which is surrounded by a layer of material under tension, so that the material applies pressure which compresses the cell to enhance contact between the anode, separator, and cathode layers. Specifically, a heat shrink material (material which reduces in size, or contracts in at least one dimension of a three-dimensional conformation, due to the application of heat) is provided about a laminar battery and shrunk in situ to provide a battery package. Another embodiment of this invention is directed towards a lithium ion cell asembly in which a sealed package contains both the battery and a spring element. The spring element within the package applies pressure to the battery to compress it and improve contact between the anode, separator, and cathode layers.