Multi-electrode double layer capacitor having single electrolyte seal and aluminum-impregnated carbon cloth electrodes

Abstract

A single cell, multi-electrode high performance double layer capacitor includes an electrode stack adapted to fit within a capacitor container. The electrode stack comprises a plurality of electrodes, each comprising a current collector foil and a carbon cloth impregnated with a specified metal in direct physical contact with the current collector foil. The current collector foils of alternating electrodes are coupled to the first capacitor terminal, and the current collector foils of other alternating electrodes are coupled to the second capacitor terminal. A porous separator material is positioned between each electrode of the electrode stack, and has pores therein through which ions may readily pass while preventing adjacent electrodes from electrically contacting each other. The capacitor case comprises a first part and a second part fastenable to each other to form a sealed capacitor case which has a first capacitor terminal and a second capacitor terminal associated therewith. The electrode stack is maintained under a constant modest pressure within the sealed capacitor case and a prescribed electrolytic solution is sealed within the sealed capacitor case, whereby the electrode stack is saturated and immersed within the electrolytic solution. In one embodiment, the porous separator material comprises a contiguous porous separator sheet that winds throughout the electrode stack in a serpentine manner.