Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110052968 | BATTERY PACK ASSEMBLY AND RELATED PROCESSES - A battery pack assembly is described. The battery pack assembly includes a plurality of electrochemical cells, wherein the electrochemical cells are isolated from each other by a high temperature electrically insulating coating applied to an outer surface of each electrochemical cell. Methods for providing electrical isolation between individual electrochemical cells are also described. | 03-03-2011 |
20110206980 | ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE AND SYSTEM - An energy storage device includes a housing having an interior surface defining a volume and a plurality of solid electrolyte elements disposed in the volume. Each solid electrolyte element has a first surface that defines at least a portion of a first, cathodic chamber, and a second surface that defines a second, anodic chamber. A plurality of individual anodic chambers are thus provided, at least one of which is evacuated below atmospheric pressure. A majority of anodic chambers can be spaced from one another in a manner that provides a substantially uniform reaction rate throughout the cathodic chamber. The housing and the plurality of solid electrolyte elements together may be configured to define a second volume devoid of solid electrolyte elements and that is sufficient in size to accommodate a desired number of solid electrolyte elements and to provide an accessible cathodic chamber filling point and that is further sufficient in size to alter the volume of the cathodic chamber with respect to the volume of the plurality of anodic chambers to achieve a desired volumetric ratio between the cathodic and anodic chambers. | 08-25-2011 |
20110206984 | PRESEALED ANODE TUBE - A pre-sealed anode tube assembly for a sodium-metal-halide energy storage device includes an anode tube and a feed-through current collector assembly at least partially sealed within the anode tube. The pre-sealed anode tube assembly can be independently transported prior to being integrated with a desired sodium-metal-halide energy storage device. | 08-25-2011 |
20110236743 | ELECTROLYTE SEPARATOR AND METHOD OF MAKING THE ELECTROLYTE SEPARATOR - An electrolyte separator structure is provided. The electrolyte separator structure comprises a graded integral structure, wherein the structure comprises an ion-conducting first ceramic at a first end and an electrically insulating second ceramic at a second end, wherein the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion of the ion-conducting first ceramic and the electrically insulating second ceramic is less than or equal to about 5 parts per million per degrees Centigrade, and wherein at least one of the first ceramic or the second ceramic comprises a strengthening agent. Method of making the ion-separator structure is provided. Electrochemical cells comprising the ion-separator structure and method of making the electrochemical cell using the ion-separator structure are also provided. | 09-29-2011 |
20110244303 | Metalized Ceramic and Associated Method - A metalized ceramic comprising a ceramic substrate comprising a first ceramic and a ceramic metallization layer disposed on the ceramic substrate. The ceramic metallization layer comprises a mixture of (i) a second ceramic and (ii) a metal comprising nickel or a refractory metal. The refractory metal may consist one or more of molybdenum, tungsten, niobium and tantalum. The first ceramic and the second ceramic have a purity of greater than about 95 percent. A method of making the metalized ceramic is provided. An electrochemical cell including the metalized ceramic is also provided. | 10-06-2011 |
20120301768 | BATTERY CELL DESIGN AND METHOD OF COOLING BATTERY CELLS - The battery cell design includes a battery cell component comprises a current conducting element, that includes at least a portion that is hollow, further component is configured to be located within a battery cell. Another embodiment of the component comprises a first element that defines a first fluid path therein; and a second element that defines a second fluid path, wherein the two fluid paths are in communication with each other, further wherein the battery cell component is configured to conduct electric current. A battery cell and battery cell assembly that uses the component, and a method of cooling a battery assembly is also disclosed. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims. | 11-29-2012 |
20130004828 | ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS, AND RELATED DEVICES - An electrochemical cell is presented. The cell includes a housing having an interior surface defining a volume, and an elongated, ion-conducting separator disposed in the volume. The separator usually extends in a vertical direction relative to a base of the housing, so as to define a height dimension of the cell. The separator has a first circumferential surface defining a portion of a first compartment. The cell further includes a shim structure disposed between the interior surface and the first circumferential surface of the separator. The structure includes at least two shims. Each shim has a circumferential surface generally parallel to the other, and generally parallel to the first circumferential surface of the separator. An energy storage device including such an electrochemical cell is also provided. | 01-03-2013 |
20130084486 | ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS INCLUDING A CONDUCTIVE MATRIX - An electrochemical cell includes an outer housing, a separator for separating an anode material from a cathode material, wherein the separator is disposed in the outer housing. The electrochemical cell also includes a conductive thin sheet disposed around an outer circumference of the separator, wherein the conductive thin sheet is disposed such that it allows passage of the anode material between the separator and the conductive thin sheet. The electrochemical cell further includes a conductive matrix disposed between, and in contact with, the conductive thin sheet and the outer housing. | 04-04-2013 |
20130153185 | BATTERY CELL DESIGN AND METHOD OF COOLING BATTERY CELLS - The battery cell design includes a battery cell component comprises a current conducting element, that includes at least a portion that is hollow, further component is configured to be located within a battery cell. Another embodiment of the component comprises a first element that defines a first fluid path therein; and a second element that defines a second fluid path, wherein the two fluid paths are in communication with each other, further wherein the battery cell component is configured to conduct electric current. A battery cell and battery cell assembly that uses the component, and a method of cooling a battery assembly is also disclosed. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims. | 06-20-2013 |
20130157088 | BATTERY CELL DESIGN AND METHOD OF COOLING BATTERY CELLS - The battery cell design includes a battery cell component comprises a current conducting element, that includes at least a portion that is hollow, further component is configured to be located within a battery cell. Another embodiment of the component comprises a first element that defines a first fluid path therein; and a second element that defines a second fluid path, wherein the two fluid paths are in communication with each other, further wherein the battery cell component is configured to conduct electric current. A battery cell and battery cell assembly that uses the component, and a method of cooling a battery assembly is also disclosed. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims. | 06-20-2013 |
20130224561 | BRAZE COMPOSITIONS, AND RELATED ARTICLES AND METHODS - A braze alloy composition for sealing a ceramic component to a metal component in an electrochemical cell is presented. The braze alloy composition includes nickel, germanium, and an active metal element. The braze alloy includes germanium in an amount greater than about 5 weight percent, and the active metal element in an amount less than about 10 weight percent. A method for sealing a ceramic component to a metal component in an electrochemical cell and, an electrochemical cell sealed thereby, are also provided. | 08-29-2013 |
20130309544 | ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS, AND RELATED ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES - An electrochemical cell is presented. The cell includes a housing having an interior surface defining a volume, and an elongated, ion-conducting separator disposed in the volume. The separator usually extends in a vertical direction relative to a base of the housing, so as to define a height dimension of the cell. The separator has a first circumferential surface defining a portion of a first compartment. The cell further includes a shim structure disposed generally parallel to the first circumferential surface of the separator between the interior surface and the first circumferential surface of the separator. The structure includes at least two shims, a first shim and a second shim, that substantially overlap each other. An energy storage device including such an electrochemical cell is also provided. | 11-21-2013 |
20130315659 | METALLIC COMPOSITIONS USEFUL FOR BRAZING, AND RELATED PROCESSES AND DEVICES - A braze alloy composition is disclosed, containing nickel, about 5% to about 40% of at least one refractory metal selected from niobium, tantalum, or molybdenum; about 2% to about 32% chromium; and about 0.5% to about 10% of at least one active metal element. An electrochemical cell that includes two components joined to each other by such a braze composition is also described. A method for joining components such as those within an electrochemical cell is also described. The method includes the step of introducing a braze alloy composition between a first component and a second component to be joined, to form a brazing structure. In many instances, one component is formed of a ceramic, while the other is formed of a metal or metal alloy. | 11-28-2013 |
20130316222 | BRAZE COMPOSITIONS, AND RELATED DEVICES - A braze alloy composition for sealing a ceramic component to a metal component in an electrochemical cell is presented. The braze alloy composition includes copper, nickel, and an active metal element. The braze alloy includes nickel in an amount less than about 30 weight percent, and the active metal element in an amount less than about 10 weight percent. An electrochemical cell using the braze alloy for sealing a ceramic component to a metal component in the cell is also provided. | 11-28-2013 |
20130316226 | BRAZE COMPOSITIONS, AND RELATED DEVICES - A braze alloy composition for sealing a ceramic component to a metal component in an electrochemical cell is presented. The braze alloy composition includes nickel, silicon, boron, and an active metal element. The braze alloy includes nickel in an amount greater than about 50 weight percent, and the active metal element in an amount less than about 10 weight percent. An electrochemical cell using the braze alloy for sealing a ceramic component to a metal component in the cell is also provided. | 11-28-2013 |
20140356681 | BRAZING STRUCTURE, AND RELATED PROCESSES AND DEVICES - A brazing structure for an electrochemical cell is described. It includes a nickel or nickel alloy component; a ceramic component; a braze alloy layer, containing an active metal element, between the nickel and the ceramic component, and a barrier layer disposed between the nickel layer and the braze alloy layer. The barrier layer is capable of preventing or minimizing the diffusion of the active metal element into the nickel or nickel alloy component. Electrochemical cells that include such a brazing structure are also described, as are related methods for joining nickel components to ceramic components in the manufacture of thermal batteries. | 12-04-2014 |
20140356682 | HIGH TEMPERATURE ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL STRUCTURES, AND METHODS FOR MAKING - An electrochemical cell is described, including an anodic chamber and a cathodic chamber separated by an electrolyte separator tube, all contained within a cell case. The cell also includes an electrically insulating ceramic collar positioned at an opening of the cathodic chamber, and defining an aperture in communication with the opening; along with a cathode current collector assembly; and at least one metallic ring that has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in the range of about 3 to about 7.5 ppm/° C., contacting at least a portion of a metallic component within the cell, and an adjacent ceramic component. An active braze alloy composition attaches and hermetically seals the ring to the metallic component and the collar. Sodium metal halide batteries that contain this type of cell are also described, along with methods for sealing structures within the cell. | 12-04-2014 |