CA1173498A - Method for filling electrochemical cells and article - Google Patents
Method for filling electrochemical cells and articleInfo
- Publication number
- CA1173498A CA1173498A CA000403640A CA403640A CA1173498A CA 1173498 A CA1173498 A CA 1173498A CA 000403640 A CA000403640 A CA 000403640A CA 403640 A CA403640 A CA 403640A CA 1173498 A CA1173498 A CA 1173498A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cell
- open end
- pressurized
- current collector
- anode
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 31
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 63
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 239000011244 liquid electrolyte Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 33
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 30
- RAHZWNYVWXNFOC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulphur dioxide Chemical compound O=S=O RAHZWNYVWXNFOC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 19
- WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lithium Chemical compound [Li] WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000002788 crimping Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052744 lithium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 abstract description 54
- 230000003405 preventing effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000001603 reducing effect Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 210000004027 cell Anatomy 0.000 description 131
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 16
- 239000000443 aerosol Substances 0.000 description 13
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 9
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 6
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000003380 propellant Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229910052784 alkaline earth metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 4
- WEVYAHXRMPXWCK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetonitrile Chemical compound CC#N WEVYAHXRMPXWCK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000011324 bead Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical class O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- WYURNTSHIVDZCO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tetrahydrofuran Chemical compound C1CCOC1 WYURNTSHIVDZCO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000003513 alkali Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000001342 alkaline earth metals Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052736 halogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 2
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- SFNPDDSJBGRXLW-UHFFFAOYSA-N (3-methylsulfanylbutan-2-ylideneamino) n-methylcarbamate Chemical compound CNC(=O)ON=C(C)C(C)SC SFNPDDSJBGRXLW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- RYHBNJHYFVUHQT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,4-Dioxane Chemical compound C1COCCO1 RYHBNJHYFVUHQT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- VOXZDWNPVJITMN-ZBRFXRBCSA-N 17β-estradiol Chemical group OC1=CC=C2[C@H]3CC[C@](C)([C@H](CC4)O)[C@@H]4[C@@H]3CCC2=C1 VOXZDWNPVJITMN-ZBRFXRBCSA-N 0.000 description 1
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002841 Lewis acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 208000036366 Sensation of pressure Diseases 0.000 description 1
- NJVHJTQSGGRHGP-UHFFFAOYSA-K [Li].[Al+3].[Cl-].[Cl-].[Cl-] Chemical compound [Li].[Al+3].[Cl-].[Cl-].[Cl-] NJVHJTQSGGRHGP-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 description 1
- 150000001299 aldehydes Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000001408 amides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000012298 atmosphere Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006229 carbon black Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000001787 dendrite Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000012777 electrically insulating material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002148 esters Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000002170 ethers Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000005429 filling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920002313 fluoropolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000002309 gasification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910002804 graphite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010439 graphite Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003049 inorganic solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002576 ketones Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000007517 lewis acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000002825 nitriles Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000003960 organic solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000704 physical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000136 polysorbate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001343 polytetrafluoroethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004810 polytetrafluoroethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 1
- RUOJZAUFBMNUDX-UHFFFAOYSA-N propylene carbonate Chemical compound CC1COC(=O)O1 RUOJZAUFBMNUDX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- CMXPERZAMAQXSF-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium;1,4-bis(2-ethylhexoxy)-1,4-dioxobutane-2-sulfonate;1,8-dihydroxyanthracene-9,10-dione Chemical compound [Na+].O=C1C2=CC=CC(O)=C2C(=O)C2=C1C=CC=C2O.CCCCC(CC)COC(=O)CC(S([O-])(=O)=O)C(=O)OCC(CC)CCCC CMXPERZAMAQXSF-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- YLQBMQCUIZJEEH-UHFFFAOYSA-N tetrahydrofuran Natural products C=1C=COC=1 YLQBMQCUIZJEEH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000008016 vaporization Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010792 warming Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
- H01M50/60—Arrangements or processes for filling or topping-up with liquids; Arrangements or processes for draining liquids from casings
- H01M50/609—Arrangements or processes for filling with liquid, e.g. electrolytes
- H01M50/618—Pressure control
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
- Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Secondary Cells (AREA)
- Sealing Battery Cases Or Jackets (AREA)
Abstract
METHOD FOR FILLING ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS AND ARTICLE
ABSTRACT
A method for filling an electrochemical cell can with a pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or a liquid depolarizer. The method includes disposing an electrochemical cell system within a cell can having an open end, loosely positioning means for temporarily sealing the cell can between the open end of the cell can and the electrochemical cell system, and redu-cing the diameter of the open end of the cell can thereby confining the temporary sealing means between the electrochemical cell system and the open end of the cell can. The pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer is introduced into the cell can. After the cell can is filled some of the electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer vaporizes.
The resulting gas forces the temporary sealing means into temporary sealing engagement with the narrowed end of the cell can thereby substantially pre-venting loss of electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer from the cell can before the cell can is capped and permanently sealed.
ABSTRACT
A method for filling an electrochemical cell can with a pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or a liquid depolarizer. The method includes disposing an electrochemical cell system within a cell can having an open end, loosely positioning means for temporarily sealing the cell can between the open end of the cell can and the electrochemical cell system, and redu-cing the diameter of the open end of the cell can thereby confining the temporary sealing means between the electrochemical cell system and the open end of the cell can. The pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer is introduced into the cell can. After the cell can is filled some of the electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer vaporizes.
The resulting gas forces the temporary sealing means into temporary sealing engagement with the narrowed end of the cell can thereby substantially pre-venting loss of electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer from the cell can before the cell can is capped and permanently sealed.
Description
l 17349~
FIELD OF T~ VENTION
The invention relates to electrochemical cells which are encased in containers of the type which are used in the aerosol industry and more particu]arly to a method of filling these cells.
BACKGROUND OF THE I~VE~TION
It has previously been discovered that electrical devices including electrochemical cells can be constructed using the technology of the aerosol industry. This discovery ls set forth in United States Patents Nos.
4,136,438 and 4,052,537 issued on January 30, 1979 and October 4, 1977, respectively.
Aerosol type cells are formed by placing an electrochemical cell system, including an anode and a cathode, into a cell can having an open end and introducing an electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer into the cell. The rim of the open end of the cell can is rolled inwardly into the shape of a torus. A cover having a lip portion that conforms generally to the shape of the torus is crimped radially outwardly beneath the torus to hold the cover on the end of the can and to seal the cell. An insulating ` material, disposed over the underside of the lip portion prior to crimping, insulates the cover from the can in the completed cell.
Aerosol technology has been found to be particularly well suited for manufacturing cells containing a pressurized, normally gaseous, liquefied electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer due to the many similarities between the physical properties of the preferred electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer (i.e. sulfur dioxide (S02~) and the propellants generally used in aerosol devices. Both types of materials are gases at room tempera-ture and atmospheric pressure but are mixtures of pressurized gas and liquid within the aerosol container. Both can easily be liquefied by moderate pressure alone, moderate cooling alone or a combination of the ~wo. Bo~h cooling and the amount of pressure required for the liquefication of the , ~ ~73~lg~ M-3527 electrolyte solvent and/or depolarizer and the ~erosol propellants are easily achieved by known equipment. However, problems have arisen in the filling of the cell cans with the pressurized liqu$d electrolyte and/or liquid depolari-zer and in the subsequent capping of the cell cans.
Aerosol device& are generally filled and capped within a sealed chamber. Filling and capping equipment is not usually affected by the aerosol propellants since the generally used propellants (such as fluorinated hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide or low boiling point hydrocarbons) are inert to the equipment used for filling and capping the aerosol cans. Liquid elec-trolyte solvents and/or liquid depolarizers, such as sulfur dioxide, however, can be corrosive. As a result, the interior of the filling chamber itself and the capping equipment within the filling chamber, which are not affected by ordinary propellants, may be corroded by the liquid electrolyte solvents and/or liquid depolarizers such as the sulfur dioxide used in electrochemical cells.
One method of filling the cell so that the capping procedure can be performed outside of the filling chamber (as disclosed in V.S. Patent No.
4,052,537) with the capping equipment being removed from the corrosive atmos-phere of the filling chamber is by chilling the gaseous electrolyte solvent ;20 and/or depolarizer material until it ~s a liquid and filling the container with the chilled liquid. Since the cold liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer will remain a liquid until its temperature rises above its boiling point and the initial temperature can be controlled so that this tem-perature is not exceeded during normal filling and capping procedures, cap-ping can be performed outside of the filling chamber. A drawback of this method is that once the liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer is in the cell can, it, without additional cooling, begins to absorb heat from the environment. The warming liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer may begin to vaporize iE capping is not completed with the pre~
~0 calculated time available for filling and capping. Further, the process of using chilled liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer to fill --3~
~ 3~9a M-3527 cell cans requires fir~t chilling and then maintaining the liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer within the filllng apparatus at a suffi-ciently low temperature to avoid gasification of the liquid therein. Such chilling is expensive, requiring costly equipment and large energy expendi-tures. Condensation further adds to the complexity and cost of the filling process.
THE INVENTION
A method has now been discovered for filling aerosol type electro-chemical cell cans with a prescurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer. The method comprises placing an electrochemical cell system, which includes an anode and a cathode,into a cell can. Means for temporarily sealing the cell can after filling is loosely positioned between the open end of the cell can and the electrochemical cell system. The dia-meter of ehe open end of the cell can i8 narrowed thereby confining the tem-porary sealing means in the space between the open end of the cell can and the electrochemical cell system. Within a suitable filling chamber, air is evacuated from the cell can and a pressurized liquefied electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer, which is normally a gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, is introduced into the cell can. After the desired quantity of pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolariæer has been introd~ced into the cell can gome of the pressurized liquid elec-trolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer therein is permitted to become gaseous and the resulting gas pressure forces the temporary sealing means into a sealing relationship with the narrowed end of the cell can. Liquid pressurized electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer continues ~o become gaseous within the temporarily sealed cell can until equilibrium is reached.
The temporary sealing means is preferably sufficiently resilient so that when it is ~rged against the narrowed end of the cell can by the gas pressure within the cell can, the means readily conforms to the surface of ` ~ ~ 7 311g ~ M-3527 "
...
.
the narrowed end of the cell c~n therèby forming a gas tight seal between the means and the narrowed end of the cell csn. The temporary seal substantially prevents loss of the pressurized liquid slectrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer from the cell csn whereby the cell can may be permanently sealed, as by capping, outside of the filling chamber. During capping there is only a slight exposure of the capping equipment to the corrosive gas evolved from the pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer, since the temporary sealing means is only displaced from its sealing position by capping for a very short period of time resulting in the release of a minute quantity of gas from the cell can before final sealing by the cap. Since the ; capping equipment can be located outside of the filling chamber, the interior volume of the filling chamber is kept to a minimum thereby resulting in a minimal surface area of the chamber exposed to the corrosive gas evolved from the pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer an~ a minimal quantity of gas is required to be removed from the filling chamber.
In the method of the present invention, the steps of placing the sealing means in the open end of the cell can, narrswing the cell can ? and introducing the pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depo-; larizer do not have to occur in any specific sequence. The sealing means can be placed into the open end of the cell can before or after the cell can is narrowed and the liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer can be introduced into the cell container anytime before the cell container is capped.
The means for temporarily sealing the cell generally has a peri-meter which is substantially the ~ame configuration as the opening of the container. The means is generally somewhat larger than the opening of the ; container, but smaller than the interior of the container. This per~its the pressurlzed liquid ~electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer to be introduced between the sealing member and the wall of the container and permits the member to readily sealingly engage the complete ~erimeter of the narrowed end of the cell can thereby forming a temporary but substantially complete seal between the sealing member and the narrowed end of the cell can. ~
' _.e `--~ 173~9~ M-3527 The te~porary sealing member can compri6e a slngle material or alternatlvely ~ composite of several materials with each adding desired ~ualities to the ~ember. The member can have a unlform cross section or can have a non-uniform one adaptéd to best perform the desired functions of the member.
The sealing member can include reinforcing ribs along the underside (facing the electrochemical cell system) of the member. The ribs permit use of a thinner member or one made of a more flexible material than could other-wise be used. Generally, unreinforced, overly thin or overly flexible members would be e~ected from the cell can after it is filled by the gas pressure within the cell. The same result can also be achieved by forming a raised lip or bead along the perimeter of the member. The raised lip or bead grips the portion of the torus or other narrowed part of the cell can facing the electrochemical system and holds the member in place within the cell can when gas pressure is applied to the member. The ribs, lip or bead can be integrally formed from the same materlal as the member, or can be adhered to or otherw~se attached to the member. Alternatively, the member can be reinforced by an annular ring or washer which may be adhered to the member.
The washer prevents the member from being e~ected from the cell can.
~20 A layer of material can be disposed on or near the portion of the member facing the narrowed end of the cell can to improve the seal between the member and the bottom surface of the torus. Such a layer may be neces-sary if the material from which the member is formed does not form an accep-table seal with the torus. The added material can be a rubber or other similar flexible material, inert to the electrolyte and other components of the cell, which can form a gas tight seal with the torus.
In the embodiment of the filling method wherein the member is placed into the cell can after its open end is narrowed, the member should be sufficiently deformable or flexible BO as to pass through the narrowed end of .
34sa ,, --the cell can when inserted~ but sufficiently rigid that it not be e~ected from the cell can after pressurlzation. Such a member can be formed Erom a single material or a composite of materials which are sufficiently flexible to be deformed for installation into the cell can without damage, but be sufficlently rigid so as not to be e~ected by the subsequent pressure within the cell can. A ~ember having such properties can also comprise one of the herein disclosed materials or a flexible loop or lip of greater perim~ter than the inside perimeter of the narrowed end of the cell can, comblned with a layer of ilexible material completely bridging the loop or lip. ~le peri-meter of the loop or lip can be temporarily reduced so that the member can be inserted through the narrowed open end of the cell can, but after insertion, the loop or lip regains its original shape. When the cell can is pressurized the loop or lip portion of the member contacts the surface of the narrowed end of the cell can holding the member in place in the cell can.
; The temporary sealing member can be made using other materials and manufacturing techniques not disclosed here n. Such other members are also within the broad scope of the present invention.
The preferred temporary sealing member, is made of a somewhatresilient material inert to the other components of the cell and sufficiently ~0 rigid and thick to maintain the sealing relationship with the narrowed end of the cell can when subjected to the gas pressure within the cell produced by the pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer. Seal-ing members not sufficiently rigid may be spontaneously ejected from the cell can or may flex sufficiently to weaken the seal and permit liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer leakage. Materials for use as the pre-ferred sealing member include polymeric plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene and fluoroplastics such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The requisite dimensions of the sealing member are determined by the size of the cell opening (as a rule larger openings require thlcker sealing members) and the type of material used. Since the preferred pressurized liquid electro-lyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer, sulfur dioxide (S02), remains a liquid at room temperature when kept at a pressure of about 35 kilograms per ~-3527 ~ :1 73~9~
,`,, .
square centimeter, the seali~g ~nember should be able to remain in sealing ;.
relationshlp with the narrowed open end of the cell at least at such a ~: pressure.
A preferred electrochemical cell systen structure for use with the method of the present invention includes a convolutely wound anode and cathode electrodes with a separator therebetween. An anode or cathode cur-....
rent collector is preferably used in the electrochemical cell system. Thecurrent collector pro~ects out from the wound electrodes towards the open end of the cell can and supports the temporary sealing member loosely in place above the wound electrodes prior to and during filling.
In such embodimene, when the cell is subsequently capped, the cap itself forces the current collector through the sealing member and into elec-trical contact with the cap. By electrically connecting either the anode or , cathode to the current collector and the other to the cell can, the cap and cell can may be used as cell terminals. An insulator between the cell can ~; and cap prevents short circuiting between the tenninals.
~; In the preferred embodiments wherein a current collector is used which is forced through the temporary sealing member on capping, the sealing member should be comprised of a material, in the requisite dimensions, which provides the required seal at the required pressures and additionally is readily penetrated by the current collector on capping. The sealing member may be thinned, scored or the like in the area where the current collector is to penetrate to ease such penetration.
Alternatively the current collector can be in the form of a tube, a nail, a flat strip or bent strip of metal with the end of the current collec-tor near the sealing member, being pointed or sharpened to facilitate its subsequent penetration of the member.
The current collector used in the preferred method of the present invention should be conductive, and of sufficient length to make electrical contact with the cover after capping. Further, the current collector should ' ~ ~"
1 17349~
`. .
. ., ~ be sufficiently rLgid so as to penetrate the sealing member without itself :..
:~ .
being damaged.
The invention will be better understood from the following dis-i cussion of the drawings which are intended 601ely to illust~ate one embodi-ment of the invention.
.
BRIEF DESCRIP_ION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a partial cross section of a cell can before the open end thereof is narrowed.
Figure 2 is a partial cross section of the cell can after filling ; 10 and prior to capping.
, Figure 3 is a partial cross section of the cell can after capping.
: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWIN~7S
Figures 1-3 illustrate the method of the present invention. A cell can 10 is shown in Figure 1 containing a preferred electrochemical cell system comprised of an anode 12, a cathode 14, and a separator 16 therebe-, ~ tween which are convolutely wound around an anode current collector 18. A
temporary sealing member 20, supported by the current collector 18, is shown in place below the open end of the cell can 10. The diameter of the ~ealing member 20 is less than the inner diameter of the cell can 10.
The open end of the cell can 10 shown in Figure 1 is narrowed by inwardly curling the open end of the cell can 10 into a torus 22, as shown in Figure 2. The cell can 10 is evacuated and is filled with a pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer within a filling chamber (or through the use of a filling head) (not shown). The pressurized elec-trolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer is introduced into the cell can 10 between the sealing member 20 and the torus 22 from a nozzle, tube or the like. After a metered quantity of the pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer has been added to the evacuated cell can 10 and the filling completed, some of the pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or ., ¦~ M-3527 I;...
`''`' ~ 173~g8 .., .;.
, ...
liquid depolari~er withlD the cell can lO vaporizes forming a gas, and forces the sealing member 20 up against the bot~om of the torus 22 thereby :~; temporarily sealing the cell can 10 shown in Figure 2. The pressurized ,i liquid electrolyte solven~ and/or liquid depolari~er 26 continues to evapor-~ ate within the cell can 10 increasing the pressure therein until equilibrium , .,:
is reached. The seal for~ed by the se~ling member 20 and torus 22 substan-tislly prevents loss of gaseous or liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer 26 from the cell can 10 during subsequent permanent sealing of the cell can lO.
; lO The cell can lO is thereafter capped by a cover assembly 28 shown , separated in Figure 2. The cover assembly ~8 includes an electrically con ',r,~ ductive cover 30 and an electrically insulating material 32 disposed on the underside of a lip portion 34 of the cover assembly 28. The cover 30 also includes a hollow cup portion 36 which mates with the current collector 18.
The cell can 10 is capped by forcing the cover assembly 28 down ~; onto the open end thereof. As the cover assembly 28 is pressed onto the cell i can 10, the sealing member 20 is pressed against the current collector 18 ' until it penetrates and passes through the sealing member 20 into the cup ~;
r' portion 36 of the cover assembly 28. The current collector 18 i5 friction-ally engaged with the cap 36 to mechanically hold th m together and elec-trically connect the cap 30 to the current collector 18.
When the current collector 18 has a cross section similar to that of the cup portion 36, that portion 37 of the sealing member above the current collector 18 can be separated from the sealing member on capping and remain in place between the top of the current collector 18 and the cup portion 36 as shown in Figure 3. However, if the cross section of the current collector is smaller or of a different shape than the cup portion 36, or if the current collector is a flat or bent strip of metal (not shown) having a very small ~; cross section, the current collector may simply pierce the sealing member without detaching any portion thereof.
:~
i: --10--,i r`,:
1 7 3 4 9 ~
.,.
After the cover ass~mbly 28 is in place, the lip 34 of the cover assenbly 28 is ~rimped over the open end of the cell can 10 by an expanding .....
~, collet type crimplng or similar machine. The insulative material 32 dis~
posed on the under6ide of the cover assembly electrically separates the cell ~' ; can 10 from the closure assembly 28. Further, the insulative material 32 seals the completed cell and prevent loss of gaseous or l$quid electrolyte solvent and/or depolarizer 26, the temporary sealing member 20, as shown in . .
~, the completed cell in Figure 3, having been moved from its temporary sealing position by the capping. The sealing member 20 thereafter performs a second .~ function by preventing shorting between either the anode 12 or cathode 14, and the cell clDsure 28 which can otherwise occur from loose conductive particles, dendrites or the like within the cell.
In a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention .
the cell can 10 is formed from aluminum due to its nonmagnetic properties and its good workability. Other metals, such as stainless steel, may, however, also be used in the cell can 10.
A preferred cell can 10 for use with the method of the present ,r, ~ invention is substantially cylindrical in shape and has a diameter of 3.8 '. centimeters which is similar to the standard "D" cell. The length of the cell can 10 may vary widely. However, preferred lengths are the same as or O twice that of the "Di' cell. These dimensions not only permit the use of aerosol technology and manufacturing equipment in forming and filling the cell but also permit cells manufactured using aerosol technology to be em-J. ~ ployed in many devices without modification of the devices. The method of , ;~ the present invent:Lon is also appl$cable to filling aerosol cells having . other dimensions.
The torus 22, which is generall~ formed after the electrochemical ~`; cell system and sealing member 20 are introduced into the cell can 10, may be formed by a punch press which curls the edge of the open end of the cell can 10 inwardly. The torus 22 for the preferred "D" cell sized can 10, is sub-~ 173~9~
stantially clrcular, h~s a 2.5 centimeters inner diameter, and has a ring shaped cross fiect~on which is about 3.2 milllmeter6 in diameter.
The temporary sealing member 20 used with the preferred "D" cell can 10 comprises ~ substantially circular disc which has a diameter of 3.3 centimeters, is 0.5 millimeters thick, and i6 made of polypropylene. Such a sealing member has been found to effectively seal the "D" cell can and is readily penetrated by the current collector.
The cell can may be filled with the pres6urized liquid electrolyte solvent andlor liquid depolarizer through ~he use of aerosol industry equip-ment designed for use wlth corrosive pressurized liquids. A preferred apparatus includes a filling head which sealingly engages the torus or out-side of the open end of the cell can. The equipment evacuates the cell can through the filling head and then introduces the pressurized liquid elec-trolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer from ~n aperture or nozzle in the filling head into the cell can. During the filling operation the sealing member remains in place on the current collector. aowever, after the cell can is filled with pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent andlor liquid depolarizer, and the filling head is disengaged from the cell can, gas pres-sure resulting from vaporizing pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or ~20 liquid depolarizer within the cell below the sealing member forces it into sealing relationship with the torus.
The preferred electrochemical cell system depicted in the Figures and employed with the method of the present invention includes an acti~e metal as the anode 12. The preferred active metal is an alkali or alkaline earth metal such as lithium. The cathode 14 used wi~h the pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent andlor liquid depolari2er is preferably formed by apply-ing a mixture of an inert and electrically conductive material such as carbon black, graphite, or other electrical conductors of high surface area with binding agents, onto a conductive screen (not ~hown). The cathode 14 is generally connected to the cell can lO`~not shown) making the cell can 10 one terminal of the cell.
. ,, _ 34~a . . .
The separator6 16, between ad~acent layers of anode 12 and cathode 14 preferably comprise a porous plastic material s~ch as porous polypro-` pylene. Other porous materials such as fibrous glass mats are also useful.
The preferred pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer useful with the method of the present invention is sulfur dioxide (S02). Nonaqueous inorganic or organic solvents, which do not detrimentally react with the anode, cathode and pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent , and/or liquid depolarizer can also be used in addi~ion to the sulfur dioxide.
Such solvents include esters, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, nitriles and amides. Preferred additional solvents include acetonitrile, propylene carbonate, tetrahydrofuran and dioxane.
Useful electrolyte solutes dissolved in the pressurized liquid ' electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer include halogen salts of the alkali and alkaline earth metals. Other metal halogen salts and other Lewis acids such as lithium tetrachloroaluminat~, lithium hexafluorophosphate, and lithium aluminum chloride, to list only a few, are also useful.
It is understood that the above Figures and description are illus-trative only and are not meant to limit the invention. Changes and varia-tions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.
, '
FIELD OF T~ VENTION
The invention relates to electrochemical cells which are encased in containers of the type which are used in the aerosol industry and more particu]arly to a method of filling these cells.
BACKGROUND OF THE I~VE~TION
It has previously been discovered that electrical devices including electrochemical cells can be constructed using the technology of the aerosol industry. This discovery ls set forth in United States Patents Nos.
4,136,438 and 4,052,537 issued on January 30, 1979 and October 4, 1977, respectively.
Aerosol type cells are formed by placing an electrochemical cell system, including an anode and a cathode, into a cell can having an open end and introducing an electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer into the cell. The rim of the open end of the cell can is rolled inwardly into the shape of a torus. A cover having a lip portion that conforms generally to the shape of the torus is crimped radially outwardly beneath the torus to hold the cover on the end of the can and to seal the cell. An insulating ` material, disposed over the underside of the lip portion prior to crimping, insulates the cover from the can in the completed cell.
Aerosol technology has been found to be particularly well suited for manufacturing cells containing a pressurized, normally gaseous, liquefied electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer due to the many similarities between the physical properties of the preferred electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer (i.e. sulfur dioxide (S02~) and the propellants generally used in aerosol devices. Both types of materials are gases at room tempera-ture and atmospheric pressure but are mixtures of pressurized gas and liquid within the aerosol container. Both can easily be liquefied by moderate pressure alone, moderate cooling alone or a combination of the ~wo. Bo~h cooling and the amount of pressure required for the liquefication of the , ~ ~73~lg~ M-3527 electrolyte solvent and/or depolarizer and the ~erosol propellants are easily achieved by known equipment. However, problems have arisen in the filling of the cell cans with the pressurized liqu$d electrolyte and/or liquid depolari-zer and in the subsequent capping of the cell cans.
Aerosol device& are generally filled and capped within a sealed chamber. Filling and capping equipment is not usually affected by the aerosol propellants since the generally used propellants (such as fluorinated hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide or low boiling point hydrocarbons) are inert to the equipment used for filling and capping the aerosol cans. Liquid elec-trolyte solvents and/or liquid depolarizers, such as sulfur dioxide, however, can be corrosive. As a result, the interior of the filling chamber itself and the capping equipment within the filling chamber, which are not affected by ordinary propellants, may be corroded by the liquid electrolyte solvents and/or liquid depolarizers such as the sulfur dioxide used in electrochemical cells.
One method of filling the cell so that the capping procedure can be performed outside of the filling chamber (as disclosed in V.S. Patent No.
4,052,537) with the capping equipment being removed from the corrosive atmos-phere of the filling chamber is by chilling the gaseous electrolyte solvent ;20 and/or depolarizer material until it ~s a liquid and filling the container with the chilled liquid. Since the cold liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer will remain a liquid until its temperature rises above its boiling point and the initial temperature can be controlled so that this tem-perature is not exceeded during normal filling and capping procedures, cap-ping can be performed outside of the filling chamber. A drawback of this method is that once the liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer is in the cell can, it, without additional cooling, begins to absorb heat from the environment. The warming liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer may begin to vaporize iE capping is not completed with the pre~
~0 calculated time available for filling and capping. Further, the process of using chilled liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer to fill --3~
~ 3~9a M-3527 cell cans requires fir~t chilling and then maintaining the liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer within the filllng apparatus at a suffi-ciently low temperature to avoid gasification of the liquid therein. Such chilling is expensive, requiring costly equipment and large energy expendi-tures. Condensation further adds to the complexity and cost of the filling process.
THE INVENTION
A method has now been discovered for filling aerosol type electro-chemical cell cans with a prescurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer. The method comprises placing an electrochemical cell system, which includes an anode and a cathode,into a cell can. Means for temporarily sealing the cell can after filling is loosely positioned between the open end of the cell can and the electrochemical cell system. The dia-meter of ehe open end of the cell can i8 narrowed thereby confining the tem-porary sealing means in the space between the open end of the cell can and the electrochemical cell system. Within a suitable filling chamber, air is evacuated from the cell can and a pressurized liquefied electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer, which is normally a gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, is introduced into the cell can. After the desired quantity of pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolariæer has been introd~ced into the cell can gome of the pressurized liquid elec-trolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer therein is permitted to become gaseous and the resulting gas pressure forces the temporary sealing means into a sealing relationship with the narrowed end of the cell can. Liquid pressurized electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer continues ~o become gaseous within the temporarily sealed cell can until equilibrium is reached.
The temporary sealing means is preferably sufficiently resilient so that when it is ~rged against the narrowed end of the cell can by the gas pressure within the cell can, the means readily conforms to the surface of ` ~ ~ 7 311g ~ M-3527 "
...
.
the narrowed end of the cell c~n therèby forming a gas tight seal between the means and the narrowed end of the cell csn. The temporary seal substantially prevents loss of the pressurized liquid slectrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer from the cell csn whereby the cell can may be permanently sealed, as by capping, outside of the filling chamber. During capping there is only a slight exposure of the capping equipment to the corrosive gas evolved from the pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer, since the temporary sealing means is only displaced from its sealing position by capping for a very short period of time resulting in the release of a minute quantity of gas from the cell can before final sealing by the cap. Since the ; capping equipment can be located outside of the filling chamber, the interior volume of the filling chamber is kept to a minimum thereby resulting in a minimal surface area of the chamber exposed to the corrosive gas evolved from the pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer an~ a minimal quantity of gas is required to be removed from the filling chamber.
In the method of the present invention, the steps of placing the sealing means in the open end of the cell can, narrswing the cell can ? and introducing the pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depo-; larizer do not have to occur in any specific sequence. The sealing means can be placed into the open end of the cell can before or after the cell can is narrowed and the liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer can be introduced into the cell container anytime before the cell container is capped.
The means for temporarily sealing the cell generally has a peri-meter which is substantially the ~ame configuration as the opening of the container. The means is generally somewhat larger than the opening of the ; container, but smaller than the interior of the container. This per~its the pressurlzed liquid ~electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer to be introduced between the sealing member and the wall of the container and permits the member to readily sealingly engage the complete ~erimeter of the narrowed end of the cell can thereby forming a temporary but substantially complete seal between the sealing member and the narrowed end of the cell can. ~
' _.e `--~ 173~9~ M-3527 The te~porary sealing member can compri6e a slngle material or alternatlvely ~ composite of several materials with each adding desired ~ualities to the ~ember. The member can have a unlform cross section or can have a non-uniform one adaptéd to best perform the desired functions of the member.
The sealing member can include reinforcing ribs along the underside (facing the electrochemical cell system) of the member. The ribs permit use of a thinner member or one made of a more flexible material than could other-wise be used. Generally, unreinforced, overly thin or overly flexible members would be e~ected from the cell can after it is filled by the gas pressure within the cell. The same result can also be achieved by forming a raised lip or bead along the perimeter of the member. The raised lip or bead grips the portion of the torus or other narrowed part of the cell can facing the electrochemical system and holds the member in place within the cell can when gas pressure is applied to the member. The ribs, lip or bead can be integrally formed from the same materlal as the member, or can be adhered to or otherw~se attached to the member. Alternatively, the member can be reinforced by an annular ring or washer which may be adhered to the member.
The washer prevents the member from being e~ected from the cell can.
~20 A layer of material can be disposed on or near the portion of the member facing the narrowed end of the cell can to improve the seal between the member and the bottom surface of the torus. Such a layer may be neces-sary if the material from which the member is formed does not form an accep-table seal with the torus. The added material can be a rubber or other similar flexible material, inert to the electrolyte and other components of the cell, which can form a gas tight seal with the torus.
In the embodiment of the filling method wherein the member is placed into the cell can after its open end is narrowed, the member should be sufficiently deformable or flexible BO as to pass through the narrowed end of .
34sa ,, --the cell can when inserted~ but sufficiently rigid that it not be e~ected from the cell can after pressurlzation. Such a member can be formed Erom a single material or a composite of materials which are sufficiently flexible to be deformed for installation into the cell can without damage, but be sufficlently rigid so as not to be e~ected by the subsequent pressure within the cell can. A ~ember having such properties can also comprise one of the herein disclosed materials or a flexible loop or lip of greater perim~ter than the inside perimeter of the narrowed end of the cell can, comblned with a layer of ilexible material completely bridging the loop or lip. ~le peri-meter of the loop or lip can be temporarily reduced so that the member can be inserted through the narrowed open end of the cell can, but after insertion, the loop or lip regains its original shape. When the cell can is pressurized the loop or lip portion of the member contacts the surface of the narrowed end of the cell can holding the member in place in the cell can.
; The temporary sealing member can be made using other materials and manufacturing techniques not disclosed here n. Such other members are also within the broad scope of the present invention.
The preferred temporary sealing member, is made of a somewhatresilient material inert to the other components of the cell and sufficiently ~0 rigid and thick to maintain the sealing relationship with the narrowed end of the cell can when subjected to the gas pressure within the cell produced by the pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer. Seal-ing members not sufficiently rigid may be spontaneously ejected from the cell can or may flex sufficiently to weaken the seal and permit liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer leakage. Materials for use as the pre-ferred sealing member include polymeric plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene and fluoroplastics such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The requisite dimensions of the sealing member are determined by the size of the cell opening (as a rule larger openings require thlcker sealing members) and the type of material used. Since the preferred pressurized liquid electro-lyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer, sulfur dioxide (S02), remains a liquid at room temperature when kept at a pressure of about 35 kilograms per ~-3527 ~ :1 73~9~
,`,, .
square centimeter, the seali~g ~nember should be able to remain in sealing ;.
relationshlp with the narrowed open end of the cell at least at such a ~: pressure.
A preferred electrochemical cell systen structure for use with the method of the present invention includes a convolutely wound anode and cathode electrodes with a separator therebetween. An anode or cathode cur-....
rent collector is preferably used in the electrochemical cell system. Thecurrent collector pro~ects out from the wound electrodes towards the open end of the cell can and supports the temporary sealing member loosely in place above the wound electrodes prior to and during filling.
In such embodimene, when the cell is subsequently capped, the cap itself forces the current collector through the sealing member and into elec-trical contact with the cap. By electrically connecting either the anode or , cathode to the current collector and the other to the cell can, the cap and cell can may be used as cell terminals. An insulator between the cell can ~; and cap prevents short circuiting between the tenninals.
~; In the preferred embodiments wherein a current collector is used which is forced through the temporary sealing member on capping, the sealing member should be comprised of a material, in the requisite dimensions, which provides the required seal at the required pressures and additionally is readily penetrated by the current collector on capping. The sealing member may be thinned, scored or the like in the area where the current collector is to penetrate to ease such penetration.
Alternatively the current collector can be in the form of a tube, a nail, a flat strip or bent strip of metal with the end of the current collec-tor near the sealing member, being pointed or sharpened to facilitate its subsequent penetration of the member.
The current collector used in the preferred method of the present invention should be conductive, and of sufficient length to make electrical contact with the cover after capping. Further, the current collector should ' ~ ~"
1 17349~
`. .
. ., ~ be sufficiently rLgid so as to penetrate the sealing member without itself :..
:~ .
being damaged.
The invention will be better understood from the following dis-i cussion of the drawings which are intended 601ely to illust~ate one embodi-ment of the invention.
.
BRIEF DESCRIP_ION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a partial cross section of a cell can before the open end thereof is narrowed.
Figure 2 is a partial cross section of the cell can after filling ; 10 and prior to capping.
, Figure 3 is a partial cross section of the cell can after capping.
: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWIN~7S
Figures 1-3 illustrate the method of the present invention. A cell can 10 is shown in Figure 1 containing a preferred electrochemical cell system comprised of an anode 12, a cathode 14, and a separator 16 therebe-, ~ tween which are convolutely wound around an anode current collector 18. A
temporary sealing member 20, supported by the current collector 18, is shown in place below the open end of the cell can 10. The diameter of the ~ealing member 20 is less than the inner diameter of the cell can 10.
The open end of the cell can 10 shown in Figure 1 is narrowed by inwardly curling the open end of the cell can 10 into a torus 22, as shown in Figure 2. The cell can 10 is evacuated and is filled with a pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer within a filling chamber (or through the use of a filling head) (not shown). The pressurized elec-trolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer is introduced into the cell can 10 between the sealing member 20 and the torus 22 from a nozzle, tube or the like. After a metered quantity of the pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer has been added to the evacuated cell can 10 and the filling completed, some of the pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or ., ¦~ M-3527 I;...
`''`' ~ 173~g8 .., .;.
, ...
liquid depolari~er withlD the cell can lO vaporizes forming a gas, and forces the sealing member 20 up against the bot~om of the torus 22 thereby :~; temporarily sealing the cell can 10 shown in Figure 2. The pressurized ,i liquid electrolyte solven~ and/or liquid depolari~er 26 continues to evapor-~ ate within the cell can 10 increasing the pressure therein until equilibrium , .,:
is reached. The seal for~ed by the se~ling member 20 and torus 22 substan-tislly prevents loss of gaseous or liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer 26 from the cell can 10 during subsequent permanent sealing of the cell can lO.
; lO The cell can lO is thereafter capped by a cover assembly 28 shown , separated in Figure 2. The cover assembly ~8 includes an electrically con ',r,~ ductive cover 30 and an electrically insulating material 32 disposed on the underside of a lip portion 34 of the cover assembly 28. The cover 30 also includes a hollow cup portion 36 which mates with the current collector 18.
The cell can 10 is capped by forcing the cover assembly 28 down ~; onto the open end thereof. As the cover assembly 28 is pressed onto the cell i can 10, the sealing member 20 is pressed against the current collector 18 ' until it penetrates and passes through the sealing member 20 into the cup ~;
r' portion 36 of the cover assembly 28. The current collector 18 i5 friction-ally engaged with the cap 36 to mechanically hold th m together and elec-trically connect the cap 30 to the current collector 18.
When the current collector 18 has a cross section similar to that of the cup portion 36, that portion 37 of the sealing member above the current collector 18 can be separated from the sealing member on capping and remain in place between the top of the current collector 18 and the cup portion 36 as shown in Figure 3. However, if the cross section of the current collector is smaller or of a different shape than the cup portion 36, or if the current collector is a flat or bent strip of metal (not shown) having a very small ~; cross section, the current collector may simply pierce the sealing member without detaching any portion thereof.
:~
i: --10--,i r`,:
1 7 3 4 9 ~
.,.
After the cover ass~mbly 28 is in place, the lip 34 of the cover assenbly 28 is ~rimped over the open end of the cell can 10 by an expanding .....
~, collet type crimplng or similar machine. The insulative material 32 dis~
posed on the under6ide of the cover assembly electrically separates the cell ~' ; can 10 from the closure assembly 28. Further, the insulative material 32 seals the completed cell and prevent loss of gaseous or l$quid electrolyte solvent and/or depolarizer 26, the temporary sealing member 20, as shown in . .
~, the completed cell in Figure 3, having been moved from its temporary sealing position by the capping. The sealing member 20 thereafter performs a second .~ function by preventing shorting between either the anode 12 or cathode 14, and the cell clDsure 28 which can otherwise occur from loose conductive particles, dendrites or the like within the cell.
In a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention .
the cell can 10 is formed from aluminum due to its nonmagnetic properties and its good workability. Other metals, such as stainless steel, may, however, also be used in the cell can 10.
A preferred cell can 10 for use with the method of the present ,r, ~ invention is substantially cylindrical in shape and has a diameter of 3.8 '. centimeters which is similar to the standard "D" cell. The length of the cell can 10 may vary widely. However, preferred lengths are the same as or O twice that of the "Di' cell. These dimensions not only permit the use of aerosol technology and manufacturing equipment in forming and filling the cell but also permit cells manufactured using aerosol technology to be em-J. ~ ployed in many devices without modification of the devices. The method of , ;~ the present invent:Lon is also appl$cable to filling aerosol cells having . other dimensions.
The torus 22, which is generall~ formed after the electrochemical ~`; cell system and sealing member 20 are introduced into the cell can 10, may be formed by a punch press which curls the edge of the open end of the cell can 10 inwardly. The torus 22 for the preferred "D" cell sized can 10, is sub-~ 173~9~
stantially clrcular, h~s a 2.5 centimeters inner diameter, and has a ring shaped cross fiect~on which is about 3.2 milllmeter6 in diameter.
The temporary sealing member 20 used with the preferred "D" cell can 10 comprises ~ substantially circular disc which has a diameter of 3.3 centimeters, is 0.5 millimeters thick, and i6 made of polypropylene. Such a sealing member has been found to effectively seal the "D" cell can and is readily penetrated by the current collector.
The cell can may be filled with the pres6urized liquid electrolyte solvent andlor liquid depolarizer through ~he use of aerosol industry equip-ment designed for use wlth corrosive pressurized liquids. A preferred apparatus includes a filling head which sealingly engages the torus or out-side of the open end of the cell can. The equipment evacuates the cell can through the filling head and then introduces the pressurized liquid elec-trolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer from ~n aperture or nozzle in the filling head into the cell can. During the filling operation the sealing member remains in place on the current collector. aowever, after the cell can is filled with pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent andlor liquid depolarizer, and the filling head is disengaged from the cell can, gas pres-sure resulting from vaporizing pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or ~20 liquid depolarizer within the cell below the sealing member forces it into sealing relationship with the torus.
The preferred electrochemical cell system depicted in the Figures and employed with the method of the present invention includes an acti~e metal as the anode 12. The preferred active metal is an alkali or alkaline earth metal such as lithium. The cathode 14 used wi~h the pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent andlor liquid depolari2er is preferably formed by apply-ing a mixture of an inert and electrically conductive material such as carbon black, graphite, or other electrical conductors of high surface area with binding agents, onto a conductive screen (not ~hown). The cathode 14 is generally connected to the cell can lO`~not shown) making the cell can 10 one terminal of the cell.
. ,, _ 34~a . . .
The separator6 16, between ad~acent layers of anode 12 and cathode 14 preferably comprise a porous plastic material s~ch as porous polypro-` pylene. Other porous materials such as fibrous glass mats are also useful.
The preferred pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer useful with the method of the present invention is sulfur dioxide (S02). Nonaqueous inorganic or organic solvents, which do not detrimentally react with the anode, cathode and pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent , and/or liquid depolarizer can also be used in addi~ion to the sulfur dioxide.
Such solvents include esters, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, nitriles and amides. Preferred additional solvents include acetonitrile, propylene carbonate, tetrahydrofuran and dioxane.
Useful electrolyte solutes dissolved in the pressurized liquid ' electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer include halogen salts of the alkali and alkaline earth metals. Other metal halogen salts and other Lewis acids such as lithium tetrachloroaluminat~, lithium hexafluorophosphate, and lithium aluminum chloride, to list only a few, are also useful.
It is understood that the above Figures and description are illus-trative only and are not meant to limit the invention. Changes and varia-tions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.
, '
Claims (10)
1. A method for filling an electrochemical cell can with a pres-surized normally gaseous liquefied material, said cell can having an open end with an electrochemical cell system comprising an anode and a cathode dis-posed therein, said method comprising the steps of positioning means for temporarily sealing the cell can between the electrochemical cell system and the open end of the cell can; narrowing the open end of the cell can so that the sealing means is confined within the space between the electrochemi-cal cell system and the open end of the cell can, filling the can with the pressurized normally gaseous liquefied material which is a gas at room tem-perature and atmospheric pressure; and allowing some of the pressurized material to become gaseous whereby the sealing means is pressed against the narrowed open end of the can in a temporary sealing relationship and whereby loss of the pressurized material from the cell can is substantially prevented until subsequent permanent sealing of the cell can.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the pressurized electrolyte solvent comprises sulfur dioxide.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrochemical cell system further includes a current collector for one of said anode and cathode which supports the temporary sealing means prior to and during cell can filling.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the cathode is electrically connected to the cell can and the anode is electrically connected to the current collector, and further comprising the step of capping the narrowed open end of the cell can with a cover which forces the temporary sealing means onto the current collector and forces the current collector through the temporary sealing means into electrical contact with the cell cover.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of capping the cell can includes disposing an electrically insulative material between the nar-rowed end of the cell can and cover, and crimping the cover to the narrowed end of the cell can whereby the cell is sealed and the cell can and cover are electrically insulated from each other.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the temporary sealing means comprises a substantially circular disc, the cell can has a substantially cylindrical shape and wherein the cell can is narrowed by inwardly curling the end of the cell can into the shape of a substantially circular torus, the innermost portion of which has a diameter not greater than the diameter of the cell can and the means.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of filling of the cell can with the pressurized material comprises evacuating the interior of the cell can and introducing the pressurized material between the cell can and the temporary sealing means.
8. An electrochemical cell comprising a pressurized cell can having a narrowed open end; an electrochemical cell system disposed within the cell can, the electrochemical cell system including an anode and a cathode convolutely wound, a current collector projecting from the wound anode and cathode towards the open end of the cell can, and a pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent which is a gas at room temperature and atmos-pheric pressure, all operatively associated; one of said anode and cathode connected to the current collector, a cell cover crimped over the narrowed end of the cell can in electrical contact with the current collector, an insulative material disposed between the cell can and cover thereby electri-cally insulating the cell can from the cell cover; and an insulative member wider than the narrowed end of the cell can but narrower than the full internal diameter of the cell can disposed between the wound anode and cathode, and the narrowed end of the cell can; and the current collector having been forced through the member whereby electrical short circuits between either of said anode or cathode and the cell cover are prevented.
9. The cell of claim 8 wherein the anode comprises lithium.
10. The cell assembly of claim 8 wherein the pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent comprises sulfur dioxide.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US276,148 | 1981-06-22 | ||
| US06/276,148 US4483909A (en) | 1981-06-22 | 1981-06-22 | Electrochemical cell with pressurized liquid electrolyte |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1173498A true CA1173498A (en) | 1984-08-28 |
Family
ID=23055392
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000403640A Expired CA1173498A (en) | 1981-06-22 | 1982-05-25 | Method for filling electrochemical cells and article |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4483909A (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS584260A (en) |
| BE (1) | BE893301A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1173498A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3222486A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2508238A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2100917B (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4454208A (en) * | 1983-03-31 | 1984-06-12 | Union Carbide Corporation | Pressure contact tab/cover construction for electrochemical cells |
| US4476202A (en) * | 1982-06-23 | 1984-10-09 | Union Carbide Corporation | Two-piece cover-seal construction for galvanic cells |
| US4863815A (en) * | 1988-06-06 | 1989-09-05 | Altus Corporation | Cell design for spirally wound rechargeable alkaline metal cell |
| DE19911800C1 (en) * | 1999-03-17 | 2000-11-02 | Fraunhofer Ges Forschung | Method and device for filling an electrochemical cell with an electrolyte consisting of salts solvated in at least one gaseous solvent at room temperature |
| KR20160068929A (en) * | 2013-10-15 | 2016-06-15 | 도요타지도샤가부시키가이샤 | Secondary cell production method |
| DE102015006722A1 (en) * | 2015-05-29 | 2016-12-01 | H & T Tool Design GmbH & Co. KG | Spray can with cup-shaped body |
| CN108448050B (en) * | 2018-05-25 | 2024-03-19 | 博众精工科技股份有限公司 | Pressurization standing mechanism of battery liquid injection machine |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2826681A (en) * | 1954-01-28 | 1958-03-11 | Electric Storage Battery Co | Multicell battery |
| US3451592A (en) * | 1966-05-03 | 1969-06-24 | Continental Can Co | Dispensing container and charging valve therefor |
| US3852117A (en) * | 1970-05-18 | 1974-12-03 | American Cyanamid Co | Seal for electrochemical cells and the like |
| US3715239A (en) * | 1971-04-05 | 1973-02-06 | Gates Rubber Co | Electrochemical cell closure and method of making |
| US3736190A (en) * | 1972-03-02 | 1973-05-29 | Mallory & Co Inc P R | Hermetically sealed structures for organic electrolyte systems |
| US3823040A (en) * | 1972-08-29 | 1974-07-09 | Power Conversion Inc | Battery sealing method receptive to injection filling |
| US4052537A (en) * | 1976-10-01 | 1977-10-04 | P. R. Mallory & Co. Inc. | Electrical device |
| DE2941757C2 (en) * | 1979-10-16 | 1982-06-16 | Varta Batterie Ag, 3000 Hannover | Closure arrangement for galvanic elements and process for their production |
-
1981
- 1981-06-22 US US06/276,148 patent/US4483909A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1982
- 1982-05-14 GB GB08214114A patent/GB2100917B/en not_active Expired
- 1982-05-25 CA CA000403640A patent/CA1173498A/en not_active Expired
- 1982-05-25 BE BE0/208177A patent/BE893301A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1982-06-15 DE DE19823222486 patent/DE3222486A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1982-06-21 JP JP57107487A patent/JPS584260A/en active Pending
- 1982-06-21 FR FR8210805A patent/FR2508238A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS584260A (en) | 1983-01-11 |
| BE893301A (en) | 1982-09-16 |
| GB2100917B (en) | 1985-08-07 |
| FR2508238A1 (en) | 1982-12-24 |
| US4483909A (en) | 1984-11-20 |
| DE3222486A1 (en) | 1983-01-05 |
| GB2100917A (en) | 1983-01-06 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |