GB2139807A - Cell closure - Google Patents

Cell closure Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2139807A
GB2139807A GB08313168A GB8313168A GB2139807A GB 2139807 A GB2139807 A GB 2139807A GB 08313168 A GB08313168 A GB 08313168A GB 8313168 A GB8313168 A GB 8313168A GB 2139807 A GB2139807 A GB 2139807A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
closure
bore
cell
nail
current collector
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB08313168A
Other versions
GB2139807B (en
GB8313168D0 (en
Inventor
Michael John Collingwood
Brian Sidney Bennett
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ever Ready Ltd
Original Assignee
Ever Ready Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ever Ready Ltd filed Critical Ever Ready Ltd
Priority to GB08313168A priority Critical patent/GB2139807B/en
Publication of GB8313168D0 publication Critical patent/GB8313168D0/en
Publication of GB2139807A publication Critical patent/GB2139807A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2139807B publication Critical patent/GB2139807B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • H01M50/10—Primary casings; Jackets or wrappings
    • H01M50/147—Lids or covers
    • H01M50/148—Lids or covers characterised by their shape
    • H01M50/154—Lid or cover comprising an axial bore for receiving a central current collector
    • 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
    • H01M50/30—Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
    • H01M50/342—Non-re-sealable arrangements
    • H01M50/3425—Non-re-sealable arrangements in the form of rupturable membranes or weakened parts, e.g. pierced with the aid of a sharp member
    • 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
    • H01M50/30—Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
    • H01M50/394—Gas-pervious parts or elements
    • 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

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Gas Exhaust Devices For Batteries (AREA)

Abstract

A closure, for a cell having a casing with an opening at one end, is made of a polyamide material and has an axial bore therethrough for receiving a current collector in the form of a nail with a shank of constant transverse cross-section. The bore is tapered over a major portion of its length from the external end thereof to the internal end thereof so that it forms a good interference fit with the shank of the nail. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cell closure The present invention relates to closures for cells, such as galvanic cells, and to a cell provided with such a closure.
Galvanic cells are well known and commonly comprise a tubular casing, which may form one electrode of the cell, housing electrolyte and any anode or cathode material necessary for the operatioon of the cell, together with a further electrode.
Commonly an open end of the tubular casing is sealed by a plastics closure member having an axial bore through which a current collector, usually in the form of a nail, extends to form the further electrode.
It is very important in such cells that the closure member forms a good seal so that the contents of the cell do not leak out. A particular disadvantage of such cells is their tendency to leak through the axial bore in the closure member in which the current collector is located. Various attempts to prevent such leakage have been described in European Patent Applications EP 036091,036092,037121 and in British Patent No. 1338780 but no completely satisfactory solution to the problem has yet been provided.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cell closure having an improved sealing capability.
According to the present invention there is provided a closure for a cell having a casing with an opening at one end, the closure having an axial bore therethrough for receiving in use, a current collector, preferably in the form of a nail having a shank of constant transverse cross-section, and wherein the said bore is tapered over a major portion of its length from the in use external end thereof to the in use internal end thereof, the maximum diameter of the tapered portion of the bore being from 5% to 35% greater than the minimum diameter thereof.
Preferably, the closure member is made of a polyamide material such as Nylon 6 or Nylon 66.
The invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a diametral section through a closure in accordance with the invention.
Figure 2 shows a diametral section through the end of a cell provided with a closure as shown in Figure 1.
In this particular example the cell comprises an alkaline manganese cell having a metal outertubular casing 3 with an open end closed by the closure 1 which locates the current collector formed by a nail 2. A metal cap 4fits over the closure and bears on the head 11 of the nail to make electrical contact therewith and to hold the nail in position. The end portion 5 of the cylindrical casing is crimped over to hold the cap 4 and closure 1 in position; the cap and the casing being insulated from one another by means of an annular peripheral wall 6 of the closure which is sandwiched therebetween.
The closure member as shown in Figure 1 provided with an axial bore 7 which comprises a tapered portion 8 having a maximum diameter D1 at the end thereof which in use forms the external end of the tapered portion, and a minimum diameter D2 at the internal end. In the embodiment shown a chamfer 9 is also provided at the entrance to the bore 7 but this is not essential and does not form part of the tapered portion of the bore. Similarly a right-cylindrical portion 14 may be provided at the other end of the bore. The diameter of the shaft of the nail 2 is equal to the diameter D1 so that when the nail is inserted into the closure the tapered portion of the bore is forcibly expanded and forms a tight interference fit with the nail.
The diameter D1 is at least 5% greater than the diameter D2 and is typically 10-30% greater. In a preferred embodiment D1 = 1.5mm, D2 = 1.2mm i.e. D1 is 25% greater than D2.
The closure 1 is made of a polyamide such as Nylon and preferably is made of a polymer of caprolactan (i.e. Nylon 6) or a polymer of adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine (i.e. Nylon 66). In order to allowthetapered portion ofthe bore to receive the nail without splitting the closure is first humidified by immersion in hot or cold water or by exposure to water vapour so that the water content of the closure is not less than 1% w/w.
After the nail has been inserted into the closure, a sealant 10 is applied around the nail at the internal end of the bore 7. This sealant comprises a low viscosity refined mineral oil which is resistant to concentrated potassium hydroxide solution.
In orderto relieve the cell of gases which may build up inside it and to act as a safety valve if excessive pressure should develop in the cell, the closure is provided with a gas permeable membrane 12 in the web 13 of the closure extending between the central bore and the peripheral wall 6. The gas permeable membrane is typically circular in end view of the cell and is, in a preferred embodiment, 0.05mm thick. Such a membrane will allow the passage of gases therethrough without bursting if the pressure difference across it is less than approximately 2MPa but will burst two avoid excessive pressure build up in the cell when the pressure therein is between 2MPa and 6.9MPa. The cap 4 is provided with one or more holes 15 arranged around the radial outer portion thereof which co-operate with the membrane 12 to allow gases to escape from the cell. The outer edge 16 of the cap is sharpenedso that it will dig into the closure when the end of the casing is crimped over.
1. A closure for a cell having a casing with an opening at one end, the closure having an axial bore therethrough for receiving in use a current collector in the form of a nail, wherein the bore is tapered over a major portion of its length from the in use external end thereof to the in use internal end thereof, the maximum diameter of the tapered portion of the bore being from 5% to 35% greater than the minimum diameter thereof.
2. A closure as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the maximum diameter of the tapered portion of the bore is from 10% to 30% greater than the minimum
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (17)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Cell closure The present invention relates to closures for cells, such as galvanic cells, and to a cell provided with such a closure. Galvanic cells are well known and commonly comprise a tubular casing, which may form one electrode of the cell, housing electrolyte and any anode or cathode material necessary for the operatioon of the cell, together with a further electrode. Commonly an open end of the tubular casing is sealed by a plastics closure member having an axial bore through which a current collector, usually in the form of a nail, extends to form the further electrode. It is very important in such cells that the closure member forms a good seal so that the contents of the cell do not leak out. A particular disadvantage of such cells is their tendency to leak through the axial bore in the closure member in which the current collector is located. Various attempts to prevent such leakage have been described in European Patent Applications EP 036091,036092,037121 and in British Patent No. 1338780 but no completely satisfactory solution to the problem has yet been provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cell closure having an improved sealing capability. According to the present invention there is provided a closure for a cell having a casing with an opening at one end, the closure having an axial bore therethrough for receiving in use, a current collector, preferably in the form of a nail having a shank of constant transverse cross-section, and wherein the said bore is tapered over a major portion of its length from the in use external end thereof to the in use internal end thereof, the maximum diameter of the tapered portion of the bore being from 5% to 35% greater than the minimum diameter thereof. Preferably, the closure member is made of a polyamide material such as Nylon 6 or Nylon 66. The invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a diametral section through a closure in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 shows a diametral section through the end of a cell provided with a closure as shown in Figure 1. In this particular example the cell comprises an alkaline manganese cell having a metal outertubular casing 3 with an open end closed by the closure 1 which locates the current collector formed by a nail 2. A metal cap 4fits over the closure and bears on the head 11 of the nail to make electrical contact therewith and to hold the nail in position. The end portion 5 of the cylindrical casing is crimped over to hold the cap 4 and closure 1 in position; the cap and the casing being insulated from one another by means of an annular peripheral wall 6 of the closure which is sandwiched therebetween. The closure member as shown in Figure 1 provided with an axial bore 7 which comprises a tapered portion 8 having a maximum diameter D1 at the end thereof which in use forms the external end of the tapered portion, and a minimum diameter D2 at the internal end. In the embodiment shown a chamfer 9 is also provided at the entrance to the bore 7 but this is not essential and does not form part of the tapered portion of the bore. Similarly a right-cylindrical portion 14 may be provided at the other end of the bore. The diameter of the shaft of the nail 2 is equal to the diameter D1 so that when the nail is inserted into the closure the tapered portion of the bore is forcibly expanded and forms a tight interference fit with the nail. The diameter D1 is at least 5% greater than the diameter D2 and is typically 10-30% greater. In a preferred embodiment D1 = 1.5mm, D2 = 1.2mm i.e. D1 is 25% greater than D2. The closure 1 is made of a polyamide such as Nylon and preferably is made of a polymer of caprolactan (i.e. Nylon 6) or a polymer of adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine (i.e. Nylon 66). In order to allowthetapered portion ofthe bore to receive the nail without splitting the closure is first humidified by immersion in hot or cold water or by exposure to water vapour so that the water content of the closure is not less than 1% w/w. After the nail has been inserted into the closure, a sealant 10 is applied around the nail at the internal end of the bore 7. This sealant comprises a low viscosity refined mineral oil which is resistant to concentrated potassium hydroxide solution. In orderto relieve the cell of gases which may build up inside it and to act as a safety valve if excessive pressure should develop in the cell, the closure is provided with a gas permeable membrane 12 in the web 13 of the closure extending between the central bore and the peripheral wall 6. The gas permeable membrane is typically circular in end view of the cell and is, in a preferred embodiment, 0.05mm thick. Such a membrane will allow the passage of gases therethrough without bursting if the pressure difference across it is less than approximately 2MPa but will burst two avoid excessive pressure build up in the cell when the pressure therein is between 2MPa and 6.9MPa. The cap 4 is provided with one or more holes 15 arranged around the radial outer portion thereof which co-operate with the membrane 12 to allow gases to escape from the cell.The outer edge 16 of the cap is sharpenedso that it will dig into the closure when the end of the casing is crimped over. CLAIMS
1. A closure for a cell having a casing with an opening at one end, the closure having an axial bore therethrough for receiving in use a current collector in the form of a nail, wherein the bore is tapered over a major portion of its length from the in use external end thereof to the in use internal end thereof, the maximum diameter of the tapered portion of the bore being from 5% to 35% greater than the minimum diameter thereof.
2. A closure as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the maximum diameter of the tapered portion of the bore is from 10% to 30% greater than the minimum diameter.
3. A closure as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the maximum diameter of the tapered portion of the bore is 25% greater than the minimum diameter.
4. A closure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure is made of a polyamide material.
5. A closure as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the polyamide material is a polymer of caprolactam.
6. A closure as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the polyamide is a condensation product of adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine.
7. A closure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in combination with a current collector in the form of a nail having a constant transverse cross-section, wherein the maximum diameter of the tapered portion of the bore is substantially equal to the diameter of the shaft of the nail so that when the nail is forced through the bore it will form an interference fit with the closure over the tapered portion of the bore.
8. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the closure is provided with an upstanding annular peripheral wall.
9. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there is provided, in the annular area between the central bore of the closure and its peripheral wall, a gas permeable membrane which will rupture when the pressure differential thereacross exceeds approximately 2MPa.
10. A method of assembling a cell comprising a closure as claimed in any preceding claim the closure being made of a polyamide, which method includes the step of humidifying the closure in order to achieve an interference fit between the current collector and the closure without splitting the polyamide material surrounding the bore of the closure.
11. A method as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the humidification of the closure comprises immersion in hot or cold water or exposure to water vapour such that the water content of the closure material is not less than 1% w/w when the current collector is forced through the bore.
12. A method as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, additionally comprising the step of applying a sealant around the current collector at the narrow end of the tapered portion of the bore after the forcing of the current collector through the bore.
13. A method as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the sealant comprises a low viscosity refined mineral oil which is resistant to concentrated potassium hydroxide solution.
14. A cell comprising an outer tubular casing receiving in an open end thereof a closure as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein a current collector in the form of a nail extends through the bore of the closure and comprising a metal cap overlying the external face of the closure and bearing on the head of the current collector.
15. A closure member substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings.
16. A method according to Claim 10 substantially as hereinbefore described.
17. A cell substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 2 of the drawings.
GB08313168A 1983-05-13 1983-05-13 Cell closure Expired GB2139807B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08313168A GB2139807B (en) 1983-05-13 1983-05-13 Cell closure

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08313168A GB2139807B (en) 1983-05-13 1983-05-13 Cell closure

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8313168D0 GB8313168D0 (en) 1983-06-22
GB2139807A true GB2139807A (en) 1984-11-14
GB2139807B GB2139807B (en) 1986-05-08

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08313168A Expired GB2139807B (en) 1983-05-13 1983-05-13 Cell closure

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Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2171552A (en) * 1985-02-25 1986-08-28 Duracell Int Anchored terminal conductor
EP0282649A1 (en) * 1987-02-13 1988-09-21 VARTA Batterie Aktiengesellschaft Hermetically sealed galvanic element
GB2208031A (en) * 1987-08-08 1989-02-15 Ever Ready Ltd Voltaic cell pressure relief means
WO1993012549A1 (en) * 1991-12-19 1993-06-24 Battery Technologies Inc. Cylindrical cell with improved closure assembly
WO2002073715A1 (en) * 2001-03-07 2002-09-19 Rayovac Corporation Independent seal and vent for an electrochemical cell
WO2021237079A1 (en) * 2020-05-22 2021-11-25 Duracell U.S. Operations, Inc. Seal assembly for a battery cell

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB225719A (en) * 1924-01-03 1924-12-11 Stone J & Co Ltd Improvements in and connected with electric storage batteries
GB550951A (en) * 1941-07-21 1943-02-02 Percy William Taylor Improvements in and relating to electric accumulators
GB1016575A (en) * 1964-05-18 1966-01-12 Andreas Karl Rohe Liquid and gas tight sealing means
GB1329781A (en) * 1970-06-22 1973-09-12 Esb Inc Electric battery terminals
GB1372407A (en) * 1970-12-30 1974-10-30 Varta Ag Terminal assembly for an electric accumulator
EP0020277A1 (en) * 1979-06-05 1980-12-10 Jacques Henri Charles Maurice Ducoin Accumulator battery and electric household apparatus that may be equipped with at least one such battery

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB225719A (en) * 1924-01-03 1924-12-11 Stone J & Co Ltd Improvements in and connected with electric storage batteries
GB550951A (en) * 1941-07-21 1943-02-02 Percy William Taylor Improvements in and relating to electric accumulators
GB1016575A (en) * 1964-05-18 1966-01-12 Andreas Karl Rohe Liquid and gas tight sealing means
GB1329781A (en) * 1970-06-22 1973-09-12 Esb Inc Electric battery terminals
GB1372407A (en) * 1970-12-30 1974-10-30 Varta Ag Terminal assembly for an electric accumulator
EP0020277A1 (en) * 1979-06-05 1980-12-10 Jacques Henri Charles Maurice Ducoin Accumulator battery and electric household apparatus that may be equipped with at least one such battery

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2171552A (en) * 1985-02-25 1986-08-28 Duracell Int Anchored terminal conductor
EP0282649A1 (en) * 1987-02-13 1988-09-21 VARTA Batterie Aktiengesellschaft Hermetically sealed galvanic element
GB2208031A (en) * 1987-08-08 1989-02-15 Ever Ready Ltd Voltaic cell pressure relief means
GB2208031B (en) * 1987-08-08 1990-07-25 Ever Ready Ltd Voltaic cell
WO1993012549A1 (en) * 1991-12-19 1993-06-24 Battery Technologies Inc. Cylindrical cell with improved closure assembly
US5478669A (en) * 1991-12-19 1995-12-26 Battery Technologies Inc. Cylindrical cell with improved closure assembly
WO2002073715A1 (en) * 2001-03-07 2002-09-19 Rayovac Corporation Independent seal and vent for an electrochemical cell
WO2021237079A1 (en) * 2020-05-22 2021-11-25 Duracell U.S. Operations, Inc. Seal assembly for a battery cell
US11817591B2 (en) 2020-05-22 2023-11-14 Duracell U.S. Operations, Inc. Seal assembly for a battery cell

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2139807B (en) 1986-05-08
GB8313168D0 (en) 1983-06-22

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732 Registration of transactions, instruments or events in the register (sect. 32/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19930513