US20100310923A1 - Bi-polar rechargeable electrochemical battery - Google Patents
Bi-polar rechargeable electrochemical battery Download PDFInfo
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- US20100310923A1 US20100310923A1 US12/722,953 US72295310A US2010310923A1 US 20100310923 A1 US20100310923 A1 US 20100310923A1 US 72295310 A US72295310 A US 72295310A US 2010310923 A1 US2010310923 A1 US 2010310923A1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/04—Construction or manufacture in general
- H01M10/0413—Large-sized flat cells or batteries for motive or stationary systems with plate-like electrodes
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/04—Construction or manufacture in general
- H01M10/0413—Large-sized flat cells or batteries for motive or stationary systems with plate-like electrodes
- H01M10/0418—Large-sized flat cells or batteries for motive or stationary systems with plate-like electrodes with bipolar electrodes
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/04—Construction or manufacture in general
- H01M10/0468—Compression means for stacks of electrodes and separators
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/04—Construction or manufacture in general
- H01M10/0477—Construction or manufacture in general with circular plates
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/04—Construction or manufacture in general
- H01M10/0486—Frames for plates or membranes
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- 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 of a single cell or a single battery
- H01M50/183—Sealing members
- H01M50/184—Sealing members characterised by their shape or structure
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- 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 of a single cell or a single battery
- H01M50/183—Sealing members
- H01M50/186—Sealing members characterised by the disposition of the sealing members
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/34—Gastight accumulators
- H01M10/345—Gastight metal hydride accumulators
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- 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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- 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
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- 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
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49002—Electrical device making
- Y10T29/49108—Electric battery cell making
- Y10T29/4911—Electric battery cell making including sealing
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to batteries and, more particularly, to bi-polar batteries with improved sealing.
- Bi-polar batteries are able to provide an increased discharge rate and a higher voltage potential between its external connectors than standard wound or prismatic batteries, and are therefore in high demand for certain applications.
- Conventional batteries have been manufactured as either a wound cell battery that has only two electrodes or a standard prismatic cell battery that has many plate sets in parallel. In both of these types, the electrolyte can be shared everywhere within the battery.
- the wound cell and prismatic cell structures suffer from high electrical resistances due to their electrical paths having to cross multiple connections and cover significantly long distances to cover the complete circuit from one cell to the next in a series arrangement.
- bi-polar batteries have been developed to generally include a series of stacked bi-polar electrode units (BPUs), each BPU being provided with a positive active material electrode layer and a negative active material electrode layer coated on opposite sides of a current collector (see, for example, Fukuzawa et al. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0161667 A1, published Aug. 19, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). Any two adjacent BPUs have an electrolyte layer therebetween for electrically isolating the current collectors of those two BPUs.
- the series configuration of a bi-polar battery causes the voltage potential to be different between current collectors. However, if the current collectors contacted each other or if the common electrolyte of any two adjacent BPUs is shared with any additional BPU, the voltage and energy of the battery would fade (i.e., discharge) quickly to zero.
- a bi-polar battery having a positive mono-polar electrode unit, a negative mono-polar electrode unit, at least one bi-polar electrode unit stacked between the positive electrode unit and the negative electrode unit, and an electrolyte layer provided between each pair of adjacent electrode units.
- the bi-polar battery also includes a gasket positioned about each of the electrolyte layers, wherein each of the electrolyte layers is sealed by its respective gasket and its respective pair of adjacent electrode units.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a basic structure of a bi-polar electrode unit (BPU) according to the invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a basic structure of a stack of BPUs of FIG. 1 according to the invention
- FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a basic structure of a bi-polar battery implementing the stack of BPUs of FIG. 2 according to the invention
- FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the bi-polar battery of FIG. 3 , taken from line IV-IV of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 4A is a schematic top view of the bi-polar battery of FIG. 3 , taken from line IVA-IVA of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the basic constitution of the bi-polar battery of FIGS. 3-4A ;
- FIG. 6 is a detailed schematic cross-sectional view of a particular portion of the bi-polar battery of FIGS. 3-5 ;
- FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of the bi-polar battery of FIGS. 3-6 , taken from line VII-VII of FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of the bi-polar battery of FIGS. 3-7 , taken from line VIII-VIII of FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of the bi-polar battery of FIGS. 3-8 , taken from line IX-IX of FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of certain elements in a first stage of a method for forming a bi-polar battery according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of the elements of FIG. 10 , taken from line XI-XI of FIG. 10 ;
- FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of certain elements in a second stage of a method for forming a bi-polar battery according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 13 is a schematic top view of the elements of FIG. 12 , taken from line XIII-XIII of FIG. 12 ;
- FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of certain elements in a third stage of a method for forming a bi-polar battery according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 15 is a schematic top view of the elements of FIG. 14 , taken from line XV-XV of FIG. 14 ;
- FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of certain elements in a fourth stage of a method for forming a bi-polar battery according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 17 is a schematic top view of the elements of FIG. 16 , taken from line XVII-XVII of FIG. 16 ;
- FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of certain elements in a fifth stage of a method for forming a bi-polar battery according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of certain elements in a sixth stage of a method for forming a bi-polar battery according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 20 is a schematic top view of the elements of FIG. 19 , taken from line XX-XX of FIG. 19 ;
- FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of certain elements in a sixth stage of a method for forming a bi-polar battery according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 22 is a schematic top view of the elements of FIG. 21 , taken from line XXII-XXII of FIG. 21 ;
- FIG. 23 is a schematic top view of a bi-polar battery according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 24 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the bi-polar battery of FIG. 23 , taken from line XXIV-XXIV of FIG. 23 .
- the invention provides a bi-polar battery having a positive mono-polar unit (MPU) terminal, a negative MPU terminal, and at least one bi-polar unit (BPU) arranged substantially vertically therebetween.
- Each BTU includes an electrode layer (e.g., a conductive substrate) having two sides.
- a positive active material is formed or positioned on the first side of the electrode layer, and a negative material is formed or positioned on the second side of the electrode layer.
- the bi-polar battery of this invention also includes an electrolyte layer having an electrolyte between each adjacent electrode unit (i.e., between each MPU and adjacent BPU, and between each BPU and adjacent BPU) and a barrier that electrically isolates the adjacent electrode units between which the electrolyte layer is positioned.
- the bi-polar battery of this invention includes a gasket positioned substantially about each electrolyte layer for sealing the electrolyte of the electrolyte layer between the gasket and the two electrode layers adjacent thereto.
- FIG. 1 shows an illustrative BPU 2 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, including a positive active material electrode layer 4 provided on a first side of an impermeable conductive substrate 6 , and a negative active material electrode layer 8 provided on the other side of the impermeable conductive substrate 6 .
- multiple BPUs 2 may be stacked substantially vertically into a stack 20 , with an electrolyte layer 10 provided between two adjacent BPUs 2 , such that a positive electrode layer 4 of one BPU 2 is opposed to a negative electrode layer 8 of an adjacent BPU 2 via an electrolyte layer 10 .
- Each electrolyte layer 10 preferably includes a separator 9 that holds an electrolyte 11 (see, e.g., FIG. 6 ). Separator 9 may electrically separate the positive electrode layer 4 and negative electrode layer 8 adjacent thereto, while allowing ionic transfer between the electrode units for recombination, as described in more detail below.
- each impermeable substrate 6 of each cell segment 22 is shared by the applicable adjacent cell segment 22 .
- positive and negative terminals may be provided along with stack 20 of one or more BPUs 2 to constitute a bi-polar battery 50 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
- a positive MPU 12 including a positive active material electrode layer 14 provided on one side of an impermeable conductive substrate 16 , may be positioned at a first end of stack 20 with an electrolyte layer provided therebetween (i.e., electrolyte layer 10 e ), such that positive electrode layer 14 of positive MPU 12 is opposed to a negative electrode layer (i.e., layer 8 d ) of the BPU (i.e., BPU 2 d ) at that first end of stack 20 via the electrolyte layer 10 e .
- a negative MPU 32 including a negative active material electrode layer 38 provided on one side of an impermeable conductive substrate 36 , may be positioned at the second end of stack 20 with an electrolyte layer provided therebetween (i.e., electrolyte layer 10 a ), such that negative electrode layer 38 of negative MPU 32 is opposed to a positive electrode layer (i.e., layer 4 a ) of the BPU (i.e., BPU 2 a ) at that second end of stack 20 via the electrolyte layer 10 a .
- MPUs 12 and 32 may be provided with corresponding positive and negative electrode leads 13 and 33 , respectively.
- each MPU may form a cell segment 22 with the substrate and electrode layer of its adjacent BPU 2 , and the electrolyte layer 10 therebetween, as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the number of stacked BPUs 2 in stack 20 may be one or more, and is appropriately determined in order to correspond to a desired voltage for battery 50 .
- Each BPU 2 may provide any desired potential, such that a desired voltage for battery 50 may be achieved by effectively adding the potentials provided by each component BPU 2 . It will be understood that each BPU 2 need not provide identical potentials.
- bi-polar battery 50 is structured so that the whole of the BPU stack 20 and its respective positive and negative MPUs 12 and 32 is encapsulated (e.g., hermetically sealed) into a battery case or wrapper 40 under reduced pressure.
- MPU conductive substrates 6 and 36 (or at least their respective electrode leads 13 and 33 ) may be drawn out of battery case 40 , so as to mitigate impacts from the exterior upon usage and to prevent environmental degradation.
- Indentations 42 may be provided in MPUs 12 and 32 for a low-profile casing and a flat surface.
- gaskets are preferably stacked with electrolyte layers 10 between adjacent electrode units to seal electrolyte within its particular cell segment 22 .
- the bi-polar battery of the invention may include a gasket 60 positioned as a continuous loop about electrolyte layer 10 and active material electrode layers 4 , 8 , 14 , and 38 of each cell segment 22 for sealing electrolyte between the gasket and the electrode units of that segment (i.e., the BPUs or the SPU and MPU adjacent to that gasket) and for keeping the appropriate gaps between the adjacent conductive substrates 6 / 16 / 32 of that segment.
- a gasket 60 positioned as a continuous loop about electrolyte layer 10 and active material electrode layers 4 , 8 , 14 , and 38 of each cell segment 22 for sealing electrolyte between the gasket and the electrode units of that segment (i.e., the BPUs or the SPU and MPU adjacent to that gasket) and for keeping the appropriate gaps between the adjacent conductive substrates 6 / 16 / 32 of that segment.
- pressure may be applied to the top and bottom of case 40 in the direction of arrows P 1 and P 2 for compressing and holding cell segments 22 and gaskets 60 in the sealed configuration shown in FIGS. 3-4A .
- pressure may be applied to the sides of case 40 in the direction of arrows P 3 and P 4 for compressing and holding cell segments 22 and gaskets 60 in the sealed configuration shown in FIGS. 3-4A .
- Such a bi-polar battery 50 may include multiple cell segments 22 stacked and series-connected, as shown in FIG. 5 , to provide the desired voltage.
- Cell segment 22 a includes substrate 36 and negative electrode layer 38 of MPU 32 , electrolyte layer 10 a , as well as positive electrode layer 4 a and substrate 6 a of BPU 2 a .
- Cell segment 22 b includes substrate 6 a and negative electrode layer 8 a of BPU 2 a , electrolyte layer 10 b , as well as positive electrode layer 4 b and substrate 6 b of BPU 2 b .
- each electrolyte layer 10 may include a separator 9 and an electrolyte 11 .
- a gasket 60 may be provided as a continuous loop about electrolyte layer 10 of each cell segment 22 such that separator 9 and electrolyte 11 of that segment are completely sealed within the space defined by gasket 60 and the adjacent substrates of that particular cell segment.
- gasket 60 a surrounds electrolyte layer 10 a such that its separator 9 a and electrolyte 11 a are completely sealed within the space defined by gasket 60 a , substrate 36 , and substrate 6 a of cell segment 22 a .
- gasket 60 b surrounds electrolyte layer 10 b such that its separator 9 b and electrolyte 11 b are completely sealed within the space defined by gasket 60 b , substrate 6 a , and substrate 6 b of cell segment 22 b .
- each gasket may form a seal with the active material layers of its cell segment by contacting their sides (see, e.g., gasket 60 a and the sides of active material layers 38 and 4 a ).
- the surface areas of the gasket and its adjacent substrates that contact each other may be chamfered.
- grooves 70 may be formed along the surface areas of the gaskets and the substrates at their point of contact with one another, thereby increasing the size of the contact area and creating a path of greater resistance for any fluid attempting to break the seal created between the gasket and substrate.
- the cross-sectional area of groove 70 between the surfaces of the gasket and the particular substrate may be of any suitable shape, such as sinusoidal (see, e.g., groove 70 a in FIG. 6 ), V-shaped (see, e.g., groove 70 b in FIG.
- groove 70 c in FIG. 6 may be of any suitable design, such as smooth and continuous (see, e.g., groove 70 a in FIG. 7 ), jagged and continuous (see, e.g., groove 70 b in FIG. 8 ), or non-continuous (see, e.g., groove 70 c of FIG. 9 ), for example.
- the shapes and sizes of the grooves provided between gaskets and substrates described herein are only exemplary, and any various sizes and shapes may be used to create such grooves.
- no groove may be provided between the gaskets and substrates in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.
- the substrates used to form the electrode units of the invention may be formed of any suitable conductive and impermeable material, such as a non-perforated metal foil.
- the substrate of each BPU may typically be between 1 and 5 millimeters thick, while the substrate of each MPU may be between 5 and 10 millimeters thick and act as terminals to the battery, for example.
- Each substrate may be made of aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, cladding material comprising nickel and aluminum, cladding material comprising copper and aluminum, nickel plated steel, nickel plated copper, nickel plated aluminum, gold, silver, or any suitable combination thereof, for example.
- Each substrate may be made of two or more sheets of metal foils adhered to one another, in certain embodiments.
- the positive electrode layers provided on these substrates to form the electrode units of the invention may be formed of any suitable active material, such as nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH) 2 ), for example.
- the positive active material may be sintered and impregnated, coated with an aqueous binder and pressed, coated with an organic binder and pressed, or contained by any other suitable method of containing Ni(OH) 2 with other supporting chemicals in a conductive matrix.
- the positive electrode layer of the electrode unit may have metal hydride (MH) particles infused within the Ni(OH) 2 matrix to reduce swelling, which increases cycle life, to improve recombination, and to reduce pressure within the cell segment.
- the MH may also be in a bonding of Ni(OH) 2 paste to improve electrical conductivity within the electrode and to support recombination.
- Other chemicals could be substituted for MH, such as Pd or Ag, for example.
- the negative electrode layers provided on these substrates to form the electrode units of the invention may be formed of any suitable active material, such as Metal hydride (MH), Cd, Zn, and Ag, for example.
- the negative active material may be sintered; coated with an aqueous binder and pressed, coated with an organic binder and pressed, or contained by any other suitable method of containing MH with other supporting chemicals in a conductive matrix.
- the MH electrode side may have Ni(OH) 2 infused within the MH matrix to stabilize the structure, reduce oxidation, and extend cycle life. Other chemicals could be substituted for Ni(OH) 2 , such as Zn or Al, for example.
- binders such as organic CMC binder, Creyton rubber, and PTFE (Teflon), for example, may be mixed with the active material layers to hold the layers to their substrates.
- the separator 9 of each electrolyte layer 10 of the bi-polar battery of the invention may be formed of any suitable material that electrically isolates its two adjacent electrode units while allowing ionic transfer between those electrode units.
- the separator may contain cellulose super absorbers to improve filling and act as an electrolyte reservoir to increase cycle life, wherein the separator may be made of a polyabsorb diaper material, for example, whereby the separator could preferably release previously absorbed electrolyte when charge is applied to the battery.
- the separator may be of a lower density and thicker than normal cells so that the Inter-Electrode-Spacing (IES) can start higher than normal and be continually reduced to maintain the C-rate and capacity of the battery over its life as well as to extend the life of the battery.
- IES Inter-Electrode-Spacing
- the separator may be a thinner than normal material bonded to the surface of the active material on the electrode units to reduce shorting and improve recombination.
- This separator material could be sprayed on, coated on, or pressed on, for example.
- the separator may have a recombination agent attached thereto, in certain embodiments.
- This agent could be infused within the structure of the separator (this could be done by physically trapping the agent in a wet process using a PVA to bind the agent to the separator fibers, or the agent could be put therein by electro-deposition, for example), or it could be layered on the surface by vapor deposition.
- the material could be Pb, Ag, or any other agent that effectively supports recombination. While the separator preferably presents a resistance if the substrates move toward each other, a separator may not be provided in certain embodiments of the invention that utilize substrates that are stiff enough not to deflect.
- the electrolyte 11 of each electrolyte layer 10 of the bi-polar battery of the invention may be formed of any suitable chemical compound that ionizes when dissolved or molten to produce an electrically conductive medium.
- the electrolyte is preferably a standard NiMH electrolyte containing lithium hydroxide (LiOH), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), calcium hydroxide (CaOH), or potassium hydroxide (KOH), for example.
- the electrolyte may also contain additives to improve recombination, such as Ag(OH) 2 , for example.
- the electrolyte may also contain RbOH, for example, to improve low temperature performance.
- the electrolyte (e.g., electrolyte 11 ) may be frozen within the separator (e.g., separator 9 ) and then thawed after the battery is completely assembled. This allows for particularly viscous electrolytes to be inserted into the electrode unit stack of the bi-polar battery before the gaskets have formed substantially fluid tight seals with the substrates adjacent thereto.
- the gaskets 60 of the bi-polar battery of the invention may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials that may effectively seal an electrolyte within the space defined by the gasket and the substrates adjacent thereto.
- the gasket could be formed from a solid seal loop, such as nylon, polypropylene, cell guard, rubber, PVA, or any other nonconductive material, or combination thereof, for example.
- This seal ring may be compressible to improve sealing. The compression may preferably be about 5%, but may be whatever elasticity is needed to insure a good seal.
- the gaskets may be formed from a viscous paste, such as epoxy, brea tar, or KOH impervious glue, for example.
- the gaskets utilized in the bi-polar battery of this invention may be formed by a combination of a solid seal loop and a viscous paste used to improve sealing between the gasket and the electrode unit substrates adjacent thereto.
- the substrates themselves could be treated with viscous pastes before the gaskets are stacked therebetween.
- one benefit of utilizing a bi-polar battery design is the increased discharge rate of the battery.
- This increased discharge rate allows for the use of certain less-corrosive electrolytes (e.g., by removing or reducing the KOH component of the electrolyte) that otherwise might not be feasible in prismatic or wound battery designs.
- This leeway provided by the bi-polar design to use less-corrosive electrolytes allows for certain epoxies (e.g., J-B Weld epoxy, for example, which has no KOH electrolytes) to be utilized when forming a seal with the gaskets that otherwise would be corroded by more-corrosive electrolytes.
- each gasket may be chamfered to fit against a reciprocal groove in its adjacent substrate. Furthermore, each gasket may be shaped at its external edge such that it fits over the outside edge of its adjacent substrate when placed in the stack (see, e.g., gasket 60 a with respect to substrate 6 a in FIGS. 6 and 8 ).
- the case or wrapper 40 of the bi-polar battery of the invention may be formed of any suitable nonconductive material that seals to the terminal electrode units (i.e., MPUs 12 and 32 ) for exposing their conductive electrode layers (i.e., layers 4 and 38 ) or their associated leads (i.e., leads 13 and 33 ).
- the wrapper also preferably supports and maintains the seals between the gaskets and the electrode unit substrates adjacent thereto for isolating the electrolytes within their respective cell segments.
- the wrapper preferably gives the support required to these seals such that they may resist expansion of the battery as the internal pressures in the cell segments increase.
- the wrapper may be made of nylon or any other polymer or elastic material, including reinforced composites, or shrink wrap material, or of a ridged material, such as enamel coated steel or any other metal, for example.
- bi-polar battery 50 of the invention includes a plurality of cell segments (e.g., cell segments 22 a - 22 e ) formed by MPUs 12 and 32 , and the stack of BPUs (e.g., BPUs 2 a - 2 d ) therebetween.
- the thicknesses and materials of each one of the substrates e.g., substrates 6 a - 6 d ), the electrode layers (e.g., positive layers 4 a - d and 14 , and negative layers 8 a - 8 d and 38 ), the electrolyte layers (e.g., layers 10 a - 10 e ), and the gaskets (e.g., gaskets 60 a - 60 e ) may differ from one another, not only from cell segment to cell segment, but also within a particular cell segment, thereby creating batteries with a plethora of different benefits and performance characteristics.
- substrate 6 a of BPU 2 a may be coated with a variety of active materials along different portions thereof for forming positive active material electrode layer 4 a , as shown, for example, in FIG. 4A by outermost portion 4 a ′, middle portion 4 a ′′, and innermost portion 4 a ′′′.
- Each one of portions 4 a ′- 4 a ′′′ may be formed by a different active material and/or may be of a different thickness, for example.
- the materials and thicknesses of the substrates, electrode layers, electrolyte layers, and gaskets can vary along the height of the stack of cell segments.
- the electrolyte used in each of the electrolyte layers of battery 50 may vary based upon how close its respective cell segment is to the middle of the stack of cell segments.
- cell segment 22 c may include an electrolyte layer (i.e., electrolyte layer 10 c ) that is formed of a first electrolyte
- cell segments 22 b and 22 d i.e., the cell segments adjacent the terminal cell segments in battery 50
- electrolyte layers i.e., electrolyte layers 10 b and 10 d , respectively
- cell segments 22 a and 22 e i.e., the outermost cell segments in battery 50
- electrolyte layers i.e., electrolyte layers 10 a and 10 e , respectively
- the resistance would be lower such that the heat generated would be less, thereby providing the thermal control of the battery by design instead of by external cooling methods.
- a method of producing the bi-polar battery of this invention may generally include the steps of providing an MPU and stacking one or more BPUs thereon with electrolyte layers and gaskets therebetween, before finally topping off the stack with another MPU of opposite polarity.
- a negative MPU 1032 may initially be provided with an impermeable conductive substrate 1036 and a negative active material electrode layer 1038 coated thereon.
- Substrate 1036 is preferably provided with a groove 1070 at least partially about negative layer 1038 .
- a gasket 1060 is preferably stacked upon substrate 1036 about electrode layer 1038 (see, e.g., FIGS. 12 and 13 ).
- a groove 1061 is preferably chamfered into the side of gasket 1060 that contacts substrate 1036 , such that grooves 1070 and 1061 align to create a continuous contact surface area between the gasket and the substrate.
- a substantially fluid tight cup-shaped receptacle (see, e.g., space 1080 ) is thus defined by the inner side walls of gasket 1060 and the portions of MPU 1032 therebetween.
- the angle formed between the inner side walls of the gasket and the portions of the electrode unit therebetween e.g., angle 1078 between the inner side walls of gasket 1060 and the portions of MPU 1032 therebetween in FIG. 13 ) may be of any suitable angle, including right angles, obtuse angles, or acute angles.
- a separator 1009 and an electrolyte 1011 may be deposited within the inner walls of gasket 1060 on top of negative electrode layer 1038 to define an electrolyte layer 1010 within the space 1080 (see, e.g., FIGS. 14 and 15 ).
- the seal created between the gasket and the MPU allows for the electrolyte to be easily injected into space 1080 without chance of leaking. It is to be understood that if the electrolyte is not viscous upon insertion into the stack (e.g., in the embodiment where the electrolyte is frozen within the separator), the electrolyte layer may be stacked upon the MPU before the gasket is fitted thereon.
- a first BPU 1102 may be stacked thereupon (see, e.g., FIGS. 16 and 17 ).
- BPU 1102 includes an impermeable conductive substrate 1106 having a positive electrode layer 1104 and a negative electrode layer 1108 coated on opposite sides thereof.
- Substrate 1106 is preferably provided with a groove 1172 on one of its sides at least partially about positive electrode layer 1104 .
- BPU 1102 With positive electrode layer 1104 of BPU 1102 facing downwards towards negative electrode layer 1038 of MPU 1032 , BPU 1102 is stacked upon gasket 1060 , such that groove 1062 provided on the top of gasket 1060 and groove 1172 of substrate 1106 align and create a continuous contact surface area between the gasket and the substrate. These reciprocal grooves aid in the self-alignment of the BPU with respect to the gasket, and therefore the MPU as it is stacked thereupon, thereby simplifying this production step.
- a first cell segment 1022 exists.
- a substantially fluid tight seal is thereby defined by substrate 1106 , substrate 1036 , and gasket 1060 about electrolyte layer 1010 (and thus electrolyte 1011 ).
- groove 1062 on the top of gasket 1060 may be of the same size, shape, and form (both cross-sectionally and about the electrodes) as that of groove 1061 on the bottom of gasket 1060
- the grooves on the top and bottom of the gasket may be different from one another, as shown in FIG. 16 , for example.
- the grooves provided on the top and bottom of each substrate of the electrode units may vary with respect to one another (see, e.g., grooves 1172 and 1170 of BPU 1102 in FIG. 16 ).
- this first cell segment 1022 has been created by stacking gasket 1060 , electrolyte layer 1010 , and BPU 1102 on top of MPU 1032 , as described above with respect to FIGS. 10-17 , additional BPUs may be stacked thereon in a similar fashion, if desired.
- a second MPU must be stacked thereon.
- a positive MPU 1012 may be stacked on top of the top most BPU (in this embodiment, only one BPU has been provided, so BPU 1102 is that top most BPU).
- an additional gasket i.e., gasket 1160 with bottom groove 1161 and top groove 1162
- electrolyte layer i.e., electrolyte layer 1110 with separator 1109 and electrolyte 1111
- gasket 1060 and electrolyte layer 1010 may be provided as described above with respect to gasket 1060 and electrolyte layer 1010 .
- Positive MPU 1012 is preferably provided with an impermeable conductive substrate 1016 and a positive active material electrode layer 1014 coated thereon.
- Substrate 1016 is preferably provided with a groove 1072 at least partially about positive layer 1014 .
- MPU 1012 is stacked upon gasket 1160 , such that groove 1162 provided on the top of gasket 1160 and groove 1072 of substrate 1016 align and create a continuous contact surface area between the gasket and the substrate.
- a case or wrapper may be provided to seal the contents of the stack for forming a functional bi-polar battery of the invention.
- a preferably rigid wrapper 1040 is provided about the stack of cell segments (i.e., cell segments 1022 and 1122 ), such that the terminal electrode layers (i.e., positive electrode layer 1014 and negative electrode layer 1038 ) are exposed (via conductive substrates 1016 and 1036 , respectively), and such that a C-shaped clamping arrangement is provided by the wrapper about the contents of the stack to provide a bi-polar battery 1050 .
- Pressure is exerted by the wrapper both downward onto substrate 1016 of MPU 1012 in the direction of arrows P D as well as upward onto substrate 1036 of MPU 1032 in the direction of arrows P U .
- This pressure preferably maintains the sealed relationship between each gasket and the substrates adjacent thereto in the stack for creating substantially fluid tight barriers about each electrolyte layer. It should be noted that the mating of grooves formed in the gaskets and their adjacent substrates, as described above in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, decreases the amount of clamping pressure required to be exerted in the direction of arrows P D and P U in order to create the substantially fluid tight seals.
- a wrapper 1040 ′ preferably made of seal wrap, shrink wrap, seal tape, or any other suitable deformable material, is provided about the stack of cell segments (i.e., cell segments 1022 and 1122 ), such that the terminal electrode layers (i.e., positive electrode layer 1014 and negative electrode layer 1038 ) are exposed (via conductive substrates 1016 and 1036 , respectively), and such that a solely outer-edge clamping arrangement is provided by wrapping the wrapper about the contents of the stack to provide a bi-polar battery 1050 ′.
- the stack of cell segments, as wrapped by wrapper 1040 ′, is preferably placed inside a rigid container 1060 ′ whose cross-sectional area is similar in shape but somewhat larger than that of the wrapped stack.
- any suitable fluid 1070 ′ that expands when under pressure such as air, water, or foam, for example, is filled into the container 1060 ′ about the wrapper 1040 ′.
- the container may then be sealed and its enclosed fluid 1070 ′ may be pressurized such that it expands to provide pressure inward about the entire surface area of wrapper 1040 ′ in the direction of arrows P S for tightening wrapper 1040 ′ about the stack of cell segments. This pressure maintains the sealed relationship between each gasket and the substrates adjacent thereto in the stack for creating substantially fluid tight barriers about each electrolyte layer of battery 1050 ′, which may be subsequently removed from container 1060 ′.
- the bi-polar battery of the invention may be formed by stacking substrates with cross-sectional areas that are rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, or any other imaginable shape, including those with one or more empty spaces within a plane, such as a “figure-8” (see, e.g., battery 2050 , having wrapper 2040 ′, BPU 2102 , and MPUs 2012 and 2032 , in FIGS. 23 and 24 ), for example.
- a bi-polar battery has been provided with a positive electrode unit, a negative electrode unit, at least one bi-polar electrode unit stacked therebetween, an electrolyte layer separating each adjacent electrode unit, and a gasket positioned about each electrolyte layer for creating a seal about the electrolyte layer in conjunction with the electrode units adjacent thereto.
- the materials, shapes, and sizes of the electrode units, electrolyte layers, and gaskets described above are only exemplary.
- the invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the invention is limited only by the claims which follow.
Abstract
A bi-polar battery has a positive electrode unit, a negative electrode unit, at least one bi-polar electrode unit stacked therebetween, an electrolyte layer separating each adjacent electrode unit, and a gasket positioned about each electrolyte layer for creating a seal about the electrolyte layer in conjunction with the electrode units adjacent thereto. The bi-polar battery also includes a wrapper for maintaining the seals created by the gaskets.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/677,512, filed May 3, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
- This invention relates generally to batteries and, more particularly, to bi-polar batteries with improved sealing.
- Bi-polar batteries are able to provide an increased discharge rate and a higher voltage potential between its external connectors than standard wound or prismatic batteries, and are therefore in high demand for certain applications. Conventional batteries have been manufactured as either a wound cell battery that has only two electrodes or a standard prismatic cell battery that has many plate sets in parallel. In both of these types, the electrolyte can be shared everywhere within the battery. The wound cell and prismatic cell structures suffer from high electrical resistances due to their electrical paths having to cross multiple connections and cover significantly long distances to cover the complete circuit from one cell to the next in a series arrangement.
- Recently, bi-polar batteries have been developed to generally include a series of stacked bi-polar electrode units (BPUs), each BPU being provided with a positive active material electrode layer and a negative active material electrode layer coated on opposite sides of a current collector (see, for example, Fukuzawa et al. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0161667 A1, published Aug. 19, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). Any two adjacent BPUs have an electrolyte layer therebetween for electrically isolating the current collectors of those two BPUs. The series configuration of a bi-polar battery causes the voltage potential to be different between current collectors. However, if the current collectors contacted each other or if the common electrolyte of any two adjacent BPUs is shared with any additional BPU, the voltage and energy of the battery would fade (i.e., discharge) quickly to zero.
- Accordingly, it would be advantageous to be able to provide a bi-polar battery with improved sealing of electrolyte between adjacent BPUs.
- It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a bi-polar battery with improved sealing of electrolyte between adjacent bi-polar electrode units.
- In accordance with the invention, there is provided a bi-polar battery having a positive mono-polar electrode unit, a negative mono-polar electrode unit, at least one bi-polar electrode unit stacked between the positive electrode unit and the negative electrode unit, and an electrolyte layer provided between each pair of adjacent electrode units. The bi-polar battery also includes a gasket positioned about each of the electrolyte layers, wherein each of the electrolyte layers is sealed by its respective gasket and its respective pair of adjacent electrode units.
- The above and other advantages of the invention will be more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a basic structure of a bi-polar electrode unit (BPU) according to the invention; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a basic structure of a stack of BPUs ofFIG. 1 according to the invention; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a basic structure of a bi-polar battery implementing the stack of BPUs ofFIG. 2 according to the invention; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the bi-polar battery ofFIG. 3 , taken from line IV-IV ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 4A is a schematic top view of the bi-polar battery ofFIG. 3 , taken from line IVA-IVA ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the basic constitution of the bi-polar battery ofFIGS. 3-4A ; -
FIG. 6 is a detailed schematic cross-sectional view of a particular portion of the bi-polar battery ofFIGS. 3-5 ; -
FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of the bi-polar battery ofFIGS. 3-6 , taken from line VII-VII ofFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of the bi-polar battery ofFIGS. 3-7 , taken from line VIII-VIII ofFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of the bi-polar battery ofFIGS. 3-8 , taken from line IX-IX ofFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of certain elements in a first stage of a method for forming a bi-polar battery according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of the elements ofFIG. 10 , taken from line XI-XI ofFIG. 10 ; -
FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of certain elements in a second stage of a method for forming a bi-polar battery according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 13 is a schematic top view of the elements ofFIG. 12 , taken from line XIII-XIII ofFIG. 12 ; -
FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of certain elements in a third stage of a method for forming a bi-polar battery according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 15 is a schematic top view of the elements ofFIG. 14 , taken from line XV-XV ofFIG. 14 ; -
FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of certain elements in a fourth stage of a method for forming a bi-polar battery according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 17 is a schematic top view of the elements ofFIG. 16 , taken from line XVII-XVII ofFIG. 16 ; -
FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of certain elements in a fifth stage of a method for forming a bi-polar battery according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of certain elements in a sixth stage of a method for forming a bi-polar battery according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 20 is a schematic top view of the elements ofFIG. 19 , taken from line XX-XX ofFIG. 19 ; -
FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of certain elements in a sixth stage of a method for forming a bi-polar battery according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 22 is a schematic top view of the elements ofFIG. 21 , taken from line XXII-XXII ofFIG. 21 ; -
FIG. 23 is a schematic top view of a bi-polar battery according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; and -
FIG. 24 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the bi-polar battery ofFIG. 23 , taken from line XXIV-XXIV ofFIG. 23 . - The invention provides a bi-polar battery having a positive mono-polar unit (MPU) terminal, a negative MPU terminal, and at least one bi-polar unit (BPU) arranged substantially vertically therebetween. Each BTU includes an electrode layer (e.g., a conductive substrate) having two sides. A positive active material is formed or positioned on the first side of the electrode layer, and a negative material is formed or positioned on the second side of the electrode layer. The bi-polar battery of this invention also includes an electrolyte layer having an electrolyte between each adjacent electrode unit (i.e., between each MPU and adjacent BPU, and between each BPU and adjacent BPU) and a barrier that electrically isolates the adjacent electrode units between which the electrolyte layer is positioned. Additionally, the bi-polar battery of this invention includes a gasket positioned substantially about each electrolyte layer for sealing the electrolyte of the electrolyte layer between the gasket and the two electrode layers adjacent thereto.
- The invention will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 1-24 . -
FIG. 1 shows anillustrative BPU 2, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, including a positive activematerial electrode layer 4 provided on a first side of an impermeableconductive substrate 6, and a negative activematerial electrode layer 8 provided on the other side of the impermeableconductive substrate 6. - As shown in
FIG. 2 ,multiple BPUs 2 may be stacked substantially vertically into astack 20, with anelectrolyte layer 10 provided between twoadjacent BPUs 2, such that apositive electrode layer 4 of oneBPU 2 is opposed to anegative electrode layer 8 of anadjacent BPU 2 via anelectrolyte layer 10. Eachelectrolyte layer 10 preferably includes a separator 9 that holds an electrolyte 11 (see, e.g.,FIG. 6 ). Separator 9 may electrically separate thepositive electrode layer 4 andnegative electrode layer 8 adjacent thereto, while allowing ionic transfer between the electrode units for recombination, as described in more detail below. - With continued reference to the stacked state of
BPUs 2 inFIG. 2 , the components included inpositive electrode layer 4 andsubstrate 6 of afirst BPU 2, thenegative electrode layer 8 andsubstrate 6 of asecond BPU 2 adjacent to thefirst BPU 2, and theelectrolyte layer 10 between the first andsecond BPUs 2 shall be referred to herein as a “cell segment” 22. Eachimpermeable substrate 6 of eachcell segment 22 is shared by the applicableadjacent cell segment 22. - As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4 , positive and negative terminals may be provided along withstack 20 of one ormore BPUs 2 to constitute abi-polar battery 50 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Apositive MPU 12, including a positive activematerial electrode layer 14 provided on one side of an impermeableconductive substrate 16, may be positioned at a first end ofstack 20 with an electrolyte layer provided therebetween (i.e.,electrolyte layer 10 e), such thatpositive electrode layer 14 ofpositive MPU 12 is opposed to a negative electrode layer (i.e.,layer 8 d) of the BPU (i.e.,BPU 2 d) at that first end ofstack 20 via theelectrolyte layer 10 e. Anegative MPU 32, including a negative activematerial electrode layer 38 provided on one side of an impermeableconductive substrate 36, may be positioned at the second end ofstack 20 with an electrolyte layer provided therebetween (i.e.,electrolyte layer 10 a), such thatnegative electrode layer 38 ofnegative MPU 32 is opposed to a positive electrode layer (i.e.,layer 4 a) of the BPU (i.e.,BPU 2 a) at that second end ofstack 20 via theelectrolyte layer 10 a. If desired,MPUs - It should be noted that the substrate and electrode layer of each MPU may form a
cell segment 22 with the substrate and electrode layer of itsadjacent BPU 2, and theelectrolyte layer 10 therebetween, as shown inFIG. 3 . The number of stackedBPUs 2 instack 20 may be one or more, and is appropriately determined in order to correspond to a desired voltage forbattery 50. EachBPU 2 may provide any desired potential, such that a desired voltage forbattery 50 may be achieved by effectively adding the potentials provided by eachcomponent BPU 2. It will be understood that eachBPU 2 need not provide identical potentials. - In one suitable embodiment,
bi-polar battery 50 is structured so that the whole of theBPU stack 20 and its respective positive andnegative MPUs wrapper 40 under reduced pressure. MPUconductive substrates 6 and 36 (or at least their respective electrode leads 13 and 33) may be drawn out ofbattery case 40, so as to mitigate impacts from the exterior upon usage and to prevent environmental degradation.Indentations 42 may be provided inMPUs - In order to prevent electrolyte of a first cell segment 22 (see, e.g.,
electrolyte 11 a ofcell segment 22 a ofFIG. 6A ) from combining with the electrolyte of another cell segment 22 (see, e.g.,electrolyte 11 b ofcell segment 22 b ofFIG. 6A ), gaskets are preferably stacked withelectrolyte layers 10 between adjacent electrode units to seal electrolyte within itsparticular cell segment 22. In one suitable arrangement, as shown inFIGS. 3-4A , the bi-polar battery of the invention may include a gasket 60 positioned as a continuous loop aboutelectrolyte layer 10 and activematerial electrode layers cell segment 22 for sealing electrolyte between the gasket and the electrode units of that segment (i.e., the BPUs or the SPU and MPU adjacent to that gasket) and for keeping the appropriate gaps between the adjacentconductive substrates 6/16/32 of that segment. - As will be described in more detail below, in one suitable approach, pressure may be applied to the top and bottom of
case 40 in the direction of arrows P1 and P2 for compressing and holdingcell segments 22 and gaskets 60 in the sealed configuration shown inFIGS. 3-4A . In another suitable approach, pressure may be applied to the sides ofcase 40 in the direction of arrows P3 and P4 for compressing and holdingcell segments 22 and gaskets 60 in the sealed configuration shown inFIGS. 3-4A . In yet another suitable approach, pressure may be applied to the top and bottom ofcase 40 in the direction of arrows P1 and P2 and pressure may be also applied to the sides ofcase 40 in the direction of arrows P3 and P4 for compressing and holdingcell segments 22 and gaskets 60 in the sealed configuration shown inFIGS. 3-4A . Such abi-polar battery 50 may includemultiple cell segments 22 stacked and series-connected, as shown inFIG. 5 , to provide the desired voltage. - Referring now to
FIG. 6 , there is shown an exploded view of twoparticular cell segments 22 ofbattery 50 of the invention.Cell segment 22 a includessubstrate 36 andnegative electrode layer 38 ofMPU 32,electrolyte layer 10 a, as well aspositive electrode layer 4 a andsubstrate 6 a of BPU 2 a.Cell segment 22 b includessubstrate 6 a andnegative electrode layer 8 a of BPU 2 a,electrolyte layer 10 b, as well aspositive electrode layer 4 b andsubstrate 6 b ofBPU 2 b. As described above, eachelectrolyte layer 10 may include a separator 9 and an electrolyte 11. A gasket 60 may be provided as a continuous loop aboutelectrolyte layer 10 of eachcell segment 22 such that separator 9 and electrolyte 11 of that segment are completely sealed within the space defined by gasket 60 and the adjacent substrates of that particular cell segment. - As shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7 ,gasket 60 a surroundselectrolyte layer 10 a such that its separator 9 a andelectrolyte 11 a are completely sealed within the space defined bygasket 60 a,substrate 36, andsubstrate 6 a ofcell segment 22 a. Likewise, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 8 ,gasket 60 b surroundselectrolyte layer 10 b such that itsseparator 9 b andelectrolyte 11 b are completely sealed within the space defined bygasket 60 b,substrate 6 a, andsubstrate 6 b ofcell segment 22 b. Furthermore, each gasket may form a seal with the active material layers of its cell segment by contacting their sides (see, e.g.,gasket 60 a and the sides of active material layers 38 and 4 a). - In one suitable embodiment, in order to create a better seal, the surface areas of the gasket and its adjacent substrates that contact each other may be chamfered. As shown in
FIGS. 6-9 , grooves 70 may be formed along the surface areas of the gaskets and the substrates at their point of contact with one another, thereby increasing the size of the contact area and creating a path of greater resistance for any fluid attempting to break the seal created between the gasket and substrate. The cross-sectional area of groove 70 between the surfaces of the gasket and the particular substrate may be of any suitable shape, such as sinusoidal (see, e.g., groove 70 a inFIG. 6 ), V-shaped (see, e.g., groove 70 b inFIG. 6 ), or rectangular (see, e.g., groove 70 c inFIG. 6 ), for example. Furthermore, the path of groove 70 about the particular substrate of its cell segment may be of any suitable design, such as smooth and continuous (see, e.g., groove 70 a inFIG. 7 ), jagged and continuous (see, e.g., groove 70 b inFIG. 8 ), or non-continuous (see, e.g., groove 70 c ofFIG. 9 ), for example. The shapes and sizes of the grooves provided between gaskets and substrates described herein are only exemplary, and any various sizes and shapes may be used to create such grooves. Furthermore, no groove may be provided between the gaskets and substrates in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. - The substrates used to form the electrode units of the invention (e.g.,
substrates - The positive electrode layers provided on these substrates to form the electrode units of the invention (e.g.,
positive electrode layers 4 and 14) may be formed of any suitable active material, such as nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)2), for example. The positive active material may be sintered and impregnated, coated with an aqueous binder and pressed, coated with an organic binder and pressed, or contained by any other suitable method of containing Ni(OH)2 with other supporting chemicals in a conductive matrix. The positive electrode layer of the electrode unit may have metal hydride (MH) particles infused within the Ni(OH)2 matrix to reduce swelling, which increases cycle life, to improve recombination, and to reduce pressure within the cell segment. The MH may also be in a bonding of Ni(OH)2 paste to improve electrical conductivity within the electrode and to support recombination. Other chemicals could be substituted for MH, such as Pd or Ag, for example. - The negative electrode layers provided on these substrates to form the electrode units of the invention (e.g.,
negative electrode layers 8 and 38) may be formed of any suitable active material, such as Metal hydride (MH), Cd, Zn, and Ag, for example. The negative active material may be sintered; coated with an aqueous binder and pressed, coated with an organic binder and pressed, or contained by any other suitable method of containing MH with other supporting chemicals in a conductive matrix. The MH electrode side may have Ni(OH)2 infused within the MH matrix to stabilize the structure, reduce oxidation, and extend cycle life. Other chemicals could be substituted for Ni(OH)2, such as Zn or Al, for example. - Various suitable binders, such as organic CMC binder, Creyton rubber, and PTFE (Teflon), for example, may be mixed with the active material layers to hold the layers to their substrates.
- The separator 9 of each
electrolyte layer 10 of the bi-polar battery of the invention may be formed of any suitable material that electrically isolates its two adjacent electrode units while allowing ionic transfer between those electrode units. The separator may contain cellulose super absorbers to improve filling and act as an electrolyte reservoir to increase cycle life, wherein the separator may be made of a polyabsorb diaper material, for example, whereby the separator could preferably release previously absorbed electrolyte when charge is applied to the battery. In certain embodiments, the separator may be of a lower density and thicker than normal cells so that the Inter-Electrode-Spacing (IES) can start higher than normal and be continually reduced to maintain the C-rate and capacity of the battery over its life as well as to extend the life of the battery. - The separator may be a thinner than normal material bonded to the surface of the active material on the electrode units to reduce shorting and improve recombination. This separator material could be sprayed on, coated on, or pressed on, for example. The separator may have a recombination agent attached thereto, in certain embodiments. This agent could be infused within the structure of the separator (this could be done by physically trapping the agent in a wet process using a PVA to bind the agent to the separator fibers, or the agent could be put therein by electro-deposition, for example), or it could be layered on the surface by vapor deposition. The material could be Pb, Ag, or any other agent that effectively supports recombination. While the separator preferably presents a resistance if the substrates move toward each other, a separator may not be provided in certain embodiments of the invention that utilize substrates that are stiff enough not to deflect.
- The electrolyte 11 of each
electrolyte layer 10 of the bi-polar battery of the invention may be formed of any suitable chemical compound that ionizes when dissolved or molten to produce an electrically conductive medium. The electrolyte is preferably a standard NiMH electrolyte containing lithium hydroxide (LiOH), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), calcium hydroxide (CaOH), or potassium hydroxide (KOH), for example. The electrolyte may also contain additives to improve recombination, such as Ag(OH)2, for example. The electrolyte may also contain RbOH, for example, to improve low temperature performance. In some embodiments of the invention, the electrolyte (e.g., electrolyte 11) may be frozen within the separator (e.g., separator 9) and then thawed after the battery is completely assembled. This allows for particularly viscous electrolytes to be inserted into the electrode unit stack of the bi-polar battery before the gaskets have formed substantially fluid tight seals with the substrates adjacent thereto. - The gaskets 60 of the bi-polar battery of the invention may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials that may effectively seal an electrolyte within the space defined by the gasket and the substrates adjacent thereto. In certain embodiments, the gasket could be formed from a solid seal loop, such as nylon, polypropylene, cell guard, rubber, PVA, or any other nonconductive material, or combination thereof, for example. This seal ring may be compressible to improve sealing. The compression may preferably be about 5%, but may be whatever elasticity is needed to insure a good seal.
- Alternatively, the gaskets may be formed from a viscous paste, such as epoxy, brea tar, or KOH impervious glue, for example. In yet other embodiments, the gaskets utilized in the bi-polar battery of this invention may be formed by a combination of a solid seal loop and a viscous paste used to improve sealing between the gasket and the electrode unit substrates adjacent thereto. Alternatively, the substrates themselves could be treated with viscous pastes before the gaskets are stacked therebetween.
- As mentioned above, one benefit of utilizing a bi-polar battery design is the increased discharge rate of the battery. This increased discharge rate allows for the use of certain less-corrosive electrolytes (e.g., by removing or reducing the KOH component of the electrolyte) that otherwise might not be feasible in prismatic or wound battery designs. This leeway provided by the bi-polar design to use less-corrosive electrolytes allows for certain epoxies (e.g., J-B Weld epoxy, for example, which has no KOH electrolytes) to be utilized when forming a seal with the gaskets that otherwise would be corroded by more-corrosive electrolytes.
- As described above, the top and bottom of each gasket may be chamfered to fit against a reciprocal groove in its adjacent substrate. Furthermore, each gasket may be shaped at its external edge such that it fits over the outside edge of its adjacent substrate when placed in the stack (see, e.g.,
gasket 60 a with respect tosubstrate 6 a inFIGS. 6 and 8 ). - The case or
wrapper 40 of the bi-polar battery of the invention may be formed of any suitable nonconductive material that seals to the terminal electrode units (i.e.,MPUs 12 and 32) for exposing their conductive electrode layers (i.e., layers 4 and 38) or their associated leads (i.e., leads 13 and 33). The wrapper also preferably supports and maintains the seals between the gaskets and the electrode unit substrates adjacent thereto for isolating the electrolytes within their respective cell segments. The wrapper preferably gives the support required to these seals such that they may resist expansion of the battery as the internal pressures in the cell segments increase. The wrapper may be made of nylon or any other polymer or elastic material, including reinforced composites, or shrink wrap material, or of a ridged material, such as enamel coated steel or any other metal, for example. - With continued reference to
FIG. 3 ,bi-polar battery 50 of the invention includes a plurality of cell segments (e.g.,cell segments 22 a-22 e) formed byMPUs BPUs 2 a-2 d) therebetween. In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, the thicknesses and materials of each one of the substrates (e.g.,substrates 6 a-6 d), the electrode layers (e.g.,positive layers 4 a-d and 14, andnegative layers 8 a-8 d and 38), the electrolyte layers (e.g., layers 10 a-10 e), and the gaskets (e.g., gaskets 60 a-60 e) may differ from one another, not only from cell segment to cell segment, but also within a particular cell segment, thereby creating batteries with a plethora of different benefits and performance characteristics. - For example,
substrate 6 a of BPU 2 a may be coated with a variety of active materials along different portions thereof for forming positive activematerial electrode layer 4 a, as shown, for example, inFIG. 4A byoutermost portion 4 a′,middle portion 4 a″, andinnermost portion 4 a′″. Each one ofportions 4 a′-4 a′″ may be formed by a different active material and/or may be of a different thickness, for example. - Additionally, besides varying the materials and thicknesses within a particular substrate, electrode layer, electrolyte layer, or gasket, as described above with respect to
substrate 6 a inFIG. 4A , the materials and thicknesses of the substrates, electrode layers, electrolyte layers, and gaskets can vary along the height of the stack of cell segments. As an example, the electrolyte used in each of the electrolyte layers ofbattery 50 may vary based upon how close its respective cell segment is to the middle of the stack of cell segments. For example,cell segment 22 c (i.e., the middle cell segment of the five (5)segments 22 in battery 50) may include an electrolyte layer (i.e.,electrolyte layer 10 c) that is formed of a first electrolyte, whilecell segments cell segments - As mentioned above, a method of producing the bi-polar battery of this invention may generally include the steps of providing an MPU and stacking one or more BPUs thereon with electrolyte layers and gaskets therebetween, before finally topping off the stack with another MPU of opposite polarity. For example, with respect to
FIGS. 10 and 11 , anegative MPU 1032 may initially be provided with an impermeableconductive substrate 1036 and a negative activematerial electrode layer 1038 coated thereon.Substrate 1036 is preferably provided with agroove 1070 at least partially aboutnegative layer 1038. - Next, a
gasket 1060 is preferably stacked uponsubstrate 1036 about electrode layer 1038 (see, e.g.,FIGS. 12 and 13 ). Agroove 1061 is preferably chamfered into the side ofgasket 1060 thatcontacts substrate 1036, such thatgrooves gasket 1060 has been stacked firmly on top ofMPU 1032, a substantially fluid tight cup-shaped receptacle (see, e.g., space 1080) is thus defined by the inner side walls ofgasket 1060 and the portions ofMPU 1032 therebetween. The angle formed between the inner side walls of the gasket and the portions of the electrode unit therebetween (e.g.,angle 1078 between the inner side walls ofgasket 1060 and the portions ofMPU 1032 therebetween inFIG. 13 ) may be of any suitable angle, including right angles, obtuse angles, or acute angles. - Next, a
separator 1009 and anelectrolyte 1011 may be deposited within the inner walls ofgasket 1060 on top ofnegative electrode layer 1038 to define anelectrolyte layer 1010 within the space 1080 (see, e.g.,FIGS. 14 and 15 ). When the electrolyte to be used is quite viscous, the seal created between the gasket and the MPU allows for the electrolyte to be easily injected intospace 1080 without chance of leaking. It is to be understood that if the electrolyte is not viscous upon insertion into the stack (e.g., in the embodiment where the electrolyte is frozen within the separator), the electrolyte layer may be stacked upon the MPU before the gasket is fitted thereon. - Once
separator 1009 andelectrolyte 1011 ofelectrolyte layer 1010 have been deposited withinspace 1080 defined bygasket 1060 andMPU 1032, afirst BPU 1102 may be stacked thereupon (see, e.g.,FIGS. 16 and 17 ). As shown inFIG. 16 ,BPU 1102 includes an impermeableconductive substrate 1106 having apositive electrode layer 1104 and anegative electrode layer 1108 coated on opposite sides thereof.Substrate 1106 is preferably provided with agroove 1172 on one of its sides at least partially aboutpositive electrode layer 1104. Withpositive electrode layer 1104 ofBPU 1102 facing downwards towardsnegative electrode layer 1038 ofMPU 1032,BPU 1102 is stacked upongasket 1060, such thatgroove 1062 provided on the top ofgasket 1060 andgroove 1172 ofsubstrate 1106 align and create a continuous contact surface area between the gasket and the substrate. These reciprocal grooves aid in the self-alignment of the BPU with respect to the gasket, and therefore the MPU as it is stacked thereupon, thereby simplifying this production step. OnceBPU 1102 has been stacked firmly on top ofgasket 1060, and thusMPU 1032, afirst cell segment 1022 exists. Moreover, a substantially fluid tight seal is thereby defined bysubstrate 1106,substrate 1036, andgasket 1060 about electrolyte layer 1010 (and thus electrolyte 1011). - It should be noted that, while
groove 1062 on the top of gasket 1060 (and thus groove 1172 on the bottom of substrate 1106) may be of the same size, shape, and form (both cross-sectionally and about the electrodes) as that ofgroove 1061 on the bottom ofgasket 1060, the grooves on the top and bottom of the gasket may be different from one another, as shown inFIG. 16 , for example. Similarly, the grooves provided on the top and bottom of each substrate of the electrode units may vary with respect to one another (see, e.g.,grooves BPU 1102 inFIG. 16 ). - Once this
first cell segment 1022 has been created by stackinggasket 1060,electrolyte layer 1010, andBPU 1102 on top ofMPU 1032, as described above with respect toFIGS. 10-17 , additional BPUs may be stacked thereon in a similar fashion, if desired. Once the desired amount of BPUs has been stacked for the bi-polar battery, a second MPU must be stacked thereon. With reference toFIG. 18 , apositive MPU 1012 may be stacked on top of the top most BPU (in this embodiment, only one BPU has been provided, soBPU 1102 is that top most BPU). However, beforeMPU 1012 is stacked uponBPU 1102, an additional gasket (i.e.,gasket 1160 with bottom groove 1161 and top groove 1162) and electrolyte layer (i.e.,electrolyte layer 1110 withseparator 1109 and electrolyte 1111) may be provided as described above with respect togasket 1060 andelectrolyte layer 1010. -
Positive MPU 1012 is preferably provided with an impermeableconductive substrate 1016 and a positive activematerial electrode layer 1014 coated thereon.Substrate 1016 is preferably provided with a groove 1072 at least partially aboutpositive layer 1014. Withpositive electrode layer 1014 ofMPU 1012 facing downwards towardsnegative electrode layer 1108 ofBPU 1102,MPU 1012 is stacked upongasket 1160, such that groove 1162 provided on the top ofgasket 1160 and groove 1072 ofsubstrate 1016 align and create a continuous contact surface area between the gasket and the substrate. These reciprocal grooves aid in the self-alignment ofpositive MPU 1012 with respect togasket 1160, and thereforeBPU 1102, and thereforegasket 1060, and thereforenegative MPU 1032 as it is stacked thereupon. This self-aligning feature of the bi-polar battery of the invention significantly simplifies this production step. OnceMPU 1012 has been stacked firmly on top ofgasket 1160, and thusBPU 1102, a second cell segment (i.e., segment 1122) exists. Moreover, a substantially fluid tight seal is thereby defined bysubstrate 1016,substrate 1106, andgasket 1160 about electrolyte layer 1110 (and thus electrolyte 1111). - Once a stack is manufactured to include a positive MPU, a negative MPU, at least one BPU therebetween, and a gasket and electrolyte layer between each of the electrode units, thereby forming a stack of cell segments, as described above with respect to
FIGS. 10-18 , a case or wrapper may be provided to seal the contents of the stack for forming a functional bi-polar battery of the invention. In a first embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 19 and 20 , a preferablyrigid wrapper 1040 is provided about the stack of cell segments (i.e.,cell segments 1022 and 1122), such that the terminal electrode layers (i.e.,positive electrode layer 1014 and negative electrode layer 1038) are exposed (viaconductive substrates bi-polar battery 1050. Pressure is exerted by the wrapper both downward ontosubstrate 1016 ofMPU 1012 in the direction of arrows PD as well as upward ontosubstrate 1036 ofMPU 1032 in the direction of arrows PU. This pressure preferably maintains the sealed relationship between each gasket and the substrates adjacent thereto in the stack for creating substantially fluid tight barriers about each electrolyte layer. It should be noted that the mating of grooves formed in the gaskets and their adjacent substrates, as described above in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, decreases the amount of clamping pressure required to be exerted in the direction of arrows PD and PU in order to create the substantially fluid tight seals. - In another embodiment, as shown in
FIGS. 21 and 22 , awrapper 1040′, preferably made of seal wrap, shrink wrap, seal tape, or any other suitable deformable material, is provided about the stack of cell segments (i.e.,cell segments 1022 and 1122), such that the terminal electrode layers (i.e.,positive electrode layer 1014 and negative electrode layer 1038) are exposed (viaconductive substrates bi-polar battery 1050′. The stack of cell segments, as wrapped bywrapper 1040′, is preferably placed inside arigid container 1060′ whose cross-sectional area is similar in shape but somewhat larger than that of the wrapped stack. Once the wrapped stack is placed inside therigid container 1060′, anysuitable fluid 1070′ that expands when under pressure, such as air, water, or foam, for example, is filled into thecontainer 1060′ about thewrapper 1040′. The container may then be sealed and itsenclosed fluid 1070′ may be pressurized such that it expands to provide pressure inward about the entire surface area ofwrapper 1040′ in the direction of arrows PS for tighteningwrapper 1040′ about the stack of cell segments. This pressure maintains the sealed relationship between each gasket and the substrates adjacent thereto in the stack for creating substantially fluid tight barriers about each electrolyte layer ofbattery 1050′, which may be subsequently removed fromcontainer 1060′. - Although each of the above described and illustrated embodiments of the bi-polar battery show a battery formed by stacking substrates that are round into a cylindrical battery, it should be noted that any of a wide variety of shapes may be utilized to form the substrates of the bi-polar battery of the invention. For example, the bi-polar battery of the invention may be formed by stacking substrates with cross-sectional areas that are rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, or any other imaginable shape, including those with one or more empty spaces within a plane, such as a “figure-8” (see, e.g., battery 2050, having wrapper 2040′, BPU 2102, and
MPUs FIGS. 23 and 24 ), for example. - Thus, it is seen that a bi-polar battery has been provided with a positive electrode unit, a negative electrode unit, at least one bi-polar electrode unit stacked therebetween, an electrolyte layer separating each adjacent electrode unit, and a gasket positioned about each electrolyte layer for creating a seal about the electrolyte layer in conjunction with the electrode units adjacent thereto. It should be noted that the materials, shapes, and sizes of the electrode units, electrolyte layers, and gaskets described above are only exemplary. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the invention is limited only by the claims which follow.
Claims (49)
1-2. (canceled)
3. A method of manufacturing a battery, the method comprising:
providing a first electrode unit;
providing a first electrolyte layer on top of the first electrode unit in a stacking direction;
providing a first gasket on top of the first electrode unit and about the first electrolyte layer;
providing a second electrode unit on top of the first electrolyte layer and first gasket in the stacking direction; and
sealing the first gasket to the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the providing the first electrode unit comprises:
providing a first electrode layer with a first side and a second side;
providing a first active material on the first side of the first electrode layer; and
providing a first groove in the first side of the first electrode layer about at least a portion of the first active material.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the providing the first gasket comprised:
providing a first gasket body portion with a top surface and a bottom surface;
providing a top groove in the top surface of the first gasket body portion; and
stacking the first gasket on top of the first electrode unit, the first groove mating with the top groove to align the first gasket with the first electrode unit.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
providing a wrapper about the first and second electrode units; and
compressing the wrapper, wherein the wrapper exerts a first holding force on the first and second electrode units in a first holding direction, wherein the first holding direction is substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction, and wherein the holding force pushes at least a portion of the top groove against at least a portion of the first groove in the first holding direction.
7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
providing a wrapper about the first and second electrode units; and
compressing the wrapper, wherein the wrapper exerts a first holding force on the first and second electrode units in a first holding direction, wherein the first holding direction is substantially parallel to the stacking direction, and wherein the holding force pushes at least a portion of the top groove against at least a portion of the first groove in the first holding direction.
8. The method of claim 3 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the first groove is one of rectangular, triangular, and curved.
9. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first groove is continuous about the entire first active material.
10. A battery comprising:
a stack of a plurality of electrode units in a stacking direction, the stack comprising:
a first electrode unit;
a second electrode unit stacked on top of the first electrode unit in the stacking direction; and
a first electrolyte layer provided between the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit, the battery further comprising:
a first gasket positioned about the first electrolyte layer, wherein the first electrolyte layer is sealed by the first gasket and the first and second electrode units.
11. The battery of claim 10 , wherein the first electrode unit is a bi-polar electrode unit, and wherein the second electrode unit is a bi-polar electrode unit.
12. The battery of claim 10 , wherein the first electrode unit is a mono-polar electrode unit, and wherein the second electrode unit is a bi-polar electrode unit.
13. The battery of claim 10 , wherein the first electrode unit comprises:
a first electrode layer having a first side and a second side; and
a first active material on the first side of the first electrode layer, wherein the first electrode layer has a first groove in the first side about at least a portion of the first active material.
14. The battery of claim 13 , wherein the first gasket comprises a body portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the body portion has a top groove in the top surface, and wherein the first groove mates with the top groove to seal the first electrolyte layer.
15. The battery of claim 14 , wherein:
at least a portion of the first gasket extends along at least a portion of an edge of the first electrode layer between the first side and the second side of the first electrode layer.
16. The battery of claim 14 , further comprising:
a wrapper provided about the stack, wherein the wrapper is compressible to exert a first holding force on the stack in a first holding direction substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction.
17. The battery of claim 16 , wherein the holding force pushes at least a portion of the top groove against at least a portion of the first groove in the first holding direction.
18. The battery of claim 16 , wherein the wrapper is compressible to exert a second holding force on the stack in a second holding direction substantially parallel to the stacking direction.
19. The battery of claim 18 , wherein the holding force pushes at least a portion of the top groove against at least a portion of the first groove in the second holding direction.
20. The battery of claim 13 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the first groove is rectangular.
21. The battery of claim 13 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the first groove is triangular.
22. The battery of claim 13 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the first groove is curved.
23. The battery of claim 13 , wherein the first groove is continuous about the entire first active material.
24. The battery of claim 13 , wherein the first groove is at least partially smooth about the at least a portion of the first active material.
25. The battery of claim 13 , wherein the first groove is at least partially jagged about the at least a portion of the first active material.
26. The battery of claim 13 , wherein the second electrode unit comprises:
a second electrode layer having a first side and a second side; and
a second active material on the second side of the second electrode layer, wherein the second electrode layer has a second groove in the second side about at least a portion of the second active material.
27. The battery of claim 26 , wherein the first gasket comprises a body portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the body portion has a top groove in the top surface and a bottom groove in the bottom surface, and wherein the top groove mates with the first groove and the bottom groove mates with the second groove to seal the first electrolyte layer.
28. The battery of claim 27 , wherein the first electrode unit is a bi-polar electrode unit, and wherein the second electrode unit is a bi-polar electrode unit.
29. The battery of claim 27 , wherein the first electrode unit is a mono-polar electrode unit, and wherein the second electrode unit is a bi-polar electrode unit.
30. The battery of claim 10 , wherein the first gasket is a solid seal loop.
31. The battery of claim 10 , wherein the first gasket is a viscous paste.
32. The battery of claim 10 , wherein the first gasket is compressible.
33. The battery of claim 10 , further comprising:
a viscous paste provided between the first gasket and at least one of the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit.
34. The battery of claim 10 , wherein the first electrode unit comprises:
a first electrode substrate having a first side and a second side; and
a first active layer on the first side of the first electrode substrate, wherein the first active layer includes at least a first active portion on a first portion of the first side and a second active portion on a second portion of the first side.
35. The battery of claim 34 , wherein the first active portion comprises at least a first active material, wherein the second positive portion comprises at least a second active material, and wherein the first active material is different than the second active material.
36. The battery of claim 34 , wherein the first active portion extends a first height from the first side of the first electrode substrate, wherein the second active portion extends a second height from the first side of the first electrode substrate, and wherein the first height is different than the second height.
37. The battery of claim 34 , wherein the second electrode unit comprises:
a second electrode substrate having a first side and a second side;
a first active layer on the first side of the second electrode substrate; and
a second active layer on the second side of the second electrode substrate.
38. The battery of claim 37 , wherein the first electrode substrate of the first electrode unit has a first thickness, wherein the second electrode substrate of the second electrode unit has a second thickness, and wherein the first thickness is different than the second thickness.
39. The battery of claim 37 , wherein the first electrode substrate comprises at least a first material, wherein the second electrode substrate comprises at least a second material, and wherein the first material is different than the second material.
40. The battery of claim 37 , wherein the first active layer on the first side of the first electrode substrate is a positive active layer and comprises at least a first positive active material, wherein the first active layer on the first side of the second electrode substrate is a positive active layer and comprises at least a second positive active material, and wherein the first positive active material is different than the second positive active material.
41. The battery of claim 37 , wherein the first active layer on the first side of the first electrode substrate is a negative active layer and comprises at least a first negative active material, wherein the first active layer on the first side of the second electrode substrate is a negative active layer and comprises at least a second negative active material, and wherein the first negative active material is different than the second negative active material.
42. The battery of claim 10 , wherein the stack further comprises:
a third electrode unit stacked on top of the second electrode unit in the stacking direction; and
a second electrolyte layer provided between the second electrode unit and the third electrode unit, wherein the battery further comprises:
a second gasket positioned about the second electrolyte layer, wherein the second electrolyte layer is sealed by the second gasket and the second and third electrode units.
43. The battery of claim 42 , wherein the first gasket has a first height in the stacking direction, wherein the second gasket has a second height in the stacking direction, and wherein the first height is different than the second height.
44. The battery of claim 42 , wherein the first electrolyte layer comprises at least a first chemical, wherein the second electrolyte layer comprises at least a second chemical, and wherein the first chemical and the second chemical are different.
45. The battery of claim 44 , wherein the first electrolyte layer has a first conductivity, wherein the second electrolyte layer has a second conductivity, and wherein the first conductivity and the second conductivity are different.
46. The battery of claim 42 , wherein the first electrode unit is a bi-polar electrode unit, wherein the second electrode unit is a bi-polar electrode unit, and wherein the third electrode unit is a bi-polar electrode unit.
47. The battery of claim 42 , wherein the first electrode unit is a mono-polar electrode unit, wherein the second electrode unit is a bi-polar electrode unit, and wherein the third electrode unit is a bi-polar electrode unit.
48. The battery of claim 42 , wherein the first electrode unit is a mono-polar electrode unit, wherein the second electrode unit is a bi-polar electrode unit, and wherein the third electrode unit is a mono-polar electrode unit.
49. The battery of claim 10 , wherein the first electrolyte layer comprises:
an electrolyte material; and
a barrier material that electrically isolates the first and second electrode units.
50. The battery of claim 10 :
wherein the first electrode unit comprises:
a first bi-polar electrode layer,
a first positive active material on a first side of the first bi-polar electrode layer, and
a first negative active material on a second side of the first bi-polar electrode layer;
wherein the second bi-polar electrode unit comprises:
a second bi-polar electrode layer having two sides,
a second positive active material on a first side of the second bi-polar electrode layer, and
a second negative active material on a second side of the second bi-polar electrode layer; and
wherein the first electrolyte layer comprises an electrolyte material positioned between the first positive active material of the first bi-polar electrode unit and the second negative active material of the second bi-polar electrode unit.
Priority Applications (1)
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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BRPI0611426A2 (en) | 2010-09-08 |
US20060292443A1 (en) | 2006-12-28 |
RU2007144705A (en) | 2009-06-10 |
US20100304216A1 (en) | 2010-12-02 |
RU2414023C2 (en) | 2011-03-10 |
JP2008541353A (en) | 2008-11-20 |
EP2273580A2 (en) | 2011-01-12 |
EP2273580A3 (en) | 2011-09-28 |
WO2006119289A2 (en) | 2006-11-09 |
EP1878083A2 (en) | 2008-01-16 |
US7794877B2 (en) | 2010-09-14 |
MX2007013852A (en) | 2008-10-22 |
WO2006119289A3 (en) | 2007-02-22 |
JP2009164146A (en) | 2009-07-23 |
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