公开(公告)号：US5750277A

公开(公告)日：1998-05-12

申请号：US720585

申请日：1996-10-02

申请人： Viet H. Vu ,  Lucien P. Fontaine ,  William T. McHugh ,  Robert J. Pinault ,  Jane A. Blasi ,  Steven K. Sullivan ,  Geoffrey J. Paquin ,  Stephen S. Johnson ,  Gary K. Maus ,  Lance E. Cambra

发明人： Viet H. Vu ,  Lucien P. Fontaine ,  William T. McHugh ,  Robert J. Pinault ,  Jane A. Blasi ,  Steven K. Sullivan ,  Geoffrey J. Paquin ,  Stephen S. Johnson ,  Gary K. Maus ,  Lance E. Cambra

IPC分类号： H01H35/34 ,  H01H37/04 ,  H01H37/54 ,  H01H37/76 ,  H01M2/12 ,  H01M2/34 ,  H01M10/50

CPC分类号： H01M2/345 ,  H01H37/043 ,  H01M2/1241 ,  H01M2/34 ,  H01M2/348 ,  H01H2037/769 ,  H01H35/34 ,  H01H37/54 ,  H01H37/764

摘要： A current interrupt mechanism for electrochemical cells is disclosed. A thermally activated current interrupt mechanism is integrated into an end cap assembly for an electrochemical cell. The thermally responsive mechanism preferably includes a free floating bimetallic disk which deforms when exposed to elevated temperature causing a break in an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly. This prevents current from flowing through the cell and effectively shuts down an operating cell. Alternatively, the thermally responsive mechanism may include a meltable mass of material which melts when exposed to elevated temperature to break an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly. The end cap assembly may also include integrated therein a pressure responsive current interrupt mechanism. If the internal gas pressure within an operating cell exceeds a predetermined value, the pressure responsive mechanism activates to sever an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly to prevent current from passing through the cell. The pressure responsive mechanism may include a diaphragm which ruptures when there is extreme gas pressure buildup. Gas is allowed to escape from the cell interior to the external environment through a series of vent apertures within the end cap assembly.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于电化学电池的电流中断机制。 热激活电流中断机构被集成到用于电化学电池的端盖组件中。 热响应机构优选地包括自由浮动双金属盘，其在暴露于升高的温度时变形，导致端盖组件内的电路径中断。 这样可防止电流流过电池并有效地关闭工作电池。 或者，热响应机构可以包括可暴露于升高的温度时熔化的材料，以破坏端盖组件内的电路径。 端盖组件还可以包括其中压力响应电流中断机构。 如果操作单元内的内部气体压力超过预定值，则压力响应机构被激活以切断端盖组件内的电路径，以防止电流通过电池。 压力响应机构可以包括当存在极端气体压力积聚时破裂的隔膜。 允许气体通过端盖组件内的一系列通气孔从电池内部逸出到外部环境。