Battery employing an electrode pellet having an inner electrode embedded therein

Abstract

An electrochemical battery cell comprising a cell housing defining an inner space, a first terminal and a second terminal; and at least one pre-formed pellet disposed within the inner space of the cell housing. The pellet includes an outer electrode portion formed from a material to geometrically define the pellet in a solid form. The outer electrode portion is in electrical communication with the first terminal of the cell housing. The pellet also includes an inner electrode encapsulated by a separator and embedded within the material of the outer electrode portion. The inner electrode is in electrical communication with the second terminal of the cell housing and electrically insulated from the outer electrode material. In a preferred embodiment, the inner electrode comprises an anode and the outer electrode portion comprises a cathode portion. The integrated anode/cathode pellet configuration facilitates lowers costs, a more robust design and ease of manufacturability while maintaining and allowing increased performance characteristics of the battery cell.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 464,698, filed Apr. 23, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0002] The present invention generally relates to electrochemical battery cells, and more particularly to electrochemical pellet-type battery cells that employ electrode assemblies in the form of pellets.[0003] There are many types and configurations of electrochemical battery cells employed in a variety of applications and in both rechargeable and disposable platforms. The most popular battery cells for consumer applications, particularly high current drain applications, include alkaline cells, nickel metal hydride cells, nickel cadmium cells, and lithium ion cells. As an example, alkaline batteries based on manganese oxide cathodes are widely used for consumer applications. As device power requirements of consumer applications have increased in recent years, alkaline battery producers have sought methods for i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

0009] The present invention facilitates integration of an anode and a cathode in a single pellet configuration for use with an electrochemical battery cell of any type or format utilizing one or more pellets. In accordance with the principles of the present invention as embodied and described herein, one particular characterization of the present invention comprises an electrochemical battery cell comprising a cell housing defining an inner space, a first terminal and a second terminal; and at least one pre-formed pellet disposed within the in

Problems solved by technology

This remains a significant challenge given the current trend of designing consumer electronics with ever increasin

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