APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING CATHODE COLLECTORS FOR LITHIUM/OXYHALIDE ELECTROCHEMINAL CELLS

摘要

An apparatus and method for fabricating continuous cathode collectors for use in lithium/thionyl chloride and lithium/sulfuryl chloride cells is described. The preferred electrically conductive material is acetylene black mixed with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) binder in a dry, powderized form. The collector substrate is a nickel or stainless steel foil that has been expanded into a mesh or otherwise provided with perforations. A centering adjustment of the collector substrate controls loading of the electrically conductive mixture onto each side thereof. The dry, powdered electrically conductive mixture is then continuously fed into the calender and formed into a collector structure by locking to itself through the collector substrate perforations before being cut to size.