METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL USING ELASTOMERIC SLEEVE

摘要

An electrochemical cell and a method of manufacturing the same. Plates of opposite polarity are wound spirally, and end connectors (310, 314) with protruding hubs (318, 388) are attached to each end. Elastomeric sleeves (401, 402) are fitted around both of the hubs. The assembly is placed within a casing (350) having a jacket and an end having a hole through it, whereby one end connector hub and its associated sleeve extends through the casing end hole. The end connector hub is radially expanded against the sleeve by installing a blind rivet (358) in the end connector hub, thereby causing the sleeve to radially expand into the casing. A casing cover (392) having a hole through it is placed on the other end. A blind rivet (394) similarly expands the end connector hub into its sleeve, and the sleeve is expanded into the cover. The plates may be very thin, and the end connectors may be attached by casting them onto the thin plates.