Welded pressure vessel for a metal oxide-hydrogen battery utilizing a flexible weld ring

摘要

A metal oxide-hydrogen battery having an outer metal pressure vessel that contains a plurality of cell modules is composed of a cylindrical shell and the open ends of the shells are enclosed by dome-shaped heads. In producing the vessel, a weld ring 7 is positioned between each end of the shell 3 and the respective head 4 and each weld ring includes a base 8 which is engaged with the inner surfaces of the shell and head and a radial fin 9 which extends outwardly from the base and is located between the opposed ends of the shell 8 and head 4. A weld is made interconnecting the weld ring with the head and shell. The weld ring is free of internal spokes and the radial thickness of the weld ring is from one to six times the thickness of the vessel wall. With this construction, the weld ring will flex with the shell during cycling of the battery to prevent undue stress at the welded joint.