SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR CELLS OF A SECONDARY BATTERY

摘要

A secondary battery, such as a nickelhydrogen (NiH2) cell, has a first and a second cell stack, each cantilevered from opposite sides of a weld ring. The weld ring is located at the approximate center or middle of a pressure vessel composed of two half sections which are welded to opposite sides of the weld ring. The cell stacks are essentially unsupported at their outer ends. Electrical current carriers are received in longitudinal channels formed on opposite sides of an axially located cell stack support member, on which the cell elements are captured. Cantilever mounting of two cell stacks from a central weld ring is found to improve the integrating and durability of the cell. It also increases the energy capacity of the battery through the ability to add more cells through the use of axially longer pressure vessels, increasing the capacity of the battery. Location of the weld ring between the pair of cell stacks improves heat transfer between the cells and the pressure vessel during discharge.