WILLIAM P MCHUGH
Broker in Islington, MA

5958088, Sep 28, 1999

Mar 4, 1998

9/034483

Viet H. Vu - Medway MA
Alexander Kaplan - Providence RI
William T. McHugh - Westwood MA

Duracell, Inc. - Bethel CT

H01M 200, H01M 204, H01M 208, H01M 600

296231

An electrochemical cell is disclosed, having a sealed prismatic housing with two opposing, internal side surfaces defining therebetween an internal cavity having width and length. One of the side surfaces defines a convex arc, and the other of the side surfaces has a center portion opposing the convex arc of the one side surface, and features extending toward the one side surface and straddling the convex arc. An electrode stack is contained within the internal cavity of the housing, having positive and negative electrode sheets arranged in face-to-face relation. The electrode stack is arranged between the side surfaces of the housing such that the stack is retained between the one side surface and the extending features of the other side surface, and deflected to follow the convex arc to maintain contact pressure between the positive and negative electrode sheets. The stack is thus stretched across an inwardly crowned surface of the housing. The invention can, by maintaining good intersheet contact pressure within the stack, provide good overall active material utilization (for high cell capacity) and can help to inhibit housing distension of cells with broad sides.

6037071, Mar 14, 2000

Nov 6, 1997

8/965494

Jeffrey Poirier - Bedford MA
Paul Cheeseman - Holliston MA
Michael McDermott - East Weymouth MA
Jane A. Blasi - Acton MA
Reynald Cantave - Bridgewater MA
Jeffrey Hewes - Holliston MA
Yelena Kouznetsova - Sharon MA
Bhupendra Patel - Mansfield MA
Alex Kaplan - Providence RI
Viet Vu - Medway MA
William T. McHugh - Westwood MA
Lucien P. Fontaine - Lincoln RI
Robert J. Pinault - Canton MA

Duracell Inc - Bethel CT

H01M 212

429 7

A current interrupt mechanism for electrochemical cells is disclosed. A thermally activated current interrupt mechanism is integrated into an end cap assembly for an electrochemical cell. The thermally responsive mechanism preferably includes a free floating bimetallic disk or shape memory alloy member which deforms when exposed to elevated temperature causing a break in an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly. This prevents current from flowing through the cell and effectively shuts down an operating cell. The thermally responsive mechanism may include a heat producing electrical resistance means, preferably a Zener diode, to enhance thermal sensitivity. The end cap assembly may include a pressure responsive mechanism which ruptures when there is extreme gas pressure buildup. Gas is allowed to escape from the cell interior to the external environment through a series of vent apertures within the end cap assembly.

5998051, Dec 7, 1999

Nov 6, 1997

8/965248

Jeffrey Poirier - Bedford MA
Paul Cheeseman - Holliston MA
Michael McDermott - East Weymouth MA
Jane A. Blasi - Acton MA
Reynald Cantave - Bridgewater MA
Jeffrey Hewes - Holliston MA
Yelena Kouznetsova - Sharon MA
Bhupendra Patel - Mansfield MA
Alex Kaplan - Providence RI
Viet Vu - Medway MA
William T. McHugh - Westwood MA
Lucien P. Fontaine - Lincoln RI
Robert J. Pinault - Canton MA

Duracell Inc. - Bethel CT

H01M 1034, H01M 1050, H01M 1400

429 7

A current interrupt assembly for electrochemical cells is disclosed. The current interrupter assembly may be a self-contained, sealed unit which may be separately inserted into the cell during cell construction. Several current interrupt assemblies may be inserted in the cell. The current interrupter assembly has particular utility for thin rechargeable cells and when inserted in the cell forms a portion of the electrical pathway between a cell electrode and corresponding terminal. The current interrupt mechanism comprises a thin thermally responsive member preferably comprising a disk of a shape memory metal alloy having a curved surface. The current interrupt mechanism may include a heat producing electrical resistance means, preferably a Zener diode in proximity to the thermally responsive member. When cell temperature exceeds a predetermined value the disk deflects to cause a break in the electrical pathway within the assembly. The assembly may include therein a flexible electrically conductive member which forms a part of the electrical pathway within the assembly and which is physically responsive to deflection of the thermally responsive member.

5691073, Nov 25, 1997

Oct 2, 1996

8/720616

Viet H. Vu - Milford MA
Jane A. Blasi - Acton MA
Robert J. Pinault - West Warwick RI
William T. McHugh - Westwood MA
Lucien P. Fontaine - Lincoln RI

Duracell Inc. - Bethel CT

H01M 212, H01M 1050

429 7

A current interrupt mechanism for electrochemical cells is disclosed. A thermally activated current interrupt mechanism is integrated into an end cap assembly for an electrochemical cell. The thermally responsive mechanism preferably includes a free floating bimetallic disk which deforms when exposed to elevated temperature causing a break in an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly. This prevents current from flowing through the cell and effectively shuts down an operating cell. Alternatively, the thermally responsive mechanism may include a meltable mass of material which melts when exposed to elevated temperature to break an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly. The end cap assembly may also include integrated therein a pressure responsive current interrupt mechanism. If the internal gas pressure within an operating cell exceeds a predetermined value, the pressure responsive mechanism activates to sever an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly to prevent current from passing through the cell.

5750277, May 12, 1998

Oct 2, 1996

8/720585

Viet H. Vu - Milford MA
Lucien P. Fontaine - Lincoln RI
William T. McHugh - Westwood MA
Robert J. Pinault - West Warwick RI
Jane A. Blasi - Acton MA
Steven K. Sullivan - Cranston RI
Geoffrey J. Paquin - North Attleboro MA
Stephen S. Johnson - Attleboro MA
Gary K. Maus - South Attleboro MA
Lance E. Cambra - Acushnet MA

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX
Duracell Inc. - Bethel CT

H01M 212, H01M 1050

429 7

A current interrupt mechanism for electrochemical cells is disclosed. A thermally activated current interrupt mechanism is integrated into an end cap assembly for an electrochemical cell. The thermally responsive mechanism preferably includes a free floating bimetallic disk which deforms when exposed to elevated temperature causing a break in an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly. This prevents current from flowing through the cell and effectively shuts down an operating cell. Alternatively, the thermally responsive mechanism may include a meltable mass of material which melts when exposed to elevated temperature to break an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly. The end cap assembly may also include integrated therein a pressure responsive current interrupt mechanism. If the internal gas pressure within an operating cell exceeds a predetermined value, the pressure responsive mechanism activates to sever an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly to prevent current from passing through the cell.

4315060, Feb 9, 1982

Jun 13, 1980

6/159267

Franz Goebel - Sudbury MA
William T. McHugh - Westwood MA

GTE Products Corporation - Stamford CT

H01M 600

429122

A metal current collector substrate adapted to be inserted into an elongated cylindrical housing of a primary electrochemical cell. The metal current collector substrate is employed together with porous carbon and fiberglass separator elements to form a carbon current collector electrode/separator assembly for use in the electrochemical cell. The metal current collector substrate in accordance with the invention comprises a thin, circular, metal disc (e. g. , of nickel) having a plurality of curved notches around its periphery. The notches are equally-spaced about the periphery of the disc (e. g. , at 45. degree. intervals) and define a plurality of deflective, resilient arcuate portions intermediate to the notches. Prior to insertion into the housing of the cell, the disc is flat and has a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the housing. The disc is inserted into the housing by pushing the disc longitudinally into the housing whereupon the arcuate portions are deflected upwardly by physical contact with the interior wall of the housing.

4284691, Aug 18, 1981

Jun 13, 1980

6/159271

Franz Goebel - Sudbury MA
William T. McHugh - Westwood MA

GTE Products Corporation - Stamford CT

H01M 226

429105

A high-rate, low-temperature, primary electrochemical cell. The cell in accordance with the invention includes an elongated cylindrical metal housing within which a vertical array of battery stack components is disposed and exposed to a cathodelectrolyte solution. Each of the battery stack components has an opening therein through which an elongated metal rod located centrally within the housing passes and serves as an electrical terminal for the cell. The components of the battery stack include a plurality of thin, flat, circular, lithium anode discs secured to the metal rod, and a plurality of carbon current collector cathode/insulator structures arranged in the array in alternation with the lithium anode discs. Each of the carbon current collector cathode/insulator structures includes a generally circular, thin, metal current collector spaced from the metal rod by way of the opening therein and having a size and shape so as to generally conform to the interior configuration of the housing and make direct physical contact with an interior wall of the housing. First and second circular, flat, thin, porous carbon layers are disposed on opposite sides of the metal current collector and spaced from the metal rod by way of the openings therein.

4615956, Oct 7, 1986

Dec 4, 1985

6/804561

Franz Goebel - Sudbudy MA
William T. McHugh - Westwood MA

GTE Government Systems Corporation - Stamford CT

H01M 1036, H01M 614

429 50

An electrochemical cell of the type having a lithium anode and a cathode current collector wetted by an electrolyte solution of thionyl chloride and lithium tetrachloroaluminate is treated before storage by applying a reverse current sufficient to deposit lithium on the surface of the anode.

4689108, Aug 25, 1987

Nov 4, 1985

6/794881

Joseph Barry - Woburn MA
Jerry Lewis - Lowell MA
Peter B. Harris - Dedham MA
William T. McHugh - Westwood MA

GTE Government Systems Corporation - Waltham MA

B30B 1506, B30B 1534

156499

A press is arranged to compress a workpiece between two turntables. One of the turntables is adapted to be rotated which, in turn, rotates the workpiece and the other turntable, a heating element is provided to seal seams on the workpiece.

4668592, May 26, 1987

Jun 10, 1985

6/743182

Peter B. Harris - Dedham MA
Franz Goebel - Sudbury MA
Gerard H. Boyle - Concord MA
William T. McHugh - Westwood MA

GTE Government Systems Corporation - Waltham MA

H01M 632, H01M 226

429116

An electrochemical cell has a generally cylindrical battery stack comprised of disc-shaped components including alternating first polarity electrodes and second polarity electrodes. Adjacent first polarity electrodes are coupled by ring-shaped coupling members. The coupling members are made of porous metal which allows the passage of a liquid cell component from a central well into the battery stack.