Apparatus and method for assembling battery cell elements

Patent · Tue Apr 16 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5277161

Sabatino, A; Olszewski, D J; Recht, P A; Schaumburg, E G; Strait, R T

An apparatus and method for assembling battery cell elements having a plurality of electrode plates of alternating polarity separated by a continuous interleaved insulating sheet. The apparatus includes a separator sheet supply station; a creaser for forming transverse creases in a length of separator sheet at longitudinally spaced fold points; a first plate loader for positioning a first set of electrode plates of common polarity onto a pre-fold mechanism; a sheet transfer mechanism for transferring a cut and creased length of separator sheet from the creaser onto the first set of plates; a second plate loader for positioning a second set of electrode plates of common polarity opposite to that of the first set onto the separator sheet at locations directly above the plates of the first set; the pre-fold mechanism including a collapsible pre-fold paddle assembly for folding the separator sheet into relatively loose accordian folds with the plates of the first and second sets occupying alternate folds on opposite sides of the separator sheet; an intermediate fold mechanism for engaging the pre-folded element, positioning the plates thereof into relatively precise alignment, and compressing the element into a tighter intermediate folded assembly; and a final fold mechanism for engaging the intermediate folded assembly, compressing the assembly into final element form, transporting the element through a series of tape applicators to secure it in its final form and then to a discharge station. The apparatus includes a master controller that controls operation of the plurality of mechanisms to permit automatic and continuous high volume production of such battery cell elements.

• Assignee: GNB Batteries Inc.
• Patent Number(s): US 4510682
• OSTI ID: 5277161
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 24 May 1982; Other Information: PAT-APPL-381227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
LEAD-ACID BATTERIES
FABRICATION
MACHINERY
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
AUTOMATION
BATTERY SEPARATORS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRODES
PLATES
SHEETS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
EQUIPMENT
250903* - Energy Storage- Batteries- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries