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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Pressure relief device for sealed electric cells

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6929923
A normally sealed electric cell has a container subject to internal gas pressure. The container includes a cylindrical wall, a gas-tight closure, and pressure relief device comprising the following components: an annular gasket of dielectric material fitting within the cylindrical wall and having an annular inwardly projecting flange; a thin metallic diaphragm supported at the outer side of the flange and having an upwardly projecting peripheral rim engaging the inner periphery of the gasket; an annular cover having a central portion formed with a centrally located opening, extending in spaced elation to the diaphragm, and a downwardly offset outer periphery engaging an inner peripheral surface of the rim; a pin having a head secured to the cover, a shank projecting through the opening in the cover, and a pointed end normally positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the diaphragm, the diaphragm having sufficient strength to resist puncture by the pin under normal operating pressures in the cell; a vent passage extending along the shank of the pin and laterally between the head of the pin and the cover including a longitudinally extending groove on the shank, the lower end of which is spaced upwardly from the pointed end of the pin; and means confining the gasket under radial compression and in gas-tight sealing relation to the cylindrical wall membrane and to the rim of the diaphragm at the periphery of the cover. The central portion of the diaphragm is outwardly deflectable and breakable by the pin upon the development of a predetermined abnormally high gas pressure in the cell.
Assignee:
Gould-National Batteries, Inc.
Patent Number(s):
US 3214300
OSTI ID:
6929923
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English