Heat sealing separators for nickel-zinc cells

Abstract

Embodiments are described in terms of selective methods of sealing separators and jellyroll electrode assemblies and cells made using such methods. More particularly, methods of selectively heat sealing separators to encapsulate one of two electrodes for nickel-zinc rechargeable cells having jellyroll assemblies are described. Selective heat sealing may be applied to both ends of a jellyroll electrode assembly in order to selectively seal one of two electrodes on each end of the jellyroll.

1 . A method of selectively sealing a first set of separator layers disposed on both sides of and extending past an edge of a first electrode of a jellyroll assembly comprising two electrodes, while not sealing a second set of separator layers disposed on both sides of and extending past an edge, parallel and proximate to the edge of the first electrode, of a second electrode, both edges disposed on the same end of the jellyroll assembly, while exposing said same end of the jellyroll assembly to a heat source. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein selectively sealing the first set of separator layers comprises:
 i) configuring the current collecting substrate of the second electrode so that when the heat source is applied to said same end of the jellyroll assembly, the first set of separator layers can seal to envelop the first electrode, but the second set of separator layers are physically obstructed from sealing and enveloping the second electrode; and   ii) applying the heat source to said same end of the jellyroll assembly.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein configuring the current collecting substrate of the second electrode comprises folding the current collecting substrate of the second electrode substantially over, but not touching, the current collecting substrate of the first electrode, so that a substantially enclosed volume is formed, wherein the first set of separator layers and adjoining separator layers from the second set of separator layers are disposed in the substantially enclosed volume. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein selectively sealing the first set of separator layers comprises:
 i) configuring the jellyroll assembly such that the first set of separator layers comprises layers that can seal to envelop the first electrode when the heat source is applied, but the second set of separator layers comprises layers that can not seal to envelop the second electrode when the heat source is applied; and   ii) applying the heat source to said same end of the jellyroll assembly.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of separator layers and the second set of separator layers each have different melting points. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of separator layers are polypropylene layers and the second set of separator layers are cellulose-based layers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the second set of separator layers are cellulose impregnated with polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the heat source comprises at least one of a convective heat source, an inductive heat source, a conductive heat source and a radiative heat source. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the heat source is a conductive heat source. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the conductive heat source is a heated platen. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said same end of the jellyroll is contacted with the heated platen for between about 3 seconds and about 10 seconds, wherein the platen temperature is between about 300° C. and 600° C. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the jellyroll is contacted with the heated platen with a force of between about 0.5 kg/cm 2  and about 5 kg/cm 2 . 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is a zinc electrode and the second electrode is a nickel electrode. 
     
     
         14 . A jellyroll electrode assembly comprising:
 i) a first electrode disposed between a first set of separator layers; and   ii) a second electrode disposed between a second set of separator layers;   wherein, at the same end of the jellyroll electrode assembly, one of the first electrode and the second electrode is enveloped by its respective set of separator layers and the other electrode is not enveloped by its set of separator layers.   
     
     
         15 . The jellyroll electrode assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the first electrode is a zinc electrode and the second electrode is a nickel electrode. 
     
     
         16 . The jellyroll electrode assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the first set of separator layers comprises polypropylene layers. 
     
     
         17 . The jellyroll electrode assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the second set of separator layers comprises polyvinyl alcohol impregnated cellulose. 
     
     
         18 . The jellyroll electrode assembly of  claim 15 , wherein at both ends of the jellyroll electrode assembly, one of the first electrode and the second electrode is enveloped by its respective set of separator layers and the other electrode is not enveloped by its set of separator layers.