Patent ID: 6229282
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: H01H,H01L,H01M,H02J

Abstract:
A battery system, comprising:an electrical storage cell having a positive terminal and a negative terminal;a normally open bypass circuit path comprisinga first electrical conductor connected to the positive terminal of the electrical storage cell,a second electrical conductor connected to the negative terminal of the electrical storage cell, anda shorting gap between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor;a mass of a fusible material positioned at an initial mass location;a heat source activatable upon the occurrence of an open-circuit condition of the electrical storage cell, the heat source being operable to melt at least a portion of the mass of the fusible material; anda biasing mechanism positioned to force the mass of the fusible material from the initial location and into the shorting gap, when the mass of the fusible material is at least partially molten, thereby closing the shorting gap so that the first electrical conductor is in electrical communication with the second electrical conductor.