Patent ID: 6051038
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: H01M,Y02E,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for making an electrode assembly for an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of:(a) providing an anode assembly comprising an elongated metal strip having at a first end a first uniform thickness of alkali metal and at a second end a second, lesser uniform thickness of alkali metal, the second thickness at the second end being of a length equivalent to that required for an outer winding layer of the electrode assembly;(b) providing a cathode assembly comprising a second, cathode metal strip which is shorter than the metal strip of the anode assembly with a reactive cathode material bonded to the cathode metal strip at a uniform density of reactive material;(c) winding the anode assembly and the cathode assembly together by the steps of:(1) placing a mandrel having opposing flat sides with one of the flat sides contacting one side of the cathode assembly such that the contacting flat side of the mandrel is aligned with an end of the cathode assembly;(2) placing the anode assembly against the cathode assembly on a side of the cathode assembly opposite to that against the mandrel such that the first end of the anode assembly extends beyond the end of the cathode assembly substantially the same amount as the length of the opposing flat side of the mandrel;(3) bending the anode assembly over the end of the cathode assembly and over the the mandrel such that the anode assembly is brought against the opposing flat side of the mandrel;(4) bending the anode and cathode assemblies around the mandrel until the cathode assembly rests against the first end of the anode assembly(5) continuing to wind the anode and cathode assemblies together around the mandrel in the same direction while maintaining flat sides on the resulting winding until the second end of the anode assembly is brought against the resulting winding; and(6) removing the mandrel from the winding.