Patent ID: 6356056
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: H01M,H02J,Y02E

Abstract:
A battery bypass assembly for bypassing a first battery cell electrically connected to a second battery cell, each battery cell having a first battery contact and a second battery contact, the battery bypass assembly comprising:a housing having a first bypass contact and a second bypass contact; voltage sensing means within the housing and electrically connected between the first battery contact and the second battery contact for sensing a predetermined voltage loss in the battery cell; an expansive material within the housing, the expansive material expandable upon the voltage sensing means sensing a predetermined voltage loss in the battery cell; a plunger mechanism slidably mounted within the housing and moveable from a first position to a second position; maintaining means for maintaining the plunger mechanism in the first position, the maintaining means moveable to allow the plunger mechanism to move into the second position; and actuating means contacting the expansive material and the maintaining means for moving the maintaining means upon expansion of the expansive material; wherein the plunger mechanism, upon reaching the second position bypasses the first battery cell.