Patent ID: 6037071
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: H01H,H01M,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
An end cap assembly for application to an electrochemical cell having a positive and a negative terminal and a pair of electrodes (anode and cathode), said end cap assembly comprising a housing and an exposed end cap plate, said plate functional as a cell terminal, said end cap assembly having an electrically conductive pathway therethrough permitting the end cap plate to be electrically connected to a cell electrode when said end cap assembly is applied to a cell, said end cap assembly further including thermally responsive means for preventing current from flowing through said electrical pathway and electrical resistance means in proximity to said thermally responsive means, said resistance means causing heating as current passes therethrough, said resistance means exhibiting decreasing resistance as voltage applied thereto increases, wherein said thermally responsive means activates when the temperature within said end cap assembly rises causing a break in said electrical pathway.