Patent ID: 7871719

Claim:
A battery module comprising: a plurality of electrochemical cells, at least one of the electrochemical cells comprising: a first terminal conductively coupled to a first electrode; a body portion configured to function as a second terminal and conductively coupled to a second electrode via a pressure relief portion; and an end cap comprising a conductive portion and an insulating portion, the conductive portion being conductively coupled to the body portion; wherein the body portion includes an end wall comprising the pressure relief portion and a side wall extending from the end wall that at least partially surrounds and contains the first electrode, the second electrode, and an electrolyte; wherein the pressure relief portion is configured to separate from the body portion to a deployed position when a pressure within the body portion reaches a first predetermined level, thereby substantially breaking the conductive coupling between the body portion and the second electrode; and wherein the insulating portion substantially prevents formation of a conductive coupling between the body portion and the second electrode when the pressure relief portion is in the deployed position.