Patent ID: 7736799

Claim:
A battery assembly, comprising: a battery, said battery comprising: a cell case having an outer sidewall surface, a first end and a second end, wherein said first end portion is comprised of a cell case bottom, and wherein said second end portion is comprised of a cap assembly retention lip and a central open portion; an electrode assembly contained within said cell case, wherein a first electrode of said electrode assembly is electrically connected to said cell case; and a cap assembly mounted to said cell case, said cap assembly closing said central open portion of said second end portion, wherein said cap assembly further comprises a battery terminal electrically isolated from said cell case and electrically connected to a second electrode of said electrode assembly; a layer of an intumescent material surrounding said outer sidewall surface of said cell case; and a sleeve, wherein said sleeve surrounds said intumescent material, and wherein said sleeve is spaced apart from said intumescent material.