Interconnector for a supercapacitor module

文档序号：1590962 发布日期：2020-01-03 浏览：21次中文

阅读说明：本技术 用于超级电容器模块的互连条 (Interconnector for a supercapacitor module ) 是由 J.R.诺普辛德 S.汉森于 2018-06-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种模块,其包括具有第一端子的第一超级电容器、具有第二端子的第二超级电容器,以及互连条。互连条包含位于第一附接部分和第二附接部分之间的中心部分。第一超级电容器的第一端子连接到所述条的第一附接部分,第二超级电容器的第二端子连接到所述条的第二附接部分。此外,中心部分由柔性导电材料形成。(A module is provided that includes a first supercapacitor having a first terminal, a second supercapacitor having a second terminal, and an interconnect strip. The interconnect strip includes a central portion located between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion. A first terminal of a first supercapacitor is connected to the first attachment portion of the strip and a second terminal of a second supercapacitor is connected to the second attachment portion of the strip. Further, the central portion is formed of a flexible conductive material.)

1. A module, comprising:

a first supercapacitor having a first terminal;

a second supercapacitor having a second terminal; and

an interconnect strip comprising a central portion located between a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, wherein a first terminal of a first supercapacitor is connected to the first attachment portion of the strip and a second terminal of a second supercapacitor is connected to the second attachment portion of the strip, and further wherein the central portion is formed from a flexible conductive material.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein the flexible conductive material is in the form of one or more wires, braids, coils, sheets, rods, or combinations thereof.

3. The module of claim 1, wherein the flexible conductive material is in the form of a braid.

4. The module of claim 1, wherein the flexible conductive material comprises copper, tin, nickel, aluminum, or a combination thereof.

5. The module of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length of the central portion to the length of the strip is from about 0.6 to about 0.95.

6. The module of claim 5, wherein the central portion has a length of from about 50 to about 500 millimeters and the strip has a length of from about 60 to about 600 millimeters.

7. The module of claim 1, wherein the width of the strip is from about 1 to about 50 millimeters.

8. The module of claim 1, wherein the strip has a thickness of from about 0.05 to about 10 millimeters.

9. The module of claim 1, wherein the first attachment portion defines a first opening through which the first terminal is received, and the second attachment portion defines a second opening through which the second terminal is received.

10. The module of claim 9, wherein a fastening device connects the first attachment portion to the first terminal and the second attachment portion to the second terminal.

11. The module of claim 9, wherein the first attachment portion is welded to the first terminal and the second attachment portion is welded to the second terminal.

12. The module of claim 1, wherein the first and second terminals have opposite polarities.

13. The module of claim 1, wherein the module contains from 8 to 30 supercapacitors.

14. The module of claim 1, wherein each of the supercapacitors comprises:

an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode;

a non-aqueous electrolyte in ionic contact with the first electrode and the second electrode; and

a case in which the electrode assembly and the electrolyte are accommodated.

15. The module of claim 14, wherein the first electrode comprises a first current collector electrically coupled to a first carbonaceous coating and the second electrode comprises a second current collector electrically coupled to a second carbonaceous coating.

16. The module of claim 15, wherein the first current collector and the second current collector each comprise a substrate comprising a conductive metal.

17. The module of claim 16, wherein the conductive metal is aluminum or an alloy thereof.

18. The module of claim 15, wherein the first carbonaceous coating, the second carbonaceous coating, or both comprise activated carbon particles.

19. The module of claim 14, wherein the spacer comprises a cellulosic fibrous material.

20. The module of claim 14, wherein the electrode assembly has a jelly-roll configuration.

21. The module of claim 14, wherein the non-aqueous electrolyte comprises an ionic liquid dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent, wherein the ionic liquid comprises a cationic species and a counter ion.

22. The module of claim 21 wherein the non-aqueous solvent comprises propylene carbonate, nitriles, or combinations thereof.

23. The module of claim 14, wherein the cationic species comprises an organic quaternary ammonium compound.

24. The module of claim 14, wherein the housing comprises a container having a base and an open end, wherein a lid is disposed adjacent the open end, and wherein the electrode assembly is located within the housing.

25. The module of claim 24, wherein the container is formed of metal.

26. The module of claim 24, wherein the container has a cylindrical shape.

Background

Electrical energy storage units are widely used to power electronic, electromechanical, electrochemical and other useful devices. For example, electric double layer supercapacitors typically use a pair of polarizable electrodes comprising carbon particles (e.g., activated carbon) impregnated with a liquid electrolyte. Due to the effective surface area of the particles and the small spacing between the electrodes, large capacitance values can be achieved. In some cases, individual double-layer capacitors may be combined together to form a module with an elevated output voltage or increased energy capacity. The capacitors within the module are typically connected together by bus bars that are soldered to the terminals. One problem with such modules, however, is that they are relatively sensitive to vibrational forces that may occur during installation or use. That is, strong vibratory forces sometimes cause the connection to break or even break, possibly resulting in poor electrical performance. Accordingly, there is a need for an ultracapacitor module that can withstand a variety of conditions without sacrificing electrical performance.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one embodiment of the invention, a module is disclosed that includes a first ultracapacitor having a first terminal, a second ultracapacitor having a second terminal, and an interconnect strap. The interconnect strip includes a central portion located between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion. A first terminal of a first supercapacitor is connected to the first attachment portion of the strip and a second terminal of a second supercapacitor is connected to the second attachment portion of the strip. Further, the central portion is formed of a flexible conductive material.

Other features and aspects of the present invention are set forth in more detail below.

Drawings

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of one embodiment of a module of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the module of FIG. 1;

fig. 3 is a top view of one embodiment of an interconnect strip that may be used in the module of the present invention; and

figure 4 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a supercapacitor that may be used in the module of the present invention.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

Detailed Description

It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary construction.

In general, the present disclosure is directed to a module including a first ultracapacitor having a first terminal (e.g., a positive terminal) and a second ultracapacitor having a second terminal (e.g., a positive or negative terminal). The first and second terminals of the supercapacitor are connected together by an interconnect strip, at least a portion of which is formed of a flexible conductive material. For example, an interconnect strip typically includes a central portion located between first and second attachment portions located at opposite ends of the strip. By selectively controlling the geometry of these portions and the manner in which they are formed, the central portion can be made flexible because it can deform in one or more directions when a vibratory force is applied. In this manner, the module can maintain good electrical performance under a wide variety of conditions.

Referring to fig. 3, one particular embodiment of the interconnect strip 110 is shown in greater detail. As shown, the strip 110 includes a central portion 112 located between a first attachment portion 116 and a second attachment portion 118. The center portion 112 can be made flexible using a variety of techniques known in the art. For example, in certain embodiments, the central portion 112 may be formed from a flexible conductive material in the form of one or more wires, braids, coils, sheets, rods, or the like. In one embodiment, for example, the flexible conductive material may be in the form of a sheet comprising one or more thin conductive layers. However, in another embodiment, as shown in fig. 3, the flexible conductive material may be in the form of a braid 114. Regardless of its form, any of a number of different electrically conductive materials may be employed, such as copper, tin, nickel, aluminum, and the like, as well as alloys and/or coated metals. The conductive material may optionally be insulated with a jacket material if desired.

In addition to controlling the material and form of the flexible, electrically-conductive material, the geometry of the central portion 112 may also be controlled to help provide a desired degree of flexibility. For example, the length ("L") of the central portion 112₁") and the length of the bar (" L₂") is typically selected to fall within a range of from about 0.6 to about 0.95, in some embodiments from about 0.7 to about 0.9, and in some embodiments, from about 0.75 to about 0.85. The length of the central portion 112 may be, for example, in the range of from about 50 to about 500 millimeters, in some embodiments in the range of from about 70 to about 400 millimeters, and in some embodiments in the range of from about 80 to about 300 millimeters, and the entire strip 110 may be from about 60 to about 600 millimeters, in some embodiments from about 80 to about 500 millimeters, and in some embodiments, from about 100 to about 400 millimeters. The width "W" of the strip may likewise be in the range of from about 1 to about 50 millimeters, in some embodiments in the range of from about 5 to about 40 millimeters, and in some embodiments in the range of from about 10 to about 20 millimeters, while the thickness or height may be in the range of from about 0.05 to about 10 millimeters, in some embodiments from about 0.1 to about 8 millimeters, and in some embodiments, from about 0.5 to about 5 millimeters.

The manner in which the interconnect strip 110 is attached to the supercapacitor can be varied as is known in the art. For example, in one embodiment, for example, the first attachment portion 116 defines a first opening 162 and the second attachment portion 118 defines a second opening 164. Openings 162 and 164 are generally configured to receive terminals of different ultracapacitors. Referring to fig. 1-2, for example, a module 100 is shown that includes a first supercapacitor 120 and a second supercapacitor 130 connected together by attachment portions 116 and 118 of an interconnect strip 110. More specifically, in the embodiment shown, the terminals of the first supercapacitor 120 (not shown) are inserted into the openings 162 and connected to the bar 110 by the fastening means 150. Similarly, the terminals (not shown) of the second supercapacitor 130 are inserted into the openings 164 and connected to the bar 110 by another fastening device 160, which may be the same or different from the fastening device 150. Suitable fastening means may include, for example, nuts, washers, bolts, screws, compression or expansion fittings, and the like. If desired, the fastening means may be further bonded (e.g., welded, adhesively attached, ultrasonically bonded, etc.) to the attachment portions to ensure that they peel away and remain securely connected to the supercapacitor. Of course, in alternative embodiments, the fastening means may be omitted and the strips may be connected using only other techniques (e.g. by welding). As is known in the art, supercapacitors can be electrically connected together in series or parallel depending on the particular performance desired. For example, the supercapacitors may be electrically connected in series such that a terminal of a certain polarity (e.g., positive) of one supercapacitor is connected to a terminal of the opposite polarity (e.g., negative) of another supercapacitor. For example, in fig. 1-2, the positive terminal may extend from the top portion 122 of the first supercapacitor 120 and the negative terminal may extend from the bottom portion 132 of the second supercapacitor 130.

The module 100 shown in fig. 1-2 contains two ultracapacitors connected together according to the invention. Of course, it should be understood that the module may contain additional supercapacitors, for example 4 or more, in some embodiments 6 or more, and in some embodiments, 8 to 30 individual supercapacitors. Additional supercapacitors may be connected using an interconnect strip or by other techniques. For example, the interconnect strip 110 shown in fig. 3 may also be used to connect third and fourth ultracapacitors together. In such an embodiment, the negative terminal located at the bottom (e.g., not shown) of the first supercapacitor 120 may be connected to the positive terminal of the third supercapacitor, and the positive terminal located at the top (not shown) of the second supercapacitor 130 may be connected to the negative terminal of the fourth supercapacitor. Of course, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the specific number of supercapacitors and the manner in which they are connected will depend on the desired electrical performance of the module.

Any of a variety of different individual supercapacitors may generally be employed in the module of the invention. However, in general, supercapacitors contain an electrode assembly and contained electrolyte, and are optionally hermetically sealed within a housing. The electrode assembly may, for example, comprise: a first electrode comprising a first carbonaceous coating (e.g., activated carbon particles) electrically coupled to a first current collector; and a second electrode comprising a second carbonaceous coating (e.g., activated carbon particles) electrically coupled to the second current collector. It will be appreciated that additional current collectors may be employed if desired, particularly if the supercapacitor includes a plurality of energy storage cells. The current collectors may be formed of the same or different materials. Regardless, each current collector is typically formed from a substrate comprising a conductive metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, nickel, silver, palladium, etc.) and alloys thereof. Aluminum and aluminum alloys are particularly suitable for use in the present invention. The substrate may be in the form of a foil, sheet, plate, mesh, or the like. The substrate may also have a relatively small thickness, such as about 200 microns or less, in some embodiments from about 1 to about 100 microns, in some embodiments, from about 5 to about 80 microns, and in some embodiments, from about 10 to about 50 microns. Although by no means necessary, the substrate surface may be roughened by methods such as cleaning, etching, sandblasting, and the like.

The first and second carbonaceous coatings are also electrically coupled to the first and second current collectors, respectively. Each carbonaceous coating typically comprises at least one layer comprising activated particles, although they may be formed from the same or different types of materials and may comprise one or more layers. For example, in certain embodiments, the activated carbon layer may be located directly over the current collector, and may optionally be the only layer of the carbonaceous coating. Examples of suitable activated carbon particles may include, for example, coconut shell-based activated carbon, petroleum coke-based activated carbon, pitch-based activated carbon, polyvinylidene chloride-based activated carbon, phenolic resin-based activated carbon, polyacrylonitrile-based activated carbon, and activated carbon derived from sources such as coal, charcoal, or other natural organic resources.

In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to selectivelyCertain aspects of activated carbon particles, such as their particle size distribution, surface area, and pore size distribution, are controlled to help improve the ionic mobility of certain types of electrolytes after being subjected to one or more charge-discharge cycles. For example, at least 50% of the particles (D50 size) by volume may have a size ranging from about 0.01 to about 30 microns, in some embodiments from about 0.1 to about 20 microns, and in some embodiments, from about 0.5 to about 10 microns. By volume, at least 90% of the particles (D90 size) may likewise have a size ranging from about 2 to about 40 microns, in some embodiments from about 5 to about 30 microns, and in some embodiments, from about 6 to 15 microns. The range of BET surface area may also be from about 900m²A/g to about 3,000m²A/g, in some embodiments from about 1,000m²A/g to about 2,500m²G, in some embodiments from about 1,100m²A/g to about 1,800m²/g。

In addition to having a certain size and surface area, the activated carbon particles may also contain pores having a certain size distribution. For example, pores having a size of less than about 2 nanometers (i.e., "micropores") may provide about 50 volume percent or less of the pore volume, in some embodiments about 30 volume percent or less, and in some embodiments from 0.1 to 15 volume percent of the total pore volume. The amount of pores having a size between about 2 nanometers and about 50 nanometers (i.e., "mesopores") can likewise be from about 20% to about 80% by volume, in some embodiments from about 25% to about 75% by volume, and in some embodiments, from about 35% to about 65% by volume. Finally, the amount of pores having a size greater than about 50 nanometers (i.e., "macropores") can range from about 1% to about 50% by volume, in some embodiments from about 5% to about 40% by volume, and in some embodiments, from about 10% to about 35% by volume. The total pore volume of the carbon particles may range from about 0.2cm³G to about 1.5cm³G, and in some embodiments, from about 0.4cm³G to about 1.0cm³And the mesopore width can be about 8 nanometers or less, in some embodiments from about 1 to about 5 nanometers, and in some embodiments, from about 2 to about 4 nanometersAnd (4) nano. Pore size and total pore volume can be measured using nitrogen adsorption and analyzed by Barrett-Joyner-Halenda ("BJH") technique, which is well known in the art.

If desired, the binder may be present in an amount of about 60 parts or less, in some embodiments 40 parts or less, and in some embodiments, from about 1 to about 25 parts per 100 parts of carbon in the first and/or second carbonaceous coatings. The binder may, for example, comprise about 15 wt% or less, in some embodiments about 10 wt% or less, and in some embodiments, from about 0.5 wt% to about 5 wt% of the total weight of the carbonaceous coating. Any of a variety of suitable binders may be used in the electrodes. For example, in certain embodiments water insoluble organic binders such as styrene-butadiene copolymers, polyvinyl acetate homopolymers, vinyl acetate ethylene copolymers, vinyl acetate acrylic copolymers, ethylene-vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate terpolymers, acrylic polyvinyl chloride polymers, acrylic polymers, nitrile polymers, fluoropolymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene or polyvinylidene fluoride, polyolefins, and the like, and mixtures thereof, may be used. Water-soluble organic binders, such as polysaccharides and their derivatives, may also be used. In a particular embodiment, the polysaccharide can be a nonionic cellulose ether, such as an alkyl cellulose ether (e.g., methylcellulose and ethylcellulose); and hydroxyalkyl cellulose ethers (e.g., hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl hydroxybutyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl hydroxybutyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl hydroxypropyl hydroxybutyl cellulose, etc.); alkyl hydroxyalkyl cellulose ethers (e.g., methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, and methyl ethyl hydroxypropyl cellulose); carboxyalkyl cellulose ethers (e.g., carboxymethyl cellulose); and the like, as well as protonated salts of any of the foregoing, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose.

Other materials may also be employed within the activated carbon layer of the first and/or second carbonaceous coatings and/or within other layers of the first and/or second carbonaceous coatings. For example, in certain embodiments, conductivity promoters may be employed to further increase conductivity. Exemplary conductivity promoters may include, for example, carbon black, graphite (natural or artificial), graphite, carbon nanotubes, nanowires or nanotubes, metal fibers, graphene, and the like, and mixtures thereof. Carbon black is particularly suitable. When used, the conductivity promoter typically comprises about 60 parts or less, in some embodiments 40 parts or less, and in some embodiments, from about 1 to about 25 parts per 100 parts of activated carbon particles in the carbonaceous coating. The conductivity promoter may, for example, comprise about 15 wt% or less, in some embodiments about 10 wt% or less, and in some embodiments, from about 0.5 wt% to about 5 wt% of the total weight of the carbonaceous coating. The activated carbon particles also typically comprise 85 wt% or more, in some embodiments about 90 wt% or more, and in some embodiments, from about 95 wt% to about 99.5 wt% of the carbonaceous coating.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, the particular manner in which the carbonaceous coating is applied to the current collector may vary, such as printing (e.g., rotogravure printing), spraying, slot die coating, drop coating, dip coating. Regardless of the manner in which it is applied, the resulting electrode is typically dried to remove moisture from the coating, for example, at a temperature of about 100 ℃ or greater, in some embodiments about 200 ℃ or greater, and in some embodiments, from about 300 ℃ to about 500 ℃. The electrodes may also be compressed (e.g., calendered) to optimize the volumetric efficiency of the supercapacitor. The thickness of each carbonaceous coating after any optional compression can generally vary based on the desired electrical properties and the operating range of the supercapacitor. Typically, however, the thickness of the coating is from about 20 to about 200 microns, 30 to about 150 microns, and in some embodiments, from about 40 to about 100 microns. The coating may be present on one or both sides of the current collector. Regardless, the thickness of the entire electrode (including the optional post-compression current collector and carbonaceous coating) typically ranges from about 20 to about 350 microns, in some embodiments from about 30 to about 300 microns, and in some embodiments, from about 50 to about 250 microns.

The electrode assembly also typically includes a separator between the first and second electrodes. Other spacers may also be employed in the electrode assembly, if desired. For example, one or more spacers may be located on the first electrode, the second electrode, or both. The spacer electrically isolates one electrode from the other, helping to prevent electrical shorting, but still allowing ions to be transported between the two electrodes. In some embodiments, for example, the spacer may be adapted to include: cellulosic fibrous materials (e.g., air-laid webs, wet-laid webs, etc.), nonwoven fibrous materials (e.g., polyolefin nonwoven webs), woven fabrics, films (e.g., polyolefin films), and the like. Cellulosic fibrous materials are particularly suitable for use in supercapacitors, such as those comprising natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and the like. Specific examples of suitable cellulosic fibers for the spacer can include, for example, hard pulp fibers, softwood pulp fibers, rayon fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers, and the like. Regardless of the particular material used, the thickness of the spacer is typically from about 5 to about 150 microns, in some embodiments from about 10 to about 100 microns, and in some embodiments, from about 20 to about 80 microns.

The manner in which the components of the electrode assembly are combined together may vary as is known in the art. For example, the electrodes and spacers may first be folded, wrapped, or otherwise contacted together to form an electrode assembly. In a particular embodiment, the electrodes, separator, and optional electrolyte may be wound into an electrode assembly having a "jelly-roll" configuration.

To form the supercapacitor, the electrolyte is brought into ionic contact with the first and second electrodes before, during and/or after the electrodes and the spacer are combined together to form the electrode assembly. The electrolyte is typically non-aqueous in nature and therefore comprises at least one non-aqueous solvent. To help extend the operating temperature range of the supercapacitor, it is generally desirable that the nonaqueous solvent have a relatively high boiling temperature, such as about 150 ℃ or greater, in some embodiments about 200 ℃ or greater, and in some embodiments, from about 220 ℃ to about 300 ℃. Particularly suitable high boiling point solvents may include, for example, cyclic carbonate solvents such as ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, vinylene carbonate, and the like. Of course, other non-aqueous solvents may also be used, either alone or in combination with the cyclic carbonate solvent. Examples of such solvents may include, for example, open-chain carbonates (e.g., dimethyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, etc.), aliphatic monocarboxylic acid salts (e.g., methyl acetate, methyl propionate, etc.), lactone solvents (e.g., butyrolactone valerolactone, etc.), nitriles (e.g., acetonitrile, glutaronitrile, adiponitrile, methoxyacetonitrile, 3-methoxypropionitrile, etc.), amides (e.g., N-dimethylformamide, N-diethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone), alkanes (e.g., nitromethane, nitroethane, etc.), sulfur compounds (e.g., sulfolane, dimethyl sulfoxide, etc.); and so on.

The electrolyte may also comprise at least one ionic liquid dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent. Although the concentration of the ionic liquid may vary, it is generally desirable for the ionic liquid to be present in a relatively high concentration. For example, the ionic liquid may be present in an amount of about 0.8 moles or more per liter of electrolyte (M), in some embodiments about 1.0M or more, in some embodiments about 1.2M or more, and in some embodiments, from about 1.3 to about 1.8M.

Ionic liquids are typically salts having a relatively low melting temperature, for example, about 400 ℃ or less, in some embodiments about 350 ℃ or less, in some embodiments from about 1 ℃ to about 100 ℃, and in some embodiments, from about 5 ℃ to about 50 ℃. The salt comprises a cationic species and a counterion. Cationic species comprise compounds having at least one heteroatom (e.g., nitrogen or phosphorus) as a "cationic center". Examples of such heteroatom compounds include, for example, unsubstituted or substituted organic quaternary ammonium compounds, such as ammonium (e.g., trimethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, and the like), pyridinium, pyridazone (pyridazinium), pyrylium, pyrazinium, imidazolium, pyrazolium, oxazolium, triazolium, thiazolium, quinolinium, piperidinium, pyrrolidinium, quaternary ammonium spirocyclic compounds in which two or more rings are linked together by a spirocyclic atom (e.g., carbon, heteroatom, and the like), a quaternary fused ring structure (e.g., quinolinium, isoquinolinium, and the like), and the like. In a particular embodiment, for example, the cationic species may be an N-spirobicyclic compound, such as a symmetric or asymmetric N-spirobicyclic compound having a cyclic ring. One example of such a compound has the following structure:

wherein m and n are independently a number from 3 to 7, and in some embodiments from 4 to 5 (e.g., pyrrolidinium or piperidinium).

Suitable counterions for the cationic species can likewise include halogens (e.g., chloride, bromide, iodide, etc.); sulfates or sulfonates (e.g., methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, butyl sulfate, hexyl sulfate, octyl sulfate, bisulfate, methanesulfonate, dodecylbenzenesulfonate, dodecylsulfonate, trifluoromethanesulfonate, heptadecafluorooctanesulfonate, sodium dodecylethoxysulfate, etc.); a sulfosuccinate ester; amides (e.g., dicyandiamide); imides (e.g., bis (pentafluoroethylsulfonyl) imide, bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide, bis (trifluoromethyl) imide, etc.); borates (e.g., tetrafluoroborate, tetracyanoborate, bis [ oxalate ] borate, bis [ salicylate borate, etc.); phosphates or phosphinates (e.g., hexafluorophosphates, diethyl phosphate, bis (pentafluoroethyl) phosphinate, tris (pentafluoroethyl) -trifluorophosphate, tris (nonafluorobutyl) trifluorophosphate, etc.); antimonates (e.g., hexafluoroantimonate); aluminates (e.g., tetrachloroaluminates); fatty acid carboxylates (e.g., oleate, isostearate, pentadecafluorooctanoate, etc.); a cyanate; acetates, and the like, as well as combinations of any of the foregoing.

Several examples of suitable ionic liquids can include, for example, spiro- (1,1') -bispyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate, triethylmethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, spiro- (1,1') -pyrrolidinium iodide, triethylmethylammonium iodide, tetraethylammonium iodide, triethylmethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate, tetraethylammonium hexafluorophosphate, and the like

As described above, the supercapacitor further comprises a casing within which the electrode assembly and electrolyte are held and optionally hermetically sealed. The nature of the housing may vary as desired. In one embodiment, for example, the housing may comprise a metal container ("can"), such as those formed from tantalum, niobium, aluminum, nickel, hafnium, titanium, copper, silver, steel (e.g., stainless steel), alloys thereof, composites thereof (e.g., metal coated with a conductive oxide), and so forth. Aluminum is particularly suitable for use in the present invention. The metal container may have any of a variety of different shapes, such as a cylindrical shape, a D-shape, and the like. Cylindrical containers are particularly suitable.

For example, referring to fig. 4, one embodiment of a housing that may be employed in an ultracapacitor is shown in more detail. In this particular embodiment, the housing comprises a metal container 2122 (e.g., a cylindrical can), the metal container 2122 defining a base 3000 and an open end 3200. A cover 2118 is disposed over the open end 3200 and attached (e.g., welded) to the container 2122 to seal the housing. The cover 2118 can include a first collector tray 2114, the first collector tray 2114 including a pan portion 2134, a stud portion 2136, and a fastener 2138 (e.g., a screw). The collector plate 2114 is aligned with a first end of a hollow core 2160 formed in the center of the electrode assembly 10, and then the stud portion 2136 is inserted into the opening of the core so that the stud portion 2136 contacts the second current collector 40. In this manner, the second current collector 40 is placed in electrical contact with the lid 2118. The fastener 2138 may also be coupled (e.g., threaded) to the first terminal 2116. The metal receptacle 2122 can likewise receive a second collector pan 2120 that includes a disk portion 2142, a stud portion 2140, and a second terminal 2144. The second collector pan 2120 is aligned with the second end of the hollow core 2160 and then the stud portion 2140 is inserted into the opening of the core such that the stud portion 2140 contacts the current collector 20. In this way, the first current collector 20 is electrically contacted to the base 3000. Once formed, terminals 2144 and 2116 may be connected to one or more additional ultracapacitors, as described above. For example, terminal 2144 (e.g., a positive pole) may be connected to a terminal of opposite polarity (e.g., a negative pole) of the second supercapacitor, and terminal 2116 (e.g., a negative pole) may be connected to a terminal of opposite polarity (e.g., a positive pole) of the third supercapacitor.

Although not shown in the drawings, the supercapacitors and modules may also include balancing circuitry. Typically, a balancing circuit is employed to prevent current, such as leakage current, from damaging other supercapacitors through overvoltage. This balancing may help regulate the voltage across each supercapacitor so that they are substantially the same. The module and balancing circuit may further comprise current control means for controlling the current through the supercapacitor in dependence on a signal provided by a feedback loop. In this regard, the balancing circuit need not be limited. A balancing circuit can be used with the module of the present invention as long as it can effectively balance the voltage across the supercapacitor. Typically, the balancing circuit is electrically connected to the supercapacitor. The electrical connection need not be limited as long as it allows the voltage of the supercapacitor to be controlled and/or regulated. The balancing circuit may include any number of electronic components, including active and passive components. These components may include any combination of transistors, resistors, regulators, attenuators, potentiometers, thermistors, diodes (e.g., zener diodes), comparators (e.g., voltage comparators), amplifiers (e.g., operational amplifiers), voltage dividers, and the like. It should be understood that these electronic components may be configured in any manner to effectively balance the circuit. In some cases, the balancing circuit may include additional components, such as an alarm (e.g., a sound or light, such as an LED) to notify the presence of an overvoltage. Examples of balancing circuits that may be employed include those such as Thrap U.S. patent 6806686, Thrap U.S. patent 7880449, Long U.S. patent No. 2003/0214267, and Kaminsky U.S. patent No. 2016/0301221. Further, any number of balancing circuits may be employed. For example, the module may contain at least one balancing circuit per supercapacitor. Alternatively, the module may employ at least one balancing circuit for a plurality of supercapacitors.

In addition, the balance circuit may be connected to the heat dissipation member. The heat dissipation component can be present anywhere on the module or supercapacitor, and is not limited. For example, it may be present in a circuit. Alternatively or additionally, the component may be connected to a heat sink, such as a metal. Such metal used as a heat sink may comprise a metal casing at least partially or completely surrounding the module and/or the supercapacitor. Alternatively or additionally, the metal used as a heat sink may be another structural component of the module and/or the supercapacitor. For example, the metal may be a support or structural component surrounding the module and/or the supercapacitor. Such a bracket or structural member may serve the dual function of also providing mechanical stability. Such connection of the balancing circuit to the heat dissipating component may allow for efficient and effective heat dissipation without compromising the performance of the supercapacitor or balancing circuit. In addition, any number of heat dissipating components may be employed. For example, each supercapacitor module may contain at least one heat sink. Alternatively, the module may employ at least one heat sink member for a plurality of supercapacitors.

Supercapacitors and modules containing them can be used to store large amounts of charge. As a result, the modules and supercapacitors of the invention may be used in a variety of applications. For example, they may be used in a variety of energy applications, including but not limited to wind turbines, solar panels, and fuel cells. In addition, they may also be used in a variety of transportation applications, including but not limited to vehicles (e.g., battery-powered electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, including buses, engine starting, power and brake recovery systems, etc.), trains, and trams (e.g., maglevs, track switches, starter systems, etc.), and aerospace (e.g., actuators for doors, evacuation slides, etc.). They also have a variety of industrial applications, including automation (e.g., robotics, etc.), vehicles (e.g., forklifts, cranes, electric carts, etc.). They also have a variety of applications in consumer electronics (e.g., portable media players, handheld devices, GPS, digital cameras, etc.), computers (e.g., laptop computers, PDAs, etc.), and communication systems. The modules and supercapacitors may also have a variety of military applications (e.g., motor starting for tanks and submarines, phased array radar antennas, laser power supplies, radio communications, avionics displays and instruments, GPS guidance, etc.) and medical applications (e.g., defibrillators, etc.).

These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additionally, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention so further described in such appended claims.

The claims (modification according to treaty clause 19)