Hermetic closure seal

Details Hermetic closure seal Hermetic closure seal

1994-06-22

2001-03-20

Kalafut, Stephen (Department: 1745)

Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and

Having specified venting, feeding or circulation structure

Venting structure

C429S172000, C429S180000, C429S185000, C029S623200

Reexamination Certificate

active

06203937

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the filling and sealing of containers having fill ports such as electrolytic cells and specifically batteries. The invention was specifically developed for and has found utility in the filling and hermetically sealing of batteries intended for powering medical devices.
The battery's components are usually encapsulated in a metal container the top of which is closed by a metal header. The header typically has a fill port formed therein which provides a cylindrical passageway through which liquid components are introduced into the container. 304L stainless steel is a typical container and header material although there are many grades of stainless steel which may be used. Following placement of mechanical components and any solid chemical constituents in the container, the header is welded to the container top. The container is then filled with a liquid constituent through the header fill port which is then hermetically sealed. The hermeticity or perfection of seal at the fill port is an important feature in high reliability cells.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The attainment of a closure seal with a consistent and high level of hermeticity (such as <1.0×10
−9
cm
3
He/sec) in the fill port is facilitated by using a rigid metal ball possessing high hardness (>55R
c
) and a high yield strength. This ball is press fitted into the fill port passageway. Deformable soft balls do not consistently produce hermetic closure seals; nor will a ball of high strength but of intermediate hardness (about 45R
c
, for example) such as MP35N alloy. Such a ball is susceptible to galling and can be easily scratched. The resulting hermetic seal between the ball and fill port passageway assures that the solvent components within the container will not leak past the seal and plug leakage paths in the closing button
26
to the header
18
weld joint. Said leakage paths must be free of solvents to allow for the passage of helium from the getter material
24
, thereby facilitating the verification that the closing button to leader weld joint meets or exceeds hermetically requirements.


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patent: 5114808 (1992-05-01), Chaney, Jr. et al.

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