US 12,249,726 B2
Method for manufacturing a co-axial glass-to-metal seal for a case-neutral electrochemical cell
Gary Freitag, East Aurora, NY (US); Paul T. Hallifax, Gasport, NY (US); and Michael F. Scalise, Clarence, NY (US)
Assigned to Greatbatch Ltd., Clarence, NY (US)
Filed by Greatbatch Ltd., Clarence, NY (US)
Filed on Sep. 11, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/882,266.
Application 18/882,266 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/599,318, filed on Mar. 8, 2024.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/451,385, filed on Mar. 10, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0007056 A1, Jan. 2, 2025
Int. Cl. H01M 50/184 (2021.01); H01M 10/04 (2006.01); H01M 50/188 (2021.01); H01M 50/191 (2021.01); H01M 50/562 (2021.01)
CPC H01M 50/184 (2021.01) [H01M 10/0422 (2013.01); H01M 50/188 (2021.01); H01M 50/191 (2021.01); H01M 50/562 (2021.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for manufacturing a co-axial glass-to-metal seal, comprising the steps of:
a) providing a terminal pin extending along a longitudinal axis;
b) providing an inner ferrule comprising an inner ferrule sidewall extending to an inner ferrule first end spaced from an inner ferrule second end, wherein the inner ferrule first and second ends extend to an inner ferrule inner annular surface defining an inner ferrule opening opposite an inner ferrule outer annular surface;
c) providing a sleeve-shaped inner insulating glass having an inner glass opening, and positioning the terminal pin in the inner glass opening in the inner insulating glass and positioning the inner insulating glass in the inner ferrule opening to thereby provide a terminal pin/inner insulating glass/inner ferrule subassembly;
d) subjecting the terminal pin/inner insulating glass/inner ferrule subassembly to a first heat treatment to hermetically seal the inner insulating glass to the terminal pin and to the inner annular surface of the inner ferrule to provide a first GTMS;
providing an outer ferrule comprising an outer e) ferrule sidewall extending to an outer ferrule first end spaced from an outer ferrule second end, wherein the outer ferrule first and second ends extend to an outer ferrule inner annular surface defining an outer ferrule opening opposite an outer ferrule outer annular surface; and
f) providing a sleeve-shaped outer insulating glass having an outer glass opening, and positioning the first GTMS in the outer glass opening in the outer insulating glass and positioning the outer insulating glass in the outer ferrule opening to thereby provide a first GTMS/outer insulating glass/outer ferrule assembly; and
g) subjecting the first GTMS/outer insulating glass/outer ferrule assembly to a second heat treatment to hermetically seal the outer insulating glass to the outer annular surface of the inner ferrule and to the inner annular surface of the outer ferrule to thereby provide the co-axial GTMS.