Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for use in the fabrication of an electrical chemical cell having a spiral wound core. An anode plate and a first separator sheet are Juxtaposed in an adjacent relationship and restrained against relative lengthwise displacement. A cathode plate is Juxtaposed with a second separator sheet in an adjacent relationship and also restrained against relative lengthwise displacement. Portions of the first and second separator sheets are overlapped and restrained against relative movement while the restrained overlapping end portions are rotated Continuously about an axis so as to wind the plates and separator sheets into a coiled core which can be inserted into an electrochemical cell casing. The apparatus includes a vacuum holding member for holding the anode plate and first separator sheet together, and includes a vacuum holding member for holding the cathode place and second separator sheet together. A pair of rotatable clamping mandrels grip the overlapping end portions of the separator sheets and rotate to wind the sheets and the plates into the coiled core configuration. Guide members are provided adjacent the clamping mandrels to prevent the plates and separator sheets from being swung outwardly during the coil forming process. Mechanisms are also provided for inserting the coiled core into the cell casing.

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First Claim