Battery cell separator having contoured profile

Abstract

A battery cell separator includes a top surface and a bottom surface. A body extends between the top surface and the bottom surface and includes a first contoured surface on a first side of the body and a second contoured surface on a second side. The first contoured surface and the second contoured surface converging between the top surface and a center of the body and diverging between the center and the bottom surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A battery cell separator, comprising:
 a top surface;   a bottom surface; and   a body extending between said top surface and said bottom surface and including a first contoured surface on a first side of said body and a second contoured surface on a second side, said first contoured surface and said second contoured surface converging between said top surface and a center of said body and diverging between said center and said bottom surface.   
     
     
         2 . The battery cell separator as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first contoured surface and said second contoured surface extend in parallel between converging and diverging portions of said body. 
     
     
         3 . The battery cell separator as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said top surface includes a flange. 
     
     
         4 . The battery cell separator as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said flange establishes a pocket on each of said first side and said second side of said body. 
     
     
         5 . The battery cell separator as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said flange extends over top of at least one battery cell received against said body. 
     
     
         6 . The battery cell separator as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first contoured surface and said second contoured surface converge from said top surface to said center, and then diverge from said center to said bottom surface. 
     
     
         7 . The battery cell separator as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said body is made of a thermally conductive material. 
     
     
         8 . The battery cell separator as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said top surface, said bottom surface and said body are a single piece, unitary part establishing a monolithic structure. 
     
     
         9 . The battery cell separator as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a profile of said first contoured surface is matched to a bulged profile of a charged battery cell that is received adjacent to said first contoured surface. 
     
     
         10 . The battery cell separator as recited in  claim 9 , wherein a second profile of said second contoured surface is matched to a second bulged profile of a second charged battery cell that is received adjacent to said second contoured surface. 
     
     
         11 . A battery cell separator, comprising:
 a top surface;   a bottom surface;   a body extending between said top surface and said bottom surface;   a first contoured surface on a first side of said body and including a first profile matched to a first external charged profile of a first battery cell; and   a second contoured surface on a second side of said body and including a second profile matched to a second external charged profile of a second battery cell.   
     
     
         12 . The battery cell separator as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said top surface, said bottom surface, and said body are a single piece, unitary part establishing a monolithic structure. 
     
     
         13 . The battery cell separator as recited in  claim 11 , said first contoured surface and said second contoured surface converge between said top surface and a center of said body and diverge between said center and said bottom surface. 
     
     
         14 . The battery cell separator as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said body is made of a thermally conductive material. 
     
     
         15 . The battery cell separator as recited in  claim 11 , said top surface includes a flange that establishes a pocket on each of said first side and said second side of said body.