Abstract: A portable battery having a case for housing a plurality of rechargeable electrochemical cells includes an attachment clip for supporting the battery during use. The clip is adapted for sliding reciprocating movement from a first retracted position when not in use to a second extended position wherein the clip may be utilized to support the battery case.

Abstract: A phase control ballast in which a reactor and a triac are connected in series with an hid discharge lamp across an ac voltage source. A supra-linear converter connected to a rectifier-filter provides a reference voltage which is a supra-linear function of the source voltage. A ramp generator provides a ramp voltage climbing at a constant rate. At the instant when the ramp voltage exceeds the level of the reference voltage, a comparator circuit provides a signal to the gate of the triac which turns it on. A triac state detector responds to the turning on of the triac in either polarity by dropping the ramp voltage to zero and holding it at zero until the triac turns itself off.

Abstract: A carton for packaging a clamshell type luminaire comprising a paperboard box of a height accommodating the luminaire lengthwise and having a square cross-section in which the luminaire with refractor dismounted is accommodated diagonally. A diagonal locking panel filler has a face portion pressing against the rear portion of the humped bottom side of the luminaire to wedge its top side into a corner of the carton. The face portion has attached wings or side panels erected to form a right angle corner support conforming to the interior of the carton and transmitting to the carton walls the load created by the weight of the luminaire.

Abstract: A battery charging system is provided for charging a rechargeable batteries and for distinguishing the rechargeable battery from a non-rechargeable battery. The charging system establishes an electromagnetic field proximate the battery. A circuit within the battery enters a resonant condition in response to the electromagnetic field and the resonant condition is sensed by the charging system to switch the charging system from a non-charging mode to a charging mode.

Abstract: A battery charging system is provided which distinguishes between primary and secondary batteries by sensing a charging or discharging parameter of a battery placed into the system. A sensing means is included in the system which senses the value of at least one parameter of the battery. The parameter has a value for secondary batteries which is distinctive from its value for primary batteries. In response to an indication from the sensing means that the battery in the system is a primary battery, an enabling means disables charging of the primary battery by the system. The enabling means, in response to an indication from the sensing means that the battery in the system is a secondary battery, enables charging of the secondary battery by the system. One battery parameter which is particularly useful in discriminating between primary and secondary batteries is the low frequency impedance of the battery during charging.

Abstract: A discharge lamp ballast for stabilizing wattage input into a discharge lamp at different levels in two or more ranges comprises a magnetic core forming a closed magnetic circuit. A main winding on the core may be used alone or with an extended winding switched in series, and be connected in series with the lamp across an alternating current source in a lamp operating circuit. A control winding on the core has a triac connected across it to vary the current and thereby the wattage supplied to the lamp in the operating circuit. A pair of gapped shunts, one located between the control winding and the extended winding, and the other between the extended winding and the main winding, assure a proportionally greater control effect on the series reactance in the lamp operating circuit when the extended winding is switched in than when it is not.

Abstract: A method for winding electrode assemblies useable in electrochemical cells is provided wherein first and second winding stations are provided. A first unwound electrode assembly is partially wound at the first winding station into a first partially wound electrode assembly and then transferred to the second winding station where the first partially wound electrode assembly is further wound. A second unwound electrode assembly is partially wound at the first winding station into a second partially wound electrode assembly contemporaneously with the further winding of the first partially wound electrode assembly at the second winding station.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve is provided for venting gas from the interior of an electrochemical cell when the pressure of the gas within the cell is excessive. The valve effects sealing or the interior of the cell from the atmosphere when the pressure in the cell is not excessive. Within the relief valve first and second seals are disposed in series in a fluid path and serve not only to enhance the sealing function but also cooperate with resilient means to avoid substantial variations in valve opening pressure if the resilient means are misaligned during assembly of the valve.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for aligning and presenting an electrode strip to the winding arbors of a machine for winding electrode assemblies of an electrochemical cell. A variable width recess is provided on an electrode carrier member for facilitating insertion of the electrode strip into the recess and alignment of the electrode strip for presentation to the winding arbors.

Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell is provided having an improved current collector which provides an electrical path from one of the cell electrodes to a terminal external to the cell. The collector is provided with resilient deflectable tabs which reside in the cell in a deflected state between the electrode and the container and which exert a contact force establishing electrically conductive contact between a spiral edge segment of the electrode and a contact edge on the tab.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, carried along a cell production line, is filled with liquid electrolyte under pressure. First, the electrolyte is dispersed on top of the cell electrode assembly within an open ended cell casing. Then a pressurizing chamber is mated with the cell support member of the conveyor mechanism so as to form a pressurizing volume surrounding the cell, whereupon a gas under pressure is introduced into the chamber and forces the electrolyte into the separator of the electrolyte assembly for rapid and complete absorption of the electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell and method of making same are provided wherein the electrochemical cell includes a radial sealing function effected by the combination of a seal comprised of an amorphous polymer and a cell container wall having a stiffening rib on one axial side of the seal and a lip on the other side of the seal wherein the rib and the lip eliminate springback of the container wall upon removal of the external radial force establishing the compressive sealing forces.

Abstract: Apparatus for the automatic assembly and closure of rechargeable cells packaged in a cylindrical casing, wherein the cell casing, containing a coiled electrode assembly, is advanced by a horizontal rotary index table through a series of operational locations. A connector tab electrically connected to and extending from the top of the electrode coil is automatically oriented at one of the locations and is thereafter welded to a cover assembly at another location to which the cover assembly is advanced by a cover placement including a vertical rotary indexing wheel moving synchronously, or in timed sequence, with the horizontal index table. The vertical rotary index wheel includes forwardly extending spindles spaced about the periphery, each spindle releasably and rotatably carrying a cover assembly. The wheel moves the cover assemblies through a sealant applicator station prior to advancing them for placement at the welding location.

Abstract: A system and circuit for charging a rechargeable battery from an external source of direct current is provided wherein the circuit includes an indicator for indicating the passage of charge current through the circuit. The circuit precludes the indicator from providing a false indication of the passage of charging current.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical rechargeable battery is provided leaving a pair of power terminals for delivering energy to an energy-using device. The battery further includes a charging terminal contact spaced apart from the power terminals and extending substantially around the circumference of the battery whereby charging contact on the battery may engage a corresponding charging contact in the energy-using device to charge the battery in all rotational positions of the battery.