Abstract: A silver-containing alkaline electrochemical cell and methods for producing the cell, wherein the cell includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a separator disposed between the electrodes, and an alkaline electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode is formed as a multi-layer composite including a silver-containing oxide layer and a barrier layer, initially free of silver-containing material, disposed between the silver-containing oxide layer and the separator for substantially reducing migration of silver ions to the separator and negative electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus includes electrical contacts coupled to a LED. The apparatus further includes a positive temperature coefficient resistor in operative thermal communication and electrically in series with the LED. A resistance of the PTC resistor varies as a function of a temperature of the LED.

Abstract: A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.

Abstract: The invention is an electrochemical cell with a zinc-containing negative electrode, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte and a cup-shaped metal negative electrode casing in contact with the negative electrode. The negative electrode casing is formed from a substrate that is substantially free of copper and at least those portions of the surface of the negative electrode casing in the seal area and the current collector area are coated with a layer of an alloy comprising copper, tin and zinc. The alloy layer reduces hydrogen gassing within the cell and is particularly useful in cells with no added mercury. Embodiments of the invention include cells with prismatic, cylindrical and button shaped containers and cells with positive electrode active materials including manganese dioxide, silver oxide and oxygen.

Abstract: A battery package comprising a rear member and a front member pivotally connected to the rear member. The battery package has a closed position and an open position allowing access to the interior space. The rear member includes support structure for supporting the batteries therein. The rear member including a foot and the front member and the rear member including aligned openings. Therefore, the battery package can alternatively be positioned on the horizontal surface using the foot and be hung on a rod by extending the rod through the aligned openings for display purposes. A first one of the front member and the rear member includes a latch and a second one of the front member and rear member includes a slot, with the latch being configured to be inserted into the slot for maintaining the battery package in the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing having a first wall and a sliding tray having a second wall that is generally parallel to the first wall. The sliding tray slides between a retracted position and an extended position in which the first and second walls define a battery receiving region in the sliding tray. The apparatus further includes a first battery contact provided in the first wall and a second battery contact proximate to the second wall. The first and second battery contacts electrically communicate with battery charging circuitry, and the second battery contact slides relative to the second wall in a direction that changes a battery receiving distance between the first and second battery contacts.

Abstract: A flat, flexible electrochemical cell is provided. The within invention describes various aspects of the flat, flexible electrochemical cell. A printed anode is provided that obviates the need for a discrete anode current collector, thereby reducing the size of the battery. An advantageous electrolyte is provided that enables the use of a metallic cathode current collector, thereby improving the performance of the battery. Printable gelled electrolytes and separators are provided, enabling the construction of both co-facial and co-planar batteries. Cell contacts are provided that reduce the potential for electrolyte creepage in the flat, flexible electrochemical cells of the within invention.

Abstract: A lighting device has a light source, a light pipe, two convex magnifying lenses, and an adjusting mechanism for moving the two magnifying lenses relative to the light source. The light emitted from the light source is dispersed and directed into the light pipe by a reflector. The light pipe transfers collimated light through the first and second magnifier lenses which redirects the light to produce a circular spotlight beam having uniform intensity. The size of the spotlight beam is adjusted by an adjusting mechanism.

Abstract: A battery package capable of standing upright comprising a front member, a rear member pivotally connected to the front member, and a foot pivotally connected to a bottom of the rear member. The rear member and the front member have an open configuration and a closed configuration. The rear member and the front member are configured to capture batteries therebetween when in the closed configuration. The foot is pivoted to abut against a rear bottom portion of the rear member, thereby placing the foot in a support position such that the battery package can stand on a horizontal surface. The foot is maintained in the support position by adhesive.

Abstract: A package comprising a first panel and a second panel. The first and second panels have a closed position wherein the first panel abuts the second panel and an open position wherein the first panel is spaced from the second panel. The first panel has a battery holder configured to retain at least one battery therein. The second panel has a battery powered device holder configured to retain a battery powered device therein. The first panel has a first tear away strip for allowing batteries in the battery holder to be removed from the first panel when the first and second panels are in the open position. The second panel has a second tear away strip for allowing the battery powered device in the battery powered device holder to be removed from the second panel when the first and second panels are in the open position.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery cell with an electrical lead for electrical contact between one of the cell's electrodes and the side of the cell container. A portion of the lead, disposed between the electrode assembly and the side wall of the container, includes an initially non-planar shape that is in a partially deformed, compressed configuration within the cell to bias the lead against the internal surface of the side wall of the container, thereby applying sufficient force to provide good electrical contact between the electrode and the container. The initially non-planar shape can include one or more V-shaped or arc-shaped grooves, and the grooves can be disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis of the electrode assembly. Also disclosed is a process for making such a cell.

Abstract: A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve. The chassis (550) may include an electrically conductive frame (500) integrally formed therein.

Abstract: A physical battery charger (104) connects to a computer (102) using a communications link such as a universal serial bus (USB) connection. Application software (114) resident on the computer (102) presents a virtual battery charger (116) on a display (110) associated with the computer (102). The virtual charger (116) provides information regarding the status of the physical charger (104) and allows the user to control the operation of or otherwise interact with the physical charger (104). The physical charger (104) also adjusts the charging rate of batteries (222) being charged based on the available power.

Abstract: An alkaline electrochemical cell having an anode containing zinc and a cathode that includes a catalyst and an iodate is disclosed. The catalyst catalyzes the reduction of the iodate when the cell is discharged thereby enabling the cell to be used in devices that have a functional endpoint of 1.0V or higher. Preferred catalysts include platinum and palladium. Suitable iodates include copper iodate, strontium iodate and lead iodate.