Abstract: A method (600, 700, 800) for charging a battery (102) comprises obtaining, by charging circuitry (120), an open circuitry voltage of the battery prior to a charging session. The charging circuitry is in electrical communication with a power source (110) and the battery. The method also comprises initiating the charging session to charge the battery at a constant charge current-constant charge voltage with power provided from the power source and obtaining an ambient temperature (T) measured by a temperature sensor (160) in communication with the charging circuitry. The method also comprises obtaining a charge termination time (tt) based on the ambient temperature and terminating the charging session when the charge termination time is reached.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for managing power within a voltage regulating circuit of a battery-powered hearing aid device includes an input terminal of a voltage regulator that receives an input voltage supplied by a battery. An output terminal of the voltage regulator provides an output voltage to a hearing aid terminal that is electrically connected to one or more electrical components of the hearing aid device. A sensing terminal of the voltage regulator senses an electrical connection between the charging device is and charging contacts of the voltage regulating circuit. The voltage regulator is configured to reduce a magnitude of the input voltage when the magnitude of the input voltage exceeds an input voltage threshold to generate the output voltage having a magnitude that is less than a maximum output voltage.

Abstract: A method for charging a rechargeable battery of a body-worn electronic device includes obtaining, by charging circuitry of a charger, a voltage of the battery prior to charging the battery, the charging circuitry in electrical communication with a power source (e.g., an energy storage device) and the battery and comparing the battery voltage to a voltage threshold. When the battery voltage is less than the voltage threshold, the method also includes applying predetermined current pulses to the battery with power provided from the power source (e.g., energy storage device) to simultaneously charge the battery and power electrical components of the device. The method also includes setting a timer when the battery voltage reaches a predetermined voltage and ceases application of the current pulses to the battery when the timer indicates that a predetermined time has elapsed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for charging silver-zinc rechargeable batteries and an apparatus for practicing the charging method. The recharging apparatus includes recharging management circuitry; and one or more of a silver-zinc cell, a host device or a charging base that includes the recharging management circuitry. The recharging management circuitry provides means for regulating recharging of the silver-zinc cell, diagnostics for evaluating battery function, and safety measures that prevent damage to the apparatus caused by charging batteries composed of materials that are not suited for the charging method (e.g., non-silver-zinc batteries).

Abstract: A hearing aid device (100, 100a-b) comprises a shell portion (104) and a battery door module (200, 200a-b) attached to the shell portion. The battery door module comprises a battery casing (221, 221a-b) and an electronics casing (208, 208a-b). The battery casing receives a battery (202) defining a battery axis (LBAT) that extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (L) of the battery door module. The electronics casing encloses a voltage regulator (216), a printed circuit board assembly (214), and at least a portion of one or more charging elements (220, 220a). The battery door module also comprises at least one attachment member (204, 206, 206a-b) that allows the battery door module to attach to a shell portion of the hearing aid device. The battery door module is movable relative to the shell portion between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A multi-functional battery separator comprises two or more active separator layers deposited from different polymer solutions to form a multilayered unitary structure comprising a free-standing film, a multiplex film on one side of a porous substrate, or separate films or multiplex films on opposite sides of a porous substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the cascade coating method is used to simultaneously deposit the active separator layers wet so that the physical, electrical and morphological changes associated with the polymer drying out process are avoided or minimized. The multi-functional separator is inexpensive to fabricate, exhibits enhanced ionic conductivity and ionic barrier properties, and eliminates gaps between individual layers in a separator stack that can contribute to battery failure.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel cathodes having a reduced resistivity and other improved electrical properties. Furthermore, this invention also presents methods of manufacturing novel electrochemical cells and novel cathodes. These novel cathodes comprise a silver material that is doped with a silicate material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrolyte comprising polymer comprising alkyl-capped PEG; an alkaline agent; and water, wherein the water is present in an amount greater than or equal to about 60 wt % of the electrolyte and methods of producing the same. The present invention further provides an electrochemical cell comprising said electrolyte, and methods of producing the same. The present invention also provides a separator comprising alkyl-capped PEG and cellulose, and methods of producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method (350) comprising: (i) receiving, at a processing device (310), charge data (120) from a charging unit (200) via a network (110), the charging unit including a charger (210) and the charge data including a charge capacity indicating an amount of charge delivered to a battery (202) during a most recent charging session and a device (20) usage time indicating an amount of time that the battery was off the charger during a period preceding the most recent charging session; (ii) determining, at the processing device, an average discharge rate of the battery based on previously received charge data corresponding to the battery; (iii) determining, at the processing device, an estimated state of charge (130) of the battery based on the average discharge rate; and (iv) providing, at the processing device, the estimated state of charge to a user device (400) for display.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel cathodes having a reduced resistivity and other improved electrical properties. Furthermore, this invention also presents methods of manufacturing novel electrochemical cells and novel cathodes. These novel cathodes comprise a silver material that is doped with a high valence early transition metal species.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for charging silver-zinc rechargeable batteries and an apparatus for practicing the charging method. The recharging apparatus includes recharging management circuitry; and one or more of a silver-zinc cell, a host device or a charging base that includes the recharging management circuitry. The recharging management circuitry provides means for regulating recharging of the silver-zinc cell, diagnostics for evaluating battery function, and safety measures that prevent damage to the apparatus caused by charging batteries composed of materials that are not suited for the charging method (e.g., non-silver-zinc batteries).

Abstract: The present invention provides novel cathodes having a reduced resistivity and other improved electrical properties. Furthermore, this invention also presents methods of manufacturing novel electrochemical cells and novel cathodes. These novel cathodes comprise a silver material that is doped with a trivalent species.

Abstract: The present invention provides cathodes, methods of making cathodes, and electrochemical cells (e.g., batteries) that employ these cathodes having improved properties over traditional cathodes, methods, or electrochemical cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides cathodes, methods of making cathodes, and electrochemical cells (e.g., batteries) that employ these cathodes having improved properties over traditional cathodes, methods, or electrochemical cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel cathodes having a reduced resistivity and electrochemical cells using these cathodes. Furthermore, this invention also presents methods of manufacturing novel electrochemical cells and novel cathodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel cathodes having a reduced resistivity and other improved electrical properties. Furthermore, this invention also presents methods of manufacturing novel electrochemical cells and novel cathodes. These novel cathodes comprise a silver material that is doped with a trivalent species.

Abstract: The present invention provides a separator for use in an alkaline electrochemical cell comprising a polymer material and an inert filler comprising zirconium oxide. Examples of polymer materials useful in this invention include ABS polymer material, halogenated alkylene polymer material, and PE polymer material.