Abstract: A device for protecting a cell is described comprising a cell body arranged in a container which has opening and closing means to open and close the cell body from the exterior atmosphere of the container. The device also has a sensor for sensing an impact to the cell body. When the impact is above a predetermined value, a barrier fluid is sprayed into the interior of the container. The opening and closing means of the container is operated in response to the spraying of the barrier fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous secondary battery having a high discharge potential, a high discharge capacity, a good charge-discharge cycle characteristics and good high current charge-discharge characteristics.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery suitable for use as a power source for a secondary battery using system such as an electric automobile, motor bicycle or portable equipment includes a negative electrode (17) composed of a carbon material including carbon particles carrying fine particles of a metal which forms an alloy with lithium. The carbon particles have a face-to-face dimension which is 3.354 to 3.369 .ANG. and a crystal grain size in a C-axis direction which is equal to or greater than 300 .ANG.. The metal forming an alloy with lithium has a particle size which is equal to or smaller than 1000 .ANG.. With the use of the charge/discharge capacity of an alloy of the metal and lithium, a value exceeding the theoretical capacity 372 mAh/g of graphite can be obtained. The lithium secondary battery is capable of discharge with an output energy density equal to or higher than 350 W/kg.

Abstract: A process for preparing an active material for a cathode of a lithium ion battery comprising the steps of: dissolving lithium hydroxide, manganese acetate as starting materials into water to form a solution; adding a chelating agent into the solution; producing gel or liquid phase by evaporating the solution; and producing a powder by raising temperature at the rate of 5.about.20 .degree. C./min, combusting and calcinating the gel or liquid phase at 300.about.400 .degree. C. during 2.about.3 hours is disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical power generating device having a plurality of ceramic composite cells, each cell having a cathode and an anode. A thermal shell in which the ceramic composite cells are stacked or arranged in electrical series and gas parallel surrounded by shock absorbing and insulating materials, respectively, is preferably included. Also provided are an exhaust fan, thermocouple sensors, a fuel supply, a programmable computer controller with user interface, and a container supporting the assembly and having passageways for providing air ingress and egress to the device, and power output terminals for the electrical power from the device. Methods for manufacturing the ceramic composite cells are also provided, including a method for manufacturing stabilized zirconia for use in the ceramic materials used within the ceramic composite cell. The cell utilizes a ceramic composite body electrolyte which contains a metal member having a regular pattern of openings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing an oxide of formula Li.sub.x Mn.sub.y O.sub.z, in which x lies in the range 0 to 2, y lies in the range 1 to 3, and z lies in the range 3 to 4.5, x, y, and z being such that the oxide has a composition close to LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4. According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps:a) a polymer complex of lithium and of manganese is prepared in the form of a gel or of a xerogel by causing a reducing polymer, copolymer or polymer mixture possessing complexing functions for lithium and manganese to react in a common solvent with an oxidizing lithium salt and with an oxidizing manganese salt, and by evaporating off the solvent, partially or in full; andb) the resulting lithium and manganese polymer complex is mineralized by the explosive oxidation-reduction technique to recover fine amorphous particles of the oxide of formula Li.sub.x Mn.sub.y O.sub.z.

Abstract: An alkali metal, solid cathode, nonaqueous electrochemical cell capable of delivering high current pulses, rapidly recovering its open circuit voltage and having high current capacity, is described. The stated benefits are realized by the addition of at least one phosphate additive to an electrolyte comprising an alkali metal salt dissolved in a mixture of a low viscosity solvent and a high permittivity solvent. A preferred solvent mixture includes propylene carbonate, dimethoxyethane and an alkyl phosphate additive.

Abstract: An alkali metal, solid cathode, nonaqueous electrochemical cell capable of delivering high current pulses, rapidly recovering its open circuit voltage and having high current capacity, is described. The stated benefits are realized by the addition of at least one dicarbonate additive to an electrolyte comprising an alkali metal salt dissolved in a mixture of a low viscosity solvent and a high permittivity solvent. A preferred solvent mixture includes propylene carbonate, dimethoxyethane and an alkyl dicarbonate additive.

Abstract: A zinc alloy anode-based electrochemical cell, which generates gases and/or energy, is disclosed. The structure of the cell is such that a zinc alloy anode material is the integral part of housing and is in contact with an alkaline electrolyte containing minor amounts of corrosion inhibitors. The electrolyte which contains no zinc powder metal, may be in direct contact with the cathode thereby simplifying cell construction by elimination of a separator material. The cell is environmentally friendly, containing no mercury or cadmium or other toxic metals and is cost effective as it eliminates expensive amalgamated zinc powder and separator material.

Abstract: An electrical battery comprises in a metallic casing filled with electrolyte at least one electrode pair comprising a separator, a positive electrode, a separator and a negative electrode, the electrodes of the same polarity being connected in parallel and to positive and negative output terminals insulated from the casing. It includes an additional electrode in contact with the bottom of the casing and impregnated with electrolyte containing an electrochemically active material chosen so that its electrochemical potential is in the range of passivating and stabilizing the metal of the casing. In one embodiment the casing is made of aluminum and the additional electrode is made from a material selected from a metallic oxide or sulfide, containing lithium or not, the potential of which relative to lithium is in the range 2 V to 3.5 V, for example V.sub.2 O.sub.5, Li.sub.x V.sub.2 O.sub.5, MnO.sub.2, Li.sub.x MnO.sub.2, MoS.sub.2, Li.sub.x MOS.sub.2.

Abstract: An energy system that couples or integrates an electrochemical converter, such as a fuel cell for the production of electricity, with a Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) system, is disclosed. Waste heat generated by the fuel cell is radiatively, convectively, or conductively directed to a thermal component, such as a heat-actuated chiller or a boiler, of an HVAC system. The HVAC system receives the waste heat to produce a conditioned fluid, e.g. heated or cooled air or water, or steam, for heating, cooling, or industrial uses. The invention provides an improved efficiency energy system capable of providing electricity, heating and cooling, such as for a commercial facility or for residences. Also disclosed in an interface exchange element for convectively coupling an electrochemical converter to the HVAC system.

Abstract: To overcome the drawbacks of a P(VDF-HFP) system gel electrolyte and a cell using the same, a polymer having a vinylidene fluoride copolymer as a backbone and poly-vinylidene fluoride in a side chain featuring good adhesion and exhibiting electro-chemical properties similar to the P(VDF-HFP) system without a crosslinking step is used as a binder for a gel electrolyte or electrode. The invention improves the adhesion of gel electrolyte to a current collector or electrode to reduce internal resistance; develops a polymeric solid electrolyte which is storage stable and capable of continuous lamination of coating layers; and provides an electrode which does not require an extra crosslinking step in assembly procedure, prevents positive and negative electrode materials from stripping off, and experiences a minimal capacitance drop upon repetitive charge/discharge cycles. A lithium secondary cell and an electric double-layer capacitor using the electrode is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen storage alloy electrode high in capacity and exceptional in cycle life characteristic by improving a conventional V-based hydrogen storage alloy of a body-centered cubic structure. The electrode comprises particles of a hydrogen storage alloy represented by the general formula V.sub.1-a-b-c-d Ti.sub.a Cr.sub.b M.sub.c L.sub.d, wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Nb, Zn, Zr, Mo, Ag, Hf, Ta, W, Al, Si, C, N, P and B, and L is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Y and rare earth elements, and 0.2.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.0.5, 0.1.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.0.4, 0.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.0.2 and 0<d.ltoreq.0.03, the alloy having a body-centered cubic structure. The alloy particles preferably have their surface disposed with an Ni-diffused layer.

Abstract: An ultra thin primary battery construction is disclosed along with a method for making same. The battery itself is a laminate construction consisting of a polymer film casing, printed thin film electrodes, and an aqueous electrolyte which is in intimate contact with the active surfaces of both electrodes. In this system, the electrodes themselves consist of a non-reactive conductive ink base having active electrode materials embedded into its surface. The anode to cathode electrode geometry may take one of many forms, however for ease of manufacturing, the anode and cathode electrodes face each other in an offset configuration that eliminates the need for a porous separator. The method of manufacture involves first forming the electrodes onto a polymer film followed by adding the appropriate aqueous electrolyte, and finally sealing the battery.

Abstract: A method for the simultaneous generation of electrical energy and heat for heating purposes uses a combustion gas consisting mainly of one or more hydrocarbons as well as a gas mixture containing oxygen. The method is carried out by means of at least one gas burner and at least one stack of fuel cells, with an oxygen surplus having a stoichiometric ratio greater than about 3 being provided in the battery. In the battery less than half of the combustion gas is converted for the generation of electricity while producing a first exhaust gas. The remainder of the combustion gas is burned in the burner while producing a second exhaust gas, and the first exhaust gas is used at least partially as an oxygen source for the combustion. Heat energy is won from the exhaust gases, with at least about half of the water contained in the exhaust gases being condensed out.

Abstract: A negative electrode for an alkaline electrochemical cell. The electrode comprises an active material and a hydrophilic agent constituted by small cylindrical rods of polyolefin provided with hydrophilic groups. The mean length of the rods is less than 50 microns and the mean diameter thereof is less than 20 microns. A method of manufacturing a negative electrode in which hydrophilic rods are made by fragmenting long polyolefin fibers having a mean diameter of less than 20 microns by oxidizing them, with the rods being mixed with the active material and the mixture being applied to a current conductor.

Abstract: A primary lithium battery particularly adapted for use in self-contained self-powered devices (SSPD) for mobile communication and computing products, such as radio frequency identification tags, PCMCIA cards, and smart cards. The battery utilizes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane that preferably has a polyacrylonitrile matrix. Performance of the electrolyte membrane is optimized by controlling the amount of aprotic organic solvents within the membrane within a prescribed range of ratios. The battery cathode is encapsulated within a polymeric matrix that eliminates the exposure hazard posed by lithium intercalation compounds used within the cathode. Use of stainless steel foil current collectors gives a high open circuit voltage of 3.8 volts and high cell capacity. A method of determining the optimum cathode thickness in the battery is also described. This provides a means of maximizing volumetric and gravimetric energy densities by using the optimum amount of cathode material.

Abstract: The invention provides a lead acid storage battery with a high utilization at a high rate discharge by incorporating a lead ion solubility adjusting agent into the electrolyte. The agent is selected from polysaccharides, chelating agents, their derivatives, and hydrazinium sulfate.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell including at least one dense solid electrolyte body, at least two dense interconnectors for collecting current flowing through the cell, cathodes and anodes, wherein the at least one dense solid electrolyte body and at least two dense interconnectors constitute a structural body, a plurality of first gas flow channels and a plurality of second gas flow channels both extend in a given direction, and are each defined and surrounded by a part of the at least one solid electrolyte body and a part of the at least two interconnectors, the anodes are formed on respective walls defined by a part of at least one solid electrolyte body and a part of at least two interconnectors and constituting the respective first gas flow channels, the cathodes are formed on respective walls defined by a part of at least one solid electrolyte body and a part of at least two interconnectors and constituting the respective second gas flow channels, every anode is opposed to an adjacent cathode or adjacent cathod

Abstract: A method of improving the structural integrity of polymer electrolytes of electrochemical cells by employing lithiated fillers that are represented by the formula Li.sub.16-2x D.sub.x (TO.sub.4).sub.4 where 0<x<4, D is Zn or Mg and T is Si or Ge.