Abstract: A method for charging a metal-air battery pack at the maximum possible rate while maintaining an ambient oxygen concentration below a preset concentration is provided, thereby minimizing the risks associated with generating oxygen during the charging cycle.

Abstract: A method for charging a metal-air battery pack at the maximum possible rate while maintaining an ambient oxygen concentration below a preset concentration is provided, thereby minimizing the risks associated with generating oxygen during the charging cycle.

Abstract: A battery pack, or battery pack module, is provided that is configured to respond to a short circuit of moderate current in a manner that minimizes the risk of an initial thermal runaway event propagating throughout the battery pack/battery pack module. In general, the battery pack/battery module allows pre-selection of which cell of the cells comprising the battery pack/battery pack module will be the last cell to respond to the short circuit. As a result, a thermal isolation barrier may be used to separate the preselected cell from the other cells of the battery pack/battery pack module, thereby minimizing the risk of excessive heating and extensive collateral damage.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a metal-air battery pack at the maximum possible rate while maintaining an ambient oxygen concentration below a preset concentration is provided, thereby minimizing the risks associated with generating oxygen during the charging cycle.

Abstract: A method for charging a metal-air battery pack at the maximum possible rate while maintaining an ambient oxygen concentration below a preset concentration is provided, thereby minimizing the risks associated with generating oxygen during the charging cycle.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided that includes one or more thermal barrier elements, the thermal barrier elements dividing the cells within the battery pack into groups of cells. The thermal barrier elements that separate the cells into groups prevent a thermal runaway event initiated in one group of cells from propagating to the cells within a neighboring group of cells.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a metal-air battery pack at the maximum possible rate while maintaining an ambient oxygen concentration below a preset concentration is provided, thereby minimizing the risks associated with generating oxygen during the charging cycle.

Abstract: A method for charging a metal-air battery pack at the maximum possible rate while maintaining an ambient oxygen concentration below a preset concentration is provided, thereby minimizing the risks associated with generating oxygen during the charging cycle.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a metal-air battery pack at the maximum possible rate while maintaining an ambient oxygen concentration below a preset concentration is provided, thereby minimizing the risks associated with generating oxygen during the charging cycle.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a metal-air battery pack at the maximum possible rate while maintaining an ambient oxygen concentration below a preset concentration is provided, thereby minimizing the risks associated with generating oxygen during the charging cycle.

Abstract: A battery pack, or battery pack module, is provided that is configured to respond to a short circuit of moderate current in a manner that minimizes the risk of an initial thermal runaway event propagating throughout the battery pack/battery pack module. In general, the battery pack/battery module allows pre-selection of which cell of the cells comprising the battery pack/battery pack module will be the last cell to respond to the short circuit. As a result, a thermal isolation barrier may be used to separate the preselected cell from the other cells of the battery pack/battery pack module, thereby minimizing the risk of excessive heating and extensive collateral damage.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided that includes one or more thermal barrier elements, the thermal barrier elements dividing the cells within the battery pack into groups of cells. The thermal barrier elements that separate the cells into groups prevent a thermal runaway event initiated in one group of cells from propagating to the cells within a neighboring group of cells.

Abstract: A spacer assembly for use with a cell mounting bracket in a battery pack is provided. The spacer assembly, comprised of one or more spacers, maintains the positions of the batteries within the battery pack during a thermal event and after the cell mounting bracket loses structural integrity due to the increased temperature associated with the thermal event. By keeping the battery undergoing thermal runaway in its predetermined location within the battery pack, the minimum spacing between cells is maintained, thereby helping to minimize the thermal effects on adjacent cells while ensuring that the cooling system, if employed, is not compromised. As a result, the risk of thermal runaway propagation is reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of circulating cavitation fluid within a cavitation fluid circulatory system is provided. The system provides a means of circulating the cavitation fluid through a cavitation chamber, before or during cavitation chamber operation, as well as a means of draining and filling the chamber with minimal, if any, exposure of the cavitation fluid to the outside environment. The apparatus includes a network of conduits coupling the cavitation chamber to a cavitation fluid reservoir and at least one external fluid pump. Preferably the cavitation fluid reservoir serves the dual function of fluid reservoir and degassing chamber. Manipulation of various valves within the conduit network allows the cavitation fluid to either be pumped from the reservoir into the cavitation chamber or from the cavitation chamber into the reservoir.

Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with any of a variety of cavitation chamber configurations, including spherical and cylindrical chambers as well as chambers that include at least one flat coupling surface. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass. The end surface of the head mass is shaped to limit the contact area between the head mass of the driver assembly and the cavitation chamber to which the driver is attached, the contact area being limited to a centrally located contact region. The area of contact is controlled by limiting its size and/or shaping its surface.

Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with any of a variety of cavitation chamber configurations, including spherical and cylindrical chambers as well as chambers that include at least one flat coupling surface, is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass. The end surface of the head mass is shaped so that only a ring of contact is made between the outer perimeter of the head mass of the driver assembly and the cavitation chamber to which the driver is attached. The area of the contact ring is controlled by shaping its surface.

Abstract: A method of assembling a port assembly in a cavitation chamber, typically a spherical chamber, is provided. The method is comprised of the steps of boring a port in a cavitation chamber wall, positioning a cone-shaped member within a corresponding cone-shaped surface of a mounting ring, positioning the mounting ring within the port, and locking the mounting ring within the port with a retaining ring. The largest diameter of the cone-shaped member corresponds to the cavitation chamber internal surface. The member can be a window, gas feed-thru, liquid feed-thru, mechanical feed-thru, sensor, sensor coupler, transducer coupler or plug. The member can be secured within the mounting ring with an adhesive. The retaining ring can be coupled to the cavitation chamber external surface with one or more bolts. The port in the cavitation chamber is preferably cone-shaped with the largest diameter of the port corresponding to the cavitation chamber external surface.

Abstract: A method of assembling multiple port assemblies in a cavitation chamber is provided. The method is comprised of boring at least two ports of different sizes in a cavitation chamber wall of the cavitation chamber. The external port diameter of the smaller port is smaller than that port's internal port diameter. A member selected from the group consisting of windows, plugs, feed-throughs, sensors, transducers and couplers is inserted into the chamber through the larger port and positioned within the smaller port. The member can be secured within the smaller port with an adhesive. A mounting ring/retaining ring, retaining coupler or port cover seals the second, larger port. A second member selected from the group consisting of windows, plugs, feed-throughs, sensors, transducers and couplers can be positioned within a cone-shaped port within the mounting ring or retaining coupler. A feed-thru, sensor, transducer or coupler can be integrated into the port cover.

Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with any of a variety of cavitation chamber configurations, including spherical and cylindrical chambers as well as chambers that include at least one flat coupling surface, is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass. The end surface of the head mass is shaped so that only a ring of contact is made between the outer perimeter of the head mass of the driver assembly and the cavitation chamber to which the driver is attached. The area of the contact ring is controlled by shaping its surface.

Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with any of a variety of cavitation chamber configurations, including spherical and cylindrical chambers as well as chambers that include at least one flat coupling surface. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass. The end surface of the head mass is shaped to limit the contact area between the head mass of the driver assembly and the cavitation chamber to which the driver is attached, the contact area being limited to a centrally located contact region. The area of contact is controlled by limiting its size and/or shaping its surface.