Abstract: An electrochemical cell constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a can for containing electrochemical materials including positive and negative electrodes and an electrolyte, the can having an open end and a closed end; a pressure relief mechanism formed in the closed end of the can for releasing internal pressure from within the can when the internal pressure becomes excessive; a first outer cover positioned on the closed end of the can to be in electrical contact therewith and to extend over the pressure relief mechanism; a second outer cover positioned across the open end of the can; and an insulator disposed between the can and the second outer cover for electrically insulating the can from the second outer cover. According to another embodiment, the second cover is dielectrically isolated from a current collector.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a can for containing electrochemical materials including positive and negative electrodes and an electrolyte, the can having an open end and a closed end; a pressure relief mechanism formed in the closed end of the can for releasing internal pressure from within the can when the internal pressure becomes excessive; a first outer cover positioned on the closed end of the can to be in electrical contact therewith and to extend over the pressure relief mechanism; a second outer cover positioned across the open end of the can; and an insulator disposed between the can and the second outer cover for electrically insulating the can from the second outer cover. According to another embodiment, the second cover is dielectrically isolated from a current collector.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a can for containing electrochemical materials including positive and negative electrodes and an electrolyte, the can having an open end and a closed end; an integral seal/inner cover assembly positioned in the open end of the can, the integral seal/inner cover assembly having a rigid inner cover and a seal preformed directly onto at least an inner-facing surface of the rigid inner cover; a collector extending through a central hole provided in the integral seal/inner cover assembly and into the can so as to contact one of the electrodes; and an outer cover positioned across the open end of the can proximate an outer-facing surface of the rigid inner cover, the outer cover being positioned so as to be in electrical contact with the collector. The rigid inner cover preferably includes at least one aperture extending from the inner-facing surface to the outer-facing surface of the inner cover.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a can for containing electrochemical materials including positive and negative electrodes and an electrolyte, the can having an open end and a closed end; a pressure relief mechanism formed in the closed end of the can for releasing internal pressure from within the can when the internal pressure becomes excessive; a first outer cover positioned on the closed end of the can be in electrical contact therewith and to extend over the pressure relief mechanism; a second outer cover positioned across the open end of the can; and an insulator disposed between the can and the second outer cover for electrically insulating the can from the second outer cover. According to another embodiment, the second cover is dielectrically isolated from a current collector.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a can for containing electrochemical materials including positive and negative electrodes and an electrolyte, the can having an open end and a closed end; a pressure relief mechanism formed in the closed end of the can for releasing internal pressure from within the can when the internal pressure becomes excessive; a first outer cover positioned on the closed end of the can to be in electrical contact therewith and to extend over the pressure relief mechanism; a second outer cover positioned across the open end of the can; and an insulator disposed between the can and the second outer cover for electrically insulating the can from the second outer cover. According to another embodiment, the second cover is dielectrically isolated from a current collector. The battery comprises a collector assembly and can defining a sealed internal volume within the can and available for containing electrochemically active materials.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell containing a V-shaped gasket for sealing the cell and preferably the gasket has a compressive preloading on a selected area of the gasket to prevent premature venting of the cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell containing a snap-through sealing gasket that has a compressive preloading on a selected area of the snap-through gasket to prevent premature venting of the cell.

Abstract: A battery tester for use in combination with a portable lighting device such as a flashlight or lantern having a housing for retaining at least one battery including first and second terminals, each in electrical contact with an opposite pole of the battery, a conductor located on the exterior of the housing and having one end in electrical contact with the first terminal and an opposite end operably connectable to the second terminal. An indicator material overlies and is in responsive contact with the conductor to respond to and indicate a state that is present in the conductor. The indicator material is preferably a thermochromic ink responsive to heat changes in the conductor caused by a current flowing therethrough. The conductor and indicator material are preferably mounted on a flexible substrate imprinted with decorative ink and indicia and protected by a transparent protective layer.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is disclosed having a cylindrical can having an open end and a closed end, and a first electrode having a generally hollow cylindrical shape molded in place within the can such that an outer cylindrical surface of the first electrode contacts an inner cylindrical surface of the can. The first electrode has a recess adjacent to the inner cylindrical surface of the can at an end of the first electrode proximate the open end of the can to accommodate any flashing that is formed along the interior side walls of the can when the first electrode is molded in place. The electrochemical cell further includes a second electrode having a polarity opposite the first electrode disposed within a hollow cavity of the first electrode, a separator lining the hollow cavity within the first electrode so as to physically separate the first and second electrodes, and a collector assembly supported by the first electrode for sealing the open end of the can.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a can for containing electrochemical materials including positive and negative electrodes and an electrolyte, the can having an open end and a closed end; an integral seal/inner cover assembly positioned in the open end of the can, the integral seal/inner cover assembly having a rigid inner cover and a seal preformed directly onto at least an inner-facing surface of the rigid inner cover; a collector extending through a central hole provided in the integral seal/inner cover assembly and into the can so as to contact one of the electrodes; and an outer cover positioned across the open end of the can proximate an outer-facing surface of the rigid inner cover, the outer cover being positioned so as to be in electrical contact with the collector. The rigid inner cover preferably includes at least one aperture extending from the inner-facing surface to the outer-facing surface of the inner cover.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell containing a snap-through sealing gasket that has a compressive preloading on a selected area of the snap-through gasket to prevent premature venting of the cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell containing a V-shaped gasket for sealing the cell and preferably the gasket has a compressive preloading on a selected area of the gasket to prevent premature venting of the cell.

Abstract: A battery encased with a label containing an integral test circuit device that is activated by depressing a selected area of the label whereupon a thermally sensitive material displays whether the battery has capacity. A method for producing the test circuit device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A battery encased with a label containing an integral test circuit device that is activated by depressing a selected area of the label whereupon a thermally sensitive material displays whether the battery has capacity. A method for producing the test circuit device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Batteries have labels that are comprised of a tester for the battery.

Abstract: A galvanic cell with a circuit interrupter to protect the cell from excessive current flow. The circuit interrupter is mounted on one end of the metal container which holds the electrodes and electrolyte making up the galvanic cell. The metal container is in electrical contact with one of the electrodes. One part of the circuit interrupter is adhered to the end of the galvanic cell by a layer of adhesive. This part is also in contact with the container and forms an external terminal for the galvanic cell. The part can be of annular configuration and provide a central aperture for access to the other external terminal or to a port used to fill the galvanic cell with electrolyte. In operation, excessive electrical current will cause the end of the cell to bulge, breaking the electrical contact between the external terminal and the container, effectively electrically isolating the container from that external terminal.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, such as a rechargeable cell, employing switch means comprising a spring member biased to electrically connect one of the cell's terminals to one of the cell's electrodes and wherein a pressure responsive movable member is designed to pivot the spring member on a fulcrum member to break the electrical connection between the electrode and the terminal when the pressure within the cell exceeds a predetermined level and wherein said spring member is isolated from the active components of the cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical cell employing a resettable or nonresettable safety disconnect device operable by a shape memory alloy element. The shape memory alloy element is preferably in the form of an accordion or coiled configuration that will be extended in normal operation of the cell and contract when the internal temperature exceeds a preselected value whereupon the shape memory alloy will break contact in the electrical circuit of the cell thereby rendering the cell inoperative.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided, which has a conductive housing that contains an active anode material and an active cathode material. The active cathode material is electrically isolated from the housing and the active anode material is electrically connected to the housing, thus making the housing the negative electrode terminal of the cell. The cell includes an electrically conductive pin member having a first portion that protrudes from the cell through an orifice in the cell housing and a second portion that is electrically connected to the active cathode material to make the pin member the positive electrode terminal of the cell. An electrically insulating member is disposed between the pin member and the wall of the orifice. The cell electrolyte comprises a metal perchlorate salt dissolved in a nonaqueous liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a galvanic cell having a failsafe circuit interrupter means for electrically isolating one terminal of the cell from the cell's electrochemical system when the closed end of the container bulges beyond a predetermined amount.