Abstract: The composite electrolyte for use in a thin plate rechargeable lithium battery comprises a porous or micro-porous inert, multi-layered polymer separator laminate which carries an adherent second polymer coating containing a dissociable lithium compound, and the multi-layered separator having adherent solid second polymer layer, is impregnated with an organic liquid containing another lithium salt. The porous or micro-porous separator laminate is made of multiple polymer layers, at least one of the member layers having melting temperature at least 20-C below the melting temperature of the other polymer member layers. The composite porous electrolyte is inserted between the electrodes of a rechargeable lithium battery. In another embodiment the porous polymer separator sheet has an adherent, dissociable lithium compound containing, solid second polymer layer on each of its major faces.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage device for storing electrical energy and supplying the electrical energy to a driving motor at different power levels is disclosed. The electrical storage device has an energy battery connected to a power battery. The energy battery has a higher energy density than the power battery. However, the power battery can provide electrical power to the electrical motor at different power rates, thereby ensuring that the motor has sufficient power and current when needed. The power battery can be recharged by the energy storage battery. In this way, the power battery temporarily stores electrical energy received from the energy battery and both batteries can provide electrical energy at the different power rates as required by the motor. The energy storage device can be releasably connected to an external power source in order to recharge both batteries. Both batteries can be recharged independently to optimize the recharging and lifetime characteristics of the batteries.

Abstract: A high efficiency switching power supply including an analog front end, a battery control circuitry portion, a display and equalization circuitry portion, field effect transistor (FET) drivers, an isolated power supply transformer circuitry (and three associated sets of tap circuitry), microcontroller circuitry, oscillator circuitry, overcharge protection circuitry, programmable logic circuitry portion, and a zero current predictor. Overbiasing of the FET power supply switches, and/or other various circuitry features disclosed herein, helps achieve electrical power efficiencies of preferably greater than 95%, even more preferably greater than 98% and even more preferably greater than 99%. Preferably, the switching power supply has one or more of the following: (1) high electrical power efficiency (>95%.

Abstract: An ultra-high-efficiency switching power supply system integrating, into a single package, power conversion switches for multiple power supplies, an input power switching block, an output power switching block, control logic for controlling the power conversion switches and control input/output ports. This integrated multiple power supply package is called a Power Bridge and preferably implements the integrated components as one or more integrated circuit chips housed in the package housing. The Power Bridge is a bridge between the microprocessor of a portable computer and its internal and external power sources. The power supply system facilitates board design because the ultra-high-efficiency power module generally requires less space and generates less heat than conventional power supply circuitry.

Abstract: A high efficiency switching power supply including an analog front end, a battery control circuitry portion, a display and equalization circuitry portion, field effect transistor (FET) drivers, an isolated power supply transformer circuitry (and three associated sets of tap circuitry), microcontroller circuitry, oscillator circuitry, overcharge protection circuitry, programmable logic circuitry portion, and a zero current predictor. Overbiasing of the FET power supply switches, and/or other various circuitry features disclosed herein, helps achieve electrical power efficiencies of preferably greater than 95%, even more preferably greater than 98% and even more preferably greater than 99%. Preferably, the switching power supply has one or more of the following: (1) high electrical power efficiency (>95%.

Abstract: A battery controller for charging and discharging a plurality of batteries is disclosed. The battery controller has a plurality of direct current to direct current (DC to DC) converters connected to each other in series. Each battery of a plurality of batteries is electrically connectable to a respective DC to DC converter. A co-ordinator connected to each of the plurality of DC to DC converters controls charging and discharging of the battery electrically connected to the respective converter. The co-ordinator can also control charging and discharging of any one of the batteries to ensure that the battery retains sufficient electrical capacity, and, to increase the longevity of the respective batteries. Because each battery is electrically connected to a respective DC to DC converter, the energy from one battery can be used to charge another battery in order to monitor battery characteristics including energy capacity of each battery.

Abstract: A matted particulate electrode located between the current collector and a porous separator of a rechargeable lithium battery is described, which contains electro-active particles intermixed with pliable, solid, lithium ion conducting, polymer electrolyte filaments having adhesive surfaces. The electro-active particles and the optionally added electro-conductive carbon particles adhere to the tacky surface of the adhesively interlinking polymer electrolyte filaments. The matted particulate electrode is impregnated with an organic solution containing another lithium compound. In a second embodiment the porous separator is coated on at least one of its faces, with polymer electrolyte having an adhesive surface and made of the same polymer as the electrolyte filaments. The polymer electrolyte filaments in the matted layer may adhere to the coated surface of the separator.

Abstract: A matted particulate electrode located between the current collector and a porous separator of a rechargeable lithium battery is described, which contains electro-active particles intermixed with pliable, solid, lithium ion conducting, polymer electrolyte filaments having adhesive surfaces. The electro-active particles and the optionally added electro-conductive carbon particles adhere to the tacky surface of the adhesively interlinking polymer electrolyte filaments. The matted particulate electrode is impregnated with an organic solution containing another lithium compound. In a second embodiment the porous separator is coated on at least one of its faces, with polymer electrolyte having an adhesive surface and made of the same polymer as the electrolyte filaments. The polymer electrolyte filaments in the matted layer may adhere to the coated surface of the separator.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage device for storing electrical energy and supplying the electrical energy to a driving motor at different power levels is disclosed. The electrical storage device has an energy battery connected to a power battery. The energy battery has a higher energy density than the power battery. However, the power battery can provide electrical power to the electrical motor at different power rates, thereby ensuring that the motor has sufficient power and current when needed. The power battery can be recharged by the energy storage battery. In this way, the power battery temporarily stores electrical energy received from the energy battery and both batteries can provide electrical energy at the different power rates as required by the motor. The energy storage device can be releasably connected to an external power source in order to recharge both batteries. Both batteries can be recharged independently to optimize the recharging and lifetime characteristics of the batteries.

Abstract: The composite electrolyte for use in a thin plate rechargeable lithium battery comprises a porous or micro-porous inert, multi-layered polymer separator laminate which carries an adherent second polymer coating containing a dissociable lithium compound, and the multi-layered separator having adherent solid second polymer layer, is impregnated with an organic liquid containing another lithium salt. The porous or micro-porous separator laminate is made of multiple polymer layers, at least one of the member layers having melting temperature at least 20-C below the melting temperature of the other polymer member layers. The composite porous electrolyte is inserted between the electrodes of a rechargeable lithium battery. In another embodiment the porous polymer separator sheet has an adherent, dissociable lithium compound containing, solid second polymer layer on each of its major faces.

Abstract: The composite electrolyte for use in a thin plate rechargeable lithium battery comprises a porous or microporous inert polymer separator laminate which carries another porous polymer containing a dissociable lithium compound, and the adherent polymer layers are impregnated with an organic liquid containing a lithium salt. The porous or microporous separator laminate may be a single polymer layer or a multiple polymer layer. The composite electrolyte is inserted between the electrodes of a rechargeable lithium battery. In another embodiment the porous polymer separator sheet has an adherent dissociable lithium compound containing polymer layer on each of its major faces.

Abstract: The invention basically comprises the addition of a small amount of nanometer sized carbon tubes or fibres grown by high temperature vapour deposition to a meso-phase graphite mixture used for a negative electrode (anode) for a lithium battery. These are referred to herein as “carbon nano-fibres”. According to one embodiment of the present invention, in an anode for a lithium battery having a conductive substrate coated with a pressed compact of spherical graphite and an ion-conducting polymeric binder, an amount of from 1.5 to 15% by weight of carbon nano-fibres is added. The carbon nano-fibres may have an average diameter of around 0.2 mm (200×10−9 m) a length of from 10 to 20 mm and an inner core diameter of from 65-70 nm. The spherical graphite may be mesophase graphite and more preferably, the carbon nano-fibres are included in amount of from 2 to 9% by weight.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage device for storing electrical energy and supplying the electrical energy to a driving motor at different power levels is disclosed. The electrical storage device has an energy battery connected to a power battery. The energy battery has a higher energy density than the power battery. However, the power battery can provide electrical power to the electrical motor at different power rates, thereby ensuring that the motor has sufficient power and current when needed. The power battery is continuously recharged by the energy storage battery. In this way, the power battery temporarily stores electrical energy received from the energy battery and provides the electrical energy at the different power rates as required by the motor. The energy storage device can be releasably connected to an external power source in order to recharge both batteries. Both batteries can be recharged independently to optimize the recharging and lifetime characteristics of the batteries.

Abstract: A matted particulate electrode located between the current collector and a porous separator of a rechargeable lithium battery is described, which contains electro-active particles intermixed with pliable, solid, lithium ion conducting, polymer electrolyte filaments having adhesive surfaces. The electro-active particles and the optionally added electro-conductive carbon particles adhere to the tacky surface of the adhesively interlinking polymer electrolyte filaments. The matted particulate electrode is impregnated with an organic solution containing another lithium compound. In a second embodiment the porous separator is coated on at least one of its faces, with polymer electrolyte having an adhesive surface and made of the same polymer as the electrolyte filaments. The polymer electrolyte filaments in the matted layer may adhere to the coated surface of the separator.

Abstract: A battery box sealable against moisture and oxygen ingress and liquid electrolyte egress. The battery box includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and sidewalls extending between the first and second ends to define a chamber for housing a number of rechargeable lithium battery cells. The first end and the sidewalls are metallic and have a substantially moisture and oxygen gas impervious joint between them. The second end is of a metal plastic laminate joinable to the sidewalls by a joining medium to form a substantially moisture and oxygen impervious joint therebetween. The second end has electrical connectors extending through it which enable substantially moisture and gas impervious connection to be made between current collectors of the lithium battery cells and the outside of the battery box.

Abstract: An electrical lead for simultaneously connecting an external power source to an electrical load and an external battery is disclosed. The electrical lead has preferably a double connector comprising a socket part axially aligned with a plug part at a first end of the lead. The socket part connects with a plug from an external power source and the plug part connects with an electrical load, such as a portable computer. A separate plug, located at the second end of the electrical lead, is provided for connecting to an external battery. The socket part, connectable to the external load, is electrically coupled to the plug part for connection to the electrical load and also the plug for connection to the external battery. The lead comprises a first insulated conductor electrically coupling the socket part to the plug, and, a second insulated conductor electrically coupling the plug to the plug part. In this way, the socket part is electrically coupled in parallel with the plug part.

Abstract: The composite electrolyte for use in a thin plate rechargeable lithium battery comprises a porous or microporous inert polymer separator laminate which carries another porous polymer containing a dissociable lithium compound, and the adherent polymer layers are impregnated with an organic liquid containing a lithium salt. The porous or microporous separator laminate may be a single polymer layer or a multiple polymer layer. The composite electrolyte is inserted between the electrodes of a rechargeable lithium battery. In another embodiment the porous polymer separator sheet has an adherent dissociable lithium compound containing polymer layer on each of its major faces.

Abstract: A lithium battery having a plurality of interconnected pouch cells encased in a first cover which is substantially impermeable to moisture ingress and electrolyte egress. The first cover is surrounded by a rigid outer cover which is sealed in a substantially moisture impervious manner. Positive, negative and monitoring leads extend in a sealed manner through the first cover and are connected to a charge monitoring and controlling circuit board. The circuit board may be located within or outside of the outer cover. Positive and negative terminals on and outside of the outer cover are respectively connected to positive and negative leads which extend through the outer cover in a substantially fluid sealed manner.

Abstract: Lithium electrochemical cells and batteries are described having electron conductive additives in the form of a mixture of carbon fibres and fine carbon particles. The electron conductive additives are provided in a polymeric fluoride coating between the electrode and the current collector. A mixture of carbon fibres and fine carbon can also be admixed with the cathode-active component in the cathode.

Abstract: A composite electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery is described. The composite electrode has a metallic current collector in contact with an electrically conducting organic polymer laminate made of a blended and annealed polymeric mixture containing fine carbon particles, and coated with an electrode-active substance bearing layer. The conducting polymer is capable of reversible resistivity changes of several orders of magnitude in only a portion of the laminate, thereby reducing locally excessive current flow and over-heating in the rechargeable lithium battery.