Abstract: A fluid regulating system is provided for controlling fluid to a fluid consuming battery having a fluid consuming cell. The fluid regulating system includes a valve having a moving plate disposed adjacent to a fixed plate, and both having fluid entry ports to open and close a valve. The fluid regulating system also includes an actuator for moving the moving plate to open and close the valve. The actuator is controlled to open the valve when greater battery electrical output is required to operate a device and maintains the valve in the open position for a minimum required time to minimize battery capacity loss due to operation of the fluid regulating system.

Abstract: A device (100) such as a battery charger includes a body (102), a movable member (104, 402), and a plurality of battery bays (108). Moving the member (104, 402) toward a first position increases a distance between respective first (132) and second (114) battery contacts so that a battery may be inserted with zero or substantially zero insertion force. Moving the member (104, 402) in the second direction decreases the distance between the first and second battery contacts. In one implementation, the device (100) is polarity agnostic.

Abstract: A battery charger (100) includes a plurality of battery receiving bays (108) for receiving batteries to be charged. A user interface (120) includes a display which displays information indicative of batteries received in the various bays (108) in graphical and textual form. The displayed information includes the number of batteries received in the charger, as well as their size, good/bad state, and state of charge.

Abstract: A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.

Abstract: A regulator is provided for supplying fluid, e.g., air, to a fluid consuming battery. The regulator includes a valve housing adapted to be in fluid communication with a fluid consuming electrode of a fluid consuming battery cell. The valve housing has an opening. The regulator also includes a valve member disposed in the opening of the housing and configured to move axial relative to the housing between an open valve position and a closed valve position, wherein fluid is able to pass to the fluid consuming electrode in the open valve position.

Abstract: A fluid consuming battery is provided that includes a fluid (e.g. air) manager for supplying fluid to the battery. The fluid manager includes a housing member defining a plenum in fluid communication with a fluid consuming electrode of a fluid consuming battery cell. The fluid manager also includes a fluid injection primer in fluid communication with the plenum for injecting fluid into the plenum. The fluid injection primer includes a manually operated air mover that moves upon user actuation to inject fluid into the plenum to the fluid consuming electrode of the battery cell. Additionally, a valve and an actuator may be provided for opening and closing the valve in response to a controller.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing having a first wall and a sliding tray having a second wall that is generally parallel to the first wall. The sliding tray slides between a retracted position and an extended position in which the first and second walls define a battery receiving region in the sliding tray. The apparatus further includes a first battery contact provided in the first wall and a second battery contact proximate to the second wall. The first and second battery contacts electrically communicate with battery charging circuitry, and the second battery contact slides relative to the second wall in a direction that changes a battery receiving distance between the first and second battery contacts.

Abstract: A fluid regulating system is provided for controlling fluid to a fluid consuming battery having a fluid consuming cell. The fluid regulating system includes a valve and an actuator for opening and closing the valve. The actuator is controlled to open the valve when greater battery electrical output is required and to close the valve when lesser battery electrical output is required to operate a device. A controller controls operation of the actuator to open and close the valve based on a monitored rate of change in electrical output, such as voltage, compared to a rate of change threshold, wherein the valve is opened when the monitored rate of change exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A fluid regulating system is provided for controlling fluid to a fluid consuming battery having a fluid consuming cell. The fluid regulating system includes a valve having a moving plate disposed adjacent to a fixed plate, and both having fluid entry ports to open and close a valve. The fluid regulating system also includes an actuator for moving the moving plate to open and close the valve. The actuator is controlled to open the valve when greater battery electrical output is required to operate a device and maintains the valve in the open position for a minimum required time to minimize battery capacity loss due to operation of the fluid regulating system.

Abstract: A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve. The chassis (550) may include an electrically conductive frame (500) integrally formed therein.

Abstract: A physical battery charger (104) connects to a computer (102) using a communications link such as a universal serial bus (USB) connection. Application software (114) resident on the computer (102) presents a virtual battery charger (116) on a display (110) associated with the computer (102). The virtual charger (116) provides information regarding the status of the physical charger (104) and allows the user to control the operation of or otherwise interact with the physical charger (104). The physical charger (104) also adjusts the charging rate of batteries (222) being charged based on the available power.

Abstract: A non-rechargeable battery includes a housing with an opening and a cover that closes the opening in the housing. The housing and the cover define a volumetric region within the battery. The battery also includes at least one electrochemical cell and a management component, both located in the volumetric region. The management component includes programmable electrical circuitry that selectively interrupts electrical current output from the cell out of the battery based on an actively monitored state of the battery. The chemistry of the battery is Li—FeS2 or other non-rechargeable chemistry.