Abstract: A material for use as an electrode, and particularly the anode (20) of an electrochemical device, such as an electrochemical capacitor device (10). The material is a multicomponent alloy material, including a host matrix material consisting of antimony, and at least one modifier element selected from the group consisting of bismuth, nickel, cadmium, zinc, silver, manganese, lead, lithium, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A hybrid energy storage device (10) including first, second, and third electrodes (20, 25, 30), a first electrolyte (35) disposed between the first and second electrodes (20, 25), and a second electrolyte (40) disposed between the second and third electrode (25, 30). The first electrode (25), the first electrolyte (35), and the second electrode (25) form a battery, and the second electrode (25), the second electrolyte (40), and the third electrode (30) form a capacitor. The first and third electrodes (20, 30) are directly connected together so that the battery and capacitor are in parallel within the hybrid energy storage device (10).

Abstract: A hybrid capacitor with improved energy density employs a cathode including an organic material and optionally a gel, solid, or composite electrolyte material. However, like conventional electrolytic capacitors, said hybrid capacitor employs a valve metal and its respective oxide dielectric layer on the anode side of the cell.

Abstract: A hybrid energy storage system (10) including a first energy storage device (12), such as a secondary or rechargeable battery, and a second energy storage device (14), such as an electrochemical capacitor, fuel cell, or flywheel. The second energy storage device provides intermittent energy bursts to satisfy the power requires of, for example, pulsed power communication devices. The first and second energy storage devices are coupled to a current controller to assure that pulse transients are not applied to the first energy storage device as a result of charging the second energy storage device.

Abstract: A substrate (200) to which a component (210) is mounted includes at least two mounting pads (215, 220) formed thereon for electrically coupling to a single terminal of the component (210) and for aligning the component (210) on the substrate (200) during a reflow operation.

Abstract: Described is a battery cell housing comprising a battery cell compartment and a latching compartment separated by an inner wall, where the battery housing is made of metal formed by combination extrusion or dual impact extrusion. This permits battery compartment wall to be thin, so that the maximum size battery cell may be inserted into it, and the latching compartment wall to be thic,k so it can be securely fastened to an electronic device. The inner wall provides an impenetrable barrier to moisture migrating from the latching compartment to the battery compartment.

Abstract: A method for making a coated electrode material for a lithium rechargeable electrochemical cell (10) includes the steps of mixing (65) Co and Li salts, then either dissolving (70) the Li and Co salts in water to form a solution or heating (70) the salts to form a melt. A lithium nickel oxide material is mixed (80) with the solution or the melt to form a mixture, and the mixture is dried (85) to result in LiCoO.sub.2 -coated LiNiO.sub.2. Increased performance can be achieved by including a post-treatment step in which the LiCoO.sub.2 -coated LiNiO.sub.2 is heated (90) to about 700.degree. C.

Abstract: A battery pack (100) includes a battery cell (102), a power switch (104), a regulator circuit (106), control circuit (108), electronic drive switch (112), and a mechanical driver switch (116). The battery pack is placed in the hibernate mode by sending a hibernate message to the control circuit from an external device (134). The control circuit removes a control signal from the electronic driver switch, causing the power switch to open, removing power from the regulator circuit and all attached circuitry, including the control circuit. No current flows from the battery cell past the opened power switch, and the battery pack is then in the hibernate mode. To wake up the battery pack, the mechanical driver switch is actuated by a user, causing the power switch to close, allowing current and voltage from the battery cell to power up the regulator circuit, which in turn powers up the control circuit. The control circuit applies a control signal to the electronic driver switch to hold the power switch closed.

Abstract: A two-stage power supply start up circuit is provided for pulse width modulator controllers that operate at a low steady state voltage. The invention provides for high-energy storage in low-capacitance start up capacitors by cascading switched start up stages, thereby allowing for the utilization of smaller, less expensive components. The invention utilizes a three-phase start up process with positive feedback ensuring both reliable start-up and steady state operation. The three phases are as "first phase start-up", which provides power to the control circuit, "second phase start-up", where the control chip starts switching, and "steady state", where the power supply runs in its normal mode.

Abstract: A one-piece housing for a rectangular battery cell with circuitry disposed on its side is described. The top side of the housing is a protective ledge, covering only the circuitry disposed on the side of the battery cell, where the ledge lies in or below the imaginary plane formed by the top surface of the cell. The housing protects the battery circuitry, is easier to manufacture than a two-part housing, is lighter than a two-part housing, and has a lower profile.

Abstract: Described is battery comprising a flexible pouch with two compartments wherein an electrochemical device is in the first compartment and the second compartment is empty. Channels for the conduction of gas connect the first and second compartments. When gases are formed during the initial charge and discharge cycles of the electrochemical device, the compartment containing the electrochemical device can be pressed on, driving the gas into the second, empty, compartment. The area between the two compartments can be sealed, and the second compartment cut off. This provides an easy, economical way of ridding an electrochemical device, such as a lithium-ion polymer cell of excess gases formed during the initial charge and discharge cycles.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes electrical circuitry (130), a housing (105) in which the electronic circuitry (130) is situated, a cover (110) for enclosing the electrical circuitry (130) within the housing (105), and a tamper proof safety circuit (120) coupled to the electrical circuitry (130) for rendering the electronic device (100) inoperable when the housing (105) and cover (110) are disassembled.

Abstract: A device for powering electrical digital pulse discharge applications comprises one or more solar energy conversion modules and a load-leveling circuit that is comprised of at least one capacitor.

Abstract: A foil battery packaging containing a battery cell is described wherein the tab comprises a strong metal tab secured to the packaging, and wherein the strong metal tab is electrically connected to a weak metal tab of the battery cell. The packaging may also comprise a metal reinforcing strip secured to the strong metal tab, the weak metal tab, and the battery packaging.

Abstract: A battery pack (102) comprises a lithium battery cell or cells (112), and is charged by a charger (104). In the event of a failure in the charger, an over-voltage protection circuit (120, 122) normally prevents charging of the battery cell above an over-voltage limit. In the event of a failure in both the charger and the over-voltage protection circuit, a critical voltage protection circuit (124, 126, 128) is provided to render the battery inoperative in a fail safe state. Specifically, a critical voltage control circuit (128) senses the battery voltage reaching the critical voltage level and responds by closing a current shunt switch (126), which draws current from the battery cell or cells through a fuse (124), causing the fuse to open, thus rendering the battery pack inoperative in a fail safe state.