Abstract: A safety cover for a battery comprises elastic pacts fixed to the safety cover that wipe the electrical contacts of the battery to which the safety cover is attached when the safety cover is placed on or removed from the battery

Abstract: An electrode coating with improved adhesion to substrates comprises small particles of an active material that are preferentially distributed at the interface with the supporting substrate.

Abstract: Described is an integral electrical contact block and printed circuit board for an electrical device. The electrical contacts arch over components on the printed circuit board and are secured to the printed circuit board at either end of the arch. A second arch is above the lower arch, secured to the lower arch at one end, forming a structure with an open mouth. This open mouth can capture a plastic housing. The contact provides protection for components beneath it, provides for efficient use of space in an electrical device, and the mouth of the contact absorbs shock that otherwise might be transmitted directly to solder joints on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A manufacturing process, such as that used for ultrasonic welding, employs a self-leveling fixture (20) including a base (12) and an operation stage (14) that are separated by leveling devices (16) and 18). The leveling devices include a centrally located spherical plane bearing (16) and one or more spring members (18) disposed about the periphery of the operation stage. In this way, the operation stage can react in response to pressure applied thereto complying to the applied pressure, thus providing a realistic self-leveling feature. After the pressure is removed, the return to a normal position via the spring action of spring (18).

Abstract: A capacitor (100) includes first and second electrodes (102, 103) that each have an electroactive material (115, 120) disposed on a metallic substrate (105, 110). A solid electrolyte (125) including a polyacid is positioned between the first and second electrodes (102, 103). Polyacids are relatively low in cost, and their high ionic conductivity together with their thermal stability makes polyacids a viable alternative to solid polymer electrolytes.

Abstract: A method (50) of fabricating a carbon material for use as an electrode in an electrochemical cell (10) includes the steps of carbonizing (62, 66) a lignin material to result in the carbon material and subsequently washing (74) the carbon material with acid.

Abstract: A digital control circuit is used for controlling the load current of a power converter circuit (102), and comprises a reference circuit (302), analog comparator circuit (304), control logic circuit (306), and a counter circuit (308). The control logic circuit controls the operation of a power switch (110), and uses counters (314, 316) in conjunction with the analog comparator circuit and reference circuit, to determine when to open and close the power switch. The load current is allowed to vary between a first and second preselected load current levels.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell (10) includes first and second electrodes (12) and (14) with an electrolyte system (26) disposed therebetween. The electrolyte system includes a polymeric support structure through which is dispersed an electrolyte active species in a solvent. The solvent comprises a poly(vinylidene fluoride) having a number average molecular weight of less than about 50,000 atomic mass units. Alternatively, the solvent may be a blend or copolymer of polyvinylidene fluoride and another solvent or polymer.

Abstract: A method for making high power electrochemical charge storage devices, provides for depositing an electrically conducting polymer (16), (18), onto a non-noble metal substrate (10), which has been prepared by treatment with a surfactant. Using this method, high power, high energy electrochemical charge storage devices may be fabricated with highly reproducible low cost.

Abstract: A battery cell stick (100) is formed by vertically-stacking bare rechargeable cylindrical battery cells (110, 120) and then wrapping the cells in a common label (130) having an adhesive backing (132). Subsequently, multiple cell sticks (100, 150) are combined in a single plastic housing (160). The assembly is wrapped with an additional adhesive-backed label (180). Positively- and negatively-polarized terminal ends (112, 152) are exposed through openings (172, 174) in the housing.

Abstract: An electronic device (220) includes a component (105), such as a microprocessor, that generates heat and an electrochemical capacitor (200) used for thermal management. The electrochemical capacitor (200) has a first region, preferably the perimeter region, including electroactive material (160) and an electrolyte (165) and also has a second region, preferably the inner region, including heat sink material (170). When the component (105) and the electrochemical capacitor (200) are mounted within the device (220), the heat sink material (170) of the capacitor (200) is aligned with the component (105).

Abstract: A metal foil laminate package for an electrochemical cell has a multilayered structure (32, 34) comprising a metal foil (40) sandwiched between layers of a thermoplastic (38) and a heat-sealable polymer (42). An electrically conducting tab (28) extends from the cell and has a layer of insulative tape (29) disposed on both sides of the tab. Apertures (50,52,60,62) formed through the various layers of the package expose both sides of the tab, providing sites for subsequent welding of the tab to external circuitry.

Abstract: A dual range power supply 200 is operable with either an AC line input, or a DC input. To facilitate use with an AC input the power supply is provided with a pair of AC prongs, connected to a rectifier bridge. The power supply is also provided with a positive DC receptacle. In using the power supply with a DC source, the power supply is connected to an adapter. The adapter has receptacle slots for receiving the AC prongs of the power supply, and a positive DC prong which mates with the positive DC receptacle of the power supply. Positive DC power is applied to the power supply through the positive DC receptacle while the DC return is through the rectifier bridge and at least one of the AC prongs.

Abstract: A battery and charging system including a charger (200) that provides a current and a battery (107) having at least one cell (108) that can be charged by the current provided by the charger (200). The battery (107) includes a memory (110) that stores battery information and a coding resistor (111) indicative of battery type. A battery switching circuit (113, 114) coupled to the memory (110) and the coding resistor (111) switches the memory (110) into contact with the charger (200) when the charger (200) is capable of reading the memory (110). Otherwise, the battery switching circuit (113, 114) switches the coding resistor (111) into contact with the charger (200).

Abstract: A battery (104) is connected to a host device (106), the host device is an electrical or electronic device, such as a cellular telephone. The battery is rechargeable, and contains a memory (110) connected to a data line (116). The battery is connected to a battery charger (102) while also connected to the host device. The battery charger detects the battery (306), reads the battery information (308) from the battery memory. The data line is common to the battery charger, battery, and host device. The charger indicates its presence to the host device by changing the voltage level on the data line (310) from a normal first level, such as a logic level of one, to a second level, such as a logic level of zero, and holds the data line at the second level. The host detects the presence of the battery charger (312) after the data line has been held at the second level for a sufficient period of time, and then may take the desired actions (314).

Abstract: An 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 a 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. Such devices typically require power pulses in excess of those which conventional battery cells can easily provide for numerous cycles. The system (10) further includes circuitry (16) for coupling the second energy storage device (14) to a load in response to changes in the battery (12).

Abstract: Described is a system for indicating the state of charge of a battery comprising a safety cover with an opening and a battery which can be placed in the safety cover in two orientations. One marking on the battery indicates the battery has been charged and the other marking indicates the battery has been discharged. Only one of the markings shows through the opening when the safety cover is placed on the battery in one orientation, and only the other marking shows through the marking when the safety cover is placed on the battery in the other orientation. The mnemonic system is easy to manufacture and easy to use.

Abstract: A contact retention system for a housing for a battery cell is described which comprises a springy L-shaped retention member, a battery housing with a wall and a floor, with a catchment on both the wall and the floor, and contacts disposed between the base of the L-shaped retention member and the floor of the housing. The vertex of the L-shaped retention member is pushed toward the corner of the wall and the floor of the housing, and the ends of the L are restrained by the catchments. Any force exerted on the upper portion of the L-shaped retention member, pushing the upper portion toward the wall, causes the base of the L-shaped retention member to push the contacts toward the floor of the housing. The battery cells themselves provide the force on the upper portion of the L-shaped retention member. The contact system provides low-cost, easily manufacturable way to secure push-in contacts to a battery housing.