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 an organic solvent. The solvent, which remains liquid to low temperatures, is a binary or higher order system comprising diethyl carbonate and one or more of propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, dipropylcarbonate, dimethylsulfoxide, acetonitrile, dimethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran, n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A lithium battery pack (100) comprises a battery cell (102) and a safety circuit (104). The safety circuit prevents overcharge and overdischarge of the battery cell. The safety circuit comprises a battery control IC (106) which senses the battery voltage, and operates a switch circuit (114) to open if an overvoltage or undervoltage condition is sensed. In a conventional battery pack, the safety circuit will trip, opening the switch circuit, upon the application of a 15kV ESD pulse to one of the battery contacts (126 or 128). The invention solves this problem by the use of a first resistor (108) and a second resistor (110) coupled between the battery control IC and the first resistor, in conjunction with a capacitor (112).

Abstract: An energy storage assembly is made of an energy storage device, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield, and an adhesive positioned between the EMI shield and the energy storage device for affixing the energy storage device to a surface of the EMI shield. The EMI shield is a metal that is shaped to partially enclose an electrical component other than the energy storage device.

Abstract: A charger for an item to be charged is described which comprises a base fitting into an automobile beverage holder; a means for securing the base of the beverage holder, a first electrical contact on the base to supply power to the charger; a second electrical contact on the base to supply power to the item to be charged, and a receptacle in the base for holding the item to be charged. In one embodiment of the invention, the top portion of the charger has the receptacle and the first and second electrical contacts, and may be detached from the base for use as a desk charger.

Abstract: A removable battery package (120) has a latch assembly (200) for attaching to a latch coupler (700) of an electronic device (110). The removable battery package (120) includes a socket (432) that mates with the latch coupler (700). A resilient, deflectable latch member (260) is secured within the socket (432). The latch member (260) has a latch portion (266, 268) to engage a portion (715) of the latch coupler (700). A button (270), mounted on the latch member (260), is depressible to deflect the latch member (260).

Abstract: A circuit board (10) has a frangible portion (12) for carrying information relating to the circuitry carried on the circuit board. The information is carried in the form of a label (18) or barcode, and identifies the version of the circuitry so that during manufacturing, and later during repair, the circuit can be correctly identified. The frangible portion is broken from the circuit board, but kept with the circuit board. In one embodiment, an adhesive label retains the frangible portion.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell 10 includes first and second electrodes 12 and 14 with an electrolyte system 26 disposed therebetween. The electrolyte system includes at least a first and second layer 28 and 30, the second or gelling layer 30 being used to absorb an electrolyte active species.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell (10) includes first and second electrodes (12) and (14) with an electrolyte system (26) disposed therebetween. The electrolyte system is fabricated of a blend of differing grades of a single polymer. One grade may be provided to, for example, absorb an electrolyte active species, while the second grade may be provided to enhance mechanical integrity of the system.

Abstract: A capacitor (100) includes first and second electrodes (102, 103) an adhesive electrolyte (125) positioned therebetween. The adhesive electrolyte (125) includes an organic polymer and an inorganic component, which is either a polyacid or a polysalt.

Abstract: A transmission line antenna (10) comprises first and second ends (14 & 16). Each end has a mounting portion defining a mounting height and an overlapping portion (18 & 20) defining an overlapping width. The overlapping portions are formed by bringing the ends around the ring and past each other, and are electrically connected together. The antenna is interconnected to a circuit board having a circuit impedance, and the mounting height and overlapping width are configured such that the antenna impedance matches the circuit impedance.

Abstract: A method (50) of fabricating an amorphous carbon material for use as an electrode (20) in a rechargeable electrochemical cell (10) includes the steps of heating (62) a lignin material until it has fully cured, comminuting (68) the lignin material before it has carbonized, and subsequently heating (70) the lignin material until it has carbonized.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell 10 includes first and second electrodes 12 and 14 with an electrolyte system 26 disposed therebetween. The electrolyte system includes at least a multilayered first polymeric region 28, having second layers 30 and 32, of a second polymer material. The second layers may absorb an electrolyte active species and to adhere the adjacent layer of electrode material to the electrolyte 26. The electrolyte system further includes a process for packaging and curing the electrolyte after it has been incorporated into a discrete battery device.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell 10 includes first and second electrodes 12 and 14 with an electrolyte system 26 disposed therebetween. The electrolyte system includes at least a multilayered first polymeric region 28, having second layers 30 and 32, of a second polymer material. The second layers may absorb an electrolyte active species and to adhere the adjacent layer of electrode material to the electrolyte 26. The electrolyte system further includes a process for packaging and curing the electrolyte after it has been incorporated into a discrete battery device.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with first (10) and second (11) electrodes and a solid polymer electrolyte (15) disposed therebetween. The electrodes include a current collecting layer, a layer of electrode active material, and a layer of an electrically conductive, polymeric protection material disposed therebetween. The protective layer protects, for example, the current collecting layer from the deleterious effects of the acid or alkaline electrolyte active species found in most electrochemical cells. The protective layer is formed of an intermetallic compound dispersed through a layer of appropriately chosen polymeric material.

Abstract: A hybrid cell/capacitor assembly (300) includes a battery cell (100) and a capacitor (200) formed into a thin rectangular sheet and having two leads (205, 210) extending therefrom. The capacitor (200) is wrapped around the battery cell (100) to form the hybrid cell/capacitor assembly (300). The leads (205, 210) of the capacitor (200) can be attached to terminals (105, 100) of the battery cell (100) or to terminals of one or more other cells within a battery pack (600).