Abstract: The present invention provides control bus (SMBus) management and interface for a smart battery system having an SMBus two-wire interface with a clock and data line. Electrostatic discharge protection circuitry which does not have the potential to inadvertently charge a dead battery is provided for the SMBus. SMBus mastering circuitry is also provided to work in conjunction with the SMBus interfacing routines for communications on the bus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for deburring conductive articles such as electrochemical cell electrodes prior to their assembly into completed cells. An electrode substrate is passed in a continuous motion between two discharge elements between which a high voltage potential is produced sufficient to arc a gap between the discharge elements and burrs on the edges of the substrate. A shaped discharge surface is provided to ensure arcing to burrs having a variety of orientations. The current and frequency of the power supply providing the arcing current are selected and controlled to distribute the deburring energy over the length of the substrate. By so doing, deburring is accomplished with minimized damage to the substrate and without producing additional burrs. Preferably, the frequency of the discharge current at least matches the frequency at which burrs pass the discharge elements.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for forming nickel hydroxide battery electrodes comprising nickel hydroxide particles which have crystallite sizes falling within the range of about 60 .ANG. to about 160 .ANG..

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and device for implementing a dynamic End of Discharge Voltage (EODV) for rechargeable batteries and battery packs (batteries/packs). This dynamic EODV can be adjusted based on, for example, environment, operating conditions, temperature, residual capacity, cell chemistry, cell size, form factor, discharge rate, and/or the number of charge/discharge cycles the battery has undergone. The subject invention can provide for enhanced run time from each discharge cycle of the battery/pack. In addition, the subject invention can provide for more accurate save-to-disk alarms, while ensuring adequate energy for the actual save to disk operation. Furthermore, the subject invention can also extend the useful life of the battery/pack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for converting the terminal voltage of a battery so that one or more operations (such as shut-down, save-to-disk, and the like) begin at the appropriate point on the discharge curve for various cell chemistries. A control circuit is provided for triggering end-of-discharge operations based on various predetermined points, such as remaining capacity, voltage, temperature, and safety for devices which utilize a predetermined terminal voltage measurement to trigger one or more operations. The control circuit modulates the terminal voltage of the battery to a value which substantially matches the predetermined terminal voltage threshold of the device upon reaching a predetermined point, thereby successfully triggering operations at the appropriate time. The control circuitry also can modulate the terminal voltage to maintain it above the threshold to delay triggering of one or more operations.

Abstract: A wire terminal assembly includes a wire terminal having a cylindrical heat-shrinkable sleeve extending over one end for receiving solder interposed between the terminal and the heat-shrinkable sleeve. The heat-shrinkable sleeve receives an end of a conductor such that heat can be applied to the junction of the terminal, conductor and sleeve to bond the conductor to the terminal and shrink the sleeve over the junction of the conductor and terminal. This invention also contemplates the process of attaching a wire to a terminal by inserting a heat-shrinkable sleeve over a terminal, inserting solder into the sleeve from an end opposite the terminal to surround the terminal, inserting an end of a conductor into the open end of the sleeve and heating the terminal, solder and sleeve to a temperature which melts the solder and shrinks the sleeve onto the junction of the conductor and terminal.