Abstract: A header insulator for an electrochemical cell is described. The header insulator provides a boss for the terminal ferrule, a boss for the fill ferrule, and at least one boss disposed along the length of the insulator to provide for alignment of the electrode assembly inside the case.

Abstract: An electrochernical cell comprising an anode of a Group IA metal and a cathode of a mixed phase metal oxide prepared from a combination of starting materials comprising vanadium oxide and a mixture of at least one of a decomposable silver-containing constituent and a decomposable copper-containing constituent is described. The starting materials are mixed together to form a homogeneous admixture that is not further mixed once decomposition heating begins. The resulting cathode material is particularly useful for implantable medical applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrolyte for an electrolytic capacitor. The capacitor has an electrolytic anode and an electrochemical cathode. The electrolyte has water, a water soluble organic salt, and a relatively weak organic acid. This electrolyte is chemically compatible to aluminum and tantalum oxide dielectrics and withstands higher voltage while maintaining good conductivity. This makes the electrolyte especially useful for high voltage applications, such as occur in an implantable cardiac defibrillator.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising a medium rate electrode region intended to be discharged under a substantially constant drain and a high rate electrode region intended to be pulse discharged, is described. Both electrode regions share a common anode and are activated with the same electrolyte.

Abstract: A new sandwich cathode design is provided comprising a cathode active material mixed with a binder and a conductive diluent in at least two differing formulations. The formulations are then individually pressed on opposite sides of a current collector, so that both are in direct contact with the current collector. Preferably, the active formulation on the side of the current collector facing the anode is of a lesser percentage of the active material than that on the opposite side of the current collector. Such an exemplary cathode design might look like: SVO (100-x % active)/current collector/SVO (100-y % active)/current collector/SVO (100-x % active), wherein x is greater than y.

Abstract: A new sandwich cathode design is provided comprising a cathode active material provided in at least two different thicknesses. The different thickness cathode structures are then individually pressed on opposite sides of a current collector so that both are in direct contact with the substrate. Preferably, the cathode structure on the side facing the anode is of a lesser thickness than that on the opposite side of the current collector. Such an exemplary cathode design might look like: SVO(x)/current collector/SVO(y)/current collector/SVO(z), wherein x, y and z represent thicknesses and wherein x and z are lesser than y.

Abstract: It has been discovered that the connection between a current collector and a molybdenum terminal pin can be improved by roughening the terminal pin. However, a roughened terminal pin detracts from the integrity of the glass-to-metal seal. To overcome this, a sleeve or couple surrounds that portion of the roughened terminal pin that will be sealed to the insulating glass. The sleeve or couple is welded at each end to the terminal pin, and a glass-to-metal seal is formed between the sleeved terminal pin, the insulating glass, and the metallic lid. The resulting assembly contains a portion of the terminal pin that has a roughened surface and is suitable for making a high strength connection to a current collector of a primary or secondary lithium ion battery.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of purifying capacitor grade powders. The capacitor grade powder is initially placed into a purifying machine that disperses at least one contaminate into the capacitor grade powder. The powder is then placed into a magnetic separation device that separates at least one contaminate from the capacitor grade powder. The capacitor grade powder is then processed into an electrical energy storage device, wherein the capacitor grade powder has minimal contaminates therein.

Abstract: The present invention improves the performance of lithium electrochemical cells by providing a new electrode assembly based on a sandwich cathode design, but termed a double screen sandwich cathode electrode design. In particular, the present invention uses sandwich cathode electrodes which are, in turn, sandwiched between two half double screen sandwich cathode electrodes, either in a prismatic plate or serpentine-like electrode assembly. In a jellyroll electrode assembly, the cell is provided in a case-positive design and the outside round of the electrode assembly is a half double screen sandwich cathode electrode.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium-ion cell capable of being discharged to deliver high power pulses sufficient for implantable defibrillation applications and the like, is described. The cell is housed in a casing having an external volume of 5 cm3, or less. Both the negative and positive electrodes are less than about 0.15 mm in total thickness. Negative and positive electrodes of a reduced thickness provide the cell with high electrode surface area relative to its volume. As such, the present cell is capable of providing pulses in excess of 30C with minimal voltage drop.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an overvoltage disconnect circuit for a lithium ion battery and/or cell. The lithium ion battery has at least one lithium ion battery cell having a rated voltage or a desired voltage, an input terminal, and being chargeable by a charger. The overvoltage disconnect circuit has (1) a switch unit, and (2 & 3) a first and second voltage dividers connected to (4) a comparator. The switch unit is in series with the lithium ion cell and the charger and the gate of the switch unit is connected to the comparator. The first voltage divider receives the voltage of the charger and generates a second charge. The second charge is proportionally below the voltage of the charger. The second voltage divider receives the voltage of the charger and generates a predetermined charge; the predetermined charge is proportionally below and sometimes less than the rated voltage or the desired voltage of the cell. The comparator compares the predetermined charge to the second charge.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery having an irregular shape with a unitary anode and unitary cathode that are spirally wound and that provide a high energy density for an implantable biomedical device.

Abstract: An electrode configuration for use in a defibrillator battery to improve the battery capacity and its utilization efficiency by using a combination SVO cell and a CFx cell discharged in parallel, is described. In other words, the anode of the SVO cell is connected to the anode of the CFx cell and the cathode of the SVO cell is connected to the cathode of the CFx cell. The SVO cell provides a relatively high discharge rate while the CFx cell results in long service life. This results in 100% of the usable capacity from both cells being utilized.

Abstract: A bonding pad for connecting an electrical energy storage device to an implantable medical device, is described. The bonding pad comprises at least two contact surfaces, one have a channel for receiving the terminal lead of the electrical energy storage device, the other being relatively planar for contact to the medical device. That way, the channel provides for increased surface area contact with the terminal lead for a more robust connection while the opposite, planar contact surface provides flexibility for contact to a lead of the medical device.

Abstract: A secondary electrochemical cell comprising a medium rate electrode region in a side-by-side electrode plate configuration intended to be discharged under a substantially constant drain and a high rate electrode region disposed in a jellyroll wound configuration intended to be pulse discharged, is described. Both electrode regions share a common anode and are activated with the same electrolyte.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a mixture of &egr;-SVO (Ag2V4O11) and &ggr;-SVO (Ag1.6V4O10.8) by a two-step raw materials mixing process, is described. &ggr;-SVO is the preferred SVO in terms of electrochemical performance, such as reduced Rdc growth and reduced or eliminated voltage delay. On the other hand, &egr;-SVO has slightly higher volumetric capacity than y-SVO. AgVO3 is an undesirable component in Li/SVO cell cathodes because it causes increased Rdc growth and larger voltage delay in comparison to the pure product materials. According to the present invention, a mixture of &egr;-SVO (0-100%)+&ggr;-SVO (100-0%) as a cathode active material in lithium cells is preferred.

Abstract: A power providing device that has a battery, a protective housing a terminal cap, and a fuse on a substrate.

Abstract: A power providing device that has a battery, a protective housing a terminal cap and a fuse.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrochemical cell having plate electrodes housed inside mating “clam shell” casing components. Also, the present casing design allows for indentation structures in the casing components by virtue of them being stamped metal parts. Such indentations are not possible with traditional cylindrical and prismatic casing designs. When mated together, the casing components are form-fitting with respect to the internal battery structure so as to reduce the overall size of the electrochemical package. This provides the cell with the greatest amount of energy per unit size.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrochemical cell having plate electrodes housed inside mating “clam shell” casing components. When mated together, the casing components are form-fitting with respect to the internal battery structure so as to reduce the overall size of the electrochemical package. A one piece header containing both a glass-to-metal seal opening for a terminal lead and an electrolyte fill opening is used in conjunction with the clam shell casing.