Abstract: Structures (1, 21, 41, 71, 161) of electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell components employ a switch-like article (10, 26, 48, 63, 65, 68, 76, 166) comprised of an electrically conducting material that becomes nonconductive or semiconductive outside of a discrete voltage window. Said switch-like article serves as a reversible, self-regulating electrochemical switch at boundary voltages, thereby protecting the cell against over-charge and or over-discharge, and can be employed in a variety of configurations to provide self-regulating cell architectures. Cell assemblies that include said switch-like articles may themselves serve an auxiliary function as switches for other cells placed in series or parallel, and for external circuits.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a wound cell that retains its shape includes the steps of employing a heat-shrinkable porous membrane as the cell separator, and heating the cell wind either before or after addition of electrolyte.

Abstract: Described is a flexible circuit for a battery cell where the tabs of the flexible circuit have two or more perpendicular axis of bending. The multiple axes of bending allow the flexible circuit to be placed atop a battery cell, and both tabs of the flexible circuit can then be pinch (series) welded to the tabs of the battery cell. This results in a strong, predictable weld, and a more durable, reliable, electronic product.

Abstract: A series-resonant power converter (10) featuring a tap winding (106) on a transformer (100) that is coupled to a resonant capacitor (124) in a resonant tank circuit (122). An output voltage is taken at a secondary (104) of the transformer (100) via a rectifier (110). A control circuit (140) is coupled to the output voltage to monitor the output voltage with respect to a reference to determine load conditions and to generate a control signal representative thereof. An energy recirculation circuit (180) is coupled to the control circuit (140) and to the voltage source (12) and comprises a switch (186) coupled to the tap winding (106) of the transformer (100).

Abstract: This invention is a system and method for causing a rechargeable battery pack to enter a low power mode. The system includes a resistive divider, a switch, a battery cell, and a safety integrated circuit. When an external voltage is applied to the resistive divider, the switch turns on. With the switch on, the safety integrated circuit senses only a fraction of the cell voltage and therefore puts the battery pack into a low power, or sleep mode. The battery is returned to normal mode by connecting a charger to the battery pack.

Abstract: A latching system for a battery housing for a portable electronic device comprises a housing with an orifice, a button projecting through the orifice in the housing; with a cam on the end of the button in the interior of the housing, and a springy metal sheet attached to the interior of the housing, wherein the springy metal sheet has an orifice. The movement of the button causes the cam on the end of the button to deflect the springy metal sheet, causing an orifice on the springy metal sheet to engage or disengage a projection on the electronic device to which the battery housing is attached.

Abstract: This invention is a battery charger having a pocket for charging a battery. The pocket is covered by a door which has a battery retention latch. When the door is open, and a battery is inserted into the pocket, the battery retention latch of the door exerts force upon the battery in a direction towards the charging contacts located in the base of the pocket. In so doing the door and battery retention latch hold the battery against the charging contacts, thereby enduring a good electrical connection. The battery retention latch also has a convex detente which keeps the door closed when no battery is present. Additionally, the charger may have a pocket for charging a phone and battery combination as well.

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: Described is a two-part housing for a battery cell having circuitry separate from the main body of the cell. Finger joints, blind dado joints, and edge joints with rabbeted edges are disposed in the mating region between the two halves of the housing. An insulating and alignment wall is integral with one half of the housing, and fits in the channel between the main body of the cell and the circuitry. The housing is dimensionally stable, provides mechanical protection for the delicate cell circuitry, and the two halves of the housing may be secured using only a label wrap.

Abstract: An article comprised of a material that can be wetted by electrolyte solutions contains indicator substances sensitive to acid, caustic and or salt solutes that are present in said electrolyte solutions: said articles are employed as whole or partial encapsulation for devices, especially electrochemical cells, and thereby provide an enhanced alerting function for electrolyte leaks and spills.

Abstract: A battery charger (100) suitable for sub-miniaturization and connection to a wall transformer power supply (20) to charge a battery (30). The battery charger (100) features a switch (130) that controls flow of current from the transformer (20) either to output terminals for charging the battery (30) or to ground, a voltage regulator (120), a microprocessor (110), a current sensing resistor (150) and a Schottky diode (140). The microprocessor (110) is coupled to the switch (130) to control whether the switch is open or closed. The secondary leakage inductance of the wall transformer (20) is exploited to control charging of the battery. The microprocessor (110) is programmed to initiate a charging mode comprising oscillation between a conduction interval and a flyback interval. A charging pulse is delivered to the battery (30) during the flyback interval.

Abstract: A power transformer is described comprising a housing with a catchment on its face and a catchment on its side and an adapter plug whose back side fits over the face and the side of the housing. The adapter plug has a projection on its face, and a projection on its side which includes a ridge at the distal end. The projection on the face of the adapter plug fits into the catchment on the face of the housing, and the projection on the side of the adapter plug fits into the catchment on the side of the housing and is restrained therein. The face of the adapter plug comprises a plug configuration selected from the group consisting of international electrical plug configurations.

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 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.