Abstract: Alkaline cells are substantially free of mercury, and employ a zinc anode gel, which gel has a which expansion of less than 25% after being discharged for 161 minutes to 15% depth of discharge at 2.88A.

Abstract: A lantern assembly is provided having a handle supporting beam. The handle is attached to a low profile base containing a channel defined about its circumference configured to receive and stow a length of electric cord therein. The electric cord is connected at one end to a pair of terminals extending from the top of the base, which also serves to attach the handle to the base. The opposite end of the electric cord is attached to a connector for coupling the lamp to the vehicle power supply. The lamp configuration is specially configured and adapted to easily convert a battery-powered lantern to one for use with a vehicle.

Abstract: A process and device for recovering cadmium and nickel metals from Ni-Cd battery and processing scrap material containing nickel, cadmium, iron and other substances are disclosed. The process includes depositing the scrap material in a furnace and adding an effective amount of an oxygen getter in the furnace to prevent oxide formation. Argon or nitrogen gas is introduced and maintained in the atmosphere of the furnace. The furnace is then heated for an effective period of time to evaporate free water. The temperature of the furnace is then increased and maintained to approximately 500.degree.-800.degree. C. for an effective period of time to volatilize molecular water and non-metallic substances. The temperature of the furnace is then further raised to greater than approximately 900.degree. C. for an effective period of time to vaporize cadmium from the scrap material.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, such as a rechargeable Li/FeS.sub.2 cell, employing an improved electrolyte comprising a mixture of 3-methyl-2-oxazolidone in a range of 27 to 33 percent by volume and a volume ratio of 1,3-dioxolane to 1,2-dimethoxyethane of between 0.8 to 2.2 and 1.1 to 1.9 with a solute such as LiI or LiCF.sub.3 SO.sub.3.

Abstract: A switch for use in a flashlight assembly including a tubular body for containing or receiving a power source such as at least one battery. A light assembly including a light source coupled to one end of the body, and a switch assembly closing an opposite end of the body and moveable about a longitudinal axis of the body between at least a first position for placing the light source in electrical continuity with the power source and a second position breaking the electrical continuity between the light source and the power source. The switch includes a tubular housing detachably received in the opposite end of the body and having a detent extending inwardly from an inner surface thereof. The housing concentrically receives a neck portion of an end cap which closes the housing and forms one end of the flashlight. A pair of grooves, one on each side of a cantilevered spring in the neck portion, accepts the detent extending from the housing.

Abstract: A battery is provided with an end-of-cell voltage indicating device which can be used to indicate the state-of-charge of the battery. The indicating device has a flexible substrate of the same peripheral configuration as the battery. The substrate has an indicating coating on one surface which is in thermal or electrical contact with a conductive circuit pattern which can be temporarily connected between the terminals of the battery on application of pressure to an indicated spot on the surface of the substrate. The conductive circuit means causes the indicating coating to undergo a visible change which is representative of the state-of-charge or voltage of the battery. A dual end-switched, integral battery and state-of-charge indicating device having two switches disposed on one end of the battery is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a cell housing that contains an active anode material and an active cathode material. An electrically conductive current collector member within the cell housing is in electrical contact with one of the active materials, and an electrically conductive pin member having a first portion protrudes from the cell through an orifice in the cell housing. A sealing member is disposed in the the orifice between the pin member and the cell housing to seal the interior of the cell from its surroundings. A second portion of the electrically conductive pin member is both releasably secured within an aperture in the current collector member and in electrical contact with the current collector member, so that when the pressure within the cell exceeds a predetermined pressure limit, the pin member is ejected from the cell and the excessive internal pressure is then vented.