Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a large anode-to-cathode interface area which achieves low current density to provide high cell efficiency. The electrochemical cell includes a can containing a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode has an outer perimeter which substantially conforms to the interior walls of the can and further has a non-cylindrical cavity provided therein. The second electrode is disposed within the non-cylindrical cavity of the first electrode. The first and second electrodes provide an interface area that varies along the length of the cell. A separator is disposed between the first and second electrodes and a cover and seal assembly is assembled to an open top end of the can.

Abstract: A card light assembly comprising a generally flat polymeric tray having inner and outer surfaces and a pair of ends, a peripheral rim on the inner surface, an electrochemical cell-receiving recess in the inner surface, and a LED-receiving recess at one of the ends, an annular electrical separator and a disc-type electrochemical cell in the cell receiving recess, a LED in said LED-receiving recess, the LED having two leads, one of which is in abutment with the cell and the other of which is spaced from the cell by the separator. A pressure sensitive adhesive label extends over the inner surface, and over the cell, and is adhered to the housing inner surface to thereby retain the separator and cell within the assembly. At least one of the tray and label is flexibly depressible at the separator and cell for pressing the other lead against the cell to temporarily energize the LED.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a can for containing electrochemical materials including positive and negative electrodes and an electrolyte, the can having an open end and a closed end; an integral seal/inner cover assembly positioned in the open end of the can, the integral seal/inner cover assembly having a rigid inner cover and a seal preformed directly onto at least an inner-facing surface of the rigid inner cover; a collector extending through a central hole provided in the integral seal/inner cover assembly and into the can so as to contact one of the electrodes; and an outer cover positioned across the open end of the can proximate an outer-facing surface of the rigid inner cover, the outer cover being positioned so as to be in electrical contact with the collector. The rigid inner cover preferably includes at least one aperture extending from the inner-facing surface to the outer-facing surface of the inner cover.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is disclosed that includes a cell housing and a spiral-wound electrode assembly including wound alternating layers of a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode. The electrochemical cell further includes a destruction control mechanism provided proximate an interior surface of the cell housing for piercing a portion of the separator layer to create an internal short circuit between outermost layers of the positive and negative electrodes of the spiral-wound electrode assembly when an excessive force is applied to the destruction control mechanism. The destruction control mechanism preferably includes burrs formed on the trailing end of the negative electrode that protrude toward the positive electrode so as to penetrate through the adjacent separator layer to create an internal short circuit when excessive force is applied to the burrs.

Abstract: A miniature galvanic cell employing a cup-insulating member-current collector assembly, preferably a plastic insulating member and low surface area current collector, to prevent or minimize the formation of gases, such as hydrogen, on the current collector member. A process for producing such a cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A miniature galvanic cell tube employing a cup-tube assembly, preferably a shrunk tube, in which the tube occupies a minimum volume so that the internal volume of the cell can be maximized to contain the acting components of this cell and a process for producing the galvanic cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a zinc anode comprising zinc flakes.

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: An electrochemical cell according to the present invention includes a can having an open end; electrochemical materials including two electrodes provided inside the can; a seal provided in the open end of the can for preventing leakage of the electrochemical materials from the can; and a moisture barrier provided in the open end of the can for preventing external moisture from reaching the interior of the cell. Preferably, the ambient air barrier includes an inner cover or outer cover having at least one aperture. The ambient air barrier may further include a moisture-impervious plug material disposed in contact with the inner cover or outer cover for releasably sealing the aperture in the inner cover or outer cover. Alternatively, the moisture barrier may include a layer of moisture-impervious material disposed on the outer surface of the seal in an area exposed to ambient air passing at least partially through the aperture in the inner cover and/or outer cover.

Abstract: A portable lighting device according to the present invention includes a battery housing, a light source supported at a first end of the battery housing, and a shroud extending outward from the first end of the battery housing circumferentially around the light source. The shroud is preferably formed of a translucent material having a partially-reflective inner surface for reflecting a portion of incident light emitted from the light source in a forward direction while allowing a portion of the incident light to be transmitted through the shroud and dispersed in peripheral directions. The shroud further preferably includes a diffusing outer surface for diffusing the incident light that is transmitted through the shroud. A shroud is preferably integrally formed with a collar portion as used for threading the integrated head structure onto the battery housing. Additionally, a protective lens cover that may include a collimating lens is also integrally formed in this head structure.

Abstract: A force transducer and method of measuring an applied force such as a weight of material, comprising a balance beam, said balance beam being supported at a preset position on a base at a fulcrum between its two ends, a voice coil actuator comprising an electrically conductive coil and a magnet, the coil being mounted on the base and the magnet being mounted on one side of the fulcrum of the balance beam, a counterbalance mounted on the second side of the fulcrum of the balance beam whereby said balance beam is generally unresponsive to low frequency vibration at the base, a beam position sensor for detecting beam movement from its preset position by a force applied to the beam, a control system associated with the sensor and coil and responsive to the sensor for supplying an electric current through the coil in an amount sufficient to maintain the magnet and thereby the beam at the present position, and a current detector for measuring the amount of current so supplied and thereby the amount of the applied fo

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: An electrochemical cell having a cell housing containing active components of the cell and having an inner cover and vent passage provided in the inner cover. A vent with a seal member is force-fitted within the vent passage. A current interrupt contact is provided on an outer cover and facing the seal member for providing electrical contact between the outer cover and a current path of the cell. Upon reaching a predetermined internal cell pressure, the seal member is forcibly released from the vent passage and, at the same time, forcibly engages the current interrupt contact to interrupt the flow of current from within the cell to the outer cover.

Abstract: A method of degreasing an anode cup used in a zero-mercury, zinc air electrochemical cell involves contacting the anode cup with an aqueous detersive system containing one or more surfactants and which is subjected to an ultrasonic field. After being immersed in the detersive system for a suitable period of time, the anode cups are rinsed, preferably in an ultrasonic field, and dried. The resulting anode cups have lower levels of impurities, and lower levels of oxygen atoms on the surface, which provide a more hydrophobic surface containing lower levels of water and hydroxyl groups. Zinc air cells prepared from the anode cups degreased in accordance with the method of this invention exhibit less hydrogen gassing and improved performance characteristics.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having an anode with a solid particle gelling agent centrally disposed therein for increasing concentration of zinc powder closer to the separator and cathode. The anode initially contains zinc powder, gelling agent and electrolyte solution. A dry solid gelling agent, preferably configured as a cylindrical rod, is disposed into a gel anode and allowed to absorb electrolyte solution, the rod thereby swelling in size to consume greater volume while concentrating the zinc powder toward the separator.

Abstract: A battery strip dispenser for dispensing user-selectable combinations of batteries to consumers. The battery strip dispenser includes a dispensing mechanism for holding batteries, and further includes a battery strip containing a plurality of batteries packaged in flexible packaging material. The battery strip includes a plurality of packages, each containing a battery, and has perforations formed in the packaging material between adjacent packaged batteries. The battery strip can be dispensed from the dispensing mechanism, and packaged batteries can be separated from other batteries in the battery strip by tearing at the perforations to separate a desired number of batteries.