Abstract: An electrolytic cell having an electrolyte, a first and second electrode and a primer comprised of lithium polysilicate and carbon, applied to at least one of the first and second electrodes, wherein the primer is chemically and electrochemically stable and electronically conductive so as to decrease interfacial resistance in the cell to enhance columbic efficiency.

Abstract: A current collector device for an electrolytic cell and method for manufacturing same. The device includes an aluminum current collector having a substantially reduced oxidation layer relative to its native oxide layer, to, in turn, exhibit a relatively low interfacial resistance. A coating of material which includes an etching agent and a primer are both applied to the surface of the aluminum current collector in a single mixture so that actual etching and bonding of the primer to the surface can be accomplished by a single step. It is also contemplated that the primer material act as an electrode material which enables electrochemical activity with the particular ions in an electrolyte within the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A current collector device for an electrolytic cell and method for manufacturing same. The device includes an aluminum current collector having a substantially reduced oxidation layer relative to its native oxide layer, to, in turn, exhibit a relatively low interfacial resistance. A coating of material which includes an etching agent and a primer are both applied to the surface of the aluminum current collector in a single mixture so that actual etching and bonding of the primer to the surface can be accomplished by a single step. It is also contemplated that the primer material act as an electrode material which enables electrochemical activity with the particular ions in an electrolyte within the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell, such as a rechargeable lithium battery, having cavitands associated with a metal ion source-electrode and an electrolyte. The cavitands, which are anchored to the electrode by a polymer leash, are capable of releasably attracting particular ions, such as lithium ions, which are migrating from the electrolyte, toward the surface of the electrode during electrodeposition. The polymer leash serves to continuously maintain the cavitands at a predetermined distance away from the surface of the electrode, regardless of surface area fluctuations, typically caused during deposition and dissolution of the particular ions. Accordingly, the cavitands facilitate substantially uniform electrodeposition of the particular ions, which, in turn, substantially suppresses and/or controls the formation and growth of a passive film or layer, on the electrode surface, which may otherwise promote the formation of dendrites.

Abstract: An molecular complex is provided which includes a linear polymer associated with a cyclic molecule to form a rotaxane of the general formula, ##STR1## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are blocking end groups of size and character sufficient to prevent dethreading of the rotaxane and said R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 the same or different;where the cyclic molecule comprises a cyclic skeleton and at least one A functional group, said functional group attached to the cyclic skeleton;where A is selected from the group consisting of polymerizable functional groups, cation complexing groups, anion complexing groups and ionic species; andwherein at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and A are selected from the group consisting of cation complexing groups, anion complexing groups and ionic species.The molecular complex may used in an electrolyte.

Abstract: An molecular complex is provided which includes a linear polymer associated with a cyclic molecule to form a rotaxane of the general formula, ##STR1## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are blocking end groups of size and character sufficient to prevent dethreading of the rotaxane and said R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 the same or different;where the cyclic molecule comprises a cyclic skeleton and at least one A functional group, said functional group attached to the cyclic skeleton;where A is selected from the group consisting of polymerizable functional groups, cation complexing groups, anion complexing groups and ionic species; andwherein at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and A are selected from the group consisting of cation complexing groups, anion complexing groups and ionic species.The molecular complex may used in an electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell using small particle graphite and an electrolytic process wherein the electrolytic cell includes an electrode constructed with a lithium source and another electrode constructed with relatively small graphite particles. The graphite particles possess physical attributes which serve to increase the reversible capacity of the graphite beyond the known theoretical capacity of 372 mAh/g of LiC.sub.6.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell and electrolytic process wherein the cell includes a metal anode, such as a lithium anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. The surface of the anode is treated with a substantially non-continuous electronically conductive particulate coating, wherein the particulate may consist of carbon. This non-continuously applied particulate coating not only provokes the formation of a stable passivating layer (toward suppression of dendritic growth), but it also serves to lower and substantially sustain interfacial resistance at the surface of the anode during the life of the cell.

Abstract: Compounds are provided for use in an electrolyte comprising repeating unit selected from the group consisting of cyclic and heterocyclic species having y carbon atoms and z heteroatoms, X, and where y is 4, 5 or 6 and z is 0, 1 or 2. The heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of O, S and N. The repeating unit is further substituted by four to six pendant groups having the formula, (CHR.sub.1).sub.m O(CHR.sub.1 CHR.sub.1 O).sub.n Y, where the majority of pendant groups comprises at least two O and further,in which m is 0 or 1,in which n is in the range of 0 to 25,in which each R.sub.1 is the same or different and R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, allylic and alkenyl radicals having 1 to 18 carbon atoms and Y, andin which each Y is the same or different and Y is a functional group selected from the group consisting of polymerizable functionalities, plasticizing agents and ionic species. Electrolytes, plasticizers and macroions prepared from these compounds are described.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell and electrolytic process wherein the cell includes a metal anode (such as a lithium anode), a cathode and an electrolyte. A surface layer which is applied to the metal anode enables transfer of ions from the metal anode to the electrolyte and thus allows the ions to pass back into contact with the metal anode. The surface layer is also electronically conductive so that the ions will be uniformally attracted back onto the metal anode during electrodeposition to, in turn, substantially suppress dendrite growth and, in turn, substantially increase the cycle life of the cell.

Abstract: Compounds are provided for use in an electrolyte comprising repeating unit selected from the group consisting of cyclic and heterocyclic species having y carbon atoms and z heteroatoms, X, and where y is 4, 5 or 6 and z is 0, 1 or 2. The heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of O, S and N. The repeating unit is further substituted by four to six pendant groups having the formula, (CHR.sub.1).sub.m O(CHR.sub.1 CHR.sub.1 O).sub.n Y, where the majority of pendant groups comprises at least two O and further,in which m is 0 or 1,in which n is in the range of 0 to 25,in which each R.sub.1 is the same or different and R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, allylic and alkenyl radicals having 1 to 18 carbon atoms and Y, andin which each Y is the same or different and Y is a functional group selected from the group consisting of polymerizable functionalities, plasticizing agents and ionic species. Electrolytes, plasticizers and macro-ions prepared from these compounds are described.

Abstract: An improved air recirculation and conditioning system for recirculating and dehumidifying air within a living space is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention the system diverts a portion of the air recirculated through a return and removes moisture from that portion of the air before mixing the drier air with the air in the return. In accordance with another aspect of the invention the system makes use of a standard water heater as a source of heat to heat a regenerative air stream to regenerate a desiccant wheel of the system. Finally, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the system externally draws all of the air for the regenerative air stream and exhausts the regenerative air stream to an air space external of the living space within which the air is being treated.

Abstract: A windage loss reduction system for a co-rotating scroll fluid device includes clearance reducing or optimizing elements mounted between rotating and fixed members of the scroll fluid device and which may be used individually or collectively to reduce centrifugal and axial fluid flow of ambient gases caused the rotating elements to improve the efficiency of the scroll fluid device. The windage loss reducing elements are located between fixed housing elements and the rotor, drive shaft, and scroll elements of the device.

Abstract: A scroll fluid device includes a synchronizer having a plurality of first synchronizer elements, fixedly secured to or integrally formed along a flank portion of one of a pair of meshed wraps, which are interdigited with a plurality of second synchronizer elements carried by a wrap support plate of the other meshed wrap. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the synchronizer elements carried by the wrap flank comprise teeth which extend into grooves formed in the support plate of the other wrap. In addition, the synchronizer elements on each of the wraps extend about a predetermined angular portion, preferably 180.degree., of each of the scroll elements. In this manner, it is possible to form each wrap with both tooth and groove portion,s, each portion extending about complimentary 180.degree. portions of the wrap, which are interdigited with corresponding tooth and groove portions on the other wrap.

Abstract: A scroll type fluid machinery which is provided with: a first scroll and a second scroll which moves with respect to the first scroll, where the base of the first scroll is provided with suction bores perforating through the base from the rear surface thereof to the front surface, and open at the outer peripheral portion of the front surface of the base, so that fluid released into an internal space of the body casing passes through the suction bores, and into the suction sides of compression volumes formed between spiral members of the scrolls, whereby suction pressure in the compression volumes is maximized and volumetric efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A thermal isolation arrangement for use in a co-rotating scroll refrigerant compressor includes various thermal insulation elements adapted to minimize heat transfer between hot rotating members of the scroll fluid device and the return refrigerant to be compressed, and between hot lubricant in the compressor and the return refrigerant. The thermal isolation elements of the present invention may be used individually or collectively to minimize the preheating of the inlet refrigerant so as to maintain the density of the return refrigerant being compressed to thereby increase the total efficiency of the scroll fluid device.

Abstract: A bearing and lubrication system for a sealed, integrated motor driven co-rotating scroll refrigerant compressor includes hydrostatic bearings and an independent motor driven lubricant supply pump for supplying lubricant to the hydrostatic bearings mounting in the housing. The housing is divided into a high-pressure section that receives compressed refrigerant and a low pressure section containing the involute scroll compressor wraps. Individual lubricant supply sumps are provided in the high and lower pressure housing sections for supplying lubricant to the compressor bearings. The lubricant pump is capable of drawing lubricant from one or both of the lubricant supply sumps. A lubricant level sensor associated with one of the low or high pressure housing sumps is provided to maintain a desired level of lubricant therein. The lubricant supply pump is controlled so that pressure is supplied to the hydrostatic bearings during compressor operation.

Abstract: An expander driven compressor assembly is disclosed comprising a scroll-type expander having at least one pair of meshed axially extending involute spiral wraps wherein one of the wraps orbits relative to the other wrap and a scroll-type compressor having at least one pair of relatively orbiting meshed axially extending involute spiral wraps. The orbital wrap of the expander is drivingly connected to the orbital wrap of the compressor through a common synchronizer and counterweight assembly. Auxiliary drive power developed by the expander and not required to drive the compressor is used to drive a power take-off shaft. In addition, expansion struts are proved to compensate for thermal expansion or contraction of the relatively orbiting scroll wraps. By this arrangement, a compact and efficient expander driven compressor assembly is achieved.

Abstract: An integrated, self-contained portable power and cooling system includes a combustion generator and a scroll-type expander driven by combustion gas discharged from the gas generator, wherein the expander is connected in driving relationship to a scroll air compressor that provides compressed combustion air to the gas generator. Inlet air to the gas generator may be preheated by spent combustion gas discharged from the expander. A drive shaft driven by the expander is connected to a fuel pump, an electrical generator, and a refrigerant compressor. The scroll refrigerant compressor supplies refrigerant to a condenser evaporator cooling circuit for cooling a zone directly or indirectly via an auxiliary cooling loop in heat exchange relationship with the evaporator. The system has application in a man-portable system capable of cooling an individual in a high temperature environment and supplying electrical power.

Abstract: A scroll fluid device is provided with a synchronizer arrangement that prevents relative rotation between the involute scroll wraps defining fluid working chambers while permitting the wraps to orbit relative to each other to perform work on fluid moved through the device or to expend work through the reaction of fluid moving through the device. The synchronizer comprises axially extending teeth affixed to one of the scroll support end plates interdigited with grooves affixed to the other end plate. The grooves of the synchronizer each have a width that accommodates the orbital excursion of each tooth extending into the groove such that, during orbital movement of one scroll wrap relative to the other, the teeth engage the side walls of the groove to prevent rotation of the scroll wraps relative to each other in either direction.