Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to indicating an end of life condition of an electrochemical device, and more particularly to systems and methods for sensing and determining an end of life condition in a cell comprising a high capacity cathode material suitable for use in a non-aqueous electrochemical cell. The high capacity cathode material has an amorphous or semi-crystalline form of copper manganese oxide, and optionally fluorinated carbon. The present disclosure additionally relates to transmitting the determined end of life condition to a user or monitoring device of the cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a high capacity cathode material suitable for use in a non-aqueous electrochemical cell that comprises a mixture of at least three different cathode materials, and more specifically a mixture of fluorinated carbon, an oxide of copper and an oxide of manganese. The present disclosure additionally relates to a non-aqueous electrochemical cell comprising such a cathode material and, in particular, to such a non-aqueous electrochemical cell that can deliver a higher capacity than a conventional cell, and/or that possesses an improved end-of-life indication.

Abstract: Cathode materials for use in thermal batteries are disclosed. The cathode material includes a primary active material and an amount of a bi-metal sulfide such as CuFeS2. Batteries (e.g., thermal batteries) that contain such cathode materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ternary or quaternary electrolyte material for use in thermal batteries that is substantially free of binders is disclosed. Composites of electrodes and electrolytes that contain the electrolyte material and batteries that contain the electrolyte material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a rechargeable, or secondary, battery including a series string of cells, includes a topology of charging sources that selectively provides charging current to cells that need to be charged, but avoids overcharging cells that are already charged above a predetermined voltage threshold. Based on individual cell voltage measurements, the charging current is controlled in a manner to direct charging current to the battery cell(s) needing charge until these cells are fully charged, and by-passes battery cells that are fully charged or become fully charged.

Abstract: A modular energy storage device comprises a customer-defined parameter, such as electrical capacity, a can that has a dimension based on the customer-defined parameter, an electrode package that has properties based on the customer-defined parameter, and a header that has a configuration that is not dependent on the customer-defined parameter. A method for producing the modular energy storage device comprises generating a standardized energy storage device configuration, receiving a customer-defined parameter, and modifying the standardized energy storage device configuration according to the customer-defined parameter. The step of modifying the standardized energy storage device configuration comprises the steps of modifying the electrode package without modifying the location of the current collectors, modifying the length of the can according to the customer-defined parameter, and using the header already developed to complete construction of the modular energy storage device.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a rechargeable, or secondary, battery including a series string of cells, includes a topology of charging sources that selectively provides charging current to cells that need to be charged, but avoids overcharging cells that are already charged above a predetermined voltage threshold. Based on individual cell voltage measurements, the charging current is controlled in a manner to direct charging current to the battery cell(s) needing charge until these cells are fully charged, and by-passes battery cells that are fully charged or become fully charged.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a high capacity cathode material suitable for use in a non-aqueous electrochemical cell that comprises copper manganese oxide, which may be in amorphous or semi-crystalline form, and optionally fluorinated carbon. The present disclosure additionally relates to a non-aqueous electrochemical cell comprising such a cathode material and, in particular, to such a non-aqueous electrochemical cell that can deliver a higher capacity than conventional cell.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a rechargeable, or secondary, battery including a series string of cells, includes a topology of charging sources that selectively provides charging current to cells that need to be charged, but avoids overcharging cells that are already charged above a predetermined voltage threshold. Based on individual cell voltage measurements, the charging current is controlled in a manner to direct charging current to the battery cell(s) needing charge until these cells are fully charged, and by-passes battery cells that are fully charged or become fully charged.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a rechargeable, or secondary, battery including a series string of cells, includes a topology of charging sources that selectively provides charging current to cells that need to be charged, but avoids overcharging cells that are already charged above a predetermined voltage threshold. Based on individual cell voltage measurements, the charging current is controlled in a manner to direct charging current to the battery cell(s) needing charge until these cells are fully charged, and by-passes battery cells that are fully charged or become fully charged.

Abstract: An improved cathode suitable for lithium-sulfur batteries, a battery including the cathode, and a battery including a separator containing inorganic fillers are disclosed. The cathode includes sulfur and a metal oxide and optionally includes an additional polymeric material. The metal oxide reduces dissolution of sulfur at the cathode and reduces sulfur-containing deposits on the battery anode, thereby providing a battery with relatively high energy density and good partial discharge performance. The separator also reduces unwanted diffusion of sulfur species.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a thermal battery testing apparatus and a method for testing a thermal battery. The method includes one or more of the following steps: connecting the thermal battery in series with a resistance; connecting the thermal battery and resistance in series with a sinusoidal voltage source; applying a sinusoidal voltage to the thermal battery, measuring an impedance, reactance and/or capacitance across two terminals of the thermal battery, comparing the measured impedance, reactance and/or capacitance to a reference impedance, reactance and/or capacitance; and indicating whether the tested thermal battery is “in family” or “out of family.” The battery testing apparatus may include a testing device configured to apply a sinusoidal voltage to the thermal battery and to measure the impedance, reactance and/or capacitance across two terminals of the thermal battery. The testing apparatus may further be configured to report “out of family” batteries.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a thermal battery testing apparatus and a method for testing a thermal battery. The method includes one or more of the following steps: connecting the thermal battery in series with a resistance; connecting the thermal battery and resistance in series with a sinusoidal voltage source; applying a sinusoidal voltage to the thermal battery, measuring an impedance, reactance and/or capacitance across two terminals of the thermal battery, comparing the measured impedance, reactance and/or capacitance to a reference impedance, reactance and/or capacitance; and indicating whether the tested thermal battery is “in family” or “out of family.” The battery testing apparatus may include a testing device configured to apply a sinusoidal voltage to the thermal battery and to measure the impedance, reactance and/or capacitance across two terminals of the thermal battery. The testing apparatus may further be configured to report “out of family” batteries.

Abstract: A reserve battery including a dual-purpose fill port member that also operates as a battery activation mechanism. The reserve battery includes a frangible barrier positioned inside a case. The frangible barrier divides the case into a first compartment holding cell electrodes and a second compartment capable of holding an electrolyte in isolation from the first compartment. Positioned in the second compartment proximate to the frangible barrier is a fill port member that is movable in response to an applied force for rupturing the frangible barrier. The fill port member also has a fluid passageway for use in transferring an amount of the electrolyte to the second compartment. The dual purpose of the fill port member is that it efficiently uses the available space and permits the design and production of a more compact reserve battery for use in space-limited applications, such as artillery shells.

Abstract: An automated system and method for manufacturing a thermal battery is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a press system, a stacking system, and an enclosing system to automate the manufacturing process of thermal batteries. A method of manufacturing a thermal battery using the system is also disclosed. An automated tracking, storage, and retrieval system for pellets used in the manufacturing process and a pellet pairing system are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a system for automatically manufacturing thermal batteries. In the present invention, thermal batteries are manufactured using a press system, a stacking system and an enclosing system. The present invention uses a tracking, storage, and/or retrieval system to track various components used in the manufacturing process to improve manufacturing quality and to track the various components throughout the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing thermal batteries is disclosed. In the method according to the present invention, pellets used in the manufacture of thermal batteries are grouped together based on certain material characteristics such as weight, thickness, and density. Pellets with different material characteristics can be grouped together in a single thermal battery to produce a thermal battery with characteristics that are the average of the characteristics of the pellets used to manufacture the thermal battery.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a rechargeable, or secondary, battery including a series string of battery cells, a topology of charging sources that selectively provides charging current to battery cells that need to be charged, but avoids overcharging battery cells that are already charged above a predetermined voltage threshold. Based on individual cell voltage measurements, the charging current is controlled in a manner to direct charging current to the battery cell(s) needing charge until these cells are fully charged, and bypasses battery cells that are fully charged or become fully charged.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a rechargeable, or secondary, battery including a series string of cells, includes a topology of charging sources that selectively provides charging current to cells that need to be charged, but avoids overcharging cells that are already charged above a predetermined voltage threshold. Based on individual cell voltage measurements, the charging current is controlled in a manner to direct charging current to the battery cell(s) needing charge until these cells are fully charged, and by-passes battery cells that are fully charged or become fully charged.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a rechargeable, or secondary, battery including a series string of cells, includes a topology of charging sources that selectively provides charging current to cells that need to be charged, but avoids overcharging cells that are already charged above a predetermined voltage threshold. Based on individual cell voltage measurements, the charging current is controlled in a manner to direct charging current to the battery cell(s) needing charge until these cells are fully charged, and by-passes battery cells that are fully charged or become fully charged.