Abstract: A novel wound electrode assembly for a lithium oxyhalide electrochemical cell is described. The electrode assembly comprises an elongate cathode of an electrochemically non-active but electrically conductive carbonaceous material disposed between an inner elongate portion and an outer elongate portion of a unitary lithium anode. That way, lithium faces the entire length of the opposed major sides of the cathode. This inner anode portion/cathode/outer anode portion configuration is rolled into a wound-shaped electrode assembly that is housed inside a cylindrically-shaped casing. A cylindrically-shaped sheet-type spring centered in the electrode assembly presses outwardly to limit axial movement of the electrode assembly. In one embodiment, all the non-active components, except for the cathode current collector which is nickel, are made of stainless-steel. This provides the cell with a low magnetic signature without adversely affecting the cell's high-rate capability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oxyhalide electrochemical cell comprising an anode of a Group IA metal and a cathode of a composite material prepared from a first electrochemically active carbonaceous material and a second electrochemically non-active carbonaceous material. The cathode material of the present invention provides increased discharge capacity compared to traditional lithium oxyhalide cells. In addition, the cathode material of the present invention is chemically stable which makes it particularly useful for applications that require increased rate capability in extreme environmental conditions such as those found in oil and gas exploration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oxyhalide electrochemical cell comprising an anode of a Group IA metal and a cathode of a composite material prepared from a first electrochemically active carbonaceous material and a second electrochemically non-active carbonaceous material. The cathode material of the present invention provides increased discharge capacity compared to traditional lithium oxyhalide cells. In addition, the cathode material of the present invention is chemically stable which makes it particularly useful for applications that require increased rate capability in extreme environmental conditions such as those found in oil and gas exploration.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an electrochemical cell interconnect assembly are described. The interconnect assembly is designed to be positioned between two adjacent electrochemical cells, providing an electrical conduit therebetween. The interconnect assembly consists of an interconnect body having a curved formed and an interwoven wire structure. The interconnect assembly is designed to provide a robust electrical connection between two adjacent electrochemical cells in extreme mechanical stress and temperature environments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell comprising an anode of a Group IA metal and a cathode of a composite material prepared from a first active cathode material of a transition metal phosphate mixed or added to a second active cathode material of a carbonaceous material. The cathode material of the present invention provides increased rate pulse performance compared to carbon monofluoride cathode material. In addition, the cathode material of the present invention is chemically stable which makes it particularly useful for applications that require increased rate capability in extreme environmental conditions such as those found in oil and gas exploration.

Abstract: An electrical system for charging an electrochemical cell or battery pack is described. The system is configured to dynamically modify the magnitude of the charge power based on the amplitude of the available power source. The system comprises a master control unit which measures the strength of the available incoming power source and dynamically modifies the charge current used to charge an electrochemical cell or battery pack based on the strength of the incoming electrical power available to the system.

Abstract: A circuit for transferring wireless electrical energy through a lossy material is described. The circuit comprises a first inductive winding portion connected electrically in series to a second inductive winding portion and at least one capacitor. Interaction of the first or second inductive winding portions with an electromagnetic field emanating from an electrical power source causes electrical energy to be induced within the circuit. The first inductive winding portion is preferably positionable adjacent a first sidewall of a lossy material and the second inductive winding portion is preferably positionable adjacent the second and opposite sidewall of the lossy material. At least one intermediate substrate composed of a ferrite material is preferably positioned between the first and second inductive winding portions as a shield that minimizes electromagnetic field interference.

Abstract: A power control circuit for wirelessly powering a device is described. The circuit comprises a series of sub-circuits that condition and modify electrical power received from near-field resonant inductive coupling. In addition, the power control circuit consists of a reserve power source of at least one capacitor. A switching circuit consisting of an ideal diode OR-ing circuit is provided that receives and selects between the primary and secondary electrical power sources based on their measured voltages.

Abstract: A system for harnessing and conditioning wirelessly transmitted electrical energy by near field magnetic induction configured with various magnetic field shielding embodiments is disclosed. The shielding embodiments are designed to minimize electromagnetic interference and induced electrical current. The system comprises an electrical energy capture circuit and an RF communication circuit. The electrical energy capture circuit conditions and modifies the wirelessly received electrical energy. The RF communication circuit enables the system to wirelessly communicate with its sub-circuits and other energy capture systems. The system comprises a tunable band stop filter that is electrically connected to the RF communication sub-circuit. In addition, the RF communication sub-circuit is configured with opposing electrically conductive plates that isolate and shield the circuit from an oscillating magnetic field.

Abstract: An apparatus balances a discharge in parallel battery configuration by having a battery pack (a) with a first battery system and a second battery system in parallel configuration, and a pulse width modulation device and (b) being interconnectable to a load. Each of the first and second battery systems has, in series and in order, a first voltage sensor, a resistor, a second voltage sensor, a string of battery cells, and a switching device. The first and second voltage sensor, in each battery system, measures an electrical current, used to calculate the voltage drop across each resistor. The voltage drop values for each battery system determine whether the pulse width modulation device alters or maintains the pulse width modulation applied to each battery system's switching device. By maintaining or altering the pulse width modulation applied to each switching device, the apparatus effectively balances the electrical current discharge from each battery system.

Abstract: A fire suppressant battery system has a battery pack, a non-conductive fire suppressant liquid in a fire suppressant bladder, and a fire suppressant protective layer. The bladder melts at a temperature above the battery pack's desired operating condition, has a cavity for receiving the liquid and contacts at least a section of the battery pack. The protective layer is positioned onto a portion of the fire suppression bladder's exterior surface that is on the opposite side to that which contacts the battery pack.

Abstract: A wireless pressure sensor comprising a protective covering positionable over the sensor's antenna portion is described. The protective covering comprises a body having an annular sidewall that extends from a proximal end to a distal end and is composed of a fluoroelastomer material. A cavity resides within the body extending through the proximal end to a distal end sidewall positioned perpendicular to the annular sidewall. The protective covering further comprises at least one annular recess intermediate at least two annular ridges that reside along an interior surface at the proximal end of the covering. These series of annular ridges and recesses form a removably tight seal around the exterior surface of the sensor that minimizes the migration of corrosive gases and fluids to the exterior surface of the sensor.

Abstract: Various embodiments of modular battery authentication circuits are described. The various modular battery authentication circuits are intended to be utilized with electrically powered devices that do not comprise existing battery authentication capabilities. In one embodiment, a modular battery authentication adapter is described. The adapter comprises a housing in which a modular battery authentication circuit resides. One end of the adapter is positioned within a power input port of a device and a modular battery is positioned within the opposing end of the adapter. The authentication circuit within the adapter communicates with the modular battery to determine its authenticity before allowing the battery to power the device. A modular battery comprising an internal authentication circuit is also described. The modular battery is designed to interact with firmware stored within the device to determine whether the modular battery meets certain operational criteria.

Abstract: An electrical circuit designed to dynamically connect or disconnect an electrochemical cell to or from an electrical load based on the measured value of the discharge voltage generated by the cell is discussed. When the measured discharge voltage of an electrochemical cell is less than the threshold voltage, the cell is disconnected from an electrical load and when the discharge voltage is the same as, or greater than, the threshold voltage, the electrochemical cell is connected to an electrical load. The circuit is configured so that the value of the threshold voltage increases from an initial value when the electrochemical cell is first disconnected from the electrical load.

Abstract: A voltage activated 2nd level safety circuit for permanent isolation having a current activated fuse useful for class III medical devices, military applications, and any other passive loads. The battery system has a fuse current limiter and the current activated fuse maintain the fuse closed when a power cell, having a current sufficient to blow the fuse expeditiously, directs its current to the load. The power cell continues to direct its current to the load until the system detects an unacceptable battery or circuit condition. Once that unacceptable condition exists and is detected, a fuse blowing circuitry allows the power cell's current to expeditiously blow the current activated fuse. In response to the blown current activated fuse, the system's isolation switch(es) open as well to establish a permanent isolated battery.

Abstract: A fire suppressant battery system has a battery pack, a non-conductive fire suppressant liquid in a fire suppressant bladder, and a fire suppressant protective layer. The bladder melts at a temperature above the battery pack's desired operating condition, has a cavity for receiving the liquid and contacts at least a section of the battery pack. The protective layer is positioned onto a portion of the fire suppression bladder's exterior surface that is on the opposite side to that which contacts the battery pack.

Abstract: An apparatus balances a discharge in parallel battery configuration by having a battery pack (a) with a first battery system and a second battery system in parallel configuration, and a pulse width modulation device and (b) being interconnectable to a load. Each of the first and second battery systems has, in series and in order, a first voltage sensor, a resistor, a second voltage sensor, a string of battery cells, and a switching device. The first and second voltage sensor, in each battery system, measures an electrical current, used to calculate the voltage drop across each resistor. The voltage drop values for each battery system determine whether the pulse width modulation device alters or maintains the pulse width modulation applied to each battery system's switching device. By maintaining or altering the pulse width modulation applied to each switching device, the apparatus effectively balances the electrical current discharge from each battery system.

Abstract: A modular battery pack comprised of multiple modular batteries arranged in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel combinations is described. Each of the modular batteries is comprised of a first pair of opposed keyed side walls for series connection between adjacent modular batteries, and a second pair of opposed keyed side walls for parallel connection between adjacent modular batteries. The modular batteries are only able to connect to each other when the keys are matched and aligned. Additionally, the opposed end walls of the modular batteries have specifically configured terminals that prevent the possibility of making undesired connections between adjacent modular batteries.

Abstract: A voltage activated 2nd level safety circuit for permanent isolation having a current activated fuse useful for class III medical devices, military applications, and any other passive loads. The battery system has a fuse current limiter and the current activated fuse maintain the fuse closed when a power cell, having a current sufficient to blow the fuse expeditiously, directs its current to the load. The power cell continues to direct its current to the load until the system detects an unacceptable battery or circuit condition. Once that unacceptable condition exists and is detected, a fuse blowing circuitry allows the power cell's current to expeditiously blow the current activated fuse. In response to the blown current activated fuse, the system's isolation switch(es) open as well to establish a permanent isolated battery.

Abstract: A lithium oxyhalide cell electrically connected in parallel with a lithium ion cell is described. Importantly, the open circuit voltage of the freshly built primary lithium oxyhalide cell is equal to or less that the open circuit voltage of the lithium ion cell in a fully charged state. This provides a power system that combines the high capacity of the primary cell with the high pulse power of the secondary cell. This hybrid power system exhibits increased rate capability, higher capacity and improved safety in addition to elimination of voltage delay in comparison to a comparable lithium oxyhalide cell discharge alone.