Abstract: A hybrid battery comprising at least two nonaqueous electrochemical systems is described. The first cell comprises an anode of an alkaline earth metal or alloy thereof, and the second cell comprises an anode of an alkali metal or alloy thereof. The first cell is preferably an alkaline earth metal/oxyhalide cell, more preferably a calcium/oxyhalide cell or cells. The second cell is preferably an alkali metal alloy/oxyhalide cell, more preferably a lithium alloy/oxyhalide cell or cells. Such a cell combination is particularly useful for power a down-hole well tool. The down-hole tool is powered by the first cell during a surface test and as the tool descends into the well until all of the calcium is discharged. Then, the second cell powers the down-hole tool for the remainder of the down-hole procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating continuous cathode collecters for use in lithium/thionyl chloride and lithium/sulfuryl chloride cells is described. The preferred electrically conductive material is acetylene black mixed with a polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) binder in a dry, powderized form. The collector substrate is a nickel or stainless steel foil that has been expanded into a mesh or otherwise provided with perforations. A centering adjustment of the collector substrate controls loading of the electrically conductive mixture onto each side thereof. The dry, powdered electrically conductive mixture is then continuously fed into the calender and formed into a collector structure by locking to itself through the collector substrate perforations before being cut to size.

Abstract: A battery powered wireless fluid pressure sensor has a sealed chamber which can be vented to the outside atmosphere through a re-sealable reference port to allow a user to set the reference atmosphere inside the pressure sensor enabling the pressure sensor to provide absolute, gauge and true gauge pressure readings. The sensor calculates and transmits the fluid pressure taking into account the temperature of the pressure transducer, the temperature of the electronic devices and the barometric pressure inside the sealed chamber to provide accurate pressure measurements over a wide range of operating conditions.

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: The present invention is directed to ambient temperature molten salts as non-aqueous electrolytes. The molten salts comprise a cation of a guanidine moiety and an anion. The guanidine cation is asymmetrically halogenated, which means that in the general formula: C(NR2)3+, one or two, but not all three, of the N atoms are bonded to R radicals that are the same for each thusly substituted N atom and the third N atom is bonded to hydrogen or two of the same R radicals, and if R radicals, they are different than the R radicals bonded to the first and second N atoms. The R radicals bonded to any one N atom is an alkyl group of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Either both of the hydrogen atoms or at least one of the hydrogen atoms on each of the R radicals bonded to one or two, but not three, of the N atoms are substituted with the same halogen selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

Abstract: A protective housing for a circuit board mounted on an end of a cell is described. The protective housing includes a cut-out in its sidewall and a retaining wall centered in the cut-out. This provides a pair of gaps, one on each side of the retaining wall between the cut-out. These gaps are size so that lead wires extending from the circuit board are captured therein in a tight-fitting relationship. Consequently, the lengths of the leads extending from the protective housing of the cell to a quick disconnect at the distal end of the leads is precisely controlled. If desired, there can be more than one retaining wall providing a plurality of gaps for capturing a plurality of lead wires therein.

Abstract: The present invention is an electrical circuit that disconnects an electrochemical cell from a load when the cell's voltage descends to a predetermined value. The present invention is also applicable to a battery configuration and its corresponding electrochemical cells. The predetermined value is designed to decrease the chance that the cell or battery will become unstable while connected to the load.

Abstract: A battery powered wireless fluid pressure sensor has a sealed chamber which can be vented to the outside atmosphere through a re-sealable reference port to allow a user to set the reference atmosphere inside the pressure sensor enabling the pressure sensor to provide absolute, gauge and true gauge pressure readings. The sensor calculates and transmits the fluid pressure taking into account the temperature of the pressure transducer, the temperature of the electronic devices and the barometric pressure inside the sealed chamber to provide accurate pressure measurements over a wide range of operating conditions.