Abstract: The invention is a process for making an electrochemical cell with a catalytic electrode including a catalyst made by a solution precipitation process via an oxidation-reduction reaction between water-soluble oxidizing and reducing agents, at least one of which includes manganese. The reaction is carried out at less than 65° C., preferably with little or no heating. The oxidizing agent does not have a cation that is reduced in the reaction, and the reducing agent does not have an anion that is reduced in the reaction.

Abstract: A fluid regulating system is provided for controlling fluid to a fluid consuming battery having a fluid consuming cell. The fluid regulating system includes a valve and an actuator for opening and closing the valve. The actuator is controlled to open the valve when greater battery electrical output is required and to close the valve when lesser battery electrical output is required to operate a device. A controller controls operation of the actuator to open and close the valve based on a monitored rate of change in electrical output, such as voltage, compared to a rate of change threshold, wherein the valve is opened when the monitored rate of change exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: An appliance, such as a flashlight, accepts first and second batteries. The appliance also includes an electrical load, such as a light source. A first circuit, such as a DC to DC converter, receives power from the first battery and supplies power to the load. A second circuit, such as a DC to DC converter, receives power from the second battery and supplies electrical power to the load. In one embodiment, the appliance accepts batteries having multiple physical sizes.

Abstract: An alkaline electrochemical cell comprising a negative electrode, wherein the negative electrode includes zinc as an active material and further includes a synergistic combination of a solid zinc oxide and a surfactant. More particularly, the invention discloses an alkaline electrochemical cell that is capable of providing improved service when utilized by high drain devices.

Abstract: A battery powered device comprising a housing having a battery compartment apparatus disposed therein, with the battery compartment apparatus being configured to accept at least one battery. The battery compartment apparatus comprises a battery carrier and a locking hold down mechanism. The carrier is slidably mounted in the housing. The locking hold down mechanism responds to insertion and withdrawal of the carrier into and out of the housing by locking the locking hold down mechanism against the battery, thereby preventing undesired displacement of the battery within the housing.

Abstract: The invention is a hydrogen generator including a pump for pumping a liquid from a reservoir to a reaction area, where the liquid reacts to produce hydrogen gas, and a fuel cell system including the hydrogen generator and a fuel cell stack. The pump is a diaphragm pump with mechanically operated liquid inlet and outlet valves that are opened by cam-operated pushrods, and the pushrods are isolated from the liquid flowpath through the pump by diaphragms. All valves in the liquid flow path between the liquid reservoir and the reaction area are mechanically operated valves.

Abstract: The invention is an electrochemical cell with a catalytic electrode and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte within a cell housing having one or more ports for the passage of a gas to or from the catalytic electrode and a process for making the cell. The catalytic electrode includes a catalytic layer, containing a catalytic material, and a porous current collector, at least partially embedded in the catalytic layer. The current collector includes a substrate with an electrically conductive metal layer, in contact with the catalytic material on the side of the current collector facing the ports, and a coating including electrically conductive particles, in contact with the catalytic layer on the side facing the separator.

Abstract: A hydrogen generating apparatus includes a chemical reaction chamber, a chemical solution reservoir, and an unpowered pressure producing member for moving a chemical solution from the chemical solution reservoir to the chemical reaction chamber.

Abstract: A lighting device in the form of a handheld flashlight is provided that includes a plurality of light sources located within a swivel head pivotally connected to a main body. The main body has a yoke portion connected to the swivel head by a head attachment mechanism that includes locking detents to lock the swivel head into one of a plurality of positions. The lighting device also has a tail cap that engages the main body by way of a cam lock wheel to provide a closure to the battery compartment. The lighting device further includes multiple modes of operation having a plurality of switches that provide control in various lighting modes. The lighting device is configured to be powered by one number of batteries supplying a first voltage output and is configured to be powered by a second different number of batteries supplying a second different voltage output, and the batteries are installed in battery compartments and include spring biased contacts for ensuring proper orientation of the batteries.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a collector assembly for sealing the open end of a cell container. The collector assembly includes a retainer and a contact spring with a peripheral flange, each having a central opening therein. A pressure release vent member disposed between the retainer and the peripheral flange of the contact spring seals the openings in the retainer and contact spring under normal conditions and ruptures to release pressure from within the cell when the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising a gas electrode, including a deposited layer, and a counter electrode. The gas electrode is an electrode that either utilizes a gas as the active material that is reduced by the gas electrode or produces a gas by oxidation at the gas electrode. In a preferred embodiment, the gas electrode is a thin film electrode including a deposited current collector and deposited active material oxidation or reduction layer. A control layer can be disposed between the gas electrode and the counter electrode to control the diffusion of electrolyte into the gas electrode. Methods for making electrochemical cells having gas electrodes are disclosed.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery cell with an improved thermoplastic sealing member. The seal member is made from a thermoplastic resin comprising polyphthalamide or impact modified polyphenylene sulfide. The seal member provides an effective seal vent over a broad temperature range and has a low electrolyte vapor transmission rate.

Abstract: An intrinsically safe flashlight (100) includes a housing (100), a battery receiving region (108), an active electrical circuit (202), and a light source (118). The active electrical circuit (202) uses energy from batteries (110) received in the batter receiving region (110) of the flashlight (100) to power the light source (118). The electrical circuitry of the flashlight (110) is energy limited so that the flashlight is intrinsically safe for use in hazardous locations.