Abstract: Bipolar plates and end plates for fuel cell stacks. The bipolar plates or end plates may include semi-conductive or conductive bodies, intricate features with close tolerances such as narrow flow channels and conduits with complex flow paths, integral resistive heating elements, internal catalytic reforming capability, integral heat exchanging structure, substantially flat and undistorted contact faces, integral sensors, and internal recuperative heat exchanging capacity. Methods of making bipolar plates and end plates for fuel cell stacks. The methods involve a range of integrated processing techniques that enable a flexible approach to bipolar and end plate design. In addition, the ability to reliably produce features on a small scale allows for the potential miniaturization of bipolar plates and end plates and is therefore ideally suited to further the development of small scale portable fuel cell systems.

Abstract: An engineered thermoplastic sealing member for LiFeS2 and other nonaqueous cells is disclosed. The optimal material displays a propensity to absorb at least 10 weight percent of an ether-based electrolyte while, at the same time, displaying a vapor transmission rate of less than 500 ((g×mil)/(100 in2×days).

Abstract: An engineered thermoplastic sealing member for LiFeS2 and other nonaqueous cells is disclosed. The optimal material displays a propensity to absorb at least 10 weight percent of an ether-based electrolyte while, at the same time, displaying a vapor transmission rate of less than 500((g×mil)/(100 in2×days).

Abstract: A low volume collector assembly and an electrochemical cell employing a collector assembly are provided. The electrochemical cell includes an electrically conductive can having inner and outer electrodes disposed therein. The cell also includes a collector assembly assembled to an open end of the can to provide closure to the open end of the can. The collector assembly includes a seal and a cover assembled to the seal to provide a sealed closure to the open end of the can. The cover includes an integrally formed current collector portion that contacts one end of the inner electrode. The cover serves as a current collector and also serves as a contact terminal of the cell.

Abstract: A lighting system is provided that includes at least one lighting device, at least one connector, and a plurality of external power sources. The at least one lighting device includes at least one lighting source, and an internal power source applying a first electrical current to illuminate the at least one lighting element, wherein the internal power source supplies the first electrical current. The at least one connector electrically connects to the at least one lighting device. The plurality of external power sources include at least first and second external power sources that are adapted to be electrically connected to the at least one lighting device by the at least one connector. Further, a fuel gauging system and method detects an electrochemical composition of a power source, which can be at least one of the internal power source and the external power source, and then determines a state of charge of the power source based upon the determined electrochemical composition of the power source.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lighting device having a plurality of light source assemblies within a light housing. The light source assemblies include a light emitting diode disposed in tubular lens. The light housing is attached to an edge of the body.

Abstract: A gas consuming battery is provided with an air regulating system for regulating the flow of air into the battery. The air regulating system includes a valve having a moving plate disposed adjacent to another plate. The moving plate and the other plate can both have apertures therethrough that at least partially align in an open valve and are misaligned in a closed valve. The air regulating system can also include an actuator for moving the moving plate to open and close the valve. A sealing medium including a fluid containment layer and a fluid partially contained therein is disposed between the moving and fixed plates to enhance valve operation and sealing effectiveness. The fluid containment layer includes a porous material, and the fluid has a maximum wicking height, that is equal to or greater than a maximum interfacial dimension between the valve plates.

Abstract: A closure assembly for an electrochemical cell including a container and an end assembly sealing an open end of the container in order to minimize mass or weight loss of the cell due to electrolyte vapor transmission is disclosed. The end assembly is provided with a vent member capable of venting a fluid when the pressure within the cell exceeds a predetermined limit; a contact member operatively in electrical contact with a conductive contact of the end assembly and a current collector of an electrode of the cell; and an insulating, polymeric seal member disposed at least between conductive components of the closure assembly having different polarities. In a preferred embodiment, the seal member has a selected dimensional ratio in order to minimize vapor transmission of the electrolyte through the seal member.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a blended zinc powder is disclosed. The blended zinc powder includes selected portions of a first zinc powder and a second zinc powder. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second powders are divided into groups based on ranges in their particle size distribution. Particle characteristics such as roughness and elongation are used to selected groups of both powders that are combined to produce the blended zinc powder. The blended zinc powders enable battery manufacturers to maximize the cell's run time while minimizing the cost of the zinc.

Abstract: A lighting device embodied as a flashlight is provided that includes a handheld housing and a light source provided on the housing for generating a light beam. The light device also includes a battery power source for providing power to the light source. The lighting device further includes light control circuitry for turning the light source on and off and controlling intensity of the light beam. The light control circuitry includes a user actuatable switch and a controller for controlling intensity of the generated light beam. The controller processes user activation of the switch and adjusts the intensity of the light beam as a function of the activation of the switch such that the light intensity may be increased or decreased.

Abstract: A shaving implement which includes a handle. The shaving cartridge includes a frame and a separable lubrication. The separable lubrication includes a shaving aid. The shaving cartridge is pivotable relative to the handle between a neutral position (see e.g., FIG. 1) and a rearward position (see e.g, FIG. 2), and the separable lubrication is pivotable relative to the frame between a forward position (see e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2) and a locked position. During normal shaving, the separable lubrication is rotated toward the forward position and can pivot relative to the handle with the frame. When the separable lubrication is in the locked position, the separable lubrication is located in a position away from the skin during normal shaving and the pivoting of the frame relative to the handle is generally limited, or altogether eliminated.

Abstract: A multi-function razor cartridge that can be used for hair trimming and normal shaving has a housing including a retractable guard and at least one razor blade having a cutting edge. The razor cartridge also has a comb mounted to the housing that is movable by a user between a non-operable position and an operable position. When the comb is in the non-operable position the razor cartridge can be used for a normal shaving operation. As the comb is moved to the operable position for hair trimming, the guard is retracted so that it will not interfere with the passage of longer hairs between the teeth of the comb.

Abstract: A method for making a razor blade having a bent portion is disclosed. The method includes: providing an elongated strip of stainless steel that can be 0.076 mm thick; hardening the strip; providing a cutting edge along an edge of the strip and providing coating(s) on the cutting edge. The stainless steel has a carbon content preferably between 0.45% and 0.55% by weight. The strip is separated lengthwise into discrete razor blades. The bent portion of the razor blade is then formed using a swivel bending process. When the razor blade is bent to define an included angle of 90 degrees between planar regions adjacent the bent portion and an inner surface having a radius about 0.3-0.35 mm, the outer surface of the bent portion is free from macro-cracks.

Abstract: A razor cartridge is provided with a skin engaging structure at the cap and/or guard surface of the razor cartridge. The skin engaging structure has an array of closely spaced elongated protrusions integrally formed with a substrate. In use, the protrusions produce a pleasant tactile sensation tending to reduce shaving discomfort. The protrusions are formed by closely packed molded flexible filaments that can be less than 0.25 mm wide and have spacing between adjacent protrusions less than 0.2 mm. The protrusions can have a density greater than 5 protrusions per mm2. The skin engaging structure can be molded from e.g. an olefin polymer. The substrate can be integrally formed with a housing of the razor cartridge.

Abstract: An alkaline electrochemical cell is provided which efficiently utilizes active materials within the cell to achieve enhanced cost efficiency. The electrochemical cell includes a container defining a sealed volume and an anode and cathode disposed in the sealed volume of the container. The cathode includes manganese dioxide and the anode includes zinc. A ratio of zinc weight to anode volume is less than 1.8. An alkaline electrolyte is disposed in the container in contact with the anode and cathode, and water is disposed within the container. A weight ratio of water to manganese dioxide is greater than 0.28, and a weight ratio of water to zinc is greater than 0.65.