Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sulfated paste for use in a lead acid battery cell comprises introducing sulfuric acid to an oxide of lead and subsequently introducing a tin-containing material.

Abstract: An active paste for an lead-acid electrochemical cell which in a preferred embodiment includes tin; a method of manufacturing the same; and an electrochemical cell utilizing the same. The tin may be a tin sulfate, tin oxide, or metallic tin. The active paste sandwiches a primarily lead film which may, but need not, also include tin, to form a positive electrode. One or more positive electrodes are interleafed with a number of negative electrodes, separated by a separator material. The assembly is placed in a container and electrolyte is introduced. In alternate embodiments, the paste may include some combination of antimony, arsenic, germanium, indium, selenium, gallium, tellurium or other semiconductor materials with or without tin compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current collector for a battery which comprises a lead or lead alloy substrate and a thin cladding of tin, batteries utilizing such a current collector and methods for manufacturing such batteries. Preferably the tin cladding is composed of substantially pure tin and the concentration of the tin cladding relative to the weight of the current collector (i.e., the combined weight of the substrate and cladding) is less than 4% by weight. The tin cladding forms a noncontinuous layer over the outer surface of the substrate such that there are interspersed regions of lead and tin at the current collector surface. Batteries utilizing such current collectors exhibit marked improvement in performance compared to similar cells composed of tin alloys. In particular, batteries using current collectors of the present design offer superior cycle life and shelf life performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current collector for a battery which comprises a lead or lead alloy substrate and a thin cladding of tin, batteries utilizing such a current collector and methods for manufacturing such batteries. Preferably the tin cladding is composed of substantially pure tin and the concentration of the tin cladding relative to the weight of the current collector (i.e., the combined weight of the substrate and cladding) is less than 4% by weight. The tin cladding forms a noncontinuous layer over the outer surface of the substrate such that there are interspersed regions of lead and tin at the current collector surface. Batteries utilizing such current collectors exhibit marked improvement in performance compared to similar cells composed of tin alloys. In particular, batteries using current collectors of the present design offer superior cycle life and shelf life performance.

Abstract: A multiple battery system and method for starting internal combustion engines, such as on a boat or vehicle, and for powering auxiliary functions that operate primarily when the engine is not running is disclosed. A first battery is used for starting the engine. A second battery is used to power the auxiliary features associated with the boat or vehicle primarily when the engine is not running. The first battery, referred to as the starter battery, is a high output battery that produces high bursts of energy for limited amounts of time. The second battery, referred to as the auxiliary battery, has a low power output over a fairly long period of time, is capable of being completely drained without harming the battery, and is capable of being fully recharged. The starter battery and the auxiliary battery are connected by a circuit that has an on/off switch controlled by an electronics control module. The auxiliary battery is always on line in the circuit.