Abstract: An improved electrochemical generator is disclosed. The electrochemical generator includes a thin-film electrochemical cell which is maintained in a state of compression through use of an internal or an external pressure apparatus. A thermal conductor, which is connected to at least one of the positive or negative contacts of the cell, conducts current into and out of the cell and also conducts thermal energy between the cell and thermally conductive, electrically resistive material disposed on a vessel wall adjacent the conductor. The thermally conductive, electrically resistive material may include an anodized coating or a thin sheet of a plastic, mineral-based material or conductive polymer material. The thermal conductor is fabricated to include a resilient portion which expands and contracts to maintain mechanical contact between the cell and the thermally conductive material in the presence of relative movement between the cell and the wall structure.

Abstract: A non-contact measuring method and apparatus for producing a signal representative of a distance between facing surfaces of first and second parts, which are closely spaced apart such as the rotor and stator of an electric rotating machine. The method resides in positioning a sensor on the surface of the first part. The sensor includes first and second parallel, superimposed conductive plates electrically insulated from one another. The second plate is located in between the first plate and the surface of the first part. The first plate is fed with a high frequency signal through a resistance. A high impedance, low input capacity, unitary gain voltage amplifier is fed with the high frequency signal through the resistance. The second plate is fed with an output signal of the amplifier. The output signal of the amplifier is directly proportional to the distance between the two surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a cathode material provided on a surface of a continuous thin-film substrate and a treated thin-film cathode having increased smoothness are disclosed. A web of untreated cathode material is moved between a feed mechanism and a take-up mechanism, and passed through a treatment station. The web of cathode material typically includes areas having surface defects, such as prominences extending from the surface of the cathode material. The surface of the cathode material is treated with an abrasive material to reduce the height of the prominences so as to increase an 85 degree gloss value of the cathode material surface by at least approximately 10. The web of cathode material may be subjected to a subsequent abrasive treatment at the same or other treatment station. Burnishing or lapping film is employed at a treatment station to process the cathode material. An abrasive roller may alternatively be used to process the web of cathode material.

Abstract: These additives are represented by the following general formula: L—Y—S in which L designates a hydrocarbon radical which serves as lubricating segment; S designates an oligomer segment which serves as solvating segment of metallic salts and Y designates a chemical bond which joins the hydrocarbon radical and the oligomer segment. With these additives there is no more need to subsequently wash the surface of laminated lithium.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical generator consisting of an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, wherein the anode and/or the cathode comprises a carbonaceous material obtained by a process comprising suspending a carbonaceous material containing carboxyl, amine and/or hydroxyl functions on its surface in a solution comprising at least one polymer and a solvent which dissolves the polymer, said polymer containing at least one carboxyl, amine and/or hydroxyl function, and treating the solution thus obtained under conditions promoting a dehydration reaction between at least one carboxyl function, and at least one amine and/or hydroxyl function, thereby grafting at least one said polymer onto said carbonaceous material by means of an ester or amide bond.

Abstract: The switching apparatus is intended to be used with a segment of an electric power line having several phase lines. Each of the phase lines has several conductors electrically insulated one from the other and connected in parallel. The conductors of each phase line are short-circuited among them at two extremities of the segment. The apparatus comprises pairs of switches connected in parallel, for selectively opening and closing the conductors of each phase line, a detecting device for detecting current operating conditions of the segment, and a controlling device for controlling the pairs of switches according to the current operating conditions of the segment. The present invention also relates to a switching method.

Abstract: A bracelet for moving sensors along a straight or elbow pipe. The bracelet has a number of side-by-side positionable supports for removably holding the sensors respectively. A flexible attachment is provided for holding the supports in a pliant side-by-side series arrangement. The attachment has opposite ends extending beyond the supports at opposite ends of the series arrangement. The bracelet further has a frame having an inner circular opened surface for installation around the pipe, and a longitudinal circular side receiving surface along which the series arrangement of the supports is mounted. The side receiving surface is provided with fastening members projecting at both ends of the series arrangement of the supports. The ends of the attachment is supported by the fastening members.

Abstract: A vehicle for use on a live line. The vehicle is provided with three coplanar traction wheels mounted on a frame and spaced along a first longitudinal axis parallel to the live line and above therefrom. The vehicle is also provided with two movable coplanar pressure wheels mounted on the frame and spaced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the line and below therefrom. The vehicle has a driving motor mounted on the frame, for driving the traction wheels. The motor has a source of energy, such as batteries. The vehicle has a pressure mechanism mounted on the frame and coupled to the pressure wheels, for maintaining the line squeezed between the traction wheels and the pressure wheels. The vehicle has a control mechanism coupled to the motor for controlling the motor. Thereby, in use, the vehicle is moved along the line. The vehicle can also be provided with a de-icing tool. The de-icing tool has a collar with two parts opening and closing around the line.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a lithium electrochemical generator including at least one composite electrode comprising an active material and a first and second solid electrolytes non-homogeneously distributed into the composite. The first solid electrolyte is of mineral nature, vitreous or partly vitreous, and is a specific conductor of lithium ions, and is preferably localized on the surface of the particles of active materials of the electrode. The second solid electrolyte is organic, comprises a dry or gelified polymer electrolyte conducting ions surrounding the dispersed solid phases and acts as a deformable binder, preferably elastomeritically, of the composite in contact also with the collector and the separator electrolyte of the generator.

Abstract: The present invention concerns polymers obtained by anionic initiation and bearing functions that can be activated by cationic initiations that are not reactive in the presence of anionic polymerization initiators. The presence of such cationic initiation functions allow an efficient cross-linking of the polymer after moulding, particularly in the form of a thin film. It is thus possible to obtain polymers with well-defined properties in terms of molecular weight and cross-linking density. The polymers of the present invention are capable of dissolving ionic compounds inducing a conductivity for the preparation of solid electrolytes.

Abstract: A heating convection unit and a method of mounting the same, provided with an envelope having a front face, a rear face, a top, a bottom and peripheral side walls. The front face and the peripheral side walls define an inner enclosure. The unit is also provided with a medial shield having front face, a rear face, a top, a bottom and peripheral side walls. The medial shield is mounted within the inner enclosure defined by the envelope and spaced apart therefrom. The rear face and peripheral side walls of the medial shield and the front face and peripheral side walls of the envelope define a ventilation passage having top and bottom openings in communication with ambient air. The medial shield preferably has an intermediate opening communicating with the ventilation passage. The unit is also provided with a cover having a front face, a rear face, a top and a bottom. The cover is fixed over the medial shield. The cover has top and bottom openings in communication with the ambient air.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a protective coating with current applied on a metallic collector of an electrode. The protective coating comprises a mineral binder vitreous or partly vitreous and optionally an electronic conduction additive. This coating is applied in the form of a solution or dispersion on the collector of the electrode and dried, so that it coats and protects at least part of the surface of the metal of the collector to prevent the formation of passivation films generated by active species produced by other components of the generator.

Abstract: Power flow management is achieved in an electrical power transmission network using serial impedance modulation distributed throughout the transmission lines of the network. Switching units are mounted to insulated portions of transmission line towers in proximity to phase lines for modulating power flowing in at least one phase line conductor of at least one bundle conductor phase line in an electric power transmission line at a plurality of segments in the network. Power flow is managed in at the segments by changing the series impedance of the line by controlling the switching units. Enhanced insulation between phase line conductors is added. The power flow in a plurality of electric power lines of the network is analyzed, a desired change in impedance for the electric power lines is determined, and at least some of the switching units are controlled to implement the desired change in impedance.

Abstract: A method for purifying a Redox mediator used in a chemical process of oxidation of organic compounds. The desired purification is obtained by recovering the mediator in the form of a solution and heating this solution to evaporate the volatile impurities contained in it and to oxidize the non volatile impurities into compounds which precipitate and are extracted by filtration. The purification takes place before the mediator is regenerated in the electrolysis cell. This prevents the impurities contained in the mediator solution to negatively affect the operation of this cell.

Abstract: A damper for absorbing vibrations in an overhead cable which has a support member attached to the cable and at least one dampening member pivotally connected to an axial member mounted on a support axis extending substantially horizontally under the cable. Each dampening member has an arm provided with a weight and having an end effecting the connection to the axial member. Both the axial member and the end of the dampening member have cooperating pairs of stops limiting the pivotal movement of the dampening member around the support axis. Between the corresponding stops of the axial member and end of the dampening member are provided resilient cylinders further limiting the pivoting of the dampening member in a resilient manner.

Abstract: A method for purifying a Redox mediator used in a chemical process of oxidation of organic compounds. The desired purification is obtained by recovering the mediator in the form of a solution and heating this solution to evaporate the volatile impurities contained in it and to oxidize the non volatile impurities into compounds which precipitate and are extracted by filtration. The purification takes place before the mediator is regenerated in the electrolysis cell. This prevents the impurities contained in the mediator solution to negatively affect the operation of this cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for rapidly carrying out a hydrogenation of a material capable of absorbing hydrogen. It was discovered that when a powder of a material capable of absorbing hydrogen is ground under a hydrogen pressure, not at room temperature but at a higher temperature (about 300° C. in the case of magnesium) and in the presence of a hydrogenation activator such as graphite and optionally a catalyst, it is possible to transform completely the powder of this material into a hydride. Such a transformation is achieved in a period of time less than 1 hour whereas the known methods call for periods of time as much as 10 times longer. This is an unexpected result which gives rise to a considerable reduction in the cost of manufacture of an hydride, particularly MgH2.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a composite electrode for an electrochemical cell, an electrochemical cell comprising the composite electrode, a process for preparing the composite electrode, and a process for the preparation of a half-cell comprising a porous mineral composite-porous mineral separator sub-network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating two switches connecting respectively a load to power source terminals in response to a switch control signal. The invention detects a signal indicative of current direction through the load to identify one of the switches as an active switch. If the switch control signal is for opening the active switch, an opening gate signal is sent to the active switch and a predetermined time period is triggered. If the switch control signal is for closing the active switch, an opening gate signal is sent to the other switch, a predetermined time period is triggered, and a closing gate signal is sent to the active switch when the predetermined time period of the timer associated with the other switch has elapsed.

Abstract: In a rechargeable lithium battery including inter alia a lithium anode, a lithium ion reducible cathode bonded with a polymer, as well as a polymer electrolyte, potassium ions are introduced either in the cathode or in the electrolyte, or in both of them at the same time, so that potassium is distributed in the cathode and the electrolyte when the generator has reached equilibrium. This has the effect of stabilizing the performances of the battery during cycling in terms of energy and power.