Abstract: Particles of active electrode material are made by blending or mixing a mixture of activated carbon, optional conductive carbon, and binder. In selected implementations, the activated carbon particles have between about 70 and 98 percent microporous activated carbon particles and between about 2 and 30 percent mesaporous activated carbon particles by weight. Optionally, a small amount of conductive particles, such as conductive carbon particles may be used. In one implementation, the binder is inert. The electrode material may be attached to a current collector to obtain an electrode for use in various energy storage devices, including a double layer capacitor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an energy storage device having a first electrode supported by a first collector sheet; a second electrode supported by a second collector sheet; and a dielectric separator therebetween, all spirally wound together. A container houses this spiral winding, with the first collector sheet having an end in contact with the base and the second collector sheet having an end oriented towards an opening opposite to the base. A collector plate is interposed between the second collector sheet and the opening and is restrained in posibion by a crimp in the container. A lid is positioned in the opening and has one side in electrical contact with the collector plate an an opposite side oriented outwardly of the container. The lid is restrained in position by rolling the one or more container walls over the lid.

Abstract: A coated electrode is provided for use in energy storage devices. The coated electrode comprises a dry fibrillized polymer that is fibrillized with no processing additives.

Abstract: This disclosure provides apparatus, methods and systems for error correction in multi processor systems. Some implementations include a plurality of computing modules, each computing module including a processor. Each processor may include processing state. In some other implementations, each computing module may also include a memory. Upon receiving a signal to perform a partial re-synchronization, a hash of each processor's state data may be performed. In some embodiments, a hash of at least a portion of each computing module's memory data may also be performed. The hashes for each processor are then compared to determine majority hashes and possible minority hashes. Upon identifying a minority hash, the computing module that produced the minority hash may receive new processing state data from one of the computing modules that produced a majority hash.

Abstract: Particles of active electrode material, such as a fibrillized mixture of carbon, and binder are deposited onto a surface of a current collector sheet. The current collector sheet and the particles are processed in a high-pressure nip, such as a calender. As a result of the high-pressure processing, a film of active electrode material is formed on and bonded to the surface of the current collector sheet. The process is then repeated to form a second film on the second surface of the current collector sheet. In an embodiment, the particles are applied to both surfaces of the current collector sheet at the same time, followed by a pass through a calender. The current collector sheet with the bonded films is shaped into electrodes suitable for use in various electrical devices, including double layer capacitors.

Abstract: A high voltage capacitor design is provided that provides improved performance. The high voltage capacitor includes a stack of mechanically bonded capacitor cells, which in one variant utilize a separator formed of two layers of paper. In one version, the high voltage capacitor may be used as a capacitative voltage divider.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an energy storage device having a first electrode supported by a first collectors sheet; a second electrode supported by a second collector sheet; and a dielectric separator therebetween, all spirally wound together. A container houses this spiral winding, with the first collector sheet having an end in contact with the base and the second collector sheet having an end oriented towards an opening opposite to the base. A collector plate is interposed between the second collector sheet and the opening and is restrained in position by a crimp in the container. A lid is positioned in the opening and has one side in electrical contact with the collector plate and an opposite side oriented outwardly of the container. The lid is restrained in position by rolling the one or more container walls over the lid.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an energy storage device comprises a container containing a first electrode generating a positive charge, a second electrode generating a negative charge, and an electrolyte in ionic contact with the electrodes. The container comprises a base and one or more walls defining an opening in the container, the base having a first terminal in electrical connection with the first electrode. A cap is shaped to close the opening and is electrically isolated from the container, while having a second terminal in electrical connection with the second electrode. A collector plate is interposed between the first electrode and the base and is electrically conductive, providing the electrical connection between the first electrode and the first electrical terminal and exhibiting an extension with a concave side oriented in the direction of the base, which is connected to the base by interference fitting against a mating protrusion on the base.

Abstract: An inexpensive and reliable dry process based capacitor and method for making a self-supporting dry electrode film for use therein is disclosed. Also disclosed is an exemplary process for manufacturing an electrode for use in an energy storage device product, the process comprising: supplying dry carbon particles; supplying dry binder; dry mixing the dry carbon particles and dry binder; and dry fibrillizing the dry binder to create a matrix within which to support the dry carbon particles as dry material.

Abstract: A method for reducing power consumption and heat generation in a computer system employs a substitute idle task that puts the processor into a dormant mode, e.g., sleep, nap, or doze mode. The substitute idle task replaces a conventional operating system idle task. The substitute idle task may have a low priority, such as that of the conventional idle task, which it replaces. At each occurrence of a quantum interrupt, a task scheduler schedules applications for execution during the accompanying time slice. After the scheduled applications are done, the substitute idle task is executed. The dormant mode caused by the idle task reduces the system's power consumption. The idle task may also have a high priority and be designed to run for a predetermined percentage of time. Because the processor spends the predetermined percentage of time in the dormant mode, known power consumption reduction may be guaranteed in the system.

Abstract: A high reliability radiation shielding integrated circuit apparatus comprising a plurality of package layers; a radiation shielding lid or base coupled to the plurality of package layers; wherein the circuit die are shielded from receiving an amount of radiation greater than the total dose of tolerance of the circuit die. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit apparatus for use in high reliability applications is disclosed. The integrated circuit apparatus is designed to be highly reliable and protect integrated circuit die from failing or becoming unreliable due to radiation, mechanical forces, thermal exposure, or chemical contaminates.

Abstract: Particles of active electrode material, such as a fibrillized mixture of carbon, and binder are deposited onto a surface of a current collector sheet. The current collector sheet and the particles are processed in a high-pressure nip, such as a calender. As a result of the high-pressure processing, a film of active electrode material is formed on and bonded to the surface of the current collector sheet. The process is then repeated to form a second film on the second surface of the current collector sheet. In an embodiment, the particles are applied to both surfaces of the current collector sheet at the same time, followed by a pass through a calender. The current collector sheet with the bonded films is shaped into electrodes suitable for use in various electrical devices, including double layer capacitors.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode product where a compressible and deformable layer is densified and laminated to a layer of a material that is relatively resistant to stretching. The densification and bonding take place in a single step. A method as used in fabrication of electrodes, for example, electrodes for double layer capacitors, a deformable and compressible active electrode film is manufactured from activated carbon, conductive carbon, and a polymer. The electrode film may be bonded directly to a collector. Alternatively, a collector may be coated with a wet adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is subsequently dried onto the foil. The dried adhesive and foil combination may be manufactured as a product for later sale or use, and may be stored as such on a storage roll or other storage device. The active electrode film is overlayed on the metal foil, and processed in a laminating device, such as a calender. Lamination both densifies the active electrode film and bonds the film to the metal foil.

Abstract: Films of active electrode material, such as films made from carbon and fibrillized polymer, are attached to a porous separator. Outer surfaces of the films (i.e., surfaces opposite those adjoining the separator) are then covered with current collectors. The 5 resulting stack is usable in fabrication of electrical energy storage devices. The stack can be shaped as needed, connected to terminals, and immersed in an electrolytic solution to provide a double layer capacitor.

Abstract: The fault-tolerant or self-correcting computer system is disclosed. The computer system that is provided with various sets of protections against failures that may be caused by space radiation, for example. Improved reliability of the system is achieved by scrubbing of the components on a regular schedule, rather than waiting for an error to be detected. Thus, errors that may go undetected for an extended period are not allowed to propagate and further damage the system. Three or more processors are provided to operate in parallel, and a controller is provided to receive signals from the processors and, using a voting logic, determines a majority signal value. In this manner, the controller can detect an error when a signal from one of the processors differs from the majority signal. The system is also provided with a scrubbing module for resynchronizing the processors after a predetermined milestone has been reached.

Abstract: A deformable and compressible active electrode dry film is manufactured from dry mixed dry active electrode material and dry binder powder. The electrode film and a current collector with a first surface may be stacked such that the first surface of the current collector is in contact with the dry film. The active electrode dry film and current collector may then be processed in a laminating device, such as a calendar. Lamination both densifies the active electrode film and bonds the film to the current collector.

Abstract: Electronic circuits couple energy storage devices, such as double layer capacitors or rechargeable battery cells, to a power supply output, thereby improving noise suppression and extending ride-through capability of the power supply. In a typical circuit, an energy storage device is coupled in series with a switch that controls the charging current into the energy storage device. The switch is controlled by a comparator that receives a signal related to the voltage level of the power supply. In some embodiments, the comparator also receives a feedback signal related to a charging current flowing into the energy storage device. The circuit is configured so that the switch limits the charging current to a predetermined current level, or does not allow the charging current to flow until the output voltage of the power supply reaches a predetermined voltage level.

Abstract: A thermally fitted interconnect couples energy storage cells without the use of additional materials of fasteners. Variations of the interconnect can be used to facilitate fitting of multiple energy storage cell with multiple cell to cell spacings in a rapid and inexpensive manner.

Abstract: Electrodes are constructed with pressure-bonding techniques that simplify alignment of various electrode components during lamination. In an exemplary embodiment, a current collector is made from aluminum foil that has been roughed or pitted on both surfaces. The surfaces of the current collector can be further treated to enhance adhesion properties of these surfaces. Layers of film that include active electrode material, such as activated carbon particles, are fabricated using non-lubricated techniques. Each film is coated on one side with an adhesive binder solution, such as a thermoplastic solution. The adhesive binder is dried, and the films are laminated to the current collector using a calender with heated rollers. The resulting electrode product is processed to shape electrodes, which can then be used in electrical energy storage devices, including double layer capacitors.

Abstract: An active voltage management device and a method for actively managing a voltage level of an energy storage device are provided. The active voltage management device comprises: a pair of input terminals adapted to be connected to the energy storage device; a reverse polarity protection circuit coupled to the pair of input terminals; a voltage comparator circuit adapted to compare a second voltage associated with the voltage level of the energy storage device to a reference voltage and to provide an output based upon the comparison of the second voltage to the reference voltage; and a transistor adapted to operate in a linear mode to dissipate energy from the energy storage device at a substantially constant current level, wherein output of the voltage comparator circuit is adapted to activate the transistor when the second voltage is greater than or equal to the reference voltage.