Abstract: A high voltage capacitor design is provided that provides improved performance. The high voltage capacitor includes a stack of mechanically joined 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: A method and a system for the detection and correction of errors in memory systems is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of error detection in a memory system having a plurality (m>1) of memory devices includes generating check bits for each of a plurality of data sets, dividing each memory device into a plurality (n>1) of segments. The plurality of data sets are interleaved to form a plurality (p>1) of words. Each word includes at least one segment from two or more of the memory devices. Detection and correction may utilize oneor more parallel Reed-Solomon decoder and encoder. The system and method allow for the efficient detection and/or correction of memory device errors and bit errors in one or more memory devices.

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: An energy storage apparatus and article of manufacture is disclosed. In one embodiment, the energy storage apparatus comprises a jelly roll, having a first and second sheet and a first and second separator member, and at least one terminal element. In another embodiment, an article of manufacture comprising forming a cylindrical housing and stamping a longitudinal indentation on an exterior surface of the cylindrical housing is disclosed. In one alternate embodiment, the longitudinal indentation is adapted to slowly fracture under pressure exerted on an interior surface of the cylindrical housing, thereby preventing catastrophic failure, such as for example an explosion.

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: A system and method for effectively implementing an immunity mode in an electronic device includes a processor module for executing processing tasks for the electronic device. The processor module includes processor information, such as processor states and processor data, for executing the processing tasks. The electronic device also includes a protected memory for storing electronic information in an optimally secure manner. An immunity manager may then perform protection procedures to store at least a portion of the vulnerable processor information into the protected memory in response to an immunity mode trigger event such as the processor module entering an idle state.

Abstract: An electrode termination contact interface, adapted for use in an energy storage device, is disclosed. The disclosed apparatus and article of manufacture function to lower equivalent series resistance of the electrode termination contact interface for energy storage devices, such as for example a capacitor device or a battery device. In one embodiment of the present teachings, an ultracapacitor electrode termination contact interface, adapted to increase reliability and manufacturing yield of such devices is disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a container with an overpressure safety device comprises a wall having a depression in at least a portion of the wall that expands when the pressure inside the container exceeds a predetermined level. The container further comprises a clamp bridging over the depression and restraining the angular expansion of the depression, while at the same time enabling the depression to expand radially. As a consequence, the outer dimensions of the container remain essentially constant when the pressure inside the container exceeds the predetermined level. The container may be tubular in shape and the depression may be shaped like a groove extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container, while the clamp may be shaped like a bar affixed to the outer wall of the container in two or more points spaced angularly on opposite sides of the depression.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant computer uses multiple commercial processors operating synchronously, i.e., in lock-step. In an exemplary embodiment, redundancy logic isolates the outputs of the processors from other computer components, so that the other components see only majority vote outputs of the processors. Processor resynchronization, initiated at predetermined time, milestones, and/or in response to processor faults, protects the computer from single event upsets. During resynchronization, processor state data is flushed and an instance of these data in accordance with processor majority vote is stored. Processor caches are flushed to update computer memory with more recent data stored in the caches. The caches are invalidated and disabled, and snooping is disabled. A controller is notified that snooping has been disabled. In response to the notification, the controller performs a hardware reset of the processors. The processors are loaded with the stored state data, and snooping and caches are enabled.

Abstract: A long life double layer capacitor and method of making the same including a case and a first terminal with an electrically insulating hermitic seal interposed between the first terminal and the case. A first current collector foil is electrically coupled to an interior portion of the first terminal and a first electrode comprising carbon which is juxtaposed against the first current collector foil. A porous separator is then juxtaposed against the first electrode comprising carbon and separating the first electrode from a second electrode comprising carbon. A second current collector foil is juxtaposed against a side of the second electrode and is electrically coupled to the second terminal.

Abstract: State of a high voltage capacitor is monitored to detect partial discharge within the capacitor and approaching end-of-life of the capacitor. Partial discharge may be detected through an increased capacitance of the capacitor, and the resulting increase in the alternating current through the capacitor. Partial discharge may also be detected by presence of high frequency components in the current. Moreover, partial discharge may be detected through an increase in the internal pressure of the capacitor. When partial discharge is detected, a warning is generated, and the capacitor may be replaced in response to the warning. Periodic or random checks of the capacitor state, as indicated by the current or pressure, may also be performed. Warnings may be, for example, visual and/or audio, and may be transmitted to remote locations by radio frequency, infrared signals, or via power lines.

Abstract: A high voltage capacitor includes multiple conductive strips on each side of a dielectric layer. The conductive strips on one side of the dielectric layer partially overlap conductive strips on the opposite side of the dielectric layer, in effect forming a series combination of subcapacitors. Insulating layers may overlay the conductive strips, sandwiching the strips between one of the insulating layers and the dielectric layer. To decrease the magnitude of the electric field between adjacent conductive strips on the same side of the dielectric layer, the gaps between the adjacent strips are filled with a dielectric liquid during the manufacturing process. The dielectric liquid may be, for example, aromatic oil, silicone oil, mineral oil, synthetic oil, a mixture of different oils, or a mixture of oil or oils with another substance. The resulting decrease in the magnitude of the electric field within the gaps reduces partial discharge in the capacitor.

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.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant computer uses multiple commercial processors operating synchronously, i.e., in lock-step. In an exemplary embodiment, redundancy logic isolates the outputs of the processors from other computer components, so that the other components see only majority vote outputs of the processors. Processor resynchronization, initiated at predetermined time, milestones, and/or in response to processor faults, protects the computer from single event upsets. During resynchronization, processor state data is flushed and an instance of these data in accordance with processor majority vote is stored. Processor caches are flushed to update computer memory with more recent data stored in the caches. The caches are invalidated and disabled, and snooping is disabled. A controller is notified that snooping has been disabled. In response to the notification, the controller performs a hardware reset of the processors. The processors are loaded with the stored state data, and snooping and caches are enabled.

Abstract: 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. 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: A radiation shielding integrated circuit device comprising a x-ray shielding layer for shielding an electronic circuit device from receiving an amount of x-rays greater than the total dose tolerance of the electronic circuit device; a base coupled to the x-ray shielding layer; a radiation shielding top coupled to the base; a radiation shielding bottom coupled to the base; and the electronic circuit device coupled to the x-ray shielding layer; wherein the electronic circuit device is shielded from receiving an amount of radiation greater than a total dose tolerance of the electronic circuit device.

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: 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.