Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for starting and operating an electric power generation system comprising an electrochemical fuel cell stack for supplying electric current to an external electrical circuit. The stack comprises at least one fuel cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode, a cathode, and a water permeable ion exchange membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode. A fuel stream and an oxidant stream are each flowable to the fuel cell. At least a portion of the membrane electrode assembly has a temperature below the freezing temperature of water. The supply of electric current to the external circuit from the fuel cell stack is commenced such that the temperature of the membrane electrode assembly exceeds the freezing temperature of water.

Abstract: A positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery is made of LiNi.sub.1-x-y-z Co.sub.x Mn.sub.y Al.sub.z O.sub.2, in which x, y and z satisfy relations of 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.3, 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.25, 0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.15.

Abstract: An improved safety battery exhibiting excellent safety features and capable of preventing ejection and spraying of the contents thereof when the safety valve has been ruptured, and having a safety valve which cannot be pierced unintentionally or intentionally by a child or the like is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a cylindrical nonaqueous-electrolyte battery is provided including a safety valve and a battery cover arrangement defining first and second venting cavities which are disposed under cover, to reduce or eliminate direct spraying discharge of the battery contents and to prohibit outside access to venting openings.

Abstract: A fuel cell having a plurality of stacked single cells in each of which an electrolyte layer is held between an anode and a cathode and between which a separator is interposed, wherein the electrolyte layer includes a sheet for holding the electrolyte containing, as the main component thereof, fine powder having a function of holding the electrolyte, and reinforcing ceramic fiber disposed in the sheet for holding the electrolyte to substantially run parallel to the surface of the sheet for holding the electrolyte.

Abstract: In Lithium secondary cells, alkali secondary cells and bromine-zinc secondary batteries capable of retarding the growth of a dendrite, which would occur at the time of charging thereof and result in performance degradation, and having high energy densities and long cycle lives, a method for forming a material of a negative electrode of such a secondary cell or battery and a method for handling the material of the negative electrode are provided. The secondary cell or battery is provided with positive and negative electrodes separated from each other by a separator in an electrolyte contained in a case. The negative electrode is made of metallic powder alloyed with at least an amphoteric metal which reacts with both of an acid and an alkali.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery system utilizes intelligent temperature control to enhance and optimize battery cell capacity and performance in low and high temperature environments. A temperature varying element (heating and/or cooling) modifies the temperature of battery cells utilizing an amount of energy that is less than that gained by making such temperature modification. A control circuit optimally control the temperature varying element to maximize battery operation. The control circuit also utilizes the temperature varying element to prevent cell damage in extreme conditions. A battery pack contains a plurality of cells also houses the control circuit, the temperature varying element and a temperature sensor. At least a portion of the control circuit and temperature varying element may alternately be located within a portable electronic device. A second temperature sensor may be added to monitor ambient temperature, and Insulating material may be used in the construction of the battery pack housing.

Abstract: A novel method of preparing a spinel Li.sub.1+X Mn.sub.2-X O.sub.4 intercalation compound with low lattice distortion and a highly ordered and homogeneous structure for 4 V secondary lithium and lithium ion cells is provided. The method of preparing the spinel Li.sub.1+X Mn.sub.2-X O.sub.4 intercalation compound comprises mixing at least one manganese compound with at least one lithium compound and firing the mixture at three different temperature ranges with corresponding gas flow rates to form the spinel Li.sub.1+X Mn.sub.2-X O.sub.4 intercalation compounds. The spinel Li.sub.1+X Mn.sub.2-X O.sub.4 intercalation compounds have a mean X value of between about 0.01 and 0.05 and a full width at half maximum of the x-ray diffraction peaks at a diffraction angle 2.theta. of planes (400) and (440) using CuK.alpha..sub.1 rays of between about 0.10.degree. and 0.15.degree.. The spinel Li.sub.1+X Mn.sub.2-X O.sub.

Abstract: A cordless drive assembly for driving various orthopedic surgical instruments is described. The drive assembly is battery powered and includes tracks in the handle portion of its housing for receiving the battery. A latch locks the battery to the housing.

Abstract: A nonaqueous secondary battery is provided, which comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a nonaqueous ion conductor, the negative electrode containing a lithium-containing substance or a lithium insertable and releasable substance as a positive electrode active material, the positive electrode containing a lithium nickelate compound as a positive electrode substance, wherein the lithium nickelate compound has a layered rocksalt crystalline structure belonging to Space Group R-3m and the ratio of a 3a- and 3b-site occupation rate of lithium atoms to a 3a- and 3b-site occupation rate of nickel atoms in the crystal lattice thereof is 0.85 to 1.15.

Abstract: A method for making a family of lead-acid cells requiring a constant width, a height varying from a maximum to a minimum to accommodate plates of varying height and a cell depth to accommodate a minimum to a maximum number of plates is disclosed which utilizes blow molding to form a jar precursor which is cut to the height desired, and, in its preferred aspects, including use of a mold and insert sets which simplify tooling and change-over time, as well as a cover and jar design which simplifies the heat sealing of these components.

Abstract: A novel method of preparing a highly homogenous spinel Li.sub.1+X Mn.sub.2-X O.sub.4+Y intercalation compound having a predetermined mean particle size and particle size distribution for 4 V secondary lithium and lithium ion cells is provided. The method comprises mixing at least one manganese compound having a predetermined particle size distribution with at least one lithium compound wherein the manganese compound has a mean particle size of between about 1 and 15 microns and the mean particle size of the lithium compound is less than that of the manganese compound. The mixture is then fired in one or more firing steps within specific temperature ranges to form the Li.sub.1+X Mn.sub.2-X O.sub.4+Y intercalation compound. Preferably, at least one firing step is at a temperature of between about 700.degree. C. and 900.degree. C. The Li.sub.1+X Mn.sub.2-X O.sub.

Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cell assemblies interposed between a pair of end plate assemblies. The mechanism for securing the stack in its compressed, assembled state includes at least one compression band which circumscribes the end plate assemblies and interposed fuel cell assemblies of the stack. Preferably, at least one of the end plate assemblies comprises a resilient member which cooperates with each compression band to urge the first end plate assembly toward the second end plate assembly, thereby applying compressive force to the fuel cell assemblies to promote sealing and electrical contact between the layers forming the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: An alkaline storage battery configured with an improved nickel positive electrode plate having a high capacity density and a high utilization of the active material is disclosed. The nickel positive electrode plate comprises a porous metal plaque, a first layer of nickel hydroxide loaded in close proximity to inner surfaces of pores of the porous metal plaque, and a second layer of nickel hydroxide loaded over the first layer. The nickel hydroxide in the second layer has a larger particle diameter than that in the first layer, and the amount of the nickel hydroxide in the second layer occupies a majority of the total amount of the active material filled in the positive electrode.

Abstract: A battery separator for use in flooded cell type lead acid batteries comprising a backweb of a porous, acid resistant, embossable material with a plurality of major ribs and submini-ribs extending from at least one planar surface of the backweb. The ribs are located across the width of the backweb and extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges of the backweb. Each major rib overlies at least one submini-rib and is an embossed corrugated structure comprised of alternating ridges and furrows. The ridges and furrows are in non-parallel alignment to the longitudinal dimension of the separator, and preferably perpendicular thereto. The major ribs are formed on a battery separator backweb having a plurality of submini-ribs extending from at least one planar surface thereof by passing the backweb through the nip formed by a pair of opposed embossing rollers and embossing the backweb in the area of at least one submini-rib.

Abstract: A battery pack 13 (FIG. 2) comprises an elongated cylindrical, metal casing 35, a plurality of cells 41, 43 in casing 35 and three coaxial pack terminals 46, 54, 61. For enhanced convenience, pack terminals 46, 54, 61 are electrically connectable in a cordless device 11 regardless of the angular orientation of the pack 13 about casing axis 33. To reduce cost and increase durability, pack 13 has no welded connections and will permit high current discharge rates. Cells 41, 43 are electrically connected but are mechanically disconnected. A spring 73 engages cell 41 and biases cells 41, 43 tightly together in compression to form good, low resistance electrical contact between cells 41, 43, casing base cap 45 and top 53. To provide a pack with two output voltages, the third pack terminal 61 has a polarity (relative to first pack terminal 46) the same as second pack terminal 54 and is electrically connected to the cell can terminal 43b of forward cell 43, thereby electrically by-passing cell 43.

Abstract: A battery pack that comprises a removable supplemental feature cartridge (160). These features can be answering machines, electronic appointment calendars, clock radios, digital recorders, garage door openers, timers, silent alarm vibrators or other items that would be beneficial to keep close at hand. These tag-along cartridges are standardized in size and can be used on battery packs that fit many different cellular telephones and other portable personal communication devices. The cartridges can receive electrical power from or deliver power to the battery pack. Since the cartridges need not contain their own separate battery, the cartridges are sufficiently small and light weight so that several cartridges can be carried in a shirt pocket or purse and be quickly inserted into the battery pack. Cartridges can be quickly switched from a battery pack that is about to be placed on a charger to a fresh battery pack that has just been mounted on a cellular phone.

Abstract: So that an accumulator having a gas-tight and liquid-tight, electrolyte-filled casing in which are arranged electrodes which are separated from each other by a separator and which are each electrically connected to pole contacts accessible from the outside of the casing can be produced in an advantageous manner from the point of view of the manufacturing procedure, wherein the accumulator is to have a durably and reliably sealed casing which is not restricted in terms of its shape, it is provided that in the region of the pole contacts the casing comprises a soft plastic material and a hard plastic material which are fixedly connected together, the soft plastic material forming a seal for the pole contacts and/or the feed-through ducting means of the pole contacts.

Abstract: A nonaqueous secondary battery comprising a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode active material, and a lithium salt is disclosed, in which the negative electrode active material contains (1) a compound capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium comprising an atom of the group IIIB, IVB or VB of the periodic table, (2) an amorphous compound containing at least two atoms selected from the elements of the groups IIIB, IVB, and VB of the periodic table, (3) a compound capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium containing at least one of the atoms of the group IIIB, IVB, and VB of the periodic table and fluorine, or (4) a compound of the metal of the group IIIB, IVB or VB of the periodic table, Zn, or Mg which is capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium. The nonaqueous secondary battery of the invention exhibits improved charge and discharge characteristics and improved safety.

Abstract: A reactant flow system for a proton exchange membrane (PEM), hydrogen-air, fuel cell stack, is described. The flow system includes the use of single-pass or multi-pass, flow channels. A flow channel section having at least one adjacent channel section whose reactant flows in an opposite direction thereto. The system has respective reactant inlets that are effectively adjacent to reactant outlets of the adjacent channel section. Restrictions are used at the reactant inlets to assure substantially uniform reactant flow among all of the flow channels. The PEM fuel cell stack has a mechanism for removing heat therefrom in order to prevent drying out of the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: Non-aqueous rechargeable lithium batteries are often equipped with internal electrical disconnect devices to protect against overcharge abuse. At the abnormally high voltages of overcharge, these devices can be activated by gasses generated as a result of the electrochemical polymerization of suitable monomer additives incorporated in the electrolyte. Aromatic compounds such as biphenyl are particularly suitable aromatic additives for LiCoO.sub.2 based lithium ion batteries.