Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has a positive electrode containing a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode containing a negative electrode active material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode active material includes a lithium-nickel-manganese composite oxide having a hexagonal layered rock-salt structure that belongs to the space group R-3m, and contains lithium in 3b sites that contain transition metals. The lithium-nickel-manganese composite oxide is represented by the molecular formula Li[LixNiyMn2Mb]O2-a, where: 0.2<x<0.4, 0.12<y<0.5, 0.3<z<0.62, and 0?a<0.5; M is at least one of Mg, Al, Zr, Ti, Nb, W, and Mo; and variables x, y, z, and b satisfy the expressions x>(1?2y)/3, ¼?y/z?1.0, 0<b/(y+z)?0.1, and 1.0?x+y+z+b?1.1.

Abstract: A unit cell of a fuel cell is formed by sandwiching a membrane electrode assembly between a first metal separator and a second metal separator. The membrane electrode assembly includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane having a reinforcement member on both surfaces of the outer end of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. Frame members are provided on the reinforcement member outside an anode, and a fuel gas inlet channel and a fuel gas outlet channel are formed by the frame members, at positions corresponding to a fuel gas inlet buffer and a fuel gas outlet buffer.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber and forming a separating wall between the first chamber and the second chamber, and a cover attaching to the housing. Two batteries are respectively received in the first chamber and the second chamber.

Abstract: A pouch for battery and a pouch type secondary battery, and more particularly, to a pouch for a battery having a space for containing an electrode assembly, the space being previously formed in a vessel form, and a pouch type secondary battery using the same. The pouch of the battery includes a vessel type bottom having a bottom surface and lateral surfaces; and a cover type top for covering an upper opening of the vessel type bottom, wherein a chamfer or step structure is formed at some of the adjoining portions of the bottom surface and the lateral surface, and the chamfer or step structure is viewed in cross section cut off along a plane which is perpendicularly to the bottom surface and approximately parallel to one surface of lateral surfaces. And the electrode assembly is contained by the pouch of battery to constitute a pouch type secondary battery according to the present invention.

Abstract: An alkaline battery separator comprises a fused fiber layer, and a fine fiber layer adjacent to the fused fiber layer and comprising fine fibers and second fusible fibers, which are fused in the fine fiber layer, wherein part of the fine fibers are incorporated into the fused fiber layer, so that in determining a delamination strength between the fused fiber layer and the fine fiber layer, delamination occurs in the fine fiber layer and therefore the determination results in failure. A process for manufacturing the separator includes preparing a fused fiber sheet, preparing a slurry containing fine fibers and second fusible fibers, scooping up the slurry with the fused fiber sheet, to thereby incorporate part of the fine fibers into the fused fiber sheet, and fusing the second fusible fibers in the fused fiber sheet.

Abstract: A spacer assembly, comprised of a plurality of rigid spacers, is provided that is configured for use with a cell mounting bracket within a battery pack. The spacer assembly maintains the positions of the batteries within the battery pack during a thermal event and after the cell mounting bracket loses structural integrity due to the increased temperature associated with the thermal event. By keeping the battery undergoing thermal runaway in its predetermined location within the battery pack, the minimum spacing between cells is maintained, thereby helping to minimize the thermal effects on adjacent cells while ensuring that the cooling system, if employed, is not compromised. As a result, the risk of thermal runaway propagation is reduced.

Abstract: A battery cover for an electronic device including a battery receptacle. The battery cover generally comprises a base and a cover mating element. The base is operable to couple with a portion of the electronic device and at least partially cover the battery receptacle. The cover mating element is operable to couple with the base and interchangeably mate with a reciprocal mating element associated with a mount to couple the electronic device to the mount.

Abstract: A connector of the present invention has a at least one detection terminal that is connected to an electrode provided on the fuel cell, and an insulating connector case housing the detection terminal. The connector case may have either a channel-shaped groove or a protruding guide for mating with, and for causing sliding with a protruding guide or channel-shaped groove provided on the fuel cell when the connector is attached to the fuel cell.

Abstract: A voltage detecting connecting structure and fuel cell has connectors which are in contact with terminals connected to the fuel cell. An embodiment of the fuel cell includes first cells which have the terminals at an anode and a cathode respectively, and second cells which have terminals in neither an anode plate nor a cathode, stacked alternately.

Abstract: Provided is a sealed battery that can offer excellent battery performances by having its electrode terminal and a current collector securely welded to each other, and its manufacturing method. The sealed battery is formed by hermetically sealing a casing storing an electrode assembly and the current collector, wherein: the electrode assembly formed by layering positive and negative electrode plates with a separator sandwiched therebetween is electrically connected to the current collector; and a shaft portion of the electrode terminal penetrates through the current collector. A part of the electrode terminal projecting out from a pass-through of the current collector is a (conical) frustum-shaped portion whose bottom base is in contact with the current collector. The frustum-shaped portion is pressed against the current collector, and the frustum-shaped portion and the current collector are welded together in at least one area on a perimeter of the bottom base of the frustum-shaped portion.

Abstract: Liquid leak detection systems, and fuel cell systems and hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems containing the same. The liquid leak detection systems are adapted to detect liquid leaks from the fuel cell and/or fuel processing systems and to respond thereto, such as by interrupting the delivery of liquid reactants, by generating an alert, by transitioning the fuel processing system to a different operating state, and/or by shutting down the fuel processing and/or fuel cell system. The liquid leak detection systems may include a controller and at least one liquid detector, and in some embodiments may include a cover. In some embodiments, the liquid detector includes a signal emitter and a signal detector. In some embodiments, the liquid detector includes at least a pair of spaced-apart conductive members that nominally define an open circuit. In some embodiments, the cover is adapted to repel water and/or includes conductive particulate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode for a fuel cell containing a catalyst layer, a gas diffusion layer including a conductive substrate, and a micro-porous layer interposed between the catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer and including a conductive material and a dispersant.

Abstract: The present invention specifies the physical property valves of a catalytic layer correlating with the performance of a fuel cell, and provides the catalytic layer having the physical proper values and a fuel cell. Specifically, in a fuel cell having a membrane-electrode assembly provided with a catalytic layer 13 on each side of an electrolyte membrane 10, an electrode powder constituting the catalytic layer 13 shall have an amount of adsorbed water vapor in a range of 52 to 70 cm3(STP)/g by a value measured when the water-vapor partial pressure is 0.6, which is determined from the adsorption isotherm of water. The fuel cell having the catalytic layer with the use of the electrode powder having the amount of adsorbed water vapor in this range has the output performance of 0.6 A/cm2 or higher by current density at 0.6 V, in a less humidified condition and a more humidified condition.

Abstract: A cover latching mechanism (100) used in a portable electronic device is described including a latching base (20), a cover member (10), and a latching member (30). The cover member has a latching protrusion (14) arranged thereon. The latching member is used to latch the cover member to the latching base and defines a latch space (338) and a release space (337). The cover member can be latched to the latching base by a movement of the latching protrusion from the release space into the latch space, and then be released from the latching base by an opposite movement of the latching protrusion from the latch space into the release space, the two movements being caused by pushing or pulling the cover member along the latching base.

Abstract: A liquid fuel cell unit which outputs a first voltage, a boosting circuit which boosts the first voltage output from the liquid fuel cell unit, and outputs a boosted second voltage to an electronic apparatus, and a first control circuit are included. The first control circuit compares the first voltage output from the liquid fuel cell unit with a preset first threshold voltage, and controls the boosting circuit in accordance with the comparison result such that the first voltage does not fall below the first threshold voltage, or the first voltage holds the first threshold voltage or more.

Abstract: A separator suction device for a fuel cell, having a suction plate and a suction pump. A fuel cell separator is placed on the suction plate. The fuel cell separator has flow paths formed as grooves and ridges on one side of thereof and also has a gasket that is a seal member placed around the flow paths. The suction plate attracts the fuel cell separator by suction. The suction pump sucks the fuel cell separator through suction openings formed in the suction plate. The suction plate has a suction groove which receives the gasket and which has a suction opening formed in it. Further, the suction plate preferably has the suction openings at positions where the ridges of the fuel cell separator are to be placed and is made of an elastic material.

Abstract: A lithium polymer battery where the corrosion or the electrical short resulting from contact of the metal film of the cut region of external material with the connecting lead or the terminal of the adjacent protective circuit cover can be prevented. The lithium polymer battery comprises: a chargeable and dischargeable bare cell; a protective circuit cover installed on one side surface of the bare cell so as to be electrically coupled to the bare cell; and a holder cap installed between the protective circuit cover and the bare cell so as to block contact between the bare cell and a terminal of the protective circuit cover.

Abstract: This invention provides a negative electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including the negative electrode. The negative electrode includes a Li-absorbing element as a negative electrode active material, is free from deformation, separation of the negative electrode active material layer from the negative electrode current collector, and deposition of lithium on the negative electrode current collector, and is excellent in cycle characteristic, large-current discharge characteristic, and low-temperature discharge characteristic. The negative electrode of this invention includes: a current collector having depressions and protrusions on a surface in the thickness direction thereof; and a negative electrode active material layer that includes a plurality of columns containing a negative electrode active material that absorbs and releases lithium ions, the columns being grown outwardly from the surface of the current collector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simplifying battery pack assembly that allows inspection of the cell-to-housing bonding region is provided. In particular, a battery pack housing member is provided that includes an interior surface that partially defines the interior region of the battery pack and that includes a plurality of cell mounting wells and an exterior surface that includes a plurality of bonding wells. Adhesive introduced into the bonding wells forms a mechanical bond between an exterior surface of a cell introduced into an adjacent cell mounting well and the housing member.

Abstract: A spacer assembly for use with a cell mounting bracket in a battery pack is provided. The spacer assembly, comprised of one or more spacers, maintains the positions of the batteries within the battery pack during a thermal event and after the cell mounting bracket loses structural integrity due to the increased temperature associated with the thermal event. By keeping the battery undergoing thermal runaway in its predetermined location within the battery pack, the minimum spacing between cells is maintained, thereby helping to minimize the thermal effects on adjacent cells while ensuring that the cooling system, if employed, is not compromised. As a result, the risk of thermal runaway propagation is reduced.