Abstract: Improved battery chamber contacts for handheld electronic devices include a plurality of longitudinally aligned and differently spaced battery contacts located on a lateral side of an elongated battery packet. The battery packet is housed in an elongated battery chamber in an electronic device. The battery chamber has chamber contacts mating and engageable with the battery contacts. Electronic coupling between the battery packet and the chamber will be established only when all mating contacts between the battery contacts and the chamber contacts are engaged.

Abstract: A method of fabricating solid oxide fuel cell electrodes, and in particular anodes, includes the steps of forming a microcomposite element comprising a plurality of layers of an electrically conductive tape and an electrolyte tape, with the plurality of layers forming a first electrically conductive pattern. A plurality of microcomposite subelements are created from the microcomposite element, with each microcomposite subelement having the first electrically conductive pattern. A plurality of the microcomposite subelements are juxtaposed to one another and also rotated in planes substantially parallel to one another. Thereby, a totality of the first electrically conductive patterns form a second electrically conductive pattern in the anode. Electrical conduction is established with the patterns all being in electrical contact with one another.

Abstract: A contactless rechargeable hearing aid system in which a rechargeable hearing aid may be optically or inductively recharged by an optical or an inductive recharger. The optically rechargeable hearing aid may have a dual purpose optical fiber that may act as a light conduit for the recharging light, and that may also act as a draw string for the hearing aid. The rechargeable hearing aid may use a high energy nickel metal-hydride rechargeable battery or a high energy, high voltage lithium based rechargeable battery, in conjunction with a DC to DC voltage regulating circuit for converting the rechargeable battery's declining DC output voltage to the fixed DC input voltage needed by the hearing aid's audio related circuitry. The DC to DC voltage regulating circuit may also help to present a supply impedance that matches the input impedance of the audio related circuitry in the hearing aid.

Abstract: A multiple cell monoblock battery in which a plurality of electrochemical cells are disposed in a plastic or metal case and each of the cells includes an enclosure providing for gas to exit while preventing electrolyte to exit the enclosure. A novel integral system of flow channels allows liquid coolant to flow between adjacent cells. Other special features, such as cell interconnections are described.

Abstract: An electrode composition that includes an electrode material consisting essentially of a plurality of electrochemically active metal elements in which the electrode material has a microstructure comprising these elements in the form of a mixture that is essentially free of domains measuring greater than about 1000 angstroms.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for activating and sealing a storage battery in an uncontrolled atmosphere. A tubular structure is coupled to a fill port of the battery, the battery is evacuated by connecting the tubular structure to a source of vacuum, and the battery is thereafter filled by connecting the tubular structure to a source of pressurized electrolytic fluid. After the battery has been evacuated and filled, a check valve, slideably positioned in the passage through which the battery has been evacuated and thereafter filled is driven along the passage into a press fit with a valve seat defined proximate the fill port of the battery to seal the battery from contaminants while allowing escape of gas from the interior of the battery housing.

Abstract: An air-managing system for metal-air battery includes resealable septum and one or more hollow needles. The septum separates air pathway into two segments. One segment is from air cathodes of the battery to the septum and the other is from the septum to the outside air. The needles provide conduits to connect two segments. The septum recloses its torn portion when the needles are removed. Also disclosed is a reusable air manager including a fan and such needles. The air manager can be coupled to a disposable cell pack which has a septum that can be pierced by the needles.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to non-aqueous electrolyte solvents which comprise a non-symmetrical, non-cyclic sulfone and which are suitable for use in secondary electric current producing cells. The present invention also pertains to electrolyte elements comprising such solvents, electric current producing cells comprising such electrolyte elements, and methods for making such electric current producing cells. More particularly, the present invention pertains to electrolyte elements comprising a non-aqueous electrolyte solvent, which solvent comprises a non-symmetrical, non-cyclic sulfone of the general formula R1—SO2—R2, wherein R1 and R2 are independently linear or branched alkyl or partially or fully fluorinated linear or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, wherein R1 and R2 are different, and wherein —SO2— denotes the sulfone group.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment a polyvinylidene diflouride homopolymer and solvent, such as acetone, are mixed together to form a solution. The solution is coated on a porous electrode. The coated electrode is immersed in a bath, such as denatured Ethanol, thereby creating a porous membrane on the electrode. The membrane coated electrode is then dried. After drying membrane coated electrode is placed opposite another porous electrode with the membrane positioned substantially between the first and second electrodes. The membrane is compressed between the electrodes dry bonding the membrane with the other electrode thereby forming a good physical bound. Alternatively the membrane may be formed on both electrodes and the membranes are then compressed between the electrodes thereby dry bonding the first and second electrodes together. In yet another embodiment the membrane may be formed separately then compressed between the electrodes thereby dry bonding the membrane with the two electrodes.

Abstract: The invention provides for reducing the number of parts and the number of interfaces found in certain types of chemical reactors, particularly in electrochemical reactors, and especially in the type or reactor known as a fuel cell or fuel cell stack. This reduction comes from the use of a unified structure that combines the functions normally carried out by several components in the unit, particularly by combining the functions of the gas distribution structure and the gas diffusion structure, the gas distribution structure and the gas barrier structure, or all three structures into a single, unitary, metallic part. This offers the advantages of simplified design, better performance, and lighter weight.

Abstract: The electrochemically active element (1) for a high temperature fuel cell is designed in the form of layers and comprises an anode layer (3), a cathode layer (4) and an electrolyte layer (2) which is arranged therebetween. The electrolyte is a ceramic material of zirconium oxide ZrO2 stabilised with yttrium Y which can additionally contain aluminium oxide Al2O3. The anode is manufactured from a power mixture through sintering on the electrolyte layer. This anode mixture contains the oxides NiO and CeO2 and can contain an oxide of the type A2O3, with for example A=Sm, Y, Gd and/or Pr. In accordance with the invention 0.5−5 mol/o CoO, FeO and/or MnO is or are to be added to the anode mixture in order to lower the sintering temperature of this mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage battery with several cylindrical cells, the cell walls of which are in close heat-conducting contact with a temperature-control device. The temperature-control device has at least two hollow bodies (2) through which a temperature-control medium flows, which bodies display semicircular bulges (6), the radii of which correspond approximately to that of the cells (1), and which are arranged in such a way that they fix the spatial positions of the cells (1) to each other.

Abstract: A sealed lead-acid storage battery having a long trickle life, being excellent in the welded strength between the container cover and the top lid covering the part of the container cover where a vent valve is provided, and having a high reliability is disclosed. The battery comprises: a container for accommodating an electrode group, a container cover for closing an open end of the container by being bonded to the open end of the container with a resin adhesive, and a top lid for covering a part of the container cover where a vent valve is provided by being bonded to the container cover by means of ultrasonic welding, wherein the container is formed with a denatured polyphenylene ether resin containing a flaky inorganic substance of humidity non-transmitting property, whereas the container cover and the top lid are formed with acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin containing no flaky inorganic substance of the humidity non-transmitting property.

Abstract: The battery has two legs of equal voltage (expressed as Volts DC or VDC) and equal electrochemical capacity (expressed as Ampere-Hours or AH). Each leg has one or more hinged and electrically connected modules. Both legs are hinged to each other but are not electrically connected. The modules of the battery can be folded into four basic prismatic shapes and an infinite number of non-prismatic shapes. Each shape is basically two batteries because the equal voltage legs can be connected to the load equipment in electrical series or electrical parallel. An adapter can be connected to the battery to provide additional battery footprints.

Abstract: A collector terminal for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, especially a large-size battery, is provided which is free from breakage when its exterior terminal is fastened with a nut with an excessive torque, superior in electrical conductivity, and high in reliability. The section of the collector terminal forming an exterior terminal and the section where lead plates taken out from the electrode group consist of different types of metals, which are integrated by solid-phase bonding or by vacuum brazing. Among the solid-phase bonding methods, diffusion bonding, explosion pressure welding, and friction bonding are effective.

Abstract: A method of forming a porous composite separator layer for an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of printing a thin layer of a separator precursor solution on the surface of one of the electrochemical cell electrodes, curing the thin layer of separator precursor solution so that it transforms into a microporous composite separator structure. In the preferred embodiment, the separator precursor solution is formulated as an ink comprising a silica aerogel filler material dispersed in a solution of chlorinated polyolefin binder which is dissolved in a suitable solvent. The process allows the manufacture of thin and flexible composite separators which are conformally bonded to the underlying electrodes.

Abstract: A protective device for a repeatedly rechargeable electrochemical battery (10) with a battery housing (12), the protective device having at least one switching element (86) which can be activated by a detector element (62) and which is designed or adjusted to prevent recharging and/or discharging of the battery (10) in an impermissible operating state thereof. The protective device has a hermetically sealed protective housing (54) which holds the battery housing (12). An impermissible operating state of the battery (10) causes a change in shape (deflection) to be impressed on the detector element (62). Preferably, the at least one switching element (86) is made as a make contact which electrically short circuits a recharging circuit supplied by a charging device when a predetermined expansion in the volume of the battery housing (12) and/or gas escape therefrom occurs. The protective device is part of an implantable device, such as a hearing aid.

Abstract: A novel fuel cell design is provided having a combustion chamber manifold internal to a fuel cell stack and interfacing one or more anode passage outlets and cathode passage inlets. The combustion chamber is equipped to combine a primary source of oxidant gas with an anode exhaust stream and to combust the mixture, if desired, for use as fuel within the cathode passage. The fuel cell design also provides an external gas manifold for directing carrier gas to the cathode passages upstream of the cathode passage inlets for combining with the combustion chamber exhaust prior to entry into the cathode passages.

Abstract: An ambient pressure fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell stack formed from a plurality of fuel cells having membrane/electrode assemblies (MEAs) that are hydrated with liquid water and bipolar plates with anode and cathode sides for distributing hydrogen fuel gas and water to a first side of each one of the MEAs and air with reactant oxygen gas to a second side of each one of the MEAs. A pump supplies liquid water to the fuel cells. A recirculating system may be used to return unused hydrogen fuel gas to the stack. A near-ambient pressure blower blows air through the fuel cell stack in excess of reaction stoichiometric amounts to react with the hydrogen fuel gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid-cooled fuel cell, in which the cell surfaces are supplied with reaction media via axial supply ducts and radial distribution ducts, the distribution ducts being located in the cell surface and running along the edge of the cell surface, with the open side toward the active surface.According to the invention, the supply and distribution ducts in a fuel-cell stack are arranged such that distribution ducts are arranged in the edge region of the cell surfaces, as a result of stacking and staggering, in such a way that the inlet of the medium to the cell surface along a distribution duct is not carried out in a point-like manner, and that the entire cell surface is uniformly supplied with medium.