Abstract: A fastener system for tab bussing for the multicell batteries and the apparatus to assist this system are described. The holding device is used to hold the tab bussing structure together. The holding device can be a bolt or a rivet. It minimizes the electrical resistance of the multicell battery, allows rework and achieves high energy efficiency and small dimensions for the multicell lithium-polymer batteries.

Abstract: The invention provides a protective device for batteries having a high energy density such as lithium ion batteries. The protective device comprises a battery voltage-monitoring means, an overcharge-detecting means for sending out a charge-finishing signal when a voltage detected by the battery voltage-detecting means is higher than a preset value, a charge-finishing means for finishing charge in response to the charge-finishing signal, an output-counting means for counting the number of charge-finishing signals sent out of the charge-finishing means, and a cutoff means for cutting off conduction of a current in said batteries when a counted value reaches a preset value, thereby limiting the number of permissible overcharging cycles.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of isolating an enclosed metal hydride container from an apparatus which uses hydrogen gas during periods of dormant or inactive storage of the device, including a constricted opening having a dual one way check valve arrangement to selectively open or close the hydrogen gas communication between the hydrogen storage container and the apparatus using the hydrogen. The dual check valve arrangement provides for constricting hydrogen gas flow between the chambers unless the device is in the process of charging or discharging, either of which process causes a differential pressure to develop across the dual check valve arrangement which is greater than a predetermined threshold pressure, e.g., 1-2 p.s.i. The hydrogen storage material within the hydrogen storage container comprises mixture of metal hydride particles with interspersed water adsorbing particles, such as silica gel desiccant.

Abstract: To enhance the safety of battery, in a thin type battery, by securely cutting off electric connection when the internal pressure of the battery is raised.An upper valve disc and a lower valve disc are disposed through an electric insulating gasket, a part of the upper valve disc is formed in a recess shape, and a tiny hole and a continuous thin wall part are formed in a part of the lower valve disc, and the bottom of the recess part of the upper valve disc and the portion enclosed by the tiny hole and thin wall part of the lower valve disc are fused, and the structure is constituted so that the strength of the lower valve disc may be greater than the strength of the upper valve disc.

Abstract: A mesophase pitch-based carbon fiber for use as a material for a negative electrode of a secondary battery, and a process for producing the same. The mesophase pitch-based carbon fiber comprises a columnar core part having a texture composed of a plurality of graphite layers extending along an axial direction and extending with minute flexures in a plane perpendicular to the axis and an outer-shell part surrounding the core part. The outer-shell part has a texture composed of a laminate of a plurality of graphite layers extending along an axial direction. The graphite layers are oriented in a plane perpendicular to the axis in a fashion such that the graphite layers extend along a circumferential direction with minute flexures while gradually receding from a center of the core part.

Abstract: A fuel cell including an electrode assembly, a cell assembly mounted to the electrode assembly forming an anode and at least one cathode channel, and a flow facilitator located within each cathode channel. The flow facilitator functions as a wick during the operation of the fuel cell to drain fluid from the cathode channels. It also provides resistance to water vapor flow within the cathode channels, thereby increasing humidification of the fuel cell. Moreover, the flow facilitator increases residence time of oxidant within the cathode channels. The flow facilitator is preferably a thread made of any one or any combination of cotton, silk, fiberglass, nylon or polyester, and may be coated with polytetraflouroethylene. The flow facilitator may be a single element that is weaved in specific patterns through the cathode channels or it can include a plurality of elements, one element for each of the cathode channels.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymer electrolyte fuel cell with distributor plates which are made of an elastic, plastically deformable material, particularly of graphite foil, and which have integrated gas or liquid ducts. In order to seal off the gas or liquid spaces with respect to one another in a simple and reasonably priced manner, elevated portions are integrated in the distributor plates made of an elastic, plastically deformable material. The distributor plates with an integrated seal can be produced by stamping using a stamping tool having corresponding elevations for forming the gas or liquid ducts and corresponding indentations for forming the sealing arrangement.

Abstract: An energy storage system (10) including a first energy storage device (12), such as a secondary or rechargeable battery, and a second energy storage device (14), such as a capacitor, fuel cell, or flywheel. The second energy storage device provides intermittent energy bursts to satisfy the power requires of, for example, pulsed power communication devices. Such devices typically require power pulses in excess of those which conventional battery cells can easily provide for numerous cycles. The system (10) further includes circuitry (16) for coupling the second energy storage device (14) to a load in response to changes in the battery (12).

Abstract: A low pressure vented battery structure comprised of lithium ion polymer cells contained within a flexible container. The flexible container is punctured to provide a venting aperture. The venting aperture is externally sealingly covered with a vent structure comprising a first chemically inert plastic film layer having a central aperture which is adhered to the flexible container around the periphery of the central aperture, with the central aperture being in registration with the venting aperture. A second film chemically inert layer membrane is partially adhered to the first layer, whereby the membrane is stretched and anchored in a position covering the central aperture and the venting aperture, and partially separated from the first layer to provide a venting pathway from the venting aperture to the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: An electric vehicle cell featuring internal pressure relief and spring disengagement devices which vent various internal pressures to atmosphere to prevent cell bulging or explosion and which also internally interrupt current flow through the cell due to internal overheat, excessive current draw and the like. Internal reconnection of cell members reoccurs subsequent to internal thermal and other abnormalities. The electric vehicle cell contains an electrolyte which is introduced into the cell casing by a method involving the use of apparatus including a filling fixture having an electrolyte fill line and a vacuum line for vacuum assisted filling.

Abstract: An alkaline storage battery including a bottomed cell casing assembled as either one of positive and negative terminals, a closure cap assembly coupled with an opening of the cell casing in a liquid-tight manner as the other terminal to hermetically seal the interior of the cell casing and a generator element composed of positive and negative electrodes assembled within the cell casing, wherein a current collecting plate extended from either one of the positive and negative electrodes is welded at least at two spaced portions thereof with a bottom surface of the closure cap assembly to enhance mechanical strength and the vibration resistance property of the storage battery and to reduce internal resistance of the storage battery.

Abstract: A battery package including a battery having at least one flat mount face defined therein, an electric circuit device for controlling discharging and charging of the battery, and a generally plate-like protective member mounted on the battery so as to cover the electric circuit device. The electric circuit device is made up of a plurality of circuit component parts and is mounted on the flat mount face with the circuit component parts held in tight contact with the flat mount face. The protective member includes an oblong plate member and side flanges protruding transversely from opposite side edges of the plate member to define a cavity. In an assembled condition with the protective member fitted to the battery, the electric component parts are accommodated within the cavity.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell (10) includes first and second electrodes (12) and (14) with an electrolyte system (26) disposed therebetween. The electrolyte system includes a polymeric support structure through which is dispersed an electrolyte active species in an organic solvent. The solvent, which remains liquid to low temperatures, is a binary or higher order system comprising diethyl carbonate and one or more of propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, dipropylcarbonate, dimethylsulfoxide, acetonitrile, dimethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran, n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The battery with planar high temperature fuel cells comprises a stack-shaped, alternating arrangement of electrochemically active elements and interconnectors. The interconnectors are formed as air heat exchangers, each of which has a basic body. The thermal expansion of the interconnector is largely determined by the basic body. Each basic body separates an air side from a gas side. A structured layer is arranged on both sides of the basic body in each case: namely a structured layer for electrical conduction and heat transport as well as for a transport of air or combustion gas respectively along the electrochemically active elements. The thermal expansion of the basic body corresponds substantially to that of the electrochemically active elements. Each basic body is formed as an air heat exchanger and consists of a material on whose surface a permanent oxide layer forms under the operating conditions of the battery and in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: A water top-up plug for batteries containing a liquid electrolyte has a plug housing, which is formed outwardly in the lower region so that it is complementary to an upper battery housing opening. A cover is arranged at the plug housing at the top, beneath which there is located a water chamber which has a water supply opening which can be closed by a valve and at least one flow connection to that region of the plug housing which, after the insertion into a battery housing opening, communicates with the inner space of the battery. Moreover, at least one tube stub is provided, onto which a water supply hose can be mounted and which stands in flow communication with the water inlet. At the bottom, a float projects out of the plug housing and is connected with the valve body via a float rod and a cross-piece provided at its upper end. The valve seat and the water supply opening are integrated in accordance with the invention into the plug housing.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell case and method of manufacturing an electrochemical battery are provided. The cell case includes a main body that encloses a plurality of individual cells in separate, contiguous compartments. After the cells have been inserted into the compartments, the compartments are hermetically sealed. The compartments may be separately filled and vented, and the cell of each compartment receives end connectors such as rivet connectors. The elements are electrically interconnected, such as in a series configuration. A top cap attaches to the main body, and encloses the interconnected cell terminals. The top cap may also enclose other electronics, such as battery recharging circuitry or a temperature sensor. The top cap may be sized and shaped to mate with connectors on specific electrical devices, and may be removable so that another top cap may be installed for use with another device.

Abstract: The battery terminal comprises a housing, cavities provided in the housing at predetermined internals, and a plurality of contacts mounted in the cavities, respectively. A free and triangular contact portion is provided at one end of each of the contact. The contact portion is extended outward from a surface of the housing.

Abstract: A device and method for reducing crystal formations, which have a range of resonant frequencies, on electrode plates of an electrical battery, is described. A signal generator is connected to the primary winding of a transformer, having primary and secondary windings, so as to deliver a transformed alternating current signal to the secondary winding. A rectifier is connected to the secondary winding to convert the transformed signal to a train of direct current pulses at a frequency within the range of resonant frequencies, and an output circuit is connected to the rectifier to deliver the train of pulses to the battery causing the crystals to crack and redissolve into the battery solution. There is also a provision for adjusting the frequency of the alternating current signal.

Abstract: In order to improve the electrical contact between electrode (1) and current collector (13) in a fuel cell containing a liquid carbonate (10) as the electrolyte it is proposed that between the electrode and the current collector a functional layer (12) be placed. The electrode (11) consists of a material based on lithium cobaltate, and the functional layer (12) is attached thereto. This functional layer, like the electrode, is preferably applied in the green state, and after assembly of the cell, the ultimate electrochemical fuel cell is obtained by sintering.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochemical device having a shuttle-type redox mechanism for overcharge protection in which the redox reaction is "tuned" with a tuning agent to adjust the potential at which the redox reaction occurs. Such device may be characterized as including the following elements: (1) a negative electrode (e.g., lithium); (2) a positive electrode containing one or more intermediate species (e.g., polysulfides) which are oxidized to one more oxidized species during overcharge; and (3) a tuning species (e.g., an organosulfur compound) which adjusts the rate at which the oxidized species are reduced and thereby adjusts the voltage at which overcharge protection is provided. The oxidized species produced during overcharge move to the negative electrode where they are reduced back to said intermediate species as in a normal redox shuttle. However, the oxidized species react more rapidly than the intermediate species at the negative electrode.