Abstract: A system and method for producing fuel cell separators can produce fuel cell separators with high contact performance. The fuel cell separator production system includes an upper mold which has a pattern corresponding to a pattern of gas passages for one surface of a fuel cell separator, a lower mold which has a pattern corresponding to a pattern of gas passages for other surface of the fuel cell separator, one or more nozzles which spray a gas on the periphery of the fuel cell separator on the lower mold, and a suction device which horizontally advances and retracts in a space between the upper mold and the lower mold and removes the fuel cell separator from the lower mold. The nozzles and the suction device are formed independently from the upper mold and the lower mold.

Abstract: In a lithium battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a gel electrolyte; the gel electrolyte is composed of at least an ester-group or ether-group aprotic polar solvent, a lithium salt and a polymeric compound, and the polymeric compound comprises a polymer of at least one compound among those expressed by an equation (I) and an equation (II). (k: zero or number of 1 or more, m: number of 1 or more, R1:CpH2p, R2:CqH2q, p≠q, p & q: integer of 1 or more, A: CH2═CH—CO— or CH2═C(CH3)—CO—, X: n-valent combination group (n: integer ranging from 1 to 4), r: zero or number of 1 or more, s: number of 1 or more, R3: CtH2t, R4: CuH2u, t≠u, t & u: integer of 1 or more).

Abstract: A refuelable and rechargable metal-air FCB based power supply unit for integration into a device/system for generating and providing electrical power to at least one electrical-energy-consuming load device disposed therein. An external power source is used to recharge the metal-air FCB subsystems embodied therein. A control subsystem automatically transitions between discharging mode (wherein at least one metal-air FCB subsystem supplies electrical power to the electrical power-consuming load device) and a recharging mode (wherein the external power source is electrically coupled to at least one metal-air FCB subsystem to thereby recharge the metal-air FCB subsystem(s). The metal-air FCB subsystem(s) are refueled by manually loading and unloading metal-fuel from the metal-air FCB subsystem(s).

Abstract: A method of forming a button-type battery includes, a) providing a conductive first terminal housing member, a conductive second terminal housing member, an anode, and a cathode; b) providing an anode/cathode separator, the separator being pre-configured with a self-aligning shape for self-aligning receipt relative to one of the first or second terminal housing members or the cathode; c) positioning the pre-configured separator relative to the one of the first or second terminal housing members or cathode, the pre-configured separator shape facilitating final alignment of the separator relative to the one of the first or second terminal housing members or the cathode; and d) joining the first and second terminal housing members together into a sealed battery assembly, with the anode, cathode and separator being received within the sealed battery assembly. A button-type battery construction is also disclosed.

Abstract: A battery comprising a consumable anode; a gas-diffusion cathode; a non passivated surface-destroying aqueous medium in contact with the anode and cathode; a housing enclosing the anode, cathode and medium; an additive contained within a medium-impermeable chamber separated from but receivable by the medium upon activation to effect mixing of the additive with the medium to provide an electrolytic mixture to effect electrical contact between the anode and cathode; and activation means to effect said activation. The battery provides an extended shelf-life prior to activation by reason that the anode is not corroded by the electrolyte. The battery is of particular use in portable cell-phones, computers, video cameras and players.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alkaline battery having good heavy-loading discharge characteristics even after long-term storage at high temperatures. The alkaline battery of the present invention comprises a positive electrode containing manganese dioxide and nickel oxyhydroxide as an active material, a negative electrode containing zinc as an active material, and an alkaline electrolyte. The positive electrode further contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an oxygen-containing zinc compound, an oxygen-containing calcium compound, an oxygen-containing yttrium compound, and an oxygen-containing titanium compound.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for conditioning a gaseous supply stream. The system includes a desiccant-free heat and moisture exchange wheel that efficiently transfers both heat and moisture between a warmer, substantially saturated gaseous exhaust stream and a gaseous supply stream such that the supply stream becomes heated and substantially saturated. The presently disclosed conditioning system, therefore, beneficially allows the use of a desiccant-free heat and moisture exchange wheel in applications requiring the transfer of both heat and relatively large amounts of moisture between counter-flowing air streams. The desiccant-free heat and moisture exchange wheel is designed in accordance with the present disclosure to transfer moisture through a process of condensation and re-evaporation.

Abstract: Provided is a composite cathode comprising (a) an electroactive sulfur-containing material; (b) a crosslinked polymer formed from a reaction of a polymeric material having carboxyl groups and a crosslinking agent; and (c) a conductive filler. The crosslinked polymer improves the flexibility, adhesion, and cycle life of the composite cathode in electrochemical cells comprising the cathode. Also provided are electrochemical cells comprising such cathodes and methods for preparing such cathodes and electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A battery pack (1) includes an air intake port (9), air discharge ports (11), first air passages (24), and a second air passage (25). Cooling air introduced into the battery pack through the air intake port (9) flows around and through two cell groups contained in the pack before exiting to the pack from the discharge ports (11). As the intake port and the discharge ports are both provided at an upper enclosure (4) of the battery pack that is set on a charger (50) for charging or an electric power tool as a power source, neither intake port nor the discharge ports are exposed to the exterior environment whether the pack is set on the charger or attached to a power tool.

Abstract: A separator for a Li-ion polymer battery comprised of a plurality of separator layers that are laminated together. The plurality of separator layers including a first layer formed of a first separator material, and a second layer formed of a second separator material, wherein the second layer is compositionally and structurally different from the first layer.

Abstract: A novel fuel cell battery construction having arrays of different type metal-air fuel cells. The first type-cells are preferably formed by a cathode structure having a plurality of first-type cathode elements, and an anode structure having one or more anode-contacting elements on an anode-contacting element support plate. The second-type-cells are preferably formed by a cathode structure having a plurality of second-type cathode elements, and an anode structure having one or more anode-contacting elements on an anode-contacting element support plate. In one embodiment, the first-type cathode elements and corresponding cells are optimized for discharging operations, while the second type of cathode elements and corresponding cells are optimized for recharging operations.

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: A sealing structure of a cell tube for a tubular type fuel cell has a sealed portion composed of a conductive lead film formed on a surface of a substrate tube, and an airtight film with high airtight properties formed on a surface of the lead film. The sealing structure also has an adhesion enhancing film provided on a surface of the airtight film, and a sealing member adhered to a surface of the adhesion enhancing film via an inorganic adhesive coated on the surface of the adhesion enhancing film. Thus, the sealability of the cell tube is increased, and the electrical characteristics of the fuel cell are improved.

Abstract: A multiple-use battery pack system includes a battery pack housing enclosing a lead-acid battery and a post portion projecting from the housing and adapted to be plugged into a cavity in an associated cordless power hand tool. First terminals on the post portion connect the battery to the tool circuitry when the post portion is plugged into the tool. When used for powering other loads, the post portion is plugged into a receptacle in an adapter housing, in which position either the first terminals or, alternatively, second terminals on the battery pack housing connect the battery to jumper cables on the adapter housing. Latch mechanisms on the battery pack housing cooperate with keepers on the associated hand tool for latching the battery pack in place thereon.

Abstract: A metal-air fuel cell battery (FCB) electrical power producing module for supplying electrical power to a host system that incorporates a module housing with a multi-element discharging head enclosed within the module housing and a recess formed therein into which a metal-fuel card can be slid for discharging. The module housing has a pair of electrical terminals for contacting the power terminals of a host system.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture for effecting an oxygen deficient fuel cell wherein an oxygenless gas is introduced to the internal structure of a fuel cell as fuel volume is diminished thereby displacing ambient air containing oxygen with said oxygenless gas.

Abstract: A device/system having an integrated refuelable and rechargable metal-air FCB based power supply unit for generating and providing electrical power to at least one electrical-energy-consuming load device disposed therein. An external power source is used to recharge the metal-air FCB subsystems embodied therein. A control subsystem automatically transitions between discharging mode (wherein at least one metal-air FCB subsystem supplies electrical power to the electrical power-consuming load device) and a recharging mode (wherein the external power source is electrically coupled to at least one metal-air FCB subsystem to thereby recharge the metal-air FCB subsystem(s). The metal-air FCB subsystem(s) are refueled by manually loading and unloading metal-fuel from the metal-air FCB subsystem(s). Preferably, electrical power provided to the at least one electrical power-consuming load device is supplied solely by electrical power generated by discharging metal-fuel in the metal-air fuel cell battery subsystem(s).

Abstract: A battery with side flanking terminals wherein the positive and negative terminals are fixed onto the opposite side walls of a casing and connect respectively to a positive and negative post. The battery may be sealed by main cover seal with an adhesive to the casing. The positive and negative terminals are connected respectively to the positive and negative posts through first and second slots located in main cover. The advantages provided by this invention is to prevent the possibility of short circuiting the battery caused by a fallen metal object on top of the battery to increase safety of operation. Further, the connection, space for storage and operation is reduced. Further, the battery may be sealed in a one step process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for extending path-length of metal-fuel tape during discharging and/or recharging operations so that a supply of metal-fuel tape contained within a cassette device or on a supply reel can be rapidly discharged and/or recharged in an improved manner. During discharging operations, a plurality of discharging heads are selectively arranged about the extended path-length of metal-fuel tape so as increase the rate at which electrical power is powered from the system. During recharging operations, a plurality of recharging heads are selectively arranged about the extended path-length of metal-fuel tape to decrease the time required to recharge the metal-fuel tape transported through the system.

Abstract: In the nonaqueous secondary battery of this invention, a positive electrode includes, as an active material, a composite oxide represented by a composition formula, LixMn2−y−zNiyMzOq, wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of B, Mg, Al, Ti, V, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo and In; 1.20≦x≦1.80; y≧0.10; z≧0; y+z≦1.90; and 3.70≦q≦4.30, in a discharge state during fabrication of the nonaqueous secondary battery. As a result, the nonaqueous secondary battery can exhibit good charge-discharge cycle performance and can be fabricated at low cost.