Abstract: The present invention is a polarized gas separator useful in the bipolar construction of a fuel cell stack. It comprises a porous conductive substrate and a barrier layer, the barrier layer having a first side and a second side, and laterally extending through the porous conductive substrate so that a first portion of the porous conductive substrate extends from the first side of the barrier layer and a second portion of the porous conductive substrate extends from the second side of the barrier layer. Effectively, the polarized gas separator is a single component system that not only enhances power performance of fuel cell stacks but also defeats several problems previously unsolvable by conventional bipolar plate assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a battery electrode from foamed metal electrode material includes first and second rollers which are parallel to each other at a shaft center, and rotatable in directions opposite to each other, and a guide bar which is between the first and second rollers. A method for manufacturing a battery electrode includes supplying a foamed metal electrode material including voids, and having a filled portion filled with active material and an unfilled portion without the active material, and a boundary line between the filled and unfilled portions. Part of the unfilled portion is folded in parallel to the boundary line passing through the unfilled portion, and at right angle against the unfilled portion. A lead welding portion is formed along the direction of the longer side, by applying, to the unfilled bent portion, a force in the direction perpendicular to the filled portion in a way to crush the voids, and compress the bent portion.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolytic solution favorably employable for a lithium secondary battery employs a non-aqueous solvent composed of a cyclic carbonate, a linear carbonate and vinylene carbonate, and shows a reduction potential of less than 1 volt, with reference to lithium, or contains chlorine atom-containing organic compounds in an amount of 10 ppm or less, in terms of chlorine atom content.

Abstract: A method of independently producing a negative electrode for a lithium secondary cell having thin films of lithium and a sulfide-based inorganic solid electrolyte begins with a negative electrode base material and an inorganic solid electrolyte source material being removed from closed containers in a chamber space, which is substantially inactive to lithium and insulated from air. The materials are transferred into an adjacent thin film deposition system without being exposed to the air. In the system, the source material is used to form a thin film of an inorganic solid electrolyte on the base material, to make the electrode. The electrode is transferred, without being exposed to the air, into a chamber space, which is substantially inactive to lithium, where the electrode is placed into a closed container. Thus, a negative electrode can be produced without being degraded by air.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for manufacturing a lithiated or overlithiated transition metal oxide comprising the following three steps, carried out successively or in a simultaneous manner: preparation of a solution of lithium alkoxide by dissolving lithium metal in an alcohol, the said alcohol being chosen among the alcohols originating from linear or ramified alkanes comprising at least three carbon atoms, the alcohols originating from unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbides, and mixtures of them; addition of a transition metal oxide powder to the said lithium alkoxide solution to obtain a dispersion; controlled reduction of the said transition metal oxide by the said alkoxide to obtain a lithiated or overlithiated transition metal oxide with a defined Li:Metal stoichiometry; the said process also comprising the following steps: evaporation of the residual alcohol, rinsing of the powder thus obtained, drying of the powder.

Abstract: The unique cell frame of the present invention comprises an integral protector portion. This protector portion comprises a rigid or flexible lip on the membrane side of the cell frame. In an assembled cell stack, the membrane assembly is disposed between two cell frames on the side of the cell frames having the protector portion. Screen assemblies are disposed on the opposite side of the cell frame such that the screen assemblies rest on the protector portion, within the cell frame. The protector portion prevents the edge of the screen assemblies from pinching, cutting, or otherwise damaging the membrane.

Abstract: In a fuel cell system, and a method of operating a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell unit and an air supply for providing a fuel for the fuel cell unit, a compressor having a variable internal compression ratio is provided for media delivery in the gas generation system.

Abstract: A quick charge battery with thermal management is described which includes a cooler preferably disposed at least partially within the battery to transfer thermal energy. The cooler may comprise a thermoelectric generator, a microcooler, a heat pipe or combinations of the above. The cooler is capable of cooling the battery and in some embodiments selectively heating the battery to a minimum temperature level. The cooler functions to cool the battery and thereby minimizes thermal build-up produced by rapid charging of the battery.

Abstract: A paste-like ink is prepared by dissolving camphor in an alcoholic solvent and dispersing fine carbon particles with a catalyst carried thereon in the solvent (step S100). A sheet-like electrode-forming member is formed on an electrolyte membrane by screen printing the paste-like ink thus obtained (step S102). The electrode-forming member is dried at 80° C. for one hour, in order to deposit camphor included in the electrode-forming member as a pore-forming agent (step S104). The electrode-forming member and the electrolyte membrane are joined with each other by hot pressing (step S106). The joint body of the electrode-forming member and the electrolyte membrane is dried under vacuum at 80° C. for three hours, in order to sublimate and remove camphor depositing in the electrode-forming member (step S108). This gives an electricity-generating layer that is a joint body of an electrode having a plurality of pores and the electrolyte membrane.

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: Secondary electrochemical generators of the zinc-electrode alkaline type whose anode has a great capacity for cycling. The electrochemical generators according to the invention comprise zinc anodes made in such a manner as to increase within the active material the number of sites for formation of zinc during recharging, by a better draining of the electrical charges, obtained by using a dispersed secondary collector in the form of a conductive powder in the active mass, to which may advantageously be associated a principal support-collector of the high porous three-dimensional structured type having a high developed surface. These generators thus have zinc electrodes of improve cyclability, the number of charges and discharges that the electrode can perform under different regimes being increased.

Abstract: A lead acid battery grid made from a lead based alloy containing calcium, tin, and silver having the following composition: calcium above 0.06 and below 0.082%, tin above 1.0% and below 1.2%, silver between 0.005 and 0.020%, and optionally containing up to 0.025% aluminum. To enhance corrosion resistance and reduce grid growth, the grid optimally may contain 0.005 to 0.05% copper as an alloying element complementary to and as a replacement for part of the silver, provided the silver content does not fall below 0.005% and no more than a trace of aluminum is present.

Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a vent system in the battery pack housing which enables fluid to move through the housing. A mechanism is associated with the battery pack to dissipate heat from the battery pack.

Abstract: A procedure for purging a fuel cell system at start-up or shutdown comprises directing the organic fuel, along with air, into a burner to produce a gas that is essentially inert to the fuel cell, such as a gas of nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water vapor. That inert gas is passed through either or both the fuel cell and fuel processing system components, such as a reformer and shift converter, to purge those components of undesirable gases. In the case of shutdown, after the cell has been disconnected from the primary load, the inert gas produced in the burner is passed either in series or in parallel through the fuel cell and fuel processing system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for eliminating the chemical energy of fuel remaining in a pressurized fuel cell generator (10) when the electrical power output of the fuel cell generator is terminated during transient operation, such as a shutdown; where, two electrically resistive elements (two of 28, 53, 54, 55) at least one of which is connected in parallel, in association with contactors (26, 57, 58, 59), a multi-point settable sensor relay (23) and a circuit breaker (24), are automatically connected across the fuel cell generator terminals (21, 22) at two or more contact points, in order to draw current, thereby depleting the fuel inventory in the generator.

Abstract: A method for controlling air flow in a metal air battery includes confining at least one metal air cell within a cartridge, which has an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, and moving air through any of a plurality of air flow paths within the cartridge. Each of the paths passes through the air inlet opening of the cartridge, through a diffusion tube, through a distributor tube, across an active surface of at least one metal air cell, and through the air outlet opening of the cartridge, wherein all of the paths are substantially equal in length.

Abstract: Disclosed are various types of metal-air FCB-based systems comprising a Metal-Fuel Transport Subsystem, a Metal-Fuel Discharging Subsystem, and a Metal-Fuel Recharging Subsystem. The function of the Metal-Fuel Transport Subsystem is to transport metal-fuel material, in the form of tape, cards, sheets, cylinders and the like, to the Metal-Fuel Discharge Subsystem, or the Metal-Fuel Recharge Subsystem, depending on the mode of the system selected. When transported to or through the Metal-Fuel Discharge Subsystem, the metal-fuel is discharged by one or more discharging heads in order produce electrical power across an electrical load connected to the subsystem while H2O and O2 are consumed at the cathode-electrolyte interface during the electro-chemical reaction.

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 method of detecting transfer leaks within a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cell assemblies includes supplying reactants and inert gas to the fuel, oxidant and/or coolant manifolds of the stack, as appropriate, and measuring the voltage across at least one of the fuel cell assemblies. An apparatus for detecting transfer leaks within solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks comprises a device for measuring the voltage across at least one of the fuel cell assemblies. Transfer leaks across the polymer electrolyte membrane, and across reactant-coolant bipolar plates, may be detected according to the present method and apparatus.

Abstract: A separator plate for use in a fuel cell stack has a fuel gas flow field adjacent one surface and an oxidant gas flow field adjacent the other surface. The fuel cells in the stack are proton exchange membrane fuel cells having undulate membrane electrode assemblies. The flowpaths of the flow fields comprise parallel flow channels that extend longitudinally and interconnected at their ends to the separator plates. The couplings for the oxidant gas flow channels are offset from those for the fuel flow channels. The interconnecting couplings may be formed by stamping, machining or molding the separator plate.