Abstract: A secondary battery separator comprises a fibrous core coated with a polymer having improved electrode adhesion properties in unitary laminated construction. Vacuum removal of plasticizer without solvent extraction prevents brittleness and results in microporosity in a thin layer of enhanced ion conductivity.

Abstract: Solid divalent silver oxide is reacted in hot aqueous alkaline reaction medium with a solid bismuth component and a reducing agent. The reaction product comprises a novel compound containing silver, bismuth, and oxygen, which is used in making cathode pellets for use in alkaline electrochemical cells. The cells exhibit low internal impedance and substantially single voltage discharge characteristic of monovalent silver oxide while retaining a significant portion of the coulombic capacity a of divalent silver cathode, without toxicity problems attendant cathodes containing lead and/or cadmium. Particulate cathode materials are disclosed comprising an intermediate layer of AgO.sub.2 disposed between a core of AgO and an outer layer comprising silver and bismuth moieties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochemical cells, and more particularly to secondary lithium intercalation cells. Nickel is employed as a component "M" in an active cathode material represented by the formula Li.sub.x M.sub.y O.sub.z, where "x" and "y" are generally about 1, and "z" is generally about 2. In the present invention "M.sub.y " is divided into two components, a first major component of nickel, corresponding to at least 70% of "M.sub.y," and a second minor component comprising at least one of a non-transition metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gallium, tin, and zinc, and in some embodiments at least one transition metal selected from the group consisting of scandium and the Period 5 metals having atomic numbers between 39 and 42. A two-stage reaction process for making the compounds of the active cathode materials of the present invention is described.

Abstract: A battery, a battery charger, and a battery charging system are used for charging cylindrical batteries having a certain predetermined feature. The battery charger has at least one compartment having first and second circular recesses provided at the rear wall of the at least one compartment for engaging the cathode terminals of batteries having the predetermined feature of a first and second size respectively, wherein the recesses are of such dimensions as to receive the cathode terminals of batteries having the predetermined feature, but not the cathode terminals of conventional, prior art primary and secondary batteries not having this feature. It provides a safe, easy to use, low cost battery charging system that will not charge undesired primary or secondary batteries.

Abstract: Solid divalent silver oxide is reacted in hot aqueous alkaline reaction medium with a solid bismuth component and a reducing agent. The reaction product comprises a novel compound containing silver, bismuth, and oxygen, which is used in making cathode pellets for use in alkaline electrochemical cells. The cells exhibit low internal impedance and substantially single voltage discharge characteristic of monovalent silver oxide while retaining a significant portion of the coulombic capacity a of divalent silver cathode, without toxicity problems attendant cathodes containing lead and/or cadmium.

Abstract: A flashlight is disclosed comprising a light source and a reflector for collimating the light emitted by the light source to form a collimated light beam. An electro-optically controlled region is disposed forwardly of the light source, the collimated light beam being incident upon and passing through the electro-optic region. The electro-optic region may be operated in at least two states. In a first embodiment, and in a first state, the electro-optic region does not substantially affect the collimation of the light beam incident thereon, and the flashlight produces a spot beam. Also in the first embodiment, and in a second state, the electro-optic region scatters forwardly the collimated beam incident thereon, and thus the flashlight produces a well-diffused flood beam.

Abstract: Solid divalent silver oxide is reacted in hot aqueous alkaline reaction medium with a solid bismuth component and a reducing agent. The reaction product comprises a novel compound containing silver, bismuth, and oxygen, which is used in making cathode pellets for use in alkaline electrochemical cells. The cells exhibit low internal impedance and substantially single voltage discharge characteristic of monovalent silver oxide while retaining a significant portion of the coulombic capacity a of divalent silver cathode, without toxicity problems attendant cathodes containing lead and/or cadmium.

Abstract: A lithium carbon monoflouride electrochemical cell adapted for high temperature use and storage. The high temperature capability is provided by incorporating into such cells novel components such as a polyetheretherketone grommet, a single layer non-woven glass fiber separator, a sealant which contains up to fifteen percent, by weight, silicone, and an electrolyte which contains an increased proportion of propylene carbonate. For temperatures above 180.degree. C., the metal lithium anode conventionally used in LiCF.sub.x cells may be replaced by a lithium-alloy material.

Abstract: A hand held flashlight uses first and second light bulbs and first and second reflectors to generate a spot beam for illuminating distant objects and a flood beam for illuminating objects that are near. The first reflector is a parabolic reflector with the first light bulb being positioned at its focus to generate the spot beam. The second light bulb is positioned within the second reflector to produce the flood beam. A diffusing lens can be inserted in front of the second reflector to provide the appropriate divergence for the flood beam. The spot beam is preferably oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the flashlight for ease of use. The flashlight is designed so that the spot beam faces in a forward direction and the flood beam in a downward direction.

Abstract: A flashlight is provided with a special circuit for limiting the surge current through the flashlight bulb. The circuit includes a secondary incandescent filament used to energize a transistor gradually upon the activation of flashlight. The transistor in turn gradually energizes the main bulb.

Abstract: Divalent silver oxide (AgO) cathode materials discharge at virtually single voltages, even at low drains. The AgO cathode materials, which comprise AgO, Ag.sub.2 O and silver plumbates (Ag.sub.5 PbO.sub.6 and Ag.sub.2 PbO.sub.2), are the reaction products of minor amount of PbS and major amounts of AgO in hot aqueous sodium hydroxide. Cells incorporating such cathodic materials are thermally stable and exhibit low impedance.

Abstract: A hand-held flashlight has a housing for two independent electrical systems: a primary system and a backup system. Each of the systems includes a light source, a power source and a switching device for selectively connecting a power source to a corresponding light source. The backup system uses high performance components to insure that the flashlight is operational for long time periods. The backup system is actuated only after the the primary system has failed. An indicator announces when the backup system is in operation.

Abstract: A space-saving flashlight is described which has a special reflector. The reflector is elongated and sectioned along a longitudinal plane to take advantage of the non-spherical light distribution of typical light sources. The reflector may be axially spaced from, or folded over the flashlight housing section holding the flashlight power source.

Abstract: A flashlight is disclosed having a housing for one or more batteries and a socket for a bulb and a reed switch. The reed switch may be disposed either inside or outside the bulb on a socket. A switch activating magnet is slidably disposed on the outside of the housing.

Abstract: An alkaline battery having a divalent silver oxide (AgO) positive active material (cathode) in which a sulfide additive is incorporated into the alkaline electrolyte on the positive side of the battery separator or barrier or is added to the positive active material is provided. The sulfide additive improves the stability of the divalent silver oxide (AgO) active material in the aqueous alkaline electrolyte without adversely affecting the electrochemical reaction during the discharge of the battery. The additive consists of a sulfide of cadmium, calcium, mercury, tin, tungsten, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A high drain rate, primary alkaline cell comprising a negative electrode, a divalent silver oxide (AgO)/monovalent silver oxide (Ag.sub.2 O) depolarizer blend, a separator between said negative electrode and depolarizer blend, and an alkaline electrolyte consisting essentially of potassium hydroxide. The surface of the depolarizer blend adjacent to the separator is coated with a layer of silver. The reduced surface layer of the depolarizer provides improved stability of the depolarizer blend in the alkaline electrolyte, and it provides the cell with a single voltage plateau during discharge. The cell is characterized by a maximum open circuit voltage of about 1.75 volts. The surface of the depolarizer blend can be reduced to form the silver layer either prior to being placed in the cell container or after the blend is consolidated in the container.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a stable divalent silver oxide depolarizer mix wherein the mix is treated with a mild reducing solution of a reducing agent such as methanol followed by a treatment with a strong reducing solution of a reducing agent such as hydrazine to form a layer of silver on the surface of the depolarizer mix. The depolarizer mix is specially prepared for use in a primary alkaline cell which is discharged at a single voltage plateau, and the preliminary treatment of the mix with the mild reducing solution permits the incorporation of greater amounts of divalent silver oxide in the mix, thereby increasing the electrochemical capacity while still providing a single voltage plateau discharge. The treatment with the mild reducing solution generally requires soaking the mix in a solution containing a reducing agent for up to about 10 minutes and may be carried out at either room or elevated temperature.

Abstract: A primary alkaline cell having a stable divalent silver oxide depolarizer mix comprising a negative electrode (anode), a divalent silver oxide (AgO) depolarizer mix, a separator between said negative electrode and depolarizer mix, and an alkaline electrolyte. The surface of the depolarizer mix is treated with a mild reducing solution to form a reduced layer surrounding the mix, and the surface of the reduced layer adjacent to the separator is coated with a layer of silver. The reduced layer surrounding the depolarizer mix in combination with the layer of silver provides improved stability of the depolarizer mix in the alkaline electrolyte and a single voltage plateau during discharge of the cell. The primary alkaline cell is characterized by a maximum open circuit voltage of about 1.75 volts.