Abstract: A portable electronic device (10) comprises a radio circuit (150) contained in a housing (152) having positive (156) and negative (158) contacts electrically coupled to the radio circuit (150). A substantially flat, elongated, flexible battery cell, forming a compliant energy storage device (32), provides a single, continuous wrist band (30) and has positive (160) and negative (162) terminals. A latch mechanism (176) releasably secures the housing (152) to the wrist band (30) between opposite ends (172, 174) of the wrist band (30), and permits the contacts (156, 158) of the housing (152) to align with and abut the respective terminals (160, 162) of the wrist band (30) while the wrist band (30) is worn on the user's wrist. Multiple housings (152, 180) may be stacked to add electrical functions.

Abstract: In a circuit having an electromechanical transducer, such as a motor (22), a control switch (24) is controlled by a control circuit (26) to connect the motor to, and disconnect from, a battery (12). When control switch opens, thereby disconnecting the motor from the battery, the momentum achieved by the motor tends keep the motor turning, causing the motor to behave like a generator. A switch network (28) connects a first capacitor (30), which is initially discharged, across the motor at the same time the control switch disconnects it from the battery. The momentum of the motor, and any attached mechanical system (32), generates a transient charge which is collected by the first capacitor. When the voltage produced by the collected charge reaches a peak, the switch network disconnects the first capacitor from the motor, reorients the first capacitor, and waits to apply the voltage to the motor.

Abstract: A system for charging a battery (22) including a power supply (70) and a vibration device (48) to enhance charging. The vibration device (48) may be the speaker of an electronic communication device (30).

Abstract: A vending machine (10) for vending a rechargeable battery pack has a interface unit (12), new battery reservoir (14), battery dispensing unit (16), and a control unit (18). A customer interested in purchasing a new battery insets a payment in the money handling unit (30). A display (32) is provided and prompts the customer for a response. The customer responds by use of an entry pad (3), and the machine dispenses a new battery. Alternatively, if the customer is interested in exchanging a discharged battery for a fully charged one of similar condition, a battery pack received unit (20) is provided with a receiver port (42) for the customer to insert the spent battery. The spent battery is quickly analyzed by a battery test unit (22) and assigned a grade. If the spent battery is in usable condition, it is passed to a battery recharger, and the customer is prompted to choose between a new battery and one of similar grade to that deposited. If a new battery is selected, one is dispensed, as before.

Abstract: A communication system (200) includes a portable radio (100) which has environmental detection capabilities. The radio (100) upon detecting the presence of an environmental condition such as smoke above a predetermined threshold, transmits an information signal to a communication station (202). Once the signal is received by communication station (202), it is decoded and a message is annunciated. The communication station (202) can transmit a message to radio (100) in response to the information signal. Optionally, before radio (100) transmits an information signal to the communication station (202), it first determines if the environmental condition (e.g. smoke) has been detected for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An electrode (34) for use in supercapacitors is provided, comprising a sheet of a first active electrode (30) comprising metal oxides, chlorides, bromides, sulfates, nitrates, sulfides, hydrides, nitrides, phsophides, or selenides (22) coated onto porous carbon particles (20). The coated carbon particles are bound together in a matrix (24) of a fluorocarbon resin. The first electrode (30) is laminated to a dielectric separator (32), and a second active electrode (30) similar in composition to the first is laminated to the other side of the dielectric separator (32).

Abstract: A method of preparing a battery paste for a lead-acid storage battery comprising: (a) mixing a water dispersion of polyfluoroethylene with lead material, (b) adding an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid to the lead material-dispersion mix and mixing to form a paste having fibrillation developed therein, (c) controlling the amount of fibrillation developed in the paste, and (d) controlling the paste density for use in a battery plate. The method provides an improved paste which permits substantial reduction in plate weights and density and loss of active material in the grid structure due to plate shedding over a conventional lead-acid paste. The saving in active material ranges from 10 to 30% over a conventional lead-acid paste without reduction in battery performance.

Abstract: A primary seawater battery employs a metallic sheet anode and a sheet cathode. The cathode is lead chloride including an addition of about 1 to about 10 parts by weight of lead oxide per 100 parts by weight of lead chloride. The lead oxide may be litharge, litharge containing lead, red lead or lead peroxide. Other ingredients which may be present in the cathode are carbon black for conductivity and an organic binder such as polyfluoroethylene. The battery is characterized by having a shortened rise time compared to batteries without the lead oxide additive, especially when the battery is used at low temperatures.