Abstract: Disclosed is a nonaqueous liquid electrolyte comprising poly(siloxane-g-3 ethylene oxide) and its synthesis. This electrolyte provides significant safety, improved electrochemical stability, improved conductivity, lower impedance, and lower manufacturing costs.

Abstract: An electric storage battery and method of manufacture thereof characterized by a feedthrough pin which is internally directly physically and electrically connected to an inner end of a positive electrode substrate. A C-shaped mandrel extends around the pin and substrate end enabling the pin/mandrel to be used during the manufacturing process as an arbor to facilitate winding layers of a spiral jellyroll electrode assembly. The pin additionally extends from the battery case and in the final product constitutes one of the battery terminals with the battery case comprising the other terminal. Active material is removed from both sides of the outer end of the negative electrode in the jellyroll to allow room for adhesive tape to secure the jellyroll. The electrolyte is injected through the open end of the case after the endcap is welded to the negative electrode but before sealing the endcap to the case. The electrolyte is preferably injected through the C-shaped mandrel to facilitate and speed filling.

Abstract: A battery pack system is disclosed. The battery pack system includes a battery pack having batteries arranged in a plurality of parallel groups that are connected in series. Each parallel group includes a plurality of the batteries connected in parallel. The electronics are configured to drop the current at which the battery pack is operating from a first current level to a second current level one or more times. The second current level is lower than the first current level. The electronics can drop the current from the first current level to the second current level during the charge and/or discharge of the battery pack. In some instances, the electronics intermittently drop the current from the first current level to the second current level during the charge and/or discharge of the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a porous medium positioned in a case. The porous medium hold several batteries. The battery pack also includes terminals for accessing power from the batteries held by the porous medium. The terminals are accessible from outside of the case. The battery pack also includes a flame retardant absorbed into pores of the porous medium.

Abstract: An electric storage battery and method of manufacture thereof characterized by a feedthrough pin which is internally directly physically and electrically connected to an inner end of a positive electrode substrate. A C-shaped mandrel extends around the pin and substrate end enabling the pin/mandrel to be used during the manufacturing process as an arbor to facilitate winding layers of a spiral jellyroll electrode assembly. The pin additionally extends from the battery case and in the final product constitutes one of the battery terminals with the battery case comprising the other terminal. Active material is removed from both sides of the outer end of the negative electrode in the jellyroll to allow room for adhesive tape to secure the jellyroll. The electrolyte is injected through the open end of the case after the endcap is welded to the negative electrode but before sealing the endcap to the case. The electrolyte is preferably injected through the C-shaped mandrel to facilitate and speed filling.

Abstract: The battery includes an electrolyte activating one or more cathodes and one or more anodes. The electrolyte includes one or more organoborate salts in a solvent. The organoborate salt can include a lithium bis[bidentate]borate or a lithium dihalo mono[bidentate]borate. In some instances, the solvent includes a silane or a siloxane.

Abstract: A method, device and system is disclosed for rapidly and safely discharging remaining energy stored in an electrochemical battery 104 in the event of an internal short circuit or other fault. In its best mode of implementation, if a sensor 116 detects one or more parameters such as battery temperature 204 or pressure 206, exceeding a predetermined threshold value 334, the terminals 144 of the battery or cell are intentionally short-circuited external to the battery through a low or near zero resistance load 150 which rapidly drains energy from the battery 104. Heat generated by such rapid drain is absorbed by a heat absorbing material 151 such as an endothermic phase-change material like paraffin. The rate energy is drained via the external discharge load 150 may be controlled with an electronic circuit 136 responsive to factors such as state of charge and battery temperature.

Abstract: A battery case is disclosed. The case includes a cover bonded to a body such that a bottom of the cover and the body define at least a portion of the interior of a battery. The cover includes a second metal which is bonded to a first metal included in the battery body. The second metal is clad with a third metal such that the third metal covers less than 90% of an upper surface of the second metal. A hole extends through the second metal and the third metal. The case also includes a feedthrough assembly extending through the hole. The feedthrough assembly includes a feedthrough pin surrounded by a feedthrough body. The feedthrough body includes a fourth metal bonded to the third metal in the cover.

Abstract: The battery system includes a battery pack having a plurality of power sources arranged in parallel groups that are connected in series. Each parallel group includes a plurality of power sources connected in parallel. Each power source includes a battery. The system also includes electronics configured to repeatedly charge the battery pack according to a charging protocol. The charging protocol is configured such that the voltage of any one battery in the battery pack does not exceed its maximum operational voltage after failure of a battery in the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery pack system is disclosed. The battery pack system includes a battery pack having batteries arranged in a plurality of parallel groups that are connected in series. Each parallel group includes a plurality of the batteries connected in parallel. The electronics are configured to drop the current at which the battery pack is operating from a first current level to a second current level one or more times. The second current level is lower than the first current level. The electronics can drop the current from the first current level to the second current level during the charge and/or discharge of the battery pack. In some instances, the electronics intermittently drop the current from the first current level to the second current level during the charge and/or discharge of the battery pack.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a battery comprises a lithium organoborate salt in a lactone and a low viscosity solvent. The lithium organoborate salt may comprise LiBOB, or a mono[bidentate]borate salt. The lactone may comprise gamma butyrolactone. The low viscosity solvent may comprise a nitrile, an ether, a linear carbonate, or a linear ester. The electrolyte is suitable for use in lithium ion batteries having graphite negative electrodes. Batteries using this electrolyte have high conductivity, low polarization, and high discharge capacity.

Abstract: An electric storage battery and method of manufacture thereof characterized by a feedthrough pin which is internally directly physically and electrically connected to an inner end of a positive electrode substrate. A C-shaped mandrel extends around the pin and substrate end enabling the pin/mandrel to be used during the manufacturing process as an arbor to facilitate winding layers of a spiral jellyroll electrode assembly. The pin additionally extends from the battery case and in the final product constitutes one of the battery terminals with the battery case comprising the other terminal. Active material is removed from both sides of the outer end of the negative electrode in the jellyroll to allow room for adhesive tape to secure the jellyroll. The electrolyte is injected through the open end of the case after the endcap is welded to the negative electrode but before sealing the endcap to the case. The electrolyte is preferably injected through the C-shaped mandrel to facilitate and speed filling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for containing heat generated by a battery to reduce the amplitude of a temperature excursion to enhance safety in temperature critical applications, such as in implantable medical devices. The apparatus employs a heat absorber (38) closely thermally coupled to the battery (30). The heat absorber includes heat-absorbing material preferably exhibiting an endothermic phase change at a temperature below that produced by the battery.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery particularly configured to be able to discharge to a very low voltage, e.g. zero volts, without causing permanent damage to the battery. More particularly, the battery is configured to define a Zero Volt Crossing Potential (ZCP) which is lower than a Damage Potential Threshold (DPT).

Abstract: A power source system including a power distribution apparatus has an energy management system for managing the provision of power from multiple power sources to multiple electrical devices. The power distribution apparatus may have a combination of primary and secondary sources connected to it. It may also have a variety of electrical devices connected to it, receiving power through the power distribution apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved type of fluorinated carbon (CFx) for use in electrical storage devices such as batteries and capacitors. The CFx is coated with a conductive material such as gold or carbon using vapor deposition. The resulting material exhibits better conductivity with concomitant lower impedance, higher electrical stability, and improved potential throughout the useful life of the device, as compared to uncoated CFx. The improved conductivity reduces the amount of nonactive material (e.g., carbon black) that needs to be added, thus improving the volumetric energy density. In addition, cells made with the subject CFx exhibit more constant voltages and higher overall voltage (2.0 volts with a lithium metal anode) throughout their useful life. Chemical or physical vapor deposition techniques to deposit a variety of metals or carbon may be used to create the improved CFx. The coated CFx may be used in primary or secondary batteries, as well as capacitors and hybrid devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nonaqueous and nonvolatile liquid type polymeric electrolyte comprising poly(siloxane-g-ethylene oxide). This electrolyte provides significant safety and stability. The present invention solves the problems of volatility, flammability and chemical reactivity of lithium ion type electrolytes. The disclosed electrolyte exhibits excellent stability, conductivity and low impedance characteristics. The electrolyte comprises a new class of structural siloxane polymers with one or more poly(ethylene oxide) side chains. The inorganic siloxanes comprising the main backbone of the copolymers are thermally very stable and resistant to decomposition by heat. Because the main chain of the disclosed class of electrolytes is an Si—O linkage, initiation of the combustion cycle is inhibited or prevented.

Abstract: An electric storage battery and method of manufacture thereof characterized by a feed through pin (12) which is internally directly physically and electrically connected to an inner end of a positive electrode substrate (32). A C-shaped mandrel (48) extends around the pin and substrate end enabling the pin/mandrel to be used during the manufacturing process as an arbor to facilitate winding layers of a spiral jellyroll electrode assembly. The pin additionally extends from the battery case (101) and in the final product constitutes one of the battery terminals (14) with the battery case comprising the other terminal. The electrolyte is injected through the open end of the case after the end cap is welded to the negative electrode but before sealing the end cap to the case. The electrolyte is preferably injected through the C-shaped mandrel to facilitate and speed filling.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medically implantable integrated biocompatible power module incorporating a power source (e.g., battery), a power management circuit (PMC), a magnetically inductive coupling system (MICS) for remote communication and/or inductive charging and a homing device for locating the implanted inductive charging coil. Three configurations are disclosed, each generally suitable for a specified range of energy capacities. The implantable power module (IPM) allows for improved design flexibility for medical devices since the power source may be located remotely and be recharged safely in situ. Special safety aspects may be incorporated, including endothermic phase change heat absorption material (HAM), emergency energy disconnect and emergency energy drain circuits. Communication (one or two way) may be carried out using the inductive charging link, a separate inductive pathway, or other pathway such as RF or via light waves.

Abstract: A secondary cell employs a nonaqueous electrolyte solution including a nonaqueous solvent and a salt, and a flame retardant material that is liquid at room temperature and pressure and substantially immiscible in the nonaqueous electrolyte solution. The nonaqueous electrolyte solution is formed by dissolving a salt, preferably an alkali metal salt, in a nonaqueous solvent. The nonaqueous solvent preferably includes a cyclic carbonate and/or a linear carbonate. The cyclic carbonate preferably contains an alkylene group with 2 to 5 carbon atoms, and the linear carbonate preferably contains a hydrocarbon group with 1 to 5 carbon atoms. Preferred salts include LiPF6 and LiBF4 at a concentration between about 0.1 and 3.0 moles/liter. The flame retardant material is preferably a halogen-containing compound in an amount by weight of nonaqueous solvent in a range of about 1 to about 99 wt %, and preferred halogen-containing compounds contain perfluoralkyl or perfluorether groups.