Abstract: An arrangement for battery pack protection during fluid ingress. The battery pack may include a housing, a terminal block, and a core battery assembly supported in the housing, the assembly including a core housing, a plurality of battery cells supported in the core housing, a first weld strap connecting the battery cells to a positive power terminal, a second weld strap connecting the battery cells to a negative power terminal, a first sacrificial electrode connected to the first weld strap, and a second sacrificial electrode connected to the second weld strap. A spacing between the first sacrificial electrode and the second sacrificial electrode may be selected such that an ingress fluid entering the battery pack electrically shorts the first sacrificial electrode and the second sacrificial electrode to drop a voltage of the cell battery assembly and discharge battery energy before damaging the battery cells.

Abstract: A battery can include an anode-electrolyte-cathode stack and a phase-change material. The anode-electrolyte-cathode stack can include at least one anode, at least one cathode, and an electrolyte which more directly interacts with each of the at least one anode and the at least one cathode, wherein the at least one anode electrically interacts with the at least one cathode via the electrolyte. The phase-change material can change phase to actuate an interference with an electrochemistry of the anode-electrolyte-cathode stack proximate an area where a localized temperature exceeds a predefined phase change threshold, the interference with the electrochemistry, which decreases current generation within the anode-electrolyte-cathode stack, can be adapted to occur prior to reaching a temperature that can create a failure within the anode-electrolyte-cathode stack.

Abstract: An arrangement for battery pack protection during fluid ingress. The battery pack may include a housing, a terminal block, and a core battery assembly supported in the housing, the assembly including a core housing, a plurality of battery cells supported in the core housing, a first weld strap connecting the battery cells to a positive power terminal, a second weld strap connecting the battery cells to a negative power terminal, a first sacrificial electrode connected to the first weld strap, and a second sacrificial electrode connected to the second weld strap. A spacing between the first sacrificial electrode and the second sacrificial electrode may be selected such that an ingress fluid entering the battery pack electrically shorts the first sacrificial electrode and the second sacrificial electrode to drop a voltage of the cell battery assembly and discharge battery energy before damaging the battery cells.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a cathode (401), an anode (402), and a separator (403) disposed between the anode and the cathode. Material is removed from one or both of a first side edge (406,408) and a second side edge (407,409) of the cathode and anode, and optionally the separator. The cathode, the anode, and the separator are arranged in a jellyroll (500) such that the material removed from both the first side edge and the second side edge defines a multi-faceted geometry of the jellyroll.

Abstract: A user device can include a first battery configured to power the user device and a second battery configured to power the user device. The user device can further include a temperature sensor configured to monitor a temperature of the second battery and a heating element configured to heat the second battery to increase an operating efficiency of the second battery when a temperature of the user device falls below a threshold temperature value. A switch can be configured to switch on the heating element to heat the second battery when the temperature sensor determines that the second battery is below a threshold temperature value.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell assembly (500) includes a first cell and a second cell. The first cell can include a first anode (503) and a first cathode (504), wound in a first jellyroll assembly (501) with a first jellyroll assembly exterior defined by the first cathode. The second cell can include a second anode (512) and a second cathode (513), wound in a second jellyroll assembly (502) with a second jellyroll assembly exterior defined by the second anode. The first cell and the second cell can be arranged in a housing with the first jellyroll assembly exterior adjacent to the second jellyroll assembly exterior to improve energy density. The first cell assembly and the second cell assembly can have different widths to create differently shaped cell assemblies.

Abstract: A method (900) of reducing variation of an energy storage capacity of a battery across its cycle life is disclosed. The method can include the step (901) of monitoring one or more voltages of one or more cells of a battery for a predetermined discharge usage time. Where a profile of the one or more voltages during the predetermined discharge usage time meets a predefined usage criterion, the method can include the step (907) of increasing a discharge voltage limit of the one or more cells. An energy management circuit (614) can be configured with a control circuit (702) operable to increase the discharge limit and to limit discharge of the cells when the discharge limit is reached.

Abstract: A battery can include an anode-electrolyte-cathode stack and a phase-change material. The anode-electrolyte-cathode stack can include at least one anode, at least one cathode, and an electrolyte which more directly interacts with each of the at least one anode and the at least one cathode, wherein the at least one anode electrically interacts with the at least one cathode via the electrolyte. The phase-change material can change phase to actuate an interference with an electrochemistry of the anode-electrolyte-cathode stack proximate an area where a localized temperature exceeds a predefined phase change threshold, the interference with the electrochemistry, which decreases current generation within the anode-electrolyte-cathode stack, can be adapted to occur prior to reaching a temperature that can create a failure within the anode-electrolyte-cathode stack.

Abstract: A user device can include a first battery configured to power the user device and a second battery configured to power the user device. The user device can further include a temperature sensor configured to monitor a temperature of the second battery and a heating element configured to heat the second battery to increase an operating efficiency of the second battery when a temperature of the user device falls below a threshold temperature value. A switch can be configured to switch on the heating element to heat the second battery when the temperature sensor determines that the second battery is below a threshold temperature value.

Abstract: An electronic system, or its battery thermal management system, determines a thermal state of a battery used in the electronic system. A temperature at a position proximate the battery's cell is sensed during operation of the electronic system to produce a sensed value. Additionally, a temperature offset value is determined based on an aging factor for the battery. The sensed value is then adjusted based on the offset value to produce an adjusted value representative of the thermal state of the battery. According to one embodiment, a relationship between temperature offset value and battery aging factor is prestored in a memory of the electronic system. In such a case, the offset value may be retrieved from memory periodically or in response to a trigger event based on a determined aging factor. According to another embodiment, the offset value may be computed in real time based on a determined aging factor.

Abstract: A method (300) and system (600) of adjusting a charging current to one or more cells (601) is provided. The method includes obtaining (301) a plurality of charging time periods, where each charging time period defined as a time period required to charge the one or more cells with a predefined current at one of a plurality of different temperatures. A temperature of the one or more cells is determined (302). A predetermined current is scaled (306) by a quotient of a first charging time period defined by a first one of the plurality of different temperatures divided by a second charging time period defined by a second one of the plurality of different temperatures to obtain a magnitude of the charging current. The cells are charged (307) with the charging current at the magnitude to more rapidly charge the one or more cells at temperatures above room temperature.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell assembly (500) includes a first cell and a second cell. The first cell can include a first anode (503) and a first cathode (504), wound in a first jellyroll assembly (501) with a first jellyroll assembly exterior defined by the first cathode. The second cell can include a second anode (512) and a second cathode (513), wound in a second jellyroll assembly (502) with a second jellyroll assembly exterior defined by the second anode. The first cell and the second cell can be arranged in a housing with the first jellyroll assembly exterior adjacent to the second jellyroll assembly exterior to improve energy density. The first cell assembly and the second cell assembly can have different widths to create differently shaped cell assemblies.

Abstract: A method (300) and system (600) of adjusting a charging current to one or more cells (601) is provided. The method includes obtaining (301) a plurality of charging time periods, where each charging time period defined as a time period required to charge the one or more cells with a predefined current at one of a plurality of different temperatures. A temperature of the one or more cells is determined (302). A predetermined current is scaled (306) by a quotient of a first charging time period defined by a first one of the plurality of different temperatures divided by a second charging time period defined by a second one of the plurality of different temperatures to obtain a magnitude of the charging current. The cells are charged (307) with the charging current at the magnitude to more rapidly charge the one or more cells at temperatures above room temperature.

Abstract: An assembly includes a receiver housing (401) defining a plurality of bays (403,404,405,406,407). Each bay can be separated by a flexible connector section (411,412,413,414). A plurality of electrochemical cells can be disposed in the plurality of bays. A first common conductor (301) can be coupled to each anode of each electrochemical cell, and a second common conductor (302) can be coupled to each cathode of the each electrochemical cell. A cover housing (402) can be coupled to the receiver housing to enclose the plurality of electrochemical cells in the plurality of bays. An exterior housing can be applied to form a wearable strap for, and to power, an electronic device (800).

Abstract: A mobile electronic device with an enhanced battery pack construction is shown. The mobile electronic device (10) includes: a housing (12) including a front housing (14) and a rear housing (16) having a reservoir area (18); a user interface (20) connected to the front housing (14); and a battery pack (22) including a planar inwardly facing surface (24) and a nonplanar outwardly facing surface (26), the nonplanar outwardly facing surface (26) being substantially complementarily configured to be received in the reservoir area (18) of the rear housing (16). Advantageously, this construction helps to provide a uniquely shaped mobile electronic device with enhanced ergonomics, adapted to be comfortably held in a user's hand and can conform to a user's palm. Advantageously, this construction is adapted to accommodating expansion and contraction of the battery pack (22), when it comprises a Lithium Ion Polymer, in one embodiment.

Abstract: An electronic system, or its battery thermal management system, determines a thermal state of a battery used in the electronic system. A temperature at a position proximate the battery's cell is sensed during operation of the electronic system to produce a sensed value. Additionally, a temperature offset value is determined based on an aging factor for the battery. The sensed value is then adjusted based on the offset value to produce an adjusted value representative of the thermal state of the battery. According to one embodiment, a relationship between temperature offset value and battery aging factor is prestored in a memory of the electronic system. In such a case, the offset value may be retrieved from memory periodically or in response to a trigger event based on a determined aging factor. According to another embodiment, the offset value may be computed in real time based on a determined aging factor.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a cathode (401), an anode (402), and a separator (403) disposed between the anode and the cathode. Material is removed from one or both of a first side edge (406,408) and a second side edge (407,409) of the cathode and anode, and optionally the separator. The cathode, the anode, and the separator are arranged in a jellyroll (500) such that the material removed from both the first side edge and the second side edge defines a multi-faceted geometry of the jellyroll.

Abstract: A method (900) of reducing variation of an energy storage capacity of a battery across its cycle life is disclosed. The method can include the step (901) of monitoring one or more voltages of one or more cells of a battery for a predetermined discharge usage time. Where a profile of the one or more voltages during the predetermined discharge usage time meets a predefined usage criterion, the method can include the step (907) of increasing a discharge voltage limit of the one or more cells. An energy management circuit (614) can be configured with a control circuit (702) operable to increase the discharge limit and to limit discharge of the cells when the discharge limit is reached.

Abstract: A battery pack with reduced magnetic field emissions includes a plurality of cells (1301,1302) coupled electrically together by a first electrical conductor (1307) and a second electrical conductor (1308). The first electrical conductor (1307) couples positive terminals (1305,1306) to a terminal block (1311), while the second electrical conductor (1308) couples the negative terminals (1303,1304) to the terminal block (1311). Each cell (1301,1302) contains an asymmetrical internal electrode construction (1313,1314) having electrical tabs (502,503) coupled to a cathode and anode. The cells (1301,1302) can be arranged with their corresponding asymmetrical internal electrode constructions (1313,1314) oriented in different directions to reduce magnetic field emissions. The first electrical conductor (1307) and second electrical conductor (1308) can be routed such that magnetic fields generated by discharge currents tend to reduce other magnetic fields produced by other components within the battery pack.

Abstract: A composite of particles comprising a high crystallinity carbon and a low crystallinity carbon, wherein the low crystallinity carbon exhibits an average lattice constant d=(002) of 0.350 nm or more and a crystallite size L=(002) in the diffraction of C axis of 25 nm or less, as characterized by wide-angle X ray diffraction measurements, the high crystallinity carbon exhibits an average lattice constant d=(002) of 0.338 nm or less and a crystallinity size L=(002) in the diffraction of C axis of 40 nm or more, as characterized by wide-angle X-ray diffraction measurements, the high crystallinity carbon having at least 50% of its external surface embedded within or surrounded by a matrix of low crystallinity carbon.