Abstract: The wheel chock includes a locking mechanism that can be held in a locked state when properly positioned on a base plate. The locking mechanism includes a positioning unit having at least one tooth provided to engage a side of a corresponding one of the blocking elements in a latched engagement when the positioning unit is in the fully locked position. The locking mechanism also includes an actuating device to move the positioning unit from the unlocked position towards the fully locked position, and a holding device to selectively hold the positioning unit in the fully locked position.

Abstract: The wheel chock includes a locking mechanism that can be held in a locked state when properly positioned on a base plate. The locking mechanism includes a positioning unit having at least one tooth provided to engage a side of a corresponding one of the blocking elements in a latched engagement when the positioning unit is in the fully locked position. The locking mechanism also includes an actuating device to move the positioning unit from the unlocked position towards the fully locked position, and a holding device to selectively hold the positioning unit in the fully locked position.

Abstract: A lamination lubricant dispensing unit for lubricating a working roller of a rolling mill for laminating a sheet of alkali metal or alloy thereof into a film. The lubricant dispensing unit has a dispensing unit body defining a laterally extending wall; first and second side walls extending forwardly from the laterally extending wall; and a ledge connected to lower ends of the walls. The ledge extends forwardly from the laterally extending wall and extending between the side walls. The ledge and the walls define a recess having an opened side. The ledge has a front edge for abutting a lamination surface of the working roller. At least a portion of the ledge is an angled portion extending upward and rearward from the front edge toward the laterally extending wall. The dispensing unit body defines at least one lubricant passage having an outlet defined in the laterally extending wall.

Abstract: A working roller for a rolling mill for laminating a sheet of alkali metal or alloy thereof into a film is disclosed. The working roller has a cylindrical center portion defining a central axis, the center portion having an outer surface defining a lamination surface; and first and second frustoconical portions extending from first and second ends of the center portion respectively. When the central axis is straight, an angle between the outer surface of the center portion and an outer surface of each of the first and second frustoconical portions is less than 0.05 degrees. A width of the center portion is greater than a width of each of the first and second frustoconical portions. The width of the center portion is less than a sum of the widths of the first and second portions. A rolling mill having two such working rollers is also disclosed.

Abstract: The wheel chock includes a locking mechanism that can be held in a locked state when properly positioned on a base plate. The locking mechanism includes a positioning unit having at least one tooth provided to engage a side of a corresponding one of the blocking elements in a latched engagement when the positioning unit is in the fully locked position. The locking mechanism also includes an actuating device to move the positioning unit from the unlocked position towards the fully locked position, and a holding device to selectively hold the positioning unit in the fully locked position.

Abstract: The wheel chock includes a locking mechanism that can be held in a locked state when properly positioned on a base plate. The locking mechanism includes a positioning unit having at least one tooth provided to engage a side of a corresponding one of the blocking elements in a latched engagement when the positioning unit is in the fully locked position. The locking mechanism also includes first means for moving the positioning unit from the unlocked position towards the fully locked position, and second means for selectively holding the positioning unit in the fully locked position.

Abstract: A working roller for a rolling mill for laminating a sheet of alkali metal or alloy thereof into a film is disclosed. The working roller has a cylindrical center portion defining a central axis, the center portion having an outer surface defining a lamination surface; and first and second frustoconical portions extending from first and second ends of the center portion respectively. When the central axis is straight, an angle between the outer surface of the center portion and an outer surface of each of the first and second frustoconical portions is less than 0.05 degrees. A width of the center portion is greater than a width of each of the first and second frustoconical portions. The width of the center portion is less than a sum of the widths of the first and second portions. A rolling mill having two such working rollers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lamination lubricant dispensing unit for lubricating a working roller of a rolling mill for laminating a sheet of alkali metal or alloy thereof into a film. The lubricant dispensing unit has a dispensing unit body defining a laterally extending wall; first and second side walls extending forwardly from the laterally extending wall; and a ledge connected to lower ends of the walls. The ledge extends forwardly from the laterally extending wall and extending between the side walls. The ledge and the walls define a recess having an opened side. The ledge has a front edge for abutting a lamination surface of the working roller. At least a portion of the ledge is an angled portion extending upward and rearward from the front edge toward the laterally extending wall. The dispensing unit body defines at least one lubricant passage having an outlet defined in the laterally extending wall.

Abstract: A working roller for a rolling mill for laminating a sheet of alkali metal or alloy thereof into a film is disclosed. The working roller has a cylindrical center portion defining a central axis, the center portion having an outer surface defining a lamination surface; and first and second frustoconical portions extending from first and second ends of the center portion respectively. When the central axis is straight, an angle between the outer surface of the center portion and an outer surface of each of the first and second frustoconical portions is less than 0.05 degrees. A width of the center portion is greater than a width of each of the first and second frustoconical portions. The width of the center portion is less than a sum of the widths of the first and second portions. A rolling mill having two such working rollers is also disclosed. A laminated sheet of alkali metal or alloy thereof obtained by the working roller of the present technology is also disclosed.

Abstract: The wheel chock includes a locking mechanism that can be held in a locked state when properly positioned on a base plate. The locking mechanism includes a positioning unit having at least one tooth provided to engage a side of a corresponding one of the blocking elements in a latched engagement when the positioning unit is in the fully locked position. The locking mechanism also includes first means for moving the positioning unit from the unlocked position towards the fully locked position, and second means for selectively holding the positioning unit in the fully locked position.

Abstract: The method relates to a pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical process for the recovery and recycling of lithium and vanadium compounds from a material comprising spent rechargeable lithium batteries, particularly lithium metal gel and solid polymer electrolyte rechargeable batteries. The method involves providing a mass of the material, hardening it by cooling at a temperature below room temperature, comminuting the mass of cooled and hardened material, digesting with an acid its ashes obtained by incineration, or its solidified salts obtained by molten salt oxidation, or the comminuted mass itself, to give a mother liquor, extracting vanadium compounds from the mother liquor, separating heavy metals and aluminium therefrom, and precipitating lithium carbonate from the remaining solution.

Abstract: A process for laminating at least one electrode sheet onto an electrically conductive support film is provided. The process comprises heating the electrically conductive support film and laminating the at least one electrode sheet onto at least one side of the heated electrically conductive support film. An apparatus for laminating at least one electrode sheet onto an electrically conductive support film is also provided. The apparatus comprises lamination rollers forming a nip and means for carrying the electrically conductive support film and the at least one electrode sheet to the nip formed by the lamination rollers. The apparatus also comprises a heater for heating the electrically conductive support film before the electrically conductive support film reaches the nip formed by the lamination rollers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing lithium or lithium alloy anodes for electrochemical cells by an extrusion process wherein a lithium or lithium alloy ingot is formed into a thin sheet. The method is adapted to extrude thin sheet having a width exceeding the diameter of the lithium or lithium alloy ingot and enables the extrusion of lithium or lithium alloy thin sheets with more than one lithium or lithium alloy ingot. The invention also provides a die assembly adapted to allow adjustment and fine tuning of a die aperture while the extrusion process of a lithium or lithium alloy ingot is being carried out.

Abstract: A process of co-extrusion of a thin electrode sheet with a thin electrolyte polymer sheet directly onto a current collector sheet for a lithium polymer battery.

Abstract: The method relates to a pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical process for the recovery and recycling of lithium and vanadium compounds from a material comprising spent rechargeable lithium batteries, particularly lithium metal gel and solid polymer electrolyte rechargeable batteries. The method involves providing a mass of the material, hardening it by cooling at a temperature below room temperature, comminuting the mass of cooled and hardened material, digesting with an acid its ashes obtained by incineration, or its solidified salts obtained by molten salt oxidation, or the comminuted mass itself, to give a mother liquor, extracting vanadium compounds from the mother liquor, separating heavy metals and aluminium therefrom, and precipitating lithium carbonate from the remaining solution.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing lithium or lithium alloy anodes for electrochemical cells by an extrusion process wherein a lithium or lithium alloy ingot is formed into a thin sheet. The method is adapted to extrude thin sheet having a width exceeding the diameter of the lithium or lithium alloy ingot and enables the extrusion of lithium or lithium alloy thin sheets with more than one lithium or lithium alloy ingot. The invention also provides a die assembly adapted to allow adjustment and fine tuning of a die aperture while the extrusion process of a lithium or lithium alloy ingot is being carried out.