Abstract: An apparatus including a battery cell includes an electrode stack. The electrode stack includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a separator disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The apparatus further includes an enclosure configured for encasing and mechanically protecting the electrode stack. The apparatus further includes an electrolyte. The apparatus further includes a thermally conductive and electrically insulated inert fill material located between the electrode stack and the enclosure configured for providing a thermally conductive connection between the electrode stack and the enclosure.

Abstract: A detection device includes a frame, a transport mechanism, detection mechanisms, and a grasping mechanism. The transport mechanism includes a feeding line, a first flow line, and a second flow line arranged in parallel on the frame. The detection mechanisms are arranged on the frame and located on two sides of the transport mechanism. The grasping mechanism is arranged on the frame and used to transport workpieces on the feeding line to the detection mechanisms, transport qualified workpieces to the first flow line, and transport unqualified workpieces to the second flow line.

Abstract: An apparatus for prismatic battery cell is provided. The apparatus includes a hard outer case defining an internal volume. The apparatus further includes an electrode stack disposed within the internal volume and includes a pair of an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. The electrode stack further includes a plurality of electrode pair layers stacked parallel to each other. The electrode pair layers each include a planar surface. The apparatus further includes a built-in spring configured for pressing against the electrode stack in a direction perpendicular to the planar surface of each of the electrode pair layers.

Abstract: A battery assembly includes a first plurality of battery cells, a second plurality of battery cells, and an intermediate layer arranged in a stack. Each of the first plurality of battery cells includes a first cathode, a first cathode current collector, a first anode, a first anode current collector, and a first solid state separator, and each of the second plurality of battery cells includes a second cathode, a second cathode current collector, a second anode, a second anode current collector, and a second solid state separator. The first cathode current collectors are electrically connected in parallel to a first terminal, and the second anode current collectors are electrically connected in parallel to a second terminal. The first anode current collectors of the first plurality of battery cells are electrically connected and are electrically connected to the second cathode current collectors of the second plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: An apparatus for a battery cell is provided. The apparatus includes the battery cell. The battery cell includes an electrode stack including at least one pair of an anode electrode and a cathode electrode and a can including a wall encapsulating the electrode stack. The battery cell further includes a positive battery terminal connected to the electrode stack and projecting outside of the can. The battery cell further includes a negative battery terminal connected to the electrode stack. The positive battery terminal and the negative battery terminal are configured for providing electrical energy. The battery cell further includes a thermal barrier adjoining the can and the positive battery terminal. The thermal barrier seals gases within the battery cell from exiting the battery cell between the can and the positive battery terminal at an ambient temperature of at least 600° C.

Abstract: A battery pack includes battery cells arranged a distance above a battery tray such that an exhaust passage is defined between the battery cells and the battery tray. Each respective one of the battery cells includes a casing defining a cell cavity therein and having an end surface disposed proximate the battery tray, an anode and a cathode disposed within the cell cavity, and a sacrificial vent cap. The sacrificial vent cap is constructed at least partially of a polymeric material and connected to the end surface of the casing. The sacrificial vent cap is configured to melt or fracture at a predetermined temperature or pressure, respectively, to thereby connect the cell cavity to the exhaust passage.

Abstract: A mid-tier messaging system receives a request to initiate a communication session via a first messaging channel that includes a first messaging interface of a first messaging application provided at a user device and a first message provider of a plurality of message providers. The mid-tier messaging system establishes a first session that is mapped to the communication session. The mid-tier messaging system establishes the communication, using the first session, between the first messaging interface and the first message provider. The mid-tier messaging system provides, through the first session, first message communications between the first message provider and the first messaging interface. The mid-tier messaging system seamlessly switches to a second message provider service when the first message provider service cannot service an intent of the first communication session.

Abstract: A non-stick electrode comprises an electrode an electrically insulating sheath disposed thereon. The electrically insulating sheath has an opening on a surface of the electrode through which an electrical current is transmitted or received to or from an opposing electrode respectively. The electrode protrudes through the opening in the insulating sheath. An electrically conducting interlayer is disposed on the electrode such that it contacts the electrode at the opening in the electrically insulating sheath. The electrically conducting interlayer comprises a material that decomposes at a temperature that is greater than a temperature of a metal that is liquified on contact with the non-stick electrode.

Abstract: A mid-tier messaging system receives a request to initiate a communication session via a first messaging channel that includes a first messaging interface of a first messaging application provided at a user device and a first message provider of a plurality of message providers. The mid-tier messaging system establishes a first session that is mapped to the communication session. The mid-tier messaging system establishes the communication, using the first session, between the first messaging interface and the first message provider. The mid-tier messaging system provides, through the first session, first message communications between the first message provider and the first messaging interface. The mid-tier messaging system seamlessly switches to a second message provider service when the first message provider service cannot service an intent of the first communication session.

Abstract: A mid-tier messaging system receives a request to initiate a communication session via a first messaging channel that includes a first messaging interface of a first messaging application provided at a user device and a first message provider of a plurality of message providers. The mid-tier messaging system establishes a first session that is mapped to the communication session. The mid-tier messaging system establishes the communication, using the first session, between the first messaging interface and the first message provider. The mid-tier messaging system provides, through the first session, first message communications between the first message provider and the first messaging interface. The mid-tier messaging system seamlessly switches to a second message provider service when the first message provider service cannot service an intent of the first communication session.

Abstract: A microseal for a metal bead seal joint includes a substantially horizontal surface, first and second substantially vertical surfaces disposed on opposite ends of the substantially horizontal surface, and a contoured surface operatively configured to adhere to a portion of a metal bead. The contoured surface may be disposed opposite the substantially horizontal surface and may be integral to the first and second substantially vertical surfaces. The substantially horizontal surface may be operatively configured to substantially maintain its horizontal surface orientation in both a compression state and a non-compression state.

Abstract: A plate includes a planar portion and a circular bead, or circular bead seal, that is offset from the planar portion. An axis is substantially perpendicular to the planar portion, and the circular bead arcs about the axis. The axis may be defined by a hole through the planar portion that is substantially surrounded by the circular bead. One or more displacement absorption tunnels is offset from the planar portion and extends radially relative to the axis. Each of the displacement absorption tunnels intersects the circular bead. In some configurations the displacement absorption tunnels may have an arcuate shape, and in some configurations the displacement absorption tunnels may have a trapezoidal shape. A plurality of plates having similar, though not identical, features may be stacked together.

Abstract: A method, device and computer readable medium are provided for determining the closing time of a circuit breaker. In an embodiment, the method includes: sampling a voltage signal of a target phase in the three-phase voltage signal of the circuit breaker; determining a first time period according to a voltage value of the sampled voltage signal, a voltage signal in the first time period including a voltage jump point of the voltage value; finding a voltage jump point of a voltage value in the first time period according to a change in the voltage value of the voltage signal in the first time period; and determining the closing time of a target phase of the circuit breaker according to the found sampling time of the voltage jump point.

Abstract: A mid-tier messaging system receives a request to initiate a communication session via a first messaging channel that includes a first messaging interface of a first messaging application provided at a user device and a first message provider of a plurality of message providers. The mid-tier messaging system establishes a first session that is mapped to the communication session. The mid-tier messaging system establishes the communication, using the first session, between the first messaging interface and the first message provider. The mid-tier messaging system provides, through the first session, first message communications between the first message provider and the first messaging interface. The mid-tier messaging system seamlessly switches to a second message provider service when the first message provider service cannot service an intent of the first communication session.

Abstract: A power generation cell (fuel cell) includes a membrane electrode assembly and first and second metallic separators arranged respectively on opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly. An oxygen containing gas supply passage, a communication passage bead section (bead seal) that surrounds the oxygen containing gas supply passage, and a bridge section are disposed on the first metallic separator. At a location where the bridge section is disposed, the width of a root section of the communication passage bead section is greater than the width of the root section of the communication passage bead section at other locations thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods including a header flange to evenly distribute contact pressure across seals include, in some aspects, a plate including a bead and a flange edge. The bead includes a bead-side and a bead-corner. The flange edge defines an aperture through the plate. The flange edge also includes a first edge-portion proximate the bead-side and a second edge-portion proximate the bead-corner. The bead-side and the first edge-portion define a first edge-distance therebetween. The bead-corner and the second edge-portion define a second edge-distance therebetween. The second edge-distance is greater than the first edge-distance.

Abstract: A mid-tier messaging system receives a request to initiate a communication session via a first messaging channel that includes a first messaging interface of a first messaging application provided at a user device and a first message provider of a plurality of message providers. The mid-tier messaging system establishes a first session that is mapped to the communication session. The mid-tier messaging system establishes the communication, using the first session, between the first messaging interface and the first message provider. The mid-tier messaging system provides, through the first session, first message communications between the first message provider and the first messaging interface. The mid-tier messaging system seamlessly switches to a second message provider service when the first message provider service cannot service an intent of the first communication session.

Abstract: Methods for designing one or a pair of half plates of a fuel cell include providing a first half plate defining a first half plate metal bead, wherein the first half plate metal bead protrudes from the first half plate forming a convex side, providing a second half plate defining a second plate metal bead, wherein the second half plate metal bead protrudes from the second half plate forming a convex side, determining a pressure profile between the convex sides of the first half plate metal bead and the second half plate metal bead in a compressed state, and adjusting a height of the first half plate metal bead and/or the second half plate metal bead in one or more locations to increase the uniformity of the pressure profile. Increasing the uniformity of the pressure profile can include reducing a range of the plurality of pressure measurements.

Abstract: A plate includes a planar portion and a circular bead, or circular bead seal, that is offset from the planar portion. An axis is substantially perpendicular to the planar portion, and the circular bead arcs about the axis. The axis may be defined by a hole through the planar portion that is substantially surrounded by the circular bead. One or more displacement absorption tunnels is offset from the planar portion and extends radially relative to the axis. Each of the displacement absorption tunnels intersects the circular bead. In some configurations the displacement absorption tunnels may have an arcuate shape, and in some configurations the displacement absorption tunnels may have a trapezoidal shape. A plurality of plates having similar, though not identical, features may be stacked together.

Abstract: An end plate unit for use in a fuel cell stack in an electric vehicle is provided wherein the end plate includes an outer surface, an inner surface disposed opposite the outer surface and a current collector. The inner surface defines at least a first region and a second region which is spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first region. The current collector may be affixed to the inner surface.