Abstract: A pulse dischargeable electrochemical cell, preferably of a Li/SVO couple, is described. To help prevent lithium clusters from bridging to the terminal pin extending below the casing lid and connected to the cathode current collector tab, an elastomeric gasket directly contacts the inner surface of the lid. The elastomeric gasket is preferably a unitary member comprising an O-ring gasket portion that contacts the sealing glass of the glass-to-metal seal (GTMS), and a sheet-shaped gasket portion connected to the O-ring gasket portion and that contacts the inner surface of the lid. The GTMS does not have a ferrule. Instead, the sealing glass seals directly to the lid and to the terminal pin. The elastomeric gasket resides between the lid and an insulator compartment, which is described in co-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 10,629,862 to Roy et al.

Abstract: A current collector for an electrochemical cell is described. Unlike conventional current collector designs, the current collector does not have an unperforated perimeter frame completely bordering or surrounding a perforated interior region. Instead, only that portion of the current collector adjacent to the connector tab is unperforated. Otherwise, perforations extend directly to the perimeter edge.

Abstract: A lithium electrochemical cell with increased energy density is described. The electrochemical cell comprises an improved sandwich cathode design with a second cathode active material of a relatively high energy density but of a relatively low rate capability sandwiched between two current collectors and with a first cathode active material having a relatively low energy density but of a relatively high rate capability in contact with the opposite sides of the two current collectors. In addition, a cathode fabrication process is described that increases manufacturing efficiency. The cathode fabrication process comprises a process in which first and second cathode active materials are directly applied to opposite surfaces of a perforated current collector and laminated together. The present cathode design is useful for powering an implantable medical device requiring a high rate discharge application.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, preferably a secondary, rechargeable cell, including a casing comprised of a main body portion having opposed lower and upper open ends closed by respective lower and upper lids is described. The main body portion is composed of titanium Grades 5 or 23 having a relatively high electrical resistivity material while the lower and upper lids are composed of titanium Grades 1 or 2. The lids are preferably joined to the main body portion using laser welding. The combination of these differing titanium alloys provides a cell casing that effectively retards eddy current induced heating during cell recharging.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrochemical cells that generally relate to the conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to primary lithium electrochemical cells possessing insulator pocket structures, which substantially envelope cathode components to prevent lithium cluster formation therein.

Abstract: A lithium electrochemical cell with increased energy density is described. The electrochemical cell comprises an improved sandwich cathode design with a second cathode active material of a relatively high energy density but of a relatively low rate capability sandwiched between two current collectors and with a first cathode active material having a relatively low energy density but of a relatively high rate capability in contact with the opposite sides of the two current collectors. In addition, a cathode fabrication process is described that increases manufacturing efficiency. The cathode fabrication process comprises a process in which first and second cathode active materials are directly applied to opposite surfaces of a perforated current collector and laminated together. The present cathode design is useful for powering an implantable medical device requiring a high rate discharge application.

Abstract: A gauge adaptor apparatus allows easy connection and removal of a gauge to a hydronic system or other fluidic piping system for taking a pressure or temperature reading. The gauge adaptor apparatus is compatible with standard hose connections and can be used to quickly and easily add a gauge onto a hydronic system without requiring extensive labor and without needing to halt the operation of the system. Gauge adaptor apparatuses can be used to take one-time readings, or they can be left permanently installed for ongoing readings of the system. Gauge adaptor apparatuses take up little space, are highly compatible with existing fluid valves and system configurations, can be installed quickly and easily without requiring much labor, and can be easily removed for system draining, servicing, or replacement.

Abstract: A lithium electrochemical cell with increased energy density is described. The electrochemical cell comprises an improved sandwich cathode design with a second cathode active material of a relatively high energy density but of a relatively low rate capability sandwiched between two current collectors and with a first cathode active material having a relatively low energy density but of a relatively high rate capability in contact with the opposite sides of the two current collectors. In addition, a cathode fabrication process is described that increases manufacturing efficiency. The cathode fabrication process comprises a process in which first and second cathode active materials are directly applied to opposite surfaces of a perforated current collector and laminated together. The present cathode design is useful for powering an implantable medical device requiring a high rate discharge application.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, preferably a secondary, rechargeable cell, including a casing comprised of a main body portion having opposed lower and upper open ends closed by respective lower and upper lids is described. The main body portion is composed of titanium Grades 5 or 23 having a relatively high electrical resistivity material while the lower and upper lids are composed of titanium Grades 1 or 2. The lids are preferably joined to the main body portion using laser welding. The combination of these differing titanium alloys provides a cell casing that effectively retards eddy current induced heating during cell recharging.

Abstract: A process for creating a laser braze weld joint between a current collector and a terminal pin in the construction of electrochemical cells is described. The laser braze welding process utilizes a laser weld instrument to create a braze-like joint between two work pieces. The weld joint is created by controlling the amount of laser heat and energy imparted to the work pieces through proper control and positioning of the laser beam with respect to the work pieces. Preferably, the method is used to bond the terminal pin to the cathode current collector. This method of attachment is suitable for either primary or secondary cells, particularly those powering implantable biomedical devices.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, preferably a secondary, rechargeable cell, including a casing comprised of a main body portion having opposed lower and upper open ends closed by respective lower and upper lids is described. The main body portion is composed of titanium Grades 5 or 23 having a relatively high electrical resistivity material while the lower and upper lids are composed of titanium Grades 1 or 2. The lids are preferably joined to the main body portion using laser welding. The combination of these differing titanium alloys provides a cell casing that effectively retards eddy current induced heating during cell recharging.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrochemical cell having plate electrodes housed inside a mating “clamshell” casing. When mated together, the casing components are form-fitting with respect to the internal battery structure so as to reduce the overall size of the electrochemical package. A header assembly containing both a glass-to-metal seal opening for a terminal lead and an electrolyte fill opening is used in conjunction with the clamshell casing. The electrolyte fill opening is constructed with an elongated opening with at least two different radii. A first and second sealing element is welded within the electrolyte fill opening at different depths within the header to block the flow of electrolyte and form a hermetic seal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrochemical cells that generally relate to the conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to primary lithium electrochemical cells possessing insulator pocket structures, which substantially envelope cathode components to prevent lithium cluster formation therein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrochemical cell having plate electrodes housed inside a mating “clamshell” casing. When mated together, the casing components are form-fitting with respect to the internal battery structure so as to reduce the overall size of the electrochemical package. A header assembly containing both a glass-to-metal seal opening for a terminal lead and an electrolyte fill opening is used in conjunction with the clamshell casing. The electrolyte fill opening is constructed with an elongated opening with at least two different radii. A first and second sealing element is welded within the electrolyte fill opening at different depths within the header to block the flow of electrolyte and form a hermetic seal.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, preferably a secondary, rechargeable cell, including a casing comprised of a main body portion having opposed lower and upper open ends closed by respective lower and upper lids is described. The main body portion is composed of titanium Grades 5 or 23 having a relatively high electrical resistivity material while the lower and upper lids are composed of titanium Grades 1 or 2. The lids are preferably joined to the main body portion using laser welding. The combination of these differing titanium alloys provides a cell casing that effectively retards eddy current induced heating during cell recharging.

Abstract: A lithium electrochemical cell with increased energy density is described. The electrochemical cell comprises an improved sandwich cathode design with a second cathode active material of a relatively high energy density but of a relatively low rate capability sandwiched between two current collectors and with a first cathode active material having a relatively low energy density but of a relatively high rate capability in contact with the opposite sides of the two current collectors. In addition, a cathode fabrication process is described that increases manufacturing efficiency. The cathode fabrication process comprises a process in which first and second cathode active materials are directly applied to opposite surfaces of a perforated current collector and laminated together. The present cathode design is useful for powering an implantable medical device requiring a high rate discharge application.

Abstract: A process for creating a laser braze weld joint between a current collector and a terminal pin in the construction of electrochemical cells is described. The laser braze welding process utilizes a laser weld instrument to create a braze-like joint between two work pieces. The weld joint is created by controlling the amount of laser heat and energy imparted to the work pieces through proper control and positioning of the laser beam with respect to the work pieces. Preferably, the method is used to bond the terminal pin to the cathode current collector. This method of attachment is suitable for either primary or secondary cells, particularly those powering implantable biomedical devices.

Abstract: A gauge adaptor apparatus allows easy connection and removal of a gauge to a hydronic system or other fluidic piping system for taking a pressure or temperature reading. The gauge adaptor apparatus is compatible with standard hose connections and can be used to quickly and easily add a gauge onto a hydronic system without requiring extensive labor and without needing to halt the operation of the system. Gauge adaptor apparatuses can be used to take one-time readings, or they can be left permanently installed for ongoing readings of the system. Gauge adaptor apparatuses take up little space, are highly compatible with existing fluid valves and system configurations, can be installed quickly and easily without requiring much labor, and can be easily removed for system draining, servicing, or replacement.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welding process for joining a current collector to an anode or cathode material of electrochemical cells is described. The ultrasonic welding process utilizes an ultrasonic welding frequency which may be combined with an applied force to bond dissimilar metals comprising the electrode material and the current collector. Preferably, the method is used to bond the anode material to the anode current collector. This method of attachment is suitable for either primary or secondary cells, particularly those powering implantable biomedical devices.

Abstract: A method for making an electrochemical device enclosure is described. The methods comprises the steps of forming first and second casing members; inserting electrochemically active materials within the first casing member; mating the first casing member to the second casing member, thereby forming an interface therebetween; providing a laser welding apparatus comprising a laser; intermittently turning a laser beam on and off while traversing the laser in a first welding pass 360 degrees along the perimeters of the first and second casing members, thereby forming a first intermittent set of welded and unwelded sections at the interface between the casing members; and intermittently turning the laser beam on and off while traversing the laser in a second welding pass 360 degrees along the perimeters of the first and second casing members, thereby forming a second intermittent set of welded sections at the interface between the first and second casing members.