Abstract: An electronic device having a battery compartment sized to receive one or more fluid consuming batteries is provided. The device includes one or more fluid entry ports, which can be in the cover of the battery compartment. A fluid flow restrictor is compressed between the fluid entry ports in the device and the fluid entry ports in the fluid consuming battery such that a rate of flow of fluid from outside the device to the battery's fluid consuming electrode is controlled by a compressed portion of the fluid flow restrictor. The fluid flow restrictor can include a foam material. A seal can also be provided at or near the periphery of the fluid flow restrictor; the seal can be a more highly compressed portion of the fluid flow restrictor or a separate component such as an O-ring seal.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery cell with an aperture in the container or cell cover has the aperture sealed by an improved thermoplastic sealing member, which forms at least a part of the cell's pressure relief vent and is made from a material comprising a thermoplastic resin and more than 10 weight percent of a thermal-stabilizing filler, to provide an effective seal and a reliable pressure relief vent over a broad temperature range.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery cell with an aperture in the container or cell cover has the aperture sealed by an improved thermoplastic sealing member, which forms at least a part of the cell's pressure relief vent and is made from a material comprising a thermoplastic resin and more than 10 weight percent of a thermal-stabilizing filler, to provide an effective seal and a reliable pressure relief vent over a broad temperature range.

Abstract: An end assembly seals a cylindrical electrochemical cell. The assembly includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) device and a gasket having a protrusion that cooperates with the end assembly isolates the PTC device from primary axial compression forces present in the closure assembly. In further embodiments of the present invention, the end assembly may be produced by insert molding a seal element about the terminal cover and the gasket itself has an E or F shaped cross section.

Abstract: A closure assembly for an electrochemical cell includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) device and a dual wall gasket that isolates the PTC device from primary axial compression forces present in the closure assembly. A method for closing an electrochemical cell to remove the PTC device from primary axial compression is also contemplated.

Abstract: A flat, flexible electrochemical cell is provided. The within invention describes various aspects of the flat, flexible electrochemical cell. A printed anode is provided that obviates the need for a discrete anode current collector, thereby reducing the size of the battery. An advantageous electrolyte is provided that enables the use of a metallic cathode current collector, thereby improving the performance of the battery. Printable gelled electrolytes and separators are provided, enabling the construction of both co-facial and co-planar batteries. Cell contacts are provided that reduce the potential for electrolyte creepage in the flat, flexible electrochemical cells of the within invention.

Abstract: A flat, flexible electrochemical cell is provided. The within invention describes various aspects of the flat, flexible electrochemical cell. A printed anode is provided that obviates the need for a discrete anode current collector, thereby reducing the size of the battery. An advantageous electrolyte is provided that enables the use of a metallic cathode current collector, thereby improving the performance of the battery. Printable gelled electrolytes and separators are provided, enabling the construction of both co-facial and co-planar batteries. Cell contacts are provided that reduce the potential for electrolyte creepage in the flat, flexible electrochemical cells of the within invention.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery cell with an improved thermoplastic sealing member. The seal member is made from a thermoplastic resin comprising polyphthalamide or impact modified polyphenylene sulfide. The seal member provides an effective seal vent over a broad temperature range and has a low electrolyte vapor transmission rate.

Abstract: A flat, flexible electrochemical cell is provided. The within invention describes various aspects of the flat, flexible electrochemical cell. A printed anode is provided that obviates the need for a discrete anode current collector, thereby reducing the size of the battery. An advantageous electrolyte is provided that enables the use of a metallic cathode current collector, thereby improving the performance of the battery. Printable gelled electrolytes and separators are provided, enabling the construction of both co-facial and co-planar batteries. Cell contacts are provided that reduce the potential for electrolyte creepage in the flat, flexible electrochemical cells of the within invention.

Abstract: A flat, flexible electrochemical cell is provided. The within invention describes various aspects of the flat, flexible electrochemical cell. A printed anode is provided that obviates the need for a discrete anode current collector, thereby reducing the size of the battery. An advantageous electrolyte is provided that enables the use of a metallic cathode current collector, thereby improving the performance of the battery. Printable gelled electrolytes and separators are provided, enabling the construction of both co-facial and co-planar batteries. Cell contacts are provided that reduce the potential for electrolyte creepage in the flat, flexible electrochemical cells of the within invention.

Abstract: An alkaline electrochemical cell containing a neat multiphase thermoplastic polymer separator is disclosed. The microstructure and composition of the polymer are selected to provide a film that can physically endure the rigors of a cell assembly process and also provide adequate ionic conductivity to support a high rate discharge. In one embodiment, the ionic conductivity of the separator is improved upon contact with the cell's alkaline electrolyte. Processes that can be used to manufacture a cell of this invention are also described.

Abstract: An alkaline electrochemical cell is provided which employs a polymeric moisture barrier material disposed in the collector assembly to substantially prevent the passage of moisture into the cell. The polymeric vapor barrier material may include a polyvinylidene chloride applied to the outer cover, the inner neutral cover, or the top side of the seal, to prevent the ingress and egress of moisture. The polyvinylidene chloride may be applied as a preformed thin sheet. The polymeric material exhibits a very low water vapor transmission rate of less than 1.0 (grams×mil)/(100 inches2×day) at 100° F. and 100 percent RH.

Abstract: An engineered thermoplastic sealing member for LiFeS2 and other nonaqueous cells is disclosed. The optimal material displays a propensity to absorb at least 10 weight percent of an ether-based electrolyte while, at the same time, displaying a vapor transmission rate of less than 500 ((g×mil)/(100 in2×days).

Abstract: A flat, flexible electrochemical cell is provided. The within invention describes various aspects of the flat, flexible electrochemical cell. A printed anode is provided that obviates the need for a discrete anode current collector, thereby reducing the size of the battery. An advantageous electrolyte is provided that enables the use of a metallic cathode current collector, thereby improving the performance of the battery. Printable gelled electrolytes and separators are provided, enabling the construction of both co-facial and co-planar batteries. Cell contacts are provided that reduce the potential for electrolyte creepage in the flat, flexible electrochemical cells of the within invention.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery cell with an aperture in the container or cell cover has the aperture sealed by an improved thermoplastic sealing member, which forms at least a part of the cell's pressure relief vent and is made from a material comprising a thermoplastic resin and more than 10 weight percent of a thermal-stabilizing filler, to provide an effective seal and a reliable pressure relief vent over a broad temperature range.

Abstract: A flat, flexible electrochemical cell is provided. The within invention describes various aspects of the flat, flexible electrochemical cell. A printed anode is provided that obviates the need for a discrete anode current collector, thereby reducing the size of the battery. An advantageous electrolyte is provided that enables the use of a metallic cathode current collector, thereby improving the performance of the battery. Printable gelled electrolytes and separators are provided, enabling the construction of both co-facial and co-planar batteries. Cell contacts are provided that reduce the potential for electrolyte creepage in the flat, flexible electrochemical cells of the within invention.

Abstract: An alkaline electrochemical cell containing a neat multiphase thermoplastic polymer separator is disclosed. The microstructure and composition of the polymer are selected to provide a film that can physically endure the rigors of a cell assembly process and also provide adequate ionic conductivity to support a high rate discharge. In one embodiment, the ionic conductivity of the separator is improved upon contact with the cell's alkaline electrolyte. Processes that can be used to manufacture a cell of this invention are also described.

Abstract: A copolymer of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, e.g. acrylic or methacrylic acid, and an aromatic sulphonate or carboxylate, e.g. sodium styrenesulphonate, either alone or supported on a substrate, may be used as a separator for an electrochemical cell such as a silver-zinc cell or a zinc-air cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery cell with an aperture in the container or cell cover has the aperture sealed by an improved thermoplastic sealing member, which forms at least a part of the cell's pressure relief vent and is made from a material comprising a thermoplastic resin and more than 10 weight percent of a thermal-stabilizing filler, to provide an effective seal and a reliable pressure relief vent over a broad temperature range.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery cell with an improved thermoplastic sealing member. The seal member is made from a thermoplastic resin comprising polyphthalamide or impact modified polyphenylene sulfide. The seal member provides an effective seal vent over a broad temperature range and has a low electrolyte vapor transmission rate.