Abstract: A battery includes a folded bicell battery stack with an embedded fiber optic cable and sensor. A cell casing encloses the bicell stack with at least one fiber optic cable is embedded within the battery. The fiber optic cable includes an internal portion disposed within the cell casing and having at least one optical sensor disposed thereon. An external portion of the fiber optic cable protrudes from the casing. A sealing gasket is disposed at least partially around the fiber optic cable and between the cell sealing edges at a point of entry of the fiber optic cable into the battery.

Abstract: A battery includes a folded bicell battery stack with an embedded fiber optic cable and sensor. A cell casing encloses the bicell stack with at least one fiber optic cable is embedded within the battery. The fiber optic cable includes an internal portion disposed within the cell casing and having at least one optical sensor disposed thereon. An external portion of the fiber optic cable protrudes from the casing. A sealing gasket is disposed at least partially around the fiber optic cable and between the cell sealing edges at a point of entry of the fiber optic cable into the battery.

Abstract: A battery includes a folded bicell battery stack with an embedded fiber optic cable and sensor. A cell casing encloses the bicell stack with at least one fiber optic cable is embedded within the battery. The fiber optic cable includes an internal portion disposed within the cell casing and having at least one optical sensor disposed thereon. An external portion of the fiber optic cable protrudes from the casing. A sealing gasket is disposed at least partially around the fiber optic cable and between the cell sealing edges at a point of entry of the fiber optic cable into the battery.

Abstract: A battery cell assembly having first, second, and third battery cells and a unitary wrapping sheet is provided. The unitary wrapping sheet is disposed on a top surface and a bottom surface of the first battery cell. The unitary wrapping sheet is further disposed on a top surface and a bottom surface of the second battery cell. The unitary wrapping sheet is further disposed on a top surface and a bottom surface of the third battery cell. The unitary wrapping sheet is further disposed on and encloses a portion of a combined periphery of the first, second, and third battery cells such that the top surface of the first battery cell, the top surface of the second battery cell, and the top surface of the third battery cell are held substantially parallel to one another.

Abstract: A battery cell assembly having first, second, and third battery cells and a unitary wrapping sheet is provided. The unitary wrapping sheet is disposed on a top surface and a bottom surface of the first battery cell. The unitary wrapping sheet is further disposed on a top surface and a bottom surface of the second battery cell. The unitary wrapping sheet is further disposed on a top surface and a bottom surface of the third battery cell. The unitary wrapping sheet is further disposed on and encloses a portion of a combined periphery of the first, second, and third battery cells such that the top surface of the first battery cell, the top surface of the second battery cell, and the top surface of the third battery cell are held substantially parallel to one another.

Abstract: A battery pack discharging device having a hand-held member and a docking device are provided. The hand-held member has a handle portion, first and second extension members, first and second conductive members, and a resistor. The resistor is disposed in the handle portion between the first and second conductive portions. The device further includes a docking device having a housing and first and second contact members. The first and second extension members are disposed in the first and second apertures, respectively, of the docking device such that the first and second conductive members contact the first and second contact members, respectively.

Abstract: A battery pack test system is provided. The system includes a battery charging device that monitors an output voltage level of the vehicle battery pack. The system further includes a switch electrically coupled between an igniter and a voltage source. The system further includes a first video camera that generates a first plurality of images of an interior of the vehicle battery pack. The switch has a closed operational state at a first time in response to the output voltage level of a battery cell in the vehicle battery pack being greater than a threshold voltage level, to induce the igniter to generate a spark to generate a fire within an interior region of the vehicle battery pack.

Abstract: A battery includes a folded bicell battery stack with an embedded fiber optic cable and sensor. A cell casing encloses the bicell stack with at least one fiber optic cable is embedded within the battery. The fiber optic cable includes an internal portion disposed within the cell casing and having at least one optical sensor disposed thereon. An external portion of the fiber optic cable protrudes from the casing. A sealing gasket is disposed at least partially around the fiber optic cable and between the cell sealing edges at a point of entry of the fiber optic cable into the battery.

Abstract: A battery pack discharging device is provided. The device includes a hand-held member having a handle portion and first and second actuation members extending from the handle portion. The device further includes a docking device having a housing, first and second switches, and a resistor. The housing has first and second apertures extending therethrough. First and second actuation members of the hand-held member are disposed in first and second apertures, respectively, of the housing such that the first and second actuation members transition the first and second switches, respectively, to first and second closed operational positions, respectively, to discharge the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery pack discharging device having a hand-held member and a docking device are provided. The hand-held member has a handle portion, first and second extension members, first and second conductive members, and a resistor. The resistor is disposed in the handle portion between the first and second conductive portions. The device further includes a docking device having a housing and first and second contact members. The first and second extension members are disposed in the first and second apertures, respectively, of the docking device such that the first and second conductive members contact the first and second contact members, respectively.

Abstract: A battery pack test system is provided. The system includes a battery charging device that monitors an output voltage level of the vehicle battery pack. The system further includes a switch electrically coupled between an igniter and a voltage source. The system further includes a first video camera that generates a first plurality of images of an interior of the vehicle battery pack. The switch has a closed operational state at a first time in response to the output voltage level of a battery cell in the vehicle battery pack being greater than a threshold voltage level, to induce the igniter to generate a spark to generate a fire within an interior region of the vehicle battery pack.

Abstract: A battery pack discharging device is provided. The device includes a hand-held member having a handle portion and first and second actuation members extending from the handle portion. The device further includes a docking device having a housing, first and second switches, and a resistor. The housing has first and second apertures extending therethrough. First and second actuation members of the hand-held member are disposed in first and second apertures, respectively, of the housing such that the first and second actuation members transition the first and second switches, respectively, to first and second closed operational positions, respectively, to discharge the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery module having a battery cell assembly with a heat exchanger is provided. The assembly includes a first battery cell having a first side and a second side, and a second battery cell having a first side and a second side. The first side of the second battery cell contacts the second side of the first battery cell. The assembly further includes a heat exchanger. A first side of the heat exchanger contacts the second side of the second battery cell. The battery cell assembly further includes a third battery cell having a first side and a second side. The first side of the third battery cell contacts a second side of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger removes heat energy from the first, second, and third battery cells to maintain the first, second, and third battery cells at substantially a desired temperature.

Abstract: A battery module having a battery cell assembly with a heat exchanger is provided. The battery cell assembly includes a first battery cell having a first side and a second side. The battery cell assembly further includes a second battery cell having a first side and a second side. The first side of the second battery cell contacts the second side of the first battery cell. The battery cell assembly further includes a heat exchanger having a first side and a second side. The first side of the heat exchanger contacts the second side of the second battery cell. The battery cell assembly further includes a third battery cell having a first side and a second side. The first side of the third battery cell contacts the second side of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is configured to remove heat energy from the first, second, and third battery cells to maintain the first, second, and third battery cells at substantially a desired temperature.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the use of ferrocenes to provide both overcharge protection and Li dendrite-growth suppression in solid polymer electrolyte-based, rechargeable batteries having anodes of Li and Li-containing compounds. In particular, this invention pertains to the use of acetylferrocene and ferrocene carboxaldehyde in solid polymer electrolyte-based rechargeable batteries with anodes of Li and Li-containing compounds.

Abstract: Solid-state rechargeable secondary batteries comprise a composite cathode selected from the group consisting of LiNiO.sub.2, LiCoO.sub.2, and LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4, a separator composed of a solid polymer electrolyte with propylene carbonate as a plasticizer, and a composite anode consisting of graphite, a solid polymer electrolyte containing propylene carbonate and 12-crown-4 ether.

Abstract: This invention relates to Li ion (Li.sup.+) conductive solid polymer electrolytes composed of poly(vinyl sulfone) and lithium salts, and their use in all-solid-state rechargeable lithium ion batteries. The lithium salts comprise low lattice energy lithium salts such as LiN(CF.sub.3 SO.sub.2).sub.2, LiAsF.sub.6, and LiClO.sub.4.

Abstract: Catalysts to enhance the discharge rates of Li cells containing sulfur oxyhalide depolarizers are disclosed. A preferred catalyst consists of a mixture of cobalt acetate and polyacrylonitrile.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, comprising a lithium anode, a cathode, and a liquid electrolyte of lithium tetrachloroaluminate dissolved in thionyl chloride, has a coating of a Li ion conductive solid polymer electrolyte on the anode. An example of the solid polymer electrolyte is a Li salt complex of poly[bis(methoxyethoxyethoxy)phosphazene].

Abstract: This invention pertains to Lithium batteries using Li ion (Li.sup.+) conductive solid polymer electrolytes composed of solvates of Li salts immobilized in a solid organic polymer matrix. In particular, this invention relates to Li batteries using solid polymer electrolytes derived by immobilizing solvates formed between a Li salt and an aprotic organic solvent (or mixture of such solvents) in poly(vinyl chloride).