Abstract: A positive terminal of a battery may act as an antenna ground plane for communicating battery status information. The positive terminal of the battery may include a first electrically conductive external surface with a first surface area. The negative terminal of the battery may include a second electrically conductive external surface with a second surface area less than the first surface area. An antenna impedance matching circuit may electrically connect to a communication circuit, an antenna, and the positive terminal of the battery. Thus the positive terminal of the battery may act as a ground plane for the antenna.

Abstract: A reusable battery indicator includes a voltage sensor, a communication circuit communicatively connected to the voltage sensor, an antenna operatively coupled to the communication circuit, and a connection mechanism having a connector and a retainer. The connector and the retainer are electrically connected to the voltage sensor, and the connector is adapted to be removably connected to a first battery terminal, thereby providing an electrical connection between the voltage sensor and the first battery terminal. The retainer is adapted to removably secure the voltage sensor to a can of a battery, thereby providing an electrical connection between the voltage sensor and the can of the battery. An electrical circuit is completed between the voltage sensor and the first battery terminal and between the voltage sensor and the can. The connection mechanism includes part of an electrical lock and key assembly.

Abstract: A reusable battery indicator comprises a voltage sensor configured to convert sensed analog characteristics of a battery to digital information; a communication circuit communicatively connected to the voltage sensor; an antenna operatively coupled to the communication circuit; and a connection mechanism having at least a first connector and a second connector that are electrically connected to the voltage sensor, the first connector and the second connector being adapted to be removably connected to a first battery terminal and to a second battery terminal, respectively, thereby completing an electrical circuit between the voltage sensor and the first and second battery terminals when the connection mechanism is coupled to the first battery terminal and to the second battery terminal.

Abstract: A reusable battery indicator includes a voltage sensor, a communication circuit communicatively connected to the voltage sensor, an antenna operatively coupled to the communication circuit, and a connection mechanism having a first connector and a retainer. The first connector and the retainer are electrically connected to the voltage sensor, and the first connector is adapted to be removably connected to a first battery terminal, thereby providing an electrical connection between the voltage sensor and the first battery terminal. The retainer is adapted to removably secure the voltage sensor to a can of a battery, thereby providing an electrical connection between the voltage sensor and the can of the battery. An electrical circuit is completed between the voltage sensor and the first battery terminal and between the voltage sensor and the can.

Abstract: A reusable battery indicator includes a voltage sensor configured to convert sensed analog characteristics of a battery to digital information; a communication circuit communicatively connected to the voltage sensor; an antenna operatively coupled to the communication circuit; and a connection mechanism having at least a first connector and a second connector that are electrically connected to the voltage sensor, the first connector and the second connector being adapted to be removably connected to a first battery terminal and to a second battery terminal, respectively, thereby completing an electrical circuit between the voltage sensor and the first and second battery terminals when the connection mechanism is coupled to the first battery terminal and to the second battery terminal. One or more of the fist connector and the second connector include part of a mechanical lock and key assembly.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a battery including an on-cell indicator. The battery including an on-cell indicator includes at least one electrochemical cell; at least one on-cell indicator; and a printed circuit board. The at least one electrochemical cell includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The at least one on-cell indicator includes at least one on-cell indicator terminal. The printed circuit board includes at least one on-cell indicator contact and at least one electrochemical cell contact. The at least one electrochemical cell contact is in electrical connection with the first terminal of the at least one electrochemical cell. At least one conductive trace includes an on-cell indicator interconnect and a printed circuit board interconnect. The on-cell indicator interconnect is in electrical connection with the at least one on-cell indicator terminal. The printed circuit board interconnect is in electrical connection with the at least one on-cell indicator terminal.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a battery including an on-cell indicator. The battery including an on-cell indicator includes at least one electrochemical cell; at least one on-cell indicator; a printed circuit board; and at least one integrated circuit. The at least one electrochemical cell includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The at least one on-cell indicator includes at least one on-cell indicator terminal. The printed circuit board includes at least one on-cell indicator contact and at least one electrochemical cell contact. The at least one electrochemical cell contact is in electrical connection with the first terminal of the at least one electrochemical cell. At least one conductive trace includes an on-cell indicator interconnect and a printed circuit board interconnect. The on-cell indicator interconnect is in electrical connection with the at least one on-cell indicator terminal.

Abstract: A battery pack comprising: at least one battery including at least one electrode and at least one terminal in electrical connection with the electrode; a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising at least one layer having an electrical circuit in electrical connection with the at least one battery, the PCB including at least one PCB interconnect for electrical connection with the at least one battery; and at least one battery-pack interconnect in electrical connection with the at least one PCB interconnect and the at least one terminal of the battery. The PCB interconnect comprises a PCB-interconnect aperture formed therein and having an electrically conductive inner surface structured to receive the battery-pack interconnect for direct electrical connection between the two.

Abstract: Techniques for charging a rechargeable battery having at least one rechargeable cell are described. A battery charger applies a constant current to charge the rechargeable cell and periodically measures a value of voltage of the rechargeable cell. The value of voltage is tracked over a time period required to charge the rechargeable cell to have the measured value of voltage be substantially equal to a crossover value of voltage for the rechargeable cell. A constant voltage is applied substantially equal to the crossover voltage for a second period of time, with the second period of time selected based on the tracked time period. The charging is terminated after the second period of charging time has elapsed.

Abstract: A battery pack comprising: at least one battery including at least one electrode and at least one terminal in electrical connection with the electrode; a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising at least one layer having an electrical circuit in electrical connection with the at least one battery, the PCB including at least one PCB interconnect for electrical connection with the at least one battery; and at least one battery-pack interconnect in electrical connection with the at least one PCB interconnect and the at least one terminal of the battery. The PCB interconnect comprises a PCB-interconnect aperture formed therein and having an electrically conductive inner surface structured to receive the battery-pack interconnect for direct electrical connection between the two.

Abstract: Battery cartridges are disclosed that include a housing having a plurality of air access openings configured to selectively control flow of air into the housing; and at least two adjacent metal-air electrochemical cells within the housing, each electrochemical cell having an outer gas permeable barrier membrane layer that defines the exterior surface of the electrochemical cell; wherein there is a gap between adjacent electrochemical cells in the housing and wherein the air access openings in the housing are positioned over or partially overlapping each gap.

Abstract: A non-hermetically sealed, electrochemical power source, includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a membrane in fluid communication with an environment external to the battery. The second electrode is between the separator and the membrane. The membrane includes a first portion having a different property, e.g., density, porosity, mass transport resistance, thickness, or gas permeability, than a second portion of the membrane. Methods of designing an electrochemical cell cartridge are also disclosed.

Abstract: A battery includes a battery can housing an cell that supplies electrical energy at terminals of the cell by an electro-chemical reaction with oxygen, the can including, a first member having at least one hole that is exposed to air; and a second member. The battery also includes a mechanism coupled to one of the first and second members to move the one of the first and second members such that when current is drawn from the battery, the opening in the member allows air to pass into the battery, and to move the one of the first and second members such that when current is not drawn from the battery, the opening in the member is not in registration to inhibit air to pass into the battery. The battery also includes a circuit to control the mechanism. In one embodiment the circuit monitors levels of O2 in a air plenum that surrounds the cell.

Abstract: A battery includes a battery can housing an cell that supplies electrical energy at terminals of the cell by an electro-chemical reaction with oxygen, the can including, a first member having at least one hole that is exposed to air; and a second member. The battery also includes a mechanism coupled to one of the first and second members to move the one of the first and second members such that when current is drawn from the battery, the opening in the member allows air to pass into the battery, and to move the one of the first and second members such that when current is not drawn from the battery, the opening in the member is not in registration to inhibit air to pass into the battery. The battery also includes a circuit to control the mechanism. In one embodiment the circuit monitors levels of O2 in a air plenum that surrounds the cell.

Abstract: A battery includes a battery can housing an cell that supplies electrical energy at terminals of the cell by an electro-chemical reaction with oxygen, the can including, a first member having at least one hole that is exposed to air; and a second member. The battery also includes a mechanism coupled to one of the first and second members to move the one of the first and second members such that when current is drawn from the battery, the opening in the member allows air to pass into the battery, and to move the one of the first and second members such that when current is not drawn from the battery, the opening in the member is not in registration to inhibit air to pass into the battery. The battery also includes a circuit to control the mechanism. In one embodiment the circuit monitors levels of O2 in a air plenum that surrounds the cell.

Abstract: A battery includes a cathode having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and defining a cavity and two open ends; a separator disposed adjacent to the interior surface of the cathode; an anode disposed adjacent to the separator and inside the cavity; an air-permeable, liquid-impermeable barrier layer disposed adjacent to the exterior surface of the cathode, and defining an exterior surface of the battery; two end members connected to the open ends of the cathode; and an anode current collector extending through the two end members. Methods designed such a battery is also disclosed.

Abstract: An end cap assembly for a primary lithium cell is disclosed. The end cap has a principal application in closing and sealing a primary lithium cell having wound electrodes. The cell may typically have an anode comprising lithium and a cathode comprising iron disulfide (FeS2). The end cap assembly has a metal cathode contact cup therein having a closed end and opposing open end with integral side walls therebetween. The cathode contact cup is electrically connected to the cathode and is within the electrical pathway between the cathode and terminal end cap. The cathode contact cup has one or more grooves formed at the closed end thereof resulting in thinned or rupturable portions of remaining metal underlying said grooves. The thin or rupturable remaining metal portions are exposed directly to gas within the cell interior and are designed to rupture when gas within the cell builds to a predetermined level.

Abstract: Fuel cell systems, as well as related components and methods, are disclosed.

Abstract: A non-hermetically sealed, electrochemical power source, includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a membrane in fluid communication with an environment external to the battery. The second electrode is between the separator and the membrane. The membrane includes a first portion having a different property, e.g., density, porosity, mass transport resistance, thickness, or gas permeability, than a second portion of the membrane. Methods of designing an electrochemical cell cartridge are also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-hermetically sealed, electrochemical power source, includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a membrane in fluid communication with an environment external to the battery. The second electrode is between the separator and the membrane. The membrane includes a first portion having a different property, e.g., density, porosity, mass transport resistance, thickness, or gas permeability, than a second portion of the membrane. Methods of designing an electrochemical cell cartridge are also disclosed.