Abstract: A lithium battery for use in a vehicle includes a container, a plurality of positive terminals extending from a first end of the lithium battery, and a plurality of negative terminals extending from a second end of the lithium battery. The plurality of positive terminals are provided in a first configuration and the plurality of negative terminals are provided in a second configuration, the first configuration differing from the second configuration. A battery system for use in a vehicle may include a plurality of electrically connected lithium cells or batteries.

Abstract: A system for testing a battery includes a first capacitor and a second capacitor. The first capacitor and the second capacitor are configured to be arranged in series in a first arrangement and in parallel in a second arrangement. The first capacitor and the second capacitor may be cycled between the first arrangement and the second arrangement to characterize a response of a battery.

Abstract: A method for predicting the remaining life of a battery for a vehicle includes obtaining a value representative of the amount of remaining life for a battery in a new and fully charged state and monitoring at least one parameter of the battery during use of the battery. The method also includes obtaining an acceleration factor based on the at least one monitored parameter and estimating the amount of life lost from the battery utilizing the acceleration factor.

Abstract: A method for predicting the remaining life of a battery for a vehicle includes obtaining a value representative of the amount of remaining life for a battery in a new and fully charged state and monitoring at least one parameter of the battery during use of the battery. The method also includes obtaining an acceleration factor based on the at least one monitored parameter and estimating the amount of life lost from the battery utilizing the acceleration factor.

Abstract: A battery monitoring system is disclosed. The system comprises a means for acquiring a value representative of a first period of time during which the battery will deliver a sufficient amount of power. The system also comprises a means for measuring a set of parameters comprising a voltage of the battery and a temperature of the battery during a second period of time. The system also comprises a means for predicting whether the battery will deliver the sufficient amount of power during a third period of time less than the first period of time. An output signal is provided if the means for predicting determines that the battery will deliver the sufficient amount of power during the third period of time. A system for determining whether a battery for a vehicle will deliver a sufficient amount of power for a sufficient amount of time is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining whether a load test was properly conducted by a battery charger-tester and whether a battery was properly charged by the battery charger-tester are disclosed. The apparatus and method provide for a control system for controlling battery voltage during the testing, a tester for conducting a series of tests on the battery, and a charger for providing a charging current to the battery.

Abstract: A computer system for vehicle battery selection based on vehicle operating conditions is disclosed. The computer system allows a user to obtain a prediction of vehicle battery service life when the user inputs a battery, a vehicle in which the battery will be installed and driving habits, and a geographic region in which the vehicle will be operated.

Abstract: An improved capacitor including a plurality of plastic frame mounted electrode and separator inserts. The plastic frame mounted electrode and separator inserts are oriented in alternating succession, and have a carbon paste placed therebetween. The capacitor includes terminal electrodes through which electric charge may flow. The capacitor also includes a pair of rigid endblocks.

Abstract: A process for the electrolysis of an alkali metal halide brine is operated in an electrolytic cell having an anode compartment containing at least one anode, a cathode compartment containing at least one cathode, and a cation exchange membrane separating the anode compartment from the cathode compartment.

Abstract: The cell voltage of an electrolytic cell having an anode compartment separated from a cathode compartment, the cathode compartment containing an alkaline catholyte solution is reduced in a method which comprises introducing into the cathode compartment a compound of a heavy metal selected from Groups IVB, VB, and VIB and an alkylene polyamino complex with cobalt or iron. The method results in significant cell voltage reductions in electrolytic cells employing as separators porous diaphragms or ion exchange membranes.

Abstract: A process for the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal halide in an electrolytic cell having an anode compartment containing at least one anode, a cathode compartment containing at least one cathode, and a cation exchange membrane separating the anode compartment from the cathode compartment comprises feeding the aqueous solution of an alkali metal halide to the anode compartment; feeding an oxygen-containing gas to the cathode compartment; and electrolyzing the alkali metal halide solution to produce a halogen gas and alkali metal ions in the anode compartment. The alkali metal ions and water are passed through the cation exchange membrane into the cathode compartment to contact a hydrophilic porous cathode. The alkali metal ions, the water and the oxygen-containing gas produce a concentrated alkali metal hydroxide solution which flows through a hydrophilic porous cathode.

Abstract: A method of employing wire reference electrodes in an electrolytic cell with at least one voltmeter to monitor the potential of the cell components and the cell is provided wherein the wire reference electrode comprises a lead-in wire portion, a reference wire portion, a sealing material to seal the junction of the lead-in wire reference portions, and a heat shrinkable insulating material.

Abstract: An improved method for shutting down an electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions containing ionizable compounds is provided. The electrolytic cell has a first electrode, a second electrode of opposite polarity, a first conductor electrically connected to the first electrode and a second conductor electrically connected to the second conductor, and means for supplying an electric current to the first and second conductors. The method improvement comprises activating a cell protection circuit between the first conductor and the first electrode, and preventing the passage of reverse currents through the cell.The method can also be employed to prevent the passage of reverse currents through a plurality of cells in series in the case of a power outage or disruption.

Abstract: An improved process for the electrolysis of an aqueous electrolyte in an electrolytic membrane cell is provided. The membrane cell is comprised of an anode compartment having at least one anode and containing the aqueous electrolyte and a cathode compartment containing at least one cathode and a concentrated catholyte liquor. A vertically positioned cation exchange membrane separates the anode compartment from the cathode compartment. The process improvement comprises exposing a substantial portion of the cathode to a gaseous atmosphere, this substantial portion of the cathode is not immersed in the concentrated catholyte liquor produced. The concentrated aqueous catholyte liquor is removed from the cathode compartment to prevent a substantial accumulation of catholyte liquor in the cathode compartment.

Abstract: A method of making a wire reference electrode in an electrolytic cell is provided wherein the wire reference electrode comprises a lead-in wire portion, a reference wire portion, a sealing material to seal the junction of the lead-in and wire reference portions, and a heat shrinkable insulating material which is heated for a predetermined period of time to collapse the heat shrinkable insulating material about the sealing material.

Abstract: A wire reference electrode and a method of employing the wire reference in an electrolytic cell is provided wherein the wire reference electrode comprises a lead-in wire portion, a reference wire portion, a sealing material to seal the junction of the lead-in and wire reference portions, and a heat shrinkable insulating material.

Abstract: An improved process for the electrolysis of an aqueous electrolyte in an electrolytic membrane cell is provided. The membrane cell is comprised of an anode compartment having at least one anode and containing the aqueous electrolyte and a cathode compartment containing at least one cathode and a concentrated catholyte liquor. A vertically positioned cation exchange membrane separates the anode compartment from the cathode compartment. The process improvement comprises exposing a substantial portion of the cathode to a gaseous atmosphere, this substantial portion of the cathode is not immersed in the concentrated catholyte liquor produced. The concentrated aqueous catholyte liquor is removed from the cathode compartment to prevent a substantial accumulation of catholyte liquor in the cathode compartment.

Abstract: A process for the electrolytic production of a chloride-free mixture consisting essentially of sodium and potassium nitrates is disclosed. In this process, an anolyte brine comprised of a mixture of sodium and potassium chlorides dissolved therein is electrolyzed in a membrane type electrolysis type cell to produce a mixed alkali metal hydroxide catholyte solution. The catholyte is reacted with nitric acid to form a mixed potassium-sodium nitrate solution. By properly adjusting the ratio of potassium chloride to sodium chloride concentration in the anolyte brine, a final nitrate product containing about from about 40% to about 80% NaNO.sub.3 and from about 60% to about 20% KNO.sub.3 by weight can be produced. The resulting product, after drying is suitable for use in many solar panel heat transfer applications.

Abstract: An improved process is described for the electrodeposition of both a low overvoltage metal and a sacrificial metal onto an electrically conductive substrate. The sacrificial metal is later removed by leaching the electrodeposited substrate with alkali metal hydroxide. The improvement comprises adding a sacrificial metal to the electroplating solution after electrodeposition is initiated. The amount of electric current supplied to the electroplating solution during electrodeposition may be increased or decreased over time intervals to increase the surface area and the electrochemical activity of the electroplated substrate.

Abstract: An improved process is described for the electrodeposition of both a low overvoltage metal and a sacrificial metal onto an electrically conductive substrate. The sacrificial metal is later removed by leaching the electroplated substrate with sodium hydroxide. The improvement comprises adding a sacrificial metal to the electroplating solution after electrodeposition is initiated. The amount of electric current supplied to the electroplating solution during electrodeposition may be increased or decreased to increase the surface area and the electrochemical activity of the electroplated substrate.