Abstract: An alkaline battery has a cathode including a hydrogen absorbing material and an anode including zinc free of lead, mercury, or cadmium.

Abstract: A metal-air battery includes (a) an anode; (b) a cathode including a metal that reduces oxygen; (c) a housing for the anode and cathode having an air access that allows oxygen to contact the cathode; (d) a separator between the anode and the cathode; and (e) a hydrogen recombination catalyst within the housing. The hydrogen recombination catalyst can include a Pd, Pt, Ru metal or a salt thereof, and CuO.

Abstract: An alkaline battery has a cathode including a hydrogen absorbing material and an anode including zinc free of lead, mercury, or cadmium.

Abstract: A process for manufacture of manganese dioxide comprising subjecting an aqueous bath comprising manganese sulfate (MnSO4) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to electrolysis in a closed cell wherein the electrolysis bath is maintained at an elevated temperature above 110° C., preferably above 115° C. and at superatmospheric pressure. Desirably the bath can be maintained at an elevated temperature between about 115° C. and 155° C. The electrolysis is carried out preferably at elevated current density of between about 12.5 and 37 Amp/sq.ft (135 and 400 Amp/sq. meter) of the anode surface which allows for smaller or fewer electrolysis units. An MnO2 product having a specific surface area (SSA) within desired range of between 18-45 m2/g can be obtained. A doping agent, preferably a soluble titanium dopant can also be employed to help obtain the desired specific surface area (SSA) of the MnO2 product.

Abstract: A primary alkaline battery has a cathode including manganese dioxide, carbon particles, and binder. The carbon particles include both non-expanded graphite and expanded graphite.

Abstract: An alkaline battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator, an alkaline electrolyte, and a hydrogen recombination catalyst. The hydrogen recombination catalyst includes a hydrogen oxidizing material, such as CuO, and an activating material. The activating material includes a first activating component and a second activating component. The components of the activating material can be Pd, Pt, Ru metals or salts thereof.

Abstract: The performance of alkaline cells comprising a zinc anode and manganese dioxide cathode can be improved, especially in high power application, by applying thermal insulating material to the cell casing. The thermal insulation material can be conveniently applied between the cell label and casing. The thermal insulating material significantly reduces the overall heat transfer coefficient, Uo, for the cell. The insulation increases the internal temperature of the cell during discharge, resulting in better performance.

Abstract: A cathode that includes manganese dioxide and a titanium oxy salt, preferably titanium oxy sulfate, is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pressure activated current interrupt assembly for cells, particularly alkaline cells. The current interrupter is located at the closed end of the cell's housing. The current interrupter assembly comprises an electrically insulating member in proximity to the terminal at the closed end of the housing. The insulating member is in physical communication with a deflectable member formed from the cell's housing. When gas pressure within the cell builds up to exceed a predetermined value, the deflectable member deforms causing the insulating member to protrude beyond the extremity of said cell terminal, thereby preventing electrical contact between said terminal and the terminal of another cell or electrical device.

Abstract: A method for utilizing a wide range oxygen sensor voltage output that is proportional to exhaust gas fuel air mixture to correct for variations in a flexible fueled vehicle's fuel alcohol content is provided for a vehicle not equipped with an alcohol sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to alkaline cells containing manganese dioxide cathode active material. A substance selected from the group of compounds CaWO.sub.4, MgTiO.sub.3, BaTiO.sub.3, CaTiO.sub.3, ZnMn.sub.2 O.sub.4, and Bi.sub.12 TiO.sub.20 is added to the cathode of conventional alkaline cells typically having an anode comprising zinc and cathode comprising manganese dioxide and an alkaline electrolyte. The additive increases the service life of the cell.

Abstract: A flexible fuel compensation system including a method of start fuel decay. The start fuel decay method interpolates decay rates based on the coolant temperature. The decay rate is then subtracted from the decayed start fuel pulsewidth until it reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method is provided for checking the function of a fuel composition sensor and for learning the percent alcohol content of a fuel used in a motor vehicle capable of operating on more than one type of fuel, as an alternative to a fuel composition sensor. The present invention improves the reliability of a motor vehicle utilizing a fuel composition sensor by allowing vehicle operation to continue uninterrupted, such as when a short or open condition exists within the sensor. The method first determines whether conditions are such that the percent alcohol content of a fuel should be "learned". If conditions are appropriated, then necessary engine operating conditions are first initialized. The oxygen sensor output signal is checked to determine whether the engine is operating too rich or lean. The value of percent alcohol content stored in the engine control unit's memory is modified in the direction of stoichiometric engine operation.

Abstract: A flexible fuel compensation system including a method of energy content adjustment. The energy content adjustment method will interpolate a multiplier value based on the percent methanol found in the fuel mixture. This multiplier is then used to adjust the injection pulsewidth according to the correct energy content.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling engine torque from a vehicle engine to an electronically controlled transmission in response to predetermined conditions existing in the transmission. The method includes the steps of saving in memory data corresponding to a spark advance and fuel flow setting, detecting whether an upshift or downshift is in process, determining if the upshift or downshift has just started if an upshift or downshift is detected, variably adjusting the spark advance setting of the engine in accordance with a detected upshift or downshift if the upshift or downshift has just started, decrementing the amount of fuel flow to the engine during adjustment of the spark advance, and returning both the fuel flow and spark advance to its original setting.

Abstract: A galvanic cell (10), useful in batteries (50), including a can (12). The can (12) is equipped with a spout (20) to permit controlled cell (10) sealing and sealant (18) overflow (52).