Abstract: A battery having an outer casing and an anode/cathode assembly within that casing, wherein the anode/cathode assembly includes plural anodes and cathodes and electrolyte therebetween. The battery has a pressure relief feature associated with the casing and a channel preservation element sufficiently rigid to preserve at least one gas passageway to the pressure relief feature under conditions of anode/cathode assembly warpage. Thus the gas in the passageway will not become impeded by anode/cathode assembly warpage.

Abstract: A system implements a first charging method or a second charging method during one or more charge cycles of a battery. The first charging method includes a first voltage charging level and the second charging method includes a second voltage charging level that is higher than the first charging level.

Abstract: A group of assemblies—two housings and a hinge assembly—which particularly enhances the flexibility in use of electronic devices such as computer systems and cell phones. The enhancement derives from the capability of separating the three elements by pairs or one from another for use either individually or as a conjoined entity.

Abstract: A battery having an outer casing and an anode/cathode assembly within that casing, wherein the anode/cathode assembly includes plural anodes and cathodes and electrolyte therebetween. The battery has a pressure relief feature associated with the casing and a channel preservation element sufficiently rigid to preserve at least one gas passageway to the pressure relief feature under conditions of anode/cathode assembly warpage. Thus the gas in the passageway will not become impeded by anode/cathode assembly warpage.

Abstract: A charge system is disclosed. A charge system includes a switching device and a controller. The switching device performs switching of a DC input voltage at a predetermined switching frequency to generate an output voltage, and the output voltage being utilized for charging said battery. The controller allows the switching device to operate at a first switching frequency immediately after starting of charge and at a second switching frequency when a frequency changing condition holds. The second switching frequency is higher than that of first switching frequency.

Abstract: The provision of a mode in silver zinc batteries where a user can access extra capacity as an emergency reserve for times when extra capacity is needed. While this temporarily increases capacity, it does not detrimentally affect cycle life over the longer term, and it permits a silver zinc battery to essentially mimic the long term capacity and cycle life characteristics of a lithium ion battery while still affording inherent advantages associated with silver zinc batteries. In a variant embodiment, this ability to temporarily increase capacity is optimally employed at the end of a battery life cycle in a controlled “roll-off” that accords additional cycles of battery service life. In another variant embodiment, the general capability to control capacity is employed to gradually decrease the available capacity of a battery over the life of the battery, to thereby extend the battery service life.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide battery cells having a double acting venting mechanism that provides reliable venting even in response to various undesirable events. Embodiments of the invention ensure that safe venting can take place, as necessary, even if the battery cell encounters internal and/or external pressure and/or deformation.

Abstract: A battery is disclosed that includes two contact areas, an electrolyte, and an electronically conductive material that, at a neutralization trip point temperature, increases electronic conductivity internal to the battery between the first contact area and the second contact area. In one embodiment, the electronically conductive material is void from being activated external to the battery. In another embodiment, the battery includes a semiconductor material that includes custom doping to provide the increased electron conductivity at the neutralization trip point temperature. In yet another embodiment, the battery includes an insulator for separating the electronically conductive material until a temperature internal to the battery reaches the neutralization trip point temperature, at which point permits the electronically conductive material to increase the electronic conductivity between the first contact area and the second contact area.

Abstract: A battery is disclosed that includes two contact areas, an electrolyte, and a conductivity mechanism to increase electron conductivity internal to the battery between the two contact areas that, in turn, deactivates the battery. In one embodiment, the conductivity mechanism is triggered external to the battery. In another embodiment, the conductivity mechanism utilizes deactivator material to increase electron conductivity through the electrolyte to deactivate the battery. In yet another embodiment, the conductivity mechanism creates multiple shorts between the two contact areas to deactivate the battery.

Abstract: The gap between the bottom of a center gas vent pipe in a battery cell and the bottom of the cell can is established to be at least a minimum distance to reduce the risk of battery damage from inadequate gas venting.

Abstract: In the context of a notebook computer, multiple battery safety measures in the computer, battery pack, and individual battery cells. These battery packs include industry standard safety mechanisms as well as additional safeguards designed to increase safety. The additional safeguards can be categorized in the following ways. The first safeguard deals with multiple, independent levels of battery monitoring. The second safeguard employs abnormal condition detection methods. The third safeguard deals with improvements to mechanical and thermal design.

Abstract: The invention broadly provides improved safety features for batteries utilized in electronic devices. The invention provides an improved CID design that allows for more reliable disconnection (breaking the electrical circuit) during abnormal pressure or temperature events inside the cell. The invention provides a multi-layered CID configured to force electric current through a thin, fragile element such that the thin, fragile element is broken upon any abnormal pressure and temperature event.

Abstract: A battery is disclosed for reducing the severity of thermal runaway. The battery includes an anode sheet, a cathode sheet, and a separator situated between the anode sheet and the cathode sheet. The anode sheet, cathode sheet, and separator may be put together in a jelly roll configuration. The battery also includes internal fuses that subdivide the anode sheet, cathode sheet, or both, into electrically separate areas. The fuses are activated during thermal runaway and isolate separate areas of the sheet, thus reducing the total energy available during thermal runaway and reducing the severity. The fuses may be positive temperature coefficient (PTC) fuses that conduct current at normal operating temperatures but stop conducting current at temperatures above normal operating temperatures. The fuses may be placed in the current collectors, or directly into the anode sheet and cathode sheet themselves.

Abstract: A battery has a casing holding plural cells and a mesh wrapped around the cells to contain pieces of an exploding cell within the casing. To prevent overpressurization of the casing from the gas emitted by an exploding cell, a pressure relief feature is provided that allows gas to pass through battery casing.

Abstract: A battery having an outer casing and an anode/cathode assembly within that casing, wherein the anode/cathode assembly includes plural anodes and cathodes and electrolyte therebetween. The battery has a pressure relief feature associated with the casing and a channel preservation element sufficiently rigid to preserve at least one gas passageway to the pressure relief feature under conditions of anode/cathode assembly warpage. Thus the gas in the passageway will not become impeded by anode/cathode assembly warpage.

Abstract: The provision of a mode in silver zinc batteries where a user can access extra capacity as an emergency reserve for times when extra capacity is needed. While this temporarily increases capacity, it does not detrimentally affect cycle life over the longer term, and it permits a silver zinc battery to essentially mimic the long term capacity and cycle life characteristics of a lithium ion battery while still affording inherent advantages associated with silver zinc batteries. In a variant embodiment, this ability to temporarily increase capacity is optimally employed at the end of a battery life cycle in a controlled “roll-off” that accords additional cycles of battery service life. In another variant embodiment, the general capability to control capacity is employed to gradually decrease the available capacity of a battery over the life of the battery, to thereby extend the battery service life.

Abstract: The provision of a mode in silver zinc batteries where a user can access extra capacity as an emergency reserve for times when extra capacity is needed. While this temporarily increases capacity, it does not detrimentally affect cycle life over the longer term, and it permits a silver zinc battery to essentially mimic the long term capacity and cycle life characteristics of a lithium ion battery while still affording inherent advantages associated with silver zinc batteries. In a variant embodiment, this ability to temporarily increase capacity is optimally employed at the end of a battery life cycle in a controlled “roll-off” that accords additional cycles of battery service life. In another variant embodiment, the general capability to control capacity is employed to gradually decrease the available capacity of a battery over the life of the battery, to thereby extend the battery service life.

Abstract: The provision of a mode in silver zinc batteries where a user can access extra capacity as an emergency reserve for times when extra capacity is needed. While this temporarily increases capacity, it does not detrimentally affect cycle life over the longer term, and it permits a silver zinc battery to essentially mimic the long term capacity and cycle life characteristics of a lithium ion battery while still affording inherent advantages associated with silver zinc batteries. In a variant embodiment, this ability to temporarily increase capacity is optimally employed at the end of a battery life cycle in a controlled “roll-off” that accords additional cycles of battery service life. In another variant embodiment, the general capability to control capacity is employed to gradually decrease the available capacity of a battery over the life of the battery, to thereby extend the battery service life.

Abstract: The provision of improved venting in battery cells by way of better preventing pressure buildup in the cells. Via different variants of the present invention, the following advantages are achieved: Gas can escape from the cell without clogging the vent; gas buildup is avoided while the venting valve can operate in a consistently reliable manner; the solutions presented are sufficiently versatile as to be applicable to a variety of cells on the market; and the risk of explosion is virtually eliminated.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for protecting a motion-sensitive device. The apparatus includes an identification module, a determination module, and a scheduler. The identification module identifies a use-intensive task involving the motion-sensitive device. The determination module determines a motion forecast that predicts a substantially motionless time interval. The scheduler schedules the use-intensive task such that the use-intensive task executes within the substantially motionless time interval. In this manner, a historical movement pattern is used to schedule future tasks such that the coincidence of task use of the motion-sensitive device and movement of the motion-sensitive device is minimized.