Abstract: The present invention is a method and an eddy current system for non-contact determination of the resistance between the current lead stripe and the coating during continuous fabrication of chemical power sources such as batteries, supercapacitors, photovoltaic modules and the like. Both the method and the non-destructive test system for practicing the method are described. The method includes placing of an integrated measuring transducer containing two strap-type eddy current probes above the surface of the coating applied to the metallic current lead stripe in the region of the shaft guiding the stripe movement, so that all the points of the operating surface of the transducer being at an equal distance from the stripe surface coating so that the two probes would take measurements on the same area of the coating.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an eddy current system for non-contact determination of the resistance between the current lead stripe and the coating during continuous fabrication of chemical power sources such as batteries, supercapacitors, photovoltaic modules and the like. Both the method and the non-destructive test system for practicing the method are described. The method includes placing of an integrated measuring transducer containing two strap-type eddy current probes above the surface of the coating applied to the metallic current lead stripe in the region of the shaft guiding the stripe movement, so that all the points of the operating surface of the transducer being at an equal distance from the stripe surface coating so that the two probes would take measurements on the same area of the coating.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for determining the remaining service life of electrochemical energy generation and storage device including batteries, supercapacitors, DSSC solar cells and fuel cell. Measurements are performed by passing ultrasonic oscillations through the test object. The apparatus of the present invention comprises two arrays of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic probes between which the object being tested is affixed. Polyurethane tips are used for matching the acoustic resistance of the probes with the test object body. The apparatus positions the transmitting and the receiving probe arrays relative to each other. The calibration characteristic for determining the remaining service life of a the test object are established from the signal values from the ultrasonic probes related to the number of charge-discharge cycles obtained at various charge values.

Abstract: The present invention is an integrated method and apparatus for determining the quality of electrochemical energy storage devices, especially batteries. The invention is based on an integrated usage of electromagnetic and ultrasonic energy to probe of the interior volume of the battery. The first probe is carried out when the battery is at an initial charged state. After the first probe stage, a discharge of the battery being diagnosed is carried out until the test battery is at a small fixed test charge value. Signals from the eddy current probes allow determination of the continuity of the discharge current during the discharge process. After the discharge of the battery, the above described test sequence is repeated. The resultant eddy current signal generated at the initial state of the battery and the gradients of the eddy current signal and of the ultrasonic signal versus the battery capacity is determined.

Abstract: The present invention is an integrated method and apparatus for determining the quality of electrochemical energy storage devices, especially batteries. The invention is based on an integrated usage of electromagnetic and ultrasonic energy to probe of the interior volume of the battery. The first probe is carried out when the battery is at an initial charged state. After the first probe stage, a discharge of the battery being diagnosed is carried out until the test battery is at a small fixed test charge value. Signals from the eddy current probes allow determination of the continuity of the discharge current during the discharge process. After the discharge of the battery, the above described test sequence is repeated. The resultant eddy current signal generated at the initial state of the battery and the gradients of the eddy current signal and of the ultrasonic signal versus the battery capacity is determined.

Abstract: A system for non-destructive non-contact quality inspection of dry electrode units of energy storage includes an eddy current-based inspection system having a conveyor belt, and a hollow dielectric shell. An outer surface of the shell has a plurality of spaced apart measuring transducers. Each of the transducers include a feed-through eddy current probe and at least two strap capacitors spatially linked therewith. In the related method, an electrode unit to be inspected is placed on the conveyor belt and enters and moves through the dielectric shell. The electrode unit is excited using a magnetic field from the eddy current probe as it passes by each of the plurality of transducers, where eddy currents at a plurality of frequencies are induced in the electrode unit. The modulation characteristics of impedance at a plurality of frequencies are measured by the probes, and from the impedance data it is determined whether the electrode unit is defective.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for determining the remaining service life of electrochemical energy generation and storage device including batteries, supercapacitors, DSSC solar cells and fuel cell. Measurements are performed by passing ultrasonic oscillations through the test object. The apparatus of the present invention comprises two arrays of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic probes between which the object being tested is affixed. Polyurethane tips are used for matching the acoustic resistance of the probes with the test object body. The apparatus includes means for positioning the transmitting and the receiving probe arrays relative to each other. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic means for measuring the test object thickness. The calibration characteristic for determining the remaining service life of a the test object are established from the signal values from the ultrasonic probes related to the number of charge-discharge cycles obtained at various charge values.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for non-contact measurement of electrical conductivity of powder-like materials using eddy currents includes the steps of placing a powder to be measured in a hollow dielectric sampling container, the sampling container disposed and freely axially moving within an outer dielectric housing. An eddy-current sensor including a winding is arranged on an outside surface of the housing. Current is forced in the winding to excite the powder to generate eddy currents. The introduced active resistance is measured at the eddy-current sensor and an electrical conductivity of the powder is determined using the measured active resistance. The powder is preferably vibration compacted and the density and electrical conductivity determined at a plurality of stages during the vibration compacting step.

Abstract: A method of noncontact measuring the electrical conductivity of electrolytes using a primary measuring transformer includes placing the electrolyte in a sampler, exciting an alternating magnetic field using an axisymmetrical eddy current sensor, switching to the sensor a capacitor of variable capacitance, tuning of the formed circuit in resonance with the frequency of the generator of harmonic oscillations, and recording the change in the introduced active resistance of the parametric eddy current sensor rated against its own inductive resistance.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for non-contact measurement of electrical conductivity of of powder-like materials using eddy currents includes the steps of placing a powder to be measured in a hollow dielectric sampling container, the sampling container disposed and freely axially moving within an outer dielectric housing. An eddy-current sensor including a winding is arranged on an outside surface of the housing. Current is forced in the winding to excite the powder to generate eddy currents. The introduced active resitance is measured at the eddy-current sensor and an electrical conductivity of the powder is determined using the measured active resistance. The powder is preferably vibration compacted and the density and electrical conductivity determined at a plurality of stages during the vibration compacting step.

Abstract: A system for non-destructive non-contact quality inspection of dry electrode units of energy storage includes an eddy current-based inspection system having a conveyor belt, and a hollow dielectric shell. An outer surface of the shell has a plurality of spaced apart measuring transducers. Each of the transducers include a feed-through eddy current probe and at least two strap capacitors spatially linked therewith. In the related method, an electrode unit to be inspected is placed on the conveyor belt and enters and moves through the dielectric shell. The electrode unit is excited using a magnetic field from the eddy current probe as it passes by each of the plurality of transducers, where eddy currents at a plurality of frequencies are induced in the electrode unit. The modulation characteristics of impedance at a plurality of frequencies are measured by the probes, and from the impedance data it is determined whether the electrode unit is defective.

Abstract: A method of noncontact measuring the electrical conductivity of electrolytes using a primary measuring transformer includes placing the electrolyte in a sampler, exciting an alternating magnetic field using an axisymmetrical eddy current sensor, switching to the sensor a capacitor of variable capacitance, tuning of the formed circuit in resonance with the frequency of the generator of harmonic oscillations, and recording the change in the introduced active resistance of the parametric eddy current sensor rated against its own inductive resistance.

Abstract: A method and integrated probe for non-contact measuring electrical conductivity of polymer electrolyte films includes placing the film on a flat dielectric substrate, exciting a probing eddy-current magnetic field using an inductance coil at a series of discrete frequencies, and measuring its impedance at these frequencies while the operating end face of the coil is located on the film surface and on the substrate.