Abstract:
A process is described wherein hydrogen and its isotopes are dissolved in palladium metal in high density by utilizing electrochemical methods in an electrolytic cell. The cell has an inert anode and a palladium containing cathode, both being immersed in an electrolyte which contains a lithium salt dissolved in an aprotic solvent, and a small amount of water. The dissolved hydrogen to palladium ratio in the palladium bearing cathode, which may be achieved by this process, is in excess of 0.95.
Abstract:
Electrodes are disclosed which comprise a porous conductive material as a primary electrode component in electrical contact with a secondary electrode component which preferably is a metal, such as titanium. The secondary electrode component is normally conductive when operating as a cathode, and is capable of alternating between being non-conductive when operating as an anode and becoming conductive again when the electrode is operating as a cathode. Processes for removing metallic species from solution utilizing such electrodes are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Electrodes are disclosed which comprise a porous conductive material as a primary electrode component in electrical contact with a secondary electrode component which preferably is a metal, such as titanium. The secondary electrode component is normally conductive when operating as a cathode, and is capable of alternating between being non-conductive when operating as an anode and becoming conductive again when the electrode is operating as a cathode. Processes for removing metallic species from solution utilizing such electrodes are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Apparatus usable in the electrolytic treatment of electroactive species in a solution include a porous electrode which is supported across a fluid flow path in such a manner that fluid flowing along the flow path must pass through an effective portion of the electrode.
Abstract:
The preparation of amorphous lithium-manganese oxide compound is described having lithium to manganese ratio between 0.4 and 1.5 and particle size less than 5 .mu.m. The amorphous lithium-manganese oxide compound is to be utilized in a non-aqueous rechargeable lithium battery.
Abstract:
A high efficiency switching power supply including an analog front end, a battery control circuitry portion, a display and equalization circuitry portion, field effect transistor (FET) drivers, an isolated power supply transformer circuitry (and three associated sets of tap circuitry), microcontroller circuitry, oscillator circuitry, overcharge protection circuitry, programmable logic circuitry portion, and a zero current predictor. Overbiasing of the FET power supply switches, and/or other various circuitry features disclosed herein, helps achieve electrical power efficiencies of preferably greater than 95%, even more preferably greater than 98% and even more preferably greater than 99%. Preferably, the switching power supply has one or more of the following: (1) high electrical power efficiency (>95%. >98%, >99%); (2) overbiasing of a gate of a power supply switch; (3) a power supply switch with a low gate capacitance ratio; (4) multiple modes of operation; and (5) current prediction wherein an inductor voltage is used to control a constant current capacitor whose voltage indicates the level of current in the inductor.
Abstract:
A battery controller for charging and discharging a plurality of batteries is disclosed. The battery controller has a plurality of direct current to direct current (DC to DC) converters connected to each other in series. Each battery of a plurality of batteries is electrically connectable to a respective DC to DC converter. A co-ordinator connected to each of the plurality of DC to DC converters controls charging and discharging of the battery electrically connected to the respective converter. The co-ordinator can also control charging and discharging of any one of the batteries to ensure that the battery retains sufficient electrical capacity, and, to increase the longevity of the respective batteries. Because each battery is electrically connected to a respective DC to DC converter, the energy from one battery can be used to charge another battery in order to monitor battery characteristics including energy capacity of each battery. Each of the DC to DC converters is selected to operate preferably below 30 volts while the total voltage of the entire battery system can be much more than 30 volts depending on the number of DC to DC converters placed in series.
Abstract:
A matted particulate electrode located between the current collector and a porous separator of a rechargeable lithium battery is described, which contains electro-active particles intermixed with pliable, solid, lithium ion conducting, polymer electrolyte filaments having adhesive surfaces. The electro-active particles and the optionally added electro-conductive carbon particles adhere to the tacky surface of the adhesively interlinking polymer electrolyte filaments. The matted particulate electrode is impregnated with an organic solution containing another lithium compound. In a second embodiment the porous separator is coated on at least one of its faces, with polymer electrolyte having an adhesive surface and made of the same polymer as the electrolyte filaments. The polymer electrolyte filaments in the matted layer may adhere to the coated surface of the separator. In addition the polymer coating is partially filling the pores of the porous electrolyte, but leaving sufficient space in the pores for the organic solution to penetrate the separator of the lithium battery.
Abstract:
A high efficiency switching power supply including an analog front end, a battery control circuitry portion, a display and equalization circuitry portion, field effect transistor (FET) drivers, an isolated power supply transformer circuitry (and three associated sets of tap circuitry), microcontroller circuitry, oscillator circuitry, overcharge protection circuitry, programmable logic circuitry portion, and a zero current predictor. Overbiasing of the FET power supply switches, and/or other various circuitry features disclosed herein, helps achieve electrical power efficiencies of preferably greater than 95%, even more preferably greater than 98% and even more preferably greater than 99%. Preferably, the switching power supply has one or more of the following: (1) high electrical power efficiency (>95%. >98%, >99%); (2) overbiasing of a gate of a power supply switch; (3) a power supply switch with a low gate capacitance ratio; (4) multiple modes of operation; and (5) current prediction wherein an inductor voltage is used to control a constant current capacitor whose voltage indicates the level of current in the inductor.
Abstract:
The terminals of a thin plate rechargeable lithium battery are coated with a heat-sealable polymer. The coating forms a band on each face of the terminals and the band is heat-sealed to the inner insulator layers of a multi-layered polymer laminate enclosing the thin plate rechargeable lithium battery at a location close to an open edge of the insulator layer. Small sheets of rigid, high melting point, polymeric materials are inserted between the bands of coating carried by the terminals and the edge of the multi-layered laminate enclosing the lithium battery. A portion of the sheets of polymeric material is adhesively attached to the face of the terminal adjacent the bands of coating. The open edges of the multi-layered polymer laminate enclosure are subsequently sealed to enclose completely the thin plate lithium battery.