Abstract:
An ultra-high-efficiency switching power supply system integrating, into a single package, power conversion switches for multiple power supplies, an input power switching block, an output power switching block, control logic for controlling the power conversion switches and control input/output ports. This integrated multiple power supply package is called a Power Bridge and preferably implements the integrated components as one or more integrated circuit chips housed in the package housing. The Power Bridge is a bridge between the microprocessor of a portable computer and its internal and external power sources. The power supply system facilitates board design because the ultra-high-efficiency power module generally requires less space and generates less heat than conventional power supply circuitry. The power supply module improves power management because of improved communications connections between the power supply module control circuitry and other components, such as busses, other bridge modules and embedded controllers.
Abstract:
Battery system with multiple electrochemical cell types, wherein one cell type(s) (e.g., aqueous electrochemical cells) provides overvoltage protection for other cell type(s) (e.g., lithium ion superpolymer electrochemical cells). Battery system for a BPV with interchangeable modules of two or more 1:1 replaceable types, wherein each type of module has a different type, or combination, of electrochemical cells. For example, one battery module type may contain aqueous cells suitable for overvoltage protection and high power operation, while another battery module may include lithium ion superpolymer cells for their large capacity and high energy density. Use of lithium ion superpolymer electrochemical cells in low speed battery powered vehicles.
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 invention basically comprises the addition of a small amount of nanometer sized carbon tubes or fibres grown by high temperature vapour deposition to a meso-phase graphite mixture used for a negative electrode (anode) for a lithium battery. These are referred to herein as “carbon nano-fibres”. According to one embodiment of the present invention, in an anode for a lithium battery having a conductive substrate coated with a pressed compact of spherical graphite and an ion-conducting polymeric binder, an amount of from 1.5 to 12% by weight of carbon nano-fibres is added. The carbon nano-fibres may have an average diameter of around 0.2 μm (200×10−9 m) a length of from 10 to 20 mm and an inner core diameter of from 65-70 nm. The spherical graphite may be meso-phase graphite and more preferably, the carbon nano-fibres are included in amount of from 2 to 9% by weight.
Abstract:
A battery box sealable against moisture and oxygen ingress and liquid electrolyte egress. The battery box includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and sidewalls extending between the first and second ends to define a chamber for housing a number of rechargeable lithium battery cells. The first end and the sidewalls are metallic and have a substantially moisture and oxygen gas impervious joint between them. The second end is of a metal plastic laminate joinable to the sidewalls by a joining medium to form a substantially moisture and oxygen impervious joint therebetween. The second end has electrical connectors extending through it which enable substantially moisture and gas impervious connection to be made between current collectors of the lithium battery cells and the outside of the battery box.
Abstract:
A lithium battery having a plurality of interconnected pouch cells encased in a first cover which is substantially impermeable to moisture ingress and electrolyte egress. The first cover is surrounded by a rigid outer cover which is sealed in a substantially moisture impervious manner. Positive, negative and monitoring leads extend in a sealed manner through the first cover and are connected to a charge monitoring and controlling circuit board. The circuit board may be located within or outside of the outer cover. Positive and negative terminals on and outside of the outer cover are respectively connected to positive and negative leads which extend through the outer cover in a substantially fluid sealed manner.
Abstract:
Lithium electrochemical cells and batteries are described having electron conductive additives in the form of a mixture of carbon fibres and fine carbon particles. The electron conductive additives are provided in a polymeric fluoride coating between the electrode and the current collector. A mixture of carbon fibres and fine carbon can also be admixed with the cathode-active component in the cathode.
Abstract:
A composite electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery is described. The composite electrode has a metallic current collector in contact with an electrically conducting organic polymer laminate made of a blended and annealed polymeric mixture containing fine carbon particles, and coated with an electrode-active substance bearing layer. The conducting polymer is capable of reversible resistivity changes of several orders of magnitude in only a portion of the laminate, thereby reducing locally excessive current flow and over-heating in the rechargeable lithium battery.
Abstract:
An improved lithium ion battery is described wherein corrosion of the current collector in contact with the electrode face is greatly reduced. In one embodiment an electrically conductive, ceramic layer is inserted between the current collector and the corresponding major face of the lithium ion battery. In another embodiment the metallic current collector plate is replaced by an electrically conductive laminated organic polymer having electrically conductive particles dispersed therein.
Abstract:
The non-aqueous thin film rechargeable lithium battery described has a negative electrode comprising a polymer laminate having embedded therein carbon, and a layer of fine carbon agglomerated with a lithium compound containing organic binder carried by the polymer laminate. The positive electrode of the rechargeable lithium battery contains a layer of fine particles of vanadium oxide, manganese oxide, cobalt oxide, nickel oxide or silver vanadate, agglomerated with a lithium compound containing organic binder and the layer is supported on another polymer laminate embedding carbon. In one embodiment the lithium battery has a solid polymer electrolyte containing a lithium compound capable of releasing lithium ions, located between the positive and negative electrodes. In another embodiment a microporous polymer laminate separator which has been impregnated with an organic liquid electrolyte containing a lithium compound, is placed between the polymer laminate negative electrode and the polymer laminate positive electrode. In both embodiments the electrodes are rendered adherent to the mobile lithium ion carrying electrolyte with a coating of an organic adhesive containing a lithium compound in a concentration lower than in the electrolyte, disposed between them.