8251results about How to "Improve cycle life" patented technology

Electrical components and vacuums. In some aspects, the invention provides an electrical component including a housing defining a passageway, a motor supported by the housing, the motor being selectively electrically connectable with a power source, a fan connected to the motor and operable to generate an airflow through the passageway, an electrical circuit supported by the housing, the electrical circuit being selectively electrically connectable with the power source, and a power-tool battery electrically connectable with the electrical circuit such that power is selectively transferred between the battery and the electrical circuit, the battery being connectable to the housing. In some aspects, the invention provides a vacuum.

This invention provides a mixed nano-filament composition for use as an electrochemical cell electrode. The composition comprises: (a) an aggregate of nanometer-scaled, electrically conductive filaments that are substantially interconnected, intersected, or percolated to form a porous, electrically conductive filament network, wherein the filaments have a length and a diameter or thickness with the diameter / thickness less than 500 nm (preferably <100 nm) and a length-to-diameter or length-to-thickness aspect ratio greater than 10; and (b) Multiple nanometer-scaled, electro-active filaments comprising an electro-active material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions wherein the electro-active filaments have a diameter or thickness less than 500 nm (preferably <100 nm). The electro-active filaments (e.g., nanowires) and the electrically conductive filaments (e.g., carbon nano fibers) are mixed to form a mat-, web-, or porous paper-like structure in which at least an electro-active filament is in electrical contact with at least an electrically conductive filament. Also provided is a lithium ion battery comprising such an electrode as an anode or cathode, or both. The battery exhibits an exceptionally high specific capacity, an excellent reversible capacity, and a long cycle life.

An implantable medical device, such as an implantable pulse generator (IPG) used with a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery having an anode electrode with a substrate made substantially from titanium. Such battery construction allows the rechargeable battery to be discharged down to zero volts without damage to the battery. The implantable medical device includes battery charging and protection circuitry that controls the charging of the battery so as to assure its reliable and safe operation. A multi-rate charge algorithm is employed that minimizes charging time while ensuring the battery cell is safely charged. Fast charging occurs at safer lower battery voltages (e.g., battery voltage above about 2.5 V), and slower charging occurs when the battery nears full charge higher battery voltages (e.g., above about 4.0 V). When potentially less-than-safe very low voltages are encountered (e.g., less than 2.5 V), then very slow (trickle) charging occurs to bring the battery voltage back up to the safer voltage levels where more rapid charging can safely occur. The battery charging and protection circuitry also continuously monitors the battery voltage and current. If the battery operates outside of a predetermined range of voltage or current, the battery protection circuitry disconnects the battery from the particular fault, i.e. charging circuitry or load circuits.

An electrical power system for a spacecraft or other vehicle or structure comprising a structural member containing an integrated solid-state power source is disclosed. The power source includes a solar cell system and an energy storage system that are combined into a single unit or package, and in certain embodiments, are configured into the shape of a flexible aerobot balloon or a rigid nanosat surface panel. The power components of a preferred lightweight power unit, include thinly layered photovoltaic cells, a rechargeable lithium solid polymer electrolyte battery, a capacitor, electronics and thermal management capability.

An implantable medical device, such as an implantable pulse generator (IPG) used with a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery having an anode electrode with a substrate made substantially from titanium. Such battery construction allows the rechargeable battery to be discharged down to zero volts without damage to the battery. The implantable medical device includes battery charging and protection circuitry that controls the charging of the battery so as to assure its reliable and safe operation. A multi-rate charge algorithm is employed that minimizes charging time while ensuring the battery cell is safely charged. Slow charging occurs at lower battery voltages (e.g., battery voltage below about 2.5 V), and fast charging occurs when the battery voltage has reached a safe level (e.g., above about 2.5 V). When potentially less-than-safe very low voltages are encountered (e.g., less than 2.5 V), then very slow (trickle) charging occurs to bring the battery voltage back up to the safer voltage levels where more rapid charging can safely occur. The battery charging and protection circuitry also continuously monitors the battery voltage and current. If the battery operates outside of a predetermined range of voltage or current, the battery protection circuitry disconnects the battery from the particular fault, i.e. charging circuitry or load circuits.

A composite electrode is created by forming a thin conformal coating of mixed metal oxides on a highly porous carbon structure. The highly porous carbon structure performs a role in the synthesis of the mixed oxide coating and in providing a three-dimensional, electronically conductive substrate supporting the thin coating of mixed metal oxides. The metal oxide mixture shall include two or more metal oxides. The composite electrode, a process for producing said composite electrode, an electrochemical capacitor and an electrochemical secondary (rechargeable) battery using said composite electrode are disclosed.

The invention relates to a wind energy and light energy complementary power supply system based on the energy storage of a super-capacitor, which comprises a DC / DC buck converter (20), an AC / DC converter (30), a super-capacitor unit (40), a DC / AC inverter (50), a DC / DC boost-buck converter (60), a photovoltaic array (70), a wind mill generator (80), an oil engine / commercial power interface (90), an AC load (100) and a DC load (200). The photovoltaic array (70) is connected with the super-capacitor unit (40) by the DC / DC buck converter (20). The wind mill generator (80) and the oil engine / commercial power interface (90) are connected with the super-capacitor unit (40) by the AC / DC converter (30). The super-capacitor unit (40) supplies power to the AC load (100) by the DC / Ac inverter (50) and the DC load (200) by the DC / DC boost-buck converter (60). The invention provides a super-capacitor energy storage device used for the wind energy and light energy complementary power supply system, which can continuously provide power for the communication systems and the residents in remote areas where a distribution network cannot reach.

The invention discloses an anode and cathode conductive additive for a secondary lithium battery, a method for preparing the conductive additive, and a method for preparing the secondary lithium battery. The conductive additive is graphene or a mixture of the graphene and other conductive materials, is graphene powder or mixture powder of graphene and other conductive materials, and also can be graphene or mixture conductive agent slurry of the graphene and other conductive materials, which is uniformly dispersed in water or an organic solvent or in water or an organic solvent which contains a dispersing agent. The graphene conductive additive is suitable for preparing the anode and cathode of the secondary lithium battery, and has the obvious advantage of improving the high-rate performance and cycle stability of the secondary lithium battery compared with other conductive additives at present.

An electrode material for an anode of a rechargeable lithium battery, containing a particulate comprising an amorphous Sn.A.X alloy with a substantially non-stoichiometric ratio composition. For said formula Sn.A.X, A indicates at least one kind of an element selected from a group consisting of transition metal elements, X indicates at least one kind of an element selected from a group consisting of O, F, N, Mg, Ba, Sr, Ca, La, Ce, Si, Ge, C, P, B, Pb, Bi, Sb, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Zn, Be, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, As, Se, Te, Li and S, where the element X is not always necessary to be contained. The content of the constituent element Sn of the amorphous Sn.A.X alloy is Sn / (Sn+A+X)=20 to 80 atomic %. An electrode structural body for a rechargeable lithium battery, comprising said electrode material for an anode and a collector comprising a material incapable of being alloyed with lithium in electrochemical reaction, and a rechargeable lithium battery having an anode comprising said electrode structural body.