Rayovac Corporation

Esb Incorporated

Other

Patrick J Spellman

Robert B Dopp

John Edward Oltman

Michael J Root

Joseph Lynn Passaniti

John David Burns

Randall L Collien

El Sayed Megahed

Thomas W Bonner

El-Sayed A Megahed

Janna L Rose

Zhihong Jin

Gerald F Sanden

Carol Ruth Buelow

Cecilia T Maske

Karl E Anderson

Bryan D Jaedike

A boat towing auxiliary light is provided. The device includes an elongated shaft having an upper end opposite a lower end. A light assembly is affixed to the upper end of the elongated shaft. A pair of notches are disposed within the lower end of the elongated shaft. A brace removably securable within the pair of notches. A power source is disposed within the elongated shaft, wherein the power source is operably connected to the light assembly. A control is disposed on the elongated shaft, wherein the control selectively toggles the light assembly between an activated state and a deactivated state. In some embodiments, a wireless controller is disposed within the elongated shaft and operably connects the light assembly with a remote electronic device, wherein the remote electronic device selectively toggles the light assembly between an activated state and a deactivated state.

Boat towing auxiliary light with shaft, power source, and brace

An electrochemical cell having a cell can that includes an interior surface, a current collector, a solid cathode contained in the can and in conductive contact therewith, an organic or solid polymer electrolyte comprising lithium salt solutes and aprotic organic solvents has improved storage properties when a coating comprising carbon powder is diposed on the current collector surface and on the adjacent interior surface of the cell can. Further, the cell has advantageous enhanced discharge properties over an expanded temperature range when the cathode additionally comprises a fluoropolymer resin binder.

Extended temperature operating range electrochemical cells

This invention pertains to novel alkaline electrochemical cells having high drain capacities, especially cells having high drain rate capabilities at voltages of at least 1.1 volts for use in small appliances such as hearing aids. The anode includes anode material in the cells including potassium hydroxide, zinc powder, 0.02% to 0.5% of a reaction rate enabling compound selected from a compound of indium, cadmium, gallium, thallium, germanium, tin, or lead, with indium compounds being preferred. The anode material optionally further includes a low level of mercury, and preferably a surfactant comprising hydroxyethylcellulose. The cathode provides sufficient oxidative capability to oxidize the zinc at a sufficient rate to support the electrical drain demands on the cell. A cathode, in a preferred zinc air cell for a hearing aid, includes at least 5 air ports, evenly distributed over the surface of the bottom of the cathode can. Cells of the invention exhibit prolonged operation at relatively constant voltage over 1.1 volts, and relatively constant power output at a power density of at least about 210 milliwatts per square inch of the reaction surface area of the cathode assembly, for periods significantly longer than conventional cells of the same type.

Electrochemical cell anode and high discharge rate electrochemical cell

This invention pertains to novel electrochemical metal air cells having improved closed circuit voltage characteristics. The improved voltage characteristics are illustrated at a constant load of 51 ohms. The closed circuit voltage during an initial placement into use of the cell of the invention has a decreased voltage drop relative to prior art cells, and recovers to a higher voltage. For example, the closed circuit voltage of the metal air cell drops to a minimum voltage during the first 20 seconds of initial placement into use. The minimum voltage is no more than 22% less than the initial open circuit voltage. This voltage drop is less than the voltage drop of other known metal air cells at 51 ohms. Metal air cells of the invention recover, during the first minute of use, to a closed circuit voltage of at least 79% of the initial open circuit voltage. The value of the open circuit voltage of the metal air cell of the invention is preferably about 1.43 volt.

Low mercury, high discharge rate electrochemical cell

This invention pertains to novel alkaline electrochemical cells having high drain capacities, especially cells having high drain rate capabilities at voltages of at least 1.1 volts for use in small appliances such as hearing aids. The anode includes anode material in the cells including potassium hydroxide, zinc powder, 0.02% to 0.5% indium as indium compound separate from the zinc powder, optionally a low level of mercury, and preferably a surfactant comprising hydroxyethylcellulose. The cathode provides sufficient oxidative capability to oxidize the zinc at a sufficient rate to support the electrical drain demands on the cell. A cathode, in a preferred zinc air cell for a hearing aid, includes at least 5 air ports, evenly distributed over the surface of the bottom of the cathode can. Cells of the invention exhibit prolonged operation at relatively constant voltage over 1.1 volts, and relatively constant power output at a power density of at least about 210 milliwatts per square inch of the reaction surface area of the cathode assembly, for periods significantly longer than conventional cells.

A battery, a battery charger, and a battery charging system are used for charging cylindrical batteries having a certain predetermined feature. The battery charger has at least one compartment having first and second circular recesses provided at the rear wall of the at least one compartment for engaging the cathode terminals of batteries having the predetermined feature of a first and second size respectively, wherein the recesses are of such dimensions as to receive the cathode terminals of batteries having the predetermined feature, but not the cathode terminals of conventional, prior art primary and secondary batteries not having this feature. It provides a safe, easy to use, low cost battery charging system that will not charge undesired primary or secondary batteries.

Discriminating battery charging system

A charger for a rechargeable alkaline manganese (RAM) battery has a positive contact which engages against the positive terminal of a compatible battery without making electrical contact with the positive terminal protruding nubbin. A rechargeable battery has an insulating jacket which surrounds the battery side wall but which does not overlap the positive terminal. Hence the charger positive contact may engage against the specially adapted battery and electrical contact, but will not make electrical contact with a conventional battery having a partially insulated positive terminal. Alternatively, the battery positive terminal may be insulated within less than 0.040 inches of the battery perimeter and be charged by protruding positive contacts spaced inwardly from the perimeter by approximately the same amount.

Discriminating charger and compatible battery

A method for manufacturing a stable divalent silver oxide depolarizer mix wherein the mix is treated with a mild reducing solution of a reducing agent such as methanol followed by a treatment with a strong reducing solution of a reducing agent such as hydrazine to form a layer of silver on the surface of the depolarizer mix. The depolarizer mix is specially prepared for use in a primary alkaline cell which is discharged at a single voltage plateau, and the preliminary treatment of the mix with the mild reducing solution permits the incorporation of greater amounts of divalent silver oxide in the mix, thereby increasing the electrochemical capacity while still providing a single voltage plateau discharge. The treatment with the mild reducing solution generally requires soaking the mix in a solution containing a reducing agent for up to about 10 minutes and may be carried out at either room or elevated temperature. The subsequent treatment with a strong reducing solution may also require up to about 10 minutes at either room or elevated temperature, with the purpose to provide a substantially continuous and electrolyte permeable layer of silver on the surface of the depolarizer mix. The depolarizer mix is particularly adapted for use in a 'button' cell construction, and it may contain from about 50% by weight to about 100% by weight of divalent silver oxide and still provide a cell with a single voltage plateau discharge.

Method of manufacturing a stable divalent silver oxide depolarizer mix

A primary alkaline cell having a stable divalent silver oxide depolarizer mix comprising a negative electrode (anode), a divalent silver oxide (AgO) depolarizer mix, a separator between said negative electrode and depolarizer mix, and an alkaline electrolyte. The surface of the depolarizer mix is treated with a mild reducing solution to form a reduced layer surrounding the mix, and the surface of the reduced layer adjacent to the separator is coated with a layer of silver. The reduced layer surrounding the depolarizer mix in combination with the layer of silver provides improved stability of the depolarizer mix in the alkaline electrolyte and a single voltage plateau during discharge of the cell. The primary alkaline cell is characterized by a maximum open circuit voltage of about 1.75 volts. The silver layer on the surface of the reduced layer surrounding the depolarizer mix can be formed by treating the reduced layer with a strong reducing solution to form a substantially continuous and electrolyte permeable silver layer, or alternatively, the silver layer may be formed by placing a silver screen, expanded silver metal, perforated silver foil or porous silver powder layer on top of the reduced layer surrounding the depolarizer mix and adjacent to the separator. It is preferred that the layer of silver be substantially continuous and electrolyte permeable which may be accomplished by treating the reduced layer surrounding the mix with a strong reducing solution. When forming the layer of silver by treating the reduced layer with a strong reducing solution, it is preferred that the depolarizer mix surrounded by the reduced layer be consolidated in a cathode container prior to treating it with the strong reducing solution. The depolarizer mix may contain from about 50% by weight to about 100% by weight of divalent silver oxide based on the total silver oxide content and still provide a cell with a single voltage plateau discharge.

Growing community of inventors

Middleton, WI, United States of America

Patrick J Spellman