Blackberry Corporation

Research in Motion Corporation

Taha Shabbir Husain Sutarwala

David Gerard Rich

Surajit Sengupta

Chee-Ming Jimmy Wu

Philip James Prociw

Mallikarjun Boda

Matthew Michael Ignor

Yu William Feng

Joseph Patino

Andre John Van Schyndel

Jonathan Quinn Brubacher

Kenny Veng Hong Che

Garry Owen Morgan

Various embodiments are described herein for an electrode assembly for a battery and a method of making the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly comprises an active material layer having a recess formed therein at an outer surface of the active material layer, the recess extending from a side facet of the active material layer toward an interior portion of the active material layer; a current collector layer supported on and in electrical contact with the outer surface of the active material layer; and a tab element supported partially within the recess and in electrical contact with at least one of the active material layer and the current collector layer, the tab element being adapted to provide an electrical connection for the electrode assembly.

Recessed tab for higher energy density and thinner batteries

In at least one embodiment, a power management module measures an electromagnetic radiation spectrum or a voltage response of a battery module. The measured electromagnetic radiation spectrum or voltage response of the battery is compared to a plurality of reference electromagnetic radiation spectrums or voltage responses, respectively, which may be determined for authentic batteries, for example. A relative condition of the battery, such as an age or state of health, may be estimated based on the measured electromagnetic radiation spectrum or voltage response of the battery module, and stored in a memory store. The rate of change of the relative condition of the battery over a period of time may be determined to identify potential defects in the battery.

Diagnostic use of physical and electrical battery parameters and storing relative condition data

The mechanical energy of an actuator is used for producing vibration alerts in a portable electronic device. The same mechanical energy is also utilized to control the flow of fuel or to mix the fuel in a fuel cell of the portable electronic device. Thus, the flow of fuel into a reaction area of a fuel cell is controlled or fuel is mixed in a fuel storage area of a fuel cell assembly. Such fuel flow control and mixing is performed passively whenever a vibration alert occurs, or is performed actively in response to monitoring the status of the fuel cell assembly.

Apparatus for electronic devices with vibrators and fuel cells

Various embodiments are described herein for an electrode assembly for a stacked-cell battery. The electrode assembly comprises a first active material layer; a first current collector layer adjacent to and in electrical contact with an outer surface of the first active material layer; a tab element having an end lead portion and a second lead portion, the end lead portion being in electrical contact with at least one of the first active material layer and the first current collector layer, and the second lead portion extending away from the end lead portion and being substantially adjacent to a surface of at least one of the first active material layer and the first current collector layer and is adapted to provide an electrical connection to the electrode assembly; and an insulative layer covering an inner contact area of the second lead portion to electrically insulate this portion of the tab element.

Method of reducing tabbing volume required for external connections

A wireless charging system having a battery with at least one cell, a receiving coil wrapped around the at least one cell and a charger having a transmitting field designed to couple with the receiving coil of the battery. A battery is further described having at least one cell and having a receiving coil wrapped around at least one cell.

System and method for wirelessly charging a rechargeable battery

The disclosure is directed at a method and apparatus for controlling fuel cell operating conditions. The apparatus includes a set of sensors for monitoring the fuel cell operating conditions and a processing unit, in communication with the set of sensors for determining when the fuel cell operating conditions are outside of an acceptable range. When it is determined that the fuel cell operating conditions are outside of the acceptable range, an electrolyzer is activated to electrolyze waste liquid water or water vapor to assist in controlling the fuel cell operating conditions.

Apparatus including fuel cell and electrolyzer and method for controlling fuel cell operating conditions of the apparatus

A method and system for programming rechargeable battery characteristics is provided. The system having: a memory component for storing user profiles; a power management integrated circuit; and a processor for retrieving the user profiles and directing power from the battery to the power management integrated circuit in accordance with the user profiles. The method consists of: determining the type of battery; retrieving user profiles stored in a memory component; and adjusting the battery characteristics according to the user profiles.

System and method for programming rechargeable battery characteristics

In at least one embodiment, a power management module measures different observable quantities of a battery, such as terminal voltage or current, and measures a voltage response of the battery based upon the measurements. The measured voltage response of the battery is compared to a plurality of reference voltage responses, which may be determined for authentic batteries, for example. If the measured voltage response corresponds to each of the reference voltage responses, the battery is authenticated for use with an electronic device. If necessary, additional voltage responses may be measured and compared against corresponding reference voltage responses until the battery is authenticated by a sufficient number of corresponding responses. A relative condition of the battery, such as an age or state of health, may also be estimated based on the measured voltage response of the battery.

Diagnostic use of a plurality of electrical battery parameters

Diagnostic use of physical and electrical battery parameters is made to enhance battery authentication and security. A power management module measures an electromagnetic radiation spectrum of a battery module based on signal strengths of the electromagnetic radiation detected at one or more antennas. The measured electromagnetic radiation spectrum of the battery is compared to a reference electromagnetic radiation spectrum, which may be specified for authentic batteries, for example. If the measured electromagnetic radiation spectrum corresponds to the reference electromagnetic radiation spectrum, the battery is authenticated for use with the mobile communication device. A relative condition of the battery, such as an age or state of health, may also be estimated based on the measured electromagnetic radiation spectrum of the battery module.

Diagnostic use of physical and electrical battery parameters

A method includes: receiving a temperature indication, the temperature indication being a function of a temperature of a power pack of a portable electronic device; determining, as a function of the temperature indication, whether the temperature is within an elevated operating temperature range; and reducing a charge termination voltage and a charging current when the temperature is within the elevated operating temperature range.

Method and apparatus for charging a power pack of a portable electronic device

According to one aspect, a mobile electronic device having a fuel cell configured to receive fuel and generate therefrom electrical power for the mobile electronic device, a fuel tank adapted to store fuel and provide fuel to the fuel cell, and a solid-state battery configured to provide power to the mobile device. The solid-state battery is sized and shaped to at least partially surround at least one of the fuel cell and the fuel tank.

Growing community of inventors

Mississauga, Canada

Taha Shabbir Husain Sutarwala