Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.

Greatbatch Ltd.

W Richard Brown

Christine A Frysz

Sally Ann Smesko

Theodore J Falk

Lawrence E Morris

Esther S Takeuchi

Norbert W Frenz, Jr

Raymond S Konopa

Douglas K Gillies

Peter A Kreidler

Norbert W Franz, Jr

Karen Nuwer

Nickel-based alloys are provided for use as a positive electrode current collector in a solid cathode, nonaqueous liquid electrolyte, alkali metal anode active electrochemical cell. The nickel-based alloys are characterized by chemical compatibility with aggressive cell environments, high corrosion resistance and resistance to fluorination and passivation at elevated temperatures, thus improving the longevity and performance of the electrochemical cell. The cell can be of either a primary or a secondary configuration.

Nickel-based alloys as positive electrode support materials in electrochemical cells containing nonaqueous electrolytes

A titanium substrate having a thickened outer oxidation layer provided thereon by a treatment process performed either in an air atmosphere at elevated temperatures or through electrolytic oxidation (anodization), is discribed. The thusly conditioned titanium substrate serving as a cathode current collector for an electrode incorporated into an electrochemical cell exhibits improved electrical performance in comparison to the prior art techniques, i.e., electrically conducted carbon coated titanium screen and use of highly corrosion resistant materials, upon subsequent elevated temperature exposure.

Oxidized titanium as a cathodic current collector

Cobalt-based alloys are provided for use as a positive electrode current collector in a solid cathode, nonaqueous liquid electrolyte, alkali metal anode active electrochemical cell. The cobalt-based alloys are characterized by chemical compatibility with aggressive cell environments, high corrosion resistance and resistance to fluorination and passivation at elevated temperatures, thus improving the longevity and performance of the electrochemical cell. The cell can be of either a primary or a secondary configuration.

Cobalt-based alloys as positive electrode current collectors in nonaqueous electrochemical cells

Low power electromagnetic pump

An electromagnetic pump having an electromagnet carried by the housing external to the fluid chambers, and an armature moveable in the housing having a pole magnetically attracted by the electromagnet and a piston to force fluid out of the chambers and through the pump outlet. A path provides controlled bypass for bubbles in the fluid around the armature piston between the fluid pumping chamber and the fluid receiving chamber only during the return stroke of the armature. Fluid inertia is reduced by an outlet orifice in the path of fluid flow from the pump outlet and by a bypass orifice for fluid flow in the bypass path, the orifices being provided either individually or in combination depending upon the fluid flow characteristics of the system including the pump. An accumulator in the fluid flow path between the pump outlet and a catheter leading away from the pump alleviates inertial and viscous effects arising from the catheter. The armature pole has a fluid-contacting section of material which is compatible with and corrosion resistant to the fluid, which can be a body of magnetic material within a titanium enclosure or a body of chrome-molybdenum-iron alloy.

An electromagnetic pump comprising a housing having fluid receiving and pumping chambers in communication with an inlet and outlet, respectively, an electromagnet carried by the housing external to the fluid chambers thereof, and an armature movable in the housing having a pole portion magnetically attracted by the electromagnet and a piston portion to force fluid out of the chambers and through the pump outlet. A path provides controlled bypass for bubbles in the fluid around the armature piston portion between the fluid pumping chamber and the fluid receiving chamber only during the return stroke of the armature. Fluid inertia is reduced by an outlet orifice in the path of fluid flow from the pump outlet and by a bypass orifice for fluid flow in the bypass path, the orifices being provided either individually or in combination depending upon the fluid flow characteristics of the system including the pump. An accumulator in the fluid flow path between the pump outlet and a catheter leading away from the pump alleviates inertial and viscous effects arising from the catheter. The armature pole portion has a fluid-contacting section of material which is compatible with and corrosion resistant to the fluid, which can be a body of magnetic material within a titanium enclosure or a body of chrome-molybdenum-iron alloy. The check valve and inlet are so arranged that the pump displacement can be reduced without reducing the bubble pumping capability of the pump.

Heat treating the inner, contact surface of an electrochemical cell casing in an oxidizing atmosphere such as air to render the inner surface thereof essentially contamination free and suitable as a current collector, is described. The casing is preferably of stainless steel and houses the alkali metal-halogen couple in a case-positive configuration. The oxidized cases are ready for cell assembly upon cooling and cell electrical performance is maintained without the need for wet chemical treatment of any kind.

Oxidized alkali metal-halogen cell case

An electromagnetic valve comprising a housing having a fluid containing region and first and second ports in communication with the region, an electromagnet carried by the housing located external to the fluid containing region, and a thin diaphragm of fluid impermeable material which hermetically isolates the electromagnet from the fluid containing region. An armature is movably positioned in the region and has a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by the electromagnet and has a plunger portion provided with a valve formation for opening and closing one of the ports to place both ports in fluid communication through the fluid containing region of the housing and to block fluid communication between the ports. The armature is moved from a rest position through a forward stroke when attracted by the electromagnet to change the control state of the valve, and the armature is moved by a biasing spring in an opposite direction through a return stroke back to the rest position. The armature pole portion is of a material selected to achieve a desirable balance between fluid compatibility and magnetic properties for rapid and effective valve operation. Passages in the barrier and the armature pole portion allow the rapid valve movement and accommodate bubbles in the fluid, the armature is provided with structure for effectively guiding the same, and a valve seat structure resists fluid leaks.

Low power electromagnetic valve

A highly alloyed nickel-containing ferritic stainless steel material for use as a cathode current collector for lithium solid cathode cells is provided. The material does not require costly melting practices and provides high corrosion resistance particularly where elevated temperature, 72.degree. C. or higher, storage and performance is required relative to other cathode current collector materials thereby increasing cell longevity.

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Clarence Center, NY, United States of America

W Richard Brown