Process comprises (1) metal-plating one side of the surface of a water-repellant porous material (I) after forming a layer with carbon and a binding agent (II), on the surface of (I), (2) adding a catalyst to (I) and (3) water-proofing it. As (I), for example, a sintered material of fluoride resins can be employed. Suitable examples of (II) include a soln. of polystyrene, polyethylene, PVC, etc., in an organic solvent, a slurry of a fluoride resin powder and methanol, and an emulsion of e.g., fluoride resin.
Process comprises (1) metal plating one side of the surface of a water-repellant porous material (I), (2) adding a catalyst to (I), (3) water-proofing it with a fluoride resin and (4) drying it at a temp. below the deformation temp. of (I). Suitable (I) is e.g., non-woven fabric of fluoride resin.
Lead acid battery has the battery plate lodged in a sepg. chamber in the shape of an envelope, made by folding a sheet of microporous synthetic resin and hot sealing its lateral edges. Holes are left in the bottom of the envelope to allow active material which becomes dislodged from the plate to fall through the separator. The microposes permit the gas generated close to the electrode to pass away from the surface so that it does not stop the action of the battery.
A lead battery plate has fixing tags on opposite edges which are least partially coated with an acid resistant thermoplastic adhesive (e.g. amorphona polyamide or polyolefine e.g. atactic polypropylene, polybutylene) having pref. a melting point of 50-200 degrees C. The adhesive may contain an additive wetting agent having a functional carboxyl group and constituting 5-20% of the additive (adhesive mixture. Pref. the adhesive is applied to a part of the tag having a reduced cross-section. The tags of several parallel plates are embedded in a moulded lead block to connect them together. The tags adhere well to the moulded block without preliminary cleaning and oxidation is reduced.
A fuel cell has an electrolyte matrix between opposed electrodes, and a self-sustaining porous plate behind at least one electrode and contacting it through porous projections, the matrix and porous plate containing an aqueous electrolyte filling less than the entire volume of the latter, and in electrolyte communication through the projections. For use in a humidity exchange/scrubber unit. Flooding and drying of the matrix are avoided.
The cell container is made of polyamide resin and a pole bridge connects anode or cathode plates through the cell wall. A pair of pole bolt jackets having common central axis contain a pressure absorber of polyamide or vinyl chloride resin. Cell is easily constructed.
The rectangular insulated container with detachably connected side and end walls has a number of vertical guide grooves in the side walls into which the plates to be processed can be slid from above. A locking device detachably fastens the walls allowing relative displacement between the walls into a dismantling position whilst a blocking element is provided to prevent this sliding movement. Pref. the container walls are made of polypropylene.
The electrode has grains of Zn powder in stable dispersion in a 3-D gel of a polymer of the cross-linked acrylic type. It is used partic. in batteries with air depolarisation. These electrodes are stable, with no. deposn. or loss of porosity, even at high porosity. Thus, electrodes of 20 vol.% Zn and 80 vol.% gelled electrolyte can be discharged to 90% of their capacity.
The gas valve opens under excess pressure and consists of a sealing disc on or in the cell lid resting practically gas tight against the flattened current collector whereby 1 area of the sealing dome resting around the collector bends elastically away under the influence of increased gas press. PRef. the sealing disc, or at least part of it, is made of polyolefin, esp. polypropylene.
The title catalyst contain Mn and Bi oxides polytrifluorochloroethylene, polyhexafluoropropyrene etc can also be used.
One end of the plug is in a hole in an outer wall of the accumulator with play between the wall of the hole and the end of the plug, filled with a moulded material. Pref. the accumulator casing is closed at one open end by a lid which forms the outer wall.
Title cell has a multi-layer type separator of (un)woven cloth of polypropylene or acrylonitrile facing the anode side and multi-layer of (un)woven cloth of polyamide facing the cathode side.
The anode is formed of a zinc-plated Cu mesh support holding amalgamated zinc paste of amalgamated zinc powder and Na salt of CMC as paste material. The anode is covered at both surfaces by a U-shaped impregnated material, and 1 surface thereof is covered by an impregnated porous material. The theoretical capacity of the anode is &lt; half of that of cathode. The cathode is of MnO2 active material and the electrolyte is alkaline.
Coating comprises a soln. of di- or tri-phenylchloride, (e.g., 5-20 pts.), atactic-polypropylene (e.g., 1-10 pts.) and volatile solvent (e.g., trichloroethylene).
An X-shaped zinc electrode is dipped into a 15-25% polyvinylalcohol soln. contg. 10-15% of paste material such as natural paste, e.g., corn starch, rice starch or natural rubber, or synthetic paste, e.g., methylcellulose or polyacrylamine. Then the electrode is dipped into 10-15% boric acid soln. to solidify the paste material to form hard paste layer. The operation is repeated to obtain a layer of desired thickness. On the paste layer, a stopping or barrier layer is formed.
Method comprises putting a separator layer of water-sol. fillers and thermoplastic resins, e.g. polyethylene and EVA copolymer, on the surface of a composite anode comprising electrically conductive powders, e.g., graphite and acetylene blacks, active materials, such as CuCl and Cu oxalate, and thermoplastic resins, shaping them under press., and heating them at a temp. &gt; m.pt. of the resin to form anode and separator.
Process comprises using a thin plate as the base which consists of two overlapping layers different in porosity, one layer that has comparatively large pores being composed of metallic fibres, and another that is microporous consisting of powdered metal; by coating the metallic fibre layer with an activated layer, consisting of a carbon synthetic resin (e.g. 60% PTFE suspension) mixt. having a comparatively large content of carbon, and coating this with an inactivated layer consisting of a mixt. of carbon and synthetic resin, but contg. comparatively more synthetic resin.
The cathode is Cd electrode of the "coated-plate" type with portion of the active coating on the periphery where the material is compressed by application of pressure so that it is coated with 5% material. The battery using the negative electrode mentioned above also contains 8cm3 electrolyte per Amp-hr.
The separator comprises a base material, an org. macromolecular substance, an inorg. filler, and dyes having either quinoid structure or resonance structure or dipolar ion structure in the molecules. The last substances, added as several wt.% to the resinous ingredient, are capable of reducing the electrical resistance of the separator to about 1/10 its values. Separator is suitable for use in small-size storage batteries.
The method comprises (1) mixing active carbon contg. acid anions and water-proof bonding agent, (2) pressing the mixt. with a porous metal plate, (3) immersing the porous metal plate having the mixt., (4) washing the porous metal plate with water, and (5) drying the porous metal plate to form a porous gas diffusion electrode.
The dry cell comprises a cathode material of mercury oxide, silver oxide or manganese dioxide, an anode consisting of amalgamated zinc particles and an electrolyte of aq. soln. of alkaline zincate. The method comprises (1) packing a cathode material at the inside wall of a cathode metal case, (2) coating an aq. soln. of synthetic high polymer paste contg. reinforcing fibres which is insol. with an alkaline soln. on the cathode, (3) heating and drying the soln. to form a separator layer of agar-agar and (4) packing an anode.
The method comprises (1) packing a cathode material at the inside wall of a cathode metal case, (2) coating an aq. soln. of synthetic high polymer paste which is insol. with an alkaline soln. on the cathode, (3) heating and drying the soln. to form a separator layer of the agar-agar and (4) packing an anode.
The method comprises (1) packing a cathode material at the inside wall of a cathode metal case, (2) coating an aq. soln. of agar-agar and synthetic high polymer paste which is insol. with an alkaline soln. on the cathode, (3) heating and drying the soln. to form a separator layer of the agar-agar and (4) packing an anode.
The electrolyte comprises aq. H2SO4, 3-8.5 wt.% colloidal silica and 0.065-0.001 wt.% of a polyglycol to render the electrolyte non-thixotropic and to reduce the tendency to physical breakdown by cracking and shrinking during continued, repeated use. The polygolcol is pref. a polyethylene glycol polymer of mol. wt. 800-6,000. The electrolyte is used in lead-acid cells.
Weight reduction of 30% w.r.t. the conventional plates is achieved by using electrode plates consisting of a centrally placed electroconductive foil (e.g. Pb foil, or paper contg. Pb powder or graphite) and two outer layers consisting of a porous, densified and sintered mixt of fibres (90-100% of synthetic fibres, pref. polyethylene, and/or polypropylene fibres) and an active material (pulverulent Pb, PbO, tri- or tetra basic lead sulphate).
Title half cell comprises an electrically insulated tube with an Ag wire in one end, the wire being coated with AgCl on the portion within the tube, and also bonded to the tube, and 1 gelled equitransferent salt soln. filling the tube and in contact with the AgCl coating on the Ag wire. The electrode is rugged, flexible and can be miniaturised. The liquid junction can be easily renewed by cutting off a small segment of tube at the open end.
Pockets for tubular electrodes for batteries where the pockets are provided in parallel rows in a double layer fabric in which the inner layer incorporates a minority of heat-shrinkable plastic filaments in both the warp and weft directions. Pref. the ratio of prim. fabric filaments to the heat shrinkable ones is 15-2:1, pref. 8-4:1. Pref the prim. filaments are of glass and the heat shrinkable ones are of polyorpoylene 0.05-0.5, pref. 0.08-0.15 mm thick. Allows the pockets to be fitted more tightly about each electrode by a simple heat treatment at 150 degrees C and maintains a high degree of pocket porosity.
The method comprises forming on an electrolyte-side surface of a porous electrode substrate, a layer of a mixt. consisting of fluorocarbon resin and powder which is resistant to an electrolyte and has no catalytic action, heat-treating the mixt. layer, adding catalysts to the electrode substrate, and subjecting the substrate to the water-proof treatment.
Method comprises preparing molten wax consisting essentially of synthetic resin and adding 10-20C paraffin oil to lower the viscosity of the wax, depositing the molten wax on the surface of a layer-built body of element cells, and solidifying, to form a protective film on the surface of the layer-built body of the element cells. The protective film serves to prevent leakage of electrolyte and drying of layer-built body of element cells.
Method comprises preparing molten wax consisting essentially of synthetic resin and adding paraffin oil to lower the viscosity of the wax, depositing the molten wax at the gas-contacting portion of the cathode mix and the separator, and solidifying the wax to form a protective film at the gas-contacting surface portion. The protective film serves to revent leakage of electrolyte and drying of cell element.
A dry cell which is provided with a paper electrode in air space above a cathode mixt. The paper electrode is made of powder material consisting essentially of oxide, fibre and conductive material. The electrode is in contact with a cathode carbon bar without contact with a generating member. The paper electrode will serve as electrode when electrolyte is raised along with discharge reaction to delay and prevent generation of H2 gas, to suppress increase of inner press. by gas generation and to prevent leakage of electrolyte.
The battery comprises an anode activator of magnesium, an electrolyte contg liquid ammonia and a cathode consisting of metal halogen cpd having water of crystallization. The battery has discharge characteristic at low temp., at high voltage because of use of the halogen cmpd.
A soln. of polyfluorovinylidene (in e.g. DMF) is coated onto a porous electrode, (e.g. C), dipped into a non-solvent (e.g. H2O) and dried. Uniform micropores are formed giving a life span increased e.g. by 10 times.
Process comprises mfg sheetlike objects out of a liq. mixture contg. polyfluorovinylidene resin, a solvent for the resin, active material, an electroconductor and a catalyst to opt adhere each sheet to a support; and then drying the sheets after contacting them with a non-solvent for the resin in order to form micropores. Uniform micropores can be formed giving longer life-span to cells, which are thin and of low cost.
The plate is made by extruding onto a non-woven plastics sheets as it passes over a convex surfaced backing plate a series of ribbons of foamed plastics material. The composite thus formed is then rolled to flatten the ribbons. The flexing of the sheet as it passes over the plate enables the shrinkage of the ribbons upon cooling to be accommodated. The sheet may be of polypropylene fibres and the ribbons may be of foamed polypropylene. Alternatively blends of polypropylene with polystyrene may be used.
Title compsn. encases a tubular manganese dioxide electrode, a powder zinc electrode and a partitioning member in an arm of synthetic plastic, and provides a metal collector by sealing the bottom of the arm.
A cathode contg. an org. nitro cpd. as the active material and Mg anode are placed in liq. NH3 contg. KSCN to give a primary battery. The cell has high discharge voltage at low temps. under high c.d. conditions. In an example a 3:6:1 mixt. of m-(NO2)2C6H4, graphite, and polyethylene powder was pressed to give a cathode, which was placed in liq. NH3 contg. 30 wt.% KSCN sepd. by a glass mat. from a Mg anode and a Ni plate (collector spot welded and placed 1.3 mm from the cathode) to give a cell which discharged an electric current at c.d. 15 mA/cm2 and 1.5-2.0 V for &gt;60 hr. at -60 degrees.
The cathode of an electrochemical cell having a metallic (lead) anode and fluoroboric acid electrolyte comprises a homogeneous mixt. of lead dioxide and bonding material. The bonding material is compatible with the lead dioxide and makes it accessible to and consumable by the acid, and is (partially) inert to the acid.    The electrode may also be contain compatible synthetic fibrous material. Pref. bonding material is vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin, pref. fibrous material is vinyl chloride-acrylonitrile copolymer resin, opt. mixed with equal. amt. carbon. Separators of polyvinyl chloride or vinyl chloride-acrylonitrile felt resin may be included in the cell.
Metal net or porous plate is passed continuously through a high viscosity slurry of metal powder. The core plate is extracted from the slurry between a set of plates, at least one blade having a series of projections which contacts the core to support and align it. The coated core is dried and sintered to bake on the active material. Specif., the slurry comprises nickel (hydroxide) powder in polyvinyl-alcohol.
In an air-zinc battery or a Ni-Zn battery, Zn from the anode is dissolved in the movable alkaline electrolyte, and circulates. The Zn is deposited on the anode substrate when charging the battery; but the current density at the edge of the anode substrate is higher than that at the centre, resulting in a thicker zinc layer at the edge, thus shortening cathode-anode distance and causing a short-circuit. Covering anode substrate with insulator causes a plane zinc layer to form. The insulant can be polyethylene or PV-chloride.
To prevent short-circuits and thus decreased life of the battery the electrodes are covered with separators of long tape which consists of elastic, alkaline-proof ion transmitting synthetic resin esp. polyamide or permeable material, and is wrapped around the spiral shape metal plate.
Cell comprises an anode of zinc, a replaceable cathode of active carbon, absorbing atmos. O2 as a depolariser and an electrolyte soln. of NH4Cl or KOH. Cathode plate of active carbon is fixed on a box type fixing frame by a packing of epoxy resin or pitch, has openings on both sides and is fixed to the battery jar by connecting the frame to the cap of the jar.
Process comprises covering both end portions of a C-Zn combined electrode of each unit cell with an insulating film of vinyl chloride; placing a cell container frame so that it contains the electrode with the frame positioned in the same direction as the film; constructing each unit cell by filling the frame with unmoulded MnO2 cpd., and so putting a separating filtration layer of cellophane that retains electrolyte therein, in a fixed form between the cpd. and the Zn surface of the electrode; laminating a proper number of unit cells so constructed; and lastly tightly securing one unit cell to another together with two boards, one attached to the uppermost cell and the other to the lowermost, by use of angle irons as well as bolts and nuts.
The anti-drying layer (I) is made mainly or wholly of polypropylene, e.g. atactic polypropylene of mol. wt. is approx. 15,000 and is formed over the surface of the cathode depolarising cpd. (II), which is packed in the Zn casing of the cell. I prevents (II) from drying or leaking.
An ABS resin container is etched and activated then chemically plated, first with Cu, since it adheres well to the resin, then with e.g. Ni, Sn, Cr or Ag to coat the Cu layer and prevent its oxidn., thus lowering the electrical resistance. Finally an electroconductive paint, prepd. by mixing thermoplastic or thermosetting resin with graphite or C black is coated over the metal film. The final coating, which may be several mu thick increases capacity of the cell.
A metallic net or porous thin sheet is passed between a set of rollers which apply an org. binder of carboxymethylcellulose. A sintered metal powder e.g. nickel carbonyl is then sprayed onto the net which is conveyed to a sintering furnace to produce the porous sheet for the alkali cell.
The cell has a zinc cathode sepd. by a polyamide non-woven fabric from the anodic air electrode in a KOH electrolyte. The air electrode comprises a porous body contg. 1 mg/cm2 Pt catalyst formed by sintering a body contg. 93 pts. nickel carbonyl and 7 pts. active carbon. The separator is attached to the inner surface of the body and contains a Ni net auxiliary electrode used for recharging the cell. The cell is press-moulded together and is of small size.
The cell has an Al casing contg. a Li or Mg anode, and cathode produced by removing the water of crystallisation from a metal chloride using a sulphur chloride cpd. (e.g. SO2Cl2), (pref. NiCl2.6H2O is used). The electrodes are sepd. by a sheet of non-woven propylene, in an electrolyte comprising propylene carbonate contg. 1 mol. LiClO4. The cathode is produced by moulding a mixt. of dehydrated metal chloride (2 pts.), acetylene black (1 pt.) and F-contg. resin (0.4 pts.).
High potential and high energy density are achieved by using as cathode material a permanganate or periodate of Cu, Ag, Fe, Co, Ni, Hg, Tl, Pb and/ or Bi, which are stable w.r.t. org. electrolyte (a soln of an ion-forming salt e.g. a perchlorate, or an active metal, in an org. polar solvent e.g. THF); the negative electrode is selected from Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Be, Ca, Mg, Ba, Sr and Al or their alloys. The positive electrode pref. contains AgMnO4 or Ag5IO6, an electroconductive, inert material (pref. graphite) and a binder (pref. PTFE).
Bitumen sealing compsn. for accumulator batteries contains 0.01-5 (esp., 0.1) wt.% added amine. Addn. of amine raises adhesion of bitumen to hard rubber housing. Bitumen-sol. amines include fatty acid (di)amines with 8-22C aliphatic radicals, substd. alkylalkanolamines, ethylene oxide and amine condensates, amine salts of alkylarylsulphonic acids and diamines.
A rewettable polyolefin nonwoven battery separator is made by (a) contacting a nonwoven mat of polyolefin fibres 40% porous, with gaseous sulphur-dioxide - chlorine mixt., under U.V. light to produce 1 S in the structure and (b) treating with amine to obtain 90% wettability in 20 min, in sulphuric acid soln. The prefd. polyolefin is polypropylene, with fibres of 1-10 mu dia. The material is nonwettable before treatment, and is esp. useful for lead acid batteries.
Fuel cell system comprising an anode, a cathode and a electrolyte in combination with a reformer system including a gas separator. The gas separator comprises a first membrane (pref. poly-tetra/tri-fluoro-ethylene or polyvinyl(idene) fluoride) selectively permeable to consumable reactant gas and a second membrane (pref. silicon rubber, polybutadiene, neoprene or butyl rubber) spaced from the first membrane selectively permeable to impurities or detrimental gases. A sweep gas is maintained at the downstream side of the second membrane reducing the partial pressure of the detrimental gas and effectively increasing the partial pressure of the reactant gas providing a more efficient system.
The separator extends the service life of secondary batteries using Zn neg. electrodes by preventing the short circuiting which results from dendritic growth of Zn crystals from the neg. to the pos. electrode. In an example, aq. Sr(OH)2 (8 g/50 ml) was added to a soln. (50 g/250 ml) of an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer contg. 10% methacrylic acid in xylene at 100 degrees to produce a gel. The gel was pptd. in MeOH, washed with H2O and Me2CO, dried, and pressed into sheets. A battery with 3 A hr capacity fabricated by using a moulded Ag oxide-Ni pos. electrode, a Zn neg. electrode, 8M KOH electrolyte, and the above separator showed hardly any deterioration in charging capacity after 150 charge-discharge cycles.
Cd, CdO, or Cd(OH)2 powder is mixed with either Pb or Pb2O4 powder, and the mixt. moulded to give a cadmium electrode. These electrodes have good charge-discharge efficiency and high stability when used in Ni-Cd alk. storage batteries. In an example Pb3O4 50, Cd(OH)2 274, and H2O 150 parts were blended, applied on a 40 mesh Ni grid, covered with a separator, and charged (150;) at a c.d. of 10 mA/cm3 in an alk. medium. In addn., the liq. -holding ability of the electrode can be improved by adding absorbent materials, such as pulp powder, cotton fibre, viscose fibre, poly (vinyl alc.) fibre, Na polyacrylate, or CM-cellulose.
Oxygen (air) electrode for use in metal-oxygen (air) primary batteries or accumulators or fuel cells (also in cells for measurements of small quantities of oxygen or prodn. of pure O2) consisting of an electroconductive, porous, catalytic layer and an electroconductive, porous hydrophobic, gas-permeable layer which is pressed onto a current-collecting metal gauze acting also as a reinforcing element, is improved in that the catalytic layer comprises mutually penetrating zones of a porous, hydrophobic, catalytically active material (e.g., active carbon) and zones of a porous, strongly hydrophobic, electroconductive material consisting of nonporous grains (e.g. carbon coated with PTFE), with the provizo that the dimensions of the hydrophilic zones increases throughout the catalytic layer in the direction woards the electrolyte, whilst the dimensions of the hydrophobic zones diminish in that direction. Due to this mixed structure, the electrochemically active three-phase boundaries are highly developed and, hence, the electrochemical processes are intensified. The electrode has long service life. The electric parameters are stable.
Ten stacked cells, each with terminal voltage of 50V and output of approx. 0.012 mu W are series connected in a round vertical stack within an air tight case which acts as positive pole with a glass-metal sealed pin in the welded cover acting as negative pole. Each cell has an effective area of 2 cm2 approx. and is approx 30 mu m thick. Each consists of a Cu or Cr-Ni alloy carrier disc, for a 1:2 Ti-T(tritium) cpd with activity 40m C, covered by a polyester or polymer film insulator, resistant to radiation, a C absorber layer and a Fe, Al or alloy collector disc. Esp. used for electronic clocks or watches, the battery is compact, and has a long life (10-20 years).
An air secondary battery has a negative electrode whose active material is a fusible metal, a gas electrode contg. an oxygen-activating catalyst, a third battery-charging electrode arranged opposite the gas electrode with the negative electrode in between, and an alkaline electrolyte. The negative electrode is made by coating an electric collector with a kneaded mixt. of ZnO and Ca(OH)2 with a PVA soln. and reducing the coating electrolytically, the reduced zinc adhering to the collector together with Ca(OH)2. The negative electrode is covered with a separator e.g. PVA film. The gas electrode has the catalyst layer formed by coating a water-repellent porous base, consisting of PTFE suspension, the layer having a netlike Ni screen press. attached to it. The electrolyte uses is 10 mol/l KOH aq. soln. contg. 1 mol/l zincic acid ions and 10 3 mol/l indiumic acid ions. Even if O2 gas is evolved at the third electrode when the battery is charged, there is no possibility of the gas electrode catalyst deteriorating due to oxidation.
As for JA 7334413 except that the films are applied by immersing the anode in PVA/paste soln. followed by PVA soln.
The dry cell has an anode covered with a separator and inserted in a cathode. The dry cell using these separators has a high discharge capacitance. The separators are fixed to the anode by (1) sticking a film of PVA and paste to the anode, (2) sticking the film of PVA on the film and (3) inserting the anode with the film layers in a cathode.
The alkaline battery comprises an anode, a cathode, an alkaline electrolyte, a battery case and an anode sealing member sealing the case, where the anode sealing member comprises an anode sealing metal plate coated with an alkaline-proof conductive layer and a sealing packing which is stuck to the conductive layer. The conductive layer is a bonding agent, consisting of synthetic rubber, epoxy resin, acrylic acid resin or vinyl resin and contg. conductive particles e.g. C, Ag or Au, the sealing packing is made of alkaline-proof thermoplastic resin, e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or polyamide resin.
Kneaded mixts. of polypropylene polymn. residues (mol. wt. 5000-8000), ABS copolymers, and slight amt. of polyethylene powders are mixed (ca2-1) with mixts. of CaCO3 and slight amt of asbestos. When mixed with 1-3 wt.% carbon black, the cpds. as a substitute of Ebonite could be used for injection mouldings of large battery cases.
Polypropylene polymn. residues (mol.wt. 5000-8000) and CaCO3 were kneaded together with slight amt (3 wt. %) of polybutadiene. The cpds. with good pelletability could be used as an economical substitute of conventional Ebonite.
Pipe pieces, for use esp. as battery anode castings, are produced by extruding a non-woven elastic pipe consisting of plastic material contg. &gt;65 vol.% oil filler and &gt;10 vol.% inorg., solid filler, and forming a pipe which is too soft to be self-supporting; hardening the extruded pipe to self-supporting state by passing it through an air gap near to extrusion mould and maintaining the shape of the pipe during hardening by air pressure, in inner space of pipe and maintaining a balance of inner air press. by means of an external air-press., where the external air press. is generated at least in part through an air-current which meets on zones of the pipe in order to prevent deformation caused through the pipe's own wt. Pipe pref. consists of a plastic mixt. contg. 10-35 wt.% high mol. wt. polyethylene, 5-20 wt.% ethylene copolymer with 10-20 wt.% hexene or butene, 30-65 wt.% silica gel as filler and 5-15 wt.% oil, and has 60-80 vol.% porosity.
An oxidation electrode using a gaseous active material and a fuel electrode are opposite each other, an electrolyte resisting non-woven cloth is attached at the electrolyte side of 1 electrode and a substance for absorbing the electrolyte is inserted between the two electrodes. In an example a cell as an air electrode and a H electrode and polyamide cloth is pressed around each electrode with the electrolyte-absorbent between the electrode.
A layer consisting of a binder and an electrolyte-resistant powder inactive to the fuel is attached to the electrolyte-side of the oxidation electrode, and &gt;10% active fuel in caustic alkali is used as electrolyte. In an example, Ag as a catalyst and F-contg. polymer emulsion as a water repellant are added to a sintered material consisting of Ni and active C to make an air electrode (oxidation electrode). Then 100 pts. wt. of the polymer emulsion is added to 100 pts. wt. of Ni oxide to make a mixture which is coated on electrolyte side of the air electrode at a rate of 100 mg/cm2. The electrode is heat-treated in a N2 atmos. at 350 degrees C. Electrode may be used in e.g., an air-hydrazine cell giving improved hydrazine utilisation rate.
Method of making a porous separator for use in a lead storage battery with acid-proof and alkali-proof properties, a high mechanical strength and has a low resistance and high permeability for electrolyte in the battery, comprises (1) mixing thermoplastic resin and organic high molecular compound having cation exchange radicals, such as lignin, to form mixture and (2) foaming or sintering the mixt. to form a board. The organic high molecular cpd. increases affinity between the electrolyte and the separator board. The thermoplastic resin in selected from polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, PVC etc. The mol. wt. of the organic cpd. is 250-10000. In an example 2 to 20 wt. pts. of lignin and 20 wt. pts. of foaming agent are added in 100 wt. pts. of polyethylene. The mixt. is heated to melting and is set ina mould and then foamed at 190 degrees C for 10 minutes to form the separator board.
The porous separator comprises a board of sintered, swellable natural clay having a layer crystal structure, selected from bentonite, porcelain clay, talc etc., and coated with a porous org. sheet e.g., pulp, cellophane, paper etc. The separator has high mechanical strength and low electrical resistance, and is resistant to acids and alkalis.
Porous separator for use which has acid proof alkali proof properties, a high mechanical strength and has a low electric resistance. The porous separator of this invention comprises a board consisting of mixt. of a high mol. cpd. and natural swelling clay having stratified crystal structure and contg. water of crystallization. The clay consists essentially of oxides of Al, Si or Mg. The high molecular cpd. is selected from polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride and the like.
The porous separator comprises a board consisting of mixt. of a high molecular compound, natural swelling clay having stratified crystal structure and contg. water of crystallization and glass powdr consisting of 1 mol silica and &lt;2 mol alumina. The clay consists of oxides of Al, Si or Mg. The high molecular compound is selected from polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride etc. The separator is acid/alkali proof, has high strength and low electrical resistance.
Coating compsn. consists of a soln. of 4 pts. wt. polyzincphenylsiloxane (A) 0.3-1.0 pt. HF 0.0-1.0 pt. non-migrating plasticizer for (A) and 0.5-2.2 pt. diphenyldihydroxy silane. (A) is the reaction product of (a) colourless liq. resulting from the partial hydrolysis, followed by alcoholysis, of anhydrous phenyltrichlorosilane (liq. having ave mol. wt. of 500-2000 and an alkoxy functionality of 4-8) and (b) anhydrous zinc acetate, such that the molar ratio of zinc acetate to total number of alkoxy gps. in (a) is 1:2 - 3, the reaction taking place in an anhydrous solvent (b.pt. &gt;200 degrees C) so that alkyl acetate is distilled off followed by the solvent. The polyzincphenylsiloxane has each Zn ion bonded between two -O-Si-O- sequences and shows a broad IR peak between 920 and 945 cm-1.
The device can be used in mining locomotives and has an insulating coating in the form of a plastic-impregnated glass net. To improve insulation reliability and reduce residual voltages the glass net has rolled edges at the points where the container bottom is joined to the walls. The container is made from metal. The insulating coating is formed by laying the glass net at the bottom, placing the rolled edges at the points where the net joins on to the walls heating the container, and applying an insulating coating of polyethylene or another powdered thermoplastic to its inner surface.
Alkaline cells are prepd. by using depolarizer compsns. obtd. by moulding MnO2 contg. 1 element, selected from Gp. IVa and Vb (excluding N and P) with thermosetting or thermoplastic resins. In an example Bi (3 wt.%) was incorporated into MnO2 by allowing Mn2O3 powder to which was added 5 wt.% Bi2O3 to react with concd. H2SO4. To a mixt. of MnO2(Bi) 100, graphite powder 20, acetylene black 5, and water 30 pts. was added unsatd. polyester liq. 10 parts and stirred. This mixt. 25 g was moulded into a ring (outer dia. 30,85 inner dia. 20,5, and ht. 23 min) and heated treated at 170 degrees. A cup-shaped separator was inserted in the depolarizer, and the opening in the separator was packed with electrode-electrolyte mixt. consisting of 5:1 (wt. ratio) amalgamated (7%) Zn powder and 35% KOH gel to give a dry cell. Redn. in the elec. capacity of this cell was very small even after 120 charge-discharge cycles whereas conventional cells showed is approx. 50% redn. after only 30 such cycles. The time required for changing this cells was also short compared to conventional cells.
Title batteries uses an alkali metal as the active material of the negative electrode and either PTFE or poly(trifluoromonochloroethylene) as the reactive material of the positive electrode. These batteries have high open-circuit voltage and flat discharge curves. In an example, a battery was made with a negative electrode consisting of a Na sheet, an electrolyte consisting of 1M NaBF4 soln. in butyrolactone, and a positive electrode fabricated by hot pressing a mixt. of PTFE powder 70, carbon black 19, and carbon fibres 1% at 200 degrees for 3000 kg/cm2. The battery had an open-circuit voltage of 2.5 V and was stable for several months. On discharging the local voltage was 2.3 V at a c.d. of 5-10 mA/cm2 and the discharge curve was flat.
Each cell of the accumulator has the normal filler hole with esp. a threaded stopper. This stopper has 1 gas vent hole covered withing the cell by a separate cap or an integral disc of material, esp. sintered PTFE, which is gas permeable but impervious to electrolyte. Spillage and acid sprays are prevented.
Title cell has electrode and electrolyte soln. which change in comspn. simultaneously with discharge of the cell. The electrolyte soln. taking part in the electromotive reaction must have its concn. kept low. The cell contains a microporous bag, contg. a high-conc. electrolyte soln. located in the cell, so that the high-conc. electrolyte soln. is gradually diffused into that of low conc. through the micropores of the bag during discharge of the cell, and that thereby the electro motive reaction occurs in an atoms. of low concn. This is useful for cells with high efficiency both in terms of wt. and volume due of their ability to make rapid discharges smoothly and increase the utilisation rate of active elecrode material.
Title compsn. contains any halogen cpds. (such as AgCl), HgSO4, MnO2, potassium iodine tetrachloride and bromine iodide for its cathode oxidising agent; a plate of Mg, Al, Zn or Ag for its anode reducing agent, and a nearly neutral aq. soln. an org. solvent, or a solid electrolyre such as AgCl, AgBr or AgI for its electrolyte. To make the battery layer-built, the resp. layers of anodes cathodes and separators, or combined electrodes consisting of these layers are coated on the periphery with an annular synthetic resin film; the combined electrodes serve as the battery's elements by having the annular film shielded with h.f. shield or heat shield or otherwise, and the cathode oxidising agents are placed between the elements.
A lightweight fuel cell electrode contg is not &gt;1 mg/cm2 noble metal is made by (a) depositing 10-35 wt.% alloy catalyst comprising 50-80 wt.% Pt with Ru, Rh, Ir or Ni on a finely divided support, (b) mixing 70-90 wt.% supported catalyst with hydrophobic polymer, (c) suspending 1g alloy per 4-20 ml, wetting agent/water soln. contg. 0.2-5.0 vol.% wetting agent, (d) applying to a prepd. substrate, with a catalyst loading not over 1mg/cm2, (e) drying to remove water, (f) pressing, (g) drying to removing wettin agent and (h) sintering. The substrate is either porous carbonaceous paper dipped in a dispersion of 60 wt.% PTFE to provide a loading about 20 mg/cm2 or a screen with a thin film of PTFE, Al foil or waxed paper pressed on to fill half its void vol. Performance comparable to or better than that of conventional (10 mg/cm2) electrodes.
The electrodes are produced by adding the catalytically active electrode material, pref. active carbon, to a pptd. finely-divided polymer dispersion pref. of polyethylene, polypropylene or polybutylene in solvent naphtha or other aromatic solvents at a temp. below the solubility or melting pt. of the polymer in the solvent. The electrodes are used in galvanic cells and the activity of the electrode material is unimpaired. High pressure polyethylene which is normally difficult to work can be used as binder.
Process comprises mixing an aq. dispersion of polytetraethylene fluoride and an acid-resistant inorg. filler (e.g. SiO2, Al2O3, MgSO4, BaSO4), agitating to solidify the mixt., which is then rolled and heat-treated.
Electric cell constructed of a negative electrode of light metal including alkali metals, and alkaline-earth metals, or alloys predominantly composed of these light metals, a non-aq. electrolyte not reacting directly with the negative electrode; and a positive electrode consisting of at least one of halides, oxyhalides and oxides of sulphur which are solid or liquid at normal temp. Suitable positive electrode materials are e.g. S2Cl2, SO3, S2Br2. High energy/density values are obtd.
An electric cell constructed of a negative electrode of any light metal including alkali metals and alkaline-earth metals or alloys predominantly composed of these light metals; a non-aq. electrolyte not reacting directly with the negative electrode; and a positive electrode consisting of a halogen oxide that is solid or liquid at normal temp. Suitable halogen oxides include Cl2O7. High energy/density values are obtd.
A fel cell assembly utilizing waste heat to provide evaporative cooling comprises a fuel cell, a hydrophobic separator spaced by a heat transfer element from the cell so that the element defines a fuel or oxidant gas cavity with one cell electrode and a liquid coolant cavity with the separator, and a plate spaced from the other side of the separator to define a second coolant cavity. The disadvantages of a hydrophilic cooling system, e.g. blockage by vapour or gas and sensitivity to adverse gravity forces, are avoided.
A strong, alkali resistant, nongassing battery separator for use with zinc electrode comprises a porous sintered solid soln. of 1-99 mol.% Mg silicate, 0.1-99 mol.% Mn and/or Zn silicate and 0.1-50 mol.% Pb silicate. The material may be uniformly distributed in polymeric organic binder, esp., polyphenylene oxide or PTFE. Separators have low resistance, pref. 5-50 ohm-cm and inhibit gassing and dendrite formation at the Zn electrode. Separator is esp., for Zn-Ag cells.
An electrostatic precipitator is used for acid mist removal and for catalytic oxidn. of SO2 with N2O3 for conversion to H2SO4. Pb electrodes are used for the precipitator and H2O and N2O3 are supplied. Hard chlorovinyl plastic can also be used as electrode.
A battery cell comprises a flat anode, an electrolyte absorbent separator which is dish-shaped and in which is disposed a cathode depolariser pellet, a cathode current collector, and an electrolyte absorbent member, esp. a CMC film, all retained within an outer enclosure made e.g. of plastic film sheets which has an aperture at each end through which electrical connection to the anode and cathode collector is made by conductive beads, rings of adhesive sealing material being disposed between the anode and outer enclosure and between the cathode collector and outer enclosure which completely encircles the apertures in the outer enclosure. Excess electrolyte is trapped in the absorbent member and thus electrolyte leakage is prevented.
Electric cell comprises a negative electrode having an alkaline metal as its active material to which a water-repellent substance is added, and non-aq. electrolyte that does not dissolve the negative electrode. The alkaline metal is Li, Na etc. A halogenide of Cu, Ag, Ni, etc is used for the cell's positive electrode.    The water-repellent effect of the negative electrode restains a very small amount of water in the electrolyte from reacting with lithium, thereby decreasing hydrogen gassing. Also, the insignificant amount of hydrogen gas generated becomes spherical because of the water-repellent effect and thereby is eaily removed from the electrode face. This removal of hydrogen gas, which becomes possible by addition of water-repellent substance to the negative electrode, gives a cell of high voltage and energy density.
The process comprises press-moulding the container using unvulcanized plain ebonite, and, inserting in this substance, of which the container side walls consists, sheetlike or very porous net- or mat-like core structures composed of a silicabase substance, a thermosetting synthetic resin or metal foil, all of these being good in acid resistance, and having a smaller size than that measured according to the width, breadth and height of the container sides, whose strength the core structures were used to increase. Containers are mechanically strong, small in wall thickness, and light in weight.
Process comprises coating the internal face of a Zn anode can with a suspension in which a water-insol synthetic macromolecular substance, such as a polyvinyl acetate, synthetic rubber, polyester acrylate or polyvinyl butylal, and a starchy substance is suspended. The diaphragm can contain electrolyte at a high percentage, has little resistance to ionic conduction, enables the reaction product from the anode Zn to speedily diffuse, and has great mechanical strength due to the coating over the Zn can's internal face.
The cathode for a metal/air or metal/oxygen depolarised cell comprises a resilient, gas-permeable hydrophobic polymer membrane, esp. PTFE, bearing a conductive catalyst layer, with a current collector adjacent the catalyst. The current collector is spaced from the catalyst in the absence of press., but contacts it over almost the entire surface area when press. is applied to the membrane. This permits the current collector to be separate from the catalyst on charge, avoiding catalyst degeneration and permitting repeated charge/discharge cycles. The cell also includes a regenerable metal anode, esp. Zn.
Porous conductive supports for electrodes for electrochemical cells are made by (a) forming thin, corrugated metal foils, (b) stacking with corrugations in adjacent pieces oriented at different angles, esp. with flat foils between adjacent pieces of corrugated foils, (c) bonding adjacent foils together, esp. in hydrogen, and (d) cutting in planes perpendicular to the foils, pref. after filling the bonded structure with epoxy filler, which is removed after cutting by dissolving in hot chromic acid. The foils are pref. Ni. The pores formed by the foils are uniform and non-interconnected, for max. use of active material in operation.
Accummulator cell separator plates moulded from paper pulp are soaked with an aq. soln. of a thermosetting (phenolic) resin, where most of the resin is cured to a solid stage before much water is evpd. from within the moulded plate. Pref. initial curing is done either by high frequency heating or by an atmosphere of 95% RH about 1 inch above water boiling vigorously. Specif. panels are 6-12 mm thick and weighing 140-150g are subjected for 2 mins. to a 2 kg/38 Hz heater or to steam for 75 mins. prior to drying at 150 degrees C for 2-4 hrs. For mfr. of separator plates of substantially uniform density, resin loading and porosity across the plate thickness. Precuring of the resin to an insoluble state inhibits resin transfer during subsequent migration of water from the centre of the moulding to the surfaces for evapn.
Cell giving high energy at high voltage (.e.g. 3.65V) comprises a negative electrode made from an active metal or alloy capable of reducing NO2 (pref. Li) a non-aqueous organic electrolyte inert w.r.t. the active metal and NO2 (pref. a mixt of propylene carbonate and acetonitrile) and a positive electrode which is depolarised by NO2 dissolved in the electrolyte or supplied from an external source through a gas-permeable PTFE membrane, this reaction is pref. catalysed by a catalyst on the surface of the positive electrode (which hence has the character of a fuel electrode).
A solar cell is produced by dip tinning of a semiconductor wafer to coat it with an even thin film of tin. Any adhering excess of tin is wiped off by pulling the wafer vertically across a curved foil made of an elastic and thermally stable material. This foil is made of PTFE less than 0.15 mm thick which rests on a base of foam rubber.
A high surface area carbon positive electrode for a charge storage cell having a lithium-rich negative electrode and a fused lithium-chloride rich electrolyte, comprises a high-surface-area polyvinylidene char active layer filling the interstics of a macroporous carbonaceous skin less than 0.02 in thick. It is made by (a) conductively bonding a layer of carbonised fabric &lt;0.02 in. thick to the surface of a carbonaceous substrate, (b) impregnating with emulsion of polyvinylidene chloride polymers or copolymers (c) pyrolysing in vacuum by gradually heating to 165-175 degrees C and maintaining for 16 hr. and (d) firing in an inert atmos at 1000 degrees C. to complete pyrolysis and ensure the electrode is inert in the cell. It provides low IR drop without capacity loss.
The galvanic cell, comprises a Li anode, which may be impregnated with Ca and/or Mg to reduce the action of air and to lower the resistance of LiI formed during current withdrawal, an ionically conducting layer consisting of a complex of iodine with an ion-exchange resin, pref. polyvinylpyridine, which contains 60-95% iodine (a resin which is not ion-exchanger may also be used, e.g. pyrene and/or polyvinylpyrene resin); a separating layer consisting of glass fibres impregnated with an ion-exchanging resin contg. RbI, CsI and/or (CH3)4NI; an iodine storage layer consisting of a 2:1 mixt. of iodine with carbon or graphite; and a cathode which may consists of stainless steel, Ni, etc. The cell has good storage stability due to the absence of electronic leak currents. The service life is extended and can be reliably determined so that exchanger can be properly timed (very important in heart pacemaker applications).
Metal liners are applied to a box of (non)foamed thermoplastic esp. an isotactic polypropylene and finally an outer layer of foamed thermoplastic, esp. isotactic polypropylene injected onto it.
Thin layer gas electrodes are produced by incorporating a Ni, Ag, Au, Pt and corrosion-resistant steel mesh into a C-ctg. active layer, compatible with the electrolyte to be used, backed by a porous, hydrophobic PTFE layer. The process produces thin electrodes with the layers firmly bound to one another and the metal mesh, suitable as cathodes utilising air in fuel cells with alkaline electrolytes. The assembly is constructed on a suction filter using suspensions of the material(s), pref. in propan-1-ol. After formation, the double layer filter cake is dried and heated at 330-380 (350-370) degrees C in a nonoxidising atmos., pref. H2.
The electrode has a part adjoining the electrolyte consisting of a substance mixed with a powdered alkali-sol. substance such as PVA or CMC for enlarging the reaction area of the electrode by dissolution of the alkali-sol. substance in the alkaline electrolyte. In an example, the powdered activated carbon was made as follows: powdered carbon such as charcoal and graphite had added to them an activating agent such as NH4Cl, Mn chloride or HCl, and a binding agent such as tar, pitch, or mollasses. The mixt., after moulding into shaped pieces, was heated in a reducing atmos. to approx 1000 degrees C for activation. The activated carbon powder was obtd. by pulverizing the heated prod. until -60 mesh grains accounted for 60-80% of the whole powder. Then, two different powder mixts., one of them contg. 75-80 wt.% and the other 50-60 wt.% of the above carbon powder, were prepd. using the acetylene black (5 wt.%) and powdered polyethylene (10-20 wt.%) for the former mixt., and -100 mesh PVA powder (40-50 wt.%) for the latter. Upon a moulded metal was spread flat 20g of the first powder mixt., upon which was placed a Ni net with a cathode Pb plate spot welded to it. Upon the net were spread 80g of the first and 10g of the second powder mixts. in that order. The lamination was moulded at a 18 kg/cm2 pressure.
Alkali-air cell has electrode consisting of a porous base which is coated with a mixt. of powdered active material and 1 oxide or hydroxide of alkaline earth metal.
The negative electrode is formed of powdered zinc amalgam gelled with carboxymethyl cellulose. Between the electrolyte-absorbing separator which contacts the air electrode and the gelled Zn anode is a layer of gelled electrolyte contg. K2CO3 which is isolated from the negative electrode by a semipermeable diaphragm. The high viscous electrolyte prevents self-discharge of the Zn, does not dry out and improves the storage stability of the cell.
The eyelets of the positive and negative plates of a Pb accumulator are connected to connecting strips by means of a flux contg. a water-insol. polycarboxylic acid pref. adipic and a water-sol. binder; the acid does not sublime at the temp. needed for forming the connection with the molten connecting strips. The flux is non-corrosive and can be used at the relatively high temps. used in forming the connection. The accumulators are esp. for use in vehicles.
Although the metal housing of an electrochemical cell cannot be welded ultrasonically to the hydrophobic coating (PTFE) of a cathode, it can be softened sufficiently to match the costing surface by pressure and an ultrasonic signal. When the ultrasonic signal is removed, the material solidifies and produces a leaktight seal between cathode and housing. At the same time, the hydrophobic coating is compressed between cathode support and housing.
Thecell comprises an alkaline earth metal e.g. Mg, Ca (alloy) anode, a non-aq electrolyte, and a cathode consisting of solid carbon fluoride produced by the interaction of amorphous c and F gas. In an example, coke was placed in an Ni container and, during deairing, heated at about 380 degrees C in an electric furnace. F gas was introduced into a reactor and the reaction effected for Ca hr, the F press. being 0.4 atmos. The ratio of C:F of the carbon fluoride obtd was approximately 1:1. One pt wt. carbon fluoride, 0.2 pts wt. acetylene black as conductive material and 0.2 pts wt. PTFE powder as binder were mixed, and the mixt. press-moulded into a cathode. A propylene carbonate soln. contg. Li perchlorate was used as electrolyte, a non-woven cloth of polypropylene as separator, and Mg as anode.
Cell comprises an Li, Na, Ca, Mg, al or alloy negative electrode, Pb chloride positive electrode, and non-aq. electrolyte, composed of, e.g., an org. cpd. which is a non-solvent for the cathode. Pref. alumina sol, or alumina dispersed in org. solvents is added to the material. In an example, the cell consisted of a negative electrode produced by pressing Li over a 20-mesh Ag net; a positive electrode of the same size and thickness was produced using a mxit. comprising PbCl2 4 pts; artificial graphite 4 pts; and methanol with alumina dispersion (alumina 20%) 2 pts.; an electrolyte prepd by dissolving 1M of LiClO4 in propylene carbonate; a separator of polypropylene non-woven cloth; and a polyethylene container.
Battery comprises units consisting a negative electrode of Li, Na, Ca, Mg, Al or alloys; a positive electrode of e.g. Ni, Ag, Pb or Cu and a non-aq. org. electrolyte. Each unit is sealed on all sides by electro-conductive and insulative sheets. In an example, the negative electrode was a 30 x 30 m/m lithium plate with an theoretical capacity of 1 Ah. The positive electrode, having a 1.2 Ah capacity, was made by pressing a mixt. of 85 pts anhydrous Pb fluoride, 10 pts artificial graphite and 5 pts ethylene polyfluoride as binding agent over an Ni net. The electrolyte consisted of propylene carbonate in which 1M of Li perchlorate was dissolved. The separator was a sheet of polypropylene non-woven cloth and the container, being hexahedral, was constructed of two electroconductive sheets opposing each other, one of them being connected to the negative and the other to the positive electrodes, two other insulated side sheets, and likewise insulated bottom and lid plates, these sealing up the cell element. The sheets and plates constituting the container were of synthetic resin, and were bound with one another using e.g. epoxy resin binder. A number of unit cells can be connected using the electroconductive container side sheets.
The anode is made of Li, Na, other alkaline metals, Ca, Mg, Al or alloys of these, the cathode is of a Ag-Cr binary oxide and the aq. electrolyte does not react directly with the anode. The cathode is used as it has a better performance than the single Ag or Cr oxides. Electrolyte is, e.g. LiClO4 in propylene carbonate and ratio of Ag:Cr:O in the cathode is, e.g. 2:1:4.
In a galvanic battery comprising series connected cells, each having anode and cathode and a common electrolyte transferable between cells, good inter cell resistance is provided by (a) a nonconductive spacer gasket located in spaces formed by upper electrode edges and conductive plates attached to the electrodes, the gaskets formed of a polymer material, esp. polypropylene, swelling 1-10% (linearly) in the electrolyte to narrow inter cell channels and (b) using nonaq. electrolyte of &lt;5 x 10-2 OMEGA-1cm. -1 conductivity that has limited solubility for discharge prods. of cells, so that their concn. locally exceeds their solubility, depositing them in inter cell channels. The cells have a useful shelf-life after filling with electrolyte.
Rechargeable battery comprises a metal halide electrolyte in an electrolyte chamber and a storage reservoir contg. halogen hydrate through which the electrolyte is pumped during discharge to keep the electrolyte up to strength. The metal is oxidised and enters the electrolyte. The metal and halogen can be reconstituted on charge, the halogen hydrate formed in the soln. by heating in a reforming chamber, then being separated by crystallising out in a refrigerator. The crystals are then collected by a woven cloth filter of PTFE, polyvinyl resin or a polyolefin.
Electrode comprises an electrolyte porous part and a non porous part having a strongly electropositive metal (Zn) coating on the side removed from the porous part, whereby the two parts are stuck together with a carbonised electrically conducting phenol formaldehyde resin so as to form a channel through which the aqs. metal halide soln. electrolyte is passed, exiting through the pores of the porous part of the electrode. Electrode is used in high energy density cell and adhesive is stable to the action of the soln.
Battery plate comprises an electrically insulating plastics, base plate with a large no. of spaced conducting strips on both sides, kept in place by a plastics support with crosswise stay(s) and end grips. The support is joined to the base plate and there is an ion-active compsn covering the conducting strips on each side of the base plate. The battery plates are relatively thin, show a relatively low resistance loss, have a high energy density at high and lower discharge currents and a high operating life at high output to discharge ratio. The base plate and support consist of a (moulded) thermoplastics, esp. a polycarbonate while the conducting strips are of Pb or an alloy of Pb with Ca, Sb or Sn and the ion-active compsn. is a paste contg. Pb.
An insulation porous base of polyethylene, polypropylene or PVC is immersed a soln. of Ni and Cu chlorides, removed and dried. The plate is then immersed in an alkaline soln. and the impregnated chlorides reduced with hydrazine to form the metal blacks at the rate of 10-12 mg/cm2. The f inal Ni is electroplateds on as 50 mg/cm2. The electrolyte is economical to produce and has improved mechanical strength.
The battery contains an electrolyte mixt. of sulphinic and nitrosyl sulphuric acid coated with an aq. soluble layer of polyvinyl alcohol. Water only is added to activated the battery.    Nitrous and sulphuric acid are liberated, the former further reacting to form N2 and water. Corrosion risks during transportation of the battery are minimal.
The electrode comprise a lattice of polyethylene, polypropylene, or polystyrene (or of conductive resin if required) in the form of a rectangular plate having a corner lug. The lattice is thin, coated with the electrode activator so that the lug serves as the current collector.
The upper surface of the electrolyte has poured onto it a foaming synthetic resin, which is resistant to acids and oxidation thus forming a gas-permeable porous layer. The pressure applied to the colloidal electrolyte when the resin is foamed prevents the electrolyte from cracking.
The cells are filled with the sol-state electrolyte and followed after solidification by a mixture of binding agent, a volatile solvent, and acid and oxidation resistant fibres. After volatilisation of the solvent a covering mat is formed on the surface of the electrolyte. Entrapped bubbles during filling can easily escape and the mat prevents electrolyte leakage.
Bonded electrode capable of high voltage output over relatively long time, e.g. 5-10 min. comprises (a) a metallic support body, (b) a first coating of noncorrodible electrically conductive material of metals, carbon, graphite, in a matrix of cured thermosetting resin, pref. polyester, epoxy, silicone or polyurethane resin, (c) a second coating of lead dioxide in cured thermosetting resin and opt. (d) a third coating of dry lead oxide particles. The conductor provides conductive paths through the resin, while the resin prevents formation of an interfacial barrier between support and active material and, being inert to the electrolyte, prevents substrate corrosion by battery acid. Enough active material is included to react with a suitable electrolyte.
The negative electrode for a Ni-Cd storage battery is made by (a) dispersing CdO powder and synthetic resin fibres in water, (c) depositing and adhering the powder on the fibre with a ppt from a copolycondensate of carboxymethyl cellulose and acrylamide, Al sulphate and alum, and an adsorbent from carboxymethyl cellulose, Na polyacrylate and PVA and (c) forming the fibres into a paper-like negative electrode. A conductive powder may be codeposited on the fibres, and the electrode may be assembled with a conventional sintered positive electrode and separator to provide a battery having long service life, large capacity and good gas absorption on overcharge.
Contaminated of the electrolyte in a reference electrode, e.g. immersed in a soln. undergoing potentiometric analysis; is prevented by back pressure resulting from osmosis across a semipermeable membrane, forming the base of the half-cell. Electrical connection may be across the membrane, in which case this is e.g. of "RO" type heat treated cellulose acetate, pref. about 100 mu m thick; or vice a capillarly, or porous plug, salt bridge in which case the membrane may be of "Mylar" (RTM) pref. 025 mm thick, permeable only to water. Water diffuses by osmosis into the concentrated electrolyte which may be KCl around an AgCl coated Ag wire conductor. The cell e.g. for use in a battery of cells, may be of "Teflon" (RTM).
A foaming resin is predeposited on the separator by an extruding machine. The electrode assembly including the foaming resin is first placed in a container and after an electrolyte is poured in the battery body is heated to 100 degrees C for 3 hrs. to foam the resin. The resin coat swells and pressure is applied to the cathode plate and the anode plate, which surround the separator. The construction process is simple and the battery has an increased life.
In an example, a glass fibre sheet was impregnated with a binding agent consisting of 100 pts. of copolymer emulsion of methyl methacrylate having nonvolatile content of 40% emulsified by polyoxyetylenesulphate, 15 pts. of 28% liquid ammonia and 285 pts. of water. The dried fibre mat exhibits improved resistance to corrosion by active oxygen formed in the battery electrolyte.
The alkaline aq. soln. contg. ZnO has 0.1-20 wt.% (w.r.t. ZnO) of agar and 5-35 wt.% (w.r.t. agar) of 1 paste of natural high polymer or synthetic polymer, and has dispersed therein amalgamated Zn particles. The soln. is heated to form a gel from which the electrode is produced.
A cathode mixt. is formed at the inner wall of a cathode metal casing, 17.75 gr. and 7 gr. CMC of natural high polymer paste are added to 1000 cc of 35% aq. caustic potash soln. contg. ZnO and the mixt. heated at 110 degrees C for 30 secs. to make a molten electrolyte. After the casing with the cathode mixt. is filled with electrolyte, it is turned upside down to remove the residual electrolyte. An electrolytical layer of 1-6 mm thickness is thus formed on the entire surface of the cathode mixt. A zinc anode material and a collector are placed into the casing to obtain an alkali battery having improved discharge props.
A cathode mixt. consisting of MnO2 and graphite is placed at an inner wall of a metal casing. 80 g. agar is added to 1000 cc of 35% aq. caustic potash soln. contg. ZnO, and the mixt is heated at 110 degrees C for 1 min. to make a molten electrolyte. After the casing is filled with molten electrolyte, it is turned upside down to remove the residual electrolyte, as a result of which an electrolytical layer of 1-6mm thickness can be formed on the entire surface of the cathode mixt. Thereafter, 5% sodium polyacrylate is added to ZnO contg. alkaline soln. and amalgamated Zn particles are dispersed into the mixt. to make a Zn anode material which is formed in the inner portion of the electrolytical layer. A metal collector of brass is inserted into the Zn anode material, one end of which is welded to the inside of an inner sealing member through an insulating packing. An outer sealing member is attached to the inner sealing member and an outer casing is attached to the metal casing. The alkali battery has high liquid leakage resistance because the electrolyte contains agar.
Carbon powders coated with Pt are mixed with fluoro-resin, and heat treated at 250-300 degrees C for 30-60 mins. to impart water-proofness. After mixing with more fluoro-resin, they are press moulded on a Ni net and heat treated to form a catalytic layer 3 mm thick. One side of the composite is then coated with a permselective film of dimethylsilicone, silicon polycarbonate, etc., to a thickness of 0.05 mm and then thermally bonded.
Battery comprises an anode of Li, Na, Mg, Ca or Al, alone or alloyed, a non-aq. electrolyte (LiClO4 or propylene carbonate) and a cathode of carbon fibres or cloth made thereof, compounded with F2. In an example, carbon fibres were produced by carbonising acrylic fibres used in the form of a close-texture cloth of thickness 0.8-1.0 mm. After heating to 380 degrees C in a Ni vessel, the cloth was put in a reaction vessel contg. F2 at a press. of 0.4 atmos.
The battery comprises an anode of alkali(ne earth) metal or Al (or alloys thereof) and org. electrolyte (typically LiClO4 in propylene carbonate), and a cathode material predominantly of a solid carbon fluoride (CFx)n (where 0.7 x 1) which is essentially electro-insulating and a smaller amt. of electroconductive solid carbon fluoride (where 0.4 x 0). It is prepd. by direct fluorination of carbon/graphite mixts. The separators are polypropylene non-woven cloth.
The battery has an anode of alkali(ne earth) metal, a cathode of MnO2 or steel fluoride (sic), and an electrolyte comprising a non-aq. solvent which is inert w.r.t the anode e.g. LiClO4 in propylene. The efficiency of the cathode material is increased by heating it in an inert org. solvent of high b.pt. e.g. propylene carbonate dimethylformamide, or dimethyl sulphoxide, to cause dehydration.
A mixt. of 5-3 mols. Al2O3 and 1 mol siO2 is melted and quenched to form an unstable glass. The glass is pulverised and formed into the desired shape by conventional means then fired at 950-1350 degrees C, giving prodts. of controlled porosity, pore dia. and distribution. The material has excellent mechanical strength, and is resistant to acids, alkalis, and oxidn., redn. and temp.
The battery construction comprises a current collecting metal plate (e.g. Al) coated with an electroconductive resin contg. C powder on both surfaces. The cathode is plated on one surface (e.g. halide, oxide, sulphide of Cu, Ni, Pb, Ag, etc.) and the anode on the other surface (e.g. alkali metal). The cathode is typically formed by moulding a mixt. of the cpd., carbon and ethylene tetrafluoride at ca 150 degrees C. Polypropylene non-woven cloth separators are used.
Appts esp. for detecting and locating sources of minute invisible leaks in high temp steam or pressurised-water equipment, e.g. autoclaves, comprises a tubular member through which air is drawn (e.g. by a fan), and in which a galvanic cell is located, the cell including a deliquescent electrolytic element sandwiched between an air permeable electrode and a second electrode. In use, any change in the electrical output of the cell indicates the presence of a leak. Pref. the electrolytic element comprises a sheet of porous cellulose acetate treated with a deliquescent salt such as ZnCl2 between a stainless steel wire cloth anode and a gold cathode. The detector has improved sensitivity, rapid response, and is portable.
Conductive paint consists of a mixt. of carbon and resin materials and additive selected from cpds. having amino, imino or phenyl radicals and being able to decompose org. hydro-per-oxide.    Change of resistance due to the presence of oxygen in the air is prevented, hydroperoxide produced in the synthetic resin or oil varnish being decomposed by phenol or amine.
Method comprises dissolving bonding agent in a solvent, adding the soln. to a metal oxide which is easily electrochemically reduced to generate O2, e.g., HgO, Ag2O, MnO2 and electrically conductive material powders, such as graphite and acetylene, black volatilizing the solvent, adding inorg. cement to them, adding alkaline electrolyte to make them wet, and shaping to make a positive electrode for an alkaline accumulator. The bonding agent comprises a high molecular cpd. which does not have alkali resistant hydrophilic radicals, such as polystyrene, vinyl chloride, and nylon.
Method comprises mixing amalgamated zinc powder, alkaline electrolyte, carboxypolymethylene, and carboxymethyl cellulose, to obtain a pasty active material for the negative electrode of an alkaline accumulator. In an example, 2 pts. of carboxymethylene powder, 0.3 pts. of carboxymethyl cellulose, and 97 pts. of amalgamated zinc powder are mixed, and 59 pts. of alkaline electrolyte, the main component of which is caustic potash, is slowly added to the mixture while stirring, to obtain a paste for use as the active material of a negative electrode. Accumulator shows improved discharge properties e.g., after prolonged storage.
The method comprises adding bonding agent and soln. to a metal oxide which is easily electrochemically reduced to generate oxygen, such as mercury oxide, silver oxide and manganese dioxide, and a conductive material, such as graphite and acetylene black, volatilizing solvent, and shaping the mixture, to form an electrode. The bonding agent is a high molecular cpd. e.g. polystyrene, vinyl chloride and nylon, and the soln. is an ether derivative having a hydrophilic radical which is insoluble in alkaline electrolyte, e.g., methyl cellulose hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose.
Zinc cathode mfr. comprises mixing amalgamated zinc powder and carboxymethyl cellulose powder with an adequate amt. of water, and adding an adequate amt. of alkaline electrolyte so as to form a pasty active material of a negative electrode for an alkaline accumulator. Improved discharge characteristics are obtd.
Method comprises reacting fibres, such as pulp, microcrystalline cellulose, ethyl cellulose, and carboxymethyl cellulose, or their derivs. with a cross-linking agent, such as urea, glyoxal or aldehydes, to cross link them, heat treating the fibres or derivs in the presence of water, and mixing in amalgamated Zn powder and alkaline electrolyte to make the active material pasty.
The material, which is pasty, is made by heat treating carboxymethyl cellulose at 100-130 degrees C as this substance is made to contain water, pulverizing the product, and then kneading the powder with powdered amalgamated zinc and alkaline electrolyte soln. Enables the pasty active anode material to have a great stability for long duration and is also free from bleeding and moisture shortage. The material can contain a sufficient amt. of electrolyte necessary for discharge reactions to be effected. The alkaline battery shows a satisfactory discharge performance even after prolonged storage.
The material, is mfd. by heat treating carboxymethyl cellulose and powdered amalgamated Zn both steeped in water, at 100-130 degrees C, and then kneading the powder with an alkaline electrolyte. In an example, 3 pts. carboxymethyl cellulose and 60 pts. powdered amalgamated Zn were mixed with 34 pts. water. The mixt. heated at 120 degrees C for 1 hr. and the resultant mass finely pulverized. To the powder was added 50pts. alkaline electrolyte, and both were fully kneaded together until the pasty active anode material was finally prepd. The heat treatment of carboxymethyl cellulose mixed with powdered amalgamated Zn in water prior to the kneading of the mixt. with electrolyte enables the produced pasty active anode material to have a great stability for longer periods and also be free from bleeding and moisture shortage. This enables the material to contain a sufficient amount of electrolyte necessary for discharge reactions to be effected.
Battery includes positive electrode of an oxide such as mercury oxide, silver oxide or manganese dioxide, which liberates oxygen by being reduced electrochemically, a negative electrode mainly consisting of powdered amalgamated zinc, and an electrolyte which is an aqs. soln. of alkali metal hydroxide contg. a considerable amount of zincate. The negative electrode is formed by mixing the powdered amalgamated zinc with 1 powdered hydrophobic organic cpd. such as hydrocarbon resins, acrylic acid-base resins, halogen-contg. resins, halogen-contg. resins polyamide-base resins, fibrous resins such as ethylcellulose, and metal salts of higher fatty acids, such as zinc palmitate, zinc stearate, etc., the hydrophobic organic cpds. not reacting, even if they come in contact with zinc in the alkaline electrolyte solns. and also being insoluble in the soln. adding to the mixture a caking agent, capable of swelling and gelling by reaction with electrolyte, and water as the components are stirred to mix them together; drying the resultant mixture; and moulding it into shape by applying pressure. Remelting zinc electrode has a large working surface area. This fact, coupled with the presence of much electrolyte which is easy to diffuse can considerably improve the characteristics of heavy-load and low-temp. discharges as well as charge and discharge.
In an electrolytic cell for determing the quantity of a substance in a compsn. an anode and cathode are spatially disposed in an open-ended tubular vessel, the cathode is covered by a membrane which closes one end of the vessel and separates the cell from the compsn. the electrolyte is confined by a constriction in the vessel above the level of electrolyte, sealing means are disposed in the chamber above the constriction and a combination breather/filter tube and electrical connections extend through the sealing means. When the substance passes through the membrane into the cell the electrical characteristics change and are measured.
A porous membrane is produced by moulding PTFE with a pore forming material to prismatic or cylindrical shape, extruding the moulding as a sheet or rod and laminating it to form a thin film which is the laminated or compressed onto a porous support made of sintered metallic powder, and the pore forming material is finally removed. The membrane has high mech. strength and is corrosion resistant. It is used for concn. U, and separating liquids and gases, e.g. recovery of He; also as a membrane in fuel cells and in filtration processes.
At least one of the plates is transparent to light rays, and they are spaced apart a selected distance by a shim; their peripheral common boundary is hermetically united the liquid crystalline substance is filled in between via opening(s) in the plate(s), and the opening is plugged with chemically neutral material, e.g. a drop of paraffin wax.
Method comprises mixing a thermosetting resin binder and sulphur with carbon material and then moulding and sintering the mixture.    The addn. of sulphur prevents cracks due to contraction of the thermosetting resin, since the sulphur melts and releases stresses when the resin sets and contracts. The electrode has a compact compsn. high mechanical strength and low electric resistance, since the sulphur retains carbon in the electrode that tends to escape in the form of carbon dioxide or monoxide.
Method comprises dispersing starch material in a water-insoluble synthetic high polymer suspension such as polyvinyl acetate, synthetic rubber, polyacrylic acid ester, polyvinyl butyral, etc., applying the liquid to the inner surface of a zinc can, thus forming a diaphragm comprising starch and water-insoluble synthetic high polymer, and placing a fabric material such as filter paper, kraft paper, etc on the inside of the diaphragm. In the cell made by this method, the starch particles are coated with high polymer and bond to the zinc can, so the bonding and mechanical strength is good and voids may be avoided. The cell does not deteriorate during storage, since the fabric material prevents movement of depolarizing particles toward the zinc can as well as contact between the depolarizer and the diaphragm.
Method comprises applying a suspension of starch material in polyvinyl acetate onto the surface of a depolarizer to form a diaphragm comprising polyvinyl acetate and starch material. Dry cells made by this method show, compared wiht conventional ones, less standard deviation in the short-circuiting current and longer duration of the discharge current. The operation of making the diaphragm comprises only immersing the shaped depolarizer in the suspension for a short period and a firm diaphragm is obtained without a long drying time.
A gas depolarisable cell comprises a metal cup with gas entry openings, a cathode subassembly including a non-conductive material frame moulded around the edge of a gas-depolarisable electrode connected to the cup, anode material above the cathode subassembly, an electrolyte in contact with the electrode and anode, a separator between the electrode and anode, a top closure including a metal plate in contact with the anode, and an insulative seal moulded around the top closure and sealing with the cathode subassembly frame, the top of the cup being crimped inwardly. Especially a zinc-air heating aid battery. Upward electrolyte creepage is limited, avoiding consequential corrosion and contact resistance problems.
Gas venting device for liquid electrolyte accumulators comprises a vertical tube, which is closed at the bottom but has at least one opening at the side, and a movable sleeve, which may be slid between two positions along the tube thereby permitting closing of the openings.
Fuel cell, utilising as a fuel an oxidisable substance occurring in human body (pref. glucose) and oxygen dissolved in body liquids is improved by arranging the electrodes in such a manner that the body liquid diffusing into the cell and carrying both the fuel and the oxygen, is first directed towards the oxygen electrode(s) (Ag or Au gauze coated with carbon catalyst) where O2 is adsorbed. The O-free, glucose-contng. liquid then diffuses towards the fuel electrode (Pt gauze coated with Pt black catalyst). This method avoids the risk of chemical short circuiting.
Electric cell uses as cathode a light metal such as Li, Na, Mg, Ca or Mg and as active material for the anode, PbCl2 or PbF2, and a non-aq. electrolyte (e.g. propylene carbonate plus LiClO4). The anode is prepd. by mixing PbCl2 powder of 325 mesh and Pb powder of 280 mesh uniformly at the ratio of PbCl2 : Pb = 7 : 3. The mixt. together with a Ni net having a lead are packed into a graphite mould in an N2 atmos. On heating, the Pb is melted and the mixt. is sintered to form porous anode plate.
The cell uses light metal as cathode, copper fluoride as anode, and as an electrolyte a non-aq. electrolyte soln., which does not directly react with the light metal and which contains K3Fe(CN)6.    Specif., a polyethylene container holds a cathode of Li plate (or Na, K or Mg) and the anode is made by mixing 5 pts. anhydrous CuF2, 4 pts. C powder, 1pt. polyfluoroethylene powder and press moulding to a plate. The electrolyte is prepd. by adding 1 mol. LiClO4 and 0.02 mols. K3Fe(CN)6 to propylene carbonate. A cell division is of polypropylene non-woven cloth.
Electric cell uses as cathode an alkaline earth metal or Al or alloys thereof, as active material for the anode solid state carbon fluoride (CFx) (0.5 x 1), and a non-aq. electrolyte which does not corrode the cathode, e.g. an org. electrolyte. In an example, carbon fluoride was prepd. by placing graphite powder in a Ni coated Fe container in an electric furnace. During heating F2 was introduced into a reactor to react with the graphite at 440 degrees C for 5 hrs. to form carbon fluoride corresp. to C : F = 1.0 : 0.988. 1 p.b.w. of the carbon fluoride powder, 0.2 p.b.w. of acetylene black and 0.2 p.b.w. of polytetrafluoroethylene powder were mixed and press-moulded into an anode. A Mg plate was used as cathode and as electrolyte, a propylene carbonate solvent was used contg. 1 mol. of LiClO4. Polypropylene non-woven cloth was used as a separator.
The cathode plate of a non-aq. electrolytic cell comprises adding finely divided powder of fluoric resin as binder into active material, e.g. a mixt. of AgCl and graphite, forming under pressure and heat-treating to bind at the m.pt. of the resin. Li metal is used as anode active material.
A collector is formed between the electrode substrate and the metal layer of the electrode. The substrate comprises an unwoven cloth of synthetic fibre, (e.g. polyamide) and a metal collector (e.g. Ni net) fused partially to the substrate, and a metal layer (e.g. of Ni) formed on the substrate and collector. Design facilitates connection between the electrodes substrate and lead, unlike prior art metal-coated unwoven cloth type substrates.
An electrode is made of non-woven cloth by combining porous parts with filmy parts, the porous part is coated with an electrolyte-resistanct and electroconductive metal e.g. Ni and is filled with an active material, e.g. Ni hydroxide, the filmy part is left uncoated and is capable of folding. The non-woven cloth is any synthetic fibre which will become filmy when heated and pressed pref. nylon. The electrodes can be easily folded without damage to the active material.
The electrode consists of an electrode base of porous non-woven cloth forming a first metal plated layer which is electrolyte-resistant, an active material with which the base is filled, and a second metal-plated layer, also electrolyte resistant, formed on the base and on the active material. The porous non-woven cloth is made from synthetic fibres, e.g. nylon, glass (including that made from half-molten glass pellets) and other materials. In an example, a positive electrode is obtd. by immersing the non-woven material in a soln. of 0.3 g/l PdCl2 and 0.25 cc/l HCl and then in a non-electrolysed Ni plating bath to coat the non-woven cloth with Ni. The obtd. 4 x 5 cm electrode base is then filled with 20 g Ni(OH)2. Lastly, the electrode face is coated with ca 0.4 g of Ni by electroplating. The negative electrode is obtd. by filling a similar electrode base with 1.7 g CdO and coating the electrode face with Ni.
Metal oxide (pref. MnO2 or V2O5 is finely dispersed and fixed in a porous body consisting of a polymerised product of a halogenated hydrocarbon (pref. PTFE). The capacity of the electrode is high due to the large free surface of the active material, and the binder content is relatively small.
Method comprises dispersing the active material in an organic solvent and immersing the e.g. Ni-plated non-woven nylon substrate in the dispersion. An anode for a Ni-Cd battery may be made by immersing the substrate in a soln. of 6 pts. wt. cyclohexane, 5 pts. wt. cadmium oxide and a small quantity of lecithin while for the cathode nickel hydroxide is used in place of cadmium oxide.
A gasket of polyamide resin is interposed between a stainless steel cap and the battery casing of nickel-plated iron. The distance between the top of the generating element and the gasket is 4.00 mm. An alkali-proof film of polybutene is formed on the inside of the battery casing between the upper end of the generating element and the gasket.
Title battery is formed of a rubber which has had 50-120 pts. of CaF2 added to it. Rubber is more suited for use as a seal than are synthetic resins because the former has better lead-resistance. In an example, various seals for a mercury battery, were formed by vulcanising the mixtures stated below at 160 degrees C for 10 mins. The mixtures were prepd. by mixing different parts of some of the undermentioned additives respectively with 100 pts. of chloroprene. The additives include CaF21 ZnO process, carbon black, MgO, stearic acid, 2-mercapto-imidazolin, phenyl- alpha -naphthylamine, activated CaCO3, BaSO4 and hard clay. Different batteries respectively using one of the different packings were kept in storage at 45 degrees C and 80% humidity, for 4 months. Best seal was found to contain 50-120 pts. Caf2 and some other ingredients and 100 pts. chloroprene.
Battery comprises a cathode composed of alkali metal such as Li, Na, etc., an electrolyte that does not dissolves the cathode and contains the same cations as those released from that electrode, and an anode whose active material is HgCl. In an example, the cathode consists of a 20-mesh silver net 20 x 20 m/m in size and 1.5 m/m thick, with Li pressed over it. The anode is also a 20-mesh silver net of the same size and thickness, having a mixt. of 4 pts. HgCl2. 4 pts. artificial graphite and 2 pts. powdered ethylene polyfluoride pressed over the net. The electrolyte consists of propylene carbonate, in which IM of LiClO4 is dissolved. The separator is a polypropylene non-woven cloth. The constits. are assembled in an argon atmosphere to form the battery.
Device for converting electrical energy to mechanical energy and esp. useful for e.g. blood pumps, comprises 1 reversible electrochemical cell which releases a gas when current is passed in one direction and absorbs it when the current is passed in the other direction. The unit is sealed so that gas pressure builds up (or drops) and is thus able to move a piston etc. externally.
A button type of energy cell comprises a can-like member contg. the cathode material sepd. by separators from the active anode material which is in a cap member having a skirt portion positioned within the can member and secured by adhesive to a shoulder of a flexible sealing grommet, the free wall of the can member being swaged-in to compress the grommet between the can and cap members to seal the cell against leakage.
The separator, 0.1-0.3 mm thick is made of a mixt. of high and low melting polyamide fibres bonded together, at the points where they cross, ie. a bonded matted mass.
Electrochemical cell comprises a first and a second electrode with a matrix situated between them. One coolant plate lies adjacent each electrode, both plates having a portion extending beyond the outer edge of the respective electrode, this portion in each case having a recess for receiving O-ring seal. The seal has an integral O-ring on its outer edge, disposed between the coolant plates in the recesses provided, this seal having a step-shaped inner edge spaced from the O ring by a support gasket which has a smaller cross-sectional height than the O-ring, this edge being in mating contiguity with the matrix edge, the matrix having a portion extended outwards beyond the innermost edge of the seal. Pref. the gasket is bonded to the electrode with an adhesive of butyl, neoprene or fluorocarbon rubbers.
Positive electrode for high powered primary cells consists of a homogeneous mixt. of (I) finely divided chlorinated, amorphous C and (II) an electrically conducting material selected from finely divided C, C fibres, finely divided metals, and/or metal fibres, bonded by (III) a synthetic resin binder, the Cl-content of I forming 5-70 pref. 10-65 wt.% of the electrode. The electrode contains 0.5-40 wt.% II and 5-40 wt.% III and also a reinforcement consisting of a network of a conducting metal. III is polyethylene, polypropylene chlorinated polyethylene, PTFE, or polytrifluoromonochloroethylene. Electrode is non-hygroscopic, has good stability, and the energy density is twice that of the usual dry cells. Improved voltage drop during discharge is also achieved.
Positive S electrode for a galvanic element, with a negative electrode of light metal and an electrolyte contg. an organic solvent, in which a stabiliser and/or salt opt. is dissolved to increase the electrical conductivity, contains amorphous, insol, S, conducting additive (I) and opt. binder (II). The electrode has good storage properties and high current yield at low polarisation. The electrode can also contain a stabiliser. Specif., (I) is a metal powder and the S:(I) wt. ratio is 1:1, whilst (II) is polyisobutylene or carboxymethyl-cellulose.
The electrode, with a skeleton of parallel fibres of electric conductor (I) perpendicular to the electrode surface, as support for the active compsn. (II) and a porous sheath for the skeleton, contains metal (Fe) powder as (II) with added C (III) and binder (IV). The skeleton has a contact layer (V) on at least one side and has alternating coarse and fine pored regions perpendicular to this, the coarse pored regions consisting mainly of fibrous skeleton and the fine pored regions of fibrous skeleton with embedded (II) and additives. Accumulators and metal-air cells with this electrode are suitable for electric traction. They have improved capacity, output, energy density and mechanical stability. Pref. (I) is steel wool, (III) C black, esp. acetylene black, (IV) an ABS copolymer and (V) a sheet, grid or mesh of electrical conductor. (II) can also contain (a substance contg.) S.
Electrode esp. for use in batteries with an aq. electrolyte, consists of a mixt. of MnO2 particles, a colloidal electrically conducting material e.g. graphite and electrically conducting particles e.g. carbon, bonded by a polymer binder e.g. ABS or epoxide resin, the colloidal electrically conducting material ensuring electrical contact between the particles inside the electrode. PRef. the electrode contains 70 wt.% MnO2, 1 wt.% colloidal material, 5 wt.% conducting particles, and 1 wt.% polymer binder. High coherence when exposed to aq. electrolyte. High discharge rates in electrochemical cells esp. at low temps. are achieved and the cells have a good resistance to temp. variations.
A body of spongy, open pored, acid resistant foamed material, esp. polyurethane with a polyether base, is placed in the upper part of the battery case, above the cell assembly and partly immersed in the electrolyte. The foam has 20-30 pores/cm and a density of more than 1.10 lbs/ft2 esp. 0.01762-0.02563 g/cm3. It has sufficient capacity to absorb all the electrolyte in the cell if the battery is inverted. The filler opening vent plug has a gas vent filled with liquid impervious porous material. Below the filler opening is a recess in the foam body with its base below the electrolyte level, to allow a hydrometer to be used. Safety and simplicity.
The outer can is a cylinder closed at one end and a thick lining of matching shape of depolariser material is slid in to it, leaving a horizontal shoulder near the open end where the insulated crimp-over is made onto the anode terminal disc. A sealing ring of elastomer material is placed on the above shoulder and an intermediate relatively stiff sealing washer with a truncated conical skirt is forced downwards by the crimping action so that its skirt presses downwards and radially outwards on the O ring. The stiff washer is esp. of nylon. Esp. reliable for use with slurry (paste) anodes.
Sealed alkaline storage battery provded with an oxygen-ionsing electrode located in the gaseous phase part of the battery wherein electrolyte is present in a sufficient quantity, so as to have the electrode partially contact the electrolyte, the oxygen-ionising electrode being a porous body chiefly composed of nickel with 400-1000 mg/cc of silver added thereto. A 0.7mm thick and approx. 81-82% porous body was produced by sintering powdered carbonyl Ni mixed with 2% by wt. of acetylene black with a Ni net buried in the mixt. in a H gas current at 900 degrees C for 10 mins. About 600mg/cc of Ag as added to the porous body by impregnating the latter with a soln. of 100g. AgNO3 50cc H2O and subjecting the same to a normal formalin reduction. The resultant product was further impregnated with a 5% fluorine resin dispersion soln. dried, and heat treated at 320 degrees C in a nitrogen gas current for water-proofing. Then, the product was cut into pieces each 30mm wide and 60 mm long. Increases stability and prolongs life of electrode.
Sealed alkaline storage battery provided with an oxygen-ionisizing electrode located in the gaseous phase part of the battery wherein electrolyte is present in a sufficient quantity, so as to have the electrode partially contact the electrolyte, the oxygen-ionising electrode being provided with a layer of water-repellent powder on the side where it comes in contact with the gaseous phase. The powder layer prevents the electrolyte from permeating into the space on the side of the oxygen gas ionising electrode where the gas diffuses. There is a sintered porous mixT. of powdered carbonyl nickel and acetylene black, the mixt. contg. silver as catalyst, being water-proofed by use of fluorine resin emulsion soln. and coated with powdered ethylene tetrafluoridepropylene hexafluoride copolymer.
Battery separators are made by casting thermoplastic powder onto a conveyor, profiling the upper surface with a roller and sintering the resultant layer. The powder is fed behind the roller in such a way that any build-up of the powder does not affect the profiling operation. Pref. this is achieved by curving the outlet of a feed hopper into the space defined between the back of the roller and the conveyor. Thus any build-up is accommodated in the hopper outlet and will not affect the profiling. The conveyor is pref. of stainless steel the profiling roller of chromium plated brass and the powder is P.V.C.
Method comprises adding a mixt of acrylamide and methylene N,N'-bis-acrylamide with appropriate catalyst and accelerator and polymerising the mixt. to form a porous network. The electrolyte is pref. an alkaline liquid electrolyte esp NaOH, KOH and their mixt. at conc. &gt;0.01N (4-9N). Ionic and water mobility are not hindered as in prior art, and the handleability of the batteries is improved.
In a storage vessel for metal/O2 cell(s) with a gas-impermeable vessel having window(s) of a laminated material, the laminate contains polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) and is constructed to allow selective permeation by H2 but not O2, CO2 and H2O vapour. The laminate satisfies all the requirements of letting H2 liberated in the cell escape, while controlling the entry of O2, CO2 and H2O vapour. The charge retention during storage is good. The size of the window and thickness of PE and PP in the laminate depend on the size and no. of cells.
The corners are 20% thinner than the side walls to provide additional protection against impact damage and allow wall flexing with pressure differential. Esp. the walls are 1.52-2.5 mm thick and the corners are 0.64-2.03 mm thick. The inverted dish shaped lid, of the same material carries the terminal post, and is welded to the body of the casing. Cell divider walls are moulded integral with the casing and the inter cell straps between current collectors of the cells pass through these walls. Cooled mould tools are used.
Battery consists of a Ni-plated steel container, also acts as the cathode, a positive plate chiefly composed of nickel hydroxide, a non-woven cloth separator, of a mixt. of polypropylene fibres with polyamide fibres or of acrylonitrile fibres with polyamide fibres. Ratio of polypropylene or acrylonitrile to polyamide pref. 40-80:60-20, a negative plate (pref. contg. Cd) a steel spring, a Ni-plated steel cover also acts as the anode, and a packing made of, e.g. polyamide of polyethylene between the cover and the container's upper end. The non-woven cloth used as separater increases cycle life of the battery. The number of cycles reaching 60% of the battery's nominal capacity was ca 780 cycles.
The binder used for adhering the plates or external, thermally contractive tube is formed by adding colloidal SiO2 of av. grain size 5-10 m mu to a bonding agent denatured by the addition of a vinyl type cpd. or copolymer, and solvent. In an example, the binder was prepd. from a mixt of 4 pts. mol. vinyl chloride, acetate etc. copolymer, 1 pt. acrylonitrile type rubber, 10 pts. solvent of acetone : MEK : butyl acetate in the ratio 4 : 2 : 1, and 0.2 pts. colloidal SiO2. The unit cell was formed by a moulded depolarizer, of MnO2, carbon electrolyte and water, a zinc plate coated with a electroconductive paint, and a sheet of pasted separater paper placed between; depolarizer and plate and was covered with a thermally contractive tube on the periphery. The binder bonded the end of the tube and electroconductive paint. The battery was assembled by laminating a number of unit cells. Colloidal silica broadens the scope of the binder, giving increased bonding strength, decreased defects and binder consumption.
A Ag paint comprises mixing 2 kinds of powders 1 kind being graphite with mean particle size &gt; than Ag powder, and another being thermal black of larger appernt vol. than that of silver powder mixed into a conductive paint. In an example 88CC butyrated urea resin and 20cc introcellulose were dissolved in cellulose and 520 cc thermal black (300 m mu) 520cc natural graphite (10 mu) 260cc artificial graphite (4 mu) and 150cc silver powder (1 mu in mean particle size) were added and kneaded for 20 min. by a roll, obtg. a paste form silver paint. The Ag paint was applied to form a film of 4 microns thick and baked for 2 hrs. at 160 degrees C in hot air drier. The two-dimensional specific resistance of the resulting film was 0.12 OMEGA. By adding extenders (graphite and black) to the paint the vol of the paint is practically doubled giving cheaper Ag paint with a greater abrasion resistance.
Non-aq. rechargeable electric cell comprises a negative electrode consisting of an alkali(ne earth) metal whose position in the electromotive series is at least as high as that of Zn (e.g. Li) and a positive, passive electrode (e.g. carbon mixed with glass- or asbestos fibres, and PTFE as binder), the electrodes being insulated by a separator, and an anhydrous liquid electrolyte comprising SO2 as the major component, in admixt. with a co-solvent comprising an anhydrous liquid, org. cpd. inert to the negative electrode (e.g. ethylene diamine) with the proviso that SO2 contains dissolved therein an ionisable salt if the metal of the negative electrode (e.g. LiF) and the SO2 is maintained liquid by superatmospheric pressure, based on 22 degrees C and the water content of the cell is held below 50 ppm. Operates at rel. extreme temps. High efficiency. Storage stability over rel. protracted periods. Supplies sustained constant current at satisfactory voltage.
The electrode is made up of pref. large grain amalgamated zinc. It is coated with a film, e.g. ethyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose, which is soluble or swelled and collapsed in an electrolyte e.g. caustic alkali. The film protects the electrode from shock. The electrode has an improved discharge performance compared with a normal zinc electrode for an air-zinc cell and has a high intensity because of the large grain particle used.
Method consists of coating one side of a separator paper with liq. polyvinyl alcohol (contg. 1 material with 1 of the following properties, water absorbancy, water holding swelling or tacking e.g. colloidal silica, valve, agar, polyacrylamide, hydroxypropyl cellulose or other natural paste) and forming a paste layer on the same or opposite side of the separator paper. In use the separator is placed between a Zn anode and a cathode depolariser. Separator layer allows increase in the flow rate of ions with the minimum of resistance. The cell has improved discharge property and extremely low loss in performance after a long period of storage, and liq. leakage is prevented and manufacturing costs are reduced.
Cell consists of a highly porous synthetic resin film as a separator film, which is placed between a cathode mix and electrolyte layer, contg. ammonium chloride, zinc chloride, water, starch and any kinds of cellulose derivs. Suitable synthetic resin film is (co)polymer of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylidene chloride or polyvinylidene fluoride. The film is permeable to the electrolyte but not to water and so prevents transfer of water between the electrolyte and the mix while at the same time permitting the required flow of ions, is efficient even after the cell has long periods in storage and is capable of increased over-load discharge.
A layer of starch-based material and adhesive is applied to a cellophane sheet which is then attached by the coated surface to the inside of the Zn can. The cathode cake mix is filled inside the cellophane cup formed. The cellophane prevents passage of electrolyte soln. but allows the flow of ions. Loss of performance during storage is minimal.
A plate or porous body is immersed in a mixture mainly of synthetic resin, solvent for the resin, a non-solvent for the resin, and the electrode active material required for the desired cell. The plate is dried so that solvent and non-solvent are trapped within the resin particles. On subsequent volatilisation of these two components, uniformly distributed micropores are formed.
The plate or porous body is contacted with a mixed liquid mainly of synthetic resin and its solvent and electrode active material e.g. Ag2O, Ag, Zn, Mg, Ni(OH)2, Cd etc. The plate is then contacted with a non-solvent which solidifies the surface of the resin, followed by solidifying the inner portion of the resin by exchanging the solvent therein for the non-solvent. Solvent and non-solvent are removed by volatilisation to produce micro-pores.
Polyacrylic acid (salt) is added to the MnO2 depolarised to produce a gel material with the alkaline electrolyte. Typically the mixt. comprises 85 pts. MnO2, 15 pts. flaky graphite (electro-conductor) and 10 pts. KOH, to which is added 1 wt.% sodium polyacrylate after 5 mins. mixing, with further mixing for 30 hrs.
Process comprises: allowing a soln. dissolving a synthetic resin in a solvent or a soln. prepd. by adding a non-solvent which does not dissolve the synthetic resin to said soln., to stick to a base material having fine pores, then allowing a fine porous layer on the surface of the base material having fine pores to form by drying the volatile components, and forming in this way a multi-layered material having fine pores. The product is suitable for filter, separators of electric cells, electrolytic diaphragms and has a membrane for diffusion dialysis.
The electrode is prepd. by heat treating an F-contg. resin such as PTFE at 380 degrees C for one hour: finely dividing the resin to obtain a powder of 20 mesh, depositing a pasty mixture of the powdered F-contg. resin or powdered F-contg. resin and the outer powdered material such as a powdered active carbon contg. a silver catalyst and an organic solvent with F-contg. resin such as PTFE serving as a binding agent, onto a porous sintered nickel plate; roll pressing the nickel plate, and then heating at 380 degrees C for 5 mins. to form the gas diffusion electrode.
The electrode contains Co boride and Ag as catalyst. In an example powdered active carbon is impregnated with a soln. mixture of cobalt nitrate and silver nitrate. A soln. of sodium boro hydride is then added to the powdered active carbon. The cobalt boride and silver serving as catalysts are reduced on the surface of the powdered active carbon. The powdered active carbon is then washed. The powdered active carbon is mixed with a suspension of PTFE to form a paste which is deposited onto a sintered porous nickel plate. It is then press-moulded with nickel mesh and heated at 380 degrees C for 8 minutes to form the oxygen electrode.
Battery using oxygen as its active cathode material, such as an oxygen-metal battery or an oxygen-hydrogen battery whose active anode material is Zn, Cd, Pb or other metals, features the formation of a gas chamber in the rear of the oxygen electrode opposed to the anode, and the arrangement of an oxygen-generating electrode electrically connected to the oxygen electrode in the electrolyte soln. below the gas chamber. Deterioration of the rechargeable oxygen electrode is minimised.
A battery separator for use with a Zn electrode comprises a porous sintered compsn. of 65-99.5 mol.% Mg silicate, 0.5-35 mol.% Pb silicate and has a porosity corresp. to a water absorption of 5-50%. Modulus of rupture is pref. 8000-19,000 psi., and resistivity is pref. 5-50 omega-cm. The compsn. is resistant to alkali. The sintered material may be uniformly distributed in polymeric organic binder, esp. polyphenylene oxide or PTFE. Separator is non-grassing, even on overcharge, and is esp. useful for Ag-Zn or Ni-Zn cells, which may then be cycled over extended periods at deep discharge.
The battery comprises units of negative and positive electrodes made air-tight around their perimeter, the negative electrodes being made up of two layers with a lining between them. To improve the reliability of the battery the lining consists of three layers, the outer layers of which are flush with the surfaces of the double-layered electrode and have small dia. pores, while the centre layer has large dia. pores.
Cylindrical electrochemical element comprising a cylindrical positive electrode in electrical contact with the casing and a cylindrical negative electrode placed inside the positive electrode and separated from it by a porous separator is improved in that the negative electrode is made from a metal foil having a high negative potential (pref. Si) wound around an elastically expandable current collector executed in the form of a slit steel tube. The positive electrode pref. consists of CuO, CuS, silver or lead chromate, with graphite and opt. a binder. The electrolyte is nonaqueous, pref. 1-1.5 M SiClO4 soln. in tetrahydrofuran opt. mixed with e.g. dimethoxyethane. The separator is made from a polypropylene felt or cellulosic paper. The reduction of the volume of the negative electrode with the proceeding electrochemical reaction is compensated by elastic expansion of the collector so that adequate contact between the electrodes is maintained. The element is suitable for use in electric torches, portable radio receivers, mobile toys etc.
A heavy duty battery has a moulded plastic (e.g. polypropylene) case, and is formed with integral flanges in which are provided pairs of guide holes and open locating apertures. The opposite ends of a cord handle pass downwardly through the guide holes and then forced through the opening of the associated locating apertures so that the flange resiliently deforms and the ends are retained in the locating apertures. Pref. the ends of the cord are enlarged to stop then slipping through the locating apertures. Handling of the battery is simplified.
Lead silicate is added to a known separator compsn. to provide a porous alkali resistant, low gassing, high strength separator for use with a Zn electrode, esp. in Ag-Zn battery. The separator compsn. comprises sintered particles of a solid soln. of 1-99 mol % Mg silicate, 1-90 mol % Fe2+ silicate, and 0.1-50 mol % Pb silicate. It may be made by compacting mixed components, firing, granulating, compacting and refiring. The second and opt. the first firing are pref. in reducing or inert atmos. to maintain Fe in Fe2+ form. Polyethylene glycol or other organic binder may be included. A flexible separator may be formed by dispersing the sintered particles in polymeric organic binder insol. in aq. alkaline soln., esp. fluorocarbon polymer or polyphenylene oxide.
Battery comprises a first apertured lead strip enclosed between a pair of microporous polyethylene strips, the apertures being filled with lead dioxide paste mixed with H2SO4 and a microporous carrier, and a second aperture lead strip enclosed between a pair of microporous polyethylene strips, the apertures being filled with colloidal lead paste mixed with H2SO4 and a microporous carrier, the components being juxtaposed and hermetically sealed from the exterior. For use in an electrically propelled vehicles. Charging and discharging rates 100 times those of known batteries.
An epoxide cement, used to bond 2-interconnected sides of an accumulator electrode with a duct allowing through-flow of metal halide electrolyte. Is stable towards the halide (e.g. ZnCl2) soln. The electrode may be bipolar, the first side being permeable to the electrolyte and the second nonporous and impermeable. The cement is filled with graphite or C (1 pt./10-0.1 pts. epoxide) or metal particles (1 pt./0.05-10 pts. epoxide), esp. Co, Ni, Fe, Cu Zn, Al and/or Ag. The epoxide pref. is an acid- catalysed epichlorhydrin/bisphenol a reaction prod.
Storage battery electrolyte compsn. for rechargeable car batteries contains (1) an aq. metal halide soln., having a concn. of 0.1 wt.% up to satn., and (2) esp. a soluble polyether cpd., pref. in an amount of 0.001-10, esp. 0.05-1 wt.%. Pref. metal halide is a chloride of a Gp. IIB metal, esp. ZnCl. polyether cpd. may have a mol. wt. 8 x 106, and pref. is of formulae: H -R1-O- n Z or H -R1-O-(CH2o)x nZ (where R1 is alkylene or arylene opt. substd. by solubilising gps. or halogen; x is 1-3;, Z is H, OH, halgen, SO3H, SO4H, PO3H, PO4H2, COOH, carboxylate, prim., sec. or tert. aliphatic or aromatic amine, &lt;20C alkane or alkene and/or heterocyclic radicals contg. 3-8C per ring; n is 2 to 200000), and is pref. a polyethylene glycol having a mol. wt. of 2000-200000.
Electrolyte compsn. comprises an aq. soln. contg. a metal halide (e.g. ZnCl2) and a dendrite-reducing amount of a sol. cpd. which is the reaction pdt. of an amine (e.g. ethylene diamine) and an aldehyde (e.g. glyoxal). Used in sec. batteries with high energy density. Claimed compsns. are rel. cheap and have high energy storage capacity; short and efficient recharging time, long service life; easy handling and control, and are non toxic.
Mixt. of 20 pts. wt of charcoal (particle size 20-40 mu) 10 pts. wt. of 10% carboxymethyl cellulose soln and 100 pts. wt. of carbonyl nickel (particles 5-6 mu) is moulded under a press. of 3t./cm2 and sintered at 950 degrees C for 30 mins. Platinum catalyst may be added (6 mg/cm3). Strong bodies having large surface area arc produced having good electrical conductivity.
Electrode for electrochemical cells of the metal-O2 (air)-type for fuel elements consists of a conductive porous catalystic layer and a conductive porous hydrophobic gas-inlet layer, which are pressed onto a metal mesh, which discharges the current leak and gives the electrode mechanical strength. The catalytic layer consists of penetrating porous hydrophilic zones, with catalytic activity for the electrochemical redn. of O2, and strongly hydrophobic, porous zones, consisting of hydrophobised, conductive, non-porous grains, O2 enters through these zones, the dimensions of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic zones increasing and decreasing respectively in the direction towards the electrolyte in the entire catalytic layer.
Electrode for use with a liquid electrolyte consists of a porous conductor between two porous layers. The layer on the electrolyte side comprises a conducting carbonaceous material and a binder; the outer layer on the gas side is 3-7 mils. thick and consists of conducting carbonaceous material, a binder and a catalyst. The second layer is &lt; half the thickness of the first layer and is more hydrophobic.
Appts. comprises a charging device, followed by a wiper blade, a circulating belt and a sinter zone, in which the wiper blade is vibrated whilst the powder is fed onto the circulating belt to uniformly and loosely pack the powder onto the belt. The powder is pref. PVC.
Photoelectric solar cells aare connected in parallel and in series on the roll up substrate by connectors punched out of rolled material, in which the material rolls up in the direction of teh parallel circuit connection. Individual connectors are supplied for parallel and series connections and the connectors are formed so that the roll direction of the material indicates the direction of the circuit connection. Pref. the substrate is a polyimide film on fibre glass, on one or both sides adhered by a highly fluid adhesive which will not affect the flexibility of the film.
Battery comprises a cathode, a zinc anode consisting of ZnO and Ca(OH)2 and an electrolyte consisting of alkaline soln. contg. 5-20 wt. % of KOH, where the molar ratio of Ca(OH)2 to ZnO is 0.5-1.0. In an example, powders of ZnO and Ca(OH)2 are mixed with water or bonding agent, such as PVA, to form a paste which is coated on to an anode substrate of Fe or Ni to form an anode plate. The molar ratio of Ca(OH)2/ZnO is 0.75. The electrolyte consists of 15 wt. % KOH. The number of charge-discharge cycles of the battery is 447.
Method comprises (1) adding a very small amt. of a viscosity-increasing agent (I) to a soln. of electrolyte, (2) dispersing fine C powder uniformly to form a wetting soln., (3) mixing the wetting soln. and MnO2 powder and (4) forming the mixt. to a cathode plate. The rate of utility of MnO2 is increased from 45-60% to 50-65%. (I) is selected from carboxy-methylcellulose, natural starch and alpha-starch. Materials has C powder uniformly dispersed in it.
A manganese oxide chiefly composed of B-MnO2 is used as the manganese dioxide to be added to the cathode depolarizing cpd. for a sealed primary cell using mercuric oxide as the chief active cathode material, amalgamated zinc as the active anode material, and potassium hydroxide aq. soln. as the chief ingredient of the electrolyte. In an example, the cathode depolarizing cpd. was prepd. by mixing 85 pts. of mercuric oxide with 10 pts. of manganese dioxide subjected to heat treatment, 5 pts. of scalelike graphite and 0.5 pts. of polystyrene binder. Addn. of the Mn oxide reduces costs.
Process comprise filling the cathode cpd. (mainly MnO2) in the cathod metal can, with pressure applied upon its interior wall; coating the interior surface of the cathode cpd. with a non-fluid gel of polyacrylic acid or polyacrylate (electrolyte); and the inserting the zinc anode into the gelled electrolyte layer with a porous fibrous separator intervening between both cpds. In an example, the cathode metal can was of nickel-plated iron, the cathode cpd. was prepd. by mixing 85 pts. powdered MnO2 with 15 pts. powdered graphite and 10 pts. aq KOH soln. and stirring the mixt. ca 5 mins. The gelled electrolyte layer was obtd. by adding 2 pts. sodium polyacrylate to 100 pts. aq. KOH and mixing ca 30 mins. The separator layer was a very finely porous, alkali-resistant fibrous substance e.g. parchment paper or polystyrene fibre. The battery is compact, has a high capacity and minimal electrolyte leakage.
Process characterized in that the battery is provided with a cathode compound prepared by mixing or kneading powdered active cathode materials (e.g. MnO2, graphite) a powdered carbonaceous electroconductive agent, and alkaline electrolyte, pressure forming the kneaded mixt. and breaking up the same into coarse grains, adding to these grains polyacrylic acid or polyacrylate and mixing all of them together so that thin coatings of polyacrylic acid or polyacrylate may be formed around each of the grains, and then pressure forming all such grains into pieces of the cathode compound.
An oxidising agent e.g. H2O is added to sulphonated lignin and heated at 60-70 degrees C for 5-10 hrs. to effect oxidn. In the case of an alkaline battery, after KOH aq. soln. of SG 1.30 is added to the oxidized mixt. formalin vapour is introduced for 3-5 hrs. while heating at 70 degrees C. To place the colloid electrolyte into a battery casing, the casing is one half filled with the colloid electrolyte and electrode members inserted into the casing. The battery casing is then sufficiently filled with the colloid. The colloid electrolyte is tightly attached to the electrode members, so that alkaline or lead storage batteries with long service life, a large voltage characteristic and high discharge capacity are obtd.
The sealing material is reinforced by a min. of 10% wt. of materials such as soot, aluminium (hydr)oxide or ceramics, to allow the seal to be effective at temps. &gt;375 degrees C and resist the corrosive action of the battery materials, and separate the containers of alkali metal and sulphur.
Method comprises adding polypropylene short fibre and/or acrylonitrile short fibre to atactic polypropylene together with peroxide as a crosslinking reaction agent to make a mixed material, heating and moulding the mixt. to produce desired battery casings. The ave. mol. wt. and physical props. of such casings are superior to casings made only of atactic polypropylene or made of acrylonitrile styrene copolymer. Casings are made with low cost and increased productivity (since the normal injection moulding technique is used).
In an oxygen-hydrogen cell the cathode is essentially composed of active carbon and alpha-alumina, contg. 15 wt.% resin as a water repellent agent and 3 wt.% Ag as a catalyst. The anode is composed of the same basic material and water repellent agent as the cathode electrode, and 3 wt.% Pt. The electrodes form concentric cylinders, the cathode being innermost, placed in an external casing. The compartments within the cylinder and the annular space between the cylinder and casing are connected by the electrolyte which thus serves to balance any differences in gas pressure.
The electrolyte comprises an org. solvent, e.g. propylene carbonate, acet onitrile, dimethyl formamide, nitrobenzene methyl formate, ethylene glycol, ethylene diamine, contg. 0.1-2.0 mol/l inorg. electrolyte, e.g. LiClO4, AlCl3, LiBF4, M (ClO4)2, LiCl, KCl, KCN. The cathode plate is made from a meta halide, e.g. NiCl2, NiF2, CuCl2, AgCl, CrF2, TiF3, etc., or a Ni sintered plate impregnated with an active metal oxide, e.g. AgO, NiO, MnO2, CuO, etc. The anode plate is made from Li and the separator of a glass mat or non-woven cloth consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, ester or acrylic fibre, and is pref. 1.0-2.0 mm thick.
In the prodn. of a g as diffusion electrode for use in a fuel cell such as an oxygen(air)-methanol, oxygen(air-hydragine or air-hydrogen cell, an electrode substrate is immersed in an ammonia alkaline aq. soln. of catalyst metal salt contg. a resin emulsion as a water-proofing agent. In an example, 15 g of silver nitrate as catalyst metal salt was dissolved in 15 ml of a 28% ammonia aq. soln. 3 ml of an emulsion of PTEE resin (60% resin) was added to the soln. A sintered porous nickel substrate was immersed in this soln. and then it was pre-dried at 110 degrees for 2 hrs. The pre-dried nickel substrate was subjected to heat-treatment at 340 degrees C for 1 hr in an atmos. of hydrogen gas to make a gas diffusion electrode. This process prevents condensation of emulsion particles of the water proofing agent.
Cell comprises an anode of alkali metal such as Li or Na, a non-aq. electrolyte which does not dissolve the alkali metal, and a cathode contg. as cathode active material, a halide of Ni, Cu, Ag or Co, or an oxide of Mo, Cr or W, contg. a noble metal catalyst such as Pt, Pd or Ag. In an example, the cell comprises an anode of Li with a silver net, a cathode of a mixt. of 4 pts. Cu fluoride 3 pts. graphite, 1 pt. Pd black and 2 pts. polyfluoroethylene powder, the mixt. being supported by a silver net, an electrolyte of propylene carbonate contg. LiClO, a separator of polypropylene non-woven fabric, a cell casing, a negative lead and a positive lead. Bu adding the noble metal catalyst to the cathode active material, utilization efficiency of the cathode active material, initial discharge props. and charging props. are improved.
The cell comprises an anode of alkali metal chelate, a cathode of Cu, Ni or Ag halide and a non-aq. electrolyte soln. In an example, the cell comprises a polyethylene cell casing, an anode of chelated lithium with a silver net, a cathode of a mixt. consisting of 50% copper fluoride, 40% graphite and 10% benzene soln. contg. 30% polystyrol, the mixt. being supported by a silver net, an electrolyte of propylene carbonate contg. LiClO4, a separator of polypropylene non-woven fabric, a negative lead and a positive lead. The anode does not react with water and oxygen in the cell. Accordingly, the cell performance does not deteriorate over long storage periods.
The cell comprises an anode of lithium-sodium alloy, a non-aq. electrolyte and a cathode of copper, nickel or silver halide. In an example, the cell comprises a cell casing of polyethylene, an anode of lithium sodium alloy with a silver net, a cathode of a mixt. of 50% copper fluoride, 40% graphite and a benzene soln. contg. 30% polystyrol, the mixt. being supported by a silver net, a non-aq. soln. of propylene carbonate contg. LiClO4, a separator of polypropylene non-woven fabric, negative and positive lead. The ratio of Li/Na of the alloy is 25/75 to 75/25. Since the anode consists of Li-Na alloy, the reaction of lithium with nitrogen and oxygen can be minimised and the cell economically produced.
The cell comprises an anode of an amalgam of Na (75%) and Hg (25%) with a silver mesh, a cathode of 2 pts. copper fluoride, 4 pts. graphite and 2 pts. polyfluroethylene with a silver mesh, a non-aq. electrolyte of propylenecarbonate contg. LiClO4, a separator of polypropylene non-woven fabric, a cell casing of polyethylene a negative and positive lead. Reaction of the sodium with the water content of the electrolyte during storing and discharging can be minimized and the cell performance improved.
Cell operating at room temp. comprises an anode of alkali metal, a non-aqs. electrolyte and a cathode of copper halide, Ni or Ag, contg. a water-repellent agent having a large contact angle for gas bubbles. Since the cathode contains the water repellent agent, if the lithium reacts with a wate content in the electrolyte to produce gas bubbles, the produced gas bubbles can be easily repelled from the surface of the cathode. Accordingly, the degradation of discharge voltage of the cell of this invention can be minimized.
The cell employs an electrolyte also serving as its negative electrode, the electrolyte being prepd. by mixing an alkaline electrolyte soln. with powdered Zn, each particle of which is covered by a hydrophilic macro-molecular film e.g. carboxy-methyl cellulose, and 1 kind of alkaline earth metal oxide or hydroxide, e.g. Ca(OH)2. The hydrophilic film minimises electrical resistance and the insol. cpds., such as CaCO3 (produced upon absorption of atmos. CO2 by the electrolyte) and CaZn(OH)4 (produced as result of discharge) do not check, the Zn anode's electromotive reaction because of their non-adherence to the Zn surface.
Finely divided MnO2, and graphite wire mixed and moulded as the cathode. A carbon rod collector was inserted into its centre, and a mixt. of equal pts. powdered methylcellulose and polyethylene (m.pt. 110 degrees C) was coated on the surface of the cathode and adhered by fusing the resin. The dry cell has excellent discharge characteristics with minimal tendency to internal short circuit and prevention of drying of the cathode structure.
Air polarised cell has layers of immobilised alkaline electrolyte above a positive electrode, and a negative, zinc based electrode placed in a vessel, which is closed on one side in a liquid-tight monomer by the positive electrode, and on the other by a cover carrying the negative terminal, while a space for the expansion of the negative electrode is situated between this electrode and the cover. The cell pref has a compressible porous layer of material resistant to the electrolyte pref. a synthetic resin, for holding the negative electrode in the compressed state. The negative electrode mixt consists of a layer of zinc powder, pre. suspended in a gel. the electrolyte pref. consists of a gelled soln of KOH. The positive electrode has a bonded hydrophobic porous plate over its periphery on the vessel. The vessel consists of polystyrene or polymethyl methacrylate.
Organic electrode for a battery comprises (a) an agglomerate contg. 1 active materials chosen from anthraquinone and its derivs. of which the reactive group is the quinone gp. or one or more substituent gps., (b) a conductor body esp. graphite or acetylene black and (c) a binder with high ionic conduction, the whole impregnated with H2SO4.
This seal is produced by moulding a blend of bitumen, minerals and opt. high polymers, in suitable proportions for this partic. application and in a suitable shape. It is used for sealing vehicle batteries, where prefabrication is of advantage.
Frames for supporting electrode plates for stacked-plate batteries, e.g. fuel cells or wet type air cells, in which all the frames are made from foamed resin, the frames having openings for supplying electrolyte, openings for gas diffusion or projections for supporting active electrodes. Suitably, each frame is made from foamed synthetic resin e.g. polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, epoxy, etc. A foaming agent such as azodicarbonamide is added to the resin powder, and the resin is heated at a reqd. temp. and moulded to make desired frames. Such battery has low prodn. cost, low wt. and high temp. props.
To prevent damage to the anode by foreign bodies carried into the interior of the case by the gas flow through that case to the permeable electrode, the ports are either arranged geometrically so that any such particles miss the electrode, or they are screened from direct access by louvres, skirts, deflection plates or the like, or porous material is interposed, the limiting case of which is the use of porous material for the casing.
Fuel cell having a long service life, utilizing a fuel electrode comprising an electrode body of powder tungsten cpd. of formula : MXWO3 (where 0&lt; x 1: M = an alkali metal such as Li, Na or K) a binder and supporting member of acid-proof metal. An air-methanol fuel cell comprises a cell casing, an air electrode, of carbon, a fuel electrode of this invention, an electrolyte of 5N sulphuric acid contg. 10% of methanol, an air chamber with inlet and outlet, a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The fuel electrode of this invention is composed of a tantalum net of 20 mesh, to which 120 mg/cm2 of a mixt. of parts of a powder consisting of 1 part of Pt black and 1 part of W bronze (Na0.71 WO3) and 1 part of a binder of tetrafluoroethylene resin.    The fuel cell is stable over a long discharge time such as 500 hrs.
The gas diffusion electrodes comprise a first porous metallic body impregnated with a semipermeable or ion exchanging material and second porous metallic body contg a catalyst and waterproofing agent, the one side of the second metallic body being united with the first metallic body. Specif., a fuel cell comprises a gas electrode, a fuel electrode which is a porous sintered Ni body contg. Pt, an electrolyte of 20 pts. of methanol and 80 pts. of 35% KOH soln., and a cell casing of PVC. The gas electrode comprises (1) a metallic electrode of a sintered Ni body contg. a catalyst of Ag and waterproofing agent which is a fluorine-contg. resin and (2) a sintered Ni body contg. a semipermeable material of 10% PVA soln., which is spot welded to one surface of the other sintered Ni body. As the sintered body (2) contg. semipermeable or ion exchange material is disposed to face the liquid, liquid leakage of the metallic electrode (1) is reduced.
A sealed type Ni-Cd cell includes an ionization electrode, connected with an negative terminal and comprising electrode plates, a separator of nylon non-woven fabric sandwiched between the electrode plates and a gas-permeable and water-repellent non-woven fabric, e.g. PTFE disposed between the outer surfaces of the electrodes plates. An electrode plate is produced by adding a catalyst of 3-5 mg/cm2 of Ag to a porous sintered Ni plate (30 x 30 x 1 mm), impregnating with 5% fluoro resin soln. and subjecting to heat treatment at 300 degrees C. Since the gas-permeable and water repellent non-woven fabric is disposed between electrode plates, water droplets do not adhere to the electrode plate and the ionization efficiency of the ionization electrode is not adversely effected.
A thermoplastic resin such a polyethylene or polystyrene contg. 1% of a blowing agent such as the deriv. of toluenesulphonylhydrazide is introduced into the bore of the extruding body through a hopper. By rotating a screw, the thermoplastic resin is introduced to the inlet of a forming die and is heated for several mins to cause blowing. A degassing means is disposed at the exit end of the forming die, the continuous foam is uniformly formed in the extruded resin plate. The foamed resin plate is carried by a conveyor and the resin plate is impregnated with a surfact agent. Finally, the foamed resin plate is cut into desired shape to complete the separator.
The positive electrode was composed chiefly of nickel hydroxide, the negative chiefly of cadmium, the cell also serving as the negative electrode terminal. The auxiliary electrode for gas elimination contains catalysts, e.g. Ag, Pd, in a sintered nickel base plate and is made water-repellent by solid paraffin. The split anode, made of the same material as the anode proper, is divided by a separator of non-woven cloth of polyamide fibres from the latter; another separator is placed between the split anode and gas eliminating auxiliary electrode. The auxiliary electrode is arranged opposed to the split anode, these electrodes located in the bottom of the case, which position permits max. elimination of gas so that no undue pressure build up occurs in the sealed battery.
Process comprises feeding continuously a sheet electrode-making belt through a suspension wherein powdered active cathode material and a fibrous substance are dispersed, another suspension wherein a fibrous substance is dispersed, and a third suspension wherein active anode material and fibrous substance are dispersed, thereby making sheet electrodes each consisting of a cathode, separator and anode integrated as a whole.
Battery of accumulators comprises a jar and lid sealed with a joining cpd. with connections between adjacent jars where the exposed non-metallic parts are made of self-extinguishing (polymeric) material. The polymer contains at least 40 wt.% of fire retardant polymer (polychloroprene, silicone polyaryl sulphone or melamine formaldehyde). Interconnections consist of two pieces of flexible cable sheathed with self-extinguishing material (PVC) one end of each fixed to an enclosed terminal, the others being connected together and sleeved. Flame retardant additives are chlorinated paraffin, pentabromotoluene, Sb2O3 with tricresylphosphate or zinc borate.
The clip has a lead in the form of a nearly circular forked ring with a tapered section, so that it grips a conical terminal pin. A PVC cover, contg. a C-spring, is cast round the forked ring, and has protruding shoulders whose ends overlap in such a way that the proongs of the clips are spread open and the spring is deformed when the shoulders are closed together. The clip minimises corrosion problems and does not become unlocked due to vibration.
The zinc electrode comprises a moulded body of zinc powders and polyvinyl alcohol which is partially acetalized. It is made in the following way: an acetalized soln. is made by mixing 50 pbw of methanol, 20 pbw of water, 22 pbw of zinc sulphate, and 10 pbw of formalin, 30 pts. of the resultant acetalized soln. are added to the mixed powders comprising 90 pbw of amalgamated zinc powders and 10 pbw of polyvinyl alcohol, sufficiently stirred, shaped in a desired shape, heat treated at 150 degrees C for 30 mins. to partially acetalize the polyvinyl alcohol and to combine the zinc powders with each other, and water-washed to form a porous zinc electrode.
In a battery having its electrodes sepd. by a spacer either the spacer initially compressed over less than its whole area to leave portions defining a space permitting rapid electrolyte introduction whereupon the spacer re-expands, or the cathode is a shallow rectangular metal cup with cut-outs in its floor adjacent the corners so that its rim can flex freely upon depolariser expansion during operation. Pref. the cut-outs are surrounded by upstanding tangs on to which the depolariser is pressed.
The grid is formed, at least in part, from an electrically conducting resin compsn. contg. glass fibres coated with a metal which has been applied in a molten state to the glass fibre. In lead acid batteries the metal coating is lead. The metal coatings may comprise Zn or Al. The resin may be a thermosetting or thermoplastic (e.g. polyethylene) synthetic material or a rubber. Pref. the glass fibre is 10-20 mu in dia. with a metal coating 1/40 to 4 mu thick, the metal coated glass fibre forming 30-60% of the compsn. which is moulded or stamped to form the grid or coated on an existing grid.
A storage battery grid comprises a lug on one edge for connecting the grid to like grids in the battery, this lug being a nest of loops formed in conductive wires that diverge in a fan-like array from the lug to form the grid, thermoplastic coated reinforcing filaments that cross and form an integral compsn. with the wires.    In mfr. a continuous strip of the grids is formed from continuous lengths of multiple metal wires and multiple thermoplastic coated reinforcing filaments. In lead-acid batteries the wires are of lead alloy and the filaments fibre glass covered with a hot melt type thermoplastic coating having a polyethylene base.
A separator for a Zn electrode accumulator preventing Zn denolite growth leading to short circuiting comprises a thin sheet of microporous polymer, esp. polyfluoroethylene, contg. finely divided metal from Ni, Ag, Fe and Co or high surface carbon particles of 1-200 mu size.
This type of electrode can be used in numerous electrochemical processes, e.g. alkali chloride electrolysis, accumulators, oxidn. in organic chemistry and electrochemical hydrogenation of N2. It has good electrical conductivity and is inert towards reagents and solvents, even under polarisation. The pref. materials are Ti nitride, W carbide, Cr boride and/or their homologues, polyolefins, PVC and/or PTFE. Electrochemically active substances and soluble salts can be added. The electrodes are prepd. by pressing the mixt. at elevated temp. or melting.
Electrode for electrochemical prim. and sec. elements consisting of a skeleton and electrochemically active compsn. e.g. PbO2, CuF2, AgCl, S, Se etc. has a skeleton of electrically conducting, chemically inert material and plastics. This electrode has good electrical conductivity and is inert towards reagents and solvents, even under polarisation. The pref. materials are TiN, TiB2, ZrN, ZrB2, CrB, CrB2, Cr5B3 WC and/or their homologues; polyolefins esp. chlorinated and fluorinated polyolefins, PVC and/or PTFE.
Electrolyte carrier membranes are produced by ionotropic gel formation by adding a dehydrating substance, such as starch, which is insol. in water, acetone and benzene but can swell in water, to a polyelectrolyte sol for pre-dehydration and dissolving this from the membrane after gel formation and cure. These membranes can be used in fuel cells, elements and accumulators. They have mechanical and chemical stability in conjunction with high ionic conductivity and low gas permeability.
The separator is prepd. by dissolving synthetic resin in a solvent, adding diatomaceous earth, crushing and agitating the resulting mixture for a predetermined time ageing the mixture for &gt;40 hours, then painting the mixture onto a base cloth of electrolyte-resisting fibre and drying them. In an example, the resin is a vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate copolymer.
Process consists of forming a uniform synthetic resin soln. with dichlorodiphenyl sulphone-bisphenol co-condensate resin, chloroform solvent, which dissolves the synthetic resin and an alcohol (7-17 wt.% of mixt) with 1-5C which does not dissolve the resin and drying at a temp. &lt; the softening point of the resin, in sheet form. Further (in)organic compds. such as titanium oxide and a synthetic fibre e.g. polypropylene powder may be added to make forming of holes easier. Uses include battery separator, electrolysis diaphragm and diffusion dialysis membrane.
A pasted nickel hydroxide electrode is made by (a) applying an aq. paste of 25-69 wt.% nickel hydroxide 30-70 wt.% nickel powder and 1-5 wt.% binder, esp. polyvinylpyrrolodine, to a foraminous nickel substrate (b) pressing to remove excess water, (c) heating to dry the paste and (d) compressing, pref. at 7000-25,000 psi. to cause interfacial contact between the nickel hydroxide and nickel particles. The electrode has high energy density and can be charged and easily discharged.
Conductive inserts moulded into the partition walls of a battery case to provide part of a current bridge between cells of opposite polarity. Pref. the rims of the inserts have a stepped or notched profile to improve their anchorage/seal into the moulded walls, pref. as a tongue and groove fitting. Typically the conductive inserts are lead (Pb) discs. Esp. suitable for construction of multicell Pb-acid batteries. Electrolyte will not pass directly from one cell to another if the battery is tilted.
Electrode for electrochemical generators is produced from a uniform mixture of 1 porous conducting material (10-20% smoked carbon black and 90-80% activated carbon) and a hydrophobe (40% PTFE) forming a latex which is dried and laminated while still moist to a thin sheet and fused by heat. The hydrophobe is polytetra- or tri-fluoroethylene and the mixture is fused at 320 degrees C and 280 degrees C respectively. Latex is obtained by adding a coagulant (alcohol) to the PTFE emulsion. The mixture is easy to spread giving more uniform sheet thickness and faster processing.
Separator for an electrochemical cell (e.g. Ni-Cd accumulator) consists of a nonwoven fabric of thermoplastic fibres (polypropylene, polyethylene, PVC, PVA, PVAC, nylon, PTFE or modified acrylic fibres), the majority of which are oriented in one direction; the fibres are sintered together at contact points. The fibres are resistant to the electrolyte. The fabric has uniform high porosity (50-90%) due to the absence of any resnous binder; the pore size is small (5-35 mu) so that solid particles are not passed. The tensile strength in the direction of fibre orientation is high.
In a process for mfg. a primary cell or a secondary battery having spiral-shaped electrodes, the electrodes are made by inserting the wind-starting end (I) of an electrode separator's overlap into one end of a cylinder of synthetic resin, e.g. vinyl chloride resin, fixing this latter's end firmly on the end (I), inserting the other end of the cylinder into the groove of a mandrel, and then winding the synthetic resin (in the form of strap or film) as the mandrel is turned. By this method, the electrodes and separators overlapping one another form a bundle, and this simplifies the winding operation.
Method comprises inserting a connector portion of the lead parts of the negative and positive electrodes, each electrode consisting of a grid, a connector and a terminal, into a battery jar made of synthetic foam resin (I), dividing the negative electrode grids from those of the positive electrodes, both exposed in the space in the jar, by separators, and filling the spaces between the inner wall of the jar and the separators with powdered active material. The negative electrode grids may be divided from the positive electrode grids, by open-cell foam separators formed integral with the jar. In an example, (I) has polystyrene as its chief component, and the powdered active material consists of lead oxide.
In an example, the thermo contractive non-woven cloth tube was one made from a copolymer os ethylene and vinyl alcohol, the tube having its inner dia. expanded by heating and then being made thermo contractive by quenching. Around the tube was provided a paste layer formed over the tube by coating it with an aq. soln. of starch contg. a small amt. of pressure-sensitive vinyl acetate binding agent and then drying it. The cathode cpd. was prevented by paraffin wax from drying. In the assembly of the dry cell, the pasted tube was produced and then the moulded cathode material and collector carbon were inserted into the tube, this latter was heated to thermally contract so that it became adherent to the material, the tube was inserted into a zinc can contg. electrolyte composed of ZnCl, NH4Cl and H2O, and lastly the zinc can and carbon were provided on the top with a vent sealer and a metal cap respectively. The tube serving as separator precludes internal short circuits due to fragments and particles of the moulded material, and the small distance between the electrodes enables a high electrical capacity to be attained and allows the internal resistance to decrease with a resultant high discharge voltage.
In the prodn. of the dry cell, the can is filled with the cathode material provisionally moulded, a compressible and dynamically stable, e.g. rubbery, core rod is inserted into the material, the rod is compressed down and the material is caused to adhere to the inside wall of the can. In an example, the alkali-manganese dry cell, JIS, Type AM2, the cathode material was composed mainly of MnO2 and graphite, and the rubbery core rod consisted of a synthetic rubber such as urethane and neoprene.
The negative electrode, which evolves little gas with the passage of time, is produced from an alkaline electrolyte gel formed by adding CMC to a 35% caustic alkali soln. Zn powder is added in an amt. of 1 kg to 1 kg of the gel and uniformly dispersed in the latter, and the gelatinous electrode is produced by adding 100g of Hg to the mixt and stirring well.
The cell comprises a cathode, e.g. silver choride, copper chloride or silver bromide, an anode, e.g. Mg or Mg alloy, a sea water electrolyte and a battery vessel contg. the cathode, the anode and the electrolyte. The vessel is made of synthetic resin, e.g. PVC, and is in the form of a cylindrical insulator having an open upper side and an open base, strengthened by transverse members which extend across the openings.
A silver chloride cathode has projections which are parallel with the direction of flow of sea water, and a magnesium anode is separated from the cathode by separators made of polyvinyl chloride. The surface of the anode is covered with a synthetic resin tape and a silver foil. The silver foil is in contact with a projection of an adjacent cathode and acts as a current collector. The tape prevents contact of the anodes and the cathodes. The foil is fused to the cathode.
A battery cell having a body portion and a lid which fits within the open end of the body portion is sealed by a resilient ring compressed between body and lid. The region of the container mouth and/or the region of the lid in contact with the ring is provided with ridges or recesses. These prevent the seal from longitudinally slipping under the compression and maintain the battery fluid tight. The rings are compressed by inward crimping of an initially flared container mouth.
Insert of magnetic material is placed inside a mould cavity located on a single support device which is located centrally in the mould. The outer edge of the insert is close to, but not touching, the mould in the vicinity of a magnetic device located in the mould wall.
High-performance, artificially bonded carbon-hydrazine anodes contg. catalyst, for fuel elements with aq. electrolytes, are produced by mixing the sieved, gas-activated C with binder(s), tempering and rolling or pressing onto metal mesh and applying the catalyst(s) before tempering or after rolling or pressing. The binder is a highly polymeric hydrocarbon and/or plastics, e.g. low pressure polyethylene and 'Niramid' (RTM), whilst the catalyst is Raney Ni, NixB or sub-gp. (VIII) metal (mixt.).
The fluorinated hydrocarbon used gives the diaphragm a service life comparable with the of the graphite anodes eg. approx. 18 months so reducing non-productive time of the plant. It is a mixed polymer to the following empirical formula: where m is 0-10, M:N is sufficient to give an equivalent weight of 800-2000 and the radical R is an acid group or a fluorinated acid group, esp. the mixed polymer is of perfluorethylene and trifluorethylene sulphonic acid.
Walls are provided round the-ve electrode to define a gas catchment area leading to a gas trap. On charging, gas passes from the electrolyte, through the walls, and into the gas trap where it can pass through a foam rubber layer to the atmosphere, with the electrolyte being retained. The purpose is to allow gassing, from the-ve electrode zone, while preventing the counter-stream of incoming air from following the same route.
Process comprises preparing a uniform synthetic resin soln. which consists of poly vinylidene fluoride resin, a solvent which dissolves the resin and water or 1-5C alcohol which does not dissolve the resin, coating the solution on a plate or porous body and drying it at a temp. less than the softening point of the synthetic resin.
Process comprises preparing a uniform synthetic resin solution which consists of a resin with either vinylidene chloride-vinyl chloride copolymer resin of vinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile copolymer resin as the main ingredient, a solvent which dissolves the resin and an 1-5C alcohol which does not dissolve the resin, as the main ingredient, coating soln. onto a board or porous body and drying it at a temp. less than the softening temp. of the resin.
A thin, non-porous, thermoplastic electrode, rendered conducting by a carbonised filler, is formed from a sheet material and has uniformly disposed relief elements several tenths of mm deep, sepd. by similar distance. The electrode if formed by applying a hot embossing roll to a plane calender sheet. An integral plastic sheet with relief is readily fabricated and does not present the danger of breakage which occurs with metal foil, or of adhesion of a varnish layer. The electrode is pref. covered with a thin layer about 50-100 mu thick of another polymer with a higher softening point. The polymer used in the conduction layer may be PVC or polythene and that in the surface layer may be polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate. The conducting layer is pref. free from plasticiser, and comprises a uniformly dispersed powder and fibres oriented more or less parallel to the plane of the electrode. The conducting powder may be acetylene black.
Thin electrodes are made from 1 polymer and carbon conductivity fillers consisting of partly a uniformly distributed powder and partly of carbon fibres or filaments which are disposed mainly parallel to the plane of the electrodes. The carbon used may be acetylene black, furnace black or graphite. The polymers are pref. PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, epoxy resins, rubbers, polycarbonates, polesters, polysulphones and halogenated polyolefines. The polymer pref. does not contain, or contains only a small amt. of, plasticizer. The electrodes are used for electrochemical generators, partic. as tripolar electrodes.
Process comprises filling a graphite mould with powdered nickel and a nickel net buried in the powder, and sintering in a nitrogen at 930 degrees C for 30 mins. to obtain a porous base plate, and spot-welding a nickel-plated iron plate to an end part of the base plate. The base plate was impregnated with 70% aq. nickel nitrate soln. for mfg. the positive plate, and with 80% aq. cadmium nitrate for the negative plate. Active material was conventionally filled in the pores of the base plate, and coated on the surface with an alkali-resistant soln. of resin e.g., polyethylene, vinyl chloride, etc. to form an electrically insulating film. The lead-in plate is easily and securely welded, and the absence of subsequent heating obviates any deterioration of the active material or surface mechanical strength, and minimises the risk of short circuits between plates.
The air cell plate was made by sprinkling powdered carbonyl nickel uniformly to a depth of 1 mm. over both faces of a nickel net, then sintering in an inert atmos., cutting to size and immersing it in a mixed soln. of powdered amalgamated silver and tetrafluoroethylene emulsion to impregnate it with an activating catalyst for oxygen and a water-repellent agent. The negative plate was made by cutting a 40 mesh, 0.2 mm. dia. wire net to size, purifying the face of the net with a detergent, amalgamating the net, and then forming a zinc deposit uniformly to a depth of about 0.2 mm. over one face of the net so that it had a capacity of 100 m.AH/cm2. The alkaline electrolyte soln. was prepd. by adding indium oxide to 10 mol./l. aq. soln. of caustic potash (KOH), wherein 1 mol./l. of zincic acid ions had been dissolved in advance, so that 10-3 mol./l. of indiumic acid ions was dissolved satd. in the soln.
Electrodes are produced by passing 0.2mm.-dia. silver chloride fibres through a homogeneous synthetic resin soln. prepd. by mixing 7 pts. polyvinyl chloride, 63 pts. tetrahydrofuran and 30 pts. ethyl alcohol, and after drying, the fibres had a microporous (0.3 mu av.) film, approx. 20 mu thick, of polyvinyl chloride formed on the surface. The produced fibres were bundled together with 0.2 mm.-dia. zinc fibres so that both kinds of fibres as viewed in cross-section come alternately in contact with each other. To make electrolyte permeate the electrodes well, an interface activator was used. There was no short-circuits, etc. since the silver chloride fibres never swelled on account of discharge, when the electrodes were used in sec. batteries e.g., lead and alkaline storage batteries as well as primary batteries e.g., manganese and air cells. Quick discharge characteristics are obtd. approx. double the rate of conventional batteries.
Activated carbon cathodes of air-zinc cells are mfd. by making an organic solvent and an unwaterproofed activated carbon powder adhere to a waterproofed reacting face of the cathode, and volatilising the organic solvent in order to have a layer of the unwaterproofed activated carbon formed on the face. Preliminary discharge is unnecessary and therefore no anode zinc is consumed.
An electrolyte for a sodium-sulphur battery comprises (a) sodium polysulphide, (b) a sulphide or polysulphide of Al (pref) Sc, Ga, In, Bi or B, which cations do not exchange with sodium ions in a solid member and (c) free sulphur when anode and cathode are in charged state. The m. pt. of the electrolyte is reduced below then m. pt. of Na2S5, pref. below 200 degrees C permitting the use of PTFE sealant and reducing corrosion. The battery is conventional, with sodium anode, sulphur cathode and a sodium-ion-permeable electrolyte, esp. beta alumina, between them. The molten electrolyte is on the cathode side of the ion-exchange member.
An injection mould for thin-walled plastic battery boxes, consists of two parts defining the die cavity. A number of resin inlet passages in one part lead into initial receiving zones of the cavity connected to the remainder by restricted passages. Pref. the restrictors are formed between the opposed cavity surfaces, e.g. by 0.040 inch wide gaps connected to receiving gaps 0.090 inch wide. The effect is supplemented by heated baffles in the inlet passages, e.g. from a hot runner manifold through an insulating plate to the one die part. The baffles are heated and a good heat conducting metal. The resin flows more readily to the top of the mould so that the walls are completely formed right to the top.
The substrate consists of flexible, flat or undulating members joined together and pref. made of a polyimide the undulations being formed after the material has been stiffened and stiffening agent eliminated.
Galvanic element of high voltage and capacity, which can be used as accumulator, has an alkali metal at the anode, which reacts with a strong oxidising agent at the cathode to an anhyd. salt-like cpd., and mixt. of an alkali metal halide, an Al halide and SO2 as electrolyte. This accumulator is stable and usable at -15 degrees to over +60 degrees C and contains no aq. electrolyte. These characteristics, esp. high capacity and high power to weight ratio, are advantageous for driving vehicles and in aerospace applications. The electrolyte is resistant to strong oxidising and reducing agents, has high conductivity, adequate solvent power for the substances formed in the current-generating reaction and no extreme toxicity. It can be used in contact with cheap, lightweight plastics or glass containers.
The spacing between individual +ve and -ve plates in a group is not &gt;3 mm (c. to c.). Separators are made of "pulp" and acid and oxidation resistant synth. fabric 0.5 mm thick as an integral unit. Small vol./cell and improved life result from the construction.
The process comprises adding to the active material of the negative plates a mixture of an oily substance such as paraffin-base petroleum oil with short acid resistance and oxidation-proof fibres (e.g., polyester). The presence of the oil-impregnated fibres prevents the mutually combining power of particles of spongy lead from being lowered and avoids shortening the life of the accumulator.
Regions of metallic parts of the cell (e.g. an electrode) are protected from contact with the alkaline electrolyte by a soft polyamide material having pref., an amine index of 90. Pref. the cell has a metal casing in which is located an outer cathode surrounding an anodic electrolytic gel electrically connected to a terminal cap by a tubular conductor and the upper end of the casing is pref. closed by a sealing disc covered by the soft polyamide material. A venting arrangement for removing hydrogen is provided in the tubular conductor and this pref. comprises a tube of polyamide coated fibres located concentrically within the conductor by a mass of polyamide materials. Corrosion of parts of the cell is reduced.
A number of electrode assemblies each comprise a porous plate mechanically and electrically bonded to an impervious metal or metallised plate with a gas plenum chamber therebetween. Each cell is formed by one porous plate and the impervious plate of an adjacent assembly. Each electrode assembly is housed in a recess in an insulating frame. Adjacent like frames are bonded to seal around the assembly. One surface of each frame has open troughs which when assembled provide separate supply and return conduits for the electrolyte. Opening in each frame provide parallel electrolyte input and output conduits common to all the cells.
Zinc-air- or O2-accumulators contain an aq. alkaline electrolyte which contains a Zn ion source and an additive which is polyethylene imine and/or copolymers of polyethylene imine with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide, the oxide part of the copolymer being 90wt.% of it. The additive has a solubility of 10-50 ppm. in the electrolyte. The accumulators are rechargeable, giving a good Zn coating on the cathode with no dendrites.
Cell, consisting of an anode, a cathode and a circulating electrolyte in a matrix, is used in conjunction with a carrier or cooling plate consisting of a plastics/metal composite. The plates satisfy the requirements of good thermal conductivity, good structural stability, low electrical resistance and low thermal expansion and they are cheaper than the light metal structures, e.g., Mg, normally used. Composites of polyphenylene sulphide or oxide an ABS copolymer, polyaryl ether or pref. polysulphone, esp. with Ni, can be used. The metal content of the composite is 50-80%.
Individual tee jints are fixed to the top of each container and linked esp. by flexible plastic tubing forming a common feed line. The cross sectional area of the apertures is several times that of the pipe so that there is negligible hydraulic resistance. This cross section may be round, oval or rectangular and the tee pieces are drawn sheet metal or injection moulded plastic parts. Separate venting pipes are not required.
The cell is provided with a separator layer consisting of natural starch, a cellulose deriv., a water-soluble macromolecular resin, etc., dispersed in a vinyl acetate that is 10-20% saponified and 10-30% denatured by crotonic acid. In an example, the separator layer as a film was formed by a method in which into the anode zinc can was poured a soln. prepd. by suspending vinyl acetate 10% saponified and 20% denatured by crotonic acid, corn starch, wheat flour, cellulose deriv and methylcellulose in water. The zinc can was then lined with a uniform coating of the suspension.    The coating, after being dried, formed the separator film. Next, into the anode can thus lined with the separator film was inserted the cathode material moulded so that the carbon rod might be located in the centre. The separator layer becomes swollen due to the action of ZnCl2 in the electrolyte, but does not dissolve. No decomposition of paste in the layer occurs during discharge and corrosion of the zinc can during storage of the cell is greatly reduced.
The electrical characteristics and mechanical strength of the negative electrode of an acid lead accumulator are improved by incorporating 10-30% Sic with glycerol-terephthalic acid resin binder, the latter not contaminating the electrolyte. The SiC grain size is 0.03-0.06 mm, the resin, setting point 260 degrees C amts. to 10% on the SiC and the grains of the latter penetrate into the lead surface. Each SiC grain is surrounded by resin contg. evenly dispersed lead oxide and the mixt can be safely applied to the electrode grid. The SiC grains and resin are very porous and are impregnated with electrolyte, they raise the initial and mean discharge voltages, prolong discharge at constant voltage, and lower internal resistance.
A cylindrical galvanic cell is mfrd. by metering the zinc electrode paste in a cup, by inserting the prefabricated separator in it in a central position and by metering the alkaline electrolyte into the separator. The final operation is the placing of a cathode with a lead-out inside the cell.
Battery, e.g. a chemical battery, comprising a cathode, and anode and a separator between these, is formed in a laminated body to a desired shape (e.g. in a tape) with a uniform space between the electrodes. The electrodes, united with the fibre sheet separator, consist of a(n) (acrylic) fibre contng. (e.g. Zn powder as anode) activator, the cathode being mfd. by adhering a collector to the cathode fibre. Stable improved electrical props. are achieved.
Battery, e.g. a chemical battery, comprising a cathode, an anode and a separator between these, formed in a laminated body to a desired shape (e.g. in a tape), is mfd. by (1) adhering two actuators, of different activity, to fibres, (2) making two fibre tapes, and (3) putting the tapes together to form an electrode of the battery. In an example, high and low activity activator sheets are prepd. in aq. solns. of MnO2 and acrylic fibre, a Kraft sheet separator formed in aq. soln., the sheets laminated with Zn foil anode and roller pressed to form a battery.
The separators are produced from a textile fabric or non-woven cloth, consisting of polyamide fibres, 10-40% hydrophilic by virtue of methoxy-methylation. Methoxymethylation increases the degree wherein polyamide fibres swell in an alkaline electrolyte, lessens their electrical resistance and improves their power of retaining electrolyte since the hydrophilic radicals have a great affinity with the alkaline aq. soln. In an example, the separator as a film was made as follows:- Polyamide cloth (tafta # 15 of Toyo Rayon (RTM)) was immersed in a methoxy-methylation bath (60 degrees C.), consisting of 100 parts methanol, 100 parts formalin, and 1 part of metallic sodium for 30 mins., and the cloth was 15% methoxy-methylated. The resultant cloth was integrated with 30 mu cellophane film by overlapping each other.
Battery cell has a cell top provided with a central safety valve positioned within a curved upper mouth of the container by an insulating ring, e.g. of nylon, which defines with the mouth and an upper portion of the top a well which is filled with a sealing and bonding material, pref. epoxy resin. Pref. the material is centrifugally loaded into the well.
Greater strength and chemical resistance towards oxygen and chlorine is imparted to the graphite electrodes by impregnating them with oil which has been freshly polymerised in the presence of a peroxide, e.g. 1-3 wt.% of 30% H2O2 as catalyst-initiator. The polymerisation is at 80 degrees C for 10-20 hrs. the impregnation is at 80 degrees C for 3 hrs. and is followed by drying at 80 degrees C for 4 hrs. Graphite rods impregnated with wax disintegrate after 6 months at 90 degrees C while the electrodes impregnated with polymerised oil remain intact after 10 months under the same conditions.
The title extender comprises BaSO4 plus a condensn. product of a cresol-formaldehyde resin with Na naphthalene-2,6-disulphonate, formaldehyde and Na2SO3, and is introduced in an amount 0.1-1.5 into negative Pb oxides electrode. The wetting agent is much less soluble in the H2SO4 electrolyte than previous ones, so that under low temp. starting conditions high level performance is maintained. It can be used dry or wet, and as it gives the Pb or Pb oxide paste elasticity, the latter can be made batchwise or continuously.
Polyetoxanes contg. a gp. of formula: in which R1, R2 and R3 are H or lower alkyl, and R1 and R2 together are a butene bridge, Z is a halogen above, hydroxyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, acyloxy or CN; R5 is H or lower alkyl and O - R4 is an O atom or with R5 is the gp.
Polyoxetanes contg. gps. of formula: in which Y, Y1 and Z are halogen, -OH, -O-Ar' or -CN where Ar' is a monovalent aromatic gp. and Y is Ar-SO3H where Ar is a divalent aromatic gp.
Battery cell comprises an outer casing of metal, pref. Mg or Zn, a depolarisation mixt. partly filling the casing, a collector bar embedded in the mixt. and projecting from the top of the casing and a paper lining to the casing with hot-shrink plastic strip around its top edge, pref. of polyethylene or PVC. This strip is shrunk away, radially inwards, from the casing.
Electrode consists of (a) an electrolyte-porous hydrophilic membrane free of catalyst (b) a layer of an electrochemically catalysed, gas-porous, hydrophobic membrane which provides catalytic material at the interface between (a) and (b), and (c) a perforated current carrier secured to the other face of membrane (b). The electrode has high long-term wet-proofness since the catalytic layer is more hydrophobic than single layer electrodes.
Process comprises dispersing titanium oxide powder with particle diameter 15 40 m mu in a pore forming mixed liquid consisting of a synthetic resin, a solvent for the synthetic resin and a non-solvent which is compatible with the solvent to form a mixed liquid, sticking the mixed liquid to a plate or porous body by spraying or dipping, and drying it as such or after contacting with a non-solvent. The material has a fine porosity and a hydrophilic character. Used as an electric cell separator, it exhibits an resistivity 1/2-1/3 of conventional material.
Fuel cell electrode consists of an electrically conducting metal grid coated with (I) a catalyst-contg. electrically conducting layer which is suff. porous to allow the passage of gas and liquid and is enclosed in (II) a layer allowing the passage of gas but not of liquid. The catalyst-contg., electrically conducting layer I is divided into a layer (a) with lower porosity adjacent to the layer II, and a layer (b) with higher porosity. The layer I (b) has a porosity required for the penetration of liquid on the side of the electrode contacting the liquid, and the layer I (a) has a porosity required for efficient three phase contact i.e. of liquid, gas and electrode material.
Zinc phenylsiloxane polymer is prepared by reacting (a) a phenylalkoxysilane selected from (i) monomeric diphenyldialkoxysilane and (ii) dimers, trimers, tetramers, pentamers and hexamers or their mixtures, prepared by partial hydrolysis and then alcoholysis of phenyltrichlorosilane, with (b) an anhydrous zinc salt of a lower carboxylic acid, the molar atio of the zinc salt to the total no. of alkoxy groups in (a) ni) being approx. 1 :2 and in (a) (ii) being 1 : 2 to 1 : 3. Pref. the reaction is in an anhydrous solvent having as b.pt. above the b.pt. off the byproduct alkyl ester of the carboxylic acid, distilling of the alkyl ester until no more is distilled off and then distilling off the solvent. Pref. the alkoxy is methoxy or ethoxy and the salt is zinc acetate. The polymer is useful as a coating for solar cells.
Electrochemical cell is closed by two metal parts electrically connected to opposite electrodes, an insulating layer of cured epoxy-polyamide resin being located and compressed between the parts to be in wetting contact with the other part. Pref. wetting contact is with part connected to negative electrode.
Flexible microporous separator, esp. for use in high energy density batteries, is made from an aq. mixt. of (a) fine particles of an inorg. non-conducting material which is insol. in water and alkali (pref. zirconia) and (b) particles of a latex-type alkali-stable org. polymer (pref. PTFE). The mixt. is then cast as a film, dried, sintered and finally treated with alkali to increase the film conductivity. Prod. has good ionic conductivity and good thermal and alkali resistance.
Addition of 3-12 wt.% of chlorinated PVC or polyvinylidene fluoride to graphite improves its resistance to wear when used in the form of anodes for electrolysis of concentrated salt solns. etc. Use of the proposed addition instead of the usual phenol-formaldehyde reduces the anode wear by 4-5 times. The material is stable under the action of 20% NaOH, HNO3 and chromic acid solns. at 100 degrees C and withstands temps. up to 240 degrees C.
The powders are produced by mixing a micropore-free elec trically conducting powder, pref. carbon black, (as an aq. suspension or directly) with a polymeric humidity-resistant agent, pref. e.g. PTFE, polyethylene, or a rubber, (either dispersed in water or dissolved in org. solvent), at normal or elevated temps., eliminating the dispersion medium, drying the solid phase, grinding, removing the stabilisers and grinding again. Product is highly hydropholic, has good electrochemical props., and gives electrodes having long life with max. utilisation of active surface.
A hollow cap incorporating a baffled gas passage bridged by a porous sheet which will inhibit back diffusion of a flame front. Pref. the cap is moulded in two parts coupled by a gas tight joint to enclose panels or a cage of porous sheet made of honeycomb glass or sintered polyethylene. Pref. the caps are moulded in polycarbonate although polypropylene or ceramics or other corrosion resistant materials also suitable. Typically the pore size is 50 mym. For protecting inflammable atmospheres from flame fronts where the gas and ignition risks may be inside/outside the capor vice versa. Partic. suitable for covering vents in accumulators which may evolve H2 gas, as used for emergency telephone serives. Structure suited to moulded components rather than prior art assembly of metal caps incorporating e.g. thin Cu foil gas diffusion panels.
In a battery, which has an upper reservoir for the topping up water from which 1 filler tube plugged with porous material to water leads down into each cell compartment of the battery, a venting tube passes to a filler plug of hydrophobic but air permeable material fixed to the inside of the reservoir top cover. This cover has a large port closed with a tight fitting lid for bulk filling of the reservoir. The lower end of each vent protrudes below the outlets from the reservoir in each cell and the depth of protrusion determines the level to which the electrolyte is automatically topped up. An orifice in the bottom of the vent pipe has a max. dia. of 6mm and is esp. approx. 3mm.    The porous material in the filler ports is permeable to water and is hygroscopic. It is esp. sintered polystyrene or PVC or foamed PVC. The water repellent filling at the top of the vent tubes is esp. fine pore structure polyethylene impregnated with silicones, paraffin, or PTFE or the like. Automatic system increases battery reliability and lengthens life.
Microporous membrane consists of a fleece of a phenolic polyether which possesses on each side pores with a dia. of 0.1-25 mu, at least a number of these pores running uninterruptedly through the whole thickness of the membrane. The membranes have high thermal stability and can be sterilised at temps. up to 220 degrees C, which enables them to be used for medical pu rposes. The membranes also can be thermally welded, have good performance in basic media and give high water flowrates. These properties enable the membranes to be used as separators in accumulators, for degassing of aq. solns., and for ultrafiltration.
Accumulator terminal having a replaceable current probe mounted in an insulating collar sealed by 1 'O-rings' located in annular grooves on the body of the collar. Pref. the insulating collar is a polyethylene or polypropylene moulding with several lateral skirts which complements the O-ring seal against the walls of the holder. Pref. the metal electrode has a close fitting tubular sleeve of rubber or plastic. Esp. for use at temps. between -30 and +80 degrees C. to provide a more gas tight mounting than prior art screw fittings for interchangeable electrodes.
Method of making a porous electrode of cuprous chloride for an electrochemical generator cell comprises (a) mixing cupric chloride with copper, so that the copper is 5% in excess of the stoichiometric amt. required to convert all the Cu++ to Cu+, (b) heating to 250-320 degrees C, (c) grinding, (d) addn. of a plastics material as binder and pore former, (e) compression into a lump or compact, pref. on a metal substrate, (f) heating at 150-350 degrees C. Compact produced has fine crystal structure and contains no CuCl2 which inhibits the generation of electricity by the cell.
Title process is improved by first moistening the inside of the Zn cup with water; then applying a pulverulent, water-swellable gelling agent (methyl cellulose, PVA, starch opt. modified, etc.) in an amt. such that after drying the thickness of the paste layer is 0.1-0.35 mm.; introducing the electrolyte and, finally, the depolariser dolly, which has a dia. such that the gap between it and the Zn cup is 0.3-1.0 mm.; alternatively, the electrolyte can be introduced after the dolly. A thin paste layer is formed, which is capable of rapidly absorbing a considerable amt. of an aq. electrolyte.
The electrode consists of a structural combination of anode and electrolyte in which the alk. electrolyte is gelled by adding 1-10% poly(meth)acrylic acid/salt and combined with the anode by mixing in zinc powder.
The grid is small and light, supports the electrode paste and comprises a plastic film having many perforations with composite lead layers covering the plastic film. Method comprises (1) making many perforations in a plastic film, (2) coating a Pb layer on the plastic film using vacuum deposn. and (3) coating Pb on the lead layer by electroplating. The film is pref. made of PTFE of 25 mu thickness. The Pb layer made by vacuum deposn. has thickness of 0.05-0.1 mu. The film is plated in an electrolyte contg. 150 g/l basic Pb carbonate for 30 mins. at 1.0 A/dm2 at 10 degrees C to form Pb layer of 30 mu thickness.
Cell consists of stacked dry cell elements each of which is covered with heat-shrinking synthetic resin tube to allow easy and firm stacking. A further heat-shrinking tube covers several covered, stacked, dry-cell elements, and the tube and the cell elements are stuck firmly to each other with pressure and heat sensitive bonding agent. The dry cell covered with the tube is inserted in a metal container. The heat shrinking tubes are made of a vinyl chloride resin compsn. The bonding agent is a copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate or copolymer of polyethylene and vinyl acetate.
Rod is made waterproof in a soln. obtd. by dissolving waterproofing agents like paraffin, pitch, vaseline (ATM) polyethylene, etc. and diphenyl chloride or triphenyl chloride in a volatile solvent. In an example, the C rod, being baked, was immersed in a soln. where the above waterproofing agents, singly or mixed, either one of chlorides, and trichlene (volatile solvent) were dissolved in pts. ratio of - 10-50 : 100 : 100 respectively. After heating for 2-3 hrs at approx. 90 degrees C, the treated rod was dried for 3-4 hrs at about 110 degrees C.
Electrolyte of a dry cell is hardened by (1) either polymerizing a polymerizable substance composed of a mixt. of acrylamide and/or methacrylamide with a specific monomer, which is capable of copolymsn. with the former, in an aq. soln. of NH4Cl, or polymerizing the polymerizable substance using water as the medium, followed by addn. of NH4Cl; (2) adding to the resultant polymer the remaining electrolyte ingredients such as ZnCl2 and corrosive sublimate together with starch; and (3) heating the product. Dry cell is highly resistant to electrolyte leakage due to the close adherence between electrodes and electrolyte paste layer so that no layer cracks, bleedings, etc. are formed.
Dry cell has between cathode cpd. and anode Zn can, a separator layer formed by laminating a swellable film to one face of an electroconductive paper sheet, the film consisting of PVA opt. with another substance with good water-absorbing and retaining props; and a paste layer on the film on the other face of the paper sheet. In an example, the electroconductive paper wa that prepd. by mixing Japanese or craft paper with carbonaceous fibre.    The paste contained starch, methylcellulose, polyacrylamide, PVA, etc. as its chief ingredients.
Battery or cell has an enclosing structure with thermoplastic walls and metal connectors passing through openings in the walls.    Joint is formed by injection moulding in situ. a body of thermoplastics sealing material into a space adjoining the edge of 1 of the walls, the edge being substantially thinner than the main body of the wall and the thermoplastic sealing material compatible with the material of the wall. Injecting is at a temp. suff. higher than the melting point of the wall material to cause melting of the thinner edge, thus resulting in the formation of a fused joint between the thinner edge and the injection moulded body of sealing material.
Alkane primary element has a depolariser, a zinc negative electrode and a separator, pref. a fibrous sheet which is placed between the depolariser and the negative electrode and has a ZnO based coating on one or both sides. The negative electrode pref. contains zinc powder suspended in KOH soln. contng. ZnO. The KOH soln. is converted into a paste with carboxymethylcellulose. The separator is pref. coated with a suspension of ZnO in carboxymethylcellulose soln. at a rate of 0.5-0.9 g./dn2.
A microporous sheet is formed by condensing a mixt. contg. a non cross-linked P.F. resin and an amine having N-H gp.(s) to form an intermediate resin which is then diluted with water, an acid accelerator being next added and a sheet of the mixture formed. The sheet is set under conditions preventing the escape of volatile materials, these being eliminated after the setting. The sheet is finally heated to effect cross-linking. The product is used as partition sheets in batteries.
A mixt. for forming a cohesive paste for lead-acid storage battery plates comprises (a) lead oxides, (b) CMC or sulphates as conventional bulking agents, &lt;0.2wt.% CMC, and (c) 0.3-4 wt.% bulking agent comprising hollow, multicellular, siliceous, amorphous globules having friable walls and inter cell membranes, esp. expanded perlite or expanded pumice. Use of (c) permits low density, highly cohesive battery pastes to be mfd. economically and paste gives improved amp-hr. capacities after extended cycling.
Separator for dry electrochemical cells is produced from an aqs. mixt. contg. (I) a polyacrulamide (II) a Cr-contg. cpd. in which the greater part of the Cr is present in another valence than the Cr (III) state and (III) a cpd. which can react with cpd. (II) to form Cr3+ ions. The Cr3+ ions are a rapid and effective crosslinking agent for the polyacrylamide. The degree of duration of crosslinking can be accurately controlled.
Heterogeneous membranes for use in electrochemical devices, esp. in fuel cells, for sepg. substances dissolved in anolytes and catholytes, are prepd. by homogenising, esp. in a ball-mill, powdered ion exchanger resin and/or powdered inert material with PTFE powder and a highly viscous liq. to form a suspension removing highly viscous liq. by suction from suspension while evenly distributed on a filter device; washing remaining filter cake with a solvent which decomposes the highly viscous liq. and then pressing. Pref. carrier support consists of a coarse-meshed fabric, opt. of PTFE, embedded in suspension on filter device in a way such that fabric is surrounded on al sides by filter cake after removal of highly viscous liq. Pref. PTFE is hydrophilised on surface by etching.
Addn. of TiO2 powder enchances the capacity-preservation effect of the org. additives (suhc as carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol), not only during the ordinary charge-discharge cycles but also with respect to heavy drain discharges, TiO2 powder is added in an amt. of 0.1 - 10 wt.% w.r.t. CdO. The organic props amt. to 0.1 - 3 wt.% w.r.t. CdO.
Mixt of thermoplastic synthetic resin powder e.g. polyethylene, and hydrated silica gel is formed around an assembly of positive and negative plates, enclosed and heated in a satd steam at &gt;100 degrees C and sufficiently high to soften and melt at least part of the resin powder. The resin is solidified to form a liq. absorbable porous body integral with the plates. The body is impregnated with an electrolyte and inserted within a battery container.
An injection mould for thin-walled battery casings comprising a number of relatively narrow cells comprises a set of mould cores corresp. to the number of these cells. These cores are mounted with freedom to move sideways in a recess in teh core support plate; the extreme cores have external inclined surfaces which cooperate with corresponding inclined faces on the inner face of the half-mould. When the mould is fully closed, the cores are thus all thoroughl and firmly clamped together by the wedging action of the inclined faces. Specif. the anrrow sides of all cores may also have inclined faces cooperating with corresp. faces in the half-mould. The whole arrangement ensures extremely firm clamping of the cores, resisting disturbance under the high forces produced by rapidly flowing plastics entering the mould.
Gelled electrolyte for electrochemical generators is obtd. by adding a gelling agent consisting of modified or crosslinked starch to an alkaline soln. of an electrolyte. The starch deriv. has a better resistance to alkaline solns. than native starch, and also swells less in water formed at the negative electrode, thus preserving the gel structure.
An electrolytically conductive solid film electrolyte comprises a mixt. of a major part (pref. 90-99 wt.%) complex inorg. silver-contg. solid electrolyte and 0.5-10% film-forming constituent, pref. polyphenylene oxide, polysulphone polyvinylidene chloride. The film-forming constituent incompletely wets and penetrates the electrolyte, providing a highly conductive, flexible film, A plasticiser, pref. polypropylene polyazelate of mol.wt. 850-6000 or beeswax, may be included. Prods. are used in electrolytic devices e.g. battery cells, coulometric devices e.g. counters, timers etc.
The method of construction comprises placing intermittent deposits of electrodes along three zones (1,2 and 3) of an electrically conductive plastic strip carrier (or along three separate carriers); zone 1 having a continuous conductive strip on one side and intermittent positive electrode deposits on the other side; zone 2 having a continuous conductive strip on one side and intermittent negative electrode deposits on the other side; and zone 3 having intermittent positive electrode deposits on one side opposite negative electrode deposits on the other side. The strip is then cut into separate zones, and one or more of the no. 3 zones are stacked between a no. 1 zone and a no. 2 zone with the positive and negative electrode deposits opposite each other but separated by a separator and electrolyte. The zones are then sealed together around and between the electrode deposits.
Air electrodes fro prim. metal/air batteries consist of a porous conductive layer made of graphite flakes with a synthetic bonding medium, sandwiched to a catalyst layer made of a sintered mixt. of activated carbon and a synthetic resin bonding medium. A steel current collector grid is pressed into the porous layer surface to facilitate the electrical connections.
Polystyrene foam protective box for a vehicle battery with a cover contg. a ventilating slide over the cell screw caps of the battery to control the cooling of the battery electrolytes is in parent patent, in which an opening is provided in the box side or base wall, connected by a tube to a hot air source, pref. to the exhaust manifold to heat the battery regardless of the outside temp.
The mat comprises polyester or polyacrylic fibres bonded with an emulsion of butadiene, styrene copolymer, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride copolymer, (meth) acrylic acid, impregnating with an acid and oxidn. resistant resin and drying. Specif. the fibres are 0.5 - 10 cms long.
The cell consists of a battery casing of polystyrol resin, an air electrode of a sintered nickel, an anode, a charging electrode of a nickel screen, an electrolyte, terminals, and an electrolyte in which free caustic potash and zincic acid potash (sic) exist which is fed from a tank into the casing through a pipe by means of a pump and is returned to the tank through another pipe. The zinc film is uniformly and strongly electrodeposited on the anode by charging the cell. Thus, the electrodeposited zinc film cannot be released from the anode when the cell is discharged.
Body of a roll type cell comprises a belt-shaped cathode consisting of a metallic net onto which powdered Ni is fired, contg. nickel hydroxide and cadmium hydroxide, a separator of nylon and a belt-shaped anode. This body is placed in a Ni-plated steel casing filled with a soln. of KOH to complete a roll type cell. The cathode is connected to the casing. In prodn. a composite sheet comprising the belt-shaped cathode, the separator and the belt-shaped anode is rolled by using a rod having a slot. The end of the belt-shaped cathode is reinforced with a sheet of nylon, polyethylene or vinylon. A sheet of polyethylene, nylon or vinylon is attached to the end of the composite sheet. The end of the sheet is first inserted in the slot of the rod. The composite sheet is then rolled around the rod to complete the assembly, and then the rod is removed.
Pref the elevations and for indentations on the outside of the box can be shaped as letters, patterns or pictures and serve to jam lock the box to the mould so that the cell cores can all be withdrawn simultaneously and improve the grip when the filled boxes are transported by hand.
Technique uses equipment consisting of two tools, movable vertically by pressure/vacuum in two respective cylinders and a horizontal heater plate. The battery case and cover are located in the tools and pressed from below and above on to the heater. When the polypropylene is softened, the heater is removed and the case and cover are pressed together again.
A fuel cell has an electrolyte matrix between opposed electrodes, and a self-sustaining porous plate behind at least one electrode and contacting it through porous projections, the matrix and porous plate containing an aqueous electrolyte filling less than the entire volume of the latter, and in electrolyte communication through the projections. For use in a humidity exchange/scrubber unit. Flooding and drying of the matrix are avoided.
Process comprises impregnating a -alumina carrier with an aq. PdCl2 soln. drying the carrier, immersing the carrier in water retained under room temp. conditions and reducing the PdCl2 by blowing H2 into the water. The catalyst is esp. used in an accumulator to convert H2 and O2 formed on electrolysis into water to simplify water supplementation and also to prevent H2 evolution. The catalyst may also be used hydrogenation reactions.
Fuel cell is made by covering a building form with sheets of a vulcanisable butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber compsn., forming an outer layer outside of the rubber compsn. by mixing a curing agent and a liq. polyurethane precursor and immediately spraying the mixt. over the inner portion of the cell, and then heating and curing the nitrile rubber and the polyurethane. The liq. polyurethane precursor pref. includes a viscosity builder which is a copolymer of Bisphenol A and epichlohydrin. A nylon barrier is pref. sprayed over the rubber compsn. before the outer layer is applied and a primer cement applied immediately before and after the appln. of the nylon. The fuel cell has excellent abrasion-, tear- and puncture-resistance and low temp. flexibility and the interior is highly resistant to deterioration from fuel and water contained in the cell.
The electrolyte comprises 97 pts. 35% KOH and 3 pts. powdered metallic hydride e.g. LiH, Nah, CaH2, NaBH4 and LiAlH4. The electrolyte is circulated through the system, and the concn. of the active material can be made up as required by a controlled feed from a fuel store contg. a mixt. of 80 pts. 50% KOH and 20 pts. hydride. Pref. Na BH4 is used. The dispersed alkali fuel can be stored stably.
Cell operating at &gt;500 degrees C uses a hydrocarbon, H2 or CO anode reductant, and air or O2 cathode oxidant. The cell is constructed of cylindrical units comprising (a) solid electrolyte MgO-Al2O3-LiO2, (b) anode spinel solid soln. ZnO-Fe2O3-CuO-NiO-Cr2O3-Al2O3-MgO, and (c) cathode spinel solid soln. MgO-Cr2O3-Al2O3 or MgO-CoO-Al2O3. The three components (a,b,C) are formed together as a laminated article, and a series of these units can be connected together to achieve the required capacity.
The fuel cell device using caustic alkali electrolyte includes a regeneration chamber having a diaphragm separating an inner chamber contg. CaO from an outer chamber contg. CaO, a methanol air fuel cell, means for driving electrolyte, and a storage chamber for the mixture of caustic potash and methanol.
A fel cell assembly utilizing waste heat to provide evaporative cooling comprises a fuel cell, a hydrophobic separator spaced by a heat transfer element from the cell so that the element defines a fuel or oxidant gas cavity with one cell electrode and a liquid coolant cavity with the separator, and a plate spaced from the other side of the separator to define a second coolant cavity. The disadvantages of a hydrophilic cooling system, e.g. blockage by vapour or gas and sensitivity to adverse gravity forces, are avoided.
The fuel cell uses air as oxidant and has a circulating electrolyte. Ethanolamine is used to remove CO2 from the air by absorption and used ethanolamine is regenerated by heat-exchange with the high temp. electrolyte discharged from the cell. This drives off the absorbed CO2 and on cooling the ethanolamine is recycled to the cell.
Electrochemical process, esp. for prodn. of aqs. hypochlorite soln., employs an electrode comprising a mass of discrete stationary particles (e.g. graphite or magnetite) of poor electrical conductivity, i.e. having resistivities between 800-1000 ohm-1 cm-1 compressed by the application of a press. at least 11b/sq. in. A fluid which may be the electrolyte and/or the reactant(s) for the electrochemical reaction is made to flow through the particles.
The finely divided metal powder is mixed first with sufficient non-reactive high m.pt. additive, then mixed with the non metal also in finely divided state, prior to reaction. The reaction is then carried out by known methods, e.g. heating to the required temp. and teh additive is finally removed, pref. by dissolving in water. Preferred additives are NaF and Na2CiO3. Method prevents sintering of the lower m.pt. reactant prior to reaction, thus preventing homogeneous reaction. Used as catalyst in electrical cells.
Hydrogen peroxide is used as oxidant in a fuel cell having a porous, nonconsumable Ni or C oxidant electrode, not carrying a noble metal catalyst, a non-consumable porous fuel electrode and using a H contg. fuel at an ambient temp. esp. H2 atm. press. Fuel and oxidant electrodes are spaced from each other and an aq. soln. of alkaline metal hydroxide electrolyte is contained between them. Fuel and oxidant are provided to the electrode faces away from the electrolyte, and the oxidant contacts the electrolyte at an electrolyte boundary interface at the oxidant electrode, reacting electrochemically. H2O2 is more reactive at ambient temp. than gaseous oxidant, with attendant advantages.
Hydrazine electric cell uses hydrazine as anode reducing agent, O2 or air as cathode oxidizing agent and as a separator an asbestos or non-woven nylon cloth adhering to anode and cathode. The N2 gas is generated between electrodes and separator is introduced into a hydrazine soln. chamber and is drained together with the spent hydrazine soln. from the electric cell to prolong the discharge life of the cell. The anode is of porous sintered Ni contg. Pd or Pt as catalyst and the cathode is of porous C plate. Both electrodes are connected to (separate) Ni terminals.
Fuel cell generator uses hydrazine hydrate (I) as fuel, air or O2 as oxidising agent and is used at sub-zero temps. (I) is mixed with an electrolyte so that the concn. of (I) at -low temps. &gt; that of (I) at room temp. and this mixt. is supplied to the fuel cell. Excess (I) self-decomposes at low temps., generating heat which raises the temp. of the cell and the electrolyte, thus the fuel cell generating appts. has an even output value for a short time.
A pressure vessel contg a reaction system is disposed in an inner shell of submarine. A vessel for storing metallic Na is disposed in an outer shell. The metallic Na and a Na transporting medium, such as mineral oil, are sent to a water- and, oil-resistant elastic bag of rubber or plastic by a pump. The bag is floated in water or brine. Metallic Na is coated with an antioxidant such as rubber, plastic or Al avoiding direct contact with water or brine. The excess mineral oil is sent from a gateway to an oil storage vessel by pump. By opening a valve, the Na particles and the mineral oil are supplied from a gateway of the bag to a storage vessel. Compressed air or argon gas is fed to the storage vessel by opening a valve. The water or brine is introduced from a gateway to the vessel. The oil deposited on the surfaces of the Na particles are physically or chemically removed in an oil removing appts. The antioxidant coatings on the Na particles are peeled off to expose a metallic surface of Na. The removed coatings are stored in a storage vessel. The metallic Na is sent to a Na supplying appts. and then fed to a reactor and drained in water or brine by pump.
Thecathode active material is air or O2, anode active material is hydrazine hydrate and electrolyte is aq. caustic potash soln. Degeneration of the electrolyte by contact with CO2 is prevented by covering the soln. with N2 gas which is a product of the fuel cell reaction.
Appts. comprises a fuel cell, amalgam vessel, a sodium supplying appts., a circulating pump, a flow rate controlling valve and a concn. measuring appts. The concn. measuring appts. includes a flow rate controlling device, comprising a low rate control valve and a flow rate detector, an impurity removing device, comprising two filters, two switching valves and a washing device, a concn. detector in a vessel, and a concn. indicating and controlling device. Sodium amalgam supply concn. is maintained by control of the sodium supply appts. which is controlled by measuring the sodium amalgam concn. in laminar flow amalgam having a constant flow rate and contg. no impurities such as oxide or rust in a branch of the circulation system.
The electrolyte is formed by impregnating an asbestos sheet with metal salts of e.g. K, Na, Li, typically by immersion in a molten salt bath contg. 1 pt. K2CO3, 2 pts. Na2CO3, 1 pt. Li2CO3. When used at 500 degrees C the cell has improved initial discharge props., longer discharge life and higher terminal voltage than conventional cells.
Liquid fuel cell has an anode to which is supplied a fuel dissolved in an electrolyte, and a cathode to which is supplied an oxidizing agent such as air or oxygen, and a system for supplying the liquid fuel and the oxidizing agent. Specif. caustic alkali such as caustic potash or caustic soda is dissolved in an aqs. soln. contg. &gt;85% of hydrazine hydrate to prepare the liquid fuel, the concn. of the dissolved caustic alkali being in the range between the electrolyte concn. and the saturation concn. and the liquid fuel thus obtd. is supplied directly to the cell.
Cell improvement comprises dissolving caustic alkali such as caustic potash or caustic soda, into &gt;15% of residual water by the suitable concn. in the range from the caustic alkali concn. in the electrolyte to saturation concn. The discharge reaction when using oxygen as oxidizing agent is as follows; N2H4: H2O+O2 right arrow N2+2H2O+ (H2O) in the expression, (H2O) on the right side designates water contained in hydrazine hydrate (N2H4.H2O) .    Hydrazine hydrate is very active material, so high concns. such as 100% are not practical due to difficulty of handling. It is diluted to &lt;85% with water discharge voltage being lowered, the title process overcoming this disadvantage. Water produced during discharge will be made caustic alkaline solution having the concn. as that of electrolyte, and as a result, electrolyte concn. will be stabilized.
The fuel cell system comprises high pressure O2 and H2 tanks connected to fuel cell O2 and H2 chambers, the H2 chamber including a H2-product water separator from which water is pumped to the H2 tank by a pump driven by H2 from the tank unudrf H2 from the pump and sepd. H2 from the separator being conducted to the H2 chamber. Explosion danger from leaking and accumulating O2 and H2 is minimised.
Fuel cell, utilising as a fuel an oxidisable substance occurring in human body (pref. glucose) and oxygen dissolved in body liquids is improved by arranging the electrodes in such a manner that the body liquid diffusing into the cell and carrying both the fuel and the oxygen, is first directed towards the oxygen electrode(s) (Ag or Au gauze coated with carbon catalyst) where O2 is adsorbed. The O-free, glucose-contng. liquid then diffuses towards the fuel electrode (Pt gauze coated with Pt black catalyst). This method avoids the risk of chemical short circuiting.
Gas mixture resulting from catalytic decomposition of hydrzine, contg. hydrogen, nitrogen and ammonia, is washed with water. The resulting ammoniacal soln. is used for washing air supplied to the cell, whereby CO2 is removed from the air, and formation of alkali carbonates in the electrolyte of the fuel cell is prevented.
The fuel cell comprises a carbon anode, at the back of which hydrazine is supplieed, and a ceramic Ni-plated cathode to which oxygen or air is supplied. Between the anode and cathode is an electrolyte chamber. On the surface of the anode facing the cathode, is a layer of porous polyvinylalcohol which permits the flow of electrolyte ions but is impermeable to the hydrazine. This increases the life of the cell as compared with prior art cells in which asbestos separators were used.
In a fuel cell arangement in which the mixture of steam and fuel from an ejector is fed via a reformer to the fuel cell and the fuel effluent gases from the fuel cell are fed back to the burner of the reformer to heat the flow therethrough, to maintain a desired constant output current from the fuel cell the position of the control valve of the ejector is varied in response to the sum of signals representing the temp. of the reformer, the fuel cells current and the position of the control valve.
Title cell comprises a filter paper matrix, a hydrogen penetrating electrode formed at one side of the matrix, an oxygen electrode, which is pressed and stuck to the other side of the matrix, comprising a metal screen having 1-10 holes/100 cm2 which have dia. of 2-6 mm, an oxygen gas tank formed at the back of the oxygen electrode and a hydrogen gas tank formed at the back of the hydrogen penetrating electrode. An electrolyte (aq. KOH soln.) is sent to the oxygen tank and then passed through the holes and impregnated in the matrix. In an example, the H2 is at atmospheric press., the O2 gas is at 1.5 atmos. Power of such a cell is 84 mW/cm2 at 80 degrees C.
The output of a set of fuel cells fed by forced flow for each half cell with reactant at constant concn. in an electrolyte soln., supplying a load with a linearth variable utilization parameter convertible to a voltage, and requiring a constant current at variable voltage, is regulated by connecting the cells electrically in series, supplying electrolyte continuously to the first half cell and at low flow rate in parallel to the other half cells, and progressively supplying electrolyte at a high flow rate to the other half cells as soon as the electrolyte pressures at the successive half cells reach predetermined values. Partic. for terrestial, aquatic or marine vehicle propulsion.
A method of regulating the output of a set of fuel cells the electrolyte of which contains constant amounts of a reactant, in which the cells are electrically connected in series, and the electrolyte is continuously supplied to the first cell and progressively and sequentially to the other cells so that they become progressively hydraulically connected in parallel with the first cell as the loss of head of electrolyte flowing through a preceding cell attains a preset value. The set of cells so connected supply constant current to a vehicle's motor even during acceleration thereof.
Cell having re-charging ability, equipped with a gas exhaust device, in which if the pressure of internally generated gas is in the excess to a specified level of press., a surplus gas is discharged.
Electrochemical cell comprises a first and a second electrode with a matrix situated between them. One coolant plate lies adjacent each electrode, both plates having a portion extending beyond the outer edge of the respective electrode, this portion in each case having a recess for receiving O-ring seal. The seal has an integral O-ring on its outer edge, disposed between the coolant plates in the recesses provided, this seal having a step-shaped inner edge spaced from the O ring by a support gasket which has a smaller cross-sectional height than the O-ring, this edge being in mating contiguity with the matrix edge, the matrix having a portion extended outwards beyond the innermost edge of the seal. Pref. the gasket is bonded to the electrode with an adhesive of butyl, neoprene or fluorocarbon rubbers.
Oxidising agent used is ceric sulphate, ferric sulphate, potassium dichromate or permanganate and also fuel mixed with electrolyte. These give good discharge characteristics when mixed with the fuel and/or electrolyte. In an example, a smooth Pt plated negative electrode, was further coated with Pt black. The electrode was in contact with aq. sulphuric acid, using methanol a s fuel and ceric sulphate as oxidising agent. The positive electrode was also plated with Pt. Ethanol and hydrazine can also be used as fuels.
The E.M.F. is generated in a cell comprising a molten Pb, Sb or Bi anode, a cathode supplied with O2 and a fused salt electrolyte which transfers the O2 to the anode. The oxidised anode metal is transferred to a regeneration chamber by the circulating electrolyte and is reduced to metal by adding a solid carbonaceous fuel to the regeneration chamber. The reduced metal returns to the cell (by gravity), the electrolyte is recirculated. No polluting gases produced.
Rate of flow of the electrolyte is regulated in accordance with its temp. in scuh a way that after a start up period when the flow is virtually cut off, during which the cell rises to optimum operating temp. the flow is regulated to keep the temp. approx. constant at that optimum level. A temp. sensor esp. thermistor, in the outlet pipe from the cell proper provides the control parameter for a servo amplifier driving a variable speed pump motor or controlling a regulator valve. Significantly higher efficiency.
The zinc electrode is protected against attack by the electrolyte during the rest periods because the initially formed hydrogen squeezes out the electrolyte from the negative electrode compartment (when the cell is to be re-activated the accumulated hydrogen is released by means of a valve). The PbO2:Zn surface ratio is 4:1. The current density at the negative electrode may reach 250 mA/cm2., if it is 160 mA/cm2. the potential is 2.3V. The negative electrode may consist of Al, Fe, Pb or electrocarbon connected with a piece of zinc. High energy output with respect to the weight of the cell is achieved.
A natural circulation boiler for cooling a fuel cell utilising a hydrocarbon fuel and having a steam reformer for supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell and providing steam for the reformer, comprises an upper drum, a lower drum, a downcomer in fluid connection with the upper and lower drums, and riser means disposed in contiguous heat exchange relationship with the fuel cell and providing a fluid connection between the lower drum and the upper drum, the upper drum also being in fluid connection with the steam reformer.
The cell is divided longitudinally by a separator into an anode and cathode chamber. The spent anolyte of HCl, NaCl and SnCl4 is passed to a reduction column contg. Pt-catalyst and contacted with counterflow of H2. The spent catholyte of HCl, NaCl and CuCl is passed to an oxidation chamber and contacted with air or O2. The regenerated solns. are conveyed to their separate storage vessels prior to recycling to the resp. chambers.
To prevent damage to the anode by foreign bodies carried into the interior of the case by the gas flow through that case to the permeable electrode, the ports are either arranged geometrically so that any such particles miss the electrode, or they are screened from direct access by louvres, skirts, deflection plates or the like, or porous material is interposed, the limiting case of which is the use of porous material for the casing.
Each cell has a potential sensor based on the hydrazine electrode and a reference electrode in the electrolyte close to it. These sensors are scanned sequentially and the potential as measured compared with a desired value. The error signal is used to control an individual electrochemical pump for each cell, in synchronism, which regulates the feed of hydrazine from a separate reservoir via a separator feed pipe to the reaction container of the cell, the individual feed pipes providing electrolytic isolation of the cells so that short circuit currents are insignificant. The system gives high efficiency, constant discharge curve, and is relatively cheaply operated at high power.
Electrolyte carrier membranes are produced by ionotropic gel formation by adding a dehydrating substance, such as starch, which is insol. in water, acetone and benzene but can swell in water, to a polyelectrolyte sol for pre-dehydration and dissolving this from the membrane after gel formation and cure. These membranes can be used in fuel cells, elements and accumulators. They have mechanical and chemical stability in conjunction with high ionic conductivity and low gas permeability.
An electrolyte mass for use in a high temp. fuel cells comprises an ion-conducting carbonate supported by a powdered inert matrix material and has (a) a central portion in which the carbonate is active and molten at the operating temp. of 400-700 degrees C and is supported by coarse or fine matrix material to provide a paste-type electrolyte, and (b) an integral peripheral portion which contains enough carbonate to prevent migration from the central portion and coarse or fine matrix material that provides, with the carbonate, a rigid hydraulic seal between cells of a multiple cell battery that is capable of withstanding compressive forces at the normal operating temp. The differential structure may be formed, e.g. by using coarse matrix material at periphery and fine in centre, by using a higher proportion of matrix material at periphery or by using higher m.pt. carbonate at periphery or a combination of these methods.
Cell, esp. suitable for monitoring low CO concns. in car exhausts, comprises (a) 2 identically catalysed and constructed gas electrodes, (b) an H+ ion exchange gas diffusion barrier (c) conc. H3PO4 wetting the diffusion barrier and saturating the electrodes (d) a source of oxidising gas contg. a dil. fuel gas in contact with one electrode, and (e) a source of oxidising gas with a lesser fuel gas content in contact with the other electrode. Means are also provided for reducing current variation due to water content variation in the phosphoric acid.
Electrolyte provides high current densitires, esp. at operating temps. of 180 degrees-250 C. Electrolyte is pref. supported on e.g. alumina.
A bi-cell fuel-cell unit comprises two electrode packs each having (a) a palladium impregnated sintered nickel-grid anode, (b) a platinised, waterproofed silver screen air cathode and (c) a separator between anode and cathode. The packs are assembled with the anodes facing each other and spaced apart to define an anolyte chamber, through which a soln. of hydrazine fuel in aq. KOH electrolyte circulates. The internal resistance of the cell and hydrazine oxidn. at the cathode are both minimised, providing higher output than in single-anode cell.
A carbon-oxide contg. feed gas is converted according to the CO-shift reaction CO2+H2 right arrow CO+H contacting the gas with a catalyst in a reactor chamber at 175-500 degrees C the catalyst comprising (a) mixts. of Rh-Pt alloys with reduced amorphous tungsten oxide (WOx) or molybdenum oxide (MoOx); (b) mixts. of Rh with WOx or MoOx or (c) Ru-Pt alloys with MoOx. Prod. gases are removed from the reactor. The catalysts are known as fuel-cell electrodes, and esp. useful for producing gases high in CO at lower temps. than conventional for shift reaction, which may be used in Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis or for methanation. CO2-contg. gasea may also be produced from CO2-free inlets.
A number of electrode assemblies each comprise a porous plate mechanically and electrically bonded to an impervious metal or metallised plate with a gas plenum chamber therebetween. Each cell is formed by one porous plate and the impervious plate of an adjacent assembly. Each electrode assembly is housed in a recess in an insulating frame. Adjacent like frames are bonded to seal around the assembly. One surface of each frame has open troughs which when assembled provide separate supply and return conduits for the electrolyte. Opening in each frame provide parallel electrolyte input and output conduits common to all the cells.
Cell, consisting of an anode, a cathode and a circulating electrolyte in a matrix, is used in conjunction with a carrier or cooling plate consisting of a plastics/metal composite. The plates satisfy the requirements of good thermal conductivity, good structural stability, low electrical resistance and low thermal expansion and they are cheaper than the light metal structures, e.g., Mg, normally used. Composites of polyphenylene sulphide or oxide an ABS copolymer, polyaryl ether or pref. polysulphone, esp. with Ni, can be used. The metal content of the composite is 50-80%.
Electrochemical battery, pref. a fuel cell, comprising an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte, partic. a carbonate of an alkali (ne earth) metal, uniformly distributed throughout a matrix of fibrous lithium aluminate.
A ceramic-like porous potassium titanate membrane (I) is prepd. by adding an org. wax-type binder to a material consisting essentially of fibrous potassium titanate, compressing the resulting composition to form green compact, heating the compact at a temp. sufficient to decompose the org. binder and then firing at 1000-1370 degrees C to sinter the body.    As a battery separator, fuel cell membrane or filter medium.    (I) has high strength, fine substantially uniform pore size, good resistance to alkali and to penetration by zinc dendrites, and good conductivity in the electrolyte.    Heating is carried out slowly at 400-600 degrees C and firing at pref. 1,100-1,300 degrees C. The binder may be selected from paraffin wax, polyethylene-glycol waxes, spermacetti, beeswax, ozokerite, montan, gums, resins, etc., and is employed in an amt. 0.2-15% by wt. mixture. Compression is carried out at 1000-20,000 p.s.i., pref. 5000-10,000 p.s.i.
A fuel cell battery using hydrazine fuel dissolved in liq. electrolyte and gaseous O2-contg. oxidant, has the fuel cells divided into blocks with the cells in each block electrically connected in series. Fuel traverses each fuel cell in parallel and oxidant traverses each cell within a block in parallel but traverses the blocks in series. The number of cells in each block decreases in the direction of oxidant flow, so flow rate is higher in the last blocks. This compensates for the increasing concn. of reaction prods. in the oxidant stream. Oxidant flow is controlled by a valve in the gas outlet, the valve being controlled by comparing voltages of different blocks. Oxidant flow is related to need under changing conditions, providing a Faraday yield w.r.t. oxygen of about 80-90%.
Heterogeneous membranes for use in electrochemical devices, esp. in fuel cells, for sepg. substances dissolved in anolytes and catholytes, are prepd. by homogenising, esp. in a ball-mill, powdered ion exchanger resin and/or powdered inert material with PTFE powder and a highly viscous liq. to form a suspension removing highly viscous liq. by suction from suspension while evenly distributed on a filter device; washing remaining filter cake with a solvent which decomposes the highly viscous liq. and then pressing. Pref. carrier support consists of a coarse-meshed fabric, opt. of PTFE, embedded in suspension on filter device in a way such that fabric is surrounded on al sides by filter cake after removal of highly viscous liq. Pref. PTFE is hydrophilised on surface by etching.
The reaction water condensate is removed by a pressure different between the condensing chamber and the water outlet lock by a jet pump in the gas supply line of the fuel cell. This causes the condensate to flow with the auxiliary gas which is returned to the jet pump. H2 auxiliary gas is not blown in the atmosphere but is reused.