Prodn. of an implantable pulse generator for cardiac pacing employs an injection moulded Halar coating on a feedthrough pin of an LiI2 battery having a compression ring around the outer surface of the moulded coating to strengthen bonding between the coating and the pin. The compression ring is made from a material having a mechanically induced matastable martensitic microstructure. Such a material, if deformed at a low temp., will return to its original shape at a higher temp.S The compression ring can be expanded at low temps. and slipped around the Halar. The ring collapses as it is warmed to room temp. putting the Halar into a state of compression. Several Ti-Ni intermediates are known to exhibit this phenomenon.
Method comprises (1) placing a positive electrode of a hollow cylinder in a hollow cylindric battery case with a base, (2) inserting a lithium ingot covered by a cylindric separator in the cylindric electrode, (3) pressing the ingot with a collector rod having a thin ends to fix the rod in the ingot used as a negative electrode. The collector is easily fixed by the electrode.    In an example, the positive electrode is Al case having a dia. of 2 mm and a length of 6 mm and consists of a carbon fluoride, an acetylene black and a binder of polytetrafluoroethylene. The lithium ingot is wrapped by the polypropylene unwoven cloth separator. The ingot is inserted into the electrode. The collector rod is inserted into the ingot. Then an electrolyte consisting of propylenecarbonate and 1 mol/l lithium perchlorate is impregnated in the separator.
The battery comprises a negative electrode of a light metal, a positive electrode with an activator of CuO and an electrolyte consisting of a solute of Li perchlorate and a solvent of propylene carbonate and dimethoxyethane or THF and further contains pyridine of 0.01-0.05 cc per 1 cc electrolyte.    The pyridine stabilises the discharge voltage of the battery. In an example, a pressed body of disc shape consisting of a CuO powder and a binder is placed in a Ni plated stainless steel case. A separator of polypropylene nonwoven cloth is placed on the body. The electrolyte consisting of propylenecarbonate, dimethoxyethane, 1 mol/l Li perchlorate and 0.02 cc/cc pyridine is impregnated in the separator. A Li plate is placed on the separator and the case is sealed by a cap.
The battery comprises positive electrode activator of V2O5, negative electrode activator of Nb2O5 and an electrolyte consisting of organic solvent and solute of lithium salt. The leakage of the electrolyte is prevented by the use of the electrolyte.    In an example activator of V2O5 and graphite were mixed with fluorocarbon resin binder and pressed to form a disc shaped negative electrode. The electrode was placed in a battery case A separator of a glass fibre nonwoven cloth was placed on the electrode. A negative electrode comprised lithium plate. The sheet consisted of graphite, Nb2O5 and the fluorocarbon resin binder. The electrolyte consisted of the solute of 1 mol/1 lithium perchlorate and the solution of propylenecarbonate and 1,2- dimethoxyethane. The plate was placed on the separator and the electrolyte was impregnated in the separator.
Cell comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a cup-like separator, and a high molecular material layer with alkaline proof and insulating properties and having high viscosity arranged at the bottom of the separator. The high molecular material is pref. dissolved in an organic solvent (e.g. polyethylene chlorosulphonate dissolved into toluene).    The separator is adhered to the bottom of the positive pole case through the adhesive high molecular material. Electrolyte leakage or internal shortage caused by deformation of separator is eliminated.
In an alkaline cell with a positive electrode mixt. contg. manganese dioxide as main active material, mercury oxide and graphite powder, the improvement is that a separator of polyethylene graft polymerised with acrylic acid is arranged on the surface of the positive electrode mixt.    The shelf life of the cell is improved by using the separator. A small amt. of mercury oxide added into the positive electrode mixt. improves the cell capacity. Degradation of separator by oxidn. reaction at the surface of the positive electrode mixt. is eliminated and ion penetration is prevented by using the separator. The separator gives good flow of electrolyte soln.
A battery has light metal as anode active material and a fluorocarbon cathode contg. carbon powder as the main conductive material. The C powder is used as raw material for producing the fluorocarbon. Carbon black is also added as auxiliary conductive material. The battery has an organic electrolyte.    It is possible to reduce amount of conductive material to be added to the cathode.    In an example, fluorocarbon powder is produced by fluorinating petroleum coke. 100 pts. wt. of the fluorocarbon powder, 10 pts. wt. petroleum coke, 10 pts. wt. acetylene black and 12 pts. wt. aq. SBR dispersion contg. 50 wt.% of a resin component are mixed and dried to vapourise water. The mixt. is coated on both sides of a Ti net current collector. The coated current collector is pressed at 1 ton/sq.cm., mfg. 1 mm.-thick fluorocarbon cathode. An anode is mfd. by pressing a Li sheet on a Ni net.
A plate-like formed body (I) as electrolyte-holding material is disposed between a zinc anode and a cathode. (I) consists of a mixt. contg. calcium hydroxide powder and 2-8wt.% of liq.-absorbable short fibre of pulp or cotton.    In an example, an amalgamated zinc plate as anode active material is put in an anode closure. A cathode mixt. contg. MnO2 and graphite and a cathode ring are placed in a cathode container. A cellophane separator is put on the cathode mixt. The plate-like formed body consists of Ca(OH)2 powder and 5wt.% of cotton short fibres. A polyamide gasket is interposed between the anode closure and the cathode container.    It is possible to prevent a decrease in electric conductivity of electrolyte because the calcium hydroxide reacts with zincate ions in alkaline soln. as electrolyte.
Separator having four-layer structure is interposed between anode active material and cathode active material. The separator comprises a first porous synthetic resin film in contact with the anode active material, and electrolyte-holding layer in contact with the cathode active material, and second synthetic resin film and a cellophane film interposed between the first porous synthetic resin film and the electrolyte-holding layer.    It is possible increase discharge capacity and preservability of the battery.    Typically cathode mix contg. silver oxide as cathode active material is placed in a cathode container. An anode contg. zinc as anode active material is put in an anode closure. A separator comprises a polypropylene film in contact with the anode, a polypropylene film, a cellophane film and an electrolyte -holding layer in contact iwth the cathode mix. A packing is interposed between the cathode container and the anode closure.
The separator comprises a film of a random copolymer produced by random copolymerisation of olefin and acrylic or methacrylic monomers, and a cellophane film in intimate contact with the random copolymer film.    Initial electric resistance of separator is decreased. Workability and electrolyte-holding properties of the separator are improved. Specifically ethylene and acrylic acid are random-copolymerised to produce a random copolymer having an acrylic acid content of 12 wt.%. This random copolymer has a melt index of 10 g/10 min., a specific gravity of 0.955 g/cu.cm., and is extruded at 150-180 deg.C into a film if 15 microns thickness. A cellophane film is bonded to the random copolymer film to fabricate a separator for an alkaline manganese battery. The random copolymer film has low Zn-permeability.
In a button-shaped alkaline battery, a metal closure serves as an anode terminal and has the contact surface to be in contact with an insulating packing. The contact surface of the closure is roughened to 0.5 to 10 microns on average. Adhesive sealant is interposed between the roughened contact surface of the closure and the insulating packing.    The adhesive sealant contains polyamide, polybutene, asphalt, pitch, chlorosulphonated polyethylene.    It is possible to improve leakproof characteristics of a button-shaped alkaline battery. An anode closure is selectively subjected to sand blasting to form a roughened surface to be in contact with an insulating packing of chloroprene or polyamide. The roughened surface is coated with an epoxy sealant contg. polyamide.
The parent patent described battery electrodes obtd. by metallising a microporous thin, non-conductive substate of fibrous structure, woven or non-woven. then applying the active material over the whole of the metallised surface and into the metallised pores of the substrate. In this addition, the substrate is a mineral or organic material, (carbon or graphite, cellulose, polyester, polyamide etc.) the porous or fibrous texture of which is such that the ratio between the surface developed and the apparent surface is large, the pore size of the interstices increasing in size with increase in thickness.    The essential part of the current collector is formed by electroplating of Ni onto a previous deposit of Cu which may be electroplated or electroless deposited, and which may be reinforced by electroplating.    A larger electrode structures can be formed than foreseen in the parent patent due to the increased thickness and strength of the electrodes while maintaining the porosity and proportion of collecting surface of the electrode. Use of a precoating of copper increases the electrical conductivity of the electrode grid.
A thermoplastic porous membrane, comprises a thermoplastic resin having a critical surface tension not exceeding 35 dynes/cm, a tridimensional network structure contg. intercommunicating pores having a porosity of at least 60%, and average pore size of 0.1-2.0 micron, a resistance factor    F=A/B(B(1-alpha))    (where A is the tensile strength at break, B is the tensile strength at break of a non-porous film formed of the same resin, and alpha is the porosity fraction of the porous membrane and is at least 1 measured in any direction), and a thickness of 6-500 microns.% The membrane is specifically claimed for use in micro-filters, as membrane for blood plasma separation and as separator in alkaline batteries. The membrane has high porosity, is soft, exhibits excellent water entry pressure, air and oil permeability and has good mechanical strength and dimensional stability.
In the prodn. of gas transport pores in catalyst material (I) for the electrochemical reaction of gaseous reactants by rendering hydrophobic with an organic polymer. (I) is treated with a soln. of polysulphone (IIA) or PVC (IIB) in an organic solvent (III) with a (II) content of 1-6 wt.% using 1-5 (2) vol.pts. soln./wt.pts. (I). (I) is pref. Ag or Ni, esp. Ag contg. Hg. (III) is pref. THF.    (I) is esp. useful in fuel cells operating with air. The treatment greatly improves the electrochemical properties of (I).
The electrode consists of a metal plate or grid substrate, which is covered on both sides with a paste contg. a metal powder mixed with a temporary binder. The paste is compacted and the binder is hardened; heating is then used to sinter the metal powder. If required, the porous sintered layers may next be impregnated with a metal oxide. The substrate is pref. perforated, and is e.g. expanded metal. The binder is esp. cellulose acetate mixed with water and hardened by drying the paste. If the metal powder is a poor conductor, e.g. Fe, a small amt. of a good conductor is pref. added, e.g. Cu, Ni or Cd. The electrode may be surrounded by a membrane made e.g. of a polymer.    Used esp. for accumulators, but also for batteries or electrolysers. A good bond is obtd. between the sintered powder and the substrate, so a robust electrode is obtd. at low cost.
High rate carbon cathode for lithium sulphuryl chloride batty cells is made by mixing carbon powder of surface area 1000 sq.m/g with PTFE and water to form a coherent mixture. The mixture is applied to an electrically conductive screen, formed while wet to an intermediate thickness and vacuum dried at 100 deg.C. The cathode is then cold compressed to obtain an electrode porosity above 80%.    The cathode has increased life and energy density with low cathode polarisation in a lithium sulphuryl chloride battery cell.
Method comprises (1) placing zinc powder, an electrolyte- soluble paste and a stearate in amt. of below 1 wt.% in a bag, (2) adding an alkali electrolyte into the bag and (3) mixing the zinc powder, paste and electrolyte in the bag to form a shaped paste negative electrode. The zinc powder is uniformly dispersed in the electrode. Specifically, the paste is carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium polyacrylate or polyethylene oxide.    In an example, carboxymethyl cellulose paste, zinc powder (100 wt. pts.) and stearate (0.5 wt. pt.) were mixed in a bag of polypropylene non-woven cloth. Then 45% KOH soln. was added to the bag to form a paste electrode. The bag was placed on the separator of an alkaline storage battery comprising also a positive electrode and KOH soln. electrolyte in an iron case.
Storage battery comprises a negative electrode, an alkaline electrolyte and a positive electrode consisting of 60-90 wt % silver oxide (Ag2O) powder and 10-40 wt % of nickel oxyhydroxide powder. The nickel oxyhydroxide decreases the internal resistance of the battery.    In an example, Ag2O powder (70 wt %) and Ni oxyhydroxide (NiOOH) powder were mixed and pressed with a pressure of 2 ton/sq cm to form a positive electrode disc (5) with a dia of 11.0mm. The disc was placed in a nickel plated iron case(2). A separator (8) of polypropylene non-woven cloth was placed on the disc. An electrolyte impregnated sheet (7) of cotton non-woven cloth in which KOH soln was impregnated was placed on the separator. Amalgamated zinc powder contg KOH soln was pressed to form a negative electrode (6) placed on the sheet(7). The case (2) was sealed by a metal cap(3).
Battery comprises (a) a negative electrode, e.g. of Li or Na; (b) a positive electrode contg. a CuO activator; and (c) an organic electrolyte. Lithium tungstate is added to the positive electrode material. The discharge voltage remains constant value for a long period due to the presence of the tungstate.    In an example, Cu oxide powder (100 pts. wt.), graphite powder (10 pts. wt.) and the tungstate (1 pt. wt.) of formula LiO.6WO3 were mixed and pressed to form a positive electrode disc. The disc was placed in a nickel plated iron case. A separator of polypropylene non-woven cloth was placed on the disc. Electrolyte consisting of solvent comprising propylenecarbonate and 1,2- dimethoxyethane and solute comprising lithium perchlorate as 1 mol/1 was impregnated into the separator. The Li electrode was placed on the separator. The case was sealed by a metal cap and a gasket was placed between the cap and the case.
In a process for the prodn. of a porous diaphragm suitable for use in an electrolytic cell, a porous shaped article of organic polymeric material is irradiated with high energy radiation, the irradiation being carried out in the presence of, or the irradiated article subsequently being contacted with a reactant chosen from ammonia, carbon monoxide or phosgene.    Pref. the polymeric material is a fluorine-contg. material and the shaped article is in the form of a sheet, esp. with a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils. The porosity of the material is pref. 40-90%. Irradiation is pref. carried out with gamma rays using a dose of at least 0.5 M Rad. Irradiation is pref. carried out in the absence of oxygen, esp. under vacuum, and the irradiated article is subsequently contacted with the gaseous reactant. The article may be heated after contact with the reactant has been established. The treated article may subsequently contacted with a liq. alkaline soln., esp. an aq. alkali metal hydroxide soln.    The process is esp. useful for treatment of tetrafluoroethylene based diaphragms for use in electrolytic cells as described in GB1355373. The irradiation treatment gives diaphragms having improved wettability by electrolyte solns., thus facilitating cell start-up, and which retain good electrolyte permeability over long working periods. The diaphragms have excellent resistance to electrolyte solns. and do not swell in use as with asbestos diaphragms, so that the anode-cathode gap can be held at a minimum and energy consumption reduced. The diaphragms are esp. useful in cells for the electrolysis of aq. alkali metal chloride solns. in the prodn. of chlorine and aq. alkali metal hydroxide, and also in other electrolytic cells and fuel cells.
Non-aq. cell comprises an active metal anode (I); an organic electrolyte soln. (II); and a solid cathode material (III) comprising the reaction prod. of 2 mols Bi, 5 mols S and 2 mole Fe or Pb. The cathode material may also contain at least one of graphite, Pb, carbon, Bi or Fe as conductive agent, and at least one of PTFE, polyethylene, polysulphone, polypropylene or polyamide as binder.    (I) is e.g. of Li, Na, K, Ca or their alloys. The solvent for the (II) is e.g. sulpholane, (IV) crotonitrile, (V) nitrobenzene, (VI) THF, (VII) methyl-substd. THF, (III) 1,3-dioxolane, (IX), 3-methyl-2-oxazolidone, (X), propylene carbonate, (XI), gamma-butyrolactone, (XII), ethylene glycol sulphite (XIII), DMSO, 1,1- and 1,2-dimethoxyethane, (XIV) and dimethyl isoxazole (XV). Pref. solvent is of (X) with a low viscosity solvent chosen from (VII), (VIII), dioxolane, (VIV), (XV), diethylcarbonate, (XIII), dioxane and dimethyl sulphite.    The cells are useful high energy batteries with highly reactive anodes and high energy density cathodes, esp. for use in portable appts. such as toys, computerised games, educational equipment, etc.
In a lead storage battery, the electrolyte consists of a colloid contg. H2SO4 and is contained in a vessel. An upper portion of the electrolyte comprises an electrolyte layer consisting of a mixt. of the H2SO4-contg. colloid and a water absorbing cpd. having pH-dependent water absorptivity and high water absorptivity within the neutral region or the range adjacent to it.    Typically, three anodes 2, two cathodes 3 and separators having projections 4 are inserted into a vessel 1. An H2SO4 colloidal electrolyte is poured into the vessel 1. Sulphuric acid colloid 7 contg. 10 wt.% acrylic acid monomers as water absorbing cpd. is poured into an upper portion of the vessel 1. Acid-proof resin fibre 12 is placed on the sulphuric acid colloid 7. An anode terminal 9, a cathode terminal 10 and a safety valve 11 are attached to a lid 8 bonded to the vessel 1 by epoxy resin.
In an alkaline battery, a film of metal sulphide is formed on a circumferential portion of a battery case or a closure plate as an anode terminal, and bonded to an insulating seal packing by an adhesive agent. Leak-proof characteristics of alkaline battery are improved.    A separator consists of polyamide resin. Electrolyte-holding material consists of cotton. An anode consists of amalgamated zinc powder impregnated with a KOH aq. soln. as an electrolyte. A closure plate as an anode terminal comprises a Fe plate having a Ni layer on the outer surface and a Cu layer on the inner surface. An insulating seal packing consists of nylon. A cathode mix consists of 90 wt.% mercury oxide and 10 wt.% flaky graphite. A battery case as a cathode terminal consists of Ni- plated steel. A copper sulphide film is formed on the U-shaped portion of the closure plate. The packing is bonded to the copper sulphide film by alkali-proof adhesive agents consisting of asphalt.
Method comprises (1) adding a soln. of reducing agent in a platinum gp. metal complex soln., (2) mixing the soln. with by ultrasonic vibration to reduce Pt gp. metal particles, (3) dispersing the particles into a conductive powder, (4) mixing the conductive powder with the particles and a binder to form a paste and (5) coating the paste on to an electrode base to form the electrode. Each of the particles has a grain size of 50 to 80 A. The particles are uniformly dispersed in the base.    In an example, active carbon powder is added to a soln. of chloro platinate (H2PtCl6) (0.1mol/1) and mixed for 1 hour. Then 10% sodium formate (150cc) is added to the soln. and mixed for 3 hours by ultrasonic vibration to reduce the chloro platinate to form Pt particles. The particles are uniformly dispersed in the active carbon powder. The powder is mixed with tetrafluoroethylene to form a paste. The paste is coated on a carbon sheet to form the electrode.
Method comprises (1) adding 0.5-2 mol.% of Sb205 to copper oxide (CuO) powder and (2) heating the CuO powder in a non-reducing atmosphere at below 500 deg.C. The Sb2O5 decreases internal resistance of the battery.    In an example, copper nitride is heated to form the CuO powder of particle size below 20 microns. The Sb2O5 (1 mol.%) was added in the powder and the powder was heated at 400 deg.C for 8 hours in air. The powder (100 pts.wt.) and a graphite powder (7 pts.wt.) were mixed and pressed to form a positive electrode. The electrode was placed in a metal case and a polypropylene separator was placed on the electrode. An electrolyte of solvent and lithium perchlorate (1 mol/1) was impregnated in the separator. The solvent consisted of propylene carbonate and dimethoxy-ethane. A negative electrode of Li was placed on the separator and the case was sealed by metal cap 2.
The battery comprises a positive electrode, a positive electrode activator of AgO, a negative electrode of zinc and an alkali electrolyte. In the positive electrode (100 pts.wt.), 5 to 35 pts.wt. of Ni and 2 to 15 pts.wt. CdS are added.    In an example, the positive electrode 2 placed in a metal case 1 consists of 50 to 93 wt.% AgO, 5 to 35 wt.% of Ni, 2 to 15 CdS and a conductive agent. A separator 3 is placed on the positive electrode. The electrolyte of KOH soln. is impregnated in the separator. The negative electrode 5 is placed on the separator. The negative electrode consists of CMC and zinc powder. The case is sealed by a cap 6. A gasket 4 is inserted between the case and the cap.
A plastics battery case comprises walls (4',8) from which project ribs (12). Each rib has an upper lead in portion (A) at a smaller angle to its associated wall than a lower component receiving portion (C). An intermediate portion (B) lying at a varying angle joins the other two portions. The lower end of the rib (34) may be detached from the base to enhance flexibility.    The ribs are formed initially with the whole of their length at the same angle to the walls and are deformed to the required shape by mandrels which pushed downwardly between the walls.    The lead in positions of the ribs facilitate entry of the components without damaging them.
Electrochemical cell separator plate having a thickness no greater than 0.15 inch, made by moulding and heat treating a mixt. of 45-64 pts. wt. of high purity graphite powder (I) and 55-35 pts.wt. of a carbonisable thermosetting phenolic resin having a carbon yield of at least 50% and graphitising the finished plate to at least 2100 deg.C, has an initial threshold corrosion potential at 400 deg.F of at least 1000 mV, a max. initial through-plane electrical resistivity of 0.011 ohm-cm and an initial flexural strength at 400 deg.F of at least 4000psi and an electrolyte takeup no greater than 5%.    (I) comprises 100% fully graphitic particles having a density of at least 2g/cc, an average aspect ratio of less than 0.4, and a distribution of particle sizes up to a max. of 230 microns, with 31-62 wt.% having a size less than 45 microns.    The plate is partic. useful in phosphoric acid fuel cells.
Non-aq. cell comprises an active metal anode; an organic electrolyte soln. consisting of an organic solvent contg. a dissolved inorganic salt and a solid cathode material comprising the thermal reaction prod. of bismuth trioxide and molybdenum trioxide in a mol. ratio of 1;2 to 3:1. The active metal anode is e.g. of Li, Na, K, Ca alloys of these. Pref. at least one material chosen from graphite, carbon, lead, bismuth, PTFE, polyethylene, polysulphone, polypropylene and polyamide is added to the solid cathode material.    Pref. the solvent in the electrolyte is 3-methyl-2-oxazolidone (I) together with a low viscosity solvent chosen from THF, methyl-substd. THF, dioxolane, dimethoxyethane, dimethylisoxazole diethyl carbonate, ethylene glycol sulphite, dioxane and dimethyl sulphite.    Cells give high energy density and are esp. useful for use as portable power source in small battery-operated devices such as computerised games and educational devices.
A neutral membrane produced by impregnating gel cpd. into pores in a porous synthetic resin matrix consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, polyacrylonitrile, PVAc, polyamide, polyester or PVP. The pore size of the pores in the resin matrix is 0.8-1.5 microns, and the neutral membrane has a specific electric conductivity of at least 0.001 mho/cm, and shows a water-permeability of up to 150 l/sq.m. at a pressure difference of 0.5 kg/sq.cm.    Pref. porous synthetic resin matrix can be produced by mixing a resin starting-material and inorganic or organic particles of 0.8-1.5 microns, forming the mixt. into a sheet-shape and then removing the particles from the resin matrix by a known mechanical or chemical treatment. The gel cpd. is e.g. silica gel or Zr silicate etc.    The neutral membrane has a high specific electric conductivity and a low water-permeability, and it is suitable for use in an electrolysation process or fuel cells etc.
Battery comprises a positive electrode of V2O5, an electrolyte impregnated in a separator and a negative electrode. The electrolyte comprises an organic solvent contg. dissolved lithium salt. The negative electrode comprises a TiO2 layer and a Li layer formed on the TiO2 layer. The Li layer is contacted with the separator. The positive electrode increases the lifetime of the battery.    In an example, the positive electrode placed in a case of stainless steel comprises V2O5 powder and graphite and binder. The graphite powder is added in the TiO2 layer. A polypropylene unwoven cloth separator is placed on the positive electrode. The electrolyte is impregnated in the separator. The solvent consists of 50 wt.% propylene-carbonate and 50 wt.% 1,2-dimethoxyethane. Lithium perchloride as 1 mol./l. is added to the electrolyte. The negative electrode is placed on the separator. The case is sealed by a cap of stainless steel.
The separator comprises hydrophilic synthetic resin film contg. graft polymerised acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid. The film has a thickness of 50 to 150 microns. The film is radiated by an ionising radiation in the air or in the oxygen atmos. The resin is polypropylene or polyethylene.    In an example, electron beams of 20Mrad were radiated to low density polyethylene film of 100 micron thickness in air. The film was placed in a vacuum chamber of 10 power minus 4 mmHg/% dry. The film was immersed in an aq. solution of 50 wt.% acrylic acid for 6 hours. The acid was graft-polymerised to the film, and the film was boiled in a HCl soln. and washed with water. The film was dried in vacuum. The film had a resistivity of 14 ohm-cm.
Method comprises (1) forming a mould with a gate and a thin part and (2) injecting a melted thermosetting resin in the mould from the gate to form the sealing member having a circular thin part. The resin is 1 of polyethylene, polyamide, polypropylene and polysulphone.    The thin part is easily formed. When a gas is generated in the battery, the pressure in the battery case increases. The case is easily exploded at the thin part of the member.    In an example, a polyethylene sealing member made by the mould has a thin part of diameter of 3mm and a thickness 0.15mm. The member seals the battery case. The member is covered by an outer plate. A negative electrode of Zn is placed in the case. A positive electrode is placed around the electrode. A separator is placed between the electrodes. A negative electrode collector is connected to the outer plate.
Battery case is blow moulded and has a bottom four upstanding walls joined to the bottom and each other by arcuate joints of min. thickness 0.025 inches and the walls having a max. thickness of 0.14 inches. A collar section is provided at the open end of the container, formed as a continuation of the walls and the joints between the walls, the collar section having a joint thickness of at least 0.07 inches and a wall thickness of a maximum of 0.14 inches.    Blow moulding allows tough materials, suitable for rough treatment in a vehicle to be used, and is cheaper than injection or rotational moulding. The collar at the top of the casing provides strength for heat sealing a top to the casing.
Battery is manufactured by producing an open topped thermoplastic battery box (11) housing a number of electrochemically active elements (12), with positive and negative terminal posts (10) connected to respective sets of the elements and projecting from the open top of the box. A sheet of thermoplastics material (13) is blanked to produce a cover for the box, apertures (14) are produced in the cover to receive terminal posts (10) and allow the introduction of electrolyte into, and the escape of gases from, the battery, and the cover is welded onto the open top of the box.    Appts. is partic. used in construction of vehicle traction batteries. In the prior art, the battery covers have been moulded, which is an expensive process. New cover, produced from a flat sheet, is very cheap to produce. The cover (13) is welded onto the open top of the box (11) using a heater (16).
Metal terminal extending through the thermally deformable wall of a battery container is formed by providing the container wall with a port of predetermined configuration, and injecting molten metal into the port and the cavity of a mould positioned about the port, the cavity and port cooperating to form a mould cavity for the terminal. The temperature of the metal is controlled so the metal flows freely to form the terminal and solidifies without destroying the structure or composition of the port and wall and, upon cooling, acts as a mould for any melted portions of the thermally deformable material to preserve the preformed configuration of the port.    Partic. used in lead acid storage battery cases of polypropylene. Forms a terminal of required electrical properties which is reliably sealed to the casing wall without requiring welding or the use of adhesives.
Battery plate is produced by forming an elongate reticulated lead sheet (1) having unreticulated portions along each end, placing elongate bodies (4") of synthetic resin across the sheet at intervals from side to side, and bonding the bodies to the strip, filling pasty active material into the openings of the strip, and then cutting the sheet along lines intermediate the edges of the elongate bodies to form a number of battery plates. Plastics bodies are pref. of polypropylene, polyethylene, pvc, acrylonitrile styrene resin, or abs.    Process is used in forming lead acid storage battery plates.    When plates are cut from reticulated sheet, open apertures are formed at the cut edges from which the active material can slip and cause short circuits between the plates. Sealing the cut portions with the plastics strips locks the active material in the apertures.
Igniter includes a body with an opening from the flame-producing end to a bottom surface (4) where a bridge-wire (8) interconnects two leads (5,6) from the exterior and is surrounded by compacted combustible medium (9) pref. titanium/potassium perchlorate powder retained in the body by a PTFE disc (13) and silicone elastomer moisture seal (14).    A length of heat-shrinkable plastic tube (10) over the body extends beyond its flame end so that the heat of combustion and of the battery causes it to fold over the body end so that it protects the lead ends against contact by molten pieces of the battery which could cause shorting out. The body is pref. of alumina ceramic and the bridge-wire is nichrome.
Mixed powder comprising zinc (hydr)oxide and organic solvent are mixed and kneaded. The mixt is kneaded with an electrolyte or an anionic, cationic or amphoteric surface active agent. The kneaded mixt is deposited or coated on a support e.g. a net or expanded metal, and dried.    Anode has a long useful life and a good discharge performance. In an example 60 pts wt zinc oxide powder, 20 pts wt metallic zinc powder and 0.3 pts wt mercury oxide powder were mixed with 8 pts wt polyethylene powder as a binder. 100g of the mixed powder and 25 ml of propylene glycol were mixed and kneaded to produce paste. 100 g of the paste and 0.01 ml of KCl saturated aq soln were kneaded. The paste obtd was coated on a Cu expanded metal support and dried at 130 deg C for 10 minutes.
In an ultrasonic wave type specific gravimeter for lead accumulator in which sulfuric acid aq. soln. is used as the electrolyte and the specific gravity is determined by using the change of transmission velocity of ultrasonic wave in the soln. the external circumference of the transmission path, formed between the emitting and accepting plate of ultrasonic wave and the reflecting plate installed at a distance from the emitting and accepting plate, is surrounded by a filter made of high polymer fibre (e.g. polypropylene, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, etc.) which resists sulphuric acid and has max. pore dia. of 5p-200 microns, so as to form opening hole at the top of the surrounding filter.    Specific gravity of H2SO4 electrolyte can be accurately and rapidly determined without interrupting the passage of current in lead accumulator and preventing invasion of bubbles into the transmission path.
A cathode mix, PVP and a binder are mixed and compacted into a cathode. Porosity of the cathode is increased because only PVP is dissolved in the electrolyte and replaced by it.    In an example, 100 pts.wt. fluorocarbon powder, 11 pts.wt. acetylene black as conductive material and 0.7 pt.wt. PVP are mixed. 100 g of the mixt. and 5 g of SBR aq. dispersion contg. 50 wt.% of resin component are mixed and dried. 1 g of the mixt. is placed on both sides of a Ti net current collector and pressed at a pressure of 1 ton/sq.cm to mfr. a cathode. Anode comprises a metal Li sheet pressed on a Ni net current collector. Separator consists of nonwoven fabric of polypropylene. Electrolyte consists of a 50 vol.% propylene carbonate-1,2- dimethoxyethane soln. contg. 1 mol/l lithium borofluoride.
MnO2 powder is treated in a hydrogen atmos. to remove active oxygen. Amount of H2 is more than 1.4 cc per g of MnO2.    It is possible to decrease an open-circuit voltage of a MnO2-Li battery to less than 3.3 volts.    In an example, MnO2 powder is heated at 400 deg.C for 4 hours to remove water. 100 pts wt. treated MnO2 powder, 3 pts. wt. carbon black as electrically conductive material and 6 pts. wt. fluororesin as a binder were mixed and compacted into a cathode disk at 3 tons/cm2. The disk is placed in a vacuum drier, which is evacuated to vacuum. Mixed gas of N2 and H2 is introduced into the drier, heated at 85 deg.C for 3 hours and vacuum-dried at 85 deg.C for 8 hours. Inert gas e.g. Ar may be used in place of nitrogen.
A porous sheet is impregnated with salt of metal, e.g. Ni or Fe having low hydrogen overvoltage and alkali resistance. The metal salt in the sheet is reduced to form metal corpuscles therein. The metal salt is nickel chloride, nickel nitrate, nickel sulphate, nickel acetate, iron chloride, iron nitrate, iron sulphate or iron acetate. The porous sheet is formed from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or nylon.    By using the sheet as a separator for a zinc alkali storage battery, it is possible to prevent growth of Zn dendrites because they are oxidised and dissolve on contact with the metal corpuscles, e.g. Ni or Fe. Hence it is possible to prevent a short circuit caused by dendrite growth.    In an example, a porous sheet of polyethylene is impregnated with a nickel chloride aq. soln. and then dipped in a sodium borohydride aq. soln. to reduce the metal salt into metal corpuscles.
In a battery contg. battery elements, an elastic insulating ring is interposed between open portion of a dish-shaped case of electrically conductive material and closure plate of electrically conductive material. The surfaces of the dish-shaped case and the closure plate in contact with the elastic insulating ring are coated with poly-paraxylene layer by vaporising monomers of paraxylene resin in vacuum, and depositing and condensing on the surfaces.    The polyparaxylene resin is pref. polyparaxylene, polymonochlorparaxylene or polydichloroxylene.    Leak-proof characteristics of the battery are improved.
A packing for battery consists of thermoplastic resin and has a thin portion. The shape of the thin portion is a circular arc extending in the coaxial circle direction. An injection mould for the packing has a resin-injecting gate formed within the region which is symmetric w.r.t. the thin portion. A molten resin is injected from the resin-injecting gate into the mould to fabricate a packing having a thin portion.    Pref. the thermoplastic resin is polyethylene, polyamide, polypropylene or polysulphone. It is possible to decrease mechanical strength of a thin portion of a packing.    Specifically a packing consists of polyethylene and has a thin portion of 0.2 mm thickness, a centre hole and a gate mark on injection moulding. The thin portion is broken at a pressure of 30-40 kg/sq.cm.
In mfr. of a packing of crystalline plastics having a thin portion, the packing after formation is heat-treated at less than a m.pt. of the plastics for a predetermined period of time. The thin portion of the packing is 0.2 to 0.3 mm thick.    A polyethylene packing is heat-treated at 100 to 100 deg.C for 10 to 20 hrs. A polypropylene packing is heat-treated at 130 to 160 deg.C for 10 to 20 hrs. A polytrifluorochloro ethylene packing is heat-treated at 180 to 190 deg.C for 10 to 20 hrs.    It is possible to break a thin portion of a packing of crystalline plastics at a low pressure because the crystalline plastics become brittle due to heat treatment.    In an example, a polyethylene packing having a 0.2 to 0.3 mm-thick thin portion is heat-treated at 100 to 110 deg.C for 10 hrs. and then broken at a pressure of 33 to 40 kg/sq.cm.
In a battery using a crystalline plastic packing having a thin portion, 1-3 wt.% of a crystal nucleus-inceasing agent is added to the crystalline plastics. Pref. the crystal nucleus-increasing agent is alkali metal salt of monobasic or dibasic carboxylic acid. The monobasic carboxylic acid is benzoic acid or diphenyl acetic acid. The dibasic carboxylic acid is succinic acid, adipic acid, phthalic acid or sebacic acid. The crystalline plastics are polyethylene, polyamide or polysulphone.    Polyethylene contg. 1 wt.% of Na phthalate is formed into a packing having a thin portion.    It is possible to break the thin portion(0.2-0.3 mm thick) of the packing at a pressure fo 20-40 kg/cm2 because crystalline plastics become brittle due to addn. of a crystal nucleus-increasing agent.
A battery separator is made by forming a paper web from a furnish containing synthetic pulp, consolidating and embossing under heat and pressure to form projections (20) on one face, and cutting into separator sections. The web is pref. made on a Fourdrinier machine, has a wt. of 140-180 g/sq.m and contains 60-80% synthetic pulp.    The synthetic pulp is of fibrillated polyolefin fibres made by flash spinning, e.g. of high-density polyethylene or polypropylene and may be filled with 25-35% china clay and surface oxidised to improve retention properties. The furnish may also include polyester staple fibres of 1.5-10 denier, and a porous silicate pretreated with wetting agent.
Absorbent electrolyte retaining separator for lead acid batteries comprises a fibrous nonwoven cloth consisting of up to 90 wt.% of an acicular mineral of density considerably greater than 2.4 g/cc, a fibrous inorganic material resistant to the electrolyte, and less than 25 wt.% synthetic binder. The cloth-encloses pref. a void volume above 85% and has an acid absorption capacity of at least 0.04 g/sq. cm and an acid retention capacity of at least 35% of the absorption capacity.    The separator exhibits improved acid retention more economically than in comparable batteries while retaining electrical properties when the separator is used in sealed maintenance free batteries.
An electrolyte absorber sepg. electrodes and holding electrolyte in an alkaline battery cell comprises (a) a flexible fibrous polyolefin substrate of physically entangled microfibres, pref. a melt blow polypropylene web; and (b) a wetting compsn. deposited on and adhered to external fibre surfaces comprising an admixt. of polymeric binder, pref. butyl latex rubber or ethylene propylene terpolymer, inert hydrophilic fillers and a phosphate ester wetting agent.    The polymeric binder covers the external fibre surfaces, with portions of the filler exposed and randomly protruding through the binder. The wetting agent is the type that, when immersed in and contacting alkaline electrolyte, reacts with it to lower the surface tension and permit the electrolyte to rapidly wet exposed filler, so the wetting is permanent while immersed in electrolyte, pref. a K salt of a complex organic polyphosphoric ester.    The separator is useful as a replacement for hazardous asbestos. It provides min. electrical resistance, and is resistant to decomposition.
Separator comprises a separator coating consisting of a copolymer of diacetone acrylamide and (meth)acrylic acid, esp. in a wt. ratio of ca. 1 to 0.4. The electrodes are made e.g. from finely divided Zn or Cd and 1-5wt.% of a coating comprising 0.5-5wt.% of the copolymer.    The electrodes have good stability to KOH, low electrical resistance, efficiency at minimal concns., effective bonding and mechanical stability, agglomeration and shape change retardation, dendritic growth retardation and resistance to change of growth morphology. Parent specification claims an electrode made of finely divided Zn with a coating of the above copolymer.
Nonaqueous cells comprise (a) an active metal anode, (b) an organic electrolyte soln., and (c) a solid cathode material contg. a reaction product of Bi2O3 and WO3. The cathode material is pref. prepd. by heating a mixt. of Bi2O3 and WO3 in a molar ratio of 1:3 to 3:1 at a temp. above 800 (esp. 825-925)deg. C. The product can be composited with conductive materials (graphite, carbon, lead) and binders (PTFE, polyethylene, polysulphone, polypropylene, polyamide).    The anode is pref. Li, Na, K, Ca or an alloy thereof. The electrolyte solvent is pref. 3-methyl-2-oxazolidone (I) diluted with THF, methyl-substd. THF, dioxolane, dimethoxyethane, dimethylisoxazole, diethyl carbonate, ethylene glycol sulphite, dioxan and/or dimethyl sulphite. The electrolyte is pref. a complex or double salt of a Lewis acid and an ionisable salt.
The battery comprises a negative electrode of a light metal, a positive electrode and an electrolyte consisting of an organic solvent and a solute. The solvent consists of ether, such as dimethoxyethane or THF. Active alumina is added to the active electrode. The alumina prevents the decrease of the discharge property of the battery effectively.    In an example, the mixt. consists of 90 wt.% of a MnO2 powder, 8 wt.% of a conductive graphite powder and 2 wt.% of an active alumina powder. A fluorocarbon carbon resin binder is added to the mixt. The mixt. is pressed to form a pellet with a dia. of 16 mm and a thickness of 0.5 mm. The pellet is heated at 200 deg.C for 10 hours and placed in a case. The electrolyte consists of dimethoxy ethane and Li perchlorate. The electrolyte is impregnated in a polypropylene nonwoven sheet on the pellet. The negative electrode of Li is placed on the sheet. The case is sealed.
Collector comprises a conductive C layer and a metal layer (I) formed on the carbon layer. (I) contacts a negative activator layer and is of Cd, Co, Ni, Sn, Pb, Fe, Cu, Ag, Au, Pt and/or Pd. Due to (I), the collector is firmly and uniformly contacted with the negative electrode activator layer.    In an example, a mixt. consisting of 75 wt.% acetylene black and 25 wt.% of butyl rubber was mixed and rolled to form a conductive C layer of thickness 0.1 mm. A Cu layer of thickness 0.03 mm is deposited on the C layer by electroplating The C layer was placed on a Ni foil and the layer and the foil were pressed at a pressure of 2000Kg/cm2 at 30 deg.C. The Cu layer was then contacted with a negative electrode layer of Zn.
Lithium cell comprises (a) an anode of light metal e.g. Li; (b) an organic electrolyte; and (c) a cathode active material comprising iron disulphide powder having particle size above 300 mesh. Discharge voltage of the cell has good long term stability. Specifically a cathode consists of 100 pts.wt. iron disulphide powder, 20 pts.wt. acetylene black and 3 pts. wt. PTFE. A separator consists of a nonwoven fabric of polypropylene contg. an organic electrolyte of propylene carbonate and lithium perchlorate. A Li cell comprises the cathode, the separator and a Li anode.
Process comprises (a) providing a fusible filler between a synthetic resin sealing body (I) (which seals opening part of zinc can contg. power generating elements) and a sealing plate (II) (incorporated with anodic terminal); and (b) melting the filler with heat and thereby forming the filler layer in a gap between (I) and (II).    Discharge retention after 60 days at 45 deg.C is improved. In an example, a zinc can opening was sealed with a polyethylene resin body. A filler mainly composed of atactic polypropylene filler was formed into a sheet ring, which was covered on the body. The filler was melted by pressing with a hot metal mould heated at 300 deg.C.
The Parent Patent No.2610116 described an electrode plate for accumulators, enclosed in a sheath, consisting of an oxygen-and acid-resistant plastic material with a porosity of at least 65% by fine perforations of up to 0.1 mm diameter. As a perforated plastic foil has not an adequate strength, it is now suggested to use a fibre mat of polyester threads which is made into a pocket by sewing or welding. The fibre mat can have a percentage of glass fibres, and holes of 0.06-0.1 mm dia. give it a minimum porosity of 70-75%. This can be made at low cost and is specially suitable for positive plates which are possibly short-circuited by anode slime.
Olefin resin, a water-insoluble, hydrophilic non-ionic surfactant and finely divided inorganic material are mixed and formed into a sheet. The sheet is stretched to form the porous stacked structure. (J49059943)
A porous carbon electrode is treated with a mixt. composed of graphite fluoride, synthetic resin such as furan resin, acetone and benzoyl peroxide (50:30:100:0.3 by wt.), covering the entire surface of the electrode with the film of the mixt.    Such electrodes are used for fuel cells, air cells, etc. (J49067135)
A layer-built dry cell is made by piling up element cells, pressing the stack for making a block, placing the block under a reduced pressure to eliminate an air in the block, forming a sealing material layer on the surface of the block, and coating with a thermally shrinking resin tube around the sealing material.    In an example, an element cell comprises a Zn plate, a carbon film on one surface of the Zn, a separator on the opposite side of the Sn, a cathode mix on the separator, and a thermally shrinking resin tube surrounding the members. Element cells are stacked, and placed in an atmos. of a reduced pressure to remove air in the element cells. Then wax is applied around the stack, and a thermally shrinking PVC tube is applied.    Shelf life is improved by eliminating an air in the element cells.
Process comprises irradiating microwave on MnO2, mixing it with conductive agent and binder, moulding the mixt. into a sheet and fabricating the sheet into an anode.    Improved discharge battery is obtd. in short process. In an example, MnO2 (commercially available) 50 g was put in a quartz vessel, to which microwave (200 W, 2400-2500 MHZ) was irradiated for 20-50 sec. The treated MnO2 09.6 wt.% + graphite powder 7.4 wt.% + polytetrafluoroethylene powder 2.0 wt.% were mixed in a V-mixer. The mixture was kneaded in a kneader at 200 deg.C pressed in a roller (150 deg.C) and rolled into 0.5 mm thick sheet, which was punched into 15 mm dia. to give an anode. The anode, a metal Li disc cathode and a separator impregnated with an electrolyte composed of LiClO4 dissolved-propyrene carbonate, were mounted in a battery case to give an organic solvent battery.
Used lead acid batteries are reduced to discrete pieces of such size that the pieces are each substantially of one material only, and the pieces are separated in accordance with their densities and the pieces are collected in separate lots of similar density.    Used in processing discarded lead acid batteries to separate and collect component material for recycling. Previously batteries have been broken open and components parts separated manually with no separation of lead solids and grids of high antimony content from antimony free lead oxides and lead sulphates. New arrangement allows separation of all components materials allow economic recovery with less environmental pollution and low labour costs.
Sodium-iodine prim. battery with high energy output comprises a solid iodine cathode coated overall with poly-N-vinylimidazole iodide and pressed against a sodium anode. The construction of the battery causes formation of the electrolyte NaI in situ and avoids the necessity for special separators. The poly- N-vinylimidazole iodide charge transfer complex also serves as a conductor which obviates the need for conductor inserts in the cathode.    The batteries have low self-discharge characteristics and high energy density (1.6 Wh/cu. cm and maintain a practically constant voltage over the discharge period. They are useful e.g. for building in to integrated circuits and semiconductor devices to provide power for periods e.g. in excess of 20 years.
Cell, comprising (a) an anode spaced from a cathode current collector, opt. with a separator between them, and (b) an ionically conductive electrolyte contacting anode and cathode current collector, comprising a solute dissolved in a solvent functioning as active cathode depolariser, has a coating of a cpd. of the cyanoacrylate family contiguous with the anode. Passivation is reduced in an electrochemical cell having Li anode, ionically conductive solute dissolved in thionyl chloride electrolyte, cathode current collector and separator as above, by, before assembly, (i) coating the anode and/separator with a liq. cpd. of the cyanoacrylate family that dures to an adherent film and curing the cpd., or (ii) locating a cyanoacrylate sheet adjacent the anode and assembling them in the cell.    The coating film or sheet reduces passivation, allowing high current rates to be achieved and reducing delay in reaching operating voltage after storage, esp. at elevated temps.
Alkaline cell includes a cathode can whose inner surface is coated with a cadmium layer, and a cathode mixt. consisting mainly of silver peroxide; the cathode mixt. is arranged in the cathode can.    Specifically a cathode mixt. of silver peroxide and scaly graphite is arranged in a cathode can with a cadmium layer. An anode mixt. consisting of gelled alkaline electrolyte and gelled zinc powder is placed on the cathode mixture through a barrier of cellophane and a polypropylene nonwoven fabric contg. alkaline electrolyte.    Since oxygen gas produced from the silver peroxide cathode mixture during the discharge and storage of the cell is effectively absorbed by the cadmium coating, accumulation of the oxygen gas in the cell casing is prevented. Increase of inner resistance due to the accumulation of the oxygen gas is prevented. Liq. leakage of the cell is prevented.
A battery supply for electrical equipment used in mining where there is a risk of explosion consists of an electronic circuit on the input side of the battery terminals, the batteries and that part of the electronic system which is not intrinsically safe are all housed in one common housing, which contains the wiring and is then cast into a block.    The battery or batteries are initially embedded in a battery casing, and the electronic system in a separate electronic casing of silicone rubber cast material, both these casings are then bonded together using a double-sided adhesive strip and are pushed together into an overall casing having a closure lid and actuator.    Pref. the battery cables lead out from the battery casing through a hole in the bonding surface and pass through a corresp. hole in the electronic casing and are soldered to the electronic mounting plate.    This arrangement leads to a reduction in the voltage drop caused by the electronic circuit, which with previous arrangements equals about 2.5V. At the same time, the battery can be easily removed and replaced by a new one by removing the first 1 centimetre thickness of the cast material in the electronic casing, detaching the battery cables and sepg. the two casings at the adhesive joint.
Separator battery comprises many overlapping talc platelets (8) randomly distributed through a fibrillated PTFE binder, oriented with their faces parallel to the separator faces and microspaced from each other to define a tortuously-pathed network of interconnected pores extending between faces of the separator. The separator pref. also includes a salt from Ca acetate, Ca formate or zirconyl acetate. The Zn battery comprises the separator having a first face adjacent a Zn electrode and a second face adjacent a counter electrode and prevents Zn dendrite bridging between electrodes.    The separator is strong and flexible and very effective for preventing dendrite bridging, e.g. no Zn dendrite penetration in 390 cycles.
Evaluation of seals for Li cells using organic solvent electrolytes has shown that seal made of Gafite RTM provides good storage characteristics including 71 deg.C and is not attacked by organic solvents as are materials such as nylon. Gafite, a polyester resin, is formulated from polybutyleneterephthalate into a thermoplastic moulding cpd. by GAF Corporation. The compression strength, creep resistance, chemical resistance and low H2O transmission provide a moulded part which can be compressed between the can and cover of a Li cell using conventional techniques which will not leak or permit water ingress into a cell.    This material has proved superior to nylon seals made of the same design partic. in the area of water ingress. This seal material will give good sealing characteristics for non-aq. cells employing organic solvents and solid electrodes such as Li/MnO2, Li/FeS2, etc.
A cylindrical side plate made of olefin system resin is arranged in a closed space constituted by both a female mould having a resin passage and a male mould. Olefin system resin is poured into the closed space through the passage from a nozzle to form a bottom plate of a battery casing integrated with the side plate. (J53059837)
Cell comprises a positive electrode of Ag2Se and Ag3PO4, a negative electrode consists of silver and a reference electrode all dipped in an electrolytic soln. contg. silver perchlorate. Lead wires are connected to the electrode. All components are in a container of polypropylene.    Element is used for storage batteries. (J51120258)
Battery comprises positive electrode, a lithium negative electrode and a lithium bromide solid electrolyte placed between the electrodes. The positive electrode consists of a manganese dioxide activator and an electron transfer complex comprising organic donor and bromine.    The complex decreases informal resistance of the positive electrode and increases corrosion resistance of the battery.    In an example complex of poly.2.vinylpyridine and bromine (10 to 20 wt %) and MnO2 powder (80-90 wt %)heated at 350 deg C were mixed and pressed with a pressure of about 1 ton/ cm2 to form a disc of dia of 15mm and thickness 0.6mm. The disc is placed in a case. Lithium bromide electrolyte was placed on the disc, and Li electrode was placed on the electrolyte. The case was sealed by a cap.
In an electrically conductive film for a layer-built dry cell using MnO2 as cathode active material, Zn as anode active material and an electrolyte contg. zinc chloride or ammonium chloride, the electrically conductive film contains expanded graphite as an electrically conductive agent.    Film has good electrical conductivity and workability. In an example, 30 g. expanded graphite, 5 g. artificial graphite and 8 g. vinyl chloride resin were mixed by a ribbon mixer and rolled by hot rollers into an electrically conductive film of 0.1 mm. thickness.
In a thin electric battery, a peripheral portion of separator is impregnated with carboxyl gp. contg. self-emulsifiable polyolefin. It is possible to prevent electrolyte from leaking out of peripheral portions of electrodes.    Typically cathode current collector comprises a carbon film formed on a metal foil. The cathode current collector is bonded to an outer sheath having a hole. A cathode mix is coated on the carbon film and a separator is placed on the cathode mix. The peripheral portion of the separator is impregnated with carboxyl gp. contg. self-emulsifiable polyolefin. The outer sheath and the carbon film are bonded to the separator by an adhesive. An anode of Zn and an outer sheath having an anode terminal are placed on the separator and bonded by an adhesive.
In a thin electric battery, a peripheral portion of a separator is impregnated with aliphatic polyamide resin having an amine value of 5 to 25.    Electrolyte is prevented from leaking out of peripheral portions of electrodes.    A cathode current collector is fabricated by sticking a carbon film on a Sn-plated Fe foil. The cathode current collector is thermally bonded to a middle-density polyethylene layer in a laminated film comprising the polyethylene-Al- middle density polyethylene structure as an outer sheath having a hole. A cathode mix contg MnO2 and acetylene black is coated on the carbon film. A separator has a peripheral portion impregnated with aliphatic polyamide resin. An anode of Zn and an outer sheath having an anode terminal are placed on the separator and bonded by an adhesive. The carbon film and the outer sheath are bonded to the separator by an adhesive.
Box is formed from two part boxes (11,12) which are located each in one part of a jig (13) which locates both the inside and outside surfaces of the part boxes, the jigs are brought together so the edges (19) of the part boxes abut one another, and the edges are welded together while so located. Pref. the edges to be welded together are heated by contact with a hot plate before being brought together to become welded.    Used partic. in forming a thermoplastics cell box for an electric traction or other storage battery. Locating the box parts on both the inside and outside surfaces ensures that the edges are located precisely to give a strong box. The flash can also be controlled allowing easy removal.
In the sea-water-activatable battery of the parent patent in which the cathode compsn. consists of PbCl2 contg. minor amts. of polymer fibre, polymer binder and wetting agent, the anode compsn. consists of an alloy of (in wt.%): Mn 0.05-3.5 pref. 1.3-1.7 and Mg the balance pref. at least 96.3; up to 1.0 wt.% pref. not more than 0.2 wt.% impurities may be included. The above anode compsn. may also be used in batteries with AgCl or CuCl cathodes.    In an example, a cell was constructed with a cathode of: PbCl2 (99.9%) 96, polyester fibre 1.5 and neoprene rubber 2.5; and an anode of: Mn 1.52, Mg the balance and impurities less than 1.02V and the cathode cell efficiency was 96%.
Sea water-activatable battery has Mg anodes and cathode active material comprising (in wt.%): polymer fibre 1-5, pref. 1-3; polymer binder 1-5, pref. 2-5; wetting agent up to 0.2; and PbCl2 at least 90 pref. 92-97. The fibre is e.g. polyester and pref. has a length about 1 mm. and denier not thicker than about 5. The binder is pref. an elastomer, e.g. neoprene rubber.    Battery is used in life-saving equipment etc. Cathode compsn. provides a higher energy density than prior compsns., it is esp. useful in cells used at current drains of up to 30 or even 100 ma./sq.cm.
A hydrophilic binder is added to active carbon, and the mixt. is moulded to form an electrode. The electrode is treated with a water proofing soln. such as 10% paraffin wax.    The hydrophilic binder is pref. composed of methanol contg. 3% ethyl cellulose. (J52076649)
A base film made of a polymer of maltotriose units is coated with a paste layer of starch materials or water soluble synthetic paste materials to form a separator.    The separator is arranged in Zn can so that the paste layer is contacted to the inner surface of the can. (J50134141)
The battery comprises positive electrode activator of manganese dioxide, negative electrode activator of lithium and a non-aq. electrolyte. The battery is discharged in a low load of about 1-2 megaohms before the battery is used. The battery has a high initial open-circuit voltage of about 3.6V. The voltage is discharged to stabilise discharge voltage effectively.    In an example, positive electrode consisting of pressed body including 90 wt.% MnO2, 8 wt.% graphite and 2 wt.% PTFE ethylene was placed in a case. Polypropylene nonwoven cloth separator was placed on the positive electrode. The Li electrode was placed on the separator. Electrolyte of lithium perchlorate soln. was filled in the case. The case was sealed by a cap 3. The battery was discharged for 10 days with the low load 1 megaohm.
Battery comprises an anode, cathode, a separator placed between the electrodes and an electrolyte contg. a glycol e.g. (trim)ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butanediol, tetramethylene glycol, hexamethylene glycol., di- or tri- or tetra-ethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol. In anexample, a PVA film was heated at 180 deg.C for 3 hrs. to crystallise the film. The film was wound around a Zn electrode. The electrode and a Ni electrode were placed in a battery case. An electrolyte consisting of KOH (475 g/l), LiOH (13 g/l) and polyethylene glycol (0.5 ml/l) was filled in the case. The case was then sealed.
Method comprises (1) forming a paste consisting of an activator of cadmium oxide, a conductive agent, a binder and an organic solvent 1, (2) coating the paste on an electrode base and (3) drying the coated paste. The binder is a fluorocarbon resin powder or a non-aq. dispersion of the fluorocarbon resin powder. The wt. ratio of fluorocarbon resin/cadmium oxide is 0.05-0.5. The fluorocarbon resin improves the mechanical strength of the electrode effectively.    In an example, CdO powder (1000 g), Ni powder (200 g), polyamide short fibres (7.0 g), PVA, (4 g), ethylene glycol soln. (300 cc) and PTFE resin dispersion (7.7 cc) were mixed to form the paste. The paste was coated on a nickel plated iron base plate. The coated paste is dried at 100 deg.C for 5 hrs.
Method comprises (1) adding zinc powder and binder to aq. soln. contg. indium ions and lead ions and mixing to form a paste, (2) pressing the paste to form a body and (3) drying the body to form the negative electrode. The electrode is used in an air cell. The electrode prevents self-dishcarging of the battery.    In an example, indium chloride and lead nitrate are dissolved in water to form an aq. soln. contg. 3 wt.% Pb and 0.1 wt.% In. A POA binder (1.5 g) is added to the aq. soln. (125 cc). Then zinc powder (500 g) is added to the soln and mixed to form a paste which is pressed in a mould and dried to form a negative electrode having high mechanical strength.
A solid electrolyte comprises an ionically conductive macromolecular material formed by crosslinked polymers or oligomers comprising heteroatoms in the monomer unit or in the side chains as well as crosslinkable gps., filled with ionisable salts and having a glass transition temp. which is as low as possible.    The electrolyte is used in electrochemical generators and potentiometer cells. It has good ionic conductivity and satisfactory mechanical properties, e.g. it has adequate modulus elasticity at operating temps.
Plugs for accumulators with aq. electrolytes have a catalyst for the recombination of the gases formed in the operation of the accumulator, the catalyst being coupled with a material having a high specific heat capacity. The material pref. is fixed to a support, esp. a mol. sieve.    The material consists of H2O, salt hydrates, oils or a crystalline crosslinked synthetic epoxide, polyurethane or polyester resin. Alternatively, the catalyst is coupled thermally with the metallic cover and the mol. sieve is placed in a metal cage connected thermally with the cover.    Overheating of the recombinator is avoided.
Catalyst for the recombination of H2 and O2, esp. the gases formed in the operation of electrical accumulators, consists of a mixt. of PTFE and kieselguhr as support, which is provided with the active catalyst material. This has a mat of a rolled PTFE-kieselguhr mixt., which is provided with a catalytically active metal after rolling, hydrophobised and sintered.    The PTFE-kieselguhr wt. ratio is 40:60 to 60:40, whilst the catalyst is Pd in an amt. of 0.1-5(0.5-2)wt.%. The catalyst can be rolled with a C mat, opt. impregnated with CuO.    The catalyst has good mechanical strength and retains its good catalytic activity and hydrophobic properties for long periods. Besides recombinators for accumulators, it is also useful for all plant in which unwanted H2 is generated, e.g. fuel cells, battery rooms of submarines, etc., for eliminating radiolysis gases in nuclear power stations and H2 from hydrogenation processes or for generating heat from H2 and O2 and air.
Fuel cell comprises an electrolyte, an air or oxygen positive electrode and a negative electrode. Cobalt phthalocyanine is added to the air or oxygen electrode as a catalyst to prevent decrease of the terminal voltage of the cell.    In an example the negative electrode consisted of hydrogen gas. The electrolyte consisted of an aq. soln. of KOH, NaOH, NaCl, KCl or H3PO4. Carbon powder passing through 100 meshes (0.20g), active carbon (0.08g), PTFE powder passing through 50 meshes and cobalt phthalocyanine were mixed. The mixt. was filled in a disc shaped mould with a Ni net. The mixt. and the net were pressed with a pressure of 400 Kg/cm2 to form a disc with a dia. of 20mm. The disc was dried at 130 deg.C for 30 mins. and sintered at 400 deg.C for 30 mins.
The fuel cell comprises an electrolyte, an air or oxygen electrode (positive electrode) and a negative electrode. Cyanocobalamine is added to the air or oxygen electrode.    In an example, the negative electrode consists of hydrogen gas. The electrolyte consists of an aq. soln. of KOH, NaOH, NaCl, KCl or H3PO4. Carbon powder passing through 100 meshes (0.20 g), active carbon (0.08 g), PTFE powder passing through 50 meshes and cyanocobalamin are mixed. The mixt. is filled in a disc shaped mould contg. a nickel net. The mixt. and net are pressed at 400 kg/cm2 to form a disc with dia. 20 mm. The disc is dried at 130 deg.C for 30 mins. and sintered at 40 deg.C for 30 mins.
A battery has a container (1) with cell elements in an intermediate part (5) and a sealing mouth (4) closed by a gasket and of diameter smaller by at least the intermediate part wall thickness than the intermediate part diameter. The gasket side face is compressed by the mouth inner face and the top (8) of the mouth is curved radially inwardly over the gasket.    The gasket is pref. of nylon and is supported on an annular shoulder on the container. A washer is pref. fitted within the space formed by projections on the gasket and the gasket is pref. compressed between this washer and a negative electrode collector inserted through the gasket bore. The arrangement is partic. for a battery with alkaline electrolyte.
A system for automatically loading an accumulator lid mould with prefabricated lead inserts for the positive and negative terminals involves use of three plates for the mould tool so that a series of inserts can be guided via horizontal and descending channels (10,11) to passage (28) in the floating plate (21) aligned with insert location studs (30) in the cavity face. Each closing of the mould rides dowels (27) to advance a pair of inserts into the mould cavity. Each parting of the mould plates (21, 21, 22) allows the next inserts to drop into the channels (28).    Used for mfr. of battery covers of e.g. polypropylene or polystyrene, complete with terminal studs. Process is quicker than lateral introduction of inserts into the daylight of a two-plate mould while open, and safer than manual loading.
In the prodn. of dust-free and free-runnin g Pb carrier cpds. for the glass, ceramics and accumulator industries, the Pb carrier (I) of litharge (over 97% PbO), litharge melt granulate, Pb silicate, red lead, red lead-litharge, Pb dust (50-97% PbO, rest Pb), and Pb dust-Pb oxide or Pb dust-red lead mixts., is treated with polymeric cpds. (II) and granulated. Improvement is that (II) are (mixts. of) water-soluble organic macromol. substances, which cause water retention due to their structure which are dissolved in water and opt. mixed with stabilisers and other additives according to the needs of the intended application.
Alkaline battery electrode active mass prodn. involves mixing magnetite ore, ferric oxide, synthetic fibre and polyvinyl alcohol, and an active mass of greater mechanical strength is obtained by using polyvinyl alcohol with a dehydrating additive, e.g. conc. sulphuric acid in a 1:5 ratio with polyvinyl alcohol.    Use of the additive combines properties of resistance to water and alkali at raised temp. during service so that the polyvinyl alcohol is not washed out and so cannot act as a hardening agent. The new hardening agent also possesses the property of water absorption so that satisfactory conductance is ensured.    The additive is mixed with the polyvinyl alcohol before being mixed with the other components. Then the mass is applied to a backing and dried at 110-120 deg.C for 15-30 min. The degree of dehydration is 25-30 mol. % of binary bonds to ensure the required properties of the polyvinyl alcohol film. Bul.46/15.12.80. (2pp)
A synthetic resin composed mainly of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyacrylonitrile, vinylidene chloride copolymer, vinylidene chloride acrylonitrile, copolymer or vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer is dissolved in a hydroscopic solvent of dimethyl formamide, dimethyl sulphoxide, etc. to produce a synthetic resin soln. A plate or porous member is coated with the synthetic resin soln. The coating is contacted to a non-solvent such as water or ethyl alcohol. The coating is dried to form fine pores in the plate or porous member.    Separators with low electrical resistance and good chemical resistance properties are easily provided.    In an example, 15 pts wt. polyvinyl chloride resin is dissolved in 85 pts wt. dimethyl formamide. A glass substrate or polyester non-woven cloth sheet is coated with the synthetic resin soln. The substrate is dipped in water for a few seconds. The coating is then dried to provide a great number of fine pores in the substrate or the sheet.
A film-like electrode comprises a metal film or a metal plate (1-c) (e.g. of stainless steel), a thermally softening conductive plastic film (1-b) contg. carbon powder uniformly (e.g. of polyvinyl acetate homopolymer, vinyl acetate-vinyl chloride copolymer, or vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer contg. carbon black), and a thermosetting adhesive thin film (1-b) (e.g. phenol resin, xylene resin, or epoxy resin) between them. The adhesive layer material is mixed with one portion of the plastic film. The hardening temp. of the adhesive layer is pref. the same as the softening temp. of the plastic film.    A film electrode with excellent adhesive strength, improved moisture-resisting property, and high conductivity is obtd., and it is pref. used in a metal-halogen thin electric cell.
Method comprises (1) forming a composite thin film consisting of oxygen-permeable, thermal fusible fluorocarbon resin bonding agent layer and oxygen permeable fluorocarbon resin repellant layer laminated on the bonding agent layer, (2) providing a collector of a porous metal reducing an oxygen gas electrochemically and (3) bonding the thin film on to the collector.    In an example, the collector of Ag has through-holes of 10000 cm power 2 and a thickness of 0.05 mm. The film comprised fluoroethylen-propylene copolymer bonding agent layer and repellency layer of polytetrafluoroethylene. The film was placed on the collector and pressed at 250 deg.C, to form the air electrode of 0.05 mm thickness. The electrolyte was a KOH soln. and an opposite electrode consisted of an amalgamated zinc.    The electrode is thin and the thin film prevents leakage of electrolyte.
The battery comprises a negative electrode of light metal, such as Li or Mg, a non-aq. electrolyte and a positive electrode activator consisting of 100 pts.wt. graphite fluoride and 1 to 20pts.wt. MnO2. The positive electrode activator increases discharge capacitance and energy density of the battery.    In an example, the positive electrode activator consists of 100 pts.wt. graphite fluoride and 20 pts.wt. of manganese dioxide. Acetylene black (5wt.%) and ethylene fluoride-propylene fluoride (5wt.%) are added to the activator to form a mixture. The mixt. is pressed to form a positive electrode. The electrolyte consists of solvent and 1 mol/l lithium perchlorate. The solvent consists of 50wt.% 1,2-dimethoxyethane and 50wt.% of gamma-butyrolactone. The negative electrode is Li.
Solid electrolyte cell comprises lithium negative electrode, a solid electrolyte of polymer having lithium ion conductivity (e.g. aduct of polymer such as polyether and lithium salt such as lithium bromide, iodide, or thiocyanate), and an organic halogen compound positive electrode (e.g. N-brom succinimide, N-iodo succinimide, N-bromoaceamide.    The cell has high voltage and high energy density. The polymer adduct provides excellent stability for the negative electrode lithium, and the polymer has an improved adhesive property both to the negative and the positive electrode. The positive electrode is pref. organic halogen compound powder, conductive agent, and binder.
Cadmium electrode is made by prepg. paste of cadmium oxide, a binder (e.g. PVA, CMC or ethyl cellulose), and a solvent for binder (e.g. ethylene glycol, or propylene glycol); applying the paste on a core material (e.g. nickel-plated iron), drying and forming a cadmium hydroxide layer on the surface of the dried paste layer.    The cadmium hydroxide is pref. made by impregnating the electrode provided with paste layer with Cd salt (cadmium nitrate), and then changing the cadmium salt into the cadmium hydroxide, or the cadmium hydroxide is made by cathode polarising the electrode with the paste layer in a cadmium nitrate solution.    The cadmium negative electrode has improved reactivity with oxygen when changed into cadmium metal by charging, and provides an improved gas absorbing property.
An MnO2-contg. cathode for use in non-aq. cells comprises heated treated MnO2, conductive agent and binder, with the walls of the (surface) pores coated with vapour deposited organic solvent to reduce the affinity of the cathode for reabsorbing moisture, pref. so that after exposure to relative humidity 8% at 20 deg.C for 30 min., the cathode has a total not over 700 (esp. not over 500)ppm. moisture.    A cell comprises an anode, an organic electrolyte and the cathode. The cathode is made by (a) heat treating MnO2, at 200- 430 deg.C for long enough to reduce moisture to below 400ppm., (b) blending with conductive agent and binder and (c) contacting with vapour of organic solvent, to deposit a solvent layer on the walls of at least surface pores. The binder is pref. Portland cement, polyvinyl, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacrylics, polystyrene, polyisobutylene or PTFE.    Minimises water content subsequently causing anode corrosion and H2 generation with risk of jamming or electrolyte leakage.
A method of injection moulding plastics containers, esp. for electrical batteries and accumulators, uses a pref. multi-compartment mould and corresponding plungers. The plastics is introduced into the mould or each cavity of the mould at at least two positions corresponding to opposite side walls of the finished container and at approximately mid-height of the finished container.    Pref. also, the material is injected in two mutually opposed directions transversely or at right angles to the main axis of the container and of the mould plunger. The injection positions may be at a single point in each of at least two opposite walls of the container or several different points in one wall, in which case they are at different heights.    High prodn. rates of thin walled fault-free battery casings are achieved.
The electrode comprises (a) a conductive current collector bus plate, (b) a honeycomb matrix structure extending from one side of the plate, having an electrically conducting surface and forming multiple compartment, (c)an acid-ion-porous retainer adjacent compartment ends opposite the plate, contacting the acid electrolyte and (d) positive active material in the compartments, comprising Pb oxide active material and powdered electronically conductive additive resistant to acid corrosion distributed through a stable acid-ion-porous structure.    The battery also includes negative electrod(s) and separator(s). In operation, acid ions pass through the retainer and contact active material, reacting to produce electronic flow, whose conductance to matrix and plate is increased by the additive. The acid-ion-porous structure of (d) is pref. a stable synthetic polymer, esp from polyethylene, PTFE, Dyflor (RTM) or Kynor (RTM).    The battery is useful for electric vehicles. Current collector wt is reduced e.g. by 50% and delivered energy density and active material utilisation are increased, giving a deliverable energy density about 27W-hr/lb compared with conventional 15W-hr/lb. Cycle life is extended and shedding reduced.
The polarising film is obtd. using polymer having polyene bond, or its modified prod., formed by dehydrohalogenating copolymer of cpds. selected from vinyl halides and vinylidene halides and cpd(s) selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and their derivs., as the base material of the film.    The polarising film exhibits little change in polarising effect and colour tone even in continuous use for long period under dry heat or wet heat of 90-95 deg.C, and is useful for liq. crystal display device, optical instrument, photographic filter, sun glasses, etc. The content of vinyl halide and/or vinylidene halide in the copolymer is 60-30 mol.%.
Storage battery comprises a positive electrode activator, a negative electrode activator consisting of Li and an electrolyte. The positive activator consists of triphenyl methane dye.    The positive electrode activator improves the discharge capacitance and energy density of the battery, so the battery is small.    In an example, a positive electrode was placed in a Ni plated brass case. An electrolyte impregnating sheet of C fibre and a separator of porous polypropylene film were placed on the electrode. The electrolyte was impregnated in the sheet and the separator. The Li electrode was placed on the separator. The case was sealed by a cap. The electrolyte consisted of a solvent of propylene carbonate and a solute of 1 mol/l LiClO4. The positive electrode consisted of a mixt. of 50wt.% of the activator and 50wt.% of an acetylene black. The activator was triphenyl methane.
The storage battery comprises a positive electrode activator, a negative electrode activator consisting essentially of Li and an electrolyte. The positive activator consists of purine (deriv.), or pyrimidine (deriv.). The positive electrode activator improves discharge capacitance and energy density of the battery, so that the battery is formed with a small size.    In an example, a positive electrode is placed in a Ni plated brass case. An electrolyte impregnating sheet of carbon fibre and a separator of porous polypropylene film are placed on the electrode. The electrolyte is impregnated in the sheet and the separator. The Li electrode is placed on the separator. The case is sealed by a cap. The electrolyte consists of a solvent of propylene carbonate and a solute of 1 mol/l LiClO4. The positive electrode consists of a mixt. of 50wt.% of the activator and 50wt.% of an acetylene black. The activator is purine.
Storage battery comprises a positive electrode activator, a negative electrode activator consisting essentially of Li and an electrolyte. The positive activator consists of hydrated iron oxide such as alpha-FeOOH, beta-FeOOH, gamma- FeOOH or delta-FeOOH. The positive electrode activator improves the discharge capacitance and energy density of the battery, so that the battery is compact.    In an example, a positive electrode was placed in a Ni plated brass case. An electrolyte impregnated sheet of carbon fibre and a separator of porous polypropylene film were placed on the electrode. The electrolyte was impregnated in the sheet and the separator. The Li electrode was placed on the separator. The case was sealed by a cap. The electrolyte consisted of a solvent of propylene carbonate and a solute of 1mol/l LiCl04. The positive electrode consisted of a mixt of 50 wt % of the activator and 50 wt % of acetylene black. The activator was alpha FeOOH.
The electrical conductivity of a conjugated polymer (I) which is dopable with dopant species to a more highly conducting state is modified to provide (I) with a preselected room temp. conductivity ranging from semiconducting to metallic behaviour by the reversible steps of (a) providing an electrochemical cell having an anode and/or cathode of (I) and an electrolyte (II) ionisable into one or more ionic dopant species (III), anionic when (II) is anode-active material and cationic when (II) is cathode-active material; (b) operating the cell to change the oxidn. state of (I) so that it becomes doped with (III); and (c) coordinating and controlling the degree of change in the oxidn. state of (I) and the concn. of (III) so as to achieve the required conductivity of (I).    The system is used partic. in novel lightweight high energy density and high power density secondary batteries.
Alkaline storage battery comprises an anode using Cd as anode active material, an alkaline electrolyte, cathode and a separator. The alkaline electrolyte contains a Li cpd. for supplying Li ions and silicic acid or silicate for supplying silicate ions. The battery has long service life.    In an example, a sintered Ni cathode was filled with cathode active material. A sintered Cd anode was filled with anode active material. A separator of polypropylene non-woven fabric was interposed between the anode and cathode. The anode, the separator and the cathode were placed in a Ni-plated Fe container. Alkaline electrolyte which contained sodium silicate, lithium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide was poured into the container. The alkaline electrolyte contained 0.01 mol/l of silicate ions, 1 mol/l of Li ions and 5 mol/ l of Na ions.
An electrode body consists of porous metal which causes electrochemical redn. by oxygen gas and serves as a current colleator. A water-repellent layer 0.1 to 1 microns thick is formed on the gas-side surface of the electrode body by vapour deposition. Pref. the porous metal is a Ag filter, Raney Ni, a Ag-Ni sintered plate or expanded metal. Pref. the water repellent layer consists of PTFE, fluoroethylene propylene, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulphide, polyethylene or polypropylene.    In an example, a Raney Ni plate 0.2 mm thickness pore dia. of 5 microns and porosity 80%. The plate is heated to 300 deg.C. One side of the plate is coated with a fluoroethylene propylene layer 0.4 microns. thick.
Electrode body consists of porous metal which causes electrochemical redn. by oxygen gas (sic) and serves as a current collector. A water-repellent layer of 0.1-1 microns is formed on the gas-side surface of the electrode body by sputtering to make an air electrode.    Pref. the porous metal is a Ag filter, Ni, a Ag-Ni sintered plate or expanded metal. The water-repellent layer pref. consists of PTFE fluoroethylene propylene, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulphide, polyethylene or polypropylene.    Air electrode is used in a hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell, a metal/air battery or an oxygen sensor. Air electrode is suitable for high-load discharge and has leakage resistance.
MnO2 powder is heat-treated at 200 to 350 deg.C. The MnO2 powder, electrically conductive material and a binder was mixed and compacted into a cathode mix. The cathode mix was heat- treated at 220 to 370 deg.C for more than 2 hours. Pref, dry gas e.g. air, Ar o N2 of water content less than 5% is introduced into the furnace three minutes before finishing the heat treatment.    Using the cathode, MnO2-Li batteries with excellent high-load discharge characteristics can be obtd.    In an example, electrolytic MnO2 powder is heat-treated at 150 to 450 deg.C for 4 hours. 100 pts. wt. of MnO2 powder, 6 wt. acetylene black and 10 pts. wt. fluororesin powder and mixed and compacted into a disk. The disk is heated at 250 deg.C for 3 hours to dry it. The disk is cooled to room temp. in a dry-air atmos.
Organic electrolyte battery comprises an anode contg. light metal as active material, a cathode contg. SiC fibres having a length 0.5-1 mm, and organic electrolyte. Mechanical strength of the cathode is increased in the cathode mix is prevented.    In an example, MnO2 powder was dehydrated at 350-400 deg.C. 100 pts. wt. of the dehydrated MnO2 powder, 13 pts. wt. SiC fibres having length of 1 mm and 11 pts. wt. PTFE binder were mixed and compacted into a disk having dia. 12 mm and thickness 0.5 mm. The disk was used as a cathode mix.
The method comprises (1) providing a metal plate having through-holes, (2) sewing the plate with resin fibres through the through-holes to form a core and (3) coating a paste contg. cadmium oxide on the core. The electrode is used as a cathode of a nickel-cadmium storage battery. The plate is sewn by long fibres so that the paste is firmly bonded to the core.    In an example, the metal plate is punched and the through-holes are formed. The resin fibres of polyester or polyethylene are passed through the plate holes. The cadmium oxide powder is dissolved in an aq. soln. of PVA to form the paste. The paste is coated on the both surfaces of the core to form the cathode having a thickness of 10-30 mm. The plate has a thickness of 0.05-0.15 mm.
Car batteries for cars which are left standing out-of-doors at freezing temps. produce more power if protected all round by insulating panels. The pref. material is expanded polystyrene which has openings for the gas vents and has one side, hinged by a piece of tape to give access for topping up with distilled water. The panels are 25-30 mm thick and are shaped to suit the contours of the battery and its terminals.    Arrangement prevents the 50% power loss in severe winter temps.
A compsn. comprises an initial poly-2-vinyl-pyridine and/or poly-4-vinyl-pyrididine component and iodine in a predetermined mole ratio of at least 20, pref. 20-40:1; and has a conductivity, measured at 37 deg. C., of at least 1.5 x 10 power minux 3 reciprocal ohm-cm. It is formed in a sealed container by mixing the polymer component and at least a portion of the iodine together and heating the polymer before or during mixing, or heating the obtd. mixt., to above 225 deg. C and then adding the remainder,if any, of the iodine to make up the predetermined mole ratio.    The compsn. is a high conductivity cathode material for electrochemical cells. It can provide high energy densities and has a long useful life.
Alkaline cell comprises positive and negative electrodes, an aq. alkalinelectrolyte and a separator between the electrodes comprising a cast sheet of a crosslinked graft copolymer of a polymeric substrate chosen from polyolefins, polyamides and poly(vinyl halides) and an ethylenically unsatd. monomer. The cast separator sheets are prepd. by solvent removal from a layer of a thixotropic suspension of the crosslinked graft copolymer in an organic solvent. Pref. copolymers have an olefin (co)polymer substrate with a mol. wt. of 1 x 10 power 4- 2-3 x 10 power 6, grafted with an ethylenically unsatd. acid or an anhydride, ester or salt of this. The ratio polymeric substrate to monomer is pref. ca. 50:1 to 1:10, esp. 5:1 to 1:5. The separator sheet may be laminated to a support such as a non-woven material, microporous plastic film or cellulose film.    The cast films have excellent properties, including low resistance, for use in alkaline energy cells. The separators have high reliability, are heat sealable, sterilisable at up to 160 deg. C without loss of electrical properties, and can be formed on a substrate for the purposes of handleability in the mfr. of batteries, e.g. for high speed punching of blanks in the prodn. of alkaline button batteries.
Cell separator is made of a grafted membrane comprising a polyethylene film which is graft-copolymerised with a monomer having an ion exchange gp., the grafted membrane having an area which is not grafted at all or an area with a low degree of grafting. Pref. the non-grafted areas a pattern of separate areas between the grafted areas. Grafting is carried out e.g. by (1) simultaneous irradiation of the substrate film and monomer by ionising radiation; (2) pre-irradiation of the substrate film with ionising radiation before contacting it with the monomer or (3) graft polymerising the substrate film with the monomer in the presence of a polymerisation initiator. The non-grafted areas are obtd. e.g. in the case of method (2) by pre-exposing the substrate film to ionising radiation through a suitable mask e.g. of metal so that only selected sites are activated; or by applying a pattern e.g. of an oily ink or a protective synthetic resin film to the surface of the substrate film before carrying out the grafting process. Pref. grafting monomer is acrylic acid.    The membranes have improved dimensional stability compared to prior art ion exchange membranes in contact with the cell electrolyte, thus giving cells of higher capability and higher volumetric efficiency than prior art ion exchange membrane separators, esp. in small-size cells.
A grid is made by forming straight parallel rows of intermittent slits through the thickness of a sheet consisting of a plastics support layer (34) bonded to a coextensive lead or lead alloy foil (35) by adhesive (36) so that row spacing defines grid wire parts and slit spacing nodes interconnecting the wire parts.    The sheet is stretched to open the slits and form an open-mesh network which is twisted so that the foil layers forms ledges (32) facing the grid header to hold battery paste. The grid can be made rapidly and inexpensively by the same process as used to make wholly lead grids. The parent patent claims the grid, with the support layer of rigid PVC and epoxy adhesive.
Alkaline battery separator comprises polyvinylalcohol thin layer acetalised with a soln. contg. aldehyde and heat-treated in glycol liq. at 130-200 deg.C.    In an example, PVA film (25 microns, 0.38 crystalisation degree) was acetalised in aq. soln. of HCHO 3 wt. % + H2SO4 20 wt. % + Na2SO4 20 wt. % at 40 deg.C for 5 min. Obtd. film (electric resistance = 3 mQ sq.dm) was washed with water, dried and then immersed in ethyleneglycol liq. (mol. wt. = 200) at 180 deg.C for 5 min. to give a separator with crystallisation degree 0.53. When charge (1.5 A x 8 hr.) and discharge (10 A x 1 hr.) were conducted, the ave. voltage was 1.53 volt, discharge capacity after 200 cycles as 80% or more.
A manganese dry battery uses a separator having sizing composed of mixt. of starch, binder and neutral salt. Prodn. stability and prodn. efficiency are improved. Battery discharge properties and storage properties are improved.    In an example, mixt. of crosslinking type acrylic water-soluble resin, NH4Cl, starch (5:1:94) was coated on kraft paper to give a separator. Where content of the acrylic resin was 1-10% for the starch and NH4Cl content was 5-70% for the binder resin. Obtd. battery had improved discharge durable time soon after prodn. and improved storage properties after 6 months at 45 deg. C.
A primary cell, contg. corrosive chemicals and fitted with a hermetic seal by a glass or ceramic insulator for a pole pin, must be protected against corrosive attach of the insulator and of the steel ring carrying it. This is done by a coating of an electrochemically stable and hardened silicone elastomer.    Lithium-sulphur dioxide, lithium polycarbon-monofluoride, lithium-manganese dioxide or lithium-iodine poly-2-vinylpyridine primary cells are fitted with a concave cover, through which a positive pole pin (32) is held in a glass insulator (34), embedded in a ring (44), made of cold rolled steel. A coating (48) is applied to the underside of the ring (44) and the glass insulator (46). It consists of a silicone, such as SYLGARD 170 (RTM) which forms a crosslinked dimethyl polysiloxane contg. ground quartz, and contains an adhesive.    This eliminates the risk of corrosive attack and reduces the capacitance loss by self-discharge. The primary cell has a better shelf life at higher temps.
An organic polymer e.g. polyvinyl pyridine is dissolved in a solvent e.g. DMF. An electrochemically reactive material e.g. Br2 is added to the soln. An electrically conductive powder e.g. graphite is mixed with the soln.    The solvent is evaporated from the mixt. and the mixed reaction prods obtd. are crushed and compressed into a plate. (J49021628)
PVA film has surface which is subjected to crosslinking and oxidising treatment.    In an example, a PVA film consists of polyvinyl alcohol having a polymerisation degree of 1700 and a saponification degree of 98.5 mol %. The PVA film is immersed in a soln. contg. 5 wt.% of formaline, 15 wt.% of H2OS4 and 15 wt.% of Na2SO4, at 40 deg.C for 7 mins., to perform surface crosslinking. The PVA film obtd. is dipped, at 30 deg.C for 5 mins., in an aq. soln. contg. 0.05 mol/l of KMnO4 and 1 mol/l of Tl(OH)3 to perform the oxidn. The PVA film has a dimension stability of +1%, an electrical resistance of 4 m ohm.dm.2 and a chemical stability of -1%.    This separator has excellent chemical stability.
The battery comprises a negative electrode activator of Li (alloy), a solid electrolyte of Li nitride (Li3N) and a positive electrode activator of a nitride of transition metal. The solid electrolyte is deposited on the negative electrode by vacuum deposition or sputtering.    The lithium nitride electrolyte increases a discharge capacitance and the battery has a long life-time. In an example a Li foil of 100 micrometres thickness is placed on a Ni foil of 50 micrometres thickness and pressed in Ar gas. The Li3N is sputtered on the Li foil to form the electrolyte layer of 0.5-5 micrometres thickness. Then VN is sputtered on the electrolyte layer to form the positive electrode of 70 micrometres thickness. A collector of Ni is formed on the VN layer. The Ni collector is covered by a polytetrafluoroethylene layer. The laminated layers are placed in a case.
The electrode comprises an unwoven polyester or glass fibre cloth, a grid bonded to the cloth and a paste coated on the grid. The paste consists of lead oxide, sulphuric acid and water. The unwoven cloth prevents decrease of a discharge capacitance of the battery. The battery has a high life time.    In an example glass unwoven cloth consisted of glass fibres having dia. of 1 to 3 micron. The cloth had a length of 75mm, a width of 25 mm and a thickness of 0.3 mm. The grid was placed on the cloth and the grid and the cloth were pressed to bury the grid partially in the cloth. The lead paste was coated on the cloth and dried to form the electrode used as a positive electrode. A negative electrode consisted of lead plate; and an aq. soln. of sulphuric acid was used as electrolyte.
Battery comprises a positive electrode including an activator of MnO2, a negative electrode of Zn, an electrolyte and a separator placed between the electrodes. The separator comprises a nonwoven cloth of cotton or polyamide and a PVA coating formed on the nonwoven cloth. The coating layer is contacted to the negative electrode.    The separator preserves the electrolyte firmly. In an examPle, cotton nonwoven cloth was immersed in PVA soln. Cloth was pressed with a roller and dried to form the separator. PositiVe electrode consisting of 90 wt.% MnO2 and 10 wt.% graphite was placed in an iron case. Separator was placed on the positive electrode. Negative electrode consisting of a paste and an amalgamated zinc powder was placed on the separator. The case was sealed by an iron cap.
Open celled microporous membrane is coated on at least one surface with a uniform porous coating comprising a low hydrogen over-potential material. Prior to deposition of the coating, the microporous membrane has an electrical resistance when rendered hydrophilic of not greater than about 50 milliohms-sq.in a reduced bulk density (compared to the corresp. substrate membrane having no open-celled structure), a surface area of at least 10 sq./g and an av. pore size of 200-10000 Angstroms. The porous coating extends over virtually the whole surface of the substrate and has a uniform thickness of at least 50 Angstroms, but is insufficient to cause the electrical resistance of the coated membrane to exceed 75 milliohms-sq.in when rendered hydrophilic.    The microporous substrate is esp. of polypropylene and is prepd. by the 'dry stretch' method and the low hydrogen over-potential coating is e.g. of Ni, Fe, Co, Pt, Pd, In, Cr, Mn, Ti, or alloys of these in a total thickness of 100-750 Angstroms. The coated microporous membranes are esp. useful as battery separators in rechargeable zinc electrode-contg. batteries, which are resistant to penetration by zinc dendrites and are capable of increasing the uniformity of current density on recharging the battery.
Number of cylindrical galvanic cells (1,2) are accommodated in holder formed by a plate (3) of electrically insulating material provided with spaced recesses in which the cells can be inserted. Holder occupies relatively little space, while providing adequate spacing between cells and being resistant to deformation.    Pref. the plate is moulded in plastics and is provided with flat contact strips (5) for interconnecting the cells and the assembly is enclosed in a shrink down plastics tube (5).
Current-producing Li/TiS2 electrochemical cell has an electrolyte contg. at least one Li salt solute in a solvent comprising a cyclic ether (I), and at least one compsn. for inhibiting polymerisation of the (I) by TiS2. The inhibitor is either (a) a cpd. LixTiS2 (II) in which x is less than 0.1 and greater than 0.025, or (b) a sterically hindered amine (III) which does not interact with TiS2.    Typical (III) is e.g. 1,8-bis(dimethyl-amino) naphthalene; 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine; polyvinyl-pyridine; vinylpyridine-styrene copolymers; tetramethylene-diamine, etc. The Li salt solute is pref. of formula LiXFa in which X is B, P, Sb or As and a=4 for B and 6 for P, Sb and As; pref. solute is LiAsF6. Pref. solvent is a 100/0-40/60 wt.% mixt. of 1,3-dioxolane and 1,2-dimethoxyethane and the electrolyte contains the Li salt at 0.5-4.0 molal concn.    The inhibitors effectively retard polymerisation of the cyclic ether solvent without deleteriously affecting the current producing capability or proper operation of the cell. (6Pp)
A connector is cast through a plastic battery case aperture by placing mould elements on either side of the wall to form a mould cavity, injecting molten lead under pressure, and venting gases during injection through openings in one element and located along the mould-wall interface.    The case is pref. of propylene copolymer and the lead is injected at 300-650 psi and 750-800 deg.F into a cavity at 140-170 deg.F. The lead is pref. injected around a heater partially within the injection opening to prevent solidification within the opening. The openings are pref. grooves in one element and the case is softened and compressed to limit venting. The parent patent claims the apparatus.
The substrate is made by (a) coating an Ni sheet with photoresist, (b) exposing to a desired pattern, (c) chemically etching the Ni to form a patterned substrate having ion flow paths perpendicular to the conductors. The electrode pattern comprises a solid outer rim (56), a solid inner rim (54) having an inner opening (52) and a tab (62) attached to it, and radial conductors (48,50) attached to both rims and having greater cross section towards the inner rim to reduce the electrical resistance drop as current moves through the radial conductors w.r.t. the inner rim.    The electrode is pref. completed by (d) depositing electrochemically active material on the substrate, esp. with a teflon (RTM) layer bonded on one side for negative electrode. The coated substrates are assembled on a central support tube within the inner rim so they are centred on and supported by the tube.    Electrical losses are lower than other electrodes of the same wt., and ion flow is maximised. The electrodes are flat and uniform thickness for max. stacking capability, and smooth edges avoid short circuits. The tab facilitates interconnection. Mfg. operations are reduced.
Process comprises (1) producing a paste by adding to metal oxide active material, a binder and a viscous liquid and oxygen generating agent which thermcally decomposes at a temp. near the decomposition temp. of the viscous liq. and (2) coating the paste on the plate core, (3) drying, (4) heat-treating at the decomposition temp. of the viscous liq. and then (5) heat- treating at the m.pt. of the binder.    Due to reaction of oxygen-generating-agent with the viscous liq. active material amt. in electrode can be effectively saved. Due to exothermic reaction of the oxygen-generating-agent, decomposition of the viscous material is accelerated and heat- treatment period is saved.    In an example, MnO2 (active material) + acetylene black (conductive material) + 4-fluoroethylene-6-fluoropropyrene copolymerised resin (binder) + silver oxide (oxygen-generating-agent) were mixed at a rate 90:7:2:1. PVA aq. soln. (10%) 2 wt.% was added to give a paste. The paste was coated on a stainless net core, which was dried, heated at 220 deg.C for 30 min. and then heated at 300 deg.C for 90 min. to give an anode plate.
An electrode body (I) is coated with a chelate by (a) contacting (I) comprising a valve metal (alloy) with a tetranitrile cpd. (II) vapour at a predetermined temp. to form sites for an N4-chelate (III); (b) carrying out a controlled heterogeneous chelating reaction at elevated temp. on (I) to form a limited amt. of (III); and (c) converting (III) into a crosslinked network coordinated to the metal sites by controlled thermal treatment. Also claimed is the electrode formed.    The coating is semiconducting, insol. and stable in acid and alkali, and with high adherence. The coatings have reproducible electrical and catalytic properties and have stable, prolonged electrochemical performance under corrosive conditions.
An electrode body (I) is coated with a chelate by (a) contacting a tetranitrile cpd. (II) vapour at an elevated temp. with (I) to form metal coordination sites at its surface for forming an N4-chelate (III); (b) carrying out a controlled heterogeneous chelating reaction at an elevated temp. to form a limited amt. of (III) on (I) coordinated to the metal sites; and (c) converting (II) into a crosslinked network coordinated to the metal sites by a controlled thermal treatment, forming a stable, semiconducting, uniform polychelate coating firmly adhered to (I). Also claimed is the electrode formed by the process.    The coating is stable and insol. in acid and alkaline media and has prolonged electrochemical performance under corrosive conditions. The electrode has reproducible electrical and catalytic properties.
A compsn. suitable for forming into a storage battery separator (I) comprises 2-50 wt.% of a phenol resin (II), a polyolefin (III) powder and an inorganic powder (III). Pref. (III) is used in an amt. of 10-60 wt.% and comprises polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, their copolymers, or blends contg. at least one of these polymers. Pref. (IV) is used in an amt. of 35-85 wt.% and comprises silica, a silicate, alumina, Ca carbonate, kaolin, talc, diatomaceous earth, C-black or powdered glass. Also claimed is the prodn. of (I) by mixing (II), (III), (IV) and an organic liq. (V), moulding and removing (V).    (I) has improved oxidn. resistance and reduced tendency for battery overcharging.
Electrodes for electrochemical cells consist of (a) a porous electrically conductive carrier, esp. active C, (b) a new polymeric tetrathiafulvalene redox catalyst system and (c) Teflon (RTM) as binder. The polymeric tetrathiafulvalene has formula (I). (R1 is phenylene, biphenylene, methylene, ethylene or propylene; R2 is H, alkyl or aryl and n is at least (1) or (II) (where R1, R2, R3 are H, alkyl or aryl, or R1 and R2 are components of a condensed aliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic ring and n is at least I) or (III).
Increased bulk porosity and elasticity of the plastics separator for batteries are achieved in the flow-line comprising series-mounted chamber for secondary heat treatment of the strip and an additional forming unit. The two units are located between the sintering set and the impregnation bath.    The polymer powder is fed by a metering unit on to a conveyor where a roller forms the required layer thickness. The powder is sintered and transferred to thermal treatment chamber prior to rolling in a unit feeding treatment substance remover before entry into the impregnation bath. The final treatment involves using drier, cross cutter and feed rollers. Bul. 41/7.11.80. (2pp)
Alkaline cell comprises a metal case, an anode sealing plate, and insulating packing between them. The insulating packing is coated with a fatty acid gp. polyamide resin film which is coloured with an alkali-proof dye.    The alkali-proof dye is pref. an oil-soluble dye (e.g. 2.3-dihydro-2.2- dimethyl pyrimidine), and it is pref. added by 0.2 - 3.0 wt.% to the polyamide resin.    In a conventional cell comprising a metal cathode case, a cathode mix, an alkaline electrolyte, an anode mix, and an anode cap, electrolyte leakage is often caused from the periphery of the anode cap. This disadvantage is eliminated by using the insulating packing. The dye serves to easily detect resin film formation.
The plate comprises (i) a pressed body contg. Ni and alkali-proof synthetic resin fibres covered by conductive layers and (ii) a metal plating layer formed on the body. The conductive layers are connected electrically by the plating layer with eath other. The fibres are used as conductive agents. The plate has a high mechanical strength.    The polyethylene fibres are immersed in an electroless plating soln. consisting of Ni sulphate (25g), ammonium chloride (50g), sodium hypophosphite (10g), sodium citrate (20g) and water (1Kg) at 65-70 deg.C to form Ni plating layers on the surfaces of the fibres. A Ni powder a methylcellulose and the fibres are mixed to form a paste. The paste is coated on a Ni plated iron plate, dried and pressed to form the pressed body. The Ni plating layer is formed on the body with a electroplating.
A sealed electrochemical cell comprises a cathodic material, an anodic material and an alkaline electrolyte housed in a cupped container (I) sealed at its open end by a closure (II). (II) comprises a cover (III) and a non-conductive gasket (IV) of layer(s) of polyamide, epoxy resin, asphalt or cured epoxy-polyamide resin which is compressed between the interface of (III) and (I). A fluid tight seal is formed on the edge surface of (III) between (III) and (IV) by a film (V) of a substd. organosilane.    Pref. (V) is 10-100 (20-50) Angstroms thick and formed from gamma-aminopropyl triethoxysilane, beta-(3,4-epoxy-cyclohexyl) ethyltrimethoxysilane or gamma-glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane. (II) is pref. nylon, polypropylene, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer or HDPE with a layer of polyamide or (IV) is nylon with a layer of fatty polyamide. The electrolyte is pref. aq. KOH or NaOH.
Alkaline storage battery anode plate is produced by moulding a mixt. composed of nickel oxide and alkali-resistant synthetic resin fibre having metal-plated conductive surface layer. Mechanical strength and electroconductivity are improved without reducing volumetric energy density.    In an example, polyethylene single fibre was immersed in soln. of NHO3-H2SO4-watar (1:1:1) at 70-80 deg.C for 1 hr., which was washed with water. It was immersed in catalyst liq. (composed of PdCl2 0.4 g + SnCl2 213 g + SnCl4 2.0 g + HCl 540 ml + water 1000 ml) at 25 deg.C for 2 min., which was dried and then immersed in accelerator liq. (composed of acidic NH4F 120 g + water 1000 ml) at 35 deg.C for 10 min., which was washed with water and dried. It was then electrolessly-plated in soln. (composed of NiSO4 25 g + NH4Cl 50 g + NaH2PO2.H2O 10 g + sodium citrate 20 g + water 100 ml) at 65-79 deg.C for 1 hr., which was compressed into mat shape and wrapped with a nickel mesh. It was plated in nickel plating soln. (composed of nickel sulphamate 570 g + boric acid 40 g + water 1000 ml) at 25-30 deg.C fir 1-1.5 hrs. with current of 15 mA/cm2. Ni(OH)2 95 g + Co(OH)2 5 g + methylcellulose 2 g + the nickel-plated polyethylene single fibre 4 g + water 94 g, were mixed to give a paste, which was coated on nickel-plated punched iron plate core to give an anode plate.
Prodn. comprises mixing 110-250 deg. C heat-treated oxyhydroxynickel, conductive material, binder and moulding the mixture to give an anode. Storage property is remarkably improved and discharge property soon after prodn. is improved.    In an example, gamma-(NiOOH) powder passed through 100 mesh, was heat-treated at 110-240 deg. C for 10 hrs., to which 93 wt.% were added 6 wt.% flake shape graphite and 1 wt. % polytetrafluoroethylene
Prodn. comprises (1) using, as the binder, PVA with saponification degree of 98-99%, (2) making a moulding composed of the binder + active material and then (3) heat-treating the moulding at 120-220 deg.C.    Binder re-dissolution after the plate is moulded is suppressed, hence plate swelling is prevented. Conductivity and mechanical strength are improved.    In an example, Ni(OH)2 active material contg. small amt. of Co(OH)2 + acetylene black (3 wt.% per the active matl.) + 2.5 wt.% PVA (binder) aq. soln. + 1 wt.% polyethylene fibre (reinforcing matl.), were kneaded to give a paste. The paste was coated on Ni-plated punched Fe plate, which was dried, heat-treated at 130 deg.C. for 15 min. and then Ni-plated in Ni- sulphamate soln. with current density of 33.3 mA/cm for 1 hr. to give an anode plate. Obtd. anodic plate had volumetric efficiency of 302 mAH/cc and utility rate of 57.3%.
Thin type alkaline battery, up to 1.5 mm thick comprises (1) anodic mixt. mainly composed of mono- or di-valent silver oxide which is placed in the bottom of an anodic can, (2) a separator covering (1) and + (3) flange-shaped cathode contg. amalgamated zinc of mesh size 150-350.    Volumetric efficiency is improved (self discharge is decreased) and battery deterioration after storage is improved.    In an example, fine amalgamated zinc of 150-350 mesh was put uniformly in a cathodic can. Anodic agent mixt. of mono- or di-valent silver oxide and teflon, was press-moulded under 8 ton/sq. cm and placed on an anodic can. Utility rate of the battery obtd. therefrom was 97% soon after prodn., 90% after storage at 60 deg. C for 10 days and 95% after storage at 60 deg. C for 40 days.
The surface area of the glass fibres is 1gm/sq m min., and they are mixed with 10 wt% max of synthetic fibres of freeness value 350 cc max.    Pref the synthetic fibres are acrylic or polyethylene, and are bonded to the glass fibres, e.g. by heating to cause melt- bonding.    There is good liquid absorption and high strength.
A solid polymer electrolyte, for dividing an electrolytic cell into two compartments, comprises a permionic membrane (I) having an electrode pair (II) of anodic and cathodic electrocatalysts on opposite faces of (I). The anodic and/or cathodic material comprises electrocatalyst particles adherent to a thermoplastic deformate (III) of fluorinated hydrophilic ion exchange material. (III) is opt. the same as (I) and a catalyst carrier is opt. also adhered to (III). Pref. (III) is a carboxylic acid resin or lower alkanol ester thereof, or a sulphonyl halide resin or carboxylic acid halide resin; and it is particulate or an extrudate.    Used for chlor-alkali cells.
Lithiated cobalto-cobaltic oxide is claimed. The stoichiometric formula is Co3O4 and the Li content is pref above 2, more pref 3-15, esp 5-12 and partic 6-11 at %.    The oxide is specifically prepd by a slurry method in which Co(OH)2 or Co3O4 is treated with LiOH soln., drained, dried and heated, pref at 300-600 deg C for 5-10 hrs. It may also be prepd by thermal decompsn or freeze-drying, starting e.g. from a mixt of Co and Li nitrate solns.    Used as an electro-catalyst in an electrochemical cell. The compsn is esp suitable for O2 evolution and reduction electrodes exhibit stability over periods up to 6000 hrs. The compsn may also be used in purely chemical processes such as decompsn of H2O2 or peroxy ions and fuel cells.
Prodn. of a gas electrode for a metal-electrolyte-gas cell for generating electrical energy involves laying a metal wire fabric (mesh) on a gas-permeable layer (film) of PTFE. The novel feature is that this is covered with a mixt. of PTFE emulsion, activated charcoal and an acid anhydride or a hydroxide, esp. of a gp. IV element, and then dried.    The mixt. also contains a neutral protective colloid. The acid anhydride is an oxide of Si, Ti, Ge, Zr, Sn or Pb. The gas electrode is the cathode and the gas-permeable layer is on the air side. The anode consists of a metal (Al) and the electrolyte of dil. NaCl soln., esp. sea water.    The electrode is not passivated by the Al hydroxide passing into soln. in the electrolyte and can operate with a simple electrolyte (NaCl soln. or sea water) without the metal (Al) anode decomposing in the electrolyte with evolution of H2.
Compsn. for separators for lead accumulators of the "exhausted electrolyte" type comprises a mixt. of 15-75 (40-60) wt.% expanded perlite, 20-70 (30-50) wt.% glass fibre and 5-20 (10-15) wt.% acid insoluble thermoplastic fibres, the glass fibres having dias. of 0.3-1.0 micron, and the perlite particle size being 3-100 (10-35) microns.    The thermoplastic fibres are selected from "Saran" (RTM) polypropylene, ethylene propylene copolymer, "Vinyon" (RTM) and polyethylene, and are pref. formed into a wick or paper in the form of a mat, then passed through heated rollers to fix the fibres.    The compsn.is very much less expensive than microporous materials of prior art but has improved electrical field and mechanical strength in tension.
The electrode includes ZnO having an average surface area 3.5- 4.0 (pref. 3.5) m2/g, contg. 0.08-0.11 (pref. 0.11) wt.% Cd and 0.05-0.8 (pref. 0.08) wt.% Pb and having a generally rod like particle structure. The ZnO is admixed with Zn, HgO and an organic liq. binder produced via the reaction of diacetone acrylamide (DAA) and acrylic acid to form a paste and uniformly applied to a suitable current collector. The ZnO is esp. Horse Head XX-2O3 (RTM) ZnO. A rechargeable Zn-Ni cell includes an electrode as above.    The cells using the electrodes have greatly increased cycle life, e.g. 113 cycles compared with 14 or 31 cycles for electrodes prepd. using other commercial ZnO, as build up of dendritic Zn is considerably reduced.
Thermal energy source produces a heating zone for sealing overlapping portions of the thermoplastic sheet material. Grippers which are linearly movable are provided for moving the sheet material positively through the heating zone.    The roller anvil is mounted for rotation in the heating zone to engage the sheet material surface opposite the energy source and to rotate in exact speed synchronism with the linear movement of the sheet material through the heating zone. A chain drive connection between the roller anvil and the linearly movable gripping means may be provided.    No relative movement between the sheet material and the roller prevents formation of wrinkles and turns an incomplete heat seal. The process may be used to heat seal the lateral edges of a thermoplastic sheet wrapped around a battery plate.
A paste material for dry cells comprises pullulan. The pullulan is water soluble polysaccharide produced by cultivating Pullularia Pullulans called as black yeasts, and includes alternately and regularly bonded maltose and isomaltose molecules.    Since an electrolyte is held among molecules of the pullulan, dry cells with long life are provided. (J55092417)
Alkaline cell comprises a cathode of finely divided graphite powder contg. manganese dioxide depolariser, an anode of zinc powder, and an electrolyte of alkaline aq. soln. Cellophane separator is provided on the surface of the cathode. The cellophane is pref. free of plasticiser. The thickness of the cellophane is pref. 15-50 microns.    An alkali-resistant natural or synthetic fibrous non-woven cloth electrolyte impregnation layer is pref. provided on the surface of the anode side.    The cellophane separator is pref. used in place of a conventional polystyrene, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide, or polyethylene separator, and gives improved shelf life and excellent leakage preventing property.
Alkaline storage battery anode plate has an active material moulding composed of nickel oxide and small amount of conductive agent which is plated with nickel and thereby conductiVe matrix is produced in the moulding by mutually linking to conductive agent with the deposited nickel. Conductivity is improved in spite of contg. small conductive agent, so that battery utility and volumetric efficiency are improved.    In an example, 100pts. active matl. powder (composed of nickel hydroxide + small amt. of cobalt hydroxide) + 20pts. nickel powder (conductive agent) were mixed, to which were added 50pts. binder (composed of 2pts. methylcellulose + 2pts. polyethylene single fibre + 93pts. water) to give a paste. The paste was coated on both surfaces of a Ni net, which was cut into 50x31mm size and plated with Ni in Ni-plating soln. to give an anode plate.
The process comprises (1) providing Pb (alloy) electric collector in a net-work structure substrate composed of acid-resistant, oxidn.-resistant thermoplastic synthetic resin, (2) filling the substrate with a paste substance and, (3) contg. the paste type plate (having been cut to a certain dimension) in a bag shape separator.    Productivity is improved and lightweight battery is obtd. Battery life is improved due to prevention of resin type deposit which is generated from the cathode plate. In an example, a continuous sheet form substrate composed of polyethylene net-work structure having 1.8 mm thickness x 125 mm width x 10m length, was prepd. Pb-Sb alloy (Pb 2.5%) collector was heat-bonded on the obtd. substrate at an interval of 145 mm. Paste substance was filled in the substrate, which was immersed in acid, dried and cut to 145 mm size. It was contained in a bag-shape separator composed of polypropyrene to give an (electrode) plate.
In an alkaline battery, a liq. packing or a solidified film is formed between the gasket and closure plate. The liq. packing consists of a synthetic resin sealant and 0.01 to 5 wt.% mercaptan. Pref. the synthetic resin sealant consists of polybutene, chlorosulphonated polyethylene or polyamide.    Leak-proof characteristics of alkaline battery, are improved. In an example, a liq. packing was produced by dissolving 100 g of chlorosulphonated polyethylene in 500 g toluene and adding 1 g of n-octyl mercaptan to the soln. The liq. packing was poured into a groove made in a gasket of polyethylene or polyamide. An end portion of a closure plate was inserted into the groove of the gasket.
In a flat battery, a sheet-like insulating packing is disposed at a sealed portion of a battery container. The sheet-like insulating packing is fabricated by adding inorganic insulating filler to adhesive synthetic rubber or resin and covering the synthetic rubber or resin with non-woven fabric or cloth.    Pref. the inorganic insulating filler is asbestos, mica, talc or calcium carbonate. The adhesive synthetic rubber or resin is polyamide resin, epoxy resin, polybutene resin, phenol resin, neoprene, chlorosulphonated polyethylene or an acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber. The non-woven fabric or cloth consists of polypropylene, polyamide, cotton or viscose rayon.    Specifically a resin compsn. consists of 55 wt.% of polyamide resin, 5 wt.% of calcium carbonate, 10 wt.% of blown asphalt, 15 wt.% of toluene and 15 wt.% of isopropyl alcohol.
The jig consists of a vessel with four side walls (1-4). Two of the walls opposite each other possess inner, vertical grooves (12) employed to hold jig plates (5,6) which are used to align Pb plates in the vessel. At least the side walls of the vessel parallel with the jig plates (5,6) possess ribs (10) and grooves (11) on their outer surfaces.    Ribs (10) and grooves (11) are pref. vertical and of the samd width. The vessel is made of a thermoplastic material contg. mineral fillers, pref. polypropylene (PP), or a PP-copolymer, contg. 30-50 wt.% fillers, which are esp. powdered steatite, chalk or silica flour.    The Pb plates are treated with a lead oxide paste and immersed in H2SO4 in the jig vessel for electrolytic oxidn. and redn. to mfr. positive and negative accumulator plates. The mineral fillers increase the strength and heat resistance of the polymer vessel, whereas ribs and grooves (10,11) promote air circulation cooling the vessel.
Battery separator for use in a battery having an alkaline electrolyte and a Zn active electrode includes a polyamide, a wettable polymer (I) and a filler reactive with the Zn. Pref. (I) and the filler comprise 5-50, and 3-40 wt.% of the separator. Pref. (I) has a pore size one tenth or less than the polyamide.    The microporous polyamide structure permits limited Zn diffusion which inhibits Zn electrode shape change and the smaller pore structure of (I) restrains Zn transport to limit dendritic growth. Typically the separator has an electrical resistance of 25-75 mohms per sq. in for a 2-5 mil thickness in 35% KOH.
Peripheral flash is removed from plastics batteries by passing the battery between a pair of spaced apart heated plates which engage melt and smooth the flash.    In the embodiment a battery is moved on a conveyor to a first position at which a first pair of plates remove flash from a first pair of opposing faces. The conveyor then moves the battery to a second position at which a second pair of plates effects the same operation on the remaining two opposite faces. The distance between the plates is adjustable to accommodate for different battery sizes.    Batteries each comprising a base and a welded-on lid from between which peripheral welding flash projects are moved on conveyors to a first position at which a pair of transversely movable heated plates remove transverse flash and a second position at which longitudinally movable heated plates remove longitudinal flash.    The batteries are guided by rails and held in the working position by a first cylinder operated stop plate and a second cylinder operated stop plate . The heated plates are mounted upon carriages movable along guide rods by motor driven screw arrangements . The crosshead which supports the carriages may be raised or lowered by a screw arrangement to accommodate for batteries of different heights.
The trimmer has a conveying chain feeding lids to a grinder plus guides and clamp and lid pivoter through 90 deg. for process purposes. To handle lids with flash projecting down from the mould joint line, the grinder drive shafts (17,18) are on the frame below the bottom chain strand and parallel to the strand plane. The pivoter should be adjustable and positioned between the grinders (15), (16) and the bottom chain strand. Their endfaces should face towards the bottom strand of conveying chain.
Method comprises (1) placing a cathode of Zn, an anode having an activator of Ag2O and an electrolyte in a case, and (2) sealing the case using a metal cap which acts as the negative electrode collector. An electric current is then applied between the collector and the anode to reduce the surface of the anode; forming a silver layer.    In an example, an anode (2) of Ag2O powder, graphite powder and MnO2 powder was placed in a metal case (1) used as the positive electrode activator. A separator comprising a porous film (3) and a polyamide unwoven cloth (7) was placed on the electrode. An electrolyte of KOH soln. was impregnated into the separator. The cathode (4) of amalgamated Zn powder was placed on the separator. (1) was sealed by a metal cap (5) of a negative electrode activator. A current was applied between (5) and (1) for 5 seconds to form a Ag layer.    The silver layer decreases the internal resistance of the anode. The layer is easily formed.
The battery comprises negative electrode of a light metal, such as Li or Na, an electrolyte contg. an organic solvent and a positive electrode contg. manganese dioxide (MnO2) activator. The MnO2 is prepd. by the interaction of an acidic soln. of manganese sulphate and sodium chlorate.    The MnO2 stabilises a discharge voltage of the battery effectively.    In an example, a positive electrode consisting of the MnO2 powder (100 pts. wt.) a graphite powder (10 pts. wt.) and a binder of fluorocarbon resin (5 pts. wt.) is placed in a stainless steel case. A polypropylene unwoven cloth used as a separator is placed on the positive electrode. An electrolyte consisting of C4H6O3 (70 vol.%) CH3OCH2CH2OCH3 (30 vol.%) and lithium perchlorate (1 mol/l) is impregnated in the separator. The Li electrode is placed on the separator. The cases is sealed by a stainless steel cap.
Method comprises (1) adding 1 to 4 wt. pts. of C black, 2 to 4 pts. wt. SBR to MnO2 powder 100 pts. wt. to form a paste, (2) pressing the paste to form the anode and (3) heating the anode at 110 to 180 deg.C.    In an example, MnO2 powder was heated at 40 deg.C for 4 hrs. C black (4 pts. wt.) and rubber (4 pts. wt.) were added to the heated MnO2 powder (100 pts. wt.) to form a mixt. The mixt. was pressed with 2 ton/cm2 to form a disc with dia. 14.5 mm. The anode disc was placed in a case. A separator (3) was placed on the disc. An electrolyte was impregnated into the separator. A negative electrode (4) of Li was placed on the separator. The electrolyte was lithium perchlorate and propylene carbonate.
The battery comprises a cathode of a light metal, an anode of AgO or MnO2 and an alkaline electrolyte. The electrolyte is held by a separator (I) inserted between the electrodes. (I) comprises a sheet of polyvinylformal resin contg. bubbles.    In an example, polyvinylformal resin was prepd. by reaction of PVA with HCOOH. A foaming agent was added to the resin, and the resin foamed to form porous resin contg. bubbles. An anode of AgO was placed in a case. The porous sheet of polyvinylformal resin was placed on the anode. An electrolyte of 30% KOH soln. was impregnated into the sheet. A cathode consisting of Zn powder and a binder was placed on the sheet.    The separator firmly holds the electrolyte so that the battery has improved discharge properties.
Cathode for a non-aq. electrolyte cell comprises an active substance comprising manganese dioxide. The manganese dioxide is prepd. by subjecting manganese nitrate to dehydration step. The dehydration is carried out exposing the manganese nitrate to microwave electromagnetic field.    The dehydration may be carried out in a microwave oven. A nonaqueous electrolyte cell comprises an anode of light metal or alkali metal, an organic electrolyte and the cathode. The cathode may be made by preparing a mixt. of the manganese dioxide, conductive powder such as graphite and silver and a binder of polyethylene, and press-moulding the mixt. into the cathode.    The water content of the manganese dioxide can be effectively reduced by the microwave heating dehydration treatment. So, the discharge property and the storage characteristic of the cell can be improved.
Separator comprises a polyolefin sheet made by the steps of preparing a compsn. of polyolefin, inactive filler and inactive plasticiser, forming a sheet of the compsn., then removing a part of the inactive filler and plasticiser from the sheet, and then cross-linking the polyolefin of the sheet. The cross-linking may be carried out prior to the removal of part of the filler and plasticiser. The cross-linking may be done by electron beam bombardment. As plasticiser, ethylene glycol, PVA, and organic esters may be used. As filler, C black, graphite, S and glass may be used.    Since the polyolefin is cross-linked, the mechanical strength, oxidation resistance and heat resistance of the separator sheet can be improved.
Plug includes a hollow flexible body (11) to seal against an aperture wall, and a flap (17) integral with the body and which when unflexed engages the body to seal a body opening (18). The flap can be flexed into the body interior so that fluid can flow through the opening from exterior to interior but is held against opposite flexing to prevent fluid flow in the opposite direction.    The plug is pref. of moulded polyethylene, and the flap and opening are defined by an inwardly canted part of the body (19) which has been ruptured around part of its periphery and has its internal surface projecting above that of the remainder of the body, while its outer surface is below or flush with it when unflexed.
The accumulator cell contains an electrolyte liq. (2); a negative electrode (3); and a positive electrode (5) which permits the redn. of oxygen during discharge of the cell. Between the two electrodes (3,5) is a supplementary electrode (7) with its current collector permanently connected to electrode (5). During the cell dicharge, electrode (7) permits the free circulation of ions in liq. (2) between electrodes (3,5); and a screen consisting of two perforated plates (8,9), one being mobile, is used to isolate electrode (5) when the cell is recharged.    The active material in electrode (3) is pref. Zn, Fe, or a material storing H2; whereas electrode (5) pref. includes porous carbon coated with Ag or Pt and used as a catalyst for the electrochemical redn. of O2. Plates (8,9) are pref. PVC or polypropylene.    No expensive switch is needed to isolate electrode (5) during recharging.
Cathode material for electrochemical cells comprises a conductive mixt. of (a) monomeric substd. pyridines, dimeric substd. pyridines, derivs. of dimeric substd. pyridines, monomeric quinoline, monomeric substd. quinolines, trimeric substd. pyridines, derivs. of trimeric substd. pyridines and mixts. of these; (b) poly-2-vinylpyridine, poly-4-vinylpyridine, poly-2-vinyl-1,2-bis(4- pyridyl)ethylene, 1,2-bis(2-pyridyl)ethylene, 2,2'-dipyridyl, 4,4'-dipyridyl, 2,4'-dipyridyl, or mixts. of these and (c) iodine.    Pref. the component (a) is present in an amt. of at least 5 wt.% w.r.t., component (b) and component (a) is satd. w.r.t. iodine. The cathode material pref. contains excess solid iodine.    The cathodes are esp. useful in batteries e.g. with Li, Li alloy or Ag anodes, for implantation in the human body to operate devices such as cardiac pacemakers.
The electrochemical cell has a hermetically sealed, flexible casing with terminals which extend through sealed openings in the casing. The casing is formed from laminated material, the inner layer being permeable to electrolyte solvent vapours but impermeable to electrolyte salt. An air-impermeable outer metal barrier layer prevents escape of the electrolyte solvent vapours.    The packaging is used for organic electrolyte batteries and has a structure which is leak proof, lightweight, and low cost. The package is also flexible, which prevents splitting due to pressure build-up. Materials used are inert to active cell components.
Portions of a battery casing required for good liquid leakage resisting property are coated with a liquid synthetic rubber material with viscosity of 10 power 4-10 power 6 CPS. The rubber material is amorphous at room temp. and has at molecular terminals a functional gp. acting as a reaction site when the rubber material is vulcanised. (J51104537)
Cell comprises a cathode active substance consisting mainly of polymer and further contg. a dopant, a solid electrolyte such as lithium nitride, and an anode active substance consisting of alkali metal or alkali metal alloy. The polymer consists of at least one polymer selected from polymers having linear conjugated chain such as polyene, polyyne and polyphenylene. The dopant consists of halogen such as Cl2, Br2, I2, ICl, IBr and ICl3 or electron-attracting substance such as PF5, AsF5, SbF5 and BF3.    Prodn. of a thin film type solid electrolyte cell is permitted. Since the electrolyte is a solid electrolyte, the cell has an improved reliability without liq. leakage.
Organic solvent cell comprises an anode of alkali metal, an organic solvent, and a cathode active substance consisting of nickel oxyhydroxide (NiOOH).    By using the nickel oxyhydroxide as the cathode active substance the discharge and heavy load characteristics of the cell can be improved. Specifically, an organic solvent cell comprises a cathode consisting of 93 wt.% of gamma-NiOOH, 6 wt.% of graphite and 1 wt.% of PTFE binder, an Li anode and a separator contg. propylene carbonate organic solvent.
Organic electrolyte battery has anodic material comprising anodically active material bonded to a fibrous net of fluorocarbon resin contg. surfactant at least on the resin surface.    Due to strong entanglement of the fluorine resin fibre, the anodic material has high mechanical strength and decreased internal resistance. In an example, MnO2 70 g and carbon powder 10 g. were dispersed in 6% aq. soln. nonionic surfactant. On the surfaCe of the resultant PTFE was adhered by kneading PTFE 6.5 g. with the surfactant (3 wt.% per PTFE). The kneaded mixture was roller-pressed into a thin fibrous net, on which MnO2 and carbon powder were bonded to give an anodic material of 0.5 mm thickness. This was cut at 50-100 deg. C to a certain size and placed in a Ni-plated anodic container.
A separator for an electric cell consists of a polyolefin film, made by graft copolymerisation of an acrylic acid or methacrylic acid monomer. The polyolefin film contains a homopolymer such as polyacrylic acid as a by-product.    The graft copolymerisation is easily carried out by electron beam or radioactive ray irradiation. The homopolymer as a by-product is used as a gelling agent. Prodn. cost is lowered to eliminate sepn. of such a homopolymer from the polyolefin. The separator gives an excellent chemical stability, a lower electric resistance, and a decreased thickness, and it is pref. used in a small size electric cell such as a mercury cell, silver cell, or lithium cell for an IC, LSI, or LCD.
An alkaline storage cell separator comprises a fabric felt of chemically inert organic fibres and porous inert inorganic metal oxide particles. The fibres have non-wettable cutter surfaces interstices at irregular intervals throughout the felt and the oxide particles are sintered on to these surfaces to form a wettable granular second surface, which provides a means for retaining the electrolyte while allowing ions and gases to pass through the interstices.    The separator is gas permeable, structurally strong, light in wt., chemically inert w.r.t. aq. alkaline electrolyte solns., thermally stable and wettable in the electrolyte solns. The cell is useful in spacecraft applications.
Cell has as lithium cathodic active material, glass fibre nonwoven cloth contg. Li in the pores of fibre.    In an example, nonwoven cloth (0.35mm thick) glass fibre (o.5 micron dia., porosity 70 vol.%) was immersed in molten Li to give Li-impregnated glass fibre cloth. It was punched into 20mm dia. disc to give a cathodic agent. Separator was glass fibre nonwoven cloth (fibre dia. 0.5 micron, porosity 70 vol.%, 20mm dia., 0.15mm thick). Anodic mixed agent composed of MnO 500 mg, flake graphite 50 mg, PTFE 10 mg, was pressed into a disc of 20mm dia x 0.5mm thick. The electrolyte was propylene carbonate, 1,2-dimethoxyethane (by vol 1:1) + lithium perchlorate 1.0 mol/l.    Discharge utility rate is improved.
Alkaline battery provides, as the electrolyte impregnating material, a nonwoven cloth which is surface-treated with cellulose. Liq. leakage is remarkably decreased because fluff scattering of the vinylon-rayon nonwoven cloth is effectively prevented.    In an example, Ag2O was used as the anodic active material, Zn amalgam was used as the cathodic active material, KOH aq. soln. (35 wt.%) of ZnO was used as the electrolyte, nylon 11 surface-coated with asphalt pitch-packing material was used as the ring gasket and vinylon-rayon mixed paper surface-treated with cellulose ( in amt. of 5 g/sq.lm) was used as the electrolyte impregnating material. Resulting button type battery obtd. therefrom had decreased liq. leakage (at a rate 0/1000 after one month and 2/1000 after 3 months) compared with 10/1000 and 30/1000 for a conventional button type battery.
Separator for an alkaline source of electric current is produced by applying an alcohol-water alkali soln. of a copolymer of 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine and methacrylic acid onto a stretched cellulose hydrate film. The number of rejects is reduced and the process is simplified by preliminarily treating the cellulose hydrate film with water at 20-40 deg.C. for 3-15 min. After the application of the copolymer soln., the film is dried in the stretched state at 40-70 deg.C. for 5-20 min. The separator is formed using two films as above.    The pretreatment with water causes uniform impregnation of the film with the copolymer soln., whereby warping is eliminated.    The adhesion between the two films of the separator is 180-250 g/cm. (control 30-40 g/cm). Bul. 40/30.10.80.
A fibrous sheet made of polyester or polyacrylic fibrils is bonded to a separator through an acid resisting binder. The separator is arranged on a positive plate so that the fibrous sheet is contacted thereto.    The positive active material is prevented from unwanted sepn. by the fibrous sheet. (J50158844)
Battery comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator placed between the electrodes, and an electrolyte. The separator comprises a high alkali-proof porous sheet (II) and a water soluble high polymer (I) impregnated in the porous sheet. (I) is either PVA, polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, methylcellulose, polyacrylate, polyacrylamide, PVP or polyvinyl amide. (II) has pores of dia. of 0.01 to 0.1 microns and a porosity rate of 5 to 95%.    In an example, the separator (4) consists of a film of PTFE with fine pores. A MnO2 anode (5) is placed in a battery case (6). (4) is placed on (5). An electrolyte of KOH soln. is impregnated into (4). A cathode (1), of a mixt. of Zn powder and gel shaped electrolyte contg. 25% KOH soln. is placed on (4). (6) is sealed by a cap (2).    The separator has a high heat resistance and a high alkali-proof property.
The battery comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator placed between the electrode, and an electrolyte. The separator comprises a high alkali-proof porous sheet and a water soluble high polymer impregnated in the porous sheet. The high polymer is selected from PVA, polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, methylcellulose, polyacrylate, polyacrylamide, PVP and polyvinyl amide. The porous sheet has pores with diameters of 0.01-0.1 microns and a porosity rate of 5-95%. The sheet consists of polypropylene or polyethylene.    The separator has a high heat resistance and a high alkali-proof property.    In an example, the separator consisted of a porous film of polypropylene with fine pores. The positive electrode consisted of MnO2 placed in a battery case. The separator was placed on the positive electrode. The electrolyte of KOH soln. was impregnated in the separator. The negative electrode consisting of a mixture of zinc powder and gel shaped electrolyte contg. 25% KOH solution was placed on the separator. The cas was sealed by a cap.
The battery comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator placed between the electrodes, and an alkaline electrolyte. The separator comprises a cation exchange resin film contg. fluorine and carboxyl ion exchange radicals. The separator has a high heat resistance and a high resistance to alkali.    In an example, tetrafluoroethylene and CF2=CFO(CF2)3COOCH3 are copolymerised to form the cation exchange resin. The resin is pressed at 200 deg.C to form a film thickness of 15 micrometres thick. The positive electrode consisting of MnO2 is placed in a battery case. The separator is placed on the positive electrode. A non-woven cloth of polypropylene fibres is placed on the separator. The electrolyte is of KOH soln. The negative electrode is placed on the cloth. The negative electrode consists of a mixt. of Zn powder and gel shaped electrolyte contg. 25% KOH soln. The case is sealed by a cap.
The method comprises subjecting the surface of an ion exchanging membrane to a low temp. type plasma treatment to obtain a membrane having porous surface, treating the obtd. membrane in water at 100-200 deg.C, and bonding a catalytic metal on the treated membrane to produce a complex body consisting of the ion exchanging membrane and the catalytic metal.    In an example, an ion exchanging membrane consisting of a copolymer of sulphonylfluoride vinyl ether and tetrafluoroethylene was treateo in a low temp. type plasma etching process under a gas of oxygen, air, helium, nitrogen, or a mixt. to form many pores on the surface of the membrane. The dia. of the etched pores was 0.5-3 microns and the depth was 0.3-3.5 microns. The etched membrane was treated in water at 100 deg.C. A soln. contg. 3% of chloroplatinic acid and 1% of NaBH2 used as a reducing agent was permeated through the treated membrane to deposit a Pt catalyst layer on the membrane. The platinum deposited membrane was used as a diaphragm in electrolysis of salt water or in fuel cell.
The bipolar battery has parallel lead stripes bonded to the flat sides of a series of spaced, conductive composite thermoplastic biplates. A non-conductive coating covers the non-striped areas of at least one side of the biplates, the latter being spaced by thermoplastic microporous separator plates. Each separator plate carrier active material on its opposite faces, the plates being held in compression to maintain the active material in conductive contact with the lead stripes.    Pref. the biplates are made of a thermoplastic binder such as polyethylene contg. conductive graphite fibres and plates with lead strioes. The active material is carried e.g. in resilient yieldable glass mats and the biplates and separator plates are maintained in a stacked assembly by axial compression of the assembly.    Prods. are lightweight bipolar batteries which avoid the disadvantages of prior art bipolar battery constructions.
Anode active material consists of Li, Na or their alloy, electrolyte consists of salt contg. Li or Na or contg. Li or Na, Li2N and beta-Al2O3, and cathode active material consists mainly of MnO2, TiO2, PbO2, CuO, SnO2, V2O5, Fe2O3 or their solid soln. or mixt. Battery has good leak-resistance. In an example, anode and cathode containers of stainless steel were made by deep drawing. Solid electrolyte comprised 1 pt.wt. LiI, 1 pt. wt. LiBr and 1 pt.wt. Li2N. Cathode mixt. comprises a sintered pellet consistin of beta-MnO2, acetylene black and the electrolyte. Anode pellet comprised a 50% Li-50% Na alloy. A polyethylene packing was formed in the cathode container by pouring molten polyethylene into a peripheral portion of the cathode container. The peripheral portion of the container was caulked at a pressure of 400 Kg.
In a thin battery, an open portion is sealed with satd. polyester resin coated on or impregnated into a peripheral portiof of a separator. The satd.polyester resin is produced by interaction of tetraphthalic acid and satd. polyhydric alcohol.    In an example, an anode current collector (1) and a cathode current collector (2) comprise corrosive-resistant foils (3) of metal e.g. Al, Ni or stainless steel, and carbon layers (4) formed on both sides of the foils (3). An anode film (5) consists of Zn. A cathode layer (6) consists of MnO2 powder, acetylene black and polyvinyl alcohol. A separator (7) consists of non-woven fabric of polyvinyl alcohol resin, and impregnated with electrolyte consisting of aq. zinc chloride soln. A peripheral portion of the separator (7)is coated with satd. copolymerised polyester resin (8), (8p). The opened portion (12) is sealed with satd. polyestar resin (8) (8'). An anode terminal (10) and a cathode terminal (11) are exposed by making holes in outer sheath layers (9).
Battery comprises a negative electrode of Li, a positive electrode consisting essentially of metal sulphide, an electrolyte and a separator placed between the electrodes. The separator consists of nonwoven cloth of polypropylene or polyethylene having porosity 80 - 90%. Sulphide is of FeS, Fe2S3, FeS2, or CuS. Electrolyte consists of an organic solvent, such as propylene carbonate, dimethoxyethane, THF or gamma-butyrolactone, and a lithium cpd. such as lithium perchlorate or lithium boride fluoride.    The separator improves the discharge properties of the battery.
Method comprises (I) pouring a part of the alkaline electrolyte in the base (7) of a battery case (6), (II) placing an anode (3) in (6), (III) placing a separator (10), impregnated with electrolyte and a cathode (11) in (6), and (IV) sealing the case with a cap (12). (3) is MnO2 and has a circular projection (4) at its base. When (3) is placed on (7), (4) is contacted with (7) and then (3) is pressed to crush (4).    In an example (3) was of MnO2 powder (60 pts.wt.) and graphite powder (10 pts.wt.). The electrode was pressed with a pressure of 5 ton.sq.cm. A PVC porous (10) contg. an electrolyte of 35% aq. KOH was placed on (3) in a stainless steel (7). (11) placed on (10) was of Zn powder and gel shaped KOH soln.
Method comprises (1) immersing a Pb-Sn alloy plata in a slurry consisting of a first Pb (alloy) powder having a lower m.pt., a second Pb alloy powder having a higher m.pt. and a binder to coat the slurry on the plate; (2) drying the coated slurry; and (3) heating the slurry to melt the first powder to form a Pb alloy layer with a rough surface on the plate.    The first powder is melted by the heat treatment and removed from the slurry to form the rough surface lead alloy layer easily.    In an example, a wire consists of 3.0 wt.% Sb, 0.25 wt.% As, 0.15 wt.% and the rest of Pb. The slurry consists of an aq. soln. of methyl cellulose, 50 wt. pts Pb powder and 100 wt. pts Pb-Sb alloy powder contg. 11 wt.% Sb. The wire is immersed in the slurry to form a slurry layer, which is dried at 80 - 120 deg.C. Then the layer is sintered at 22 - 230 deg.C. to form a sintered layer, which is heated at 255 deg.C to melt the Sb-Pb alloy in the sintered layer. Then the wire is pressed to form the plate. An activator is coated on the plate to form an electrode.
The battery comprises a positive electrode of gamma-Fe2O3, a negative electrode of Li and an electrolyte consisting of an organic solvent and a lithium salt selected from the gp. of LiClO4, LiAlCl4, LiBF4 and LiCl. The solvent is selected from propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, gamma-butyrolactone, DMSO, acetonitrile, formamide, DMF and nitromethane.    The positive electrode improves the discharge property of the battery.    The positive electrode consisting of 100 pts. wt. of gamma- Fe2O3 and 100 pts. wt. of acetylene black were placed in a nickel plated brass case. A carbon fibre felt and a porous polypropylene separator were placed on the electrode. The electrolyte consisting of propylene carbonate and 1 mol/1 LiClO4 was impregnated in the felt. The Li negative electrode was placed on the separator. The casing was sealed by a cap.
The battery comprises a negative electrode of Li, a positive electrode consisting of a Mn cpd. selected from MnS2, Th, MnSe2, and MnTe2 and an electrolyte consisting of Li salt, such as LiClO4, LiAlCl4, LiBF4 or LiCl and a solvent selected from propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, gamma butyrolactone, DMSO, acetonitrile, formamide and DMF.    The positive electrode increases the discharge capacitance and the electromotive force of the battery.    In an example, a positive electrode (5) consisting of MnTe2 powder (50 pts.wt.) and acetylene black (100 pts.wt.) is placed in a stainless steel case (1). A carbon felt separator (4) and a porous polypropylene separator (3) are placed on the electrode (5) The electrolyte consisting of propylene carbonate and LiClO4 (1 mol/l) is impregnated into the felt separator (4). The Li negative electrode (2) is placed on the separators. The case is sealed by a cap (1). A gasket (6) is inserted between the case and the cap.
Battery comprises a negative electrode of Li, a non-aqueous electrolyte, a positive electrode and a separator placed between the electrodes. The separator comprises a nonwoven cloth of glass fibres coated with polyethylene or polypropylene. The coating prevents any increase in internal resistance.    In an example, a positive electrode of a pressed body consisting of MnO2 (500 weight parts), graphite (50 pts. wt.) and PTFE (10 pts wt.) is placed in a stainless steel case. A separator was placed on the positive electrode. Glass fibre nonwoven cloth is immersed in polyethylene soln. and dried. Electrolyte consisting of dimethoxyethane, propylene and lithium perchlorate is immersed in the separator.
Ultrasonic wave welder well used for sealing the plate of a storage battery in the synthetic resin separator is claimed.    Both the horn and the anvil face to each other so that their centers correspond with each other. The anvil is held by the anvil supporting member so that it can swing around the horizontal shaft. After the plate is guided to the sealing zone by the roller conveyor together with the synthetic resin separator, the horn is moved down and the synthetic resin separator is welded so that the plate is sealed in it.    The horn is kept in parallel with the anvil because the anvil swings around the horizontal shaft automaticlaly. automatically.
A mould for forming a battery lid has a surface which gives the undersurface of the lid with channels (7) to receive the top ends of the inter cell partitions. The mould surface includes areas which form recessed sections (9) in the channels to accommodate up and over inter cell connectors (i.e. connectors which extend over the partitions).    Fillets are provided to fit in the areas of the mould to eliminate the recessed sections so that continuous channels are formed for use with through partition inter cell connectors (i.e. connectors which pass through the partitions).    Provides simple change over of moulds to fit either type of battery.
The electrolyte contains 15-35 wt.% of zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and 0.2-8 wt.% of a paste of acetalised PVA.    The paste improves the discharge property and decreases the internal resistance of the battery effectively.    In an example, a negative electrode collector consisted of Al plate and a positive electrode collector consisted of Al plate. The collectors faced each other to form a space. The inner surfaces of the collectors were covered by carbon layers and the negative electrode was a zinc powder layer. A separator was a polyester unwoven cloth. The acetallised pVA fibre (3 wt.%) was immersed in a soln. of 25% zinc chloride. The soln. was heated at 90 deg.C for 10 minutes to dissolve the fibre to form the electrolyte. The electrolyte was immersed in the separator. The electrodes and the separator were placed in the space.
Battery comprises a positive electrode of MnO2, a negative electrode of Zn, an electrolyte and electrode collectors. The electrodes and the electrolyte are sandwiched by the collectors. Each of the collectors comprises an iron sheet and a carbon layer coated on one surface of the sheet. The iron sheet is formed by an electrolytic plating.    The iron sheet is firmly bonded the carbon sheet. In an example, a positive electrode consisting of 90 wt.% MnO2 and 10 wt.% of carbon black, a separator 7 contg. ammonium chloride electrolyte and a zinc thin plate were sandwiched by iron sheets. Carbon layers were deposited on the sheets. The carbon layers are contacted to the electrodes. The iron layers were bonded by polyamide resin.
Battery comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrolyte, a battery case used as a positive electrode current collector and a battery cap used as a negative electrode current collector. The electrodes and the electrolyte are placed in the case. The case is covered by the cap. An insulating packing is inserted between the cap and the case. The packing consists of water insoluble epoxy resin hardened by water insoluble amine.    The case is firmly sealed by the improved packing. In an example the packing was of 50 wt.% epoxy resin and 50 wt.% amine of polyamide and the positive electrode was of mercury oxide. Electrolyte comprising KOH soln. was impregnated in a separator placed on the electrode. The negative electrode was of zinc gel.
In a process for moulding a deep plastics vessel e.g. a battery jar, the appts. comprises mainly (a) an extruder for extruding molten resin into a preparative moulding chamber (I) through a passage (b) split moulds for moulding the vessel by blowing air into the preparatively moulded resin; and (c) (I) provided with a cylinder, a pushing rod and a closing plate. After the molten resin is moulded in (I), the closing plate is opened and the pushing rod is moved down into the split moulds together with the preparatively moulded resin. It is then subjected to blow moulding.    Deep plastics vessel of uniform thickness is produced at low cost.
A method of making a nonaqueous electrolyte cell comprises (I) arranging a lithium plate to act as an anode active material in an anode can, (II) pouring a part of or whole of a nonaqueous electrolyte on the lithium plate in the anode can, (III) placing a separator on the lithium plate, (IV) arranging a cathode mixt. on the separator, and (V) covering the anode can with a cathode can.    As the nonaqueous electrolyte, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, propylene carbonate and tetrahydrofuran may be used. The separator may be a nonwoven polypropylene fabric.    Since the separator is arranged on the lithium plate wetted by the electrolyte, the separator is intimately contacted with the lithium plate. The separator is wetted from its bottom by the electrolyte. By this method, the nonaqueous electrolyte cell can be made without the shift of the separator.
Alkaline battery provides crosslinking acrylic type water-soluble resin as a binder of anodic mixed agent composed of silver oxide or its with graphite. Prodn. yield and discharge property are improved.    In an example, aq. soln. contg. NaOH was added in aq. soln. contg. AgNO3 to give silver oxide ppte, which was washed with water, filtered and dried. Crosslinking acrylic type water-soluble resin fine powder was added to the silver oxide in amt. of 0.2-2.0 % per the anodic mixed agent. The mixt. was dried in air contg. no CO2 gas at 85 deg.C, pulverised into less than 48 mesh, which was mixed with flake graphite to give anodic mixed agent. The battery obtd. therefrom had yield of at least 95% and discharge durable time of 440 hrs. at 20 deg.C and 240 hrs. at 0 deg.C.
Prodn. comprises (1) forming silver oxide by reacting Ag ion with alkaline soln., (2) adding, to the wet silver oxide obtd., a binder of crosslinking acrylic water soluble resin, followed by stirring and mixing and (3) then drying and conditioning the mixt. for making an anode.    In further detail, aq. soln. contg. NaOH 2.5 Kg was added to aq. soln. contg. AgNO3 10 Kg to precipitate silver oxide. It was washed with water and filtered. Sodium acrylate and flake graphite fine powder were added, and the mixt. stirred, mixed and dried in air contg. no CO2 at 85 deg.C. It was pulverised and filtered through 48 mesh filter for making silver oxide anode. The alkaline battery obtd. of outer dia. 11.6 mm x total height 2.05 mm, had discharge durable time of 440 hrs. at 20 deg.C and 240 hrs. at 0 deg.C.
Battery plate pack is formed by assembling interleaved battery plates and separators to form a stack which is positioned adjacent a stationary plastics extrusion nozzle and the stack is traversed over a mechanically controlled path so that the sides and bottom edges of the pack are moved progressively past the nozzle to provide a sealing strip extending continuously over the sides and bottom of the pack.    In manufacture of batteries of the lead acid type. Sealing prevents build up of material shed from the plates which can short out the plates.
Electrochemical cell has an anode of a gp. IA metal which can be electrochemically oxidised forming metal ions in the cell on discharge, a cathode of electrically conductive material and an ion-conducting electrolyte soln. in contact with the anode and cathode. The cathode contains gp. IB-VIIB and/or VIII metal oxide(s) prepd. by thermal treatment of a suitable decomposable metal cpd. (I).    (I) is a metal oxide or salt, pref. a metal nitrate, nitrite or carbonate or an ammonium salt of a transition metal oxyanion. The cathode contains V20x (x is max. 5), prepd. by thermal treatment of ammonium vanadate, and/or Ag20x (x=0-1), prepd. from AgN03, and/or MnOx (x=1-3) prepd. from Mn nitrate and/or CuOx (x=0-1). The cathode also contains a suitable binder, pref. C or a mixt. of C and and 'Teflon'(RTM), and also a gp. IB-VIIB and/or VIII metal, which is mixed with (I) before decompsn. or with the oxide. Thermal treatment is carried out above the decompsn. temp of (I) for min. 24 h.    The cell has a relatively high energy density, discharge capacity and wide operating temp. range (e.g.-55 to +225 deg.C.).
Cell comprises (a) oxidisable active anode material; (b) electrolyte soln. of reducible liq. cathode material with electrolyte solute dissolved in it contacting the anode and a cathode current collector; and (c) a cathode current collector including a catalyst for reducing the liq. cathode material, comprising a composite of C and Pt bonded to an inert substrate.    The composite pref. comprises Pt particles supported on C particles, esp. on a layer of an aggregate of C black particles, esp. contg. 5-30wt.% Pt. It pref. also includes a thermoplastic polymer, esp. about 10wt.% PTFE.    The cathode current collector provides high discharge rate and high current density at much lower cost than pure Pt catalyst, e.g. an Li-thionyl chloride cell having 10% Pt or C, had discharge voltage 3.42V, capacity 9.55mA-hr/cm2 through 1000 ohms, compared with 3.16V and 4.57mA-hr/cm2 for C black.
Membrane is formed over a standard diaphragm cell foraminous cathode by applying a soln soln. of a fluorinated copolymer and stripping the solvent. The polymer is of a fluorinated vinyl cpd. and monomer(s) of formula CF2=CFX,CF2=CF(Rf-X) and CF2=CF(ORfX), where Rf is a perfluorinated 2-8C alkyl with the carbons interrupted by one or more O and X is sulphonyl- or carbonyl-fluoride or sulphonate or carboxylate. The solvent is a low mol.wt. polymer of a perhalogenated alkyl ether or perhalogenated alkyl or perfluorokerosene, each having b.pt. 200-350 deg.C.    Cathode is used as a separator in a battery or fuel cell or electrochemical e.g. chlor-alkali cell. Use of the solvent overcomes the prior art processing difficulties of the fluorinated copolymer and uniform end-prods. are obtd.
A crosslinked PVA alkaline battery separator is made by mixing a 10-20wt.% soln. of a film-forming PVA with a polyaldehyde-polysaccharide crosslinking agent (I). The mixed soln. is cast as a film and dried, then crosslinked by contacting it with an aq. acid soln. contg. sufficient Na2SO4 or K2SO4 to prevent dissolution of the film. (I) has at least two monosaccharide units and 1-2 aldehyde gps. per monosaccharide unit. (I) is used at 2.5-20% of the theoretical amt. to crosslink all hydroxyl gps. in the PVA.    Oxidative degradation of the PVA in a cell contg. 45wt.% KOH soln. with Ag2O is reduced.
An electrode comprises a solid polymer electrolyte base member having an abraded surface. Finely divided catalytic particles are fixed on the abraded surface.    Used in fuel cells, gas generating devices e.g. water electrolysis, chemical treatment and processing and gas dosimeters and sensing devices. Reduced loadings of catalyst are possible.    The polymer surface is abraded, e.g. cross-hatched, or grit and sand blasted in at least two directions. The catalyst particles are of metal, metal oxide or metal alloy. They are fixed on the abraded surface by heat and pressure.
Solid electrolyte battery comprises (1) cathodic active material composed of at least 1 of Li, Mg, Ca, Ag or alloy, (2) anodic active material composed of a charge transfer complex of both halogen and an organic heterocyclic cpd. and (3) cathodic collector electrically connected to (1), where a part of the collector contacting (1) together with the sealing packing are covered with an electrical insulation coating.    High energy density is obtd., liq. leakage is decreased, so that the battery is miniaturised.    In an example, the insulation coating was composed of adhesive polybutene dissolved in petroleum benzene. The coating thickness was 10-12 microns. Obtd. battery had improved voltage w.r.t. discharge time compared with a conventional solid electrolyte battery.
Fibre reinforcing material for electrode plate of lead storage battery is composed of polyester type short fibre on which polyethylene glycol type nonionic surfactant is adhered. Dispersion in active material powder or active material paste is improved, so that obtd. electrode plate has long life due to no cracking in drying process or no peel-off of active material.    In an example, polyester fibre (600,000 denier, contg. no TiO2, single fibre 2 denier) was immersed in aq. soln. or aq. dispersion of nonionic polyethylene glycol type surfactant, which was dehydrated and dried. It was cut by a guillotine cutter into 2 mm, which (0.2 wt.%) was mixed with lead powder. They were stirred, to which was added dil. H2SO4 to give a paste. The paste was filled in a grid, dried and chemically formed to give an electrode plate.
Solid electrolyte battery comprises (1) cathode mainly composed of Li, (2) solid electrolyte, and (3) anode at least contg. iodine or iodine cpd. as the active material and further contg. divalent metal oxide.    Polarisation and discharge properties are remarkably improved.    In an example, anode was produced from a pellet composed of complex cpd. of poly-4-vinylpyridine (P4VP) + I2 + CdO. Where ethanol soln. of I2 (a certain amt.) was titrated in the P4VP-ethanol soln. to give a complex of P4VP pyridine ring + I2 (1;1). It was dried in reduced pressure and then it was mixed with I2 + CdO in order to give a compsn. of the pyridine: I2 : CdO of 10 : 60 : 5. The mixt. was press-moulded into a pellet of 8.5 mm dia. for the anode. The anode, cathode and gasket were mounted into anodic can, which was covered with cathodic can and sealed with epoxy type resin adhesives.
Solid electrolyte battery is composed of an anodic active material in which haloden (Cl2, Br2, I2, ICI, IBr, ICI3 etc). or electron attractive material (PF3 etc). is doped in polyacetylene. Small size, long life and high fidelity battery is obtd.    In an example, Li was vapour-deposited in 5 micron thickness on Ni foil to give a cathodic active material. Solid electrolyte of lithium nitride (Li3x-xN) layer was produced in N2 atmos. Electron transfer complex cpd. of polyacetylene and halogen (e.g. CHI0.22 layer, 30 microns) was adhered on a surface of Ni-foil at 60-80 deg.C with 10-50 Kg/sq.cm pressure in vacuo of not more than 0.001 mm Hg. These parts were mounted in dry N2 atmos. into a battery container and sealed. Obtd. super-thin type Li electrolyte battery had initial open-circuit voltage of 3.2 V, load resistance of 100 Kohms, average load current of 12 micro A. average closed-circuit voltage of 2.8 V and battery capacity of 60 +- 20 mAH.
Alkaline battery has anodic mixed agent in which 1-3% scale- shape graphite having at least 90% of up to 30 microns dia. is mixed with silver oxide powder having bulk density of 1.8-4.0 g/cu.cm. Internal resistance and discharge property are improved.    In an example, silver oxide powder (bulk density 2.5 g/cu.cm) 97.5 pts. + scale-shape graphite (up to 30 microns, 92%) 1.7 pts. were mixed with polystyrene 0.8 pts. + solvent, and mixt. dried to give an anode mixed agent. It was press-moulded and mounted in Ni-plated anodic container with a ring. Gel-state cathode composed of Zn amalgam powder + polyacrylic-acid was contained via finely porous polyethylene separator and KOH- electrolyte-sustaining vinylon nonwoven cloth. Alkaline battery was produced by adding Ni-plated sealing plate and insulating gasket. When the graphite amt. increased, electric resistance of the anodic moulding was decreased. When the bulk density of the silver oxide increased, battery durability at 20 deg.C x 15 K ohm discharge was increased.
Thin type battery has carboxylic acid (anhydride) contained in the anodic active material layer in a respective ratio of 0.001-5:1.    In an example, anodic active material layer was produced by uniformly coating, on a conductive plastic film contg. 75 wt.% graphite, 15 mg/cm2 a paste mixt. of N-bromosuccinic acid-imide 30 wt.%, graphite 10 wt.%, conductive polymer adhesive 58 wt.% and succinic acid 2 wt.%. The anodic active material layer was then placed on a metal cathodic active material layer (opt. via a metal halide or metal oxide layer and a separator layer).    Output voltage drop in initial discharge is decreased.
Alkaline battery uses a separator of a graft polymer composed of (i) copolymer of ethylene or propylene and an alpha-olefin with 4-7C and (ii) vinyl cpd. polymer. Internal resistance is decreased and discharge capacity is greatly improved.    In an example, 0.1 mm thick separator of graft polymer composed of (i) copolymer of propylene and butene-1 and (ii) acrylic acid. Electrolyte-sustaining-material of rayon was placed on the separator and gel-state zinc electrode was placed on the rayon material. Continuous discharge property (at 20 deg.C and 1 Kohm) was improved c.f. a conventional battery using a separator of graft polymer composed of polyethylene homopolymer and acrylic acid. Internal resistance was 5.1 ohm and discharge capacity at 1 Kohm discharge was 140 mA Hr. The separator had good porosity and uniform pore dia., so that had good electrolyte-sustaining property and dimensional stability.
The battery comprises a negative electrode of a light metal such as Li, Na, Al or Mg, an organic electrolyte and a positive electrode activator of charge transfer complex consisting of polyamide, above 1 wt.% of hexamethylene tetramine and iodine. The positive electrode activator improves a discharge property of the battery effectively and the battery has a long lifetime.    In an example, the polyamide, the hexamethylene tetramine and the iodine are mixed in a container at 60 deg.C for 48 hours to form the black charge transfer complex having a low resistivity of 1000 ohm. The complex is used as the positive electrode placed in a stainless steel positive electrode case. The electrolyte is placed on the complex 1. The Li negative electrode is placed on the electrolyte. The cap used as a negative seals the case.
The positive electrode consists of a silver oxide powder, a conductive powder and a binder. The silver oxide powder has a bulk density of above 1.8. The oxide powder consists of 30-150 mesh particles (80 wt.%) and 150 mesh particles (20 wt.%).    The oxide powder is uniformly dispersed in the electrode, so that it has a high mechanical strength and an improved discharge property. In an example the oxide powder consists of 30-150 mesh particles (86 wt.%) and 150 mesh particles (14 wt.%). The bulk density of the powder is 2.5. The oxide powder (975 wt. pts.), a graphite powder (17 wt. pts.) and a polystyrene binder are mixed in a mixer and pressed to form the positive electrode body. The body is used in the battery having a negative electrode consisting of amalgamated Zn powder and polyacrylate binder and having an electrolyte of KOH soln.
The battery comprises a negative electrode of a light metal, such as Li, an organic electrolyte and positive electrode activator consisting essentially of manganese dioxide. The method comprises (1) providing a MnO2 powder of gamma-phase including water and (2) heating the powder at below 450 deg.C with an induction heating to remove the water from the powder. The activator improves the discharge property of the battery effectively.    In an example the MnO2 powder made from Mn sulphate contained about 10 wt.% water. The powder was heated at 200 deg.C in an electronic range to form the MnO2 powder of gamma-phase contg. 0.05 wt.% water. The activator consisted of 100 pts.wt. the MnO2 powder, 3 pts.wt. of acetylene black and 5 pts.wt. of fluorocarbon resin binder. The activator was pressed to form a disk shape positive electrode.
The negative electrode comprises a negative electrode activator and a porous body buried in the activator. Lignin is impregnated in the porous body. The lignin improves the discharge property of the electrode. In an example a mixt. consisting of 20 wt.% of low density polyethylene pellets, 20 wt.% of a silica fine powder and 60 wt.% of a plasticiser of dioctylphthalate was mixed at 180 deg. C. The mixt. was pressed with a collector plate to form a lattice plate. The plasticiser is extracted by trichloroethylene from the lattice plate to form porous plate. The porous plate was immersed in an aq. soln. of 25% lignin and the plate was dried at 60 deg.C to impregnate the lignin in the porous plate. The activator was coated on the porous body to form the electrode.
Separator comprises a thermoplastic synthetic resin film grafted by vinyl monomer. The film is of polyethylene, polypropylene, PTFE, polyester, PVC, polycarbonate or polystyrene. The vinyl monomer consists of 100 pts. wt. of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid and below 40 pts. wt. of hydroxylalkyl acrylate and/or hydroxylalkyl methacrylate.    Separator has high oxidn. and alkali resistance. In an example, polyethylene was extruded to form the polyethylene film of 25 micron thickness. Electron beam was radiated onto the film in the air. The radiated film is immersed in a methanol soln. contg. 30 wt.% methacrylica acid for 30 minutes at 70 deg.C to graft the acid to the film. It has an electric resistance of 0.20 ohm-cm2.
The separator comprises a graft copolymer of a vinyl cpd. (I) and polypropylene, or copolymer of ethylene and propylene. (I) is (meth)acrylate, vinyl ester, vinylpyridine or acrylonitrile. The separator decreases the internal resistance.    In an example, a positive electrode case (1) consists of iron plate. An inner surface of the case is covered by a Ni plated layer (2). A positive electrode (3) of AgO powder is placed in (1). The separator (4) of 0.1 mm thickness is placed on (3). An electrolyte sheet (5) impregnated with NaOH soln. is placed on (4). A gel shaped Zn negative electrode (6) is placed on (5). (1) is sealed by an iron cap (7) used as a negative electrode terminal. The separator consists of a graft copolymer of acrylate and polypropylene.
The separator comprises a block copolymer of polyolefin and vinyl cpd. (I). The polyolefin is polyethylene, polypropylene or their copolymer. (I) is methacrylate, acrylate, vinyl ester, vinylpyridine or acrylonitrile.    In an example, a positive electrode case consisting of iron plate has the inner surface covered with a nickel plated layer. A positive electrode consisting of AgO powder is placed in the case. The 0.1 mm thick separator is placed on the positive electrode and an electrolyte impregnating sheet impregnated with a NaOH soln. is placed on the separator. A gel shaped zinc negative electrode is placed on the sheet and the case is sealed by an iron cap used as a negative electrode terminal. The separator consists of the block copolymer of polyethylene and acrylate.    The separator decreases internal resistance and improves discharge properties of the battery.
Battery cell is described in which the anode is Li and the cathode is prepd. by mixing poly-2-vinyl pyridine (P2VP), poly-4-vinylpyridine (P4VP) and their mixts. with a quantity of iodine and heating the mixt. in a protective atmos.. at at least 150 deg. C, pref. 150-350 and opt. above 350 deg. C in vacuo or inert atmos. Opt. additional iodine is added during heating.    The cell exhibits increased energy density and has consequently a longer useful life.
An outside mould (13) and an inside mould (11), both having a shape-forming surface (14) are used for vulcanisation forming a partial hollow bag (1') which lacks in portion for attaching a fluid-injecting valve (3) or an opposite portion for patching a vulcanised rubber patch (4), or both of them in a complete hollow bag (1).    The lacked portions in the bag (1') are patched with a vulcanised rubber patch (2) with the valve (3) vulcanisation-bonded or the rubber patch (4) without the valve (3), or the patch (2) with the valve vulcanisation-bonded and the patch (4) without the valve (3). After removing the moulds (11,13), the bag (1') is placed in a finishing mould (15)and is filled with a pressurised or a pressurised and heated fluid to accomplish the adhesion of the portions patched with the rubber patches (2,4) forming the hollow bag (1).    The bag may be used as a plug for accumulator or a shock absorber between a car body and a wheel. The bag is durable since it has no middle joint where the stress concentrates in expansion and shrinkage of the bag.
Lead-in connection for an electrochemical cell consists of a metal sleeve which holds and seals the anode connecting wire by fused glass. This sleeve is held by peripheral grooves in a plastic element with an extension around which the anode is formed. A surface finish with a texture of 6 mu ensures a good contact with the anode. A suitable material for the element is a copolymer of ethylene and chloro trifluoroethylene.    This lead-in connection is simple to make. It produces a good seal and offers good protection against the chemicals of the cell.
Fibrous web comprises 3-95 wt.% cellulosic fibres, 5-97 wt.% synthetic pulp fibres and at least 2% of a thermosetting resin w.r.t. fibres. In a pref. material, the cellulose fibres are present at least 25%, esp. at least 50%, the synthetic fibres are of a polyolefin, esp. polyethylene and the thermosetting resin is a phenolic resin which is crosslinked at least partially to the C-stage.    The prods. are porous, flexible and non-brittle and have good chemical resistance. They are esp. useful in the prodn. of battery separators and filter elements. Interfibre adhesion is good and the prods. have a high resistance to delamination. 15 x 15 cm samples withstand a bending test round a 2.5 cm mandrel.
A porous inorganic-organic composite separator for alkaline storage batteries is prepd. by (a) suction-filtering an aq. suspension of chopped inorganic fibres on a filter paper to form a random fluffy fibre mat; (b) compacting by placing a second filter paper over the suspension and drawing through air following the liq. component; (c) over drying; (d) coating with a soln. contg. 2-10% of an alkali stable polymer by passing it through the mat. under suction; (e) flushing with a liq. to remove the solvent and form pores in the mat; and (f) drying at an elevated temp.    The separator is useful for Ni-hydrogen and Ni-Cd batteries. It has good chemical and high temp. stability, good mechanical strength, good wettability to aq. KOH good electrolyte retention and good gas permeability.    Pref. the fibres are Th oxide, K titanate or esp. Zr oxide and the coating soln. is a 7-10% wt/vol. polybenzimidazole (PBI) dimethylacetamide (DMA) soln. The polymer may also be polysulphone, polybenzoxazole or polybenzothiazole.
A fuel cell component (I) comprising a fully graphitised gas porous, resin-bonded C-fibre sheet is mfd. by (1) forming an intermediate prod. comprising a homogeneous layer of C-fibres and thermosetting resin (II) which is uncured and where the edges have been built up with the same material to a greater thickness than the centre; (2) densifying the edges by compressing while heating to cure (I); and (3) heating (II) to carbonise (I) and fully graphitise (II).    (I) has an improved gas edge seal.
In an example, 0.25 g C powder, 0.05 g active C powder and 0.20 g PTFE powder were mixed and placed in a metal mould. The mixt. and a Ni net were compacted at 2.5 ton/cm2 pressure into a disk. The disk was sintered at 300 deg.C for 30 minutes to mfr. a cathode. An anode comprises a Li sheet. An electrolyte was produced by dissolving 1 mol/l of LiClO4 in propylene carbonate. A felt disk, consisting of C fibre, was impregnated with the electrolyte. A separator consists of porous polypropylene.
A battery uses an electrode mfd. by metal-spraying metal active material on an insulating film-shaped substrate having resistance to an electrolyte and active material, and ion permeability. The substrate pref. consists of paper or non-woven fabric. The metal active material is Zn, Cd, Pb, Li, Mg, Al or Ag.    A cathode can consist of Ni-plated Fe. A cathode consisting mainly of MnO2 is placed in the cathode can. An electrolyte-holding sheet consists of acryl fibres. An anode is mfd. by metal-spraying Zn on a sheet of non-woven fabric of PVA resin, amalgamating the metal-sprayed Zn and punching the sheet. An anode closure is formed of a Fe plate having a Cu-plated layer on the inner surface and a Ni-plated layer on the outer surface. A gasket is interposed between the cathode can and the anode closure. The opened portion of the cathode can is bent inwards.    It is possible to improve discharge capacity of a battery. It is possible to largely reduce loss of metal active material during metal-spraying.
A continuous grid strip of Pb alloy has its perforations filled with an active material, and is covered on both sides with a protective strip. The composite strip thus obtd. is compacted by rolling, and is then cut into individual accumulator plates, which are given a stabilising heat treatment to produce the desired chemical and physical properties in the plates.    Before being cut into plates, the composite strip is pref. dried superficially by heated rollers in a furnace. Stabilisation is pref. at ambient pressure and at 70-100 deg.C using 90-100% relative humidity. Strips are pref. woven or non-woven porous plastic resistant to electrochemical oxidn. in acid, and are esp. polyester.    Strips (3,6) are not attacked by, and therefore do not pollute, the electrolyte.
Discharge capacity in storage at high temp. does not rapidly deteriorate.    In an example, 5 pts.wt. poly-1-ethylpyridinium iodide charge-transfer complex cpd. (19:Nl) + 1 pts.wt. chromatographical silica gel + 0 - 2 wt.% acetylene black (ave. particle dia. 10 microns, treated at 250 deg.C for 3 hrs.), were mixed to give an anodic mixed agent. Obtd. battery has improved discharge properties when stored for 30 days at 45 deg.C and discharged at 20 deg.C with 30 microA. By adding small amt. of C powder, self-discharge was rapidly caused soon after the battery was produced, dense and thick solid electrolyte was generated between the Li cathode and the anode, so that when the battery was stored at high temp. the iodine transfer does not rapidly occur.
Alkaline battery provides on copper (alloy) surface of cathodic collector at least on the surface contact with gasket, a film layer composed of fluorine resin mainly of fluorine contg-acrylic ester of formula CH2=C(R1)COOR2Rf (Rf is perfluoroalkyl, c is 4-16; R1 is H or CH3; R2 is alkylene, C is 1-10). Liq. leakage between cathodic collector and gasket is prevented.    In an example, fluorine resin was composed of (1) fluorine- contg. acrylic ester monomer and (2) nonfluorine hydrophobic monomer, e.g. tert. butyl methacrylate isobutyl-methacrylate- methacrylate, etc. and (3) crosslinking monomer, e.g. N- methylolacrylamide, glycidylacrylate, etc. These were copolymerised into mol. wt. 100,000-1,000,000. Amt. of the (1), (2), (3) were 50-80 wt.%:10-30 wt.%:2-5 wt.%. The resin was dissolved in water in amt. of 0.02-2.0 wt.% pref. 0.05-0.5 wt.% to which was added 0.1-2.0 pts. of the nonion surfactant. The cathodic terminal plate was immersed in the resin soln. and then dried.
Alkaline battery has on Cu alloy surface of cathodic collector at least on the surface contact with gasket, a film layer composed of purine, with nonionic surfactant opt. contained in the film layer. Liquid leakage between cathodic collector and gasket is prevented.    In an example, purine was dissolved in water or alcohol in amt. of 0.1-.0 wt.% pref. 0.5-0.3 wt.%. Nonionic surfactant e.g. polyoxyethylene-alkylether, polyoxyethylene alkylphenylether or polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropyrene block polymer was opt. used in the purine soln. Cathodic terminal plate was preliminarily treated with alkali, H2O-H2SO4 soln. and then immersed in the purine soln. for 1-5 min. to give purine layer of desired thickness on the copper surface.
Alkaline battery provides, on copper (alloy) surface of cathodic collector at least on the surface contact with gasket, a polymer film layer composed of 1,2,4-triazole deriv. of formula (I), (R is hydrocarbon group with 3-20C opt. linked via -O-, -S-, -SO-, -SO2-, -N-; n is 2-200).    Liq. leakage between cathodic collector and gasket is prevented.    In an example, pref. R was lower alkylene group and n was 5-20. The triazole deriv. was dissolved in solvent
A separator for a wet or dry alkaline cell battery is made from a flexible fabric of oriented thermoplastic fibres by winding a strip of fabric into a cylindrical sleeve with a helical or longitudinal seam and using heat shrinkage to contract one rim of the sleeve over the borders of a base disc of or coated with a thermoplastic material and located within the cylinder and a short distance from its base.    Pref. the constituent(s) of the sleeve and the base disc are resistant to alkalis. Opt. the base disc is solid plastic injection moulding.    Use of welded seams is quicker than assembly by stitching and avoids introduction of additional materials for adhesive bonded seams which might interfere with the electrolytic ions of the cell.
Porous electrode for an electrochemical generator comprises a supporting layer and an active or catalytic layer, the electrode thickness being 50-600 (100-250) microns. The layer and the support each comprise 60-99 wt.% of a carbon based finely divided conductor. The support and the layer are each hydrophobic and intimately bonded together. Collection of current is from points or lines mutually spaced by about 1 mm by means of an electronically conducting collector in contact with the support layer.    The electrode is for use in fuel cells working with gaseous fuel, esp. H2, and esp. for the filter press type of fuel cell. The length of the 'triple line' i.e. the line of contact between the fuel gas, the liquid electrolyte and the surface of the porous layer is held at a maximum and the line is stabilised at the interface between the two layers. The electrode can be made thin keeping down the size of a battery of cells, and are less fragile than in prior art, less expensive and exhibit an increased working life.
A layered cathode for use in solid electrolyte cell systems comprises a charge transfer complex which is the reaction prod. of a halogen(s) (acceptor) and an organic cpd.(s) (Donor), having one layer in which an electronic conductor is dispersed and a second layer not contg. the conductor.    A solid electrolyte cell comprises an anode, a cathode as above and a solid electrolyte, between and contacting anode and cathode, the conductor-free layer isolating the electrolyte from the conductor-contg. layer, preventing direct physical contact between conductor and electrolyte.    The cell esp. has an Li anode, LiI electrolyte and cathode that is a charge transfer complex of I and organic cpd. esp. mesophase pitch, other pref. cpds. including poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) and poly-2-vinylpyridine.    The cell is free from internal shorting and delivers e.g. up to 800 micorA above 2.5V.
Alkaline battery has barrier plate of nickel or nickel plated steel with rims and dual porous electrode plates of nickel or nickel plated steel stip with perforated areas at at each end coated with aplaque of porous nickel. One half of the plates have the porous plaque impregnated with positive polarity material while the other half of the plates have the porous plaque impregnated with negative polarity active material. The plates are folded in half to form dual leaf electrode pairs with U-shaped channel base, each loaf being enclosed in an envelope-shaped, ion-permeable sheet separator.    An assembly is formed of a number of the dual leafed positive electrodes permanently affixed to the opposite side of the barrier plates, secured at one of the mating edges of at least one enclosure/supporting frame formed as a rectangular four sided plastics form connectable together at their edges, one set of edges per frame having means for connecting the barrier plate, and the frame having externally accessible filling and venting devices. Terminal assemblies are fixed to the outer sides of the outermost surfaces of the barrier plates on the outer end of the end assemblies of a stack of assemblies the stack being assembled so that positive electrodes of one assembly interleave with the negative electrodes of the adjacent assembly.    Provides light weight alkaline storage battery which combines greater electrode surface area exposure per unit vol., short current travel paths, min. heat transfer heat resistance and which permits longer life under severe discharge cycles.
Battery comprises cathode having light metal active material, anode having carbon fluoride active material, and organic electrolyte where the electrolyte contains iodine ion of up to 0.2 mol/l. (The iodine cpd. giving iodine ion is e.g. LiI, NaI, DI, MgI2.). Open circuit voltage is stabilised and appropriate voltage is obtd.    In an example, anode was produced by kneading carbon fluoride, acetylene black and styrene-butadiene rubber aq. dispersion, drying and press-moulding it under 1 ton/sq.cm into an anode 20 x 20 mm, and 1.0 mm thick. Cathode was produced by press-adhering Li sheet (20 x 20 cm, 0.5 mm thick) on a Ni expanded metal. The anode was double rolled with polypropylene nonwoven cloth, dried under reduced pressure for 24 hrs., which were inserted between two sheets of cathode. Electrolyte was composed of soln. of 1 mol/l lithium borofluoride and LiI (up to 0.2 mol/l) dissolved in propylene carbonate and 1,2-dimethoxyethane (by vol. 1:1).
In an organic solvent battery comprises (1) anode, composed of baked MnO2 + graphite powder + polytetrafluoroethylene powder (which are mixed, heated at 1-0-320 deg.C, moulded into a sheet and punched), (2) electrolyte, having dissolved 1 mol. LiClO4 in solvent mixt. of propylene carbonate + 1.2- dimethoxyethane and (3) cathode of Li or Na, etc. The improvement is that theoretical volume density of the anode is defined in a range of (702-1.18 x) (-+) 66 mAh/cm3 when mixed ratio of the 1.2-dimethoxyethane (X) in the solvent mixt.. X is between 0 and 50.    Heavy load characteristics are improved. In an example, 90.6 wt.% electrolysed MnO2 heat-treated at 360 deg.C for 9 hrs. + 7.4 wt.% graphite + 2.0 wt.% polytetrafluoroethylene powder were mixed in a kneader which was kept at 200 deg.C., rolled at 150 deg.C into 0.5 mm thick sheet and punched into 15 mm discs to give an anode. When the anode density was at least 585 mAhr/cm3, discharge duration time was sufficient (at least 190 hrs).
Air battery uses air electrode in which (1) metal chelate cpd. having sulphonic gp., (2) sulphate and (3) active carbon are contained together. (The metal chelate is a cpd. of metal such as Co, Fe, Ni, Mg, Cu, Mn, combined with phthalocyanine ring or porphyrin ring).    Cost is lowered. Storage property and long time discharge by weak current are improved.    In an example, sulphonated cobalt phthalocyanine was used. Obtd. button battery using KOH electrolyte had discharge capacity 100% after 6 months at 25 deg.C and 98-90% after 12 months at 25 deg.C compared with 80-60% after 6 months and 10-0% after 12 months for a conventional battery using air electrode having press-moulded active carbon and Teflon powder on Ni net conductor.
The diaphragm consists of vesicular electrode plate such as a stainless steel gauze etc. and of K titanate fibre which is bonded on this plate.    K titanate fibre is dipped in a resin emulsion which can be obtd. by dispersing F contg. thermoplastic resin powder such as PTFE, PVdF etc. resin powder into an emulsifying agent such as MEK|so|that|the|resin|powder|can|be|impregnated|in|the|K|titanate fibre. The fibre is applied onto the surfaces of an electrode plate and bonded by heating at 100-2-0 deg.C, after drying.    The diaphragm exhibits high heat resistance, high chemical resistance and good ion exchanging properties.
Appts. for moulding battery jar consists of male moulds (2) having partion panel moulding cavities (9b), a female mould (1) having a moulding cavity (9a) for the body of the battery jar, and a wedge-shaped pressing member (3) to press the male moulds (2) through an auxiliary member (8). After moulding, the female mould (1) is sped. from the male moulds (2) together with the wedge-shaped pressing member (3). The male moulds (2) are released from pressing.    The partition panels of the battery jar are prevented from being damaged on mould releasing.
In a Pb storage battery with anode, cathode and gel-form electrolyte, where a cpd. having a pH dependent on water- and H2SO4-absorption is added to the electrolyte. Re-charging property after over-discharge is improved, as is discharge capacity.    In an example, as the liq. absorbing material, starch acrylic acid ester graft-copolymer was used, and gelating material was water glass. Conc. H2SO4 30 cc was added to 100cc water glass, to which graft copolymer 0.3 wt.% (on H2SO4 and water glass) was added. The liquid absorbing absorbed both water and H2SO4 to change pH of the liq. to 5-7.
Prodn. comprises (i) placing alkali-resistant ring in anodic can, (ii) keeping anodic mixed agent pellet (having dia. smaller than inner dia. of the ring) inside the ring, (iii) putting separator on the pellet and the ring, (iv) putting on it cathodic can having the filled cathodic mixed agent and mounting gasket and (v) sealing the cans. Anodic mixed agent can be easily placed at centre of the anodic can, so that the process is stabilised and simplified.    In an example, the ring (0.5 mm thick) having a little larger dia. than that of the anodic mixed agent pellet, was composed of nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, rubber type synthetic resin or Ni. C.f. a conventional battery having no ring, battery deformation hardly occurs and capacity loss does not occur after 30 days storage at 60 deg.C.
An expensive self-supporting throwaway electrode for metal air cells comprises: a readily corrodible current collector, pref. of Fe and/or Cu, with a hydrophobic coating, pref. PTFE; and an electrochemically active layer secured to the collector through the coating and consisting of particulate C catalyst a hydrophobic binder, pref. PTFE.    Pref. the PTFE in the binder is present in an amt. 5-40 wt.% on wt. of binder plus C and the C particles are graphite of size 20-200 micron. The collector is pref. a porous grid or screen coated with PTFE to thickness 0.1-1 mil.    No expensive separate hydrophobic films are used, and excellent discharge and wet stands of 15-30 hrs. may be obtd.
Porous conductive sheets are made by blending a dilute aq. suspension of fibres of carbon or graphite with an aq. emulsion of binder resin, pptg. the resin on to the fibres and casting the resulting suspension on to a travelling filter cloth to be dried.
Electron conductive cell wall lining is made of a material contg. chemically fixed C. The cell has an anode space for alkali metal and a cathode space for a sulphurous catholyte, sepd. by a solid electrolyte which is conductive for alkali ions. The cell wall, made of light metal, acts as the current collector.    The lining is applied as a layer on the cell wall and is decomposed by thermal and/or chemical action to form elementary C and/or a corrosion resistant high-molecule decomposition prod. The lining can consist of a material from the gp. of polyamide, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene, and phenol formaldehyde resin, perhaps with a graphite filler.    This is a simple and low-cost method of sealing the cell walls and to give them good conductivity.
The electrode for an alkaline battery has improved electrical characteristics by adding polyethylene oxide with mol. wt. of 3,5 10 power 6 - 10 power 7 in amt. (in mass %) main component 97-99.5 and polyethylene oxide 0.5-3.    The polyethylene oxide is introduced into zinc or cadmium in the gel form of the aq. soln. with a viscosity of 600-1500 centipoise. The obtd. mixt. is dried at 50-70 deg.C to reach the terminal moisture content of 0,03-0.2%. The substance is rubbed through the sieve to obtain particles of size 0,3-1.5mm, and then the active mass is rolled into electrodes. Bul. 30/15.8.80.
Battery uses quinoneimine dye as cathode active material, Li as anode active material and an electrolyte which is chemically stable to the cathode active material and Li, and in which Li ions move to electrochemically react with the cathode active material.    The quinoneimine dye is pref. indophenol, indoaniline, (imid)azine, oxazine or thiazine. The electrolyte is produced by dissolving Li salt in an aprotic organic solvent. The Li salt is pref. LiClO4, LiAlCl4, LiBF4 or LiCl. The aprotic organic solvent is pref. propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, gamma-butyrolactone, DMSO, acetonitrile, formamide, diethyl formamide or nitromethane. A separator may be used comprising a porous polypropylene film.    The battery has large discharge capacity and high energy density, and is chargeable and small.
100 Pts.wt. of cadmium oxide and 10-30 pts.wt. of cadmium hydroxide are mixed with an aq. soln.contg. synthetic paste to produce a paste-like mix. The mix is coated and dried on a core to produce a paste type anode.    In an example, 100 pts.wt. of CdO powder, 20 pts.wt. of Cd(OH)2 powder, 10 pts.wt. of Ni powder, 1 pt.wt. of synthetic resin fibre, 1 pt.wt. of polyvinyl alcohol and 40 pts.wt. of water are mixed and kneaded for 1 hour to prepare a paste-like mixt. The mixt. is coated and dried on a Ni-plated Fe core member. The electrode thus obtd. is pressed and subjected to chemical conversion. The electrode is then washed with water, dried and pressed.    Paste-type anode is prepd. at low price without pollution as an organic solvent is not used.
Active material consisting mainly of CdO is kneaded with an aq. soln. contg. more than 30 g/l polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethylcellulose and having a viscosity of 2,000 cps to produce paste. The paste is coated on and packed into a substrate.    In an example 8 kg of CdO powder, 2 kg of Ni powder and 30 g of short fibres of a vinyl chloride-acrylate copolymer is mixed with 7 litre of an aq. soln. contg. 40 g/l of polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethyl-cellulose to produce paste. The paste is coated on and filled in a Ni-plated Fe porous substrate of 0.1 mm thickness, and dried. The paste-coated substrate is pressed, chemically converted and then pressed. The substrate is chemically converted again and cut to paste type Cd electrodes.    Active material is prevented from peeling off out of the substrate.
An iron fibre sintered body having a porosity of 84-95% is plated with Ni. Fibre dia.of the iron fibre is 4-100 microns. The sintered body is impregnated with an aq. soln. contg. cadmium nitrate and a small amount of an organic corrosion inhibitor e.g. methyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol or carboxymethyl-cellulose. The impregnated sintered body is dipped in an alkaline soln. to convert cadmium nitrate into cadmium hydroxide by chemical neutralisation.    In an example, Fe fibres having dia. of 14micron and a fibre length of 1-5 cm are annealed at 800-1000 deg.C in a reducing atmos. and pressed into a sheet of 0.85 m/m. The sheet is sintered at 900-1100 deg.C in a reducing atmos. for 15 minutes. The sintered sheet is electroplated with a Ni layer of 2-3 microns. The sintered sheet has a porosity of 91-93% and a tensile strength of 112 kg/cm2.
Metal-hydrogen electric cell of the Dunlop type having a water permeable carrier positioned between the electrodes and impregnated with a mixt. comprising aq. alkaline electrolyte and PVA to retain the soln. in the carrier. Specifically the carrier comprises nylon paper, asbestos, polypropylene or potassium titanate.    Drying out of the carrier e.g. by evapn. into the gas space or entrainment of water in the hydrogen evolved at the negative electrode is minimised or eliminated by arranging for the electrolyte to be retained in the carrier by the hydrophilic PVA.
The welder consists of a base mounting a lifting table with one component clamp and a top plate with the clamp for the second component plus guides, and plate heater.    To prevent the plate sagging and thus avoid rejects by faulty joining, a holder(6) is provided with vertical guides(9) for bars(11) fitted movably to the heating plate(7).The plate is sprung(11) relative to the holder.The horizontal guides(8) for the holder, and the clamp(5) for the second component(cover) are rigidly secured to the top plate(4).Bul.33/7.9.80.
An electric cell comprises a metal collector having a conductive thermally-fusible adhesive agent on one surface thereof. The adhesive agent consists of a satd. copolymerised polyester resin synthesised from terephthalic acid and satd. polyhydric alcohol, and carbon powder added thereinto. A carbon film is pref. provided on the adhesive agent so as to be in contact with active material. The thickness of the conductive adhesive agent is pref. of 5-300 microns.    The adhesive agent improves the discharge property and the shelf life of the cell. The adhesive agent has high adhesive property to the metal collector e.g. of iron, aluminium, zinc, stainless steel, or copper. Graphite, or acetylene black is e.g. used as the conductive carbon.
A method of making a cathode for an organic electrolyte cell using carbon fluoride or manganese dioxide as the cathode active material, a non-aq. soln. as the electrolytic soln., and a light metal as the anode, where a suspension aq. soln. contg. carbon powder and fluororesin is added to the cathode active material, the mixt. is kneaded and applied on a collector core material, and the collector material heated at 100-350 deg.C and pressed for shaping.    The carbon powder is added as a conductive material, and the fluororesin e.g. PTFE is added as a binder agent. A stainless steel or nickel mesh is used as the core. The mixt. of manganese dioxide or carbon fluoride, carbon powder, and fluororesin is rubber-like material, and it is hard to be shaped. The material is easily shaped by the method to give a cathode electrode.
In a cylindrical zinc-alkaline sec. battery having spirally rolled, via a separator, both anode and cathode mainly composed of Zn active material. The separator is composed of composite material of both fibrous and tridimensional net-work entangled fluorine resin sheet contg. at least 1 of TiO2, ZrO2, ZrO2, HfO2 (up to 200 mesh size) of 80-40wt.% and alkali-resistant nonwoven cloth layer provided on both surfaces of the fluorine resin sheets, where the thickness of the fluorine resin sheet increases continuously towards outer part from the spiral centre.    Dendrite-crystal growth is prevented and gas permeability are improved, so that the battery life is prolonged.    In an example, TiO2 (up to 200 mesh) 60wt.% was added to 100wt.% PTFE dispersion (contg. 60% PTFE of 0.1 micron), which was kneaded into a paste. It was then rolled into a 0.4 mm thick porous sheet of fibrous and a 3-dimensional network structure contg. dispersed TiO2. Nonwoven polyamide layers were provided on both surfaces of the fluorine resin sheet. The composite separator was rolled together with anode and cathode, which were contained in a battery container.
Closed type alkaline battery has sealing agent composed of polyolefin copolymer on the sealing part of the battery can. The copolymer has strong adhesion onto metal surface of anodic or cathodic can. Mechanical strength, cold-resistance, thermal-, chemical-properties are improved. Liquid leakage from gas pressure elevation is prevented for a long period.    In an example, polyamide insulating sealing material was provided on the sealing part between anodic can and cathodic can. Polyolefin copolymer was further coated on the contacting part of the cathodic or anodic can surface, which was heated at 220 deg.C for 15 sec. Electrolyte liquid of KOH aq. soln. was sealed in the battery. The copolymer compsn. was composed of 60 wt.% polyethylene and 20 wt.% polypropyrene and 10 wt.% polybutyrne and 10 wt.% polyamilene and the coating thickness was 60 microns.
The paper is formed from a mixt. of potassium titanate fibre (I) and organic fibre. The paper contains (I) in amt. of 5-95 wt.% and may also contain binder. Pref. potassium titanate fibres are those consisting of crystalline fibrous potassium tetratitanate and/or hexatitanate in the length of 5 microns - 30 mm., pref. 10 microns - 10 mm.    The organic fibres are mercerised pulp, linter pulp, rayon fibre, PVA fibre, synthetic polyethylene pulp, polyethylene- polypropylene conjugate fibre and polyamide fibre. The binder includes PVC emulsion, styrene-butadiene copolymer emulsion, etc.    The paper allows quick penetration of electrolyte, retains it in a sufficient amt., facilitates electromotive reaction and prevents contact of anodically and cathodically active substances, while expediting ion conduction between them. It also finds uses in filter, saturated paper, etc.
Thin type battery is obtd. and electrolyte vol. is suppressed to a small amt.    In an example, a separator was prepd. by impregnating polypropylene nonwoven cloth (50 g/m2, 0.3 mm thick, 70% porosity) with nonaq. electrolyte liq. composed of LiClO4 soln. in propylenecarbonate-dimethoxyethane (1:1) solvent. Peripheral part contacting insulation sealing packing bottom was pressed to give 0.1 mm thickness and reduce porosity. Obtd. battery had battery height of 1.95 mm, electrolyte amt. 44 mg and discharge capacity 32 mAh at 15 KOhms resistance. Comparative batteries not pressed, had battery height of 2.10 mm and discharge capacity of 32 mAh when electrolyte amt. was 55 mg, and had battery height of 2.03 mm and discharge capacity of 28 mAh when electrolyte amt. was 44 mg.
Rechargeable battery has a separating plate contg., on internal or surface part, a cpd. having water-absorbing-ability with dependency on pH. The cpd. is e.g. a starch which is graft-copolymerised with acrylic acid type monomer or methacrylic acid type monomer. Excessive increase or decrease of the electrolyte concn. is suppressed; battery life is improved. Esp. over-discharge property is greatly improved.    In an example, 1 kg water was added to 10 g starch graft-copolymerised with acrylic acid to give a paste, which was impregnated in a glass mat. Separating plate was prepd. from the glass mat of 55 mm x 75 mm. As the electrolyte, dil H2SO4 40 cc (s.g. 1.28) was used. Obtd. battery had reduced weight reduction after complete charge by 1A current and standing for 10 days, and improved over-discharge property after cycles of charge of 1A - discharge of 2 hrs. x 2 days standing.
Prodn. comprises (1) providing insulation sealing ring (L-letter form section) of dimension relationships so that upper outer dia. is greater than battery case inner dia. is greater than lower outer dia. Chlorosulphonated polyethylene sealing layers are on the bending part of the sealing plate and on inner bottom of the sealing ring. Only the sealing layer of the sealing plate side is dried, and then the sealing ring mounted into the peripheral part of the sealing plate. The sealing ring is mounted into battery case and caulking the case opening toward inside.    In an example, as the sealing layer material for sealing ring, 20wt.% chlorosulphonated polyethylene + 80wt.% toluene (viscosity 150 cps) was used. As sealing layer material for coating on sealing plate, 30wt.% 5%-vulcanised chlorosulphonated polyethylene + 70wt.% toluene was used.
A high-viscosity sealant layer is formed on a packing and a photosensitive bonding agent is coated on the sealant layer. The bonding agent is cured by irradiation with light. A high-viscosity sealant layer is prevented from sticking on other members because a thin film made by photosetting is formed on the sealant layer.    A packing consists of synthetic resin or rubber and sealant layer is coated on the packing. The sealant consists of chlorosulphonated polyethylene, polybutene, polyisobutylene, styrene butadiene or polyvinyl butyral. A photosensitive bonding agent is coated on the sealant layer. The photosensitive bonding agent consists of acrylonitrile or epoxy resin contg. 0.05-0.1 wt.% of biacetyl, 2-3-pentadiene, benzyl, 2-3-octadiene or phenylglyoxal as a polymerisation initiator.
A Zn-based negative electrode for electrochemical generator also comprising a positive electrode and a membrane, is made from a copolymer of a hydrophilic monomer, a hydrophobic monomer and a diethylenic monomer. Pref. the copolymer comprises 4-30 (wt.)% (meth)acrylic acid, 50-85% vinylpyrrolidone and 4-20% vinyl benzene. The negative electrode comprises 5-30% copolymer and 95-70% zinc (oxide).    Formation of dendrites is avoided. The generator has a high output and can be produced relatively cheaply.
A plastics cover to be welded to a plastics battery jar includes downwardly extending flange-like members which are spaced from the edge of the cover and which are adapted to telescope inside the mouth of the jar. Guides are provided on the flange-like members which engage the vertical wall of the jar mouth and define a small gap between the flange-like members and the jar, into which gap, molten material can flow during welding to form a vertical weld. The amount of material available for the vertical weld is supplemented by partial melting of the guides..    A strong permanent weld is achieved.
Cathode for use in an electrochemical cell comprises a charge transfer complex in which the complex is the reaction prod. of at least one halogen (as acceptor) and a poly(n-vinylpyrrolidone) (as donor). Pref. charge transfer complex has the structure (I) in which X is I or Br. The amt. of halogen is e.g. 50-97 (80-90) wt.%.    The cathodes are useful in the prepn. of solid state cell systems using lithium anodes and solid lithium iodide electrolytes. The ionic conductance of the system is e.g. 10 x power - 6 to 10 x power -15 ohm(-1) cm(-) as compared to aq. salt solns. which have a specific conductance e.g. of 0.5-0.05 ohm(-) cm(-).
A fuel cell electrode comprising porous C with a high surface area electrocatalyst metal (alloy) supported on it, has N-contg gps affixed to the C surface to provide force interaction between the N-contg gps and the metal, improving maintenance of a high metal surface area during cell operation. The N-contg gps are pref amides, amines or nitriles. More specifically, the electrode comprises the porous C with metal and N-contg gps bonded to a metal current collector with PTFE. A fuel cell comprises the electrode, an aq or ion exchange membrane electrolyte, and a gaseous reactant.    The electrodes are useful as gas diffusion electrodes in low temp fuel cells, esp using phosphoric acid electrolyte. High performance is maintained during extended periods of operation, with the N-contg gps aiding in preventing electrocatalyst sintering during operation, with loss of surface area.
Silver oxide battery has (1) anode having silver-oxide active matl. (2) cathode contg. mixture of both zinc amalgam powder + alkali-resistant gelling agent, (3) alkaline electrolyte, and (4) a separator between the anode and the cathode. The gelling agent consists of CMC-sodium salt having average mol.wt. of 210000 - 420000 and average polymerisation degree of 1000-1700.    The battery is stable.    In an example, when the average mol.wt. of carboxymethylcellulose- sodium salt was at least 210000, viscosity was stable, oxalic acid prodn. became constant. When the average mol.wt. exceeded 450000, the liquid absorbing rate was rapidly reduced and hence dry method process could not be applied. Pref. amt. of CMC added was 2 - 5 wt.% of zinc amalgam powder.
Continuous bands comprising at least a thin, porous, conductive layer are produced by mixing an aq. dispersion of C powder, opt. supporting a catalyst, with a binder (pref. PTFE) emulsion, precipitating the binder on the powder, drying, dry grinding, grinding further with a wetting agent to avoid adherence of the grains to the calender rollers which are subsequently used to calender the obtd. material free of any P prod..    The prod. is used as fuel cell electrode partic. in a cell where the current is recovered by dots or lines which are spaced at a distance of the order of mm by means of an electronically conductive collector. The multi-layer bands are free of P and are self-supporting thus allowing a thin layer to be obtd. having excellent homogeneity and free of cracks.
The separator plate for a lead acid battery is made in the form of a sleeve into which a battery plate can be inserted. Hardening plastics sealing material is injected in a molten condition into the gaps between the sides of the separators. Excess plastics material projecting from the edges is removed after hardening and the sealed sleeve is passed to a zone where complete holders are made.    In this zone, a second extruder injects material in a direction at right angles the travel of the sleeve into the base to form a complete cell. After hardening, excess material is removed, and the cell is passed to another zone where side strips are extruded. Excess material is again removed after hardening. The cutting operations are controlled by sensors, rollers are used to squeeze the sealed edges, and hardening is assisted by a cooling system.
In an electrochemical battery comprising a Li anode, an MnO2 cathode and an electrolyte comprising an electrolyte salt dissolved in a non-aq. solvent, the improvement is that the MnO2 cathode retains humidity and that the solvent consists of 1,3-dioxolane free from impurities which can react with the Li.    Teh battery is stable and the electrolyte does not form a passivating film and results in a pile having improved capacity.
Electrochemical battery having a gellified anode is prepd. by mixing a particulate anodic metal with an agent (I) which maintains, during the subsequent gellification, a homogeneous mixt. of metal particles, a liq. and a gelling agent, admixing a gelling agent which can gel the particulate anodic metal in presence of an aq. electrolyte soln. and then introducing the obtd. mixt. into an electrolyte soln. of an electrochemical battery to form a gellified anode in situ.    Process results in uniform distribution of the metal particles in the gel. Battery has improved discharge capacity.
Electric battery comprising an anode, an aq. alkaline electrolyte soln., a separator and a cathode, has the anode made intimate gellified mixt. of a metal powder, an aq. electrolyte soln. and a gelling agent. The gelling agent can absorb water and comprises a carbohydrate skeleton on which are grafted water soluble side chains.    The gel is storage stable and does not result in sepn. of liq. or metal. The discharge capacity of the anode is also enhanced and amt. of gas formed in the battery is reduced compared to that formed when using prior art gelling agents.
Storage battery has two cells (14) separated by an inter cell partition. Each cell has at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode separated by separators of absorbent fibrous material and contg. no free unabsorbed electrolyte. The positive plate of one cell is connected to the negative plate of the other cell by an inter cell connector (22) which passes over or through the inter cell partition and is not sealed thereto, the connector being provided with an electrolyte creepage barrier (24).    The battery is a lead acid storage battery of the sealed or recombinant type. In a recombinant battery with no unabsorbed electrolyte the inter cell partitions do not need to be sealed to prevent battery failure due to inter cell leakage. The electrolyte creepage barrier on the connector prevents wicking should the material of the connector become granular with the passage of time.
The plate comprises (a) an open mesh grid (18) of conductive material, having first and second surfaces and contg. a number of openings and (b) an electrochemically reducible cpd. (14), within the grid openings (16), in electrical contact with it and having a first surface (22) coincident with the grid first surface (20) so that the grid surface is exposed.    The reducible cpd. basically comprises Pb chloride, and its first surface comprises porous metallic Pb (24). The cpd. is pref. 90-99.5 wt.% Pb chloride powder, remainder binder, esp. a thermoplastic acrylic polymer emulsion.    The plate is useful in seawater activated batteries. It is rapidly activated, even in very cold seawater, e.g. activation to full voltage in 15-60 s at 0 deg.C, compared with 30-100 s for previous batteries. Output voltage is uniform throughout life. The battery is simply mfd. by high prodn. techniques and the plate is flexible, durable and mechanically stable.    The plate is made by (i) spreading Pb chloride powder and binder on the grid so the mesh remains exposed, (ii) drying and (iii) applying a mixt. of Zn powder and water to the grid and adjacent Pb chloride surface, converting the Pb chloride adjacent the grid to porous metallic Pb and ZnCl2. The plate is pref. pressed shortly before it is completely dry, increasing mechanical strength.
The battery comprises (a) a separator comprising at least two laminated layers, comprising (i) a separator sheet formed on an entanglement of a first batch of glass fibres not over 1 micron dia. and a second batch of glass fibres dia. not less than 5 micron, and (ii) a porous member having a max. pore dia. greater than that of (i), and (b) an electrolyte of aq. H2SO4 soln. contg. sufficient viscosity increasing agent to stabilise the discharge capacity of the battery without reducing its initial discharge capacity.    In a first embodiment (I), (ii) is formed of glass fibres dia. not less than 10 microns, pref. 19 micron. In a second, (i) exhibits a thickness variation rate not less than 15% when applied measured load is varied from 10 to 50 kg/dm2, and (ii) exhibits a thickness variation rate not more than 10% under the same load conditions, and pref. comprises a cellulose sheet not impregnated with a phenol-formaldehyde resin.    The battery has high gas absorption rate and low cost, and is not subject to frying out on overcharge, electrolyte leakage or loss of active material. It has long life, e.g. 299-322 cycles with (a i and ii) and (b), compared with 283 cycles for (i) only, 195 cycles for (i) + (b), 74 cyles for (ii) + (b) and 45 cycles for (a) only.
An alkaline battery has a separator made by forming an aq. mixt. of a film-forming polyvinyl alcohol and sufficient aldehyde, HCO-R-COH, where R is a 1-12C organic gp., to react with 0.5-20% of all the hydroxyl gps. in the resin, the mixt. having a basic pH to inhibit crosslinking between the aldehyde and resin, into a sheet, drying it and contacting it with an aq. acid catalyst soln. to effect crosslinking.    The separator has low electrical resistivity. The extent of crosslinking is easily controlled.
A storage cell or battery separator comprises a porous ceramic ceramic cloth impregnated with a thermally stable, alkali resistant polysulphone, styrene-modified polyphenylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol or acetylenic-substd. polyimide.    The separator is useful for high energy, light-wt. Ni-H alkaline storage cells, which can exhibit a long life in an aerospace environment.
Cathode depolariser mixt. is made by heating a mixt. of predetermined amts. of cuprous thiocyanate, sulphur and carbon at least once to a temp. sufficient to melt the sulphur, and cooling the heated mixt. to room temp. The mixt. may also contain tetrafluoroethylene and paraffin to form the mixt. A pref. compsn. contains 65-84% cuprous thiocyanate, 13-9% sulphur, 18-5% carbon, 3.9-1.9% tetrafluoroethylene and 0.1% paraffin. The depolariser compsn. is pref. deposited on a conductive metal grid and is used in deferred action batteries which are activated e.g. by the action of sea water, e.g. as described in parent specification US 4261853 (22054C/12).    The batteries use less expensive materials that prior art batteries and have a high voltage output.
The battery includes cpd. layer having water-absorbability which depends on pH and has high water-absorbability in neutral region. This layer contacts the electrolytic layer. Increase of internal vapour pressure and water leakage from electric bath are suppressed, so that battery deterioration is prevented.    In an example, the water absorbable cpd. was used as a starch graft-copolymerised with acrylic methacrylic acid monomer. The cpd. had high water-absorbing-power at about pH 7 and little water-absorbing-power at pH 1.
In a button type silver battery using an anode produced by pressure-moulding both expanded metal and anodic mixed agent in a body, the improvement is that (1) graphite content in the anodic mixed agent is less than 1wt.%, (2) the separater is composed of laminte layers of cellophane and (meth)acrylic acid graft polyethylene film and (3) the film is disposed on the side of expanded metal of the anode.    In an example, anode was produced by pressure-moulding both anodic mixed agent (composed of 96.5wt.% Ag2O + 3.0wt.% MnO2 + 0.5wt.% graphite) and expanded nickel (solid volume is 4.3 microlitres/ cm2, porosity is 94 vol.%) into a disc of 5.27 t/cm2 x 0.5 mm thickness x 10.92 mm dia. Separator is produced by sandwiching 20 micron cellulose with radient-ray-crosslinked low density polyethylene-methacrylic-acid grafted films (30 microns).
Cathode plate comprises mix of powder of (at least 1 kind of polyethylene powder or polystyrene powder) + (fluorine resin e.g. PTFE powder, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene powder) in amt. of 7-30 wt.% per active material powder composed of CdO or Cd(OH)2, where fluorine resin content is defined in amt. 5-60 wt.% of the mixed powder.    Discharge property and battery life are improved.    In an example, CdO powder 60 pts. + Cd(OH)2 powder 20 pts. + Cd powder 10 pts. were mixed to give an active material. PTFE powder 10 wt.% + polyethylene powder 90 wt.% were added to the active material in amt. of 15 wt.%. Paste produced from 100 g of the above mixt. + 30 ml ethylene glycol soln. contg. 1 wt.% PVA, was coated on a porous Ni-plated perforated steel plate, which was dried at 180 deg.C for 5 min. The coating thickness was controlled in 0.9 mm by calendering.
In the prodn. of a paste type electrode by coating on a substrate, a paste composed of lead powder, sulphuric acid and water, the paste also comprises both a starch which is graft-copolymerised with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid type monomer and fluorine resin dispersion. Paste filling property to substrate and water sustaining capacity of the paste are improved.    In an example, 70 ml polytetrafluoroethylene aq. dispersion (s.g. 1.6, resin content 60 wt.%) + 2 l water were mixed, to which 10 g acrylic acid-graft-copolymerised starch (acrylic acid content 30 wt.%) was added. Obtd. liquid was mixed with lead powder 10 kg and kneaded with dil. H2SO4 1 l to give a paste. The paste was filled into a lead alloy lattice (10 cm x 10 cm x 1.5 mm) to give an anode. Obtd. battery had improved discharge property with high discharge durability.
In a flat battery having an insulatingly sheathed, air-tight and liquid-tight, flat power-generating-elements such as foil-or sheet-form zinc cathode which is adhered to the inner surface of the sheath film, the improvement is that, as the zinc cathode, the foil- or sheet-form zinc is obtd. by electro- forming.    Liq. leakage and gas generation are reduced.    In an example, in flat battery of MnO2/Zn(C104)3/Zn, electro-formed Zn sheet cathode was sheathed with a film by heat-bonding. Obtd. battery was stored at 45 deg.C for 90 days. Liquid leakage hardly occurred and amt. of gas generated was reduced. The thermally adhesive film such as ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer or polyolefin was used for the adhesive film.
Separators between multiple electrodes comprise a starch-composite having graft-copolymerised acrylic acid type monomer or methacrylic type monomer.    Electrolyte concn. can be regulated around the neutral region. Reaction between electrodes is carried out with higher efficiency. Graft-polymerised starch has strong water absorbing property but its absorbing power at pH2 or 3 is reduced to a fraction of that at neutral pH. When used in a Pb battery, the electrolyte becomes neutral at the discharge terminal. Meanwhile Pb solubility increases and hence the Pb lattice of the electrode is subjected to corrosion. When the electrolyte changed to acidic, the corrosion could be reduced (sic).    In an example, 0.3 mm thick paper separator was coated with a paste of 10 g acrylic acid (30 wt.%)-copolymerised starch + 500 g pure water, on which was laminated 0.5 mm thick glass mat and the laminate was pressed by a roller to give a composite separator.
The electrode comprises a current collector with an active material pressed into physical and electrical contact with it, comprising Ni(OH)2, organic binder, pref. PTFE, conductive diluent, pref. graphite, and a Co cpd. which has been pptd. from Co-contg. soln. in contact with the already formed Ni(OH)2. A secondary electrochemical cell contains an Ni electrode as above. The electrode is made by (a) contacting Ni(OH)2 powder with a soln. contg. Co ions and pptg. a Co cpd. from the soln. onto the powder and (b), before or after (a), mixing the Ni(OH)2 powder with powdered conductive diluent and powdered binder, and (c) pressing the mixt. onto a current collector.    The electrode is useful in e.g. Ni-Cd, Ni-H2, Ni-Fe and Ni-Zn cells. It exhibits high gravimetric energy density up to 0.2A-hr./g, excellent high rate performance, efficiency and cycle life, reaches full capacity after only a few cycles and has up to 130% Ni(OH)2 utilisation.
Each battery has a rectangular casing, and is fed up a conveyor belt so the casing is clamped on the periphery of a turntable rotating continuously on a vertical axis. Each battery is held against the turntable by a flexible belt while the base of the casing is cut off and deposited on a conveyor.    The contents of each battery are deposited on another conveyor, while the electrolyte is collected in a tank provided with a discharge pump. The pref. machine includes a vibrator aiding the removal of the contents of each battery; and the overall result is the sepn. of the lead from the electrolyte and the casing, so the various materials can be reclaimed.
A powder-gel anode comprises a major amt. of a consumable zinc anodic material, a minor amt. of a starch-graft copolymer in which the copolymer contains carboxylate units, and an aq. alkaline electrolyte soln. The anodic material is pref. zinc powder and the starch graft copolymer is present e.g. at 0.7-3 wt.%, pref. 0.8-1.2 wt.% w.r.t. the anodic material.    The anode may also contain a minor amt. of a gelling agent such as CMC, methylcellulose, polyacrylates, hydroxyalkylcellulose, polyacrylamide, polymethacrylic acid or poly-N-vinylpyrrolidone.    The anodes are used in alkaline-MnO2/zinc batteries which can be discharged on microampere drains without internal shorting and also on high current drains at effectively high anode utilisation. The anode requires less gelling agent than previously, thus allowing more active anodic material to be used in a given vol. of anode mix.
An electrode comprises a container pervious to liquid electrolyte and contg. separate particles of lead dioxide which are in contact with a current collector insoluble in fluoboric acid. The container may be of carbon or carbon- filled plastics so that it acts as the collector.    Alternatively, the container may be an insulating apertured body of solid polystyrene with the apertures covered by porous carbonised fibre woven fabric or felt and the collector is a carbonised fibre cord. The container pref. contains graphite or carbon black mixed with the lead dioxide. A battery pref. also has a metallic lead electrode and a system for supplying electrolyte. The arrangement provides an extended discharge time.
The prepn. of a fluorinated copolymer having ion-exchange gps. by copolymerising a fluorinated ethylenic unsatd. monomer (I) and a comonomer (II) contg. a carboxylic gp. (precursor) in aq. medium using an initiator is improved by effecting reaction in the presence of an aliphatic or alicyclic alkane or water-soluble organic solvent as mol. wt. regulator (I)..    The mol. wt. is controlled reproducibly without lowering the polymerisation velocity or the stability of the resulting latex. Ion exchange capacity is 0.5-2.2 meq/g dry polymer.    The copolymer is used in a diaphragm for diffusion dialysis, electrolytic redn. or a fuel cell where anticorrosion is reqd. When used as a cation selective membrane in electrolysis of an alkali metal chloride, NaOH can be obtd. in more than 40% concn. at a current efficiency higher than 90% using a more than 2N concn. of aq. NaCl at a current density of 5-50 A/sq.dm.
Gas diffusion electrode comprises an open pore electrically conducting carbon cloth (1) having a coating of a uniform mixture of catalytic carbon particles and hydrophobic binder particles (2, 3) pref. of Teflon (RTM) evenly deposited on the cloth, with the mixture of particles adhered within the cloth pores and to the yarns of the cloth..    Used in electrochemical cells including metal electrowinning cells, caustic chlorine cells, metal air batteries and fuel cells. Thin porous electrode is of high volume to weight ratio, which permits easy, substantially uniform short path diffusional access of the gas, under minimal pressure, to the active sites of the catalyst layer in contact with the electrolyte, and has improved structural strength and integrity.
An electrochemical generator comprises a positive electrode into the active material of which the active negative material can be dynamically inserted, a negative electrode the active material of which comprises an alkali metal, and a non aq. electrolyte. The novel feature is that the +ve electrode comprises at least a cpd. of formula MX4RnTp where M is Si, Ge, Sn or Pb, X is S, Se or Te, R and T are Cu, Ag, Mn, Fe, Co or Ni, n is 0 to 4 and p is 0 to 2..    The generator gives improved performance and can be recharged.
A circular thermoplastics cover (44) is sealed to the open mouth of a cylindrical thermoplastics container (42), partic. for an electrochemical cell, by providing cover or container with a continuous ramp (62) at 50-70 deg. to the plane of the cover, and the other with a multi-stepped (66,68) surface including an energy concentrating part (60).    The cover is engaged in the mouth with interference fit so that the part contacts the ramp, and a horn pressed against the cover is activated to fuse cover and container at the ramp. Ramp angle is pref. 55-65 deg. and the horn has an annular depending skirt (40) which extends around the container and beyond and immediately adjacent the area of engagement with the cover.
Electrochemical cell has two compartments sepd. by a non- selective porous membrane with a polyelectrolyte added to the fluid of at least one of the compartments to modify the membrane so that only selected ions can pass through.    Depending on the selected ions, the polyelectrolyte may carry a positive or negative charge or may be amphoteric.    In a wide range of cells, batteries, fuel cells, electro-dialysis systems and water treatment systems etc. A specific system is a Zn-Br2 system.The method may also be used in three-compartment cell systems.
Sealing band for the edge of a porous electrode substrate in a fuel cell comprises SiC, C or graphite powder of particle size 0.1 to 10 micron mixed with 2% PTFE as binder. The band is clamped by the distributor plates such that a gas-tight seal is formed around the edge of the cell.    Seal compsn. provides denser particle packing thus reducing compressibility and providing a better seal than the prior art.
Separator is composed of a sheet produced by sintering polyvinylchloride resin powder where the polyvinylchloride resin particle surface of the sheet is then covered with oil layer by adhering oil on the sheet.    Oxidation resistance is extremely high and battery life is remarkably improved.    In an example, polyvinylchloride powder was fed at amt. rate of 264 g/min. on a 20 cm wide endless polytetrafluoroethylene- coated stainless belt (belt running speed 3 m/sec.), which was press-moulded with a rib-roller and sintered at 280 deg.C in a furnace of 6 m lenqth. Cooled sheet was cut in a certain size, which was immersed in oil liquid (6 pts. wt. process oil dissolved in 300 pts. wt. n-hexan) for 5 min., dried, immersed in 1% aq. soln. of anion surfactant and dried to give a separator.
Battery has an insulating layer (composed of alkali resistant resin e.g. nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene) on a gasket surface contacting an anode can, (ii) gasket bottom surface and (iii) lower surface of separator peripheral part.    Elasticity of the insulating layer absorbs pressure loaded on the separator peripheral part, so that the separator breakage does not occur and hence battery capacity is not deteriorated.    In an example of the separator, alkali-resistant insulating layer of polyethylene, polypropylene or nylon etc. was coated on the gasket surface contacting anode can, gasket bottom surface and lower surface of separator peripheral part. The layer thickness was not more than 0.5 mm which was able to absorb strong pressure when the battery cans were sealed. The insulating layer was opt. composed of a moulding of the polymer or rubber type polymer.
Alkaline battery is characterised by forming, on copper or copper alloy plate surface of cathodic collector (at least on the surface contact to gasket), a film layer composed of (1) benzotriazole cpd. and (2) fluorine resin mainly made from fluorine-contg. acrylic ester monomer having general formula of CH2=C(R1)COOR2Rf (Rf is perfluoroalkyl group with 4-16 carbons, R1 is H or CH3, R2 is alkylene group with 1-10 carbons).    In an example, methylbenzotriazole or chlorbenzotriazole was used as the benzotriazole cpd. Fluorine-contg. acrylic ester monomer (50-80 wt.%) and other copolymerisable monomer (e.g. isobutylmethacrylate 10-30 wt.%) were copolymerised to give a polymer of ave. mol. wt. 100,000-1,000,000. The benzotriazole cpd. (0.05-0.1 wt.%) was firstly dissolved in water or methanol, to which the fluorine resin (0.05-0.1 wt.%) was dispersed and nonion surfactant was added. Obtd. soln. was coated on the surface of the collector.    Liquid leakage from contact surface between cathodic collector and gasket is prevented.
A non-aq. electrolyte battery uses metallic Li as anode active material, metal sulfide as cathode active material, and a non-aq. electrolyte contg. as a solute an inorganic salt of Na, K, Mg, Ca or Al.    Pref. the metal sulfide is FeS, Fe2S3, FeS2, Cu2S, CuS, NiS, NiS2, Ni3S4 or Ni2S3. The inorganic salt is NaBF4, KPF6, Mg(C1O4) Mg(C1O4)2, Ca(PF6)2 or AlCl3.    This non-aq. electrolyte battery has a discharge voltage of 1.3 to 1.5 volt. It is possible to suppress expansion of the battery. In an example, a cathode mix is produced by mixing 80 pts. wt. of FeS, 10 pts. wt. of flaky graphite and 2 pts. wt. of polytetrafluoroethylene and compacting the mixt. A non-aq. electrolyte consists of a mixed solvent contg. 1 mol/1 of Ca(PF6)2. The mixed solvent is prepared by mixing 1 pt. vol. of propylene carbonate and 1 pt. vol. of 1,2- dimethoxyethane.
The metal sulfide is pref. FeS,Fe2S3, F3S2, Cu2S, CuS, NiS, NiS2, Ni3S4 or Ni2S3. The halogenated alkyl consists of RX where R is (m)ethyl, (iso)propyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-amyl, isoamyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, or decyl, and X is Fe, Cl, Br or I. The battery has a discharge voltage of 1.3-1.5 vol. It is possible to suppress expansion of the battery battery.    Typically, a cathode mix is produced by mixing 88 pts.wt. of FeS, 10 pts. wt. of flaky graphite and 2 pts. wt. of PTFE and compacting the mixt. A non-aq. electrolyte consists of a mixed solvent contg. 1mol/1 of LiClO4 and 10 wt.% of butyl chloride. The mixed solvent consists of 1 pt. vol. of propylene carbonate and 1 pt. vol. of 1,2-dimethoxyethane.
A resin layer (3) in a frame shape is deposited on a plate (1) of Pb or a Pb alloy. A frame 2 of acid-proof synthetic resin is placed on and pressed on the resin layer (3). The m.pt. of (3) is lower than the acid-proof synthetic resin. The assembly is heated at the m.pt. of (3) to that of the acid- proof synthetic resin, so that (2) is bonded to (1) by (3). Active material paste is packed into a space defined by (2) and (1). The acid-proof synthetic resin is polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, resin or polyvinyl chloride. The resin layer (3) consists of ionomers. The Pb alloy is a Pb-Sb alloy or a Pb-Ca alloy.    It is possible to reduce the thickness of a pasted type electrode for a lead storage battery.
Non-aq. electrolyte battery employs metallic Li as anode active material and a mixt. of iron sulphide and lead oxide as cathode active material. The iron sulphide is FeS, Fe2S3 or FeS2. The lead oxide is Pb3O4, PbO, Pb2O3 or PbO2.    It is possible to prevent expansion of the battery. In an example cathode mix was produced by mixing 75 pts. wt. of FeS, 25 pts. wt. of Pb3O4, 10 pts. wt. of flaky graphite and 2 pts. wt. of PTFE. The cathode mix was placed in a cathode container. An electrolyte-holding sheet of polypropylene was put on the cathode mix. An anode of Li was put on the electrolyte-holding sheet. A sheet was impregnated with a mixed solvent contg. 1 mol/l of LiClO4.
MnO2 powder as active material, and electrically conductive material are mixed, compacted and then heat-treated at 350-430 deg.C to fabricate a cathode. Battery longevity is improved because water content in the cathode is reduced by heat treatment.    Typically 88 wt.% of MnO2, 6 wt.5 cement, 4 wt.% acetylene black wt.% graphite are mixed sufficiently to prepare a mixt. 600 g water and 300 g PVA are added to the mixt. to produce a paste is coated on a core plate. After drying, the coated plate is formed into desired shape. The paste-coated plate thus obtd. is heat-treated at 240 deg.C for 1 hour to pyrolyse the PVA Thereafter, the plate is heat-treated at 400 deg.C in vacuum for 2 hours. A cathode is obtd. having reduced water content.
Metal oxide and metal carbide, fibrous material of metal oxide and fluororesin as binder are mixed to fabricate an electrolyte matrix, which holds a phosphoric acid electrolyte. Pref the metal oxide is Al2O3, SiO2, ZrO2 or TaO. The matrix has excellent durability and electrolyte-holding properties.    Typically, 15g ZrO2 powder having a grain size of 800 mesh, 5g SiC powder having a grain size of 800 mesh, 23ml 85% phosphoric acid soln. and 3ml 60% PTFG dispersion are mixed and permitted to stand at room temp for 10-15 hours. After supernatant liquid is removed from the mixt., 1 g of short fibres of Al2O3 and SiO2 is added to the residual paste and mixed therewith. The mixed paste is pressed by rollers to make an electrolyte matrix 0.5 to 1.0 mm thick.
Battery seal consists of 5-25 (wt.)% (1,4-cis-poly)butadiene rubber, 60-85% bitumen and/or asphalt with a softening point of 55-90 deg.C and 5-35% paraffin-like material, e.g. ester wax, pref. raw montan wax, or a solid paraffinic material, e.g. ozocerite or paraffin-contg. distn. residue, or mixts. of these, with a m.pt. above 70 deg.C. Other synthetic rubbers, e.g. styrene-butadiene or butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber and/or natural rubber can also be used.    The seal is useful for lead starter batteries, since it can withstand the vibration and shocks from vehicles over a very great temp. range from -45 to 60 deg.C, has satisfactory casting properties and can be produced easily and cheaply.
A battery has an electrolyte filled part common to all cells and formed in a cover, with venting and electrolyte pouring holes in the bottom. Electrolyte level defining tubes extend upwardly from the bottom, and downwardly to defindefine electrolyte level in the cells. The part is divided by walls into cell units and has a part lower than the tube upper ends.    An exhaust port at one end of the part is common to all cells, and a plug closes a common electrolyte fill port in the part top. The battery container and cover are pref. of polyolefin and the cover is hinged and has the plug formed integrally with it and connected rotatably with a hinge at one end of the cover side.
Processing of spent batteries esp. with silver-copper plates and in polyamide casings by separating off the plates for melting and then obtaining polyamide powder has productivity increased 4 to 5 fold by facility for full mechanisation under improved working conditions.The plates are sepd. by dissolving them in glycerine at 180-200 deg. C, followed by bubbling with a polyamide/glycerine mass ratio of 0.25-0.5. This, in turn, is followed by washing, drying, cooling and pptn.Bul.28/30.7.80.
Diaphragm prodn. for electrochemical cells is carried out by applying fibrous K titanate (I) and an organic binder mixt. (II) of PTFE and a styrene-butadiene copolymer (III) to a mesh, with a mesh size of 0.1-0.4 (ca.0.2) mm, from a suspension..    The mesh consists of alkali-resistant plastics or metal, esp. Ni. The (II) content is 10-30 (15-25) (wt) percent w.r.t. (I) and (II) consists of 30-60 percent PTFE and 40-70 percent (III). The amt. of (I) applied is 10-30 (15-25) mg/cm2.    The diaphragm is relatively thin but has sufficient chemical and thermal stability even in long term use at elevated operating temps.
In the mfr. of diaphragms for electrochemical cells by impregnating asbestos paper (I) with an organic plastics, (I) produced by extrusion is treated with a (2-8 wt.%) soln. of PVC or polysulphone in an organic solvent (THF) (for 5-15 min). The diaphragm pref. consists of 5-15% PVC or polysulphone and the rest asbestos.    The diaphragms are useful in H2/O2 fuel cells with alkaline electrolytes and are gas-tight at high operating temps. of 93 deg.C and for well over 500 h.
Sealed electrochemical cell comprises a cathode material, an anodic material and an electrolyte in a container sealed by a closure consisting of a cover and a non-conductive gasket (partially) coated with a polyamide contg. material and which is compressed between the cover and container. The improvement comprises a bead of polyamide adhesive (I) on the top edge of the gasket and contacting the edge of the container and the edge of the cover.    The sec. seal provides a liq. tight seal that prolongs the useful life of the cell and minimises damage to devices in which the cells are used. The cell is esp. a button cell.
A polymer compsn. contg. (in wt.%): polypropylene (I) 36-74.3, high density polyethylene (II) 25-55, siloxane rubber (III) 0.5-7, stabiliser 0.2-2 and opt. filler such as asbestos, talc, etc., 5-30, has increased impact strength at subzero temps. It can be used in the mfr. of car battery monoblocks and car, tractor, motorcycle etc. parts, working at temps. ranging from -50 to +80 deg.C.    The rubber (III) used has mol. wt ranging from 12000 to 1-2 millions, (I) is stabilised with a mixt. of Tropanol KA (IV), Tinuvin (V) and dilauryl thiodipropionate (VI), and (II) is stabilised with N,N'-di-beta-naphthyl -p-phenylene diamine (VII), with C black used as light stabiliser. The material is prepd. by stirring the components at room temp. or 80 deg. for 20 min., and granulating by extrusion at 180-200 deg.C.
Addn. of siloxane rubber (I) to the polymer compsn. increases its impact strength at subzero temps. The compsn. contains (in wt.%): (I) 0.5-5, polypropylene (II) 29-83.3, high density polyethylene (III) 10-55, stabiliser 0.2-2 and synthetic rubber the rest, the latter chosen from the group contg. ethylene propylene rubber (IV), butyl-, polyisobutylene-, butadiene or butadiene styrene rubber, of divinylstyrene thermoelastoplast.    The material is used in the mfr. of car, tractor, motorcycle battery monoblocks, and compounds operating at subzero temp.    Siloxane rubber has mol. wt. of 12000 to 1-2 millions and its examples include dimethyl siloxane, dimethylvinyl siloxane, dimethylphenyl siloxane rubber, etc., (II) is stabilised with a mixt. of Topnol (V), Tinuvin (VI) and dilauryl dithiodipropionate (VII), and (III) is stabilised with N,N'-di-beta-naphthyl -p-phenylene diamine (VIII).
Watch has an air cell using air as an active material. A gas-selectively-permeable film or packing with selective gas permeability is disposed at an air-introducing orifice of the cathode container to ensure water-proofing of the watch.    In an example,anodic active material (2) of zinc amalgam was placed in an anode container (1). A thin film (5) of PTFE having oxygen permeability and water impermeability is formed on a thin electrode (6) of C and Ni. A separator (7) comprises a grafted polyethylene and cellophane film laminate. A cathode container (3) has an air-introducing orifice (10). Filter paper (11) is interposed between (5) and (3).
Paste comprises of 1 kg. of Pb powder, 260 g of H2O, 60 g of H3SO4 and 2.5 g. of a fluororesin. Amt. of fluororesin solid component in the fluororesin dispersion is 0.05 to 1.0 wt.% to the total wt. of the Pb powder.    The paste type electrode has good resistance to overcharging, and long service life.
Paste is produced by mixing Pb powder, water, sulphuric acid and a fluororesin dispersion. The paste is kneaded and coated on a current collector. Electrode has good resistance to overcharging and long service life. In an example, the paste was prepd. by mixing 1 kg Pb powder, 160 g water, 100 g H2SO4, and 5 g fluororesin.
A heat-generating agent sheet consists of a reducing agent of metal powder, an oxidising agent of an inorganic cpd. and inorganic fibres. A heat-generating agent component is maldistributed in a central portion of the sheet. The inorganic fibres are maldistributed near both the surface portions of the sheet. Unit battery elements are prevented from overheating by a heat-generating agent sheet.    Inorganic fibres consist of Al2O3 and SiO2 and have a dia. of 2 microns and a length of 10 mm. Then 12 pts. wt. of inorganic fibres is mixed with 88 pts. wt. of a 1 wt.% carboxymethylcellulose aq. soln. and 39 pts. wt. of the mixt., 17 pts. wt. of Zr powder as a reducing agent, 44 pts. wt. of barium chromate as an oxidising agent and 1500 pts. wt. of water are mixed to prepare a suspension. The suspension is heated at 50-90 deg.C and poured into a filter appts. to make a heat-generating agent sheet.
Depolarisers comprise charge-transfer complexes (I) formed between an organic cpd. (II) and a stoichiometric excess of halogen. (II) is either a phenylmethane dye (IIa) or a polyquaternary ammonium halide (IIb) selected from polyvinylalkylpyridinium halides, polyvinylalkylquinolinium halides, poly(N-alkyl-1,2-bis (4-pyridinium)ethylene) halides and poly(N,N'-dialkyl-1,2-bis (4-pyridinium) ethylene) halides. The halogen: (II) wt.ratio is 3-50=1(pref. 20-30:1). When (II) is (IIb), the depolariser also includes an adsorbent.    Cells contg. (I) have a better current capacity than those contg. the depolarisers of US4148975 and 4148976, and provide higher stable current densities than those contg. the depolarisers of US4148975.
The storage battery comprises a positive electrode of silver oxide (Ag2O), a negative electrode, an alkali electrolyte and a separator having an electrolyte preserving sheet placed between the electrodes. The negative electrode comprises a zinc layer and a zinc oxide layer formed on the zinc layer. The zinc oxide layer is in contact with the separator. In the positive electrodes, at least one conductive agent selected from PbO2, SnO2 and Bi2O3 is added.    The positive electrode consists of Ag2O powder and Ag. The powders are filled in a battery case used as a positive electrode collector. The negative electrode is filled in a battery cap used as a negative electrode collector. The separator comprises a cellophane sheet, a polyethylene film and a paper. The paper preserves the electrolytic KOH soln.    The battery has a high discharge property and it is not easily destroyed by over-charging. The conductive agent increases conductivity of the positive electrode.
The electrode activator consists of at least one electrochromic material selected from WO3, MoO3, TiO2, SrTiO3, platinum group element oxides, Fe2O3, ZnO, TeO2, Sb2O3, SeO2, BaO, Bi2O3, CaF2, SnO2, In2O3, V2O5, Cr2O3, CdS, As2O2, As2O3, GeO2, SiO2, Li2O3, Mn2O3, MnO2, NbO, CdO, Ag2O and Ir(OH)n.    In an example, amorphous WO3 is mixed with 5wt.% of carbon powder and the mixt. is pressed to form a pellet used as a positive electrode activator. The pellet is placed in a battery case used as a positive electrode activator. A polypropylene unwoven cloth contg. an electrolyte of Li perchlorate soln. is placed on the pellet and a negative electrode is placed on the separator. A cap seals the case.    The colour of the electrochromic material is changed by the electric energy of a power source.
Storage battery comprises a positive electrode of Ag2O, a negative electrode, an alkali electrolyte and a separator having an electrolyte preserving sheet placed between the electrodes. Negative electrode consists of ZnO-dispersed electrolyte and Zn powder. Content of ZnO in the electrolyte is 10-30 wt.% of the electrolyte.    Battery has high discharge property and is not easily destroyed by over-charging. Positive electrode consists of Ag2O powder and Ag powder. Powders are filled in a battery case used as positive electrode collector. Negative electrode is filled in a battery cap used as a negative electrode collector. Separator comprises a cellophane sheet, a polyethylene film and paper. Paper preserves electrolyte of KOH soln.
Storage battery comprises a positive electrode of silver oxide Ag2O, a negative electrode, an alkali electrolyte and a separator having an electrolyte preserving sheet placed between the electrodes.    The positive electrode has a water-repelling Ag2O layer in contact with the separator, and consists of Ag2O powder and Ag powder. The powders are filled in a battery case used as a positive electrode collector. The negative electrode contains a zinc powder and a zinc oxide powder, and a zinc layer and a zinc oxide layer formed on the zinc layer. The zinc oxide layer is in contact with the separator. The negative electrode is filled in a battery cap used as a negative electrode collector. The separator comprises a cellophane sheet, a polyethylene film and a paper, which preserves the electrolyte of KOH solution.    The battery has a high discharge characteristic and it is not easily destroyed by over-charging.
The storage battery comprises a positive electrode of silver oxide, a negative electrode, an alkali electrolyte and a separator having an electrolyte-preserving sheet between the electrodes. The negative electrode contains zinc and zinc oxide powders and comprises a zinc layer and a zinc oxide layer formed on it, in contact with the separator.    The battery has a high discharge property and is not easily destroyed by over-charging. The positive electrode consists of Ag2O powder and Ag powder, filled in a battery case used as a positive electrode. The negative electrode is the battery cap and the separator comprises a cellophane sheet, a polyethylene film and a paper, the latter used to preserve the electrolyte of the KOH solution.
The storage battery comprises (1) a positive electrode 6, (2) a separator 8 having an electrolyte preserving sheet 9 placed on the electrode 6, (3) a negative electrode 10 formed on the separator, (4) a battery case used as a positive electrode collector including the separator and the electrodes, (5) a battery cap 2 used as a negative electrode collector sealing the case and (6) a sectionally L-shaped gasket ring 1 placed between the case and the cap.    A part of the surface of the gasket which is in contact with the cap is covered by a sealing agent layer consisting of a vulcanised chlorosulphonated polyethylene.    The sealing agent layer improves resistance to electrolyte leakage. The agent consists of 30 wt.% of 5% vulcanised chlorosulphonated polyethylene and 70 wt.% toluene. The sealing agent is selectively coated on the polyamide gasket. The sealing agent is dried to form the required layer.
The storage battery comprises a positive electrode (6), a separator (8) having an electrolyte preserving sheet (9) placed on the electrode (6), a negative electrode (10) formed on the separator, a battery case (5) used as a positive electrode collector including the separator and the electrodes, a battery cap (2) used as a negative electrode collector sealing the case and a sectionally L-shaped gasket ring (1) placed between the case and the cap.    A part of the surface of the gasket which is in contact with the cap is covered by a sealing agent layer consisting of a chlorosulphonated polyethylene.    The agent layer avoids electrolyte leakage. The agent consists of 20 wt.% chlorosulphonated polyethylene and 80 wt.% toluene. The agent is selectively coated on the polyamide gasket. The agent is dried to form the agent layer.
In an alkaline battery comprising an anodic mixed agent (silver oxide and graphite), a cathodic mixed agent (zinc amalgam carboxymethylcellulose and polyvinylalcohol), a separator (cellophane-semipermeable membrane, and nylon or propyrene nonwoven cloth), a packing (nylon or propyrene) and an electrolyte (KOH aq soln satd with ZnO), the sealing agent was composed of e.g. 100 pts epoxy resin (reacted from epichlorhydrin with bis-phenol) + 25 pts hardening agent of formula (I), 20 pts straight asphalt and 5 pts plasticiser. Obtd alkaline battery had reduced liq leakage after standing for 3-6 month.    Liq leakage resistance is very much improved. The sealing agent was preliminarily coated on the packing surface of outskirts part of the cathode can and flowed between the cathode can and the packing to prevent liq leakage.
A woven envelope having three closed sides produced during the weaving process forms a continuous porous support for lead accumulator plates. One side of the envelope is open and the two sets of weaving threads are perpendicular to each other with one set parallel to the open side. The envelope is impregnated with a polymerisable material and is woven from monofilaments which can be contracted by heat and are highly resistant to acids.    The conductor in the plates is concentrated in the vertical ribs (2) as in tubular plates, whilst a frame of plastic material on the sides (6,7) ensures form during manufacture.    During working all the supporting action on the faces and sides is obtained from the continuous external support. In addition to numerous advantages, a much longer life is ensured since the character of the material is not damaged by a microwave sealing process.
Galvanic cell (10) comprises a container (12) having one open end, contg. an electrode (24) separator (26) and an electrolyte (16) with an integral triple purpose insert-molded end cap (18) sealing the open end of the container. The container (12) is made from an electrically conductive polymer, and the end cap has an outer insulating ring (22) in sealing registry with the container, an inner conductive plate (20) circumscribed by the ring and flush therewith and the electrode (24) is insert moulded into the plate (20) extending into the anchored therein. An integrally moulded nipple (32) extends outwardly from the closed end of the container, independent of the electrode.    Provides a reliably sealed cell which provides no path for electrode leakage.
The separator is obtd. by mixing powdered graphite and binder soln. and applying or impregnating the solution to or in to an alkali proof woven or nonwoven cloth.The binder soln is e.g. of polyvinyl alcohol and water, and the alkaline-proof cloth is e.g. of polypropylene.    The graphite separator is not degraded even when the cell temp. is elevated when rapid discharge occurs and the cell life is improved.
Alkaline battery provides anodic mixed-agent moulding composed of mono- or di-valent silver oxide (2) on bottom centre part the inside of the anodic can and a separator (3) constructed as the flange so as to cover the moulding. An Ag layer (2a) obtd. is by redn. of the whole surface of the moulding of Ag (I) O.    High electric potential generation is obtd. Separator and lead deterioration are prevented.    In an example, a powder mixt. of AgO or Ag2O was press moulded under 8 ton/cm2 to give an anodic mixed-agent moulding. A separator of finely pored polyethylene-cellophane laminate was used. Obtd. battery had 6.8 mm outer dia. and 1.5 mm thickness.
Silver oxide battery comprises (1) anode composed of divalent silver oxide and contained in an anode case with an insulating layer and (2) a collector on the anode is counter face to the cathode and electrically connects the anode and the anode case. The collector is composed of both tridimensional network nickel porous material and another porous material mainly composed of Ag or Ag2O (monovalent silver oxide) which is on the nickel porous material counter face to the anode.    In an example of AgO battery of 11.6mm dia. x 2.0mm height, (a) the anode pellet was composed of 2wt.% tetrafluoroethylene resin +0.17g AgO, (b) the insulating layer composed of styrene resin, (c) the collector was composed of both tridimensional network porous nickel having 30-45 holes/inch on the surface, specific area of 3000-5000 m2/m3, weight per unit area of 20- 30g/cm2, 0.15mm compressed thickness and tridimensional network silver having 40-50 holes/inch on the surface, specific area of 4000 m2/m3, weight per unit area of 20g/cm2 and compressed to a thickness of 0.07mm, in which Ago pellet was only on the surface contacted to the porous nickel.    The battery has reduced internal resistance, improved discharge efficiency esp. improved storage characteristics.
The battery comprises (A) a battery element comprising a cathode (1) consisting of a cathode activator, such as AgO, Ag2O or MnO2, and a conducting agent, such as a graphite powder, a separator (2) and an anode (7) consisting of a gelling agent, such as CMC, an anode activator of amalgamated zinc and an electrolyte of KOH solution, (B) a positive electrode case (8) including the element, (C) a cap (10) used as an anode collector covering the case and (D) a gasket (6) inserted between the cap and the case.    The part of the surface of the cap contacting to the gasket is etched and a water proof resin layer is formed on the part to improve the sealing property of the gasket.
Battery is sealed in an anode collector and a cathode collector bonded to the anode collector by an insulating bonding agent of high polymer resin. Each collector comprises a conductive high polymer layer and a pair of metal sheets sandwiching the high polymer layer. The high polymer layers are partially exposed at the ends of the collectors. The polymer layers are bonded by the bonding agent.    In an example the battery element comprising a positive electrode, a solid electrolyte and a Li cathode is placed on the anode collector comprising Ni foils and an epoxy conductive resin layer partially exposed. The exposed parts of the conductive resin layers are bonded by an epoxy bonding agent.
A substantially anhydrous cell comprises a lithium anode; a cathode consisting of iodine particles of not more than 77 micrometres dia. and a charge transfer complex consisting of iodine and an aromatic heterocyclic cpd; and a lithium iodide-based solid electrolyte formed on the lithium anode surface by contact of the Li anode with the iodine cathode in assembling the cell.    In a pref. cell, the cathode comprises a mixt. of silica gel. powder, iodine particles and a charge transfer complex of iodine with a 1-n-alkyl-pyridinium iodine such as 1-n-butyl-pyridinium iodide (I) with up to 27 atoms of iodine per N atom in the 1-n-alkyl-pyridinium ion.    The batteries have high energy characteristics, improved discharge characteristics and reduced internal shorting when stored at elevated temps.
(DE2935363-C)      The separator in an accumulator consists of (A) a frame, composed of a known, microporous gas impermeable, perforated material subdivided by bars, which forms 35-65% of the separator and (B) a woven or non-woven material covering the frame and the area not covered by the frame in the form of a thin, gas permeable wide mesh.    The microporous material pref. consists of kieselguhr or silica gel held together with a binder, microporous PVC or polypropene sheet or paper impregnated with a phenol resin. The (non)woven is made of plastic or glass.    ADVANTAGE -   Gas formation is prevented inside the accumulator in a very simple manner without any significant alteration in its construction; the concn. or consistency of the electrolyte are not important; a gas tight cell closure is not required nor is any safety device; local overheating at the plates is avoided. (6pp)
Battery has a case with a sealed cover, and an insulating member held in a socket formed by the cover and a retainer. One of a pair of electrodes in the case has a lead passing through aligned holes in cover, retainer and member and compressively held in the retainer.    One or both of the socket forming members is pref. of stainless steel or Ni-plated steel, and the member is of polytrifluorochloroethylene, Deirin, nylon, polyethylene or polypropylene. Lead pref. has a number of circumferential rings or grooves along its length, and the interior of a socket member is formed as a number of peripheral rings. After assembly, the socket is compressed by two opposed dies so that the insulation conforms to the socket inner surface and makes an effective seal.
The electrode is prepd. by (a) applying heat and shear forces to a mixt. of Pb powder normally at least 65% oxidised and 0.1- 3 (pref. 0.25-0.7)wt.% PTFE to convert the PTFE to fibrous form and forms a PTFE-Pb dough; (b) mechanically granulating the dough to granules 100-500 micron in major dimensions; and (c) positioning the granules in the space between the insulating tube and electroconductive spine of a tube-electrode structure, providing material convertible in situ to a PTFE fibre-bound battery active mass. The electrode so formed is also claimed claimed.    Dusting problems are reduced or eliminated without adverse effect on electrode duration or life or other properties.
Battery separator is formed by mixing PVC particles and leachable pore-forming particles of less than 10 microns average, spreading the mix. on a belt to a thickness of less than 0.012 inch, sintering the mixt. cooling the resulting strip to a temp above 250deg.F but less than the sintering temp., compressing and elastically deforming the strip so as to reduce the sintered thickness by at least one half and to deform the PVC about the pore forming particles which serve to prevent collapse at the sides of the pore forming particles during compression.    The stip is then allowed to elastically recover much but but not all of its as sintered thickness, the extend of recovery being a function of temp and degree of compression. The strip is then cooled to fix the thickness of the strip at the recovered thickness thereafter and through its in service life. The amt. of pore forming particles and the extent and temp. of compression is such that on removal of those particles from the strip the porosity profile will be at least 24 secs., Gurley air permeability (i.e. 300cc, 0.025 sq. inch orifice and 5 oz. wt.)    Commercially practical dry-sintering method for making PVC separators is provided which are less than 0.012 inch thick yet has a porosity profile resulting in high "treeing" resistance and low electrical resistance.
A Ni-steel plate or Ni-plated steel sheet not more than 0.5 mm in thickness is processed in wave-form, perforated through and filled with paste-form active material mainly composed of Cd. By the construction of the plate, contact surface of the active material is increased to give good adhesion on conductive core., so that peel-off of the active material does not occur in repeated cycles of charge-discharge.    In further detail a 50 micron thick steel plate has 50 mm holes perforated through in 3 mm pitch. The plate was pressed in wave-form into 0.8 mm apparent thickness and 2 mm wave pitch and then Ni-plated. Paste of Cd(OH)2, CdO, Cd, Ni powder and polyvinyl alcohol was applied and filled in the perforated plate.
Method comprises immersing porous polyolefin or olefin copolymer (e.g. nonwoven cloth, woven cloth, felt or sheet) in fuming sulphuric acid or chlorosulphiric-acid. Liquid-retaining property is improved to give a good separator for battery.    In an example, 0.02 mm thick, 60% porosity polypropyrene nonwoven cloth was immersed in 20% fuming sulphuric acid at 25 deg.C for 20-80 min. It was then immersed in H2SO4 of s.g. 1.85 for 3 min., H2SO4 of s.g. 1.35 for 3 min. and H2SO4 of s.g. 1.10 for 3 min., and the water-washed and dried. Under specified charge-discharge cycles, the treated separator had improved discharge capacity compared with non-treated separator or conventional polyamide separator.
In a closed type alkaline storage battery having double structure of inner and outer baths, inner bath is composed of alkali-resistant resin, e.g. polypropylene or polyethylene and outer bath is composed of resin having sufficient mechanical strength so as not to be destroyed by the gas pressure generated in the bath.    Light-weight, explosion-proof and low price prod. is obtd.
A battery has anode and cathode support grids of stainless steel or titanium with an intimately bonded impervious conductive acid-resistant coating of resin with uniformly dispersed fine conductive particles.    The resin is pref. silicone, polyurethane, polyvinylidenechloride or polyvinylidenefluoride, and the particles are of graphite. A lead layer is pref. electroplated over the coating and the electrolyte contains a minor amount of titanyl sulphate. The support is pref. of expanded stainless steel and the cathodic and anodic reactants are lead peroxide and porous lead respectively. The arrangement reduces battery wt.
A sec.battery uses an electrolyte produced by dissolving alkali metal salt in an organic solvent, anode active material of oxide, acid anhydride, sulphide or oxyacid salt which forms reaction products isol. in alkali metal in the charged state, and cathode active material of higher-potential oxide, acid anhydride, sulphide or oxyacid salt capable of forming an insol. cpd. by reaction with the same alkali metal.    Pref. a polypropylene gasket is interposed between an anode case and a cathode case.    This sec. battery has excellent leak characteristics and high energy density.
Organic electrolyte Al battery comprises a cathode using metal oxide, metal halide or metal sulphide as cathode active material, an organic electrolyte using an organic solvent, and an anode using amalgamated Al as anode active material. Anode comprises a stack of amalgamated Al foils.    Battery has a discharge voltage of 1.5 volts and excellent voltage flatness.    In an example, anode comprised a stack of amalgamated Al foils. Cathode consisted of 89 wt.% MnO2 powder, 10 wt.% acetylene black and 1 wt.% fluororesin. Sheet of polypropylene non-woven fabric was impregnated with an organic electrolyte consisting of a propylene carbonate soln. contg. 1 mole/l of LiClO4. Packing of polypropylene was interposed between an anode container and a cathode container.
In an alkaline battery, the open portion is sealed with a sealant comprising mainly epoxy resin, polyamide curing agent, and asphalt. Leakage of alkaline electrolyte from the battery container is prevented.    Specifically a cathode mix is placed in a cathode container, the cathode mix comprising silver oxide and graphite powder. A separator is put in the cathode mix, and anode mix is put in an anode container. The anode mix consists of amalgamated zinc powder and CMC. A packing of nylon or polypropylene is interposed between the cathode and anode containers. The folded portion of the anode container is coated with a sealant consisting of 50 pts.wt. epoxy resin, 40 pts.wt. polyamide resin, 20 pts.wt. asphalt and 5 pts.wt. plasticiser.
Grid plate (11) for lead accumulators consists of a cast grid of conductive lead alloy of 0.8-2.5 mm thickness on which at least one self-supporting plastic strip and two such strips at the frame edges are applied. Plastic extruders (23,23') are arranged across the moving metal grid in such a way that the active material embedded in the grid cavities is in contact with a conductive grid part.    This is a cost-saving method of producing a compsn. grid plate. It saves heavy and expensive lead and has a high resistance to short-circuits and vibratory effects.
The substrate comprises a circular Ni metal sheet having (a) inner and outer (b) radial conductors extending between the rims, of greater cross section adjacent the inner rim, (c) openings in the substrate between inner and outer rims and between radial conductors, forming a grid mesh, with etched surfaces to rim and conductor edges, and pref. (d) a solid metal tab extending inwardly from the inner rim and esp. (e) a lead welded to the tab.    A pref. positive electrode comprises porous Ni sintered onto an electrode face and Ni)OH)2 positioned in the sintered Ni pores. A pref. negative electrode has porous PTFE attached to a first face, esp. a porous PTFE sheet attached to the face with adhesive and a Pt powder/PTFE mixt. sintered onto the second face.    The substrate provides a shorter current path through conductors and approx. constant current density, and gives max. open area for ion transfer normal to the surface. Solid rims allow accurate positioning and min. clearances.
A sealing packing comprises an outer layer of thermally melting synthetic resin such as polypropylene, and an inner layer such as nylon with an adhesive property. The packing is applied to a periphery of a sealing plate of an alkaline battery and moulded thereto. (J51095250)
A non-aqueous electrolyte cell comprises an anode of a light metal (e.g. Li and Na), a non-aqueous electrolyte, and a cathode active material consisting of cpd. made by firing a mixt. of ferrous sulphide and copper (II) sulphide in a S atmos.    The discharge voltage is controlled at 1.5 volt. The cell can be interchanged with an another 1.5 volt system cell.    In an example, a mixt. of 88 gm. of ferrous sulphide and 96 gm. of copper (II) sulphide is heated to 300 deg. C for 3 hours in a sulphur atmosphere to form a cathode mixt. A cathode is made by press-moulding a mixt.of 90 wt.% of the cathode mixt., 3 wt.% graphite powder and 7 wt.% of fluoroplastic powder.
As a binder for a cathode mixture of an alkali cell, PVP is used. The cathode mixture consists of manganese dioxide and a conductive material. The amount of PVP is 0.2 to 5 pts.wt. for 100 pts.wt. of the cathode mixture. By adding PVP to the cathode mixture, the cathode mixture is easily granulated. Therefore a pellet like cathode mixture having a desired thickness can be reproducibly made.    Specifically alkali cell comprises a pellet like cathode mixture, a separator, a mat contg. electrolyte and gelled anode. The pellet like cathode mixture is made by mixing a mixture of MnO2 and scaly graphite with a water containing PVP, drying it to form granular cathode mixture, and press-moulding.
Battery comprises an anode, comprising Zn as the anode active material, a cathode (e.g. of nickel) an alkaline electrolyte, and a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. The separator is composed of a fibrous fluoropolymer layer having three dimensional network structure. The fibrous fluoro-polymer layer contains 80-40 wt.% of at least one powdered oxide selected from TiO2, ZrO2, and HfO2 and pair of non-woven fabric layers disposed on the both sides of the fibrous fluoro-polymer layer. The non-woven fabric layers have alkali resistance, and the powdered oxides pass through 200 mesh sieve.    Since the separator has improved dendrite resistance and an improved mechanical resistance, the cycle life characteristic of the battery can be improved.
The method comprises (1) forming a foamed porous metal base, (2) coating a paste contg. 100 pts.wt. of a nickel cpd. powder e.g. Ni carbonyl, and 6-30 pts.wt. of a carbon powder on the base to impregnate the paste into the base and (3) drying and sintering the impregnated paste in an inert atmos. to form the electrode.    The electrode is used in an air storage battery of a fuel cell. The electrode contains large amounts of the carbon powder, so that it has a low internal resistance.    In an example a mixt. (1 kg) 90 wt.% of Ni carbonyl nickel powder with a density of 2.4 and 10 wt.% of active carbon powder was mixed with an aq. solution of 2.8 wt.% CMC (about 2.41) to form the paste. The paste was coated on the Ni porous plate having a thickness of 2 mm and a porosity of 94% to impregnate the paste. The plate was dried at 180 deg.C for 10 minutes and sintered at 950 deg.C for 20 minutes in N2 gas.
In a solid electrolyte battery the cathode is composed of Li and a divalent metal element, anode is composed of polymer charge-transmitting complex contg. iodine and solid electrolyte is mainly composed of lithium iodide. The improvement is that solid electrolyte having Li-ion conductivity is added in the anode.    Cathode utility effect is improved. In an example, in Ni or Sus 304 cathodic can (10.4 x 1.0 mm high) were contained a cathode made from alloy or Li and divalent metal element (e.g. Ca 5 wt.%), solid electrolyte mainly composed of lithium iodide and anode composed of polytetravinylpyridine: iodine (1:3 - 1:8) and Li-ion conductive electrolyte (e.g. lithium nitride powder 5 wt.%). Self discharge rate was reduced (0.2% after 1 year), initial voltage was 2.80 volt, internal resistance was 1.8 K Ohms and battery capacity was 33 mAh.
Alkaline battery has a sealing material composed of hardened material prepd. from epoxy resin, aliphatic reactive diluent and polyamide resin.    The epoxy resin was obtd. from reaction of epichlorhydrin and bisphenol, of formula (I) n is 0-12. The aliphatic reactive diluent was e.g. qlycidylether of polyethyleneglycol, which was used to increase adhesion to metal. The polyamide resin was obtd. e.g. from reaction of linolic acid- or linolein acid-dimer and ethylenediamine.    The sealing matl. had good adhesion both to metal (anodic can etc.) and the packing material and liq. leakage was reduced even after being stored for 3-5 months at 45 deg.C, 90% RH.
Positive ironclad plates for laad accumulators are produced by laying the lead frames with the active material on a plastic fibre tissue and passing them through a pair of rollers. The tissue is folded over, passed through a roller press, and the plate is profiled for the sewing operation. In the final stage, the plate is sewn together to form parallel segments.    The result is a uniform compression of the active material, without air cushions or gas intrusions during the electroforming. A good contact is thus ensures between active material and sheath.
Prodn. of an iodine cathode for prim. cells of high energy density involves dissolving an I2 charge transfer complex cpd. (I) in a condensable organic solvent (II) and then heating and cooling the mixt.    Pref. (II) is a ketone or aldehyde which is liquid at 20 deg. C. pref. acetone or acetaldehyde. (I) consists of polymerisable or polymerised cpds. with heterocyclic N or O units in the side chains or a monomeric organic cpd. with N or O gps.    This cathode material is specified for use in a cell with a Na, K, other alkali or alkaline earth metal or alloy anode. These cells are useful in equipment with low electric power requirement. The material increases the cell load capacity without reducing the Ah-capacity.
Gas diffusion electrode comprises an open pore C cloth having a coating of a uniform mixt. of catalytic C particles and hydrophobic binder particles, and a current collecting means adhered within the cloth pores and yarns comprising one or more of ; metal ribbons interwoven within the cloth; metal pins fitted in the cloth; metal grids applied to the cloth; and metal layering on the yarns of the cloth. The metal is pref. a noble metal, esp. Ag.    Used in metal-air batteries, chlor-alkali cells, Zn and other metal electro-winning cells, fuel cells etc. A specific cell is an Al-air battery with an NaOH electrolyte. Current collection means enhances considerably the current carrying capability of the C cloth-based electrodes, esp. at high current densities.
Carbon powder contg. 5% Pd metal is mixed with fluorine resin powder in a ratio of 2:8 by wt. The mixt. is moulded and the moulded member is sintered in an inert gas atmos. at 340-380 deg.C for 1 hour to provide a catalyst.    The catalyst is used in redn. of O2 and H2 gases to water in batteries. (J50055841)
One end of a catalyst layer, in which a collector is buried, is covered with a water repellent gas permeable sheet made of fluorine resin by bending it. The gas, electrode is attached to a reinforcing member. The gas electrode is used for fuel cells. (J49043130)
In a negative plate for an alkaline battery comprising an amalgamated Zn powder, an alkaline electrolyte and a gelling agent, the gelling agent is composed of polyacrylic acid or alkali polyacrylate having the polymerisation degree of 20000-50000.    The pref. amt. of the gelling agent is 0.5-3 wt.% against the electrolyte. (J48086037)
Part or all of periphery of a separator, which is composed of polyolefin, is made non-porous. The separator is arranged among a plurality of positive and negative plates. Physical strength is given to the separator because a part or all of the periphery is non-porous. (J50045933)
Webs of polyamide fibres and webs of composite fibres of polyethylene and polypropylene are alternately laminated. The laminated web is heated to bond the polyamide fibres to the composite fibres through the melted polyethylene.    Separators with good alkali and acid resisting properties are provided. (J50154745)
A separator for a lead storage battery comprises a sheet having a great number of pores. The sheet is made of infusible phenol fibres having the fibre dia. below 5 microns and containing 0.05-2.0 meg/g of sulphonic acid group.    Separators with good affinity of sulphuric acid are provided. (J50060724)
Prim cell has a light metal (Li) anode and H2O2 as cathode depolariser. There is a gas diffusion electrode on the anode, which consists of a catalytically effective operating layer with inactive covering layers on both sides, the covering layers having a smaller pore dia. than the operating layer.    The current producing operation can proceed freely or be retarded, as required.
In a prim. cell with a negative light metal (Li) anode and H2O2 as cathode depolariser, the H2O2 is fixed on a polyurethane gel. The gel is applied to an electrical conductor covering the surface of the anode and is pressed against it. The conductor is a coarse mesh metal grid and/or gas diffusion electrode. The H2O2 is in the form of a 3-15 (5-10)% aq. soln.    The reagents in the reaction chamber can be controlled and suited to the current demand. The cell has a very high energy content and high capacity.
The bush consists of a metal sleeve provided with ring grooves on its periphery and located inside an elastic bush which is in direct contact with the top surface of the accumulator case. The upper part of the bore of the sleeve is bare, and is fixed to the terminal rod.    The sleeve is pref. made of lead, whereas the bush is pref. made of rubber, which may be vulcanised before being assembled round the sleeve. The periphery of the terminal rod is pref. made of lead.    A simple method is provided for preventing leakage of the electrolyte between the terminal rod and the battery casing.
Polyurethane comprises the reaction prod. of an aliphatic or alicyclic polyisocyanate with a copolyester obtd. by condensing a polyol of mol.wt. less than 900 with aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylic acids or a blend of aliphatic and aromatic polyesters, cured with a cpd. contg. at least 2 amine or hydroxyl gps.    The polyurethane is useful for making fuel cells or containers for light aircraft. It has good hydrolysis resistance, low temp. flexibility and resistance to fuel and anti-icing fluids.
A solid ion-conductive electrolyte is formed by: placing solid electrolyte particles on a thermoplastic polymer film; sandwiching the film and particles between deformable sheets; hot pressing the assembly to press the particles into the film; and cooling and removing the deformable sheets.    Electrolyte is pref. a beta-alumina, a beta"-alumina or a mixt. of these; the polymer film is pref. polyethylene or polypropylene; and the deformable sheet is pref. a metal foil, rubber or a polymer of higher m.pt. than the polymer film.    Used in sealed Li-Br cells and in solid state cells.
Battery has a positive electrode with an activator of oxygen. The positive electrode comprises an oxygen ion-impervious, tight layer of perovskite or spinel oxide. The battery comprises a positive electrode, negative electrode and alkaline electrolyte. The perovskite oxide has formula La0.8Sr0.2CoO3 or Pr0.8Sr0.2CoO3. The spinel oxide has formula Fe0.8Na0.2Co0.2O4.    In an example La0.8Sr0.2CoO3 was crushed to form a powder with a particle size of 2 to 5 micrometers. A slurry consisting of 70wt.% of the powder, 24wt.% methyl alcohol, 4wt.% polyvinyl acetate and 2wt.% butyl diphthalate is formed and coated on a base film. The coated slurry is dried to remove the alcohol and form a green sheet which is sintered at 1100-1200 deg.C for 3 hrs. to form the sintered electrode.    The oxide layer has an improved oxygen ion-conductivity or electron-conductivity. The electrode has improved activity.
Method comprises (1) forming an activator layer on a negative electrode base plate, (2) anodising the activator layer, (3) washing the plate with water, (4) pressing the plate to remove the part of the water in the activator and (5) drying the activator layer to form the electrode.    In an example paste activator contg. 68 wt.% CdO powder, 13 wt.% Ni powder, 0.5 wt.% synthetic resin fibres, 0.6 wt.% PVAC and 17.9 wt.% ethylene glycol was coated on a Ni plated porous steel plate 0.1mm thick. The paste was then dried and anodised using an aq. soln. of KOH of 30%. Then the anodised activator was pressed to remove the water to form an electrode 0.70mm thick.    The electrode has an improved activity.
Method comprises (i) adding water contg. NaCl or KCl and an organic solvent, such as ethylene glycol or propylene glycol to an activator consisting of CdO powder to form a mixt; (ii) mixing the mixt. to form a paste; (iii) coating a paste on an electrode base plate; and (iv) drying the coated paste to form the activator layer. The activator layer is uniformly coated on the base plate, so that the battery has a stable discharge property.    In an example, the CdO powder (100 pts. wt.), a carbonylnickel powder (10 pts. wt.) and polypropylene fibres (1 pt. wt.) are mixed to form the activator. The activator (100 g) is mixed with an aq. soln. of 2wt.% PVA (30 ml) and NaCl (10 mg) to form the paste. The paste is coated on a steel plate plated by nickel. The paste is dried at 120 deg.C for 30 mins.
Sealing material consists of (a) epoxy resin; (b) reactive diluent; and (c) hardened heterocyclic diamine. The material seals a battery case tightly. Leakage of an electrolyte in the battery is effectively prevented.    In an example, a battery case consists of stainless steel. A pressed positive electrode activator consisting of silver oxide powder and graphite powder is placed in the case. A separator comprising a cellophane film and a polypropylene unwoven cloth is placed on the activator. An amalgamated zinc powder is mixed with a paste of PVA and pressed to form a negative electrode. The negative electrode is placed on the separator and the case is sealed by a cap. A packing is placed between the case and the cap, and the sealing material is coated at the end of the cap. The material consists of epoxy resin (80 pts. wt.) etherised polyethylene glycol (20 pts. wt.) and the diamine (20 pts. wt.).
The storage battery element is covered by laminated films. At least one film of the laminated films has a porous metal thin layer, such as Al.    The battery easily expands on heating when it is over-discharged. The laminated films prevent the expansion of the battery effectively. Gas generated in the battery permeates the porous metal layer easily.    In an example, the battery element comprises a positive electrode activator layer consisting essentially of manganese dioxide powder formed on apositiveelectrode collector plate of stainless steel, a separator on the activator layer and a negative electrode of zinc. An electrolyte is impregnated in the separator. The element is sandwiched by a pair of polyester films. An aluminium porous thin layer of about 500 angstroms thickness is deposited on the polyester film formed on the negative electrode. The electrolyte consists of an aq. soln. of 30% KOH.
Novel lead storage battery comprises (1) electrolyte liq. in whichis dispersed a powder material composed of Sb-metal or Sb-cpd. at least partly coated with sulphuric acid-hardly- soluble material such as polypropyrene and (2) electrode plate using Sb-free Pb alloy grid.    In an example, fine P2O5 (20-70%) was mixed with polypropyrene resin at a rate 1:3 by wt., which was molten, powdered at low temp. into 1-100 micron. The fine powder (0.5%) was dispersed in the electrolyte liq. Self-discharge in the battery was almost the same as that of a conventional Pb-Ca battery and the charge-discharge cycle life is improved.    Polyethylene, polyacrylonitrile, epoxy, polyester resin, ebonite, glass could be applied for the resin. Self-discharge is reduced and charge-discharge cycle life is elongated.
Solid electrolyte battery comprises (1) cathode composed of both lithium and divalent metal element, (2) anode compose of polymer charge-transition complex cpd. contg. iodine and (3) electrolyte composed of both lithium iodide and divalent metal iodide. High ion-conductivity, reduced internal resistance and high utility rate are obtd.    In an example, Li-Ca (95:5 by wt.%) alloy thin sheet (0.3 mm thick x 30 mm wide) was used as a cathodic active matl. The sheet was punched into 9 mm dia disc., which was adhered on sealing material. Anode was composed of charge-transition complex in which iodine (I2) was contained in poly-4-vinylpyridine (P4VP) at a ratio P4VP/I2 being 1:3-1:5 by mol. ratio. It was moulded under 4 ton/sq. cm. in inert gas. LiI solid electrolyte was naturally generated from the chemical reaction of cathode Li and anode I2.
Prodn. comprises (1) mixing metal-phthalocyanine-contg. active carbon with binder soln. to give a slurry, (2) impregnating a steel net with the slurry, (3) drying the net through a slit to give a sheet and (4) punching it to give an air electrode.    Process is short, storage properties and discharge properties are improved.    In an example, cobalt-phthalocyanine 5% was deposited on powdered active carbon, which was kneaded with Teflon soln. to give a slurry. Stainless net was impregnated with the slurry dried at 400 deg. C to give 0.5 mm thick sheet, which was punched into 10 mm dia. disc. A cell was composed of the air electrode disc and electrolyte having viscosity 10000 c.p. The cell has discharge-capacity-retentivity 100-95% after 6 months and 98-80% after 12 months.
Pasty cathode plate for alkaline storage battery comprises sintered material of non-woven sheet produced by sintering iron fibre of 4-50 micron dia. x 0.1-50 mm length followed by Ni-plating or produced by sintering Ni-plated iron fibre of the same size. The sintered material is filled with active material mainly composed of CdO.    High capacity, long cycle life, low cost and high productivity are obtd. In an example, iron short fibres (4-50 micron dia. x 0.1-50 mm length) were moulded into 0.8mm thick nonwoven sheet, which was plated with Ni, annealed in H2 at 600 deg.C for 1 hr., and cooled. It had porosity 93% and specific resistance 500 micro-ohms-cm. Mixt. of CdO powder and Ni powder was mixed with PVA aq. soln. to give a slurry, the annealed sheet was filled with the slurry by spraying.
Lead storage battery has Sb or Sb cpd. powder at least partly coated with material poorly soluble in sulphuric acid, e.g. polypropylene resin, mixed with active electrode plate material and has Sb-free Pb-alloy grid.    Self-discharge is reduced and charge-discharge cycle life is elongated.
Solid electrolyte battery comprises (1) charge-transfer complex cpd. composed of iodine electron-acceptor and poly-4-vinylpyridine electron doner, (2) anode composed of excessive iodine + Al2O3 or SiO2, (3) solid electrolyte end (4) lithium cathode. Initial internal resistance is reduced and discharge properties are improved.    In an example, Li metal was rolled into 0.3 mm thick shaet and punched into 9.5 mm dia. cathode disc. Excess iodine was added to charge-transition complex cpd. of I2-poly-4-vinylpyridine (mol. wt. = 100000), to which was added Al2O3 of 300-400 mesh. The complex was obtd. from ppte produced by mixing poly-4-vinylpyridine with I2-ethylalcohol soln., where I2 content was controlled to I2 1 mol per N 1 atom of the pyridine nucleus and excessive amt. of I2 was 10 mol. I2. Active alumina (340 mesh) of 30 wt.% was added, which was moulded under 4 t/cm2 into anode pellet of 0.7 mm thick x 95 mm dia. Electrolyte (LiI+Al203) was produced by reacting I2 in the anodic material with Li metal in the cathode.
Battery with organic electrolyte and anode contg. metal-oxide anodic active material, has hydroxy gps. of metal oxide surface chelate-linked with ions, of other metal.    In an example, MnO obtd. by electrolysis of MnSO4 soln. was heated in air at 400 deg.C for 4 hrs. The MnO2 obtd. 50g was immersed in 200 ml propylene carbonate contg. copper perchlorate of 0.06 mol (1.3 g) stirred at 45 deg.C for 10 hrs. filtered washed with purified 1,2-dimethoxyethane and dried. Obtd. MnO2 and hexafluoropropylene PTFE copolymerised resin were mixed at 10:3 by wt., and moulded into a disc. The disc was dried in 1 mmHg at 200 deg.C for 5 min. to give a chelate-linked MnO2. The battery obtd. from the MnO2 anode had improved storage property.    Deterioration on storage due to decompsn. of organic electrolyte is prevented.
The battery comprises (1) a separator comprising a powder material composed of Sb metal or Sb oxide at least partly coated with a material hardly-soluble in sulphuric acid such as polypropyrene resin and (2) electrode plate having an Sb-free lead-alloy grid. Self-discharge is reduced and charge-discharge cycle life is increased.    In an example, Sb2O5 was mixed with molten polypropyrene in wt. ratio 1:3 and the mixt. was powdered at low temp. to 1-100 micron particle size. The powder was mixed with separator material and made into a paper. Polyethylene, polyacrylonitrile, epoxy, polyester resin, ebonite, glass could also be used for the resin.
Primary cell comprising a carbon rod cathode, contact cap and a cylindrical can, which serves as anode, surrounded by a plastics sheet and sealed at the top with an elastic sealing material, pref. soft P.V.C. or polyethylene and at the bottom with a cap-contact. The plastics sheet is turned in at the top of the cylinder by approx 5min. and sealed and pressed in place with the elastic sealant, and the contact cap at the bottom of the cylinder is fitted over the outside of the plastics film and pressed into place, making contact with the cylindrical can.    A perfect seal is obtained at each end with a minimium use of sealant material.
Battery comprises an inert container housing a number of hollow box-like cathode elements and consumable metal anode elements in spaced relationship. The cathode elements have a gas-permeable porous cathode forming a substantial part of one wall, the opposite wall being impervious and carrying a removable consumable metal anode which can be removed from and reinserted into the container.    The anodes and cathodes of adjacent elements face each other. An electrolyte is situated between the anodes and cathodes of adjacent elements, and a depolarising gas is fed to the interior of the box-like element to the porous cathode. PPtd. material is collected below the anodes and cathodes. Means are provided for connecting the electrodes to an external load.    The construction allows easy withdrawal and replacement of spent anode plates.
An active material composed of CdO is mixed with an organic solvent such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol etc. Water or PVA aq. soln. is added to the mixt. to produce a paste. A metal plate is then coated with the paste to provide a negative plate.    Since the paste has stable viscosity, the metal plate is uniformly coated. Therefore, negative plates with uniform capacity are provided. Specifically 10 wt. pts. carbonyl Ni powder and 1 wt. part polypropylene single fibres are added to 100 wt. pts. CdO powder to produce an active material. 20ml ethylene glycol is then added to 100g active material. 10 ml aq. soln. contg. 2 wt.% PVA is added to the mixt. to produce a paste. A porous stainless steel plate plated with Ni is coated with the paste. The coating is dried at 120 deg. C. for 30 mins. The plate is then rolled to provide a negative plate.
A porous metal plate is coated with a paste-shaped active material composed of Cd. A thin layer of synthetic resin fibres with electrical conductivity and alkali resisting property is formed on the active material. Since unwanted crystal growth of Cd is prevented by the fibrous layer, negative electrodes with long charge and discharge cycles are provided.    Specifically porous iron plate is coated with a paste-shaped active material composed of 73 wt.% CdO, 10 wt.% Ni powder, 1 wt.% synthetic resin single fibres, 1 wt.% PVA, and 15wt.% ethylene glycol. A thin sheet of polypropylene fibre is plated through a Ni-plated layer on both surfaces of the active material. The active material and the sheet are then pressed together with the iron plate to obtain a plate having a thin layer of synthetic resin fibres on both surfaces. The plate is formed in 20% potassium hydroxide soln. to provide a negative electrode for Ni-Cd batteries.
In an organic electrolyte cell comprising a negative electrode of light metal,an organic electrolyte, and a positive electrode of metal oxide, the surface of the metal oxide is surface-treated with a silane coupling agent.    In an example, electrolysed MnO2 is heat-treated in air at 400 deg.C for 4 hrs. and immersed into tetrahydrofuran soln. contg. 5 wt.% dimethyldichlorosilane. The mixt. was filtered and the filtrate washed with tetrahydrofuran. The filtrate was immersed in methanol and the mixt. filtered. The filtrate was then washed with methanol and dried. Acetylene black and fluorine resin binder were added to the treated MnO2 and the mixt. moulded to form the positive electrode for the organic electrolyte cell.    Since the positive electrode is surface-treated with the silane coupling agent, cells with good preservation and low internal resistance are produced.
A gastight alkaline cell comprises a negative terminal (1), a sealing ring (2), upper and lower casings (3)(4) of positive terminal, a negative active material (5), a positive active material (6), a ring-shaped insulating gasket (7), a member (8) contg. an alkaline electrolyte, a separator (9) disposed between negative and positive active materials, and a negative collector (11) electrically connected to the negative terminal.    Gaps or spaces among the negative terminal (1), the sealing ring (2), the gasket (7) and the negative collector (11) are filled with a liquid sealing material composed of a filler such as polybutene, pitch, paraffin, etc., and an inhibitor such as Al2O3,ZrO, B2O3, etc.    The electrolyte does not leak from the bonded portion between the negative terminal (1) and the sealing ring (2). Dissolution of the sealing ring is also prevented because the liquid sealing material contains the compsn. or the oxide of the sealing ring.
Battery comprises anode of metallic Li, a cathode consisting of a mixt. of excess iodine and a charge transfer complex of poly-4-vimylpyridine and iodine, and a solid electrolyte of lithium iodide. The cathode has a recess, the solid electrolyte and the anode being placed in the recess.    Typically cathode active material disc consisting of excess iodine and a charge transfer complex of poly-4-vinylpyridine and iodine. is pressed to form a recess, placed in a cathode container and then pressed at 4 ton/cm2. A Li disc as an anode is placed in the recess of the disc. A solid electrolyte of LiI is formed between the anode disc and the cathode disc. An insulating sheet is interposed between battery elements and a closure having an anode terminal insulated with glass ring.
By mixing FeS to CuO, the reaction becomes one step. FeS, Fe2S3 or FeS2 etc. could be used. When the FeS content was 5 wt.% less than 25 wt.%, two step discharge and internal resistance were reduced.    Typically, an anode was prepd. by moulding, with a pressure 3 t/sq.cm, a mixt. of 85 pts. CuO + 15 FeS + 10 scale-form graphite + 2 PTFE.
Non-aqueous electrolyte battery using Li metal as the cathode active material, and ferrous sulphide as the anode active material, is produced by (1) pressure-moulding a mixt. of anodic mixed agent and sublimating material, (2) heat-treating the moulding to vaporise the sublimating material, so that the anode density is controlled to within 1.9-2.7 g/cu.cm.    Vol. expansion due to discharge is suppressed and improved discharge properties are obtd.    Typically, 100 pts. FeS + 10 scale-form graphite + 2 PTFE + 10 (NH4)2CO3 were mixed and moulded with pressure under 3 t/sq.cm into pellets of 11 mm dia. x 0.85 mm thick, which were then heated in vacuo at 200 deg.C for 4 hrs. to vaporise the (NH4)2CO3 as CO2 and NH3. Obtd. battery had anode density 2.70 g/cu cm, discharge capacity 95mAh and battery total height 2.90 mm before discharge and 3.10 mm after discharge.
Akaline battery comprises a sealing part sealed with hardened material composed of both epi-bis type epoxy resin with ave.mol. wt. 450 or more and polyamide resin with amine value 20-350.    In an example, epi-bis type epoxy resin was produced by reacting epichlorohydrin with bisphenol. Polyamide resin was produced by reacting dimer of linolic acid, linolenic acid with ethylene-diamine (amine value 20-350). The sealing material had good adhesion to both metal cathodic or anodic can and to the packing material.
Closed-type battery comprises a glass or ceramic insulation sealing between an cathode terminal which is in electrical contact with the cathode and an anode case which is in electrical contact with the anode, where a dented shoulder part is provided on the anode case.    Self-discharge is reduced.    In an example, cathode terminal and anode case were composed of Koval alloy with Ni plating or Ni-Fe alloy. Sealing ring was made from borosilicate glass or sodium-barium glass or ceramic. The cathode terminal, the sealing ring and the anode case were sealed with molten Na-Ba-glass. Gasket (e.g. nylon, polyethylene etc.) was provided on inner surface of the anode case. Cathodic mixed agent was mainly zinc amalgam. Anodic mixed agent of silver oxide was injected in the anode case. It was covered by the anodic can and they were sealed at the lower part of the case. The dent part of the shoulder in the anode case was effective for tightly pressing and fixing the peripheral separation part via the ring-form gasket.
An electrode comprises finely divided active Zn and a coating comprising a copolymer of diacetone acrylamide and (meth)acrylic acid.    The electrode has good stability to KOH, low electrical resistance, efficiency at minimal concns., effective bonding and mechanical stability, agglomeration and shape change retardation, dendritic growth retardation and resistance to change of growth morphology.
A seal system to prevent gas and electrolyte leakage about a terminal post extending through a case comprises a recessed cavity in the case and with a bore to the battery interior through which the post extends. There is a seal between post and bore and a sealant-contg. member threaded onto the post in the cavity and in sealing registry with the bore, cavity and post.    A second seal in the cavity seals the cavity and the post is connectable to external electrical components. The first seal is pref. a sulphuric acid resistant O-ring of ethylene-propylene copolymer, and the second seal is of epoxy resin. The member is pref. a self-threading nut including extrudable acid-resistant mastic sealant.
Electrochemical cell stack component comprises a gas impervious graphite separator plate with flat opposed surfaces, and a gas porous cooler holder of resin bonded carbon fibres which have been graphitised, one side of the holder being bonded to one of the surfaces of the plate in electrical contact therewith, the other side of the holder having channels for carrying coolant tubes the channels having a depth substantially the thickness of the holder.    Used as a component to carry cell coolant fluid through an electrochemical cell stack. Separator plates do not have to carry coolant tubes or fluids and can therefore be made flat and thin and easy to mfr., and since the coolant tube holder is not required to have channels for reactant gas it can be optimised for efficient cooling with min. thickness.
The cell comprises an anode collector plate, an anode, a conductive high molecular material coating between the anode collector and the anode, a cathode, a cathode collector plate, a high molecular material coating between the cathode and the cathode collector plate, and an electrically insulating high molecular resin for sealing between the anode and cathode plates. The sealing material is pref. the same as that of the coating material.    The high molecular material is e.g. of epoxy resin, polyethylene, acrylic resin, phenol resin, polyester, silicone, nylon, vinyl chloride, or polypropylene. In the conductive high molecular coating, a conductive filler such as carbon, nickel, silver, aluminium, or gold is added.    An alkaline solid electrolyte cell such as a lithim cell is pref. obtd. for an electron wrist watch, or an electronic portable calculator. Sealing property is improved by using the high molecular coating and the high molecular material sealant.
Flat type electric cell is provided with a cathode mixt. of a thin film of manganese dioxide powder, conductive carbon powder, and ethylene group ionomer resin binder. Resin is obtd. by copolymerising ethylene and carboxylic acid ester, and chemically binding the obtd. copolymer with metal ions.    The discharge capacity of the flat type cell is improved.
The storage battery comprises a negative electrode of a light metal, a positive electrode and the electrolyte consisting of a solute of an inorganic salt and an organic solvent of polymerised cyclic ether having a double bond contg. propylene carbonate. The ether is 4-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran.    The solvent has a high conductivity and stabilises the discharge voltage effectively.    In an example, the negative electrode comprises a nickel grid and a Li sheet pressed onto the grid. A positive electrode activator consists of carbon fluoride, acetylene black and fluorocarbon resin binder. The activator is coated on a Ti grid to form the positive electrode. The electrodes are placed in a battery glass case. These electrodes are sepd. by a separator of polypropylene non-woven cloth. The case is filled with electrolyte consisting of solvent and LiClO4.
The dry cell has a corrosion protecting agent coated on a positive electrode zinc case or on separator. The agent consists of balsam. The case is easily dissolved by an electrolyte. The corrosion protecting agent prevents the dissolution of the zinc case, so that the mechanical properties of the dry cell is improved.    In an example the balsam is mixed with methylcellulose to form a paste. The paste is coated on the inner surface of the Zn case. The content of the balsam is 0.25 mg/sq.cm. In the Zn case used as a negative electrode, a positive electrode activator consisting of 20 wt.% of acetylene black and 80 wt.% of MnO2 is placed. A carbon rod of a positive electrode terminal is buried in the activator. One end of the terminal is exposed. The electrolyte consists of 3 wt.% of ammonium chloride, 27 wt.% of Zn chloride and 70 wt.% of water. A separator is placed between the case and the activator.
The storage battery has a positive electrode activator consisting of AgO and a positive electrode case. The case has a Ni layer coated on the surface. The body of the activator is partially covered by a AgO-reducible metal foil or plate selected from Ag, Zn and Pb. The metal foil or plate is contacted to the case.    The foil or plate stabilises the discharge voltage of the battery. In an example the case consists of Ni plated steel plate. The positive electrode consists of AgO powder. The electrode is covered by the Ag thin plate. The electrode is placed in the case. A cellophane separator is placed on the electrode. An electrolyte impregnating sheet contains an alkali electrolyte. A negative electrode consisting of amalgamated zinc is placed on the sheet. The case is sealed by a cap of Cu clad stainless steel.
The storage battery comprises a negative electrode of a light metal, a positive electrode and an electrolyte consisting of a solute of an inorganic salt and an organic solvent contg. 1,3-dimethylhexahydropyrimide-2-one.    The solvent has high viscosity and a high conductivity. The battery has improved discharge property.    In an example, the negative electrode comprises a nickel grid and a Li sheet pressed onto the grid. A positive electrode activator consists of carbon fluoride, acetylene black and fluorocarbon resin binder. The activator is coated on a Ti grid to form the positive electrode. The electrodes are placed in a battery glass case. These electrodes are sepd. by a separator of polypropylene non-woven cloth. The case is filled with electrolyte consisting of the solvent and LiClO4.
The method comprises (1) placing an anode electrode of Cd and Ni and a cathode electrode in an acid soln., (2) applying electric current between the electrodes to electrolyse and deposit Cd and Ni on the cathode electrode, (3) adding the deposited Cd and Ni in water and fluorocarbon resin to form a slurry, (4) coating the slurry on a conductive base and (5) drying the coated slurry to form the electrode. In the slurry, 60-80 wt.% of Cd is changed to cadmium hydroxide by the water and the air.    The cadmium hydroxide improves the discharge property of the battery.
Method comprises (1) pressing positive electrode activator powder contg. MnO2 to form positive electrode plate and (2) heating the plate at 300-450 deg.C. The powder is pressed with a metal net annealed at 700-1000 deg.C. The electrode may include graphite and PTFE.    The battery comprises the positive electrode, a negative electrode of light metal, such as Li, Na or K, and an electrolyte comprising an organic solvent and a solute of chloride or perchlorate. By the heat treatment, water is removed from the battery. The water decreases the discharge property of the battery.
The method comprises (1) pressing a positive electrode activator powder containing MnO2 to form a positive electrode plate and (2) heating the plate at 300-400 deg.C. The powder is pressed with a metal net. The electrode powder may also include graphite and PTFE.    The battery comprises the positive electrode, a negative electrode of light metal, such as Li,Na or K, and an electrolyte comprising an organic solvent and solute of chloride or perchlorate. By the heat treatment, water is removed from the battery. The water decreases the discharge property of the battery.
The method comprises (1) pressing a positive electrode activator powder containing MnO2 to form a positive electrode plate and (2) heating the plate at 250-450 deg.C. The powder may include graphite and PTFE.    The battery comprises the positive electrode, a negative electrode of light metal, such as Li, Na or K, and an electrolyte comprising an organic solvent and a solute of chloride or perchlorate. By heat treatment, water is removed from the battery. The water decreases the discharge property of the battery.
The alkaline storage battery comprises negative electrode, positive electrode of MnO2 hydrous nickel oxide, an alkaline electrolyte and a separator placed between the electrodes. The separator comprises a synthetic resin sheet and natural fibre layers bonded to the both surfaces of the sheet. The synthetic resin is polyamide, polypropylene and PVC. The natural fibre is cotton.    The separator has improved corrosion-proof properties and it preserves the electrolyte fully.
A cell comprises a positive can and a negative collector fitted in the opening of the can, a gasket made of a synthetic resin being set in the space between the can and collector. The degree of crystallinity of the gasket set in the cell is at least 10% higher than that of the gasket immediately after moulding..    The gasket does not show reduced elasticity due to absorption of electrolyte, so that the cell is not subject to leakage.
Device for use in the hot plate welding of thermoplastic components, specially a container and a rectangular cover for it, consists of a frame, split along a diagonal, which is used as the hot plate. At one side, towards the wider flange of the cover, it is equipped with a traingular ridge which fuses a corresp. groove in the flange. The other side is flat and fuses the flat container rim. After extn. of the device, the two parts are joined by pressure.    Used for joining the containers and lids of electrical accumulator cells, made of polyethylene or polypropylene. The method produces a satisfactory and shockproof weld without displacement of the molten material and without risk of misalignment.
Lead electrodes for accumulators are encased in a pouch consisting of a lap or very fine fabric of oxygen- and acid-resistant synthetic fibres such as polyethylene, polyester or a mixt. of such synthetic fibres. The coating has a porosity of greater than 65 percent, pref. 70 to 75 percent, and a pore size of about 0.08 to 0.1 mm.    The electrode pouches which are e.g. sewn with polyester and/or polyethylene thread, can be applied to negative and/or positive electrodes and give a considerable increase in mechanical strength and working life of the electrodes.
Ion exchange membranes for use in electrochemical appts. comprising a stack of ion exchange-moderated cells, are formed of at least two polymeric components comprising (a) a first component which forms a chemical-resistant matrix structure with ion exchange functionality and (b) a solid polymeric material infused into the matrix. Membranes are formed by solvent-etching material from the matrix structure. The matrix material (a) is e.g. a known ion exchange type membrane with a fluorinated hydrocarbon or polyolefinic backbone; suitable isotropic membranes are available commercially as 'Nafion' (RTM). Polymer (b) is e.g. of polyether sulphone, polyarylene ether, polysulphone, polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylfluoride.    The membranes have low gas permeability and low electrical resistivity coupled with excellent physical and mechanical properties. Useful in prodn. of electrochemical appts. e.g. fuel cells, alkali-chlorine mfg. cells, water electrolysis cells, etc., comprising a stack of ion exchange membranes, in which the generation of internal heat can be reduced by using a series of membranes with graded electrical resistivities.
Fluorovinyl ether polymers are made comprising 60-99.9 mole percent monomer units -CF2-CFY- and 0.1-40 mole percent units (I) in which Y (same or different) is F, H, Cl, Br, Rf or ORf; Rf is 1-3C perfluoroalkyl; R is 1-8C alkyl; Q (same or different) is F or OR; and m is 0 or 1. The polymers have a mol.wt. of 1000-1,000'000. Pref. polymers contain 70-98 mole percent units -CF2-CFY- and 2-30 mole percent units (I) in which Y is F, Cl, Br or CF3; Q is F or OR; m is 0 or 1; R is C2H5, C3H7 or C4H9 and the number average mol.wt. of the polymer is 5,000-500,000.    The polymers are prepd. by contacting a fluoro polymer (CF2CFY)x in which 1-100% of the gps. Y are reactive H, Cl or Br sites and x gives desired mol. wt. with a metal alkoxide M(OR)p in which M is alkali(ne earth) metal, R is 1-8C alkyl and p (the valency of M) is 1 or 2, at 25-200 deg.C.    The fluorovinylether polymers are esp. useful in the prodn. of ion exchange type membranes for use as diaphragms in electrolytic cells.
Anodic mixt. is produced by (a) kneading both powder mainly composed of anodic active material and PTFE dispersion liq.; (b) drying and pulverising the kneaded material; (c) press-moulding the material ; and (d) heat-treating the mould.    Discharge property is improved. In an example, MnO 500 g and graphite 100 g. were kneaded for 15 min. with a soln. of PTFE 9.5 g. (solid content 5 g.) and water 250 cc., which was rolled into a sheet of 0.5-1.0 mm thickness. The sheet was pulversied, screened into 300-600 micron particles, 150 mg of which was pressed under 3 ton/sq.cm into a disc. of 0.8 mm. dia. x 10 mm. dia. It was heated at 400 deg.C for 4 hrs. for drying and to give an anodic mixed agent.
Battery separator is composed of a graft copolymer base film which is mainly made from a saponified cpd. of ethylenevinylacetate copolymer contg. 20-85 wt.% ethylene content and the saponified cpd. is graft-copolymerised with a conductivity-impartable vinyl-monomer.    Separator has low resistance, reduced weight-redn.-rate and improved acid-resistance. Active material penetration is prevented and battery life is elongated.
In an organic electrolyte battery having metal Li as a cathodic active material, a separator composed of double- or multi-fibre layers made from both glass fibre (0.2-1.0 micron dia.) layer and organic fibre layer of polypropylene or polyethylene mono- or mixed-fibre layer, is disposed so that the organic fibre layer surface contacts on the cathodic agent.    Battery has high discharge utility (anode utility). In an example, a separator was composed of propylene fibre nonwoven cloth, glass fibre nonwoven cloth and polypropylene nonwoven cloth which were laminated in triple layers (layer thickness ratio 0.5:1:0.5). The glass fibre had dia. 0.2-1 microns and the polypropylene fibre had dia. 2-3 microns. Separator had good electrolyte liq. retentivity and effected the high anode utility of the battery.
In an organic electrolyte battery having Li as cathode active material, a separator of mixed material of both 50-85 wt.% glass fibre (0.2-1.0 micron dia.) and 50-15 wt.% polypropylene or polyethylene mono- or mixed fibre, is interposed between the anodic mixed agent and the cathodic agent.    Discharge utility is improved due to high liq. retentivity and high extension rate of the separator. In an example, a separator was made from mixed non-woven cloth composed of 50-85 wt.% glass fibre and 50-15 wt.% polypropylene or polyethylene nono- or mixed fibre. The separator has high liquid retentivity (60-76%) and extension rate (35-63%). Battery obtd. using the separator had high anode utility and no short-circuit problems.
In an organic electrolyte battery having Li as a cathode active material, a separator, composed of glass fibre having dia. 0.2-1.0 micron is interposed between the anodic mixed agent and the cathodic agent. Discharge utility is extremely improved due to high liq. retentivity of the separator.    In an example, a separator composed of glass fibre having 0.2-1.0 micron dia. was interposed between an anodic mixed agent and a cathodic agent. Electrolyte composed of lithium perchlorate (1 mol.%), propylene carbonate (30 pts.) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane (70 pts.), was injected mainly into the cathode side and partly into tbe anode side. Anodic mixed agent was a disc (20 mm dia., 0.5 mm thick) made by press-moulding materials of MnO, graphite and teflon (RTM) (binder). Cathodic agent was made from a metal Li disc (50 mg).
The cell is provided with a sealing material layer at the sealing portion of an alkaline cell. The sealing material layer is a polyamide having a mol. wt. of 5000-30000 produced by reaction between an aliphatic dibasic acid having a carbon number in the straight chain portion of above 10 and having a carbon number in the side chain portion of below 5 per side chain, and polyalkylene polyamine or polyalkylene diamine.    The sealing material layer is pref. formed around the end portion of an anode can in packing material, and improves electrolyte leakage property of the alkaline cell, e.g. a silver oxide, mercury, alkaline manganese, or nickel cadmium cell. The dibasic acid is e.g. HOOC-(CH2)5-CH(C2H5)-(CH2)10-COOH. The polyalkylene polyamine is NH2-(CH2-CH2-NH)n-H (where n is above 1). The polyalkylene diamine is NH2-(CH2)m-NH2 (where m is above 2).
Non-aq. galvanic cell has an ion conducting cathode-electrolyte soln. (I) contg. a substance dissolved in an active liquid cathode, an active metal anode (II), a cathode collector and a separator between (II) and the cathode collector. (Pt. of) the surface of the separator is coated with a vinyl polymer (III) film.    The cell is used in high energy batteries. Passivation of (IV) is reduced considerably. (III) consists of a vinyl(idene) chloride polymer or copolymer with a vinyl ester and/or a dibasic acid and/or its mono- and/or di-esters. Copolymers of vinyl chloride with vinyl acetate and opt. a dibasic acid and PVC are pref.
Non-aq. galvanic cell has an active metal node (I), a cathode collector (II) and an ion conducting cathode-electrolyte soln. (III), contg. a substance dissolved in an active liq. cathode. A vinyl polymer film (IV) is dissolved in (III).    Pref. (IV) consists of a vinyl(idene) chloride polymer or copolymer with a vinyl ester and/or a dibasic acid and/or its mono-and/or di-esters. Copolymers of vinyl chloride with vinyl acetate and opt. a dibasic acid and PVC are pref. The amt. of (IV) is 0.25-4.0 (0.5-1.5) g/l (III). (I) consists of Li, Na, Ca, K and/or Li. (II) is Li2S and/or S2Cl2; or liquid oxyhalide(s), i.e. SOCl2, SO2Cl2, POCl3, SOBr2, CrO2Cl2, VOBr3 and/or SeOCl2, esp. SOCl2 and/or So2Cl2. (II) can contain an (in)organic cosolvent. The dissolved substance is a Lewis acid and an inorganic ionisable salt.    The cell is used in high energy batteries. Passivation of (IV) is reduced considerably.
A thin, flat laminar (Leclanche) cell comprises (a) a thin,flat cathode slurry layer, pref. MnO2 and C black dispersed in aq. electrolyte soln, (b) an anode slurry layer of a dispersion of (amalgamated) Zn particles in aq. soln. in equilibrium with the cathode slurry and (c) a separator, between and contacting the slurries. A battery comprises a series of the cell.    Specifically, the or each cell includes an anode slurry contg. (I) less than 0.376g Zn/g MnO2; (II) less than 1/2 mole Zn/mole MnO2; or (III) 0.009-0.024 (0.010-0.015)g Zn/sq.cm. A slurry anode compsn. comprises 80-85 pts.wt. Zn powder, 1-3 pts. Hg as amalgam on Zn, 10-12 pts.water, 1-2 pts. ZnCl2 and 2-4 pts. NH4Cl. Parent patent discloses mfr. of a Zn slurry anode by coating a water dispersion of Zn powder onto a substrate and contacting with aq. electrolyte for permation.    The flat batteries are useful for e.g. photographic applications. The very thin anodes give low internal impedance, e.g. 0.05 ohms/ cell, for high current drain.
The cell comprises a negative electrode of light metal such as Li, Na, etc., a positive electrode (e.g. a shaped body of a mixture of manganese dioxide, acetylene black, and fluororesin), and a non-aq. electrolyte soln. of organic solvent (e.g. a mixed soln. of propylene carbonate and dimethoxy ethylene) and lithium bromate dissolved in the solvent.    High efficiency discharge and low temp. discharge characteristics are improved as a result of increasing cell capacity.
Non-aq. electrolyte soln. cell comprises a negative electrode of a light metal such as Li, Na, etc., a positive electrode (e.g. a shaped body of a mixt. of manganese dioxide, acetylene black, and fluororesin), and a non-aq. electrolyte soln. consisting of organic solvent (e.g. a mixt. of propylene carbonate and dimethoxy ethane) and a fluorosulphonate of an alkaline metal (e.g. lithi fluorosulphonate, potassium fluorosulphonate, etc.) dissolved in solvent.    High efficiency discharge and low temp. discharge properties are improved.
A lead storage cell substrate is made by preparing a source material consisting of polyolefin ggp. resin (low density polyethylene), lead oxide or lead cpd. (e.g. lead sulphate) powder, and plasticiser (petroleum oil), heating (e.g. at 200 deg.C) and kneading the source material, injection moulding or pressure forming the material with a lead or lead alloy (lead antimony) collector into one shaped body, and then removing plasticiser by elution (e.g. in trichloroethylene) or extraction to obtain a substrate holding the lead oxide or lead cpd. powder.    A lead cell substrate for an electrode plate is required to be lightened. The use of synthetic resin as the substrate lightens the cell weight. Pores are made in the substrate after the removal of the plasticiser to improve the adhesive property between the substrate and the active material paste filled in the substrate. The lead oxide or lead cpd. kept in the substrate also serves to improve the adhesive property.
A lead storage cell substrate is made by prepg. a source material consisting of polyolefin gp. resin (low density polyethylene), filler (silica and/or carbon black), and plasticiser (di-octyl phthalate or petroleum oil), heating (e.g. at 200 deg.C) and kneading the source material, injection moulding or pressure forming the material with a lead or lead alloy collector into one shaped body, and then removing the plasticiser by elution (e.g. in trichloroethylene) or extraction to obtain a porous substrate.    A lead cell substrate for an electrode plate is required to be lightened. The use of synthetic resin as the substrate serves to lighten the cell. The pores made in the substrate after the removal of the plasticiser serves to improve the adhesive property between the substrate and the active material paste filled in the substrate.
A lead storage cell substrate is made by preparing a source material consisting of polyolefin gp. resin, powder sulphuric acid, and plasticiser, heating and kneading the source material, injection moulding or pressure forming the material with a lead or lead alloy collector into one shaped body, and then removing the plasticiser by elution or extraction to obtain a substrate holding the powder sulphuric acid.    In an example, a pellet-like material of low density polyethylene (25wt.%), powder sulphuric acid (15wt.%), and petroleum oil (60wt.%) is heated at 200 deg.C and kneaded. Then the material is injection moulded with a lead-antimony alloy collector to make a shaped body. The petroleum oil is eluted in trichloroethylene by using ultrasonic wave. The obtd. substrate is filled with a paste and formed to make an electrode plate.    A light electrode substrate for a lead storage cell is obtd. by using the synthetic resin material. Pores are made in the substrate after the elution of the plasticiser to improve adhesive property between the substrate and the active material paste. The powder sulphuric acid serves to improve the adhesive property to make lead sulphate with the paste.
Organic solvent cell cathode is made by preparing a cathode mixt. consisting of MnO2, conductive agent (e.g. graphite, acetylene black, Ag or Cu powder), and PTFE powder, mixing and kneading the mixt. at the temp. of 250-320 deg.C, and shaping the mixt. into a sheet.    The PTFE is made into a fibre and gives improved mechanical intensity by its binding effect. Water in the MnO2 is removed during the sheet forming step. High capacity, and discharge property at heavy load are obtd.
An organic solvent cell cathode is made by preparing a cathode mixt. consisting of baked manganese dioxide, conductive agent (e.g. graphite, acetylene black, silver, or copper powder), and PTFE powder in an amt. of 0.5-4wt.%, kneading the mixt. at 100-320 deg.C, and shaping the mixt. into a sheet.    Water contained in MnO2 causes bad effect to lithium anode active material and MnO2 should be baked to remove water. The PTFE is made into fibre, so it gives improved mechanical intensity by its binding effect. The upper and lower limits are determined to give optimum fibre effect and discharge property.
Battery separator has at least one layer of highly absorbent fine diameter fibre material, which has an electrolyte absorption ratio of at least 100%, with weldable fibres adhered to at least one face.    Used partic. in a recombinant lead acid battery. Prior separators having small diameter absorbent fibres are difficult to handle because the fibres are very weak. The weldable fibres are weldable to each other and to the absorbent layer allowing the layer to be welded to itself to envelope the plate.
A tubular body convertible by impregnation with an active material to a tubular battery storage plate, comprises a latticework of spaced apart interwoven tapes. The tapes define interrupted rows of apertures within which a foraminous material adapted to receive the active material is located. Pref. the tapes (2,4) are of reinforced plastics and are braided together in helices of opposite hand to define the apertures. The foraminous material may comprise interbraided tapes or strands of fibrous synthetic material, may comprise a complete inner braided layer, over which the tapes are braided, or may comprise a tubular net-like material..    A body is provided, the active material retaining properties of which can be easily controlled and which can be stored in the intermediate state.
Anode for a sealed battery consists of a composite contg. the active anode material, which has a compact zone and a coarse zone (in contact with one another).    The compact zone consists of massive particles (size 0.03-15, pref. under 10 mm3) of composite compacted at a certain pressure (1-5, esp. 2 kb) and the coarse zone of particles compacted at a lower pressure (0.2-1, esp. 0.5 kb), so that there are liquid passages between the particles. The composite consists of the active anode material (13 wt.pts. MnO2), an electrical conductor (1 pt. C powder) and a binder (1 pt. PTFE powder).    The anode is esp. useful in button and coin-type batteries. The time required for impregnation is reduced and the degree of utilisation of the battery increased.
Non-aq.galvanic cell has an active metal anode, MnO2 cathode and liquid organic electrolyte contg. 3-methyl-2-oxazolidone (I) in conjunction with a dissolved substance (II), the MnO2 having a water content of under 1 (under 0.5, esp. under 0.2) wt.%.    The electrolyte also contains other solvent(s), pref. THF, dioxolan (III), dimethoxyethane (IV), dimethylisoxazole (V), diethyl carbonate, propylene carbonate (VI), ethylene glycol sulphite, dioxan and/or dimethyl sulphite. (II) is MCF3SO3, MBF4,|MC104|or|MM'F6|(in|which|M|is|Li,|Na|or|K|and|M'|is|P,|As or Sb). The anode metal is Li, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al or their alloys. The cathode also contains a conductive substance (C or graphite) and a binder (PTFE or ethylene acrylic acid polymer.)    The cell has high energy density.
Energy conversion device has a cation-permeable casing (4) which is a barrier to mass liq. transfer, sealed to and supported by one surface of a member (10). The sealing member (6) is a metal substrate which has a non-conductive coating on one surface and is corrugated to render it flexible, allowing the member to move relative the casing without cracking the seal therebetween.    Used in prim. batteries employing electrochemically reactive oxidants and reductants in contact with opposite sides of the cation permeable casing, sec. batteries employing molten electrochemically reactive oxidants and reductants, on opposite sides of the casing, thermoelectric generators, where temp. and pressure differential is maintained between anodic and cathodic reaction zones, and in thermally regenerated fuel cells.    Insulation and support for the cation permeable casing is provided while providing a connecting device for assembling the cell, and is flexible to take up the thermal and misalignment strains and thereby avoids failure of the cell as a result of seal failure.
Appts. for protecting and sealing poles and inter cell connections in a gp. of industrial batteries includes a retaining cap with bottom wall, sidewall and open top, openings in the bottom for the upper ends of poles with connections lying below the sidewall top, and an encapsulant filling the cap to enclose poles and connections.    The encapsulant flows when uncured, reseals after puncture, is stable over a wide temp. range and is nonadherent to polystyrene and lead and resistant to sulphuric acid. The encapsulant is prefd. a room temp. vulcanising polysiloxane silicone rubber. The arrangement provides protection without filling the entire top of the battery casings.
Compsn. of the aq. soln. form prepd. by blending (1) the hydrophilic-hydrophobic-hydrophilic ternary block copolymer of formula (I) with (2) alpha, alpha, alpha, alpha-meso-(tetra-(o-pivaloylamidephenyl))porphine Fe (II) complex in a ratio of 1 mole of (2) to 2-5 moles per imidazole unit of (1). In(I) m-n is at least 10; 1/2(m+n) is at least equal to n which is greater than 1; l is 0 or 1; k is greater than 10(m+n); A is (II).    Addn. of surface activator in an amt. of 1 part to 5-10 pts. wt. of (1) improves the water solubility of (1). (1) is prepd. by radical-polymerising styrene and N-vinylimidazole in the presence of disulphide cpd. under irradiation with UV rays, and allowing the function-endblocked hydrophobic high mol. chain obtd. to react with polyethylene oxide in the presence or absence of inert organic solvent.    Used as an auxiliary catalyst for oxidn. and fuel battery. When the compsn. is dried to a solid, e.g. through freezing-drying, the solid becomes inert to O2 and can be stored for a prolonged period of time.
The cell comprises a Pb negative electrode, A PbO2 positive electrolyte and an electrolyte of H2SO4 soln. contg. a dissolved organic catalyst of organic cellulosic cpd. that prevents sulphation of electrodes. During cell discharge, the positive electrode is reduced and the negative electrode is oxidised.    The catalyst is pref. nitrocellulose or cellulose nitrate and camphor. The cell pref. also includes glass wool separators satd. with electrolyte between the electrodes, esp. also including SiO2 gel to absorb electrolyte and provide an dry battery.    The batteries are useful in automobiles. Lead sulphate is not formed on discharge so there is no electrode sulphation on long stand and hence no impairment of discharge. The low temp. characteristics are improved. The amt. acid needed is only 1/4 that of conventional batteries, and pref. dry construction avoids dangers from spillage.
An electrochemical deoxidation arrangement includes an electrolyte bath (1), an electrolytic solution (5) of caustic alkali aq. soln. (KOH) in the bath, and a gas diffusion electrode (3) as a cathode for electrolytically reducing oxygen. There is an oxygen producing electrode (4) as an anode electrode, and a supplementary tank (2) for supplying water to the electrolyte bath.    An iron cpd. (e.g. iron nitrate, iron sulphate, iron chloride, iron oxalate, iron acetate, iron hydroxide, or iron sulphide) is added to the water (15) of the supplementary tank.    Oxygen is only removed from air introduced from the oxygen incoming path. The added iron cpd. serves to decrease the oxygen prodn over-voltage at the anode. The supplementary tank serves to improve the operating life of the arrangement.
Fluid is supplied to or drained from a marginal portion of a flat fuel cell electrode (1) mounted in a frame (2) via a device which is connected with a spacious collecting channel (5) which runs in a plane parallel to the longitudinal plane of the frame and parallel the marginal portions of the fuel cell electrode and which is connected with a number of equidistantly spaced points of this marginal portion via microchannels (4) which microchannels run in a plane parallel to the longitudinal plane of the frame and are open at the upper side, the side being situated in one of the two outer planes of the frame that are parallel the longitudinal plane of the frame, when the arrangement is not assembled and have substantially identical dimensions and a width (b) that is smaller than their depth (d).    Provides uniform fluid supply to, or drainage from the fuel cell electrode. Preferred embodiment has the frame made of thermoplastic material. A battery is formed of a stack of similar elements.
A hydrogen gas space is arranged in a fuel cell through a film electrode of Pd or Pd alloys such as Pd-Ag, Pd-Ru, etc. In a charging process, water is decomposed by electrical energy and the generated hydrogen gas is stored in the hydrogen gas space. The fuel cell generates electrical energy by using the stored hydrogen gas. (J49056142)
Sulphur dioxide in burning exhaust gas is adsorbed using an adsorbent and then desorbed by inert gas. The SO2 is added to water. The water obtd. is electrolysed to generate hydrogen gas, which is used as fuel for an alkali or phosphate fuel cell.    Pref. the sulphur dioxide, water and halogen are mixed to form hydrogen halide. The hydrogen halide is electrolysed to generate hydrogen. Air pollution is prevented. In an example, 1200 Nm3/h SO2 in exhaust gas was adsorbed by active C and desorbed by nitrogen to produce 1150 Nm3/h of SO2. The SO2 and water were mixed and electrolysed at current density 0.2 A/cm2 and voltage 0.6 volt to generate 1100 Nm3/h of hydrogen.
Electrochemical cell separator plate having a thickness no greater than 0.15 inch, made by moulding and heat treating a mixt. of 45-64 pts. wt. of high purity graphite powder (I) and 55-35 pts.wt. of a carbonisable thermosetting phenolic resin having a carbon yield of at least 50% and graphitising the finished plate to at least 2100 deg.C, has an initial threshold corrosion potential at 400 deg.F of at least 1000 mV, a max. initial through-plane electrical resistivity of 0.011 ohm-cm and an initial flexural strength at 400 deg.F of at least 4000psi and an electrolyte takeup no greater than 5%.    (I) comprises 100% fully graphitic particles having a density of at least 2g/cc, an average aspect ratio of less than 0.4, and a distribution of particle sizes up to a max. of 230 microns, with 31-62 wt.% having a size less than 45 microns.    The plate is partic. useful in phosphoric acid fuel cells.
A neutral membrane produced by impregnating gel cpd. into pores in a porous synthetic resin matrix consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, polyacrylonitrile, PVAc, polyamide, polyester or PVP. The pore size of the pores in the resin matrix is 0.8-1.5 microns, and the neutral membrane has a specific electric conductivity of at least 0.001 mho/cm, and shows a water-permeability of up to 150 l/sq.m. at a pressure difference of 0.5 kg/sq.cm.    Pref. porous synthetic resin matrix can be produced by mixing a resin starting-material and inorganic or organic particles of 0.8-1.5 microns, forming the mixt. into a sheet-shape and then removing the particles from the resin matrix by a known mechanical or chemical treatment. The gel cpd. is e.g. silica gel or Zr silicate etc.    The neutral membrane has a high specific electric conductivity and a low water-permeability, and it is suitable for use in an electrolysation process or fuel cells etc.
Fuel cell employs electrolyte contg. alkali metal carbonate. The electrolyte is slurry-like and is produced by adding a viscosity-control agent to the carbonate.    The viscosity-control agent pref. consists of corpuscles which are unreactive to the alkali carbonate. The corpuscles consist of magnesia, lithium aluminate, lithium zirconate, lithium titanate or potassium titanate. The corpuscles have grain dia. of less than 10 microns. Electrolyte from is prevented from entering fuel gas chamber and an oxidising agent gas chamber.
Hemeticity testing of a matrix in an oxygen-hydrogen matrix fuel cell involves use of the working oxygen electrode as the sensing electrode. It is blown through by oxygen for 1-5s.    The tested matrix fuel cell is disconnected from the load, and when the steady state is reached, it is switched for blowing out by oxygen from the oxygen chamber. This reduces the hydrogen content if it was in the oxygen chamber, owing to the leakage from the matrix. Hydrogen ionisation at the oxygen electrode is reduced increasing its potential and thus the fuel cell voltage. The voltage increase is characteristic for the matrix leaks. If the matrix does not leak, there is no voltage rise during a short blowing-out.    The method does not distort the operation of the fuel cell and does not need special measurement equipment. Bul. 3/23.1.81. (2pp)
A method of vapour coating a liq. or powdery substance dispersed in an electric field comprises producing a vapour or dispersion of a desired coating material and allowing the vapour or dispersion to permeate the dispersion of liq. or powdery particles. The vapour condenses, or the dispersion attaches preferentially on the exposed charged surfaces of the particles to give discrete coated particles without agglomeration.    Used for coating refractory metal powder with Pt, Ni or Pd for use as an active catalyst, vapour coating intermetallic cpds. with Pd for storing H2, slow dissolving coatings on pharmaceutical powder prods., microencapsulation of liq. particles and self-lubricating metal particles.
Cell comprises (a) anode (24) and cathode (22,23) assemblies, each having an attached lead (34,35) to provide electrical output to a prothesis, (b) a fuel-electrolyte chamber (44,45) between them, for receiving an externally supplied duel, (c) a biologically acceptable O2-permeable membrane (46) contacting the cathode assembly and lying between the cathode andbody tissue to permit endogenous tissue O2 to diffuse to the cell from the tissue, and (e) a fuel electrolyte compsn. in the chamber having a high concn. ratio of fuel:diffused endogenous tissue O2. The cell pref. also includes a tube (36,37) for refuelling the cell, with one end communicating with the fuel-electrolyte chamber and the other terminating subcutaneously. The prothesis and fuel cell are implanted in body tissue, and the cell is percutaneously refuelled when power output drops to a min. amt. required by the prothesis.    The cell provides e.g. 0.14 W-hr/g, 0.16 W-hr/ml, has indefinite life when intermittently refuelled and is smaller and lighter than comparable power cells. It is nontoxic and does not require hermetic sealing. . 2
Carbonate and matrix material inactive to the molten carbonate are mixed. The mixt. is heated and melted at a temp. higher than the m.pt. of the carbonate. The molten mixt. is formed into a plate by cooling. Carbonate may be mixed with material which reacts with the molten carbonate to form crystalline matrix material inactive to the carbonate.    Pref. the carbonate is lithium carbonate, potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate. The matrix material is magnesia or alumina.    In further detail 500 g Li2CO3, 50 g K2CO3 and 100 g MgO are mixed and heated at 750 degrees C for 1 hour. The molten mixt. is cast into a plate.    This electrolyte plate has no bubbles and excellent stability to heat cycles.
In a vessel, an anode is sepd from a cathode by a separator. An anode soln is supplied to the anode. The anode soln contains a redox cpd which reacts with hydrogen sulphide to form a simple body of sulphur outside the vessel. The redox cpd itself is reduced and then reproduced by oxidn at the anode in the vessel. Pref the redox cpd is ferric chloride, ferric sulphate or Fe.nta chelate cpd.    It is possible to use hydrogen sulphide as fuel material because a redox cpd is added to an anode soln. Specifically redox system consists of an aq soln contg 2 mol/l of ferric chloride. The ferric chloride aq soln is reduced by HS gas. The reduced ferric chloride aq soln is oxidised in a fuel cell. This fuel cell has an open-circuit voltage of 0.5 volt, an output current density of 5 mA/sq cm. and an output voltage of 0.2 vol at 60 deg C.
New metal zirconate-silicate-phosphate cpds. (I) contg. H or hydronium ions have the formulas Me(1+x-y)(H(+))(y)Zr (2)Si(x)P(3-x)O(12)    (in which x is max. 3 and y is max. 1+x, both exceeding zero and pref. being min. 0.1. Me is a monovalent metal, pref. Na, K and/or Li). (I) are prepd. by treating a cpd. (II) of the formula Me(1+x)Zr(2)Si(x)P(3-x)O(12) with an acid aq. soln. until the Me concn. in the soln. has risen to the required value for y.    (I) are specified for use as solid state electrolytes which conduct H or hydronium ions in electrochemical cells, esp. fuel cells, pH meters, detectors for determining ion concns. in aq. solns., organic solns. (e.g. pH meter) and melts, electrochromic displays, separator in H2 generators at low and high temps. or a H2 gas purifier (ion sieve) at low and high temp. They are stable enough to be used at temps. up to min. 300 deg.C.
Fuel cell battery has rectangular, bipolar construction with anode matrix electrolyte, cathode and bipolar plate, the electrodes having a catalyst layer and a C or graphite support. The novel feature is that porous C or graphite powder, which is more porous than the electrode support layers, is inserted between the bipolar plate and anode and between the cathode and bipolar plate to form the gas space. The cost of construction is favourable.    Fuel gas and air are forced through the gas spaces so that their directions of flow are perpendicular to one another. They are kept apart by providing the gas space papers with gas-permeable plastics strips along 2 opposite sides or by forming suitable edge projections on both sides of the bipolar plate, which pref. is square. The bipolar plate or both layers of this consists of flexible graphite or graphite/plastics mixts., stainless steel (sheet), C-coated metal sheet or plastics.
Cell comprises a negative collector electrode (1) (e.g. of Fe or Ni), a negative pole active material (2) consisting of calcium, an electrolyte material (3') contg. lithium salt, a positive pole active material (3") (e.g. consisting of CaCrO4) (the combination body of the electrolyte 3' and the positive active material 3" is called 'DEB' pellet), and a positive collector electrode (4) (e.g. of Fe or Ni).    Steps (24,25) are provided at the peripheral portion of the electrolyte layer and the positive active material or at the fire passing through hole portion (13). Insulating rings (11, 12, 14) are arranged at the steps.    Leakage of CaLi2 produced by a reaction between the negative pole Ca and the lithium ions in the electrolyte material is prevented by the steps and the insulating rings to eliminate shortage by the CaLi2.
Cell uses alkali carbonate as an electrolyte, and fibrous potassium titanate electrolyte-holding material. Pref. the fibrous potassium titanate (K2O.nTiO2, n is at least 4) is produced by interaction of K2CO3 or KOH and TiO2, and has excellent resistance to heat and chemicals. The alkali carbonate is pref. Li2CO3, K2CO3 or Na2CO3.    The electrolyte-holding material has high mechanical strength and excellent electrolyte-holding capaciblity.    In an example, 320 g fibrous K2O.6TiO2, 240 g Li2CO3 and 240 g K2CO3 were kneaded with water for 2 hours. The mixt. was dried at 140 deg.C for 3 hours. The dried mixt. was crushed by a crusher to produce 60-mesh powder. The powder was hot-pressed under 0.5 ton/cm2 at 400 deg.C to fabricate a disk (10 cm x 2mm), which is used as an alkali carbonate electrolyte body.
Protective annular electrode for providing a uniform current density along a common manifold of an electrochemical device to reduce or eliminate undesirable shunt currents comprises an annular sleeve through which fluid is passed having an inner liner which selectively passes one material to the exclusion of others. The liner selectively passes ions from a fluid supplied to the sleeve to electrolyte in contact with the liner or passes ions from electrolyte passing through the liner to a fluid supplied to the sleeve.    The uniform current density eliminates or reduces the harmful shunt currents with a min. power consumption.
Power supply system has a fuel cell in which hydrogen and oxygen are combined to produce water and electrical energy. The water from the fuel cell is allowed to fall to an impulse turbine to cause rotation of the impeller blades to produce further electrical energy. The water is then fed to an electrolyser to produce hydrogen, by the electrolysis of water, the hydrogen being fed to the fuel cell to produce further water.    Provides an economical system for producing energy from an abundant fuel source i.e. water.
An electrode body (I) is coated with a chelate by (a) contacting (I) comprising a valve metal (alloy) with a tetranitrile cpd. (II) vapour at a predetermined temp. to form sites for an N4-chelate (III); (b) carrying out a controlled heterogeneous chelating reaction at elevated temp. on (I) to form a limited amt. of (III); and (c) converting (III) into a crosslinked network coordinated to the metal sites by controlled thermal treatment. Also claimed is the electrode formed.    The coating is semiconducting, insol. and stable in acid and alkali, and with high adherence. The coatings have reproducible electrical and catalytic properties and have stable, prolonged electrochemical performance under corrosive conditions.
An electrode body (I) is coated with a chelate by (a) contacting a tetranitrile cpd. (II) vapour at an elevated temp. with (I) to form metal coordination sites at its surface for forming an N4-chelate (III); (b) carrying out a controlled heterogeneous chelating reaction at an elevated temp. to form a limited amt. of (III) on (I) coordinated to the metal sites; and (c) converting (II) into a crosslinked network coordinated to the metal sites by a controlled thermal treatment, forming a stable, semiconducting, uniform polychelate coating firmly adhered to (I). Also claimed is the electrode formed by the process.    The coating is stable and insol. in acid and alkaline media and has prolonged electrochemical performance under corrosive conditions. The electrode has reproducible electrical and catalytic properties.
Method of preparing a piece of solid electrolyte based on stabilised zirconia comprises (a) prepg. an alcohol soln. of a Zr salt, a salt of stabilising metal and an Al salt; (b) copptg. hydroxides of the metals; (c) sepg. the ppte.; (d) washing with hydrophilic solvent to remove the majority of the water; (e) drying at below 100 deg.C; (f) calcining in air; (g) forming from the powder a blank of the desired shape by compacting the powder; (h) sintering the body obtd. in a hydrogen atmosphere.    The solid electrolyte is esp. for use in a cell for electrolysing water vapour at high temp. for prodn. of gaseous H2 or for use in a fuel cell. The conductivity of the stabilised zirconia is improved by the addition of small amounts of Al2O3.
Electrochemical cell membrane consists of a polar, semi-permeable plastic foil as polar carrier, contg. pref. 0.01-10 (0.1-0.5)wt.%, w.r.t. total membrane wt., of uniformly distributed fine metal particle deposits. Pref. polar carrier is an inert plastic foil on which are grafted hydrophilic polymerisable monomers.    The deposited metal can be Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Cd, Pt, Pd, Au or Ag. Pref. membrane prodn. comprises (a) impregnating a polar semi-permeable plastic foil carrier with an aq. metal salt soln., (b) removing metal salt adhering to surface and (c) reducing the metal cations, in the impregnated carrier, to metal by treatment with a chemical reducing agent, dissolved or dispersed in a solvent.    Membrane use in prim- and sec. elements, esp. in alkaline batteries, is claimed. Other uses are dialysis, electrodialysis, electrolysis, in fuel cells and biological systems.
Improved molten carbonate fuel cell electrolyte structure consists essentially of 55-75 wt.% strontium titanate and 25-45 wt.% of an alkali metal carbonate electrolyte. the strontium titanate has a crystallite morphology which is at least significantly spherical and has an av. size of 0.1-1 micron. The titanate is chosen from stoichiometric strontium titanate, strontium-rich titanate and mixts. of these. The alkali carbonate is chosen from ternary Li-K-Na carbonates compsn., binary Li-K carbonates compsn., binary Li-Na carbonates compsn., binary Na-K carbonates compsn. and mixts. of these. The electrolyte structure is essentially pore free when the electrolyte is in molten form.    Parent specification 4242426 concerns the prodn. of the electrolyte structures, e.g. by mixing the Sr titanate powder and electrolyte, and hot pressing at 480-490 deg.C and at least 1000 psi.
An electrochemical cell includes an electrolyte retaining matrix layer located between anode and cathode electrodes comprised of grooved substrates including a gas porous body and a catalyst layer adjacent the matrix layer. Each substrate body has a ribbed section for receiving reactant gas. Side portions of the substrate include a channel which defines a web adjacent or substrate surface.    Each channel is filled with a gas impervious substance and each web is impregnated with a gas impervious substance so as to provide a gas impervious seal along the entire length of each side portion of each substrate and between opposite faces.    The gas impervious edge seal spans the entire length and thickness of a porous substrate and does not rely entirely on an impregnating process.
Liquefied natural gas fuel is vaporised and fed to a fuel modifying appts. to produce H2-contg. gas by steam modifying. The H2-contg. gas is introduced into an anode. Mixed gas of O2 or air and CO2 is introduced into a cathode. Cell reaction takes place using molten carbonate as electrolyte. In this fuel cell, CO2-contg. gas discharged from the anode is introduced into a CO2 separator. The CO2 is sepd. from the CO2-contg. gas by heat of vaporisation of the liquefied natural gas supplied to the CO2 separator.    Before the CO2-contg. gas is introduced into the CO2 separator, it is fed to a condenser to remove H2O from the CO2-contg. gas. The H2O is utilised to steam modify the fuel. The H2 (unreacted)-CO-CO2 mixed gas is introduced into the CO2 separator.
Cation exchange resin comprises a perhalogenated, F-contg. hydrocarbon polymer skeleton contg. no ion exchange gps., and pendant side chain(s) contg. a gp. having cation exchange properties, derived from an unsatd. dicarboxylic acid (deriv.) and also contg. a vinyl gp. derived from a vinyl monomer, which links the side chain to the skeleton. The molar ratio of the cation exchange gps. to the vinyl gps. is 1:1-20, pref. 1:1-3.    The skeleton may be perfluorinated or may also contain chlorine. The cation exchange gp. is of formula -C(X)(COOH)-C(X')(COOH) (where X and X' are H, F, Cl, or opt halogenated alkyl) or of formula -C(COOH)=C(COOH)-. Lhe vinyl gp. is derived from C(Q)2=CQY or C(Q)(ZC6H4)=CQY where Q is H or F, Y is H, F or Cl and Z is H or opt. halogenated -alkene or -alkyl.    The resin is useful as a permselective membrane in electrolytic cells and has a lower water uptake and a higher degradation resistance than conventional membranes of similar performance due to the pethalogenated skeleton. The membrane may also be used as a separator and/or solid electrolyte in batteries, fuel cells or electrolysis cells.
Electrochemical cell system (10) has a number of electrically connected fuel cells (12) and at least one cooling module arranged between selected fuel cells. The cells and cooling module are arranged in a stack and are shaped in elongate polygonal cross section. Each fuel cell has an electrolyte (16) positioned between a pair of bipolar plates (14) which define channels (28) carrying an oxidant in reacting communication with the electrolyte, and channels (26) for carrying a fuel in reacting communication with the electrolyte. The fuel and oxidant channels (26,28) have inlets on one short peripheral face of the cell and outlets on the opposing short peripheral face. The cooling module (42) has cooling passages (44) with an entry on one longer peripheral face of the cooling module and an exit on the opposite longer peripheral face of the cooling module.    Used partic. in a fuel cell for reaction of oxygen and hydrogen to produce heat, electrical energy and water. The system simplifies construction and sealed ducting requirements, while improving efficiency with the relatively short channels, provided between the longer peripheral faces of the module, the cooling fluid flow reducing the pressure drop and circulation power requirements.
The method comprises subjecting the surface of an ion exchanging membrane to a low temp. type plasma treatment to obtain a membrane having porous surface, treating the obtd. membrane in water at 100-200 deg.C, and bonding a catalytic metal on the treated membrane to produce a complex body consisting of the ion exchanging membrane and the catalytic metal.    In an example, an ion exchanging membrane consisting of a copolymer of sulphonylfluoride vinyl ether and tetrafluoroethylene was treateo in a low temp. type plasma etching process under a gas of oxygen, air, helium, nitrogen, or a mixt. to form many pores on the surface of the membrane. The dia. of the etched pores was 0.5-3 microns and the depth was 0.3-3.5 microns. The etched membrane was treated in water at 100 deg.C. A soln. contg. 3% of chloroplatinic acid and 1% of NaBH2 used as a reducing agent was permeated through the treated membrane to deposit a Pt catalyst layer on the membrane. The platinum deposited membrane was used as a diaphragm in electrolysis of salt water or in fuel cell.
In an oxygen conc. difference battery using a burner as a heat source, a porous layer having low heat emissivity is formed on the heat-radiating surface of a porous substrate. The porous layer consists of Au, Ag, Pt or ZnO.    Air-side electrodes are formed on a porous ceramic substrate having O2 permeability. Solid electrolyte films of (ZrO2)0.92(Y2O3)0.08 having a specific resistivity of 30 ohm.cm at 800 deg. C, are formed on the air-side electrodes. Exhaust gas-side electrodes are formed on the solid electrolyte films. The air-side electrodes are electrically connected to the exhaust gas-side electrodes by connections. The electrodes and the connections comprise Pt thick films. Au porous layer is formed on the substrate.    It is possible to reduce the amt. of heat radiation from an oxygen concn. difference battery.
New ferrous porphyrin complex are of formula (I). A is a monomer unit with (N(H)a) in the main or side chain, a is zero or 1, PP is a ferrous porphyrin complex contg. porphyrin nucleus of formula (II) and coordinated with iron atom at the centre; n is 4, 5 or 6. R is (m)ethyl; B is copolymerised monomer unit; l and m are mol.% of units A and B, respectively; l+m=100%; l is positive and m is at least 0; gp. (III) has Mn at least 5000. The solubility and form (e.g. powder, mass, gel or film) of complexes can be changed by selecting the type of the polymer moiety. The presence of complexes makes various catalytic reactions advantageous by securing the complex moiety compactly to the polymer moiety and enhancing the interaction between the complexes or prevents side reactions by eliminating the interaction between the complexes by securing the complex moiety loosely.
Ferrous porphyrin complex is of formula (I). In (I) A is a monomer unit attached to -(NHa)- at the main chain or side chain; a is 0 or 1; B is a copolymerised monomer unit; l and m are mol.% of each unit; (l+m) is 100%; l is above 0; m is 0 or above; R1 is H, vinyl or ethyl; R2 is H or methyl; when m is 0, then -(A-(NHa))- is CH2CH2N-, gp. (II)-(V); and when m is over 0, then -(A-(NHa))- is e.g. gp. (VI)-(VIII).    The complexes are prepd. by reacting (Ia) with methanol in DMF in the presence of H2SO4 catalyst and the reaction mixt. is poured in a large amt. of H2O to form a ppte which is filtered and evapd. The residue is chromatographed over silica gel eluting with 50:1 mixt. of CHCl3/CH3OH to provide the dimethyl ester and eluting with 30:1 mixt. of CHCl3/CH3OH to provide the monomethyl ester of (Ia). The monomethyl ester is evapd. and the residue dissolved in DMF. The stirred soln. is added dropwise with ethyl chloroformate and triethylamine at 0-5 deg.C and the mixt. is stirred at 0-5 deg.C for 1 hr. The stirred mixt. is added dropwise with an imidazole deriv. at 0-5 deg.C, stirred at 0-5 deg.C for 1 hr and allowed to stand at room temp. overnight. The mixt. is evapd. and the residue is chromatographed over silica gel eluting with 4:1 mixt. of CHCl3/CH3OH to provide the monoamide-monoester. The monoamidemonoester is isolated and dissolved in DMF, the stirred soln. is added dropwise eith ethyl chloroformate and triethylamine at 0-5 deg.C and the mixt. is stirred at 0-5 deg.C for 1 hr. to provide the monoester, which is added with a poly-NH2 at 0-5 deg.C and stirred for 1 hr, allowed to stand at room temp. overnight and then isolated. The isolated prod. is washed with methanol thoroughly or chromatographed to provide (I).    The ferrous porphyrin complexes are used as substd. erythrocyte for blood transfusion and recycling liq. for storing internal organs.
Electrochemical energy generation uses high energy Li cells with aq. electrolytes, operating in a combined system with H2/02 fuel cells. The LiOH formed in the Li cells is converted to Li2CO3 with CO2 produced in a reformer from hydrocarbons or hydrocarbon cpds. and water and the H2 produced at the same time is used in the fuel cells.    The reformer is used to produce enough CO2 for neutralisation of the LiOH formed. The hydrocarbons are alcohols, esp. MeOH. The H2 and O2 are stored before feeding to the fuel cells. The endothermal reforming process can be sustained by the supply of heat from a H2-O2 gas recombination or from the decompsn. of H2O2.    The system has low loss and operates in a closed plant. Such an autonomous system is esp. useful for ship propulsion.
A fuel cell component (I) comprising a fully graphitised gas porous, resin-bonded C-fibre sheet is mfd. by (1) forming an intermediate prod. comprising a homogeneous layer of C-fibres and thermosetting resin (II) which is uncured and where the edges have been built up with the same material to a greater thickness than the centre; (2) densifying the edges by compressing while heating to cure (I); and (3) heating (II) to carbonise (I) and fully graphitise (II).    (I) has an improved gas edge seal.
A mixt. contg.(in wt.%): Al203 71-87, Zr02 11-25 and Tio2 2-4, yields a solid ceramic electrolyte with improved thermal stability as well as the total and ionic conductivity under the partial 02 pressure of 10 power -12 to 10 power -13 atmos.    The material is prepd. by grinding the components to 0.9-1.0 sq.m/g, calcining at 300-400 deg. C, adding to molten paraffin wax at 60-70 deg. C and stirring for 4-8 hrs.After cooling the mixt. is drawn into tubes, heated in a powder for 30 hrs. at 200- 220 deg. C to remove part of the binder, and fired at 1580-1620 deg. C.
Supercorroding galvanic cell alloys, for generating heat and hydrogen gas upon activation in an electrolyte, are produced by mechanical alloying magnesium powder and a passiVe cathodic powdered material, selected from iron, copper, titanium, chromium, carbon and nickel, to less than saturation hardness in an inert atmos. The resulting alloyed particles consist of a magnesium matrix contg. a dispersion of smaller particles of the passive cathodic material in a characteristic homogeneous layered structure.    The alloys can be used in powdered or sintered form as a self-contained heat source (e.g. for warming divers or melting ice in arctic regions), as a hydrogen gas generator (e.g. for powering fuel cells or i.e. engines or for providing buoyancy for lifting heavy objects from the ocean floor) or as corroding links (e.g. for retrieval or scuttling of oceanographic instruments). The alloys are at least an order of magnitude more reactive than the fixed plate cells of US3884216 or the minicells of US4017414. They are independent of external electrical resistance, and internal electrical resistance is less than 0.0001 ohms. They are more efficient than minicells and have a greater energy density than fixed plate cells. Reaction rates of the alloys can be controlled by adjusting the alloy compsn.
Submillimetre laser with pumping by CO2-laser radiation in quantum electronics has a wider frequency range since generation is no longer restricted to 18 lines in the 148-990 mu.m waveband. The radiation of the CO2-laser tube (1) in zero order of the diffraction grating (2) is incident on a rotary mirror (3) and then focussed (4) on the inlet port of a resonator (5). Now the resonator is filled with ethyl iodide vapours as the active substance. Generation is observed in the sub-millimetre range, including lines 661 and 1051. Bul. 31/23.8.80.
The panel is in the form of a laminate comprising, in order, (a)a transparent glass or plastics plate (1), (b) a transparent electroconductive film (2), (b) a polyelectrolyte interlayer film (3), (d) a WO3 film (4), (e) an infrared reflecting electroconductive metal film (5), (f) a second WO3 film (6), (g) a transparent glass or plastics plate (7).    The panel also includes a device (8) for applying a potential between the electroconductive film so that light transmission is controlled by applying positive or negative potential across the first WO3 film. The transparent electroconductive film is pref. In203 and/or SnO2; the interlayer is pref. polyvinyl butyral or polyacrylic acid; the infrared reflecting film is pref. Ag, Cu, Al, Au, Ti, Sn or alloy 100 - 300A thick; and each WO3 film is pref. 100-700A or 1500-1900A thick..    The panel is useful for windows for buildings, cars or aeroplanes, antiglare mirrors.
Photosynthetically-driven fuel cell consists of a growth chamber with a transparent top, a nutrient aq. soln. and anode and cathode which are sepd. in the chamber but connected by an external load. Suspended in the soln. are (a) mesophyll cells which produce malate in sunlight, (b) a substance (I) converting malate to NADH and (c) a potential mediator (II) for transfer of electrons from NADH to anode.    The soln. sustains the isolated cells in an autotrophic cells and can initiate export. Esp. (I) is malic enzyme and (II) is esp. methylene blue, benzyl viologen or methyl viologen. The soln. can include a catalyst (esp. xanthine oxidase) for cpd. (II).
Process for mfg. solid-electrolyte, comprises obtg. lithium nitride thin film using metallic lithium or lithium nitride as evapn. sources in atmos. contg. nitrogen.    In an example, dried quartz glass was used as substrate and a piece of lithium nitride as evapn. source were placed in a vacuum evapn. appts., and the pressure within the appts. was kept at 1 x 10 power -7 Torr, and afterward, nitrogen gas was introduced into the appts. to adjust the pressure to 1 x 10 power -4 Torr. The evapn. source was then heated to 1000 deg.C to form a lithium nitride film of 1000 angstroms thickness on the quartz glass substrate. The conductivity of the thin film determined by 05-four|terminals|method|was|1|x|10|power|-3/ohms/cm.    Solid-electrolyte comprising lithium nitride thin films of less than 50 microns in thickness, are easily mfd. the resulting solid- electrolyte may be used as an electrolyte for lithium cells and sensors.
In a fuel cell, an alkaline aq. soln. of Na chlorate is used as a liq. of positive electrode, and an alkaline aq. soln. of Na sulphide is used as a liq. of negative electrode. These solns. are circulated by a circulation pump.    The fuel cell has high discharge properties at temp. of 70-90 deg.C. (J49135144)
The fuel cell uses the electrolyte to carry both the fuel (ethylene-glycol or methanol) and the oxidant (oxygen) mixed together to form an emulsion which is pumped (4) into the main reaction chamber (5).    The potash or porous carbon fibre electrodes (6,7) are placed perpendicular to the entry flow direction, so that positive (6) and negative (7) electrodes alternate. The electrolyte thus travels from side to side in the main chamber, wetting fully the electrode surfaces.
Solid ion conductive electrolyte, consisting of hydronium beta"Al2O3, formula nH2O.nX.5Al2O3.qH2O; where n is 0.75-1.0; X is MgO, Li2O or m(MgO)p(Li2O), m+p is n; q is 0-2.8, is prepd. by (a) providing Na beta"Al2O3, formula nNa2O.nX.5Al2O3, n,X as above, (b) immersing in conc. H2SO4 at 50-300 deg. C for 12-36 hr. The hydronium beta"Al2O3 is pref. single crystalline. This specification is a div. ex. 4197 365, which discloses the solid hydronium beta"Al2O3 electrolyte. A pref. compsn. O.84H2O.O.84MgO.5Al2O3.8H2O is prepd. from O.84Na2O.O.84MgO.5Al2O3.    The electrolyte has high proton conductivity and useful in fuel cells and electrolysers.
A sintered body consisting of Cr2O3 within 2% of theoretical density and having a porosity of 1-35% is produced by pressing Cr2O3 to form a compact; placing in a closed container with the compact surrounded by carbon powder; and sintering at above 1200 deg. C.    The sintered body is used as a refractory brick, e.g. in a glass melting furnace. The method is industrially simple, producing a highly pure, fully dense, crack-free and microstructurally uniform body with desired porosity.
Fuel cell, for the generation of electrical power, subjects an anode (10) to a fuel gas to generate free positive ions, conveys the free positive ions to a cathode (30), and subjects the cathode to an oxidant gas. The cathode (30) includes a carbon member (31) and carbon dioxide is supplied to the region of the cell adjacent the carbon member to inhibit corrosion of the carbon.    Presence of the added carbon dioxide gas in the cathode region suppresses corrosion of the carbon prolonging the useful life of the cell.
Prodn. of electrical energy comprises (i) producing electrolyte comprising an aq. alkaline ammoniacal soln. contg. a Zn, Co, Ni, Mn or Ag - ammonium complex; (ii) forming a positive pole comprising a cell composed of Al-Zn, Al-Mn, Al-Co, Al-Ag complex; (iii) forming a negative pole comprising a carbon rod, part of which is coated with a metal oxide or organic cpd. which can be both oxidised and reduced, and another part of which is coated with anodic material; (iv) decomposing the ammonium complex on the surface of the cell to produce nascent hydrogen; and (v) reacting nascent hydrogen with oxygen on the cell surface.    Used to produce electrical energy from air and water.
Electricity is produced using a number of cells, each comprising (a) a thin anode layer of fuel oxidn. catalyst and (b) a thin cathode layer of oxidant redn. catalyst, laterally spaced apart in close proximity to each other and (c) a solid electrolyte material bridging the gap between the anode and cathode layers providing an ion conductive path between them.    Fuel and oxidant gases are supplied to anode and cathode and spent gases removed, with gases provided separately to separate gas spaces above anode and cathode or a gas mixt. supplied to a common gas space over both electrodes.    Individual cells are laterally spaced from each other, each adjacent at least one another, with the cathode layer of one cell closely proximate the anode layer of the adjacent cell and electrically conductive material bridging the gap to connect cells in series forming a cell gp.    The cells are of simplified structure and can be made by high speed prodn. methods. The electrolyte does not serve as separator and there is no functional catalyst support, minimising resistance and maximising efficiency. The cell operates efficiently at low temps.
Electrochemical cell stack component comprises a gas impervious graphite separator plate with flat opposed surfaces, and a gas porous cooler holder of resin bonded carbon fibres which have been graphitised, one side of the holder being bonded to one of the surfaces of the plate in electrical contact therewith, the other side of the holder having channels for carrying coolant tubes the channels having a depth substantially the thickness of the holder.    Used as a component to carry cell coolant fluid through an electrochemical cell stack. Separator plates do not have to carry coolant tubes or fluids and can therefore be made flat and thin and easy to mfr., and since the coolant tube holder is not required to have channels for reactant gas it can be optimised for efficient cooling with min. thickness.
Ion exchange membranes for use in electrochemical appts. comprising a stack of ion exchange-moderated cells, are formed of at least two polymeric components comprising (a) a first component which forms a chemical-resistant matrix structure with ion exchange functionality and (b) a solid polymeric material infused into the matrix. Membranes are formed by solvent-etching material from the matrix structure. The matrix material (a) is e.g. a known ion exchange type membrane with a fluorinated hydrocarbon or polyolefinic backbone; suitable isotropic membranes are available commercially as 'Nafion' (RTM). Polymer (b) is e.g. of polyether sulphone, polyarylene ether, polysulphone, polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylfluoride.    The membranes have low gas permeability and low electrical resistivity coupled with excellent physical and mechanical properties. Useful in prodn. of electrochemical appts. e.g. fuel cells, alkali-chlorine mfg. cells, water electrolysis cells, etc., comprising a stack of ion exchange membranes, in which the generation of internal heat can be reduced by using a series of membranes with graded electrical resistivities.
The control appts. comprises a primary control unit composed of wicket gates of a hydraulic turbine and a secondary control unit composed of a bypass valve which is operated to open or close in cooperation with the opening or closing of the wicket gates. First and second link mechanisms are provided between the wicket gates and a hydraulic pressure distributor valve which is operatively connected to the bypass valve to control opening or closing of the latter.    The first link mechanism detects the opening or closing motion of the wicket gates and transmits the corresponding signal to the hydraulic pressure distributor valve for the bypass valve, while the second link mechanism detect position of a pressure distributor valve plunger for the wicket gates and transmits the corresponding signal to the distributor valve for the bypass valve. A reset cylinder contains a piston which is connected to the second link mechanism and is operated by a solenoid valve to reset the last-mentioned signal when the wicket gates are held stationary in the full closed position.
The pyroelectric detector comprises a pyroelectric element (9) resiliently supported by and between two thin flexible plastics films. The latter are support a respective electrically conductive layers (6,8) providing connections between respective electrodes on opposite faces of the element (9) and respective terminals (5) on an electrically insulating ring (4) on which the films are mounted. The films are secured to one another by adhesive which also urges the conductive layers (6,8) against the electrodes on the element (9).    Suitably, the films each have a thickness not substantially greater than 2 microns in order to have high flexibility and low thermal conductance, and, if radiation to be detected must pass through one of the films, low absorption of radiation in the operating wavelength range of the detector. The adhesive may be of the same material as used to prepare the films.
The stopping method is improved for use in a hydro-electric station under breakdown conditions. The breakdown stoppage relay simultaneously blocks the hydro-electric converter switching-off and disengages the feedback coupling. The converter remains in a switched-on state until air is removed from the working wheel chamber. The operated switch (1) blocks the converter (3), via a relay (2), which simultaneously blocks the feedback (6) coupling (7) and switches-on the timing relay (9). The converter (3) signal opens the valve (4) which opens the directional instrument (5). The water fills the wheel chamber and the timing relay (9) energises the mechanism (8), which shuts the valve (4). The aggregate stoppage signal is applied to the relay (2). Bul.6/15.2.81
The installation comprises a flow passage section (1) defining an inlet chamber (2) and a runner chamber (6) and including two juxtaposed interconnecting passages (4) which connect the inlet chamber (2) and the runner chamber (6) and are disposed on opposite sides of an axial centre plane (a,b,c,d) and spaced apart (at 3) in an intermediate part of their length. A turbine runner (8) is mounted in the runner chamber. An electric generator is disposed outside the flow passage section.    An output mechanism extends through the space (3) and operatively connects the runner (8) to the generator (15), in order to ensure that those parts of the structure which may required to be serviced are easily accessible.
The device has an absorption layer, having a coefficient of absorption of less than 1, to which is disposed at its front and end portions an optical medium and a succession of interference layers, each having an optical thickness corresponding to a quarter wavelength of the centre of the absorption spectrum. The interference layers alternate with high and low refractive indices. The length of the absorber is defined as d = m(lambda)/4m, where m is the closest integer to the value: 2n(a)/pi.k; with lambda representing the wavelength of the centre of the spectrum at which the absorbing layer presents an index of refraction, n, and the coefficient of absorption is k. The term n(a) defines the index of refraction in an extended medium disposed upstream of the interference layers.    The interference layers are disposed at least between an absorbing layer and alternate between high and low refraction indices when m is an even number and inversely when m is an odd number.
The turbine wheel (2) has an open configuration and a horizontal shaft (3), and being located downstream of a bottom dam (4). The water current acts on the turbine blades (2') in both its passages in and out of the wheel. The turbine wheel has a cog gear, to the output shaft of which a generator is direct-coupled. The generator is in turn connected to an electricity mains with or without control equipment.    The installation is suitable where there is a water drop of between 1 and 3 metres, and a current of water running at more than 10 cubic metres per second. (Provisional Basic advised Week D34)
The rim is divided into two parts converging in the flow direction, and in the narrowest of these parts is a section which partly encompasses the wheel. The other part section extends from the broadest area to the part partly encompassing the wheel, and has a downstream section which is bent upwards.    The lower part of the guide rim forms a point where it joins a topside plate, so that the water current is divided into a part on the upper side of the installation, with a suction effect on the lower side whose half-round part is joined to the top plate. (Provisional Basic advised Week D34)
In the control appts. the synchronous connection of the generator to the power system by the synchronous on-off unit is detected. Immediately after the synchronous connection, the opening of the guide vanes of the turbine detected by the guide vane position detector is increased up to a range in which the reverse flow of water, that is, the motoring operation tending to occur according to the operating characteristics of the turbine does not take place.    Subsequently, the speed setting unit associated with the speed governor is actuated to reset the speed setting of the governor to the value corresponding to the standard frequency of the voltage in the power system. This guide vane opening is set at a predetermined value which can sufficiently deal with water pressure pulsation in the water passage system.
A cylindrical cistern features two diametrically opposed high openings for the passage of floodwater and two lower openings, one upstream equipped with an isolator and protective movable grating, and the other downstream at the lowest level. Between the upstream and downstream openings a constriction of the cistern is occupied by the turbine to which water is fed by a distributor.    The vertical shaft of the turbine rotates in a bearing to drive the alternator through a speed-multiplying gear train. Pref. the alternator and gear train are mounted on top of the cover of the cistern and protected by a watertight dust-proof envelope. Alternatively they may be installed under the cover so that the cistern can serve as a bridge support without superstructure. The plant is small and easily installed within a dam or bridge support without costly civil engineering works.
The system includes a bulb turbine generator having an electric power generator housed in a bulb shape inner casing and a turbine runner connected to a main shaft of the electric power generator. An outer casing has its annular upstream and downstream ends, disposed outside the inner casing. The inner casing is positioned by stay vanes so as to position the generator partially within the outer casing and partially outside the outer casing.    A draft tube is coupled to the annular downstream end of the outer casing, and a liftable gate is positioned to dam up the water channel. The gate is vertically movable, and has an annular opening. The annular upstream end of the said outer casing is fixedly secured to the annular opening of the gate, so that the generator is disposed on both the upstream and downstream sides of the gate, to minimise the upstream and downstream extent of the movable generator system. The vertical movement of the generator system is thus enhanced by the minimal extent of the generator system.
The appts. allows some flow to be directed to a turbine wheel, which is mounted on a common shaft with the pump impeller. When the electric network requires pumping action, the machine mounted on the main shaft operates as an electric motor, driving the pump impeller and pumping water through the turbine spiral duct. Sleeve valves are open at the pump end and closed at the turbine end.    If the pump delivery rate falls, or a reduced electricity supply is available, the turbine sleeve valve is opened partly to allow the turbine to assist in driving the pump. If the network requires generation, the pump vane is closed and the turbine vanes are fully opened.
The power station building's underwater part (1) has turbine chamber (2), hydro unit (3), suction pipe (4) and water overflows (5). The above water construction (6) has a bridge crane (7). At the top of the power station is a pressure wall (8) containing vertical cavities (9) communicating at the bottom with turbine chamber (2) and overflows (5) and at the top ending in water reception apertures (10). Abutments (11) at the top of wall (8) let the river flow through during construction. Elbow piece (12) joins wall (8) to part (1), as it is joined to part (6) by vertical walls (13) and coverings (14), forming a closed chamber for power transformers etc. Elbow piece (12)'s foundation holds cementation curtain (15). Water from turbines and outlets passes to the lower pool along ferroconcrete galleries (16,17). Construction (6) is a chamber formed by walls (13) and coverings (14). Galleries (16,17) are weighted by ground (18) for stability. Wall (8) is divided into sections by joints (19) overlapped by keys (20) and galleries (16,17) by joints (21). Bul. 1/7.1.81.
The device has at least one semiconductor component and a device monitoring its operation. The monitor is a photoelectric component detecting the recombination radiation emitted as a result of current flowing through the semiconductor component. The monitor controls the current and temperature of the semiconductor component. The monitor is based on a semiconductor and has at least one pn- junction and designed for temperature monitoring with the aid of its transmission properties in the reverse biased phase of the semiconductor component.    Alternatively the monitor may be based on a semiconductor with at least one pn-junction and designed for temp. monitoring with the aid of its dark-current properties in the reverse biased phase of the semiconductor component. The monitor may be otherwise, based on a semiconductor with no pn-junction and designed for temp. monitoring with the aid of changes in its dark resistance in the reverse biased phase of the semiconductor component.
The rotor (1) has a control hub (2) and radial rotor blades (3), with a rim (4) joining their outer ends. The rim (4) has a non-circular configuration when the rotor is at rest, to allow for the deformation caused during high speed rotation, such that it exhibits a circular configuration at the required rotation rate with a given rotor temp. distribution.    Pref. the rotor blades are integral with the rim and the hub and are prestressed in the radial direction when the rotor is at rest. The deviation of the rim from a circular configuration may be obtained by forcing the rotor blades between the hub and a slightly undersized circular rim, or it may be formed initially in the required shape.
The water turbine has a vertical axis and a flywheel. A generator is connected to a continuous rigid shaft (4) and a turbine impeller in an inlet screw type conveyor (1). The weight of the impeller is supported on the foundation.    The inlet screw conveyor is made with external support feet (21). They support the axial load, which is then transferred to the foundation. The support feet are formed by cast ribs. They are hollow and weighted with concrete.
The appts. is for operating a hydraulic machine having a Francis type runner provided with a multi-stage seal (13) between the inner peripheral surface of the runner and the stationary part.    It has a water extracting pipe opening at its one end to one of the seal stages of the multi-stage seal and to a draft tube at its other end. A valve (22) disposed in the water extracting pipe is adapted to be opened when the water head has become greater than a predetermined level during the pumping operation of the hydraulic machine. The valve operation is regulated by an electronic controller (25) incorporating a comparator and an operational amplifier.
A group regulator for a hydro-station's power uses an operational priority of the upper limiting level setter (6) against the lower limiting level setter (7). This eliminates complex mechanical blocking units of the level limiter, and also the minimum regulation range against the upper limiting level can be set.    The upper limiter prevents the adder (3) signal from rising above the setter (6) signal through the integrator (2), which is fed by a receiver (1) of the input signals. The comparator (8) receives the setter's (6,7) signals, and the minimum regulation range setter (9) blocks the lower limiting level setter (5). Bul.43/23.11.80.
The governor uses an error signal representing the disparity between the actual and the required rotation rates. This signal is fed to an integrator (2) providing an output determining the rate of adjustment of the opening of a control element regulating the water flow acting on the rotor of the water turbine.    A limiting circuitry (5) is inserted between the comparison circuit (1) for the actual and required rotation rates and the integrator (2). It limits the input fed to the latter to a value corresp. to the integrator (2) providing an output allowing adjustment of the control element at the max. possible rate. Pref. the limiting circuit (5) uses a saturation amplifier (18). The governor has a rapid response for wide deviations.
The water tower drive system uses water flow diverted from e.g. a river, towards a reservoir, via a regulating inlet valve. A turbine (T) is positioned at the bottom of a tower made up of a pair of coaxial conduits, the water passing up the outer tube (B) and falling through the centre one (C).    The head of water required to obtain this effect is obtained by taking a conduit (A) from the reservoir situated at a height sufficiently great to achieve this. Further towers may be positioned down stream (E) to repeat the effect at suitable intervals.
The energy conversion system utilises gravity flow of water from a high elevation to sea level to provide large pressure gradients in pipe lines as large quantities of water move from a high elevation at low pressure to low elevations at high pressure and then move under controlled conditions to low atmosphere pressure to generate large amounts of electrical current which can be effectively used for electrolysis separation of large volumes of hydrogen gas and oxygen from water and for other purposes.    The water can be used for direct consumption, irrigation in agricultural areas, industrial use, fresh water aquaculture, stored in mass volume for future needs in aquifers or for other purpose. Large volumes of electrical energy may be produced by the flow rate and differential pressure across hydroelectrical turbine blades whether by in-line direct methods or turbine tip high leverage systems.
Energy is produced or converted by lifting of water. First, and air-water drop mixture is created in which suction forces causes water drops to rise from a lower level to a higher one where they are collected. The collected water drops flow back to the lower level via an hydraulic turbine arrangement.    The water drops can reach the lower level in air packets streaming upwards, the drops being separated from the air on the upper level. The upward flow of air packets can be produced by heat transfer between the air and the water drops. This effect can be achieved by heating the air, e.g. from cooling of the water drops. Alternatively, the upward flow of air can be produced by a preceding cooling of the air by a drop in the air. The air can be cooled by injection of water in the air stream.
The beam spot scanning device has a light deflecting portion (7) and a light condensing thin film lens (9) formed on a thin film waveguide (2). In this device, a chirped signal is applied to a surface elastic wave comb-tooth-like transducer constituting the light deflecting portion, whereby scanning of the beam spot is effected on or near the end surface of the thin film waveguide path.    The beam spot scanning device is compact, highly reliable and capable of high-speed scanning, and is applicable in various forms and very high in applicability.
The generator is designed to replace some existing water barrages reducing the cost of hydro-electric generation. The appts consists of a reservoir (1) from which water is taken by a pump (3) via a pipeline (2). The pump supplies a second reservoir at some height above the first.    An asymmetrical siphon (6) takes water from this second reservoir and feeds it to a turbine (5) driving an alternator. The spent water is then returned to the lowest reservoir. The siphon may be primed by the pump and the longest leg of the siphon ie, that leading to the turbine may be spiralled etc. to increase the turbine pressure. The water pressure in the pipe from the first reservoir does not exceed atmospheric pressure such that the power consumption of the pump is minimised.
The set consists of a water turbine (21) coupled to a generator (23) supplying a network with constant frequency. The axial turbine has non-adjustable blades (22) (propeller turbine). The stator winding (31) of the generator is connected to the network via a frequency-controlled converter (43). The speed of the set can be adjusted smoothly to accord with the power to be delivered.    If the generator is an asynchronous type, the stator is best located on the inside and provided with a water-tight sheath (37) and flanged to the turbine tube (39). The water-tight sheath may be made of plastics reinforced with glass fibres. The overhang (32) of the stator winding is bent over at 90 degrees. The rotor (24) of the generator has a cage winding (25). The generator produces a frequency of less than 20 Hz when its converter is supplying a network with 50 or 60 Hz.
The system converts the potential energy stored in an upper reservoir of water into electrical energy. During periods of high energy demand, water is introduced from the upper reservoir into an underground salt dome by way of an underground shaft which connects the upper reservoir with the underground salt dome.    Hydroelectric generators which are located along the shaft convert the kinetic energy of the falling water into electrical energy to meet periodic high energy demands. The water empties into the underground salt dome and dissolves a cavity in the same to produce a large underground reservoir. During periods of electrical energy surplus, electric pumps are utilized to pump the water back to the surface so that the process may be repeated.
The water turbine unit has lead blades adjustably fitted in a crown and running blades adjustably fitted in a running wheel. It incorporates mechanism, for turning the lead blades to adjust an arbitrary crown aperture, and further mechanism to turn the running blades to regulate a running blade angle.    Further controls provide maximum combination of the running blade angle in relation to the lead crown opening so that optimum effect is achieved, and prevent the turbine unit turning at an excessive no-load speed when load is removed. Controls are fitted which produce a crown cut-off if the running blade angle is less than what is required for maximum combination at a given crown opening. (Provisional Basic advised Week D29)
The transformable hydroenergetic arrangement for a fluid storing dam has a conduit for directing passage of fluid flows through to the fluid directing conduit is dually shaped as a frustrum spatial geometrical configuration flaring from the centre line of the dam to both of the dam's opposing faces with a gated fluid flow controlling device provided along the centre line and passing coincidently through the smaller transverse cross-sectional area of the conduit.    A hydromotive assembly is alternatively positioned in combination with either flared portion of the dually-flared conduit. The hydromotive assembly includes a turbine runner disposed within a diffuser tube of a body having a flared extension surrounding the diffuser tube and terminating in an open end allowing evacuation of fluid flows.
A hydraulic turbine guide apparatus emergency shut-down unit consists of electromagnetic control valves (1,2) and a housing with an emergency plate slide valve (5) with a pusher (6) and cover (7), linked by oil lines (8) to the turbine regulator and by lines (9) to the guide apparatus servo drive.    The emergency shut-down unit is designed for greater reliability by having the slide valve housing made sectional, in two parts (3,4) with three control chambers (10,11,12). One control chamber (10) is located in between the pusher (6) and its cover (7), and the other two between the slide valve plates and its housing. One of the control chambers (12) is connected by a pressure line (13) directly to an oil feed source, while the other two (10,12) are linked to the oil feed source via the electromagnetic control valves. Bul.42/15.11.80.
The structure comprises an elongated cylinder with blades/fins hingedly supported on it. When exposed to the driving force the one blade/fin will respond by assuming a position of least resistance to it whereas the 180 degrees opposite blade/fin will assume a position of maximum resistance to it. The hinge supports for the fins/blades has a swivel structure to permit resiliency in the cylinder to the fluid medium. From the rotating structure there is provided coupling for converting the rotational force into electrical power.    In use as a water wheel in a liquid stream, the cylinder has a pump associated with it to adjust the depth of the structure in the fluid stream. When the structure is utilised as a wind mill, the cylinder is pref. upright and supported on a base. Within the base are a series of magnets that when electrically actuated, brakes the rotation of the cylinder. An electrical feedback system from the power source to the magnetic fields controls the magnetic force in a manner directly proportional to the wind velocity.
The pump is for use with corrosive liquids and comprises an impeller (24) driven by an electric motor, the rotor assembly (11) of which is positioned in a chamber (39) formed by a stainless steel liner (26).    The rotor assembly is mounted on a stainless steel tube (41) in a stainless steel can (30). The impeller chamber (37) communicates with the chamber (39) via ports (4) and the chamber (39) is sealed by 'O' rings (6,33). The impeller hub is screwed to the tube (41) which rotates on a P.T.F.E lining (10) of a fixed rod (25). The pump may alternatively operate as a turbo generator.
The blade of a turbine wheel increases efficiency without producing diverse cavitation effect due to the specific profile ratios. Blade inlet angle B1=4.67 squared - 5.700 gr + 1.9709; blade outlet angle B2=3.9146r squared - 3.7182r + 1.0812; max. bend at middle profile =fmax.=0.1196r squared - 0.1344r + 0.0467; max. blade thickness Smax.=0.208r squared - 0.2723r + 0.0935; cylindrical section chord length l=0.912r + 0.1898; chord projection length X=-0.7475r squared + 1.6517r - 0.0124; inlet edge radius rbx=-0.00949r + 0.00674; where: fmax., Smax., l, rbx, r are related to the wheels diameter D1 and the angles B1 and B2 are expressed in radians. The location of the max. bend is equal to 0.45-0.5. The location of max. blade thickness is 0.3-0.4. Bul.39/23.10.80
The device for generating electricity includes a dam which backs up water to a relatively good height, and there is a water flow pipe near the base of the dam for a relatively high flow of water. A number of generating stations is spaced along a downward sloping hill from below the dam to utilise water flowing through the pipe.    At each generating station the water flows through a turbine where water flows through a restricted area, and the rotating turbine is chain connected to a highly efficient electrical generator. The turbine blades which rotate under the influence of water passing through the narrow area, turn at a high revolution to drive the generator, and then the water exhausts down the hill to another station to drive another generator.
The photo element which may incorporate a light guide (1) consisting of a glass rod, can be shaped as a quarter of a circle. This is coated with e.g. an alkali metal (3) forming an electron emitter surface, and housed inside a tube (4) which can be connected to a voltage source (6) so as to act as an anode.    Between the anode tube and the rod is an evacuated space (2) forming a vacuum chamber which is closed by a seal (5) at each end, of non-conductive material. When a light beam (15) enters the rod, electrons are released from the coating (3) which are totally reflected through the rod, giving a voltage across the positive (6) and negative (7) connections at the outer end. An alternative design uses one or more wave shaped light guides.
The undershot current generator consists of a horizontal drive shaft mounted on a float moored or anchored in moving water. The drive shaft is transverse to the moving water below, having at least two sets of 3-bladed paddle assemblies fixed.    The blades are driven by the moving water and power is generated at the drive shaft. This current motor may be used in tidal water or in continuously moving water, such as a river or stream, to generate power for producing electricity, for example.
The power unit is intended for converting wind energy into mechanical energy and using this to pump water from a low-level to a high-level storage reservoir, which is then used to generate power on its return to the lower level.    The wind energy converter comprises a wind driven rotor which is arranged at the higher level and operates (via 7,8) a twin- cylinder (1) reciprocating hydraulic pump connected via two hydraulic oil lines (3) to a hydraulically operated twin-cylinder water pump at the lower level. Each cylinder has the same hydraulic fluid capacity.
The water powered electric generating device which comprises a buoyant platform supported by pylons mounted in the ocean or river bed and which engages the buoyant platform. An axle mechanism is fitted rotatable about an axis and pivotedly adapted to the tower and include an arrangement to rotate the axle in an arc of 120 degs. connected to one end to a tower and on the other end to the axle mechanism.    The axle mechanism and the set of radially and outwardly directed paddle arms are fixedly mounted to the gear train and formed at the outward end thereof into a paddle to engage the moving water and rotate the first gear means. Pinion gearers engages the first gear train and are rotated by it. A generator means is adapted to the pinion gear and activated by it to produce electricity.
The hydroelectric station consists of a closed loop of chambers or basins positioned side by side and interconnected by turbine passages. The basins are pref. artificial in metal or concrete, the passages being horizontal. The basin floors may be approximately at the same level with the exception of one basin providing the fall. One basin (2) is deeper than the remainder such that the passage (9) supplying it provides a natural fall (14). The water from this basin is taken up by a pump (15) and passed to the next basin (3).    The pumping energy may be solar, wind or may be taken from one of the turbines. The station may use a local river etc. as part of its loop. Overflow of a basin is arranged to be taken up by succeeding basins.
The method is for operating a hydraulic turbine. When the hydraulic turbine is operated so as to shift the load from the watered condition at guide vanes closed to the generating operation area in a condition that the runner rotates in the turbine rotating direction, the hydraulic machine is temporarily disconnected from the electric power system to decrease the revolution per minute and to allow the load to smoothly shift from the motoring operation to the power generation operation in the version of the hydraulic machine characteristic.    Under this condition, the guide vane is gradually opened to set the revolution per minute to a given value, and then the hydraulic machine is recoupled with the electric power system for gaining the load.
The process comprises sending a control signal to mechanism (6) for turning the blades. The signal is formed on the basis of a combined dependence between the pressure and a parameter denoting the position of the stator. For precision and simplicity of operation, the parameter is the angle of turn of the stator blades.    From the output of the convertor (3), the signal goes to one input of the multiplication block (4), to other input of which comes an electrical signal from the transducer (2) proportional to the turn angle of the stator blades. The signal from unit (4) goes to the input of a second non-linear convertor (5) which produces the desired dependence. Bul.33/7.9.80.
Water from a main reservoir is conducted in a tunnel to the power unit installed in a chamber. From a return reservoir, it is further fed in a tunnel to another reservoir connected to the first. By means of an explosion in a cavity, the water is lifted, and further water from the intermediary magazine enters to take its place.    Gases produced by the explosion are conducted away in a pipe to a collection unit. (Provisional Basic advised Week D12)
The alternator has twelve or more poles and has a core in slots in which a winding is located. Two contra-rotating rotors (12,26) may be provided together with a compensating field coil. The compensating coil may be fed by rectified output from the alternator. For single phase working the winding is a sinuous multi-turn coil laid into slots of differing pitch without cross-overs. For multi-phase working a similar or a conventional winding may be used.    Tapered ceramic permanent magnets may be located between adjacent pole pieces. Where permanent magnets are used the flux in the air gap is kept constant using tapered claws or skewed slots.
The signal is not absorbed during detection by producing in the p-n junction an inverse population by application to it of a turning-on potential. An optical signal propagating in a medium with inverse population induces the recombination.    The use of a p-n junction biased in the forward directions limits the voltage drop across it to 2-3 V. Optical signals are amplified in a p-n junction in a limited frequency range which can be further narrowed by regenerative operation. This eliminates external optical filters.    Optical waveguide of the p-n junction is a mode filter, since only rays entering it at an angle smaller than critical can propagate in it. Thus the light is amplified instead of being attenuated. The recombination reduces the concentration of electrons and holes in the p-n junction, reducing the voltage drop across the laser diode. This increases the current in the following circuit. Bul.30/15.8.80.
The reference source is for integrated circuit FET devices and is designed to increase the influence of the control gate potential on the gate charge. The semiconductor cross-section has a base substrate as a source (S) that is formed in a main substrate (Su).    An isolator (I) is overlaid, with a memory gate (G1) set a small distance from the base. The control gate (G2) is set some five millimetres away with separating isolation material. Ultraviolet light (UV) is applied to the channel region over a window (BF). Additional windows are provided (Bf) for further control.
The hydroelectric power station has a turbine (2,6) with a matching housing (5) containing a generator driven by the turbine. A float (8,9) is located in the water reservoir above the inlet and is connected to the adjustable guide vanes (16) of the turbine to adjust them.    The float adjusts the flow of water through the turbine in proportion to the level of the reservoir. The guide vanes are adjusted by rotation around their axes and are connected by links to the float. The axes of rotation of the vanes are eccentric to their load axes..    The power station is simple and inexpensive and is partic. useful in small waterways.
The machine has several runner wheels, each with a housing and a crown cap. From the water inlet side is drilled an air venting channel down to the rear side through each runner wheel. To each runner wheel housing is allocated an air venting chamber at the outlet part of the air venting channel. At the radially outer part of each chamber the channel is provided with a water seal.    On the outer side is an air venting device for each chamber. The water seal, associated with the highest pressure state, is a labyrinth sealing between the cover and the runner wheel crown cap of the highest pressure stage. All water seals of the other stages are in form of labyrinth passages between the respective runner wheel and the crown cap of the respective stage. Alternately, the water seals are formed by ribs, radially arranged on the rear sides of the caps.
The small floating power plant is anchored in streams and rivers and has a relatively wide inlet opening for the active top layer of the water stream. During the flow the stream velocity is braked, resulting in the release of an energy which can be converted into electric current. Inside the inlet opening a baffle diverts the water flow in such manner that it reaches at neutralised velocity the impeller region.    The cross sectional surface of the flow channel from the inlet opening tapers in the direction of the impeller position, with the incorporation of central conical bodies. Then it opens up to the original cross sectional surface at the outlet. With the braked speed of the impeller the kinetic weight of the closed water column has an optimal effect under pressure and suction conditions on the impeller blades, providing continuous work force for energy.
Hydro-electric power station frequency control by measuring the station frequency deviation to control active power can increase system reliability by also measuring the station mechanical moment in each control cycle to form estimate signals.    The signal estimating the frequency deviation is formed by adding memorised estimates of the two deviations in the preceding cycle to the measured mechanical moment and frequency deviation in the instantaneous cycle. For the active power estimate the memorised preceding-cycle deviation estimates are summed with the instantaneously measured frequency deviation. Then coefft. determined by system parameters are applied for a prognosis.    For this, the frequency sensor and setter and the moment measurer connect to a computer. Its output to the active power actuator via a D/A converter is a prediction based on summation of the estimates obtained and the mechanical moment to which coeffts. are applied according to the time constant of piping and the renewal period of control action. Bul.28/30.7.80.
The electrical energy generator is based on atmospheric and water pressure, and is esp. useful in areas remote from conventional installations. The system consists of a closed loop formed by a hydroelectric turbine (9) and vacuum pumps (4) between a group of three water reservoirs (1,7,5) arranged in three vertical steps the overall height being less than ten meters.    Water from the base tank is drawn alternately to two small upper tanks (2) by the vacuum pumps and tank pressure via an automatic valve (3). The tanks are released alternately into the highest reservoir and then the second via and driving the vacuum pumps. The water finally flows to the lowest reservoir driving the turbine generator, the return path to the upper tanks being assisted by the air pressure built up within it.
Storage containers (11) are each rotatably mounted at one end to a generator (12) in a 'rosette' pattern. Cables (13) are attached to the ends of the containers (11) to reduce lateral motion. Electrical energy is produced by rotation of the containers (11) fed from the system to off-shore use, part of the energy being utilised within the system itself for maintaining energy of rotation, pumping, lighting, heating, cooling etc.    In addition to energy of rotation, evaporation energy also may be used for off-shore use and for the system. Liquid may be pumped into or out of the containers for storage purposes or for off-shore use; also, condensed vapour may be returned to the system or it simply may be forwarded off-shore.
Hydraulic turbine automatic starter consists of a mechanism (1) to limit the opening of the control apparatus, and a pressure sensor (5) with a shaped cam (6), linked by a spring-loaded lever (7) and transmission unit (2) to the main slide valve (3), which is connected to a servomotor (4).    The starter is designed for a variable opening of the control apparatus during starting by having the limited opening mechanism (1) linked kinematically to the pressure sensor (5), e.g. via a lever (8) carrying a solenoid (9) with a revolutions relay (10) in its circuit. The relay (10) is set to operate when turbine revs are 30-50 per cent of nominal. Bul.30/15.8.80.
A method of converting a rotary-bladed hydroelectric generating turbine into a synchronous compensator mode consists of closing the guide system (3), setting the rotor (7) blades in the closed position and subsequent expulsion of the water from the rotor chamber.    The method is designed for greater reliability by setting the rotor blades at the starting angle after the expulsion of water from the rotor chamber, and is carried out by using an electrohydraulic converter (1), a guide system opening limiter, a differential time relay (13) with its normally-open contacts (14) connected to the feed circuit of the limiter (12), a rotor blade automatic feathering slide valve (8), and a level relay (11), and differs by having the slide valve (8) equipped with an electromagnet (9) with the contacts (10) of the level relay (11) connected to its feed circuit. Bul.30/15.8.80.
An experimental hydraulic turbine feed chamber, for use e.g. on research models, consists of a spiral casing (1) with thrust flanges (2). The feed chamber is designed for greater testing precision by having the casing (1) and flanges (2) made from a composition material with reinforcing strips (3) and rings (4).    One end of each strip (3) is fixed to a ring (4), while the other end passes outside the casing (1) to a tensioner bolt (5). During research a flow of fluid under pressure loads the chamber casing: the pre-tensioned strips (3) ensure minimal casing deformation and help it to retain its shape. Bul.30/15.8.80.
A fluid driven rotary engine which drives an electric generator comprises a stationary axle having an interior space for receiving water or other liq. under pressure from an external source, and at least one spoked wheel assembly rotatable about the axis. A set of angularly spaced wheel spokes extend radially from the hub. A set of liq. collection containers is associated with, and fixed to the hollow spokes at the outer end, each spoke opening into the interior of the container that is fixed to it.    The axle and hub have apertures arranged to establish fluid communication between the interior space and each spoke for enabling liq. to flow to the container for collection as each spoke rotates through a pre-selected segment of the circular path of motion of the wheel assembly. The assembly is rotated in a pre-selected direction by the force-exerting weight of the liq. collected in the containers.
The P-layer (1) overlying a P+ layer (2) in a semiconductor wafer is subjected to chemical etching followed by doping with N-type impurity. A N+ layer (10) is thus formed around the sides and base of a cavity (4) into which the fibre end (5) is introduced. Pref. the cavity is formed by a slow etchant to provide a flat base for optimum coupling of the diode to the plane end of the fibre..    Positioning of the fibre end is facilitated and the conventional base of the head can be replaced by simple plastics protecting material.
The electrical energy generator uses the conversion of the spectrum of solar energy received or the conversion of terrestrial heat energy, to an electromagnetic spectrum. In the solar convertor mode the generator is based on the reception of sunlight from a parabolic mirror and lens system by two electrodes (5,6) which switch the light alternately between two outgoing light guides (7,8). Each such guide may be coiled to form the primary winding of a transformer with an associated secondary circuit (9,10).    In the heat energy source case, water drawn from a subterranean source transmits its heat to thermo - photo - electric or thermo - magnetic - electric transducers supported by a thermal exchange system.
The energy storage system is partic. applicable to wind, tidal, or water current conversion where the power is variable and often insufficient for satisfactory operation of an electric generator. A windmill (4) (or water turbine) is used to raise water from a sump (2) via a pipe (3) to be discharged into a large tank (6) at the top of a tower (7). The tank is supported underneath by two catches (19) which move aside when the water reaches a preset level, allowing the tank to fall, and as it does so a gear train (15,16) couples the cable supporting the tank to a generator. Thus electricity is generated and the rate of fall of the tank governed by the generator load.    When the tank reaches the bottom a post (18) in the sump forces open the hinged base of the tank, allowing all water to escape. A counterweight (14) attached to the tank support cables has been drawn up as the tank fell, and now rises, returning the tank to the top of the tower.
The plant utilises the difference in potential energy between two sections of water at different levels. It uses a float (11) which can move vertically within a sleeve (10) having water inlet and outlet openings (14), the movement of the float coupled to a hydraulic pumping system providing the water for driving a turbine generator.    Pref. the float (11) comprises an inner tube (15) with a base plate (16) partway up it from which a piston rod (18) depends, carrying the piston (19) of a water pressure pump (25), with a vertical pump cylinder resting on the bottom of the sleeve (10).
Bearing design of a kaplan water turbine is facilitated firstly by use of the exit cone for support of the inlet volute and secondly by supporting the turbine head on the generator shaft. The turbine speed regulation is improved by centrifugal control of the angle of the turbine blades and a centrifugally operated overspeed brake.    Centrifugal force acts on masses in the turbine head which operates against spring force to adjust the blade angle through linkages acting on a sleeve which acts on a profile coupled to the blades. To prevent overspeed due to lag in the turbine response in the event of loss of load on the generator, a centrifugally operated brake, operating against adjustable spring force, moves a braking surface against a corresponding surface coupled to the generator shaft by fusible pins which provide protection against overheating.
The method of increasing the reflection from fluroescent surfaces for road signs etc. involves forming a pattern of Fresnel lenses on the reflective material. The rear of this surface is also covered with a light reflective layer or foil. The ring zones of this foil can be matched to the pattern of lenses and they can be polarised during mfr.    Fresnel ring zones can be located on the reflective surface, as required, suitably distributed. The zones can be embossed directly into luminescent or fluorescent sheet, in suitable patterns. They can be polarised and have their own electrets. The lenses can be of any required thickness and can be coloured and used with liq. crystal displays.
The method is for controlling and coordinating the power generated by a combined system of thermal units and hydro plants. In particular, hydro generation is determined for each of the hydro plants of the system as they are distributed groups, each group corresponding to a given river system. Because the amount of water flowing down a river system is dependent upon the amount of water released into the river system, calculation of the power generated by the hydro plants disposed upon a single river is conducted based upon the water flow and power generated by a single plant termed a control plant.    Assuming a set of lambdas, for example the lambdas calculated for the previous day, the water allocation of not only the control plant but the remaining or dependent plants is determined by multiplying the incremental water rate curve of the control plant by an artificial cost variable gamma. By varying gamma, the water allocation for the control plant is met for the assumed lambdas.
Table can be used for measurement of electrical parameters, e.g. of the efficiency of photoelectric cells. Reliability in maintaining the temperature constant is increased, while energy and water are saved by provision of a cooling radiator (7) and a gas container (5) connected through the radiator (7) to the recess for the coolant. It is provided with a capillary structure (2) on the top wall of the recess. The capillaries (3) reach the opposite wall.    The coolant (acetone, argon, air) is fed through the pipe (8). Light from the lamp (15) heats the top surface of the table (1) and evaporates the coolant (4) from the capillaries (3). Its vapour pushes out the air from the pipe (6), condenses and flows back to the recess. A boundary between the vapour and air is formed in the radiator (7). It moves up and down in accordance with the heat flow in the pipe (6). In all cases the gas pressure is constant owing to the large size of the container (5). This keeps the vapour and the table temperature constant. Bul.25/7.7.80.
The hydraulic speed governor comprises a speed-responsive element to generate an electrical signal representing a deviation of hydraulic turbine rotational speed. The speed responsive element is connected to a shaper coupled with the input of an electrohydraulic servosystem.    The electrohydraulic servo system comprises a summing amplifier to amplify the electrical signals of the hydraulic turbine control, connected with an electromechanical transducer coupled with a hydraulic actuator. The latter has a control slide valve and a servomotor and is connected through an initiating and a main servomotor having a rod which is coupled, by an electromechanical feedback device, with the summing amplifier. The control slide valve of the hydraulic actuator being set w.r.t the bushing at a position displaced w.r.t. it central position in the direction of action of the main servomotor to open the distributor when the power supply to the governor is disconnected.
A turbine generator (1) is suspended freely in a flow of water. e.g. river or other water course, and has external stabilising fins to keep its inlet facing upstream. The generator may be attached to a post (3) set into a bed of the water course or to an anchored buoy..    No fixed installation is required. The generator can be set up anywhere.
Underground pumped storage type hydroelectric station has increased power due to the reduced distance between reservoirs. Its high level reservoir is located underground and filled with compressed air.    The station includes the machine (2,3) hall (1). The turbines (2) communicate via shaft (4) to the reservoirs (5,6). The reservoir (5) is filled with compressed air and its shell has gas tight, heat insulating, jacket. At peak demands, the water from the reservoir (5) drives the turbines which in turn drive the electric generators.    The spent water goes to the reservoir (7). At low demands, the system pumps water from the reservoir (7) to (5). The warm water increases the air temp. and pressure and also the pressure difference between the high and low level sides. Bul. 25/7.7.80.
The current circuit for a light diode (2) is controlled by two photodiodes (6,7) arranged to affect the base in each of two transistors (3,4) in a Darlington coupling.    One photo-diode (6) is affected by weak ambient light, whilst the other (7) is subject to stronger light.
The pump turbine has a high pressure stage and at least one low pressure stage, the individual stages being coupled together in series via a feedback line. The rotor of each stage carries angularly-spaced control blades set at a selected degree of opening, the rotors being coupled to a shaft. The pump turbine operates as a pump or as a turbine in dependence on the direction of rotation.    The rotor of the low pressure stage has a dia. which is between 0.86 and 0.96 times the dia. of the rotor for the high pressure stage. Where several low pressure stages are used, each has a rotor with a reduced dia. relative to the rotor of the preceding stage.
The pumo turbine rotates at a constant rate and has the high and low pressure stages coupled to one another via a feedback line. The degree of opening for the control blades of both stages is controlled simultaneously to obtain identical values when the pump turbine is operating as a pump and the control blades for the different stages are controlled independently when it is operating as a turbine. In both cases any adjustment of the blades is made in accordance with a variation in the operating characteristics.    Pref., when the pump turbine is operating as a turbine, the degree of opening of the control blades for the low pressure stage is the same or greater than that for the control blades of the high pressure stage.
An encapsulated hydroelectrod set for oower stations on flat country rivers has a horizontal shaft with an imoeller, driving the rotor of a generator. The inner shell ring of the turbine stator has on its inside a number of radial ribs which carry on the end faces towards the headrace a ring, concentric to the shell ring.    A segmental thrust bearing is attached to the ring, also a counterthrust bearing, and a flange on the turbine shaft between these bearings transfers to them the thrust in either direction..    This system relieves the stator of the generator from axial loads and transfers them to the turbine stator. The new design simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the set and provides better access for servicing.
The hydro-electric turbine is mounted in a sealed casing and consists of a circular mass of variable density, turning freely in a totally sealed environment about a fixed axle. It is driven by a centrifugal electric pump located externally and operating in a closed circuit. Its functioning is based on matching its mass and energy.    The axle is tubular, and is pierced all around by a number of holes. One of its extremities extends out of the casing, and is connected to the exhaust of the pump. The other end of the axle is blocked, and carries a central machine drive shaft. The output port of the casing is connected to the input of the pump. The rotor has radial channels perpendicular to the holes in the axle on a surface which corresponds to it. Each channel feeds a narrower channel which is perpendicular to the surface and opens into the exterior of the turbine. The rotation of the turbine commences with the starting of the pump, and the feed into the axle is restored in the radial channels and fed back to the pump.
The hydroelectric plant has a turbine with a fixed part that has adjustable blades for water inlet and the fan wheel located in-line directly below. The fixed part passes into the higher chamber. This part is high enough for the upper part of the generator (11) to be clear of the water.    The water outlet cone (16) connected to the turbine (9) is curved to prevent water being ejected directly at the bottom (17) of the lower-level water channel.
The revolution control has an additional device employed during start-up. It allows a closed control loop to be used for the acceleration throughout the whole revolution running-up phase, with the max. output level used as the reference for the acceleration.    The circuit receives an input error signal obtained from the difference between the actual revs. of the controlled groups and a reference value dependant on the revolutions to be obtained. When the error signal is below a given threshold the acceleration control is automatically by the revolution control which maintains the revolutions to within given tolerance limits.
Power generating installation prevents blocking of osmotic batteries by floating dirt and increases the water pressure intensity. It includes top dam (1) which contains generator (2), bottom dam (3) and the adjoining, round, osmotic batteries (4). The complex also includes inlet and outlet gates (5,6), an additional generator (8) and the estuary (7). The sea (13) and the river (14) are located on each of its sides.    When the gates (5) and (6) are closed, the estuary (7) water level is at low tide whilst the basin (9) level is equal to the river's (14). This corresponds to maximum water temperature and concentration. When the gate (12) is opened, the fresh water operates the osmotic battery and forms the level drop utilised by generator (2).    The opening of the gate (5), when the tide comes-in, produces a level drop of significant amplitude and height greater than the incoming tide. This results in resonance between estuary water natural vibrations period and the incoming tide vibrations frequency. The effect is utilised by the generator (8). The latter increases the power stations output and ensures mixing of fresh and salt waters which in turn helps to maintain the required water concentration around the batteries. Bul.22/15.6.80.
The water wheel has an endless belt assembly, revolving around two rotatable rollers (3,4) fitted to horizontal axles (1,2) mounted one above the other at a spacing adequate to fully extend the belt. The belt has horizontal cross-members (8) each equipped with wires to retain a long trough (9), open along one broad side and closed along the opposite narrow side.    When positioned under a duct of flowing water (11), the troughs (9) fill with water and the additional weight causes the belt to rotate, as each trough empties as it turns through the lowest point. The axle (1) through the upper roller is connected to a gearing block (6) and a generator (7).
The control system for hydro-electric power plants includes a frequency dependent summing device for the generator with three inputs controlling it. One input receives reference signals corresponding to the load, and another is connected to a load measuring device on the generator. The third is connected with a device monitoring the position of the water supply control members.    The output is connected to a control system for operating these controllers. The algebraic sum of the received signals is divided into two different frequencies and the low frequency component is dependent on the second input while the high frequency component is dependent on the third input. The characteristic curve of the summing device is given by a formula using the three amplification factors, the frequency, the signals from the three reference sources, and two frequency dependent time constants.
Appts. for optimal distribution of loads, between energy units, relates to specialised analog computers for economic active load distribution between hydro-electric power stations. It is made more accurate by use of growth meters and a minimum and maximum relative growth selector unit and a minimum matching unit., a maximum matching unit and a load and an unload finder.    Operation is based on a formula w.r.t., a Legrange indeterminate function characterising the relative growth in fuel usage, fuel functions, supply of water temperatures deviations, vacuum deviation, gas fraction usage, cold air temperature deviation, and various settings and power values.    Initially, a limiter receives settings for minimum and maximum permissable powers at the power units. Supply of the corresponding potentials, from two parameter sensors to the output of a growths meter, forms a voltage proportional to the relative fuel consumption of the first energy unit. This is also passed to a minimum relative consumption selection unit and a maximum unit. Relays operate to switch signals to a comparator causing a reduction in power of one unit w.r.t. an imbalance condition.    The device can function without an operator and prevents the appearance of oscillations or unstable operation. Bul. 19/25.5.80.
The hydro-electric plant uses a diversion dam which projects partway into a flowing river or stream. A series of water wheels and turbines positioned at the end of the dam convert the water flow to electric power. The diversion dam includes a series of flood or control gates to allow water to be released when it is abundant and to contain the water at the head gate when it is needed.    Other features include the use of a debris fence and a water purification system. The water wheels include hydraulic lifts to allow the wheel to be raised or lowered thus enabling the wheels to be placed in or out of operation, as needed.
The optoelectronic device has a glass substrate (11) with a cadmium sulphide layer (12). A structure comprising opaque masks (14) (pref. made of tantalum), a silicon layer (16) and an aluminium layer is located between the CdS layer and the substrate. This sandwich structure is subjected to thermal shock by means of a laser beam in order to increase its photoconducting properties.    A layer of cadnium chloride is deposited on top of the CdS layer before the thermal shock process is begun and over those regions being subjected to thermal shock.
A sensor for use in semiconductor technology for detecting X-rays emitted by an object (2) bombarded by electrons produces a magnetic field. The electrons (4) entering the sensor from the object (2) are deflected by this magnetic field in a direction (P) which leads away from the detector element (6). The X-rays pass straight to the detector element.    The deflected electrons are pref. absorbed by a medium (10) which renders them harmless, more specifically having a sawtooth surface. Preferred materials for this medium are those which emit scarcely any fluorescent X-rays or only such rays with very low energy, when bombarded by electrons and X-rays.    Used esp. for analysing very small component parts of an object to detect the elements and substances contained there according to X-rays emitted under electron bombardment.
A photocathode including an electron emitting portion having a patterned surface is made by (a) coating a semiconductor layer (10) with an insulating layer (11), (b) coating the insulator with electron sensitive material, (c) scanning with an electron beam in a predetermined pattern, (d) developing the scanned layer to form a perforated mask, (e) etching the insulator through the mask to form a dimpled surface and (f) depositing a conductor (13) on the dimpled surface, so the conductor also has a dimpled surface. The semiconductor acts as the photonabsorbing portion and the conductor as the electron emitting portion when a voltage is applied between them, electrons being emitted in accordance with impinging light.    The structure provides crowding of minority carriers under thin insulator regions, reducing the time constant of the detector.
A film preventing infrared ray reflection is obtd. by providing Ti oxide film as the 1st layer (from the base plate) in anti-reflection film of infrared ray optical base plate (e.g. Ge or Si). The relation between the optical thickness of the Ti oxide film, n1d1, and that of the 2nd layer (e.g. ZnS),n2d2 is n1d1 + n2d2= lambda/4 and n1d1 is 10-50 nm (lambda is the central wave length of reflection-preventing wavelength region).    The film has excellent in moisture resistance and can be used for near-infrared region. The control of the film thickness can be carried out by both infrared ray and visible light.
X-ray radiation sensor comprises a mount (42) with a tapering penetrating hole securely engaged in a tapered hole penetrating a substrate (30), the tapers of the holes matching, with a semiconductor radiation sensor element (28) fixed in the hole of the mount. The semiconductor element has a thickness such that X-rays are attenuated by less than 800 microns of aluminium thickness equivalent. Leads (31,33) formed of a layer of aluminium less than 80 microns are connected to the sensor element electrodes, and at least one scattered X-ray eliminating grid is arranged in parallel with the substrate and sensor element.    Used in an automatic X-ray exposure control system. Sensor device can be positioned in front of an X-ray film (26) to be exposed to X-rays and can reduce the rate of X-ray geometrical magnification as much as possible so as to produce a finely resolved image of an object on the X-ray film.
A substrate made of CdTe is covered by epitaxial growth with a layer (I) of Hg(1-xo)Cd(xo)Te. The coated substrate is then heated to melt layer (I), followed by rapid cooling so layer (I) is converted into a homogeneous layer (Ia) of Hg(1-x)- Cd(x)Te, where the desired value (x) is larger than (xo).    The substrate covered with layer (Ia) is pref. used as an infrared (IR) detector, where the bare substrate surface opposite the coated surface is exposed to IR. A pn junction is pref. located in layer (Ia) directly adjacent to the substrate. The advantage is that layer (Ia) is extremely homogeneous, and there is an abrupt transition from the substrate to layer (Ia), i.e. an extremely thin intermediate zone.
The monitor includes a scintillation material, which emits optical photons when subjected to radiation; and a detector receives the photons to produce an electric signal proportional to the initial radiation. Material exhibits a hysteresis effect, which is reduced by heat treatment. The heat treatment pref. consists of 2-7 hrs. at 500-575 deg.C., then cooling to room temp. in 10-60 hrs. The pref. treatment is 2 hrs. at 500 deg.C with cooling during 60 hrs.; and material is esp. CsI doped with Tl and heated in argon for 4 hrs. at 575 deg.C, then cooled during 10 hrs.    Used for detecting the intensity of X-rays in computer tomography so the shortest possible exposures can be provided for patients.
Power supply system has a fuel cell in which hydrogen and oxygen are combined to produce water and electrical energy. The water from the fuel cell is allowed to fall to an impulse turbine to cause rotation of the impeller blades to produce further electrical energy. The water is then fed to an electrolyser to produce hydrogen, by the electrolysis of water, the hydrogen being fed to the fuel cell to produce further water.    Provides an economical system for producing energy from an abundant fuel source i.e. water.
A coating to prevent optical crosstalk in a detector array includes an opaque first layer of Ti 2000-3000 angstroms thick, a dielectric aluminium oxide second layer of 1/4 wave optical thickness at 2.8 microns. a semitransparent Ti third layer 140 angstroms thick, and a dielectric top layer, all layers being vacuum deposited.    The coating produces high absorption by trapping radiation in a resonant cavity formed by the opaque and semitransparent metal layers which absorb radiation at each bounce, with the fourth layer also increasing the amount of radiation trapped. Semitransparent layer thickness is critical.
The element comprises a photoconductive layer (3) of amorphous Si and H adjacent an electrode on a substrate (1), adhered to the electrode (2) by a metallic layer (8) of Ta, Cr, W, Nd, Mo, V and/or Ti, opt. forming part of the electrode. Photoconductor, electrode and metal layer are pref. light transmitting.    The substrate pref. includes an electronic circuit for driving the photoconversion element, with the electrode electrically connected to the circuit and a light transmitting second electrode (7) on the photoconductive layer, esp. with a layer of (i) oxide of Si, Ti, Al, Mg, Ba, Ta, W, Bi, V, Ge, Ni, Th, Mo, Fe, La, Be, Sc and/or Co, (ii) nitride of Ga, Si, Mg, Ta, Hf, Zr, Nb and/or B and/or (iii) halide of Na, Mg, Li, Ba, Ca and/or K between photoconductor and second electrode. An image pickup device comprises a number of elements as above.    The metallic layer prevents peeling of the photoconductive layer, with consequent spotty picture and increased dark current. The oxide/nitride/halide layer provides low dark current even at high target voltage.
Device is formed by depositing a semiconductor cpd. or soln. on a substrate in an atmos. contg. active H, active O or active N with a pp. of 1X10 power minus 3 torr. or less in a vacuum container. In a pref. method, H2, O2 or N2 is introduced into the vacuum container at a pressure of 1 torr. or less; a current of 0.01-1 ma. is applied using an e beam at 500-300V so that the gas is converted to active gas; and the pressure is then reduced to 1X10 power minus 3 torr. or less.    Semiconductor cpds. CdS, CdSe, ZnSe, ZnS, ZnTe or CdTe, or solid solns. of these may be deposited having desired p,n,p+ or n+ properties and to a desired thickness. The resulting evapn. device may be e.g. a photoconductive target for a television camera tube. Film having desired semiconductor properties and thickness is formed without the need for any heat treatment steps etc.
Reliable contact of the surface barrier detector of nuclear radiation with its working surface, immunity, to mechanical interferences and as resistance to low temp. is due to the adhesive.The latter is in the form of a polymer film, such as polyvinylbutyral, while the design reduces the amt. of material which scatters the nuclear radiation and provides simpler manufacture.The assembly is heated under a slight pressure to reach the softening point of the adhesive film followed by cooling and vacuum deposition on the part of the film exudate between the crystal and the metal plate during heating. The silicon crystal(I) is coated with the rings of film(2) on both sides and then silvered brass rings of foil (3) are placed on the adhesive rings for heating to 160-180 deg. C.The brass rings form the detector frame while Au deposit (5) on the projected adhesive film provides the guard for the smooth transition of crystal working surface and the metal foil. Bul.44/30.11.80.
A protected optical element (I) comprises a transparent substrate having a polished optical surface coated with a plasma polymerised satd. short chain hydrocarbon film which increases transmission in the 8-12 micron region while providing a protective coating against corrosion and abrasion.    Also claimed is the method of forming (I) by placing the optical element in an RF discharge reactor, operated pref. at 50-200W; passing a gaseous alkane monomer through the reactor to deposit a thin film of polymer on the optical surface; and subsequently passing a gaseous alkene through the reactor to quench any remaining free radicals..    Used in IR detectors etc.
In the prodn. of semiconducting, highly T1-doped Si (I), a Si rod or bar is doped with a metallic alloy (II) contg. T1. (II) is pref. an alloy of T1 (1 pt.) with Au (4 pts.), Ag (4 pts.) or Sn (3 pts.). T1 is incorporated in a concn. of ca. 10 exp. 18 or 10 exp. 19 T1 atoms/cm3. Doping is carried out by noncrucible zone melting, using a (II) moulding, e.g. wafer, which is placed at the start of the rod to be zone melted or applied to continuous or discrete positions on the rod, to give a uniform T1 distribution.    (I) is specified for making opto-electronic devices and IR sensors. The use of (II) as dopant greatly reduces the T1 vapour pressure and hence considerably increases the possible T1 concn.
In the prodn. of semiconducting, highly Sb-doped Si (I), a Si rod or bar is doped with a metallic alloy (II) contg. Sb. (II) is pref. an alloy of Sb (1 wt.pt.) with Au (4 pts.), Ag (4 pts.), Sn (3 pts.) or Si (5 pts.). Sb is incorporated in a concn. of ca. 10 exp. 19 to 10 esp. 20 Sb atoms/cm3. Doping is carried out by noncrucible zone melting, using a (II) moulding, e.g. wafer, which is placed at the start of the rod to be zone melted or applied to continuous or discrete positions on the rod, to give a uniform Sb distribution.    (I) is specified for making opto-electronic devices and IR sensors. The use of (II) as dopant greatly reduces the Sb vapour pressure and hence considerably increases the possible Sb concn.
Prodn. of semiconducting, highly In-doped Si (I) entails first producing a metallic alloy (II) contg. In, then fusing this with Si in a crucible and drawing a highly doped Si rod or bar from this. Pref. (II) is an alloy of In (1 pt.) with Au (3 pts.), Ag (5 pts.), Sn (3 pts.) or Si (9 pts.). In is incorporated in a concn. of ca. 10 exp. 19 or 10 exp. 20 In atoms/cm3. Ar under slight over-pressure is used as protective gas.    (I) is specified for making opto-electronic devices and IR sensors. The use of (II) as dopant greatly reduces the In vapour pressure and hence increases the possible In concn.
Prodn. of semiconducting, highly T1-doped Si (I) entails first producing a metallic alloy (II) contg. T1, then fusing this with Si in a crucible and drawing a highly doped Si rod or bar from this. Pref. (II) is an alloy of T1 (1 wt.pt.) with Au (4 pts.), Ag (4 pts.) or Sn (3 pts.). T1 is incorporated in a concn. of ca. 10 exp. 18 or 10 exp. 19 T1 atoms/cm3. Ar under slight over-pressure is used as protective gas.    (I) is specified for making opto-electronic devices and IR sensors. The use of (II) as dopant greatly reduces the T1 vapour pressure and hence considerably increases the possible T1 concn.
Prodn. of semiconducting, highly Sb-doped Si (I) entails first producing a metallic alloy (II) contg. Sb, then fusing this with Si in a crucible and drawing a highly doped Si rod or bar from this. Pref. (II) is an alloy of Sb (1 wt.pt.) with Au (4 pts.), Sn (3 pts.) or Si (5 pts.). In (sic.; Sb) is incorporated in a concn. of ca. 10 esp. 19 or 10 exp. 20 Sb atoms/cm3. Ar under slight over-pressure is used as protective gas.    (I) is specified for making opto-electronic devices and IR sensors. The use of (II) as dopant greatly reduces the Sb vapour pressure and hence considerably increases the possible Sb concn.
A fibre optics module consists of a substrate with an optoelectronic device on its surface and a planar optically active face. An optical fibre is introduced in a plane parallel to the planar optically active face and is then deflected in a right angle to be coupled to the latter. The optoelectronic device, which is a part of an integrated circuit, is preferably a light-emitting diode or a photodiode.    The complete assembly has an exceptionally low profile. Its simplicity reduces the cost for its mfr.
Method for prodn. and use of an accumulator is claimed in conjunction with patent nos.2408040 and 2725680 and the printing ink accumulator; in the use for storage of current from solar sheets and prodn. of rain.    An electro-osmotic accumulator is constructed in which an electrode 'a', an electrode 'b' and a diaphragm space (C) are used, immersed in an aq. soln. of soot, lime and water or printing ink. The diaphragm space comprises molecular capacitors, microscopic conducting molecules with an isolation film and a coating of conductive metal formed by vapour deposition, electrostatic adhesion of metal dust or deposited carbon particles in dense printing ink. The conductive diaphragm electrode 'b' is sepd. uniformly from an electrode b(x) also in aq. soot soln., or may be on its own and connected with a second similar cell. For charging up the electrode 'a' of one container and the electrode 'a(1)' of the other container are connected together and electrodes b(DC) of the two containers are connected together; so that in each diaphragm space another charge is stored. On discharge both diaphragm electrodes of the storage space of both cells are discharged across a rheostat.    Both containers are constructed as crystalline pyramids in which a waterproof container in pyramide shape with small crystalline squares is provided; with worked in grooves and ribs, suitably pressed together, without mortar, adhesive etc., and can be cast in the form of lava.
The appts. has first and second tanks to receive liquid, and a primary float in the first tank to be elevated as the level of liquid in the first tank rises. The level is lowered when the level of liquid in the first tank falls. A primary pump is coupled to the float to pump liquid from the second tank in response to float movement vertically, in the first tank. Energy is generated in response to the flow of liquid to the first tank. An upper tank is provided at a higher elevation than the first and second tanks, to receive liquid pumped from the second tank as well as liquid supplied from another source. The tank also supplies liquid to flow to the first tank.    A primary valve passes liquid from the first tank to the second tank when the valve is opened. A primary control is operatively connected with the valve and located to sense the elevation of the float to effect closing of the valve when the float arrives at a first predetermined elevation. The float effects opening of the valve when it arrives at a second predetermined elevation which is higher than the first elevation.
Solar energy (1) is collected by means of a large number of paraboloidal pressed steel mirrors (2) of about 10 m squared aperture area each. At the focus of each mirror is an absorber-reaction vessel (3) in which high pressure (viz. above 100 atmospheres) ammonia gas undergoes chemical dissociation into hydrogen and nitrogen. The temp. of the absorber-reactor vessel is maintained constant at a temp. by adjusting the flow of ammonia.    The incoming ammonia (12) and outgoing hydrogen and nitrogen (5) pass through a counterflow heat exchanger (4) desirably mounted on the mirror. By this means it is possible for the nitrogen and hydrogen (5) emerging from the heat exchanger to be practically at ambient temp. the same as the incoming ammonia (12). A computer receives accurate time of year information from a high resolution digital clock as well as data from standard input hardware including the operator's terminal and a network receiver.
The collector includes a photo-voltaic cell, a reflector for directing solar energy from the sun to the photo-voltaic cell, a mount for the reflector, and a positioning device for the reflector. A vacuum system separates the photo-voltaic cell and the reflector from the atmosphere to prevent conduction and convection heat losses and corrosion of the reflector.    The mounting appts. supports the reflector within the vacuum system for rotation about an axis along which the photo-voltaic cell extends. The positioning device is operable to produce a magnetic field which attracts a ferromagnetic portion of the reflector and to rotate the magnetic field about the axis to cause rotation of the reflector and maximising the amount of solar energy directed to the photo-voltaic cell.
The parabolic mirror for the collection of solar energy consists of a number of separate mirror plates (1) supported between two circular frames (3,5). Each plate is trapezium shaped with its shorter base (4) attached to the inner small support frame (3), and its longer base (4) attached to the outer large support frame (5). To form an 8 m diameter mirror, 60 panels 3.4. m long and 46 cm max., width are used. Each consists of two sheets of glass (7,8) with a layer of tin foil (9) between them.    At the outer end of each panel, a screw fitting (11,12) is provided to apply a compression force to the mirror surface. This accentuates the natural curvature of the glass arising from its own weight, in order to produce the desired degree of curvature.
The concentrator has a cantilever beam coupled to a main support. A number of reflectors mounted on a common frame direct the radiation to an absorber e.g. photovoltaic cell or boiler, for solar radiation, a receiver for radar applications. The frame, reflectors, absorber and intermediate support form a rigid structure which moves as a unit. The reflectors are curved and of variable focal length being adjustable in position to direct the radiation to the absorber.    To allow for movement of the source the whole rigid structure is moveable in two perpendicular axes and in the case of solar radiation the sun's change of location in seasonal cycles is accounted for. Assemblies to move the structure comprise reversible electric motor's with pivotal coupling. The concentrator is cheap to manufacture and lightweight, being mountable on the single cantilever beam. Positioning of the motors and reflectors gives a balanced structure.
Adjacent to a rock area is a pelagic or deep water area which is sufficiently deep for a temp. difference to exist between the water surface layer at say 25 degrees C and the cold deeper layers where the temperature may be only 4 degrees C. Blasted into the rock are an upper chamber and a lower chamber with a vertical riser shaft connecting the two and extending partway up through the upper chamber by means of the extension. The upper chamber is cooled and the lower chamber heated by the heat exchangers taking warm or cool sea water as appropriate.    The fluid in the two chambers is liq. ethane with fluid connection via the pressure line through the turbine. The liq. column in the shaft causes a high pressure at the turbine inlet in consequence of which it drives the generator producing electrical energy. Loss of fluid from the upper chamber is made up by the heat exchangers vaporising the ethane in the lower chamber - this rises and is condensed in the upper chamber thus completing the cycle.
A buoyant member (10) in the form of a horseshoe shaped flat pad is connected by a rope or cable to the piston and cylinder unit (14) mounted above a housing (15) which in addition to containing equipment also forms the anchorage by being grouted to the sea bed using the grout pipe. The cylinder is connected by a high pressure flexible pipt joint to the suction pipe and the piston together with with the bob weight forms a one valve arrangement.    When in use the buoyancy formce of a wave raises the buoyant member (10) stretching the elastic sleeve and the cord raises the bob weight to seat the valve and then raises the piston pumping the fluid above it, out through the discharge pipe at a high pressure. This high pressure fluid jet impinges on the pelton wheel (38) connected to an electrical generator. The working fluid is in a quite separate enclosed circuit and has no contact with sea water at any time.
The sun tracking controller comprises a control head exposed to receive sun rays, and an electrical circuit responsive to the control head and controlling the actuators for causing movement of a solar device in response to changes of the orientation of the sun from morning dawn to nightfall. The control head includes a base, and an opaque post supported and projecting from the base.    A number of light conductors is carried by the base alongside and equally spaced around the post and of shorter length than the post. An electromagnetic radiation responsive electrical device is associated with each conductors and with the electrically controlled actuators. The circuit includes a phototransistor, whose output is amplified to control the actuators electromagnetically.
The wave pump for generating mechanical or electrical energy includes a number of upstanding cylinders connected together by a subframe. Each cylinder mounts a float on the outside of the cylinder connected to a piston within the cylinder. The upstanding cylinders are spaced approximately a distance of half of an average wave length of a particular wave pattern such that as certain floats are moving upwardly, other floats are moving downwardly.    Each cylinder is connected to a chamber at the bottom with an inlet valve and an outlet valve, such that as the piston in the cylinder is moving upwardly, it will draw in water, and as the piston moves downwardly in the cylinder, it will pump the water.
Hydraulic energy accumulator helps to satisfy peak demand economically and reduces maintenance costs at low demand periods. The system is connected to the electric energy generator which can be operated as a generator and a motor. Its shaft (3) is connected to a floating container (4).    At low demands, during the night, the container accumulates the energy. The machine (7) operates as a motor and sinks the container in the reservoir (5). The accumulated energy delta w=(pgV-Mg)h; where p= water density, v= containers submerged volume, M= container's submerged mass, h= submerged depth. At peak periods the accumulator gives out its energy. The container floats up and operates the machine (2) as generator returning the energy to the system. Bul.9/7.3.81
The generator stands on the sea bed (1) and includes a cylindrical upper tank (6) having a closed upper end (7). A second cylindrical tank (8) has a closed lower end and cooperates slidingly and sealingly with the outer wall of the first tank. In operation, as the water level rises the air in the tank (6,8) is compressed and is used to drive a turbine.    The compressed air is fed to the turbine through connections (11,12) provided in the top of the fixed tank (6). As the water level falls, the air is rarefied and the resultant partial vacuum can again be used to drive the turbine. The second tank (8) can slide over a central support (5) to give the relative sliding motion between the two tanks.
The wave power energy converter is mounted on a vertical axis supported by a vertical column. The vertical rotating shaft carried in bearings in the column, has radial arms fixed perpendicular to the shaft. The arms are at equal angles in the horizontal plane. Each arm has a rigid rectangular flap suspended from it by pivots. Below each arm, and fixed to the rotating shaft, a radial projection prevents the flap moving past the vertical when wave pressure is applied in one sense, while not impeding the angular displacement of the flap in the opposite sense.    A wave causes a net torque on the shaft because one flap is held square on by the projection while the diametrically opposite flap in deflected upwards towards the horizontal. The ebb and flow of a wave causes first one side of the converter, then the other, to be effective. The rotating shaft is gear coupled to an electric generator mounted on a fixed vertical rod attached to the support column.
The electric generator includes paddle wheels arranged in tandem and intended to be positioned generally transverse to the direction of movement of water at the surface of a body of water.    Each of the paddle wheels has cylindrically curved blades which are concave on the blade face to be engaged and pushed by the water. Belts mechanically couple the paddle wheels together to a power utilization device.
The turbo-generator unit is for a sea power plant and has a wall separating the sea from a space at atmospheric pressure. The turbine is submerged in the sea on one side of the wall, the generator is in the atmospheric space and a common shaft sealingly extends through the wall.    The turbine motive fluid is halocarbon vapour while the generator is cooled with a halocarbon refrigerant having a closed circuit which includes a fluid-tight generator housing.
The system is useful for concentrating energy such as solar radiation for use in solar energy conversion systems. The configuration of the optical system incorporates thin metallised Fresnel reflector elements applied to panels formed into focusing surfaces having a common axis. The Fresnel elements are oriented axially to the axis of the focusing surfaces.    The optical configuration produces a rectangular focal zone centered over each panel. For a number of panels of a given width, there will be a number of focal zones, each separated by a distance equivalent to the panel width. At least one energy absorber is maintained at each focal zone and may comprise a photovoltaic cell, thermal absorber, etc.
The automatic thermal/hydraulic logic system is for continuously positioning a heliostat in alignment with the sun in both the horizontal and vertical planes. Solar radiation is monitored by phials which produce signal pressures of a magnitude that varies with phial exposure to the rays of the sun. The produced signal pressures are directed to thermally controlled valves which are compared with mechanically controlled valves of similar design feature.    These control valves are centred so long as hydraulic fluid pressure signals on each end of a control valve are equal, but the valve spool is displaced to the left or to the right if and when a pressure differential is created, (improper alignment). When a specific differential sets in, a mechanical action takes place which moves the heliostat to its proper concentrating position. Movement ceases when the differential disappears (proper alignment).
The solar energy facet concentrator has mirror elements fitted on a carrying frame on hinges. In order to increase the operation quality, the concentrator is additionally provided with radiation density regulation mechanism, made as screw fitted on a carrying frame and a sliding clutch fitted on the screw. The clutch has an annular slot with levers. The mirror elements are connected to the clutch by levers. The hinges are cylindrical and have axles which are placed perpendicular to the screw axis.    The concentrator operates as follows. The solar radiation is reflected by mirror elements and is collected in a focus. When it is necessary to change the focal length, screw is turned. The clutch displaces along the screw and simultaneously turns the elements about the hinges by levers. Plate springs prevent mirror element oscillating. Bul.8/28.2.81 (3pp)
The oscillatory system uses fluid and/or solid masses and mechanical resonators. The system is subjected to alternate excitations amplified by the mechanical resonators and transmitted to an oscillating electrical alternator. The system may exhibit circular or longitudinal oscillation.    The generator may be driven by a natural water flow and have a barrier plate followed by an initial turbine stage, an oscillatory rotor, a resonator and an oscillating electrical alternator, all of which are housed in a water-tight unit. Alternatively the electricity generator (28) is used in a vehicle in combination with a starting battery (32) and an electric motor (30) directly driving the wheels (31). The generator in this case has a number of oscillating pistons coupled to an oscillating linear resonator using a series of masses and springs, with the alternator employing piezo-electric elements. The generator is used to conserve fuel or to allow small hydraulic flows to be utilised.
The power generator consists of a housing (1) in the shape of an inverted Y which is connected to opposite ends of a cylinder (3). A piston (2) inside the cylinder is made to reciprocate by having its opposite faces alternately exposed to the pressure in the upper part (1') of the housing by the oscillation of a flap (6) at the junction of the two branches (1).    The piston actuates a reversing device (9) and drives a generator (10). A pump (5) returns the working fluid to the inlet through the pipe (4). The working fluid may be water, oil, emulsion or compressed air. The power output of the plant may be increased by compressing the working fluid by means of a compressor (11). The power may be derived from minerals, or tidal forces, atmospheric pressure or from vacuum.
The turbine has a cylindrical construction with an inward spiral cross-section, and is applicable to conversion of energy from wind, waves, falling water, or any other moving fluid. A horizontal central axle carries the horizontally oriented turbine (2), a fly wheel (3), and an electric generator (4) which is connected to the electricity supply network (5).    The open end of the spiral faces the oncoming fluid and rotates away under the fluid momentum which continues to exert a torque as the fluid is accelerated towards the centre of the spiral, spilling out the ends as the passage width decreases. The fly wheel inertia rotates the turbine till it again faces the oncoming fluid. Prior to this the spiral shape offers minimal drag against the fluid.
The solar water lifter can be used for water lifting from wells. The lifter has solar radiation receiver connected to a pump working element, hydraulically connected to a water supply through a pipeline. In order to simplify the construction and increase the reliability, the lifter is additionally provided with a permanent magnet.    The solar radiation receiver is made as a cantilevered bimetallic plate whose free end is provided with a magnetic headpiece. The magnetic headpiece is placed between a permanent magnet pole. The magnetic head is connected to the pump working element through a kinematic connection. The pipeline is provided with a sprayer placed above bimetal plate. Bul.7/23.2.81 (3pp)
The gaseous substance is conducted into a compressor (6,7) where it is compressed in a thermally insulated environment (3). The compressed gaseous substance is conducted into a pressure chamber (12) where it is cooled by means of a first heat exchanger (by means of incoming gaseous substance in a duct (5) such that part of the compressed gaseous substance is condensed into liquid water.    Its heat of vapourisation is thus supplied to the incoming gaseous substance. The condensed water is allowed to emerge from the pressure chamber via a second heat exchanger (16) for recovery. The compressed gaseous substance is conducted from the pressure chamber into a turbine (8) for propelling it. An electric motor (17) can be also used as a generator.
The water energy converter comprises spherical floats linked together to form a closed chain vertically immersed in the water. To obtain the net upward force required for motion, the side of the chain moving downwards into the water enters through a lock, which comprises a tube of slightly greater than the spherical floats. The floats have a circumferential sealing ring so no water escapes past the float as it passes through the lock tube. The upward side of the continuous float chain has guide rails to ensure vertical motion of the float chain near and above the surface.    The hydrostatic force pushes the floats upwards and rotates a wheel with arms which collect projections on the float chain at the coupling between floats. The wheel drives an electric generator. An idler wheel, of the same construction, is placed at the bottom of the water container to guide the float chain.
The system includes a framework comprising four upright pillars standing at the corners of a rectangle. A large flat plate (1) is fastened between pivots (2) on two of the upright pillars, and sliding carriages (3) on two horizontal rails joining pairs of pillars. Screws or jacks (11) are provided for the adjustment of the vertical position of the fittings attached to the four pillars.    The plate is lifted by a wave and in moving this way the carriages (3) move horizontally along their support rails (4). After a wave has passed, the plate is allowed to fall pushing the carriages along their rails. Induction coils mounted in the support rails produce an electrical output as the carriages carrying magnets move along them.
The energy forms, and their natural or artificially generated conversion, can be made use of by the transfer of the activities of the programmed or controlled voltage and relaxation phases. Thus, at least one existing, preceding and subsequent energy form is always used, whereby as well as movement-inhibiting powers, movement-operative powers are utilised and made useful.    This occurs by provision of equipment in the form of static or mobile plant acting, at the same time, as energy absorber, store, conveyor, converter and yielder, continually or periodically absorbing energy and effecting an energy or voltage outflow. The equipment for energy conversion etc. can take the form of, a linear motor with permanent magnets, cylinder piston rotors, tracked vehicles mounted over a stream and having axle-mounted paddle-like flow converters below their chassis. These types of equipment allow hitherto unused energy differences, and as yet, unusable energy forms to be made available for industrial use.
The solar energy conversion system includes an array of collectors mounted on the roof of a dwelling house, and enclosed of a transparent roof. Each collector in the array concentrates solar energy and transmits it to a target. The collector array includes several collector units each having a primary parabolic reflector, a Fresnel lens and a secondary flat reflector. A sun locator provides signals to two tracking motors which tilt the primary reflectors about two orthogonal axes to receive directly as much radiant energy as possible from the sun. The collectors are mounted on respective bars for rotation about the tracking axis.    A linkage between the mountings of the primary reflectors and the secondary reflectors is arranged to cause the secondary reflector of a unit to swing through half the angle which the primary reflector swings through in order to direct the radiation from the secondary reflector onto the target. An air blower forces the circulation of air between the target and a storage chamber which is totally enclosed by walls of insulating material. Heat is transferred from the target and/or storage system to a heat engine and electrical generator combination to create power for use on demand. Heat transferred to the engine cooling fluid is used for space heating and air conditioning.
The method of recovering geothermal energy comprises introducing immiscible liquid hydrocarbon working fluid below the surface of a brine solution maintained in a subterranean cavity produced by the solution mining of salt within a salt dome that is in heat exchange relationship with a geothermal formation. The hydrocarbon working fluid is vaporisable at the temperature of the brine solution. Then the vaporised working fluid is collected in a vapour space that is directly above the brine solution and within the subterranean cavity until the working fluid vapour develops pressure sufficient to mobilise vaporised working fluid to the earth's surface.    The vapour space is sufficiently large to separate brine solution entrained in vaporised working fluid as the vaporised fluid passes through the vapour space. The pressurised working fluid vapour is then removed from the cavity to the earth's surfaces and the pressure-volume energy of the vapour is converted to another form of energy by isentropic expansion of it.
The floating vessel has a member of downwardly open cylinders each containing a piston and valves. The pistons rise and fall with wave motion and pump air into chamber. An air motor drives propeller and a second motor drives generator which supplies power to a material-processing chamber.    Sails could be fitted to the vessel to induce a rocking motion and used to generate power if needed. The moving pistons could be used to supply mechanical power instead of compressed air. Solar panels can be fitted on the deck. Ores such as Iron, Aluminium etc. could be refined while being transported.
Apparatus for extracting energy from ventricular traffic passing along a road, has a pick-up arrangement (1) set in the read (4). This cooperates with a driving wheel of a passing vehicle to be driven by torque applied to the wheel. The pick-up arrangement may be an endless, flexible belt (2) supported level with the road's surface and passing over roller (5,6). A drive arrangement is coupled to the rollers to derive energy from them. An electricity generator (9) is coupled to be driven by the drive arrangement. A storage battery may be charged by the generator. There may be a ratchet mechanism to prevent a braked wheel from driving the pick-up arrangement.    The generator may produce energy for powering a roadside utility. This roadside utility may be a steet lamp, so that the lighting up is only operative while a vehicle is present. This appratus is designed to save fuel by deriving energy from the passage of vehicles along a road.
The mechanism uses a rotating pendulum with variable positioning of the pendulum weights to convert gravitational potential to kinetic energy. The rotating pendulum comprises an arm with a centrally placed shaft perpendicular to the arm. Weights on either end of the arm sustain an oscillatory rotation of the shaft following initial displacement.    To generate useable power at the shaft the position of the weights on the shaft is altered according to the angle of the arm to the horizontal. The position of the weights may be altered by a cam or by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder installed at the centre of the arm, and actuated from the position of the arm. As the weights are forced outwards they compress a spring which drives them back towards the centre of the arm. By correct timing of the movement of the weights, useable kinetic energy is generated at the shaft through a gear box. The appts. can be used to generate electrical energy for application in all domains.
A wind or solar energy utilisation system can be installed at medium or high levels to eliminate the turbulence effect of the wind near the ground. At high level the solar level intensity is also increased.    The required height is achieved via a balloon or similar object. The energy absorbed is converted via solar cells, piezo-electric converters, or other conventional power converters. The energy is transmitted downward in the form of mechanical, electrical or other forms of energy. The balloon is made with a light or heat radiation transparent outer shell. The radiation is absorbed by black bodies, solar cells, etc.
The floating hydroelectric generator has a hull with a water duct through the middle and with a number of slow speed turbines with folding paddles to turn a gearing and finally a generator. The hull is moored in a river and provides a controlled amount of power.    The paddles on the turbine have their angles set by control rollers so that they only hold water in one half of each rotation. The wall levels of the water duct control the flow from one turbine to the other, with control flaps at each end of the hull. The water follows a meandering path through the hull.
The kinetic of the waves is converted into potential energy and then into electrical energy. The water collected above the average water level is used to drive a turbine, used as the prime-mover of a generator.    A barrier is provided with holes at different levels. The holes face the flowing waves and are made with shutters. There is a Kaplan turbine installed below the level of the holes. The turbine is linked to a generator via a common shaft.
The solar energy collector assembly of the tracking type includes a solar panel mounted for movement along a predetermined tracking path in order to maintain a predetermined orientation with respect to the sun as the latter moves across the sky.    The assembly also includes a specific solar tracking sensor for maintaining the panel member in its predetermined orientation and a Direct Insolation Monitor (D.I.M.) provided to monitor the presence and absence of direct sunlight in order to prevent the sensor from mistaking a relatively bright cloud or other diffused light for the sun.
The appts. includes an open-top shell structure and a Fresnel lens system covering the open top of the shell structure. A mirror system and solar energy absorber are placed inside the shell structure. The shell structure is mounted upon a hollow axle for rotation about its longitudinal axis.    The shell structure is also mounted for vertical movement of one end of the longitudinal axis to adapt the shell structure for following north-south changes in the sun's seasonal position. The hollow axle supports the solar energy absorber apparatus nonrotatably inside the shell structure and in fluid communication with insulated heat transfer conduits that pass nonrotatably through the hollow axle. A photovoltaic appts. may be included in the shell structure for converting at least a portion of the solar flux to electrical energy while the heat transfer conduits supply any necessary cooling to the photovoltaic apparatus.
The concentrating solar collector includes a radiation reflective surface having the configuration of a paraboloid of translation, the axial extent of the paraboloid being the portion between the apex and the plane perpendicular to the axis and passing through the focus.    A receiver of reflected radiant energy is located along the focal line of the paraboloid, and includes a receiver entrance aperture whose plane is oriented at an angle to the axis, preferably at an angle of 29 deg. + or - 10 deg. The width of the entrance aperture is a function of the distance between the lip and axis of the parabola and the angular radius of the sun.
The array (21) comprises mirror type reflectors (23) either formed as a part of a unitary structure mounted on the platform, or mounted in a frame to be pivotally moved on the platform to follow the sun.    The floating platform (22) may be constructed and placed on a shallow pool of water such as a contained pool (24) or it can be placed on any body of water regardless of its size. A tracking and platform moving mechanism (25) comprising a suitable motor (26) and drive roller (27) connected to motor (26) through a pulley mechanism (28) is used to track the sun and move the platform azimuthally each day. The platform is driven by a drive roller (27) connected to the motor (26) and held in the middle of the pool by a spring biased driven roller (29). The drive roller rotates the platform by frictionally engaging the peripheral edge of the platform and rotating it upon rotation of the drive roller.
The system includes an elongate water wheel mounted rotatably so that at least a portion of the wheel is above the level of the water. A ramp extends the length of the wheel to shield the wave side of the wheel from wave impact and to direct water of the wave upwardly over the top of the wheel so as to impact the water wheel on the side removed from the wave and effect rotation.    A holding tank is preferably provided at the top of the ramp and above the wheel to hold water from the waves and to direct it onto the wheel. Energy may be extracted from the rotating wheel by a generator or other device.
The generator is an improvement of Parent Cert. No. 587570. The wave energy is used more efficiently by provision of a position stabiliser relative to the direction of wave movement, in the form of e.g. a conical floating anchor hinged by cables to the generator case. Axes of the hinges coincide with the generator longitudinal axis.    The generator has a case divided in a horizontal plane. It has a stator with winding and a movable (pendulum) element with an excitation system consisting of permanent magnets. The pendulum is suspended on a pin about which it oscillates.    Equal length cables are attached to the hinges with split pins. Hinges have a sleeve compensating elliptic eccentricity of the pins, and a ring to which the cable is fastened. The anchor has a frame and a cone of a water impermeable material. It reduces the generator movements due to the waves. In absence of wind and waves the cables are slack. Waves drive the generator on the surface of the water. The cables are stretched and the generator axis is oriented at a right angle to the wind and wave action. The e.m.f. induced is a max. Bul.3/23.1.81. (3pp)
The apparatus is for use in water containing waves, and the membrane is arranged to face the oncoming waves. As each wave strikes the membrane (14), the membrane flexes inwards to drive air from the cavity (16), which in turn drives the turbine, and electrical power can be taken from the alternator, to provide the power output. The membrane will deflect relatively little below the neutral point (24), as the membrane is already under tension in that section due to the water pressure, but above the neutral point (24) as the membrane (14) deflects inwardly, initially the tension therein will reduce, and then, if the deflection is sufficient, the tension will reach zero value, and when the membrane starts to bulge inwards, the tension force in the membrane will again be increased.    As the wave recedes, the pressure in the air duct will exceed the pressure in the cavity, air will be forced back through the turbine into the cavity and the reverse movements of the membrane will occur. The deflection of the membrane under wave action will therefore be greatest at the top and smallest at the bottom, which, is desirable for wave matching.
The vehicles pass over a cushion (1) comprising numerous adjacent lengths of sleeving (2). The front ends of the sleeves are connected via a header line (3) to the nozzles of a turbine (5) that drives an electrical generator. The rear ends of the sleeves are connected via a header line and return line (7) to the turbine casing. The long axes of the parallel sleeves are parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicles.    As a vehicle's wheels pass along the sleeves they compress the sleeves and produce a pressure wave that drives the turbine. The sleeves are packed together touching one another and are covered by an elastic surfacing material to form a platform. The platform has drive-on and drive-off ramps at either end and forms a unit. The sleeves may contain either a fluid or a liquid.
The solar tracking appts. comprises a solar array support member pivotally secured to the upper end of a support post for rotation about a horizontal axis. The support post is driven about a vertical axis. A disc is rotatably secured to the post for rotation about a vertical axis spaced from the post's vertical axis. A link member is secured by respective ball and socket assemblies at one end to the support member and to the rotating disc at the other end.    A motor and pulley system drive the rotating disc with respect to the vertical post to set the elevation position of the support member. A second motor and pulley system drive the post about its vertical axis with respect to a base.
The concentrating solar energy collector comprises multiple V-shaped troughs formed from complementary ridges of inverted V-shape. If the angles and spacing of the ridges are properly chosen, V-troughs of any desired concentration ratio can be constructed. Additionally, if the reflective material of the ridges is provided to be of a flexible nature at specific places, and the support for the ridges is constructed to provide tension on the ridge structure, slippage at its flexible areas, and laterally shifting capability, the axes of the ridges can be pivoted through a unique flexible shape method of pivoting the ridge structures themselves.    When controlled by a solar-sensitive aiming device, this pivoting of the ridges provides the solar tracking of the V-trough axes which is necessary if the V-troughs are to accept all the solar radiation incident on them year-round and concentrate it on the absorbers at their bases. Finally, because of energy losses inherent in the V-shaped design, fluid-conducting devices are provided within the ridge structures and in thermal contact with the ridge's side walls.
The concentrator system includes a stationary spherical reflector which is fixedly secured to a base surface or ground element. A receiver having an extended length in a particular direction extends partially internal to the concave spherical envelope of the reflector and is adapted to be maintained in a direction parallel to the incident radiation impinging and being reflected from the spherical reflector.    The receiver is displaced in a manner maintaining the extended length of the receiver in a parallel direction to the incident radiation responsive to directional ray variations of the incident radiation impinging on the spherical reflector. Secondary radiation concentration devices are mounted on the receiver for reflecting radiation initially reflected from the receiver back onto the receiver for absorption.
The radiation energy concentrator can be used for solar or other type of radiation energy. The concentrator has a body with a curved surface. To utilise the concentrator for annular heat carriers, the body is formed by a parabola section rotation about an axis which does not coincide with symmetry axis.    When the concentrator symmetry axis is orientated to the radiation energy source, all the beams are focused in a focal ring. The focal ring has a max. radiation energy density. Bul.41/7.11.80
The generator includes a float strongly made of steel attached to a guide tube. The guide tube slides up and down on a fixed post whose height depends on the size of waves encountered at the operating site. Vertical movement of the float is transmitted by a shaft to a piston sliding in a cylinder with seals at either end.    Two connections to the top of the cylinder and two connections to the bottom of the cylinder with appropriate one-way valves allow the piston to do useful work on the hydrodynamic fluid on both up and down strokes. Valves control the flow of fluid from the reservoir into an accumulator to even out irregularities in the flow. From the accumulator the fluid flows via a hydraulic motor back to the reservoir. The hydraulic motor may drive an electric generator or other equipment.
The solar energy, concentrating and absorption panel is provided together with a method for converting solar energy to heat energy or electrical energy by the reflection and concentration of solar energy intersecting the panel. The panel is formed with a solar energy receiving portion which is defined by a number of parallel channels extending horizontally across the panel, each of which contains at least two side wall portions. These are highly reflective of light and converge towards each other so that light entering such channels is reflected off the side wall portions against the opposite side wall portions and continues to be directed toward the base of the channel.    The base is coated with a light absorbing material such that the light directed there is concentrated. It may be employed to heat either a fluid located in a passageway extending through the wall of the panel parallel and adjacent to the base of the channel.
The installation's reservoir is separated from the sea by a partition wall with sloping surface. To increase the installation's efficiency, it has an additional wall with sloping surface forming, together with wall, a through channel with reverse valve. In the wall's lower part there is an aperture holding a hydraulic motor.    During the climb of a wave, water goes up the wall's sloping surface, fills the channel and opens the reverse valve, filling the reservoir. The water level in the reservoir becomes higher than that of the sea and water runs out of aperture rotating the hydraulic turbine.    In stormy weather when waves are high, water also rises along the wall's surface and runs into the reservoir. Because of the difference in water level in the reservoir and the walls, the valve closes and water returns to the sea from the reservoir through aperture rotating hydraulic turbine. Bul.5.7/2.81 (2pp )
The mechanism comprises a fixed part (3) formed as a columnal inner pipe (10) anchored under water, and a movable part (4) in the form of a floating body (4) moving relative to the fixed part. Between the two parts is a power transmission mechanism in the form of an endless chain or cogged belt (13). The power transmitter drives an energy conversion motor (7,8) in a continuous operation and in the same direction, irrespective of the direction of movement of the floating body (4).    The floating body (14) supports a column formed as an outer pipe (16) encompassing the inner pipe (10), and which via a yoke (18) inside the inner pipe (10) carries a part (19) of the power transmission mechanism. The power transmission can work in conjunction with two sprung activator arms in the floating body (4), or can comprise two cogged bars engaging with pinions alternately driving the energy conversion motor. (Provisional Basic advised week D36)
The solar or acoustic energy collector uses reflecting walls to direct received rays down a long and relatively narrow enclosure with the heating or receiving surface at the opposite end to the opening. The structure, in contrast to the open flat format of conventional collectors, gives areduction in reflected and convection losses from the receiving surface.    The collector may include a neck half way along its length to further reduce convection losses and losses by reflection from the heating surface. The collectors are grouped together in an assembly of small units and mounted on a tracking platform. Various geometric configurations of both the collectors and the receiving surface may be employed, all retaining the property of reduced losses.
The system is for the collection of electromagnetic radiation and the transmission of that radiation to a point of utilisation in the form of light. Bascially, the system employs a first solar concentrator for the collection and concentration of solar radiation (10).    Optically coupled to the first solar concentrator is at least one additional solar concentrator (11) for further concentrating the collected solar radiation for efficient coupling with a light pipe (12). Thus, the light pipe directs the collected and concentrated light to a point of utilisation. Preferably, the solar concentrators are planar fluorescent solar concentrators having different fluorescent materials in each concentrator.
Automatic control system has heliostat (2) reflected rays detector (1) connected to functional transformer (3), connected to the heliostat drive slave mechanism (5) control block (4). In order to widen the functional possibility the system is additionally provided with heliostat axis position detector (6), solar radiation detector (7), breakdown situation detector (8), tracking law former (9) during large angular mismatch, breakdown control law former (10) and priority block (11).    The heliostat axis position detector (6) and solar radiation detector (7) are connected to the tracking law former (9) inlet, whose outlet is connected to the priority block. The breakdown situation detector (8) is connected to breakdown control law former (10) inlet whose outlet is connected to priority block inlet. One of the priority block outlets is connected to the control block by the slave mechanisms and the other to the functional transformer. Bul.4/30.1.81
Heliostat unit tracking system detector has body (1) with shadow screen (2) and diaphragm (3) placed at its inlet, and paired light sensitive elements (4) for the sun movement zenithal and azimuthal tracking. In order to increase the reliability, the detector is additionally provided with coarse and precision tracking light guides (5 and 6).    The light guides (5 and 6) are orientated in pairs at the outlet sections onto each light conducting element. The coarse tracking light guides inlet sections are situated beyond the body limits. The coarse tracking light guides have a cross sectional area which exceeds the accurate tracking light guide. Thus it is possible to use the same light conducting elements for tracking during coarse and precision conditions. Bul.4/ 30.1.81
The converter uses a float group including at least two floats connected by elongated rigid links and disposed at right angles to the direction of incidence of waves. The floats are free to heave, sway and roll. The converter absorbs the wave energy through the relative movements between the floats and the links and between the adjacent links which are connected by restoring device and damping device. The natural frequency of this system is approximately tuned to the frequency of the incident wave.    The reflected waves and transmitted waves caused by this system are largely suppressed since the energy of the incident wave is virtually absorbed. An oscillating vane air-pump pumps air to storage tank. Valves control the flow of air to turbine which drives electrical generator.
The energy converter includes a tubular body (12) with only one end in water so that the rise and fall of water in the body creates a flow of air in alternate directions through it. A turbine wheel (30) is positioned in the body above the water level and exposed to and rotated by the flow of air. An electrical generator is connected to the turbine wheel.    The cross-sectional shape of the turbine wheel blades (32) is shaped to provide an air flow passage between adjacent blades which decreases in area from each edge. This forms a restriction in the passageway between the blade edges so that the wheel will rotate in a single direction regardless of the direction of the air flow through the body. Pref. the blades include a concave surface on one side and attached to a stator on each side of the turbine wheel.
The heliostat mirror directs the solar radiation into an input forms an angle with the horizontal of between 0 and 113 deg.30 min, dependant on the min height above the horizon for capture of solar radiation, the distance between the mirror and the oven the difference between the dia of the right angle section of the beam and the dia. of its projection onto the input plane and the ratio of the first dia relative to the dia. of the mirror.    Pref. the oven and the mirror are contained in an enclosed locality with the mirror facing a ceiling skylight for reception of the beam. The mirror may be adjusted by a programmed motor to receive max radiation.
The focussing mirror (1) is pivoted about an axis passing through the focus. The adjustment of the mirror (1) is controlled to maintain alignment with the sun via a solar detector (12) coupled to an electronic control unit (14) for the rotational drive motor (15). The aperture of the mirror (1) is selected to provide it with a centre of gravity for the parabolic section coinciding with the focus, to ensure that the mirror is balanced without requiring counter-weights.    Pref. the mirror (1) is formed by a self-supporting panel, formed as sections of polished sheet steel and held in transversal preconstraint by its longitudinal edges, to provide global rigidity. The mirror(1) has a heliothemic absorber at its focus for heating hot water.
The thermoelectric generator converts heat directly from a heat source into electrical energy. This is achieved by applying an external electromotive force across a heated semiconductor to produce the drifting of electrons and thereby producing a current in the semiconductor which can be used in a load. Operation is possible at maximum power, maximum efficiency near unity, or at high combined power and efficiency.    When used separately or in combination with a concentrating lens or combination of a heat absorber and heat exchanger there is provided a system for converting the sun's energy to electricity. When used in combination with a heat absorber and heat exchanger there is provided a system for converting fossil, nuclear, and geothermal heat energy to electricity.
The appts. includes sets of elongate blades or paddles mounted on a vertically oriented endless chain with the longitudinal axis positioned transversely to the flow direction of water. The chain is trained around vertically spaced sprocket wheels connected to operate a power generating device as the water flows past, and through the appts.    The chain comprises an upstream reach, and a downstream reach and the blades are pivotally connected to the chain to tilt downwardly due to the flow pressure in the upstream reach, and downwardly due to the weight of the blades in the downstream reach. Inclined guide vanes extend through the appts. in the water flow direction, and define a number of raceways for the water passing through the module. The raceways direct the water from the upstream reach of the chain, after the water has contacted the blades, to the downstream reach to impact the downwardly tilted blades on the downstream reach.
The upper surface of the building e.g. roof or portion of the roof, is constructed in the form of hyperbolic paraboloid having a concave surface directed in a specified, for example, southerly direction. This concave surface is covered with a reflective material such that solar radiation or the like is reflected to an arcuate focus. An absorber is disposed along the length of the focus for absorbing the reflected radiation.    A system is provided for storing and using the absorbed radiation. Thus, a structural portion of a building performs as a concentrating solar collector for the building. The absorber may be a photoelectric device, which converts the incident solar radiation to electrical energy for immediate use or for storage batteries. The invention is also useful in collecting and concentrating other e.m. radiation, e.g. microwaves.
The solar energy collector comprising a parabola shaped mirror formed by flexible reflective film strips stretched over a number of supports being arranged to position the film in a parabola shape. The supports are held in place by trusses. The mirror is pivotally secured to a support assembly whereby the mirror can be maintained at the same relative position to the sun. Positioning of the mirror is controlled by an energy rays tracking device.    The supports are adjustable such that light and infrared energy rays striking the film between the supports are reflected to the focus of the mirror around which a collector assembly is located. The collector assembly comprises a surface coated with a black substance which is capable of max. heat absorption from the light and infrared energy rays; and, a contained fluid passing in contact with the surface absorbs and transfers the heat in order that useful work can be obtained therefrom. The collector assembly is hermetically sealed to minimise heat losses from convection.
The power generation unit comprises a turbine (32) for extracting energy from a vaporous power fluid. The turbine includes a device for directing the power fluid generally downward through it and a turbine wheel (42) rotated by the flow of the power fluid past it. A vapour discharge port is located directly below and at least coextensive with the horizontal cross section of the vapour flow path as the vapour flows past the turbine wheel.    The unit further comprises a power device (36) for generating power, a device for transmitting energy extracted from the power fluid by the turbine to the power device to generate the power, and a condenser (34) located below the turbine for condensing the vaporous power fluid and including a vapour inlet port coextensive with the vapour discharge port of the turbine.
The tower type solar electric station can be operated by varying reflectors (14-26) orientation in space depending on the sun position and directing the reflected solar radiation currents into radiation receivers (1-13). In order to stabilise the electric station power the reflector's orientation is additionally changed depending on the solar radiation value level.    When the solar radiation value level falls below optimum, the number of reflected currents onto part of receivers is increased and the flow of reflected current onto the remaining part of the receivers is eliminated. The reflected current number is increased by using the current from the reflectors situated in the max. solar current zone. Bul.3/23.1.81
The buoyant system comprises spine elements (12) on which prime movers are rockably or rotatably mounted. The spine elements, or at least some of them, are ballasted (18) so that they will take up a predetermined position when buoyantly supported. The elements are interconnected by joints pref. universal joints allowing the adjacent elements to pivot about one or more axes which are other than vertical when the spine is in the predetermined position.    When the spine comes under the influence of the wave (14) forces, there is a relative lifting and lowering of element ends (14) and because of the ballasting, the elements tend to return to an initial predetermined position. Pref. the predetermined position is one in which the elements are aligned. Torque rings are provided which engage drive members connected to pump.
The heat exchanger (1) has a base plate (2) cooperating on one side with a thermo-element (4). On the other side with the heat exchange there are provided surfaces (3) contacted by the heat exchange fluid. The thermo element (4) is coupled to a DC source.    The base plate (2) and the heat exchange surfaces (3) are resiliently mounted to allow for elastic deformation to compensate expansion differences, vibration etc. Pref. a deformable elastic structure (7) is inserted between the heat exchange surfaces (3) of two heat exchangers (1), formed by a steel plate enclosed on all sides by a resilient covering. The heat exchangers (1) are held clamped together so that the compression force is sufficient to obtain high quality thermal and electrical contacts between the thermo- elements (4) and the respective base plate (2,2a,2b).
Large scale parabolic dishes of the order of tens of metres diameter, such as solar collectors, or dish receiving or transmission antennae, are fabricated in sections to approximate a parabolic reflecting surface. Difficulties arising when the ratio of focal distance to aperture diameter is less than unity are overcome using a reflector made up of stepped bands of reflecting surface comprising curved segments fabricated into truncated conical annular rings whose plane is perpendicular to the focal axis of the reflector.    Cylindrical annuli separate the top of one conical annulus from the bottom of the next and each annulus section is made up of multiple reflectors shaped so the reflecting surface is a segment of arc of a fixed radius circle. The assembly is supported on a frame pivoted from a pillar.
The appts. has a chamber, with a top opening, in a body of water, and a mechanism for generating an electrical current disposed within the chamber. The chamber includes two sidewall sections and endwall sections connecting the sidewall sections forming a liq. tight chamber. An anchoring mechanism maintains the one of the sidewall sections remote from the waves and fixed against movement from the action of the waves. The mechanism anchors the second of the sidewall sections in the path of the waves while permitting the second sidewall section to be moved by the action of the waves.    The generating generator has a coil mechanism including an electronically conductive wire, and a magnet mechanism associated with the coil mechanism which is movable w.r.t. coil. The coil mechanism is affixed to one of the sidewall sections and the magnet mechanism is affixed to the other of the sidewall sections. The transfer mechanism is connected to the coil mechanism, and a biassing mechanism urges the second sidewall section away from the first sidewall section against the action of the waves.
The collector is mounted for adjustable azimuth rotation about a vertical axis and adjustable elevation tilting about a horizontal axis for pointing toward the sun. The collector is driven for rotation about the vertical axis and for tilting about the horizontal axis by drive mechanism controlled by the angle of incidence of the sun's rays to the collector when the insolation is above a predetermined intensity. When the insolation is below such predetermined value, the drive mechanism is controlled by a stored computerised program.    Control responsive to the sun's rays is effected by at least one light sensitive photoelectric cell. Preferably one pair of cells is arranged in a horizontal axis and another pair is arranged in a plane perpendicular to such horizontal axis. The photoelectric cells are buried in shield tubes to shield the cells from stray light.
A borehole is drilled into the earth to a depth where a predetermined temperature gradient exists between the earth's surface and the bottom of the bore hole. A liquid refrigerant line passes down the bore hole and connects to an evaporator where the geothermal energy is used to vaporize the refrigerant and from there it passes back up through a high pressure gaseous refrigerant return line to a gas operated turbine located at the earth's surface.    The spent refrigerant exiting from the turbine is cooled in a condensing unit and recirculated to the subterranean evaporator unit. The turbine may be used to drive a suitable electrical generator for power production purposes.
A layer can be deposited on a substrate and subsequently removed and used in an electrical device. A shaped (e.g. thimble shaped) portion for incorporation in an electrical device may be formed by deposition onto a suitably shaped substrate. In one example, the electrical devices are oxygen sensors and a portion possessing selected electrical properties in each case is a layer of solid electrolyte.    For example if tube (1) is of nickel, the plug (2) can be of porous nickel. The porosity of plug (2) is such that, in operation, a reference gas of fixed oxygen partial pressure can permeate through. A layer of solid electrolyte (3) is provided on the plug (2) and is partially overlaid by a sensing electrode (4) (e.g. a platinum electrode). Electrical connections (5,6) are provided to connected respectively the porous plug (2) and sensing electrode (4) to a millivoltmeter. The device may be used in photovoltaic cells, fuel cells, thin film piezoelectric transducer etc.
The disc shaped electrical generator has a box girder rotor carrying forty-eight permanent magnet poles (32) arranged around a circumference. Each pole pair is made of rectangular blocks, with lower and upper blocks secured to pole carriers (36). Each carrier has an elongated S-shaped portion with one end in contact with another carrier and the remote end defining an air gap. The polarity of the permanent magnets alternate around the rotor.    A number of coil assemblies which comprise the stator car supported on a circumferential ring. Each set of coil units has forty-eight such units arranged around the machine. The coil units are connected in accordance with the sequence of the alternating polarity of the rotor magnets so that the induced emfs of the coil units are in phase. The same arrangement may be used for a motor.
Wave motion in the sea is used to pump water to a shore based storage tank in which a layer of gas is compressed above the rising water to assist in forcing the water through a turbine. Some of the turbine output power may be used to pump water to a storage at a level above the turbine to provide energy during calm sea periods.    A float on the sea surface operates, via a rope and pulley, arrangement, the push rod of the pump which has a valved piston at its end. A submerged float acts as a counterweight to restore the piston. As the piston reciprocates water is forced up a pipe to a closed storage tank and supplied to a turbine. A water storage above the turbine can supplement the water flow.
The solar collector comprises groups of polycarbonate tunnels of semicircular section which concentrate solar rays onto a metal tube carrying a working fluid. Auxiliary collector plates on either side of the main collector fill the base of the semicircle and collect the diffused energy.    The semicircular tunnel (2) is set onto a base plate. The base plate supports the main collector tube which is of trapezoidal section and is covered by a semicircular cover to reduce heat loss. On either side of the inner cover two flat plates (1) run parallel to the main collector and are slightly angled towards the centre to collect diffused solar rays. The outer tunnel (2) is fixed to the base and has groups of Fresnel lines moulded onto its outer surface.
Geothermal energy can be utilised to generate electricity by using carbon dioxide as the working medium. Liq. carbon dioxide is delivered from a pump through a control device (Tpri) and pipe to a stratum (G) at high temp. and consisting of permeable rock (RP). The CO2 is evaporated and collects in a pocket below an impermeable stratum (R).    A bora hole driven into this pocket conducts the CO2 through a second control device (Tpm) to a turbine which drives a generator. The exhaust CO2 flows through a condenser where it is liquified before repeating the cycle. Any losses are made good from a CO2 reservoir.    This cycle using CO2 without the need for any heat exchanger results in a more efficient system. The cycle can also be operated with nitrous oxide instead of CO2.
Where the sea or lake bottom is flat and slopes gently away from the shoreline, two or more raised supports or runways are positioned at right angles to the waves. The supports form parallel inclines through the surface of which extend the rods of a series of piston pumps whose cylinders lie below the surface of the runways.    A large sized cylindrical container has external annular recesses or grooves to match the configuration of the runways and may be adjustably ballasted by partially filling with water. The effect of wave impact together with ebb and flow makes the container roll backwards and forwards on the slightly inclined runways. In so doing the cylinder roll backwards and forwards on the slightly inclined runways. In so doing the cylinder imparts a reciprocal motion to each of the piston pumps, thus pumping a fluid into a storage tank as means of storing the captured energy.
The atmospheric absorber consists of an aluminium casing (1), whose base (2) and side walls (3) are circulated by polyurethane foam, and containing a number of absorption tubes (4), spaced 5 cm apart and running parallel to one another. On the inner base of the casing (1) is a graphite foil (5), which is heated by silicon solar cells (6) for wing generator, and is used for de-icing the collector. Cross members (7) arranged a few centimetres over the foil (5) carry the absorption tubes (4), and some10 cm above these is a louvred lid (9), of glass or plastic, which is controlled open or shut depending on the radiation conditions.    The position of these louvres is controlled by a positioning servo motor (18), and when they are covered with snow, a brush unit (12), mounted on rollers on guide rails either side of the clear lid, is moved along its extend, automatically to the surface. The absorption tubes (4) have a heat transfer liquid flowing in them, which in turn has the heat energy extracted and fed to the hot water supply, the whole energy unit being cheap to manufacture and requiring a low energy inout.
The plant uses a number of piston/cylinder devices spaced around an endless belt (1) passing around the vertically spaced wheels (3) within a water vessel (6). The pistons (4) of the cylinders (2) on each side of the belt (1) more from one end position to the other under the effect of gravity so that the piston/cylinder devices on opposite sides of the belt run are out of balance and the belt (1) is caused to rotate. This causes a corresp. roation of the two belt wheels (3) which can be used directly to drive a mechanical load, or to drive an electricity generator.    The air expelled by the pistons (4) on one side of the belt (1) is fed via a loop (7) to the cylinder chambers on the other side of the belt (1). The device can be used for domestic or industrial energy generation where other fuels are not available.
The system uses driving fluids having lower boiling points than the normal 212 deg.F, boiling point of water for the reason that they exhibit satisfactory high vapour pressures at low temperatures and can readily be condensed in an abentropic type engine. Their heated vapours are used first to drive a standard turbine, then its exhaust or spend vapour is led into an abentropic engine in which it impinges a specially designed rotor blade backed by a hard vacuum. This unbalanced force, provided it is greater than the rotor resistance, moves the rotor and work is done which in turn extracts energy from the vapour causing an amount proportional to the work done to condense at its boiling point.    The condensate is drained away prior to being recycled through the boiler. The boiling condensate has qualities quite different from cold condensate; it does not leave a vacuum in its wake as cold condensate does, but exudes vapour at the same pressure as the uncondensed vapour itself and its temp. remains the same as that of the condensing vapour.
The appts. is capable of producing usable energy as a result of the rise and fall of ocean tides. A second reservoir is connected to a natural reservoir such as the oceans by means of a duct system. The duct openings in the two reservoirs are established at levels which will constantly be submerged. Upon charging the duct system with water, the siphon principle will urge the flow of water back and forth through the duct system between the two reservoirs as the water in the second reservoir seeks a level of equilibrium with that of the ocean. A turbine is mounted in the duct system and is driven by the continuous flow of water back and forth through the system thus producing a source of useable energy.
The system utilises the electrical power generated when the magnetic flow is varied through the telescopic inlet and outlet of a suitable core. The core may be moved by utilising the terrestrial passage of vehicles, where a number of coils are placed in a suitable cavity made below the road and the core is joined by a set of levers. The levers are moved when the vehicle pass, and a dampening system which will transform the sudden movement of the vehicle into a vibratory movement is arranged between the set of levers and the core.    Alternatively the movement is supplied to the core by the waves of the sea, where a group of coils, conveniently protected, is secured to the bottom of the sea and the cores are joined to a buoy, so that the movement of the waves will raise or lower them.
The energy converter uses hydrostatic pressure acting on a piston to compress air in a cylinder which is immersed in water, and uses the compressed air to drive a turbine coupled to an electric generator. The cylinder is rotated through 90 degrees from the vertical to the horizontal to be refilled with air. Locking mechanisms are provided at either end of the cylinder to hold the piston.    With the cylinder filled with air and in the vertical position the piston is released and rises under hydrostatic force. A valve connecting the compressed air to a reservoir is opened half way up the stroke and closed before the stroke is complete, leaving a layer of compressed air above the piston. The cylinder is then tipped horizontally and refilled with air from the atmosphere before being returned to the vertical for the next cycle.
The mechanical and/or electrical energy generating system using environmental heat is basically a heat-pump installation, comprising at least one circuit containing a heat exchanger, motor-driven compressor and processing machine.    A liquefiable gas, functioning as a freezing-mixture, flows through these in succession absorbing heat in the exchanger and releasing energy in the processing machine. Several compressors in series may be fitted. Several circuits may be used, linked by the heat exchangers acting as a condenser for one evaporator. Except in the last, the processing machine is replaced by an expansion valve.
A concentrator is used to trap solar energy. It has the shape of a paraboloid with a given focal length. The reflecting surface is coated with a metallic mirror layer. It operates at very high temps. so as to increase the Carnot efficiency.    There is a support surface (44) rotating around the perpendicular axis of rotation of the paraboloid surface with a given speed. It sprays a liq. and hardening medium on to the surface. This is followed by the reflecting mirror layer (47). The mirror surface is produced by precipitation from the sprayed liq. substance.
The reflector comprises a hollow housing having an opening; a flexible, elastic reflective membrane. The membrane is coupled over the opening in a gas-tight manner. An evacuation device is coupled to the housing, for creating a partial vacuum in the housing tending to deflect the membrane below a reference plane and into the housing.    A valve is coupled to the housing, for controlling the depth of the deflection of the membrane. The valve comprises an aperture located in the membrane, and a body is mounted adjacent the aperture and has a flow restricting surface extending into the housing with a depth equal to the depth of the desired deflection of the membrane relative to the reference plane and overlying the aperture. By varying the depth of the flow restricting surface relative to the reference plane, a very high accuracy of adjustment of the reflector's focal length is accomplished.
A caisson has a bottom plate (5), side plates (2,3), a backside plate (9) and a top plate at least a part of which is omitted. A water chamber in the caisson has a length (Bc) larger than wave length (Lc) in the water chamber by a distance of 1/4 or more of the wave length (Lc) to generate a stationary wave within the water chamber and to form a node of the stationary wave in the water chamber at a distance of Lc/4 from the backside plate. A pendulum is arranged at the position of the node of the stationary wave for swinging in a natural period (Tp) which is the same value as a natural period (Tw) of the stationary wave. The pendulum is swung by the stationary wave to absorb and convert wave energy to useful electic energy at high efficiency. The pendulum drives an hydraulic pump cylinder (10).    The appts. has a simple structure and its investment and maintenance costs are low and damage resulting from a stormy weather can easily be prevented and has extremely high energy recover efficiency in any critical conditions, so that it is eminently useful industrially.
The plant comprises a cylindrical or rectangular tank filled with water with a control vertical guide past along which a float can move up and down. The float is coupled to a cable (1), with the cable drum connected via a freewheel coupling to a generator shaft. The upper part of the tank is attached to a balance comprising two equal heavy weights and causing pressure differences within the tank to provoke movement of the float along the guide post. The counter-weight of the balance may form part of a hydraulic press.    The upwards movement of the float is used to drive the generator and it subsequently descend due to gravity, which provides the only external force acting on the system.
The system has a Cassegrain mirror system which is rotated about a diurnal axis. The axis is adjusted for seasonal variations in the incidence of the sun's rays on the earth's surface. A black body absorption cavity filled with translucent or transparent fluid material is used for direct absorption of the sun's rays. The incident solar energy is absorbed directly by the fluid medium. The fluid within the cavity may be maintained under extremely high pressures and temps. in order to utilize this fluid as a heat storage medium.    Such heat storage is facilitated by appts. hich permits a change in the volume of the reflective cavity in response to the temp. or pressure of the fluid within the cavity. The fluid medium is maintained in a pipe shaped vessel of which a portion is adjacent the focal point of the optical system which refracts the incident focussed rays along the axis of the pipe. The entire inner surface of the pipe is highly reflective to allow repeated passages of the light until the radiation is totally absorbed.
The closed loop solar collector system includes a linear concentrating parabolic reflector, a linear vaporizer tube horizontally aligned along the focal line of the parabolic reflector, and a fluid metering assembly attached to the input end of the vaporizer tube for precisely metering a quantity of a vaporizable heat transfer fluid from a supply tank to the vaporizer tube. Solar energy concentrated by the parabolic reflector on the vaporizer tube vaporises the heat transfer fluid The heated vapor flows out the outlet end of the tube opposite the fluid metering assembly through a pipe and enters a heat exchanger.    The heat exchanger contains a heat absorptive medium which absorbs heat from the vaporized fluid to cause the fluid to condense and release its latent heat of vaporization to the heat absorptive medium. The condensed fluid flows back to the heat storage tank for re-use under pressure provided by the vaporized fluid entering the heat exchanger. The stored heat may be used to power a generator.
The solar air heating system is for circulating heated air from a solar collector or a heat storageunit, or both in proportion to heat available from the collector, through a control chamber to an environmental space to be heated, using one blower sized to otpimize flow through the duct system to the space. When the space does not require heat, heated air from the collector is propelled via the chamber to the storage unit by a second blower sized to optimize flow from the control chamber to the storage unit.    Pref. a flow control valve is variable to proportion flow from the collector relative to flow from the storage stage. Pref. a relay and control sensor are associated with motorized damper.
The power plant for converting the potential energy of ocean thermoclines to usable energy includes a submerged boiler for vaporizing a working fluid as a result of a heat exchange with the relatively warm surrounding surface water. A turbine work expands the vaporized working fluid from the boiler. A submerged condenser liquified the exhaust from the turbine as a result of a heat exchange with the relatively cold surrounding subsurface water.    A wiper is affixed to each of the boiler and condenser for cleaning the outer surfaces of the boiler and condenser so as to enhance the heat transfer between the outer surfaces and the surrounding ocean water. A subsurface device continuously distributes a lubricant film over the outer surfaces of the boiler and condenser so as to inhibit corrosion and marine growth on it.
A tubular body has one end which is adapted to be inserted into a water wave and the second end adapted to extend out of the water in which the rise and fall of water in the body creates a flow of air in alternate directions through the body. A turbine is positioned in the body above the water level and exposed to and rotated by the flow of air and is connected to a electrical generator. The turbine is designed to operate with air flowing in either direction through the turbine so that power is generated as the water both rises and falls in the tubular body. The turbine blades include a concave surface on one side and a convex surface on the opposite side. The cross- sectional shape of the blades are shaped to provide an air flow passageway between adjacent blades which decreases in area from each edge, thus forming a restriction in the passageway between the blade edges.
The appts. includes a beam which consists of a number of pontoons (10) joined by hinges (11). Tensioned cables extend between the pontoons at the ends of the beams when the beams are floating in the sea. In each pair of adjacent pontoons, one pontoon has a pair of cylinders, an upper cylinder (14) and a lower cylinder (15), whilst the other pontoon carries a pair of pistons (16,17) and rolling rubber seals (18) to prevent leakage.    A high pressure main (19) and a low pressure main (20) extend the length of the beam with each upper cylinder (14) having conduits (21,22) leading to high and low pressure mains respectively via a valve (23). The arrangement is repeated for the lower cylinder with the conduits (24,25) and a valve (26). In operation the wave movements in the sea create relative angular movement between adjacent pontoons causing the pistons to move in the cylinders and this with cycling of the valves (23,26) pumps fluid from the low pressure main to the high pressure main. The return fluid circuit from high pressure main back to low is via a turbine which can drive an electrical generator.
A power generating system for houses, blocks of flats, public buildings, etc. uses water power by the flow bed narrowing principle. The power is generated by brushless synchronous generators at low voltages.    The flow is obtained from the river and can use the flow caused by shipping in estuaries. The water is diverted along channels using the sum of the energy obtained from each channel.
The generating unit consists of two hollow rollers and a guide roller, mounted on a framework by shafts fixed in bearings which allow the rollers to rotate. A conveyor belt, which has a number of vertical blades attached to it covers the rollers, the two outer hollow ones of the three, having pins on their circumference which enter holes in the belt to prevent slip occuring between the roller face and the underside of the belt.    The main framework has transverse spars for supporting the unit on concrete pillars set in the sides of the river. One roller shaft has an extension for driving a gear train which is connected to an electric generator. To use, the unit is lowered into the river and the upright blades drive the belt which, since it is coupled to the rollers by the holes in it, will turn the generator via the gear train.
The engine assembly is powered by high pressure vapour from a volatile liquid that has a boiling point substantially below the minimum ambient temp. in the geographical location in which the engine assembly will be used. Heat for volatilising the liquid may be withdrawn from the ground, naturally occurring sources of water, as well as from sunlight and waste heat from industrial installations.    Although the engine assembly is capable of being used to produce power for any desired purpose, it is partic. adapted for use in pumping water from a well, with the pumped water not only being used for irrigation purposes and the like, but also to effect an initial cooling of the low pressure vapour discharged from the engine assembly prior to the vapour being further cooled and pressurised to return to the liquid state where it is heated and recycled through the engine assembly. The volatile liquid may be a suitable one of the various Freons, such as Freon 22, liquid carbon dioxide, ammonia, or the like. The pump may be driven by an electric motor, powered by a generator attached to the engine.
A rotatable member is provided which is capable of rotating in only one direction. A float is provided which rises and falls in response to wave action, and thus moves relative to the rotatable member. The float is coupled to the rotatable member so that the movement of the float rotates the rotatable member in it available direction to provide power output.    In its pref. form, there is an elongate floating barge flanked by a pair of elongate floats. Transverse movement of the floats relative to the barge is limited. A rotatable power output shaft is mounted on the barge parallel to the elongate floats. Pulleys circumscribe the shaft and are spaced along its length. Tension members attached to the float circumscribe the respective pulleys to rotate the pulleys and hence the shaft as the float moves relative to the barge to achieve electric power output.
Stand is used to test solar batteries block-elements, and has a base (1), a table (2) for block-elements (3) attachment, illuminator (4) placed above table (2), optical filter (5) attached between the illuminator and the table, and mechanism (6) for the illuminator displacement. In order to improve the operation condition, increase the economy and to simplify construction, the optical filter is situated at an angle of 10-30 deg. to the horizontal plane of the base.    The filter optical axis coincides with the illuminator main optical axis. The solar batteries block-elements attachment table is at an angle of 10-45 deg. to the base surface. Illuminator (4), optical filter (5) and table (2) are fitted on semi-axles (7,8, and 9) and can turn about the latter. Table (2) is provided with a limiting plank (10). Measuring system (11) is fitted on the stand. Bul.46/15.12.80
The electrical generator is powered by the normal tidal rise and fall of the sea. It consists of a platform mounted flywheel large enough to maintain smooth operation driving two series of gears. One series operates during the flood tide the second during the ebb, the gearing being chosen to provide the rpm required at the generator.    The platform positioned at half max. tide height is typically 50M x 20M x 10M, 10M being the thickness, having a 5000 ton mass. A tidal change of 5M provides an output of 2000kWatt per hour at 50% efficiency. A 20M tide change over 24 hours provided 981 Mega Joules. During slack ride periods the generator may be driven by burning hydrogen derived by electrolysis using part of the power obtained during tidal operation.
The collector and concentrator plate is intended for conversion of light energy into electric, or thermal energy. It is based on the fluorescence principle and increases the spectrum separation between absorption and fluorescence. The plate contains two types of fluorescence agents, the fluorescence spectrum of the first one overlapping that of the absorption spectrum of the second one.    The concentration of the absorption spectrum is greater than the critical concentration for radiation-free transfer of excitation energy from the first to the second agent spectrum. The concentration of the first agent spectrum is greater than that of the second agent spectrum by a factor of at least 10. The two agents are not homogenously distributed, but are in a transparent film on clear support.
The supply system uses a wind turbine (4) driving an electricity generator. The shaft (3) of the wind turbine (4) projects vertically from the flat or shallow inclination roof of the building, so that the wind turbine (4) rotates in a horizontal plane at a small distance from the roof surface.    Pref. the building has an approximately circular ground-plane, e.g. it comprises a regular hexagon with the dia. of the wind turbine (4) slightly less than the building diagonal width. The generator coupled to the other end of the shaft may be positioned in a cellar below the building, which also incorporates a swimming pool, the cellar and the outside walls of the building being fully insulated.
The system uses a heat pump (WP), e.g. placed in the ground driven electrically to heat a working medium held in a heating vessel (E) to obtain vapour for driving a turbine (T) coupled to an electricity generator (G). The working medium is fed from the turbine (T) to a cooler (K) and the liquified working medium is returned under pressure to the heating vessel (E).    Pref. the working medium comprises CO2, NH3 or freon etc. The heat energy obtained by the cooling of the working medium is pref. fed to the heat pump (WP). The system is designed to conserve energy and may be a large or small scale installation.
Solar cells mounted on a frame with 360 degree rotation (17) and 180 degree horizontal plane (18) movement so that the cells can be made to track the sun for maximum efficiency. The structure may also be parked in a downward facing position to avoid dust accumulation, dew at night or water and snow accumulations. The solar cell modules (10) are mounted on the face of the carrier frame (12) which is again mounted on a rotor base (14).    A light sensitive cell (21) measures the incident light and controls the electronic tracking circuit (20) used to orientate the electromechanical frame drive so that the individual solar cells (11) in each module (10) receive any power providing light available, this includes facing the cells to the cloud covered sky to receive diffused light and holding the frame in the horizontal position.
Energy is produced using a buoyancy element and a fluid having different specific gravities in two stages. An induction stage uses geometric angular differentials or valving in combination with angular momentum effects and/or decomposition (e.g. electrolysis of electrolyte into gases) to produce energy. Fluid (5) moves more rapidly than floats (3) and fluid is thus entrained around the float and moves towards the centre of rotation. A corresponding outward force on the float (3) brings it into contact with faster moving fluid (5) in areas (7) imparting energy to the float.    The power output stage uses velocity and direction changes in the higher specific gravity fluid to enhance operational pressures which is translated into an effect on the floats to produce power in the form of rotation, direct electricity generation, or thermal generation.
The conversion appts. includes a body with longitudinal vanes affording greater displacement capacity to one side of the body longitudinal axis than the other side. The body is anchored in water with the longitudinal axis at the surface of the water. The body may be cylindrical with vanes disposed at an angle to radial at least at their outer ends. Chambers are thus defined between adjacent vanes, the chambers being bounded axially by walls. The chambers have a greater displacement capacity to one side of the body axis than to the other side.    The different displacement capacities cause the body to be rotated by wave movements when it is anchored with its longitudinal axis at the surface. The body preferably has a length greater than that of the waves. Non-return air valves in the vanes allow air to escape and reduce drag.
The solar energy collector appts. includes an open-top shell-like structure (28). A Fresnel lens system (62,64) and a mirror system (66,68) inside the shell structure focus and direct solar energy toward a solar energy absorber appts. (50) also inside the shell structure. The shell structure is mounted upon a hollow axle in a framework for rotation about its longitudinal axis (30). The framework supports the longitudinal axis in a position generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the earth to provide an equatorial mounting for the solar energy collector. Rotation about the longitudinal axis adapts the solar collector for following the east-west movement of the sun. The optical appts. in the shell structure is adapted for movement to follow the north-south seasonal changes in the sun's position.    The solar energy absorber appts. is nonrctatably supported inside the shell structure by the hollow axle and heat transfer conduits (41,43) pass through the hollow axle to the solar energy absorber appts. in nonrotatable relationship with it. A photovoltaic appts. may be included within the shell structure for converting at least a portion of the incoming solar spectrum to electrical energy.
Two dissimilar metals, such as aluminium and brass, are separated by a heat conductive and electrical conductive material. Water makes a good separator. When a fluid is used, it is heated and caused to flow between the dissimilar metals. The metals may be in the form of rectangular plates and they act as electrodes from which the electrical power is tapped by suitable lines. In the above case the fluid is heated and passed between the metals, the internal temp. being greater than the outside of the metal plates. If desired, the outside of the metal plates may be additionally cooled.    In a variation, the heat may be applied to the outside of one metal and passed through the metal, the separator, in this case pref. solid, and through the other metal. Again the other metal plate may be independently cooled. The heat can be applied in any conventional manner and solar heat can readily be used. In circulating the hot fluid, a portion of the power generated may be used to power a circulating pump. If desired, the metal plates may be placed in series to increase the output power, but they must still be spaced.
A volatile liquid is circulated through a normally closed circuit, including expansion tubes within an expansion chamber where the sun's rays are focused on the tubes to heat the liquid, transforming it to an expanding gas to drive a fluid-operated motor, also in the circuit. The motor may drive a mechanical load or an electric generator. The generator drives a pump which compresses the gas back to a liquid state and returns the same to a reservoir and to the inlets of the expansion tubes in the expansion chamber.    An air reservoir which is pressurised by a pump driven by the fluid operated motor has its outlet connected to the motor inlet so that during periods of darkness or cloud cover in which the volatile liquid is not expanded into a gas the pressurised air will be automatically fed into the motor to continue to drive the same. A gimbal system automatically controlled by sun tracking devices supports the expansion chamber to continually focus the sun's rays onto the expansion tubes, regardless of the relative position of the sun and the base on which the gimbal system is mounted.
The heliostat enclosure is particularly well suited for enclosing and protecting a heliostat either flat or parabolic, pref. comprising a light-weight, generally hemispherically shaped, enclosure bubble formed of readily assemblable and disassemblable segments, including some transparent segments, and supported by a foundation in the form of a soil filled, plastic ring bag mounted in the ground at the heliostat site.    The enclosure bubble is inflatable by pressurised air and supportable in operation, such as during windy or inclement weather. A multi-legged, tubular, step frame is mounted within the enclosure bubble and is configured to support the enclosure bubble in nearly fully inflated condition when the bubble is not supported by pressurised air. The frame is electrical conducting and earthed serving as a lightning protection means for the heliostat.
A structure is anchored in a flow of water to extract energy, the water flowing into a main channel and two outside channels. The main channel leads into two or four small channels through sluices, only one of these being open at one time, and its closing opening the next in line.    Flow in a small channel closes the respective exit valve placed at such an angle that shock waves travel to compress air in an air chamber to do useful work, to close the sluice and to assist the outside channels to evacuate water. By this means a rapid cycle is maintained - the power is not dissipated by turgid water. The compressed air operates an air motor linked to a fly-wheel driving an electricity generator.
The horizontal wind generator is mounted on a vertical column so it is free to rotate in a horizontal plane. A guide vane is fixed to the rear of the tapered conical exhaust duct and orients the inlet duct to the wind. The rotor of the integral alternator is a thin hollow cylinder with radial vanes as spokes, so that the wind passes through the centre of the rotor driving the vane to give rotation.    The stator of the alternator lies inside a cylindrical section of the casing between inlet and outlet cones. The alternator is thus constructed of thin materials of large surface area. An eddy current brake unit is mounted behind the alternator rotor to control rotor speed under high winds.
Generators are mounted on a rotating platform on top of electric transmission line pylons allowing direct connection to the transmission line. Extra foundation ties stabilise the tower against the extra force created on the wind turbine blades. A boom carries a guide vane to orient the turbine to the wind.    The turbine drives the generator through a gear train and speed controller to allow operation in all wind speeds. The generated current is collected at a rotating collector projecting below the rotating support and passed to tower mounted controllers and transformers. From the transformers current is connected directly to the overhead transmission lines supported from insulators attached to cross braces, mounted on the pylon. A metering unit is placed at ground level on the pylon for easy access.
The roll and pitch of a ship are utilised as a source of energy by coupling electric generators to a large gyroscope. The gyroscope has its axis vertical and the wheel driven by an electric motor mountedon the frame which carries the an electric motor mountedon the frame which carries the an electric motor mountedon the frame which carries the shaft of the gyroscopic wheel. The frame is mounted to pivot along an axis perpendicular to that of the wheel shaft in bearing supports which are fixed to the ship, with the axis of the shaft that they carry lying along the longitudinal axis of the ship.    The pitching of the ship results in a precession force which rotates the shaft carrying the wheel frame in an oscillatory manner, following the pitch of the ship. Gears attached to the end of the shaft transmit the oscillatory rotation to output wheel having a ratchet at their centre, resulting in unidirectional rotation of the generator driving shaft.
The hydraulic turbine is driven by water flow from a static mass of water and uses an oscillating cylinder with a float and double pistons to return the water used to a second storage. The oscillating cylinder is vertically suspended on pivots placed midway along its length. The cylinder contains a float with a piston on either side of the float. As the water exhausts from the turbine it fills the cylinder, and the float rises, so the lower piston forces water up an outflow pipe to be returned to the outflow storage.    As the cylinder fills further it becomes 'top-heavy' and swings through 180 degrees so the bulk of the water is at the bottom providing space for more water to flow through the turbine into the cylinder. Sliding joints allow the rotation and alignment of the cylinder ports with the inlet and outflow, and the motion of the cylinder is used to create a compressed air blast to clear the outflow pipe.
The solar energy collector comprises a paraboloid or cylindro-parabolic reflector whose profile is defined by the equation y= x squared/4f. f is the parameter of the parabola. In the parabolic reflector there is a target intended to receive all the collected rays from the sun. This may carry a heat transfer fluid, or it may support an array of photocells providing an electrical output.    The target is either spherical or cylindrical according to the reflector shape, and is centred on the focal point or the focal axis of the reflector. The dia. of the target (F) is several times the magnitude of f, the focal length and curve parameter. The reflector is orientated according to the time of year - a winter operating reflector being aligned to catch the low sun.
The panel (1) is connected to the battery (3) via a charge regulator comprising a diode (1), charging regime switch (24) and voltage limiter (48). A resistance (51), shifts the operating point of the solar panel towards the higher voltages corresp. to low currents. A capacitor (54), transistor (57) and threshold and hysteresis circuit (59) produce from the solar panel output current a regulated voltage which is sufficient to maintain the charge of the battery.    The switch (24) consists of another threshold and hysteresis circuit (26) with wider range and an electromechanical relay (22) which interrupts the direct connection from the solar panel to the battery when the latter is fully charged. The device is reliable, consumes little energy, and ensures limitation of the charging voltage without significant dissipation by Joule heating. The relay (22) is robust and its rest position is chosen to minimise power consumption when solar energy is most scarce.
Light is focussed on each solar cell by a lens system consisting of an optically-active layer (4) between the solar cell (1) and the surface on which the light is incident. The layer focusses the incident light in a manner dependent on the surface and on the absorption properties of the solar cell. The layer consists of gelatine treated in the manner of a hologram.    In the array several solar cells are arranged next to one another and share the optically active layer, which both disperses and focusses the light. The cells are coplanar. The gelatine layer is protected by a transparent covering layer (6). A second transparent layer sets the spacing between gelatine layer and solar cells. The spaces between groups of solar cells are used to contain contacts and current rails. The advantage of the gelatine layer lies in increasing efficiency without greatly increasing cost.
The solar energy power generating system has a concentrator system and absorber unit fitted along the focal line. The absorber contains a forced flow cooling medium for dissipating the heat of the energy converter.    The reflection of the cooling agent is effected by using gravity. The cooling agent is a liquid, which is conveyed to a raised heat exchanger (3) in a system of cooling pipes (2). The heat exchanger gives off heat to the environment. The cooling agent is conveyed through the light shadows of the concentrator system.
A thermal wind power plant uses the thermal lifting force in the chimneys and cooling towers of existing power stations. The lifting force is used as the rotational energy of a rotary machine. The flow is directed to a horizontal drive with adjustable blades (4).
The semiconductor solar cell capable of converting incident radiation to electrical energy at high efficiency includes a number of series-conencted unit solar cells formed from a common wafer of semiconductor material. The unit solar cells each include a semiconductor substrate of one conductivity type and a p-n junction formed in the substrate. The cells are separated from one another by spaced, parallel opaque stripes. Each stripe extends over and covers a portion of the light- receiving surface of the adjacent cell.    The solar cell is pref. used in conjunction with a light focusing device, such as a lens structure. This lens structure focuses the incident sunlight, on the portion not covered by the opaque stripe, and pref. focuses the incident light into a reduced-width band which is incident on the substrate surface at an accurately predetermined distance from the p-n junction of each of the unit cells.
The plug and socket connector may be installed so that the connector is directed towards the adjacent panel for forming an interconnect by the shortest possible route. The connector socket is an elongated, rectangular housing having a groove formed about the entire periphery adjacent one side and an annular bore extending the length of the housing with its axis parallel to and spaced from the plane defined by the groove.    A male contact, having a rectangular solder tab with a time extending symmetrically and normal to it, is mounted on the housing with the solder tab lying against a surface of the socket portion and the tine extending into the bore. The plug has a configuration adapted to intermate with the socket portion in an aligned condition and has a crimp ring providing both sealing and strain relief for the high pressure contact terminal carried thereby.
The wind motor includes three vanes mounted to rotate about a vertically oriented main shaft, and the three vanes are also mounted to rotate about individual axes which are equidistant from the main shaft and extend parallel to it. Through the use of cranks connected to each vane, and a simple triangular linkage interconnecting the cranks, the three vanes rotate together so that, as the wind impinges on the system, all three vanes cooperate to aid in rotation of the assembly around the main shaft. A collapsible unit includes arrangements for unfolding the vanes as the main shaft is raised into operating position.    The wind motor is pref. located in an area where winds are funnelled at relatively high velocity to impinge on the wind motor. The vanes of the wind motor are oriented by a cog belt or a sliding rod, for optimum angular orientation with the wind, and arrangements are provided for holding the vane control assembly in this optimum orientation.
The assembly finds partic. utility when interconnecting a number of tubular solar energy collectors with each other, in parallel to form a bank of collectors. Interconnection of a number of such banks of collectors with each other, in series, forms a tiered arrangement.    The assembly, in combination with other appts, provides a capability for a batch and/or a continuous circulation system. It is capable of quickly filling tubular solar energy collectors with a fluid under pump pressure and for quickly and completely draining tubular solar energy collectors of the fluid under gravity. This yields a failsafe operation regarding freezing conditions and/or boil-out conditions.
An opening for the liq. allows flow into and out of the chamber to provide a quantity of the liq. which is arranged to oscillate in the chamber. A piston unit in the latter is arranged to be completely immersed in the liq. so as to be displaced in a reciprocating manner by the oscillation of the liq. and exploit the energy of the waves.    The energy-extracting device can be rectangular in plan view and comprises a chamber (1) defined by triangular (2) and rectangular (3) buoyancy tanks both having a rounded lower edge and extending the entire width of the device. An air vent (8) extends through the roof (5) and the outer casing (7) and is protected from spray by a hood (9).
The collector uses a monophase heat transfer fluid heated by solar radiation focussed by a dished spherical mirror. This has a cavity within its focal plane, the walls of which are formed by a helically coiled tube wound around an imaginary partial spherical surface. The winding axis for the tube is perpendicular to the flat front face defined by the missing part of the sphere.    A band is wound between the adjacent tube spirals and is continuously welded to the adjacent tube walls, so that the external face of the band is practically tangential to the tube spirals. The heat collector exhibits a high heat exchange coefficient with a min. transport path for the heat transfer fluid for reduced thermal losses.
The generator has a drift plate for aligning it with the direction of the wind and mounted at the back of the wind turbine rotor. The drift plate rotates or moves around a circular path relative to a horizontal axis under the action of the wind on elements carried by the drift blade so that it lies outside or within the turbulence zone created by the rotor blades in dependence on the wind force.    Pref. the drift blade is coupled to the wind turbine via a long connection rod articulated to a shaft to move horizontal and transversal to the wind direction. The drift blade moves out of the turbulence zone during its rotation, e.g. to lie above it by between 1 and 2 metres.
The lamp standard has a base (1) containing a storage battery and a control timer, and a tubular post (2) filled with a heat storage medium, e.g. oil, with the lamp (3) at the top, together with an electric dynamo (5). This is rotated by the wind which is admitted at the bottom and escapes at the top. The drive block of the dynamo (5) carries a gyrostat with helicoidal vanes of steel or aluminium which also act as light reflectors.    When the storage battery has been fully charged via the dynamo the supplied power is fed to a resistance heating element for the heat storage medium, so that the convection currents caused by the air rising within a casing (7) around the post can be used to drive the dynamo (5) in the absence of wind.
The wind turbine installation uses the turbine (3) to drive a pump (4) raising water from a base reservoir (6) to one or more subsequent reservoirs (8) at a higher level. The water is returned via an intermediate reservoir (11) supplying a hydraulic turbine driving an electrical generator.    Pref. the upper reservoir (8) and the intermediate reservoir (11) have a common central axis and a float valve (12,13) between then maintains a constant water level in the intermediate reservoir (11) to provide regular rotation of the hydraulic turbine wheel. The installation is designed to require min. maintenance and supervision and allows high levels of energy to be obtained.
The wind turbine has a rigid stator with a cylindrical cross-section formed by vertical concrete panels spaced apart and surrounding the rotor. This has vertical blades and rotates about a vertical axis whatever the direction of the wind. The profiled stator panels are angled and spaced apart to form intake channels for the air stream which are wider at the intake end than at the rotor end to augment the wind velocity.    Pref. the stator panels are mounted on a common foundation platform with the top faces joined together by a reinforced concrete ring enclosed in turn by a removable cover. The turbine rotates independent of the wind direction and utilises the max. wind force. It can be built to very large dimensions.
The wave energy converter comprises a tunnel (1) through which the wave passes and which has a pivoted vane (2) coupled to a driven shaft (3) supported between two pivot mountings (4,5) attached to the outside of the tunnel (1). The shaft may be coupled to an air pump providing compressed air.    Pref. the tunnel (1) has a square cross-section and it is positioned horizontally so that the vane (2) which blocks the tunnel (1) is pivoted at the top. The bottom of the tunnel (1) pref. has a concave surface defined by a 70 degree arc immediately below the bottom edge of the vane (2), so that during its movement it remains at a constant distance from the bottom of the tunnel (1). Pref. the vane (2) pivots between two stops (6,7) with its return movement provided by a spring (8).
A series arrangement of solar cells is constructed to be unaffected by adverse disturbances. Solar cells (1) of the barrier layer photo element type are formed in a semiconductor substrate with a diffuse barrier layer. Deposited conductors interconnect (2,3) between the cells.    Diodes (4) are either coupled across each cell or are built into the semiconductor structure. If a cell fails the diode maintains current flow across the connection.
The wind rotor has a vertical shaft which may be fixed to the spindle of an electrical generator. The vertical rotor blades are shaped like a circular arc tapering towards the back. There are two or more rotor blades arranged symmetrically around the axis. The rotor blades (1) are each attached to a mast via a spoke.    Each rotor blade is attached to a cord which is in tension as a result of the centrifugal force. The blades can be made from metal, wood, plastic, etc. They are hollow and filled with air or gas. The rotor blades are reinforced in the horizontal plane. Alternative systems are based on the Savonius or the Darieus rotor.
The appts. is used for converting the wave motion along the shore into usable energy. It comprises a float which is suspended in a narrow channel converging shorewards so that it is driven upwards by the kinetic energy of each wave impinging against it. The float returns downwards under its own weight and its up and down movement drives a pump via pivoted levers to lift water to a higher level. The water is used to drive a turbo-generator set.    The weight of the float may be variable by computer-controlled valves admitting sea-water to and draining it from its hollow space to adapt to the mean sea water and wave height levels at any time.
The power generation system uses shafts such as chimneys with the exhaust of cold or warm air as the driving medium for a generator. A cylindrical-shaped unit (10) is mounted at the outlet end of the shaft. It is open at both ends (13,14). The cross- section is matched to that of the shaft.    The hollow inner chamber (12) of the cylinder mounted on the shaft is fitted with a shaft (20) with an impeller. The impeller shaft is coupled to the drive shaft (30) of the power generator (35) via a system of gears. The joint between the cylindrically shaped unit (10) and the top of the chimney is sealed by a conical cowling with gusset plates (16).
The magnetron, with a ring (1) rotating inside an annular channel inside a stator (6), has the ring formed by a number of adjacent permanent magnet dipoles (3,4). These are enclosed by the windings of one or more exciter coils fed with excitation current.    The stator is formed by a permanent magnet block, and the ring rotates in a vacuum, and is supported in a frictionless manner. The advantage of this arrangement is that the electrical energy can be stored, e.g. surplus current from fossil fuels, wind or water power is collected and delivered as required.
The appts. includes a number of generators positioned upon a rotating wheel of arms where the wheel is secured to a rotating drive shaft. Cylinders such as drums are axially oriented around the drive shaft and are caused to rotate in an opposite direction to the shaft by a reversing gear system driven by the drive shaft.    These cylinders include grooves in them which are adapted to receive a drive belt which extends outward along the individual arms to a pulley located on the rotor shaft of each generator. In this manner the energy of the rotatable driving system which causes the drive shaft to rotate will be efficiently converted into electrical energy by the rotation of the rotors of the generators caused by the rotation of the arms with the drive shaft and the opposite rotation of the belts connected to the rotors of the generators caused by the reversing rotation of the cylinders.
The radiation collector system includes a number of primary reflectors (16) which are movably actuated responsive to a displacement of the electromagnetic radiation source. The primary reflector members (16) reflect and concentrate the source emitted radiation to a secondary reflector (60) which is positionally located at the focal length of the displaceable primary reflector members or plates. The secondary reflector is partic. contoured and reflectively coated to reflect the initially concentrated reflected radiation to a line focus.    The secondary reflector may be stationary or formed of several reflecting members. Radiation reflected from the secondary reflector is focussed upon a line collector mechanism (14) or heating a fluid medium passing through. Additionally, the second reflector may reflect radiation to a light redirecting mechanism having an absorbing face located along the focus line of the secondary reflector elements.
The solar energy collection appts. (10) using a pair of coaxially arranged spacedly positioned close ended cylinders (11,12) which are maintained in this spaced arrangement by intersecting spacers (13,14). These spacers comprise triangular configurations, the apexes of which intersect in a lateral manner so as to maintain between the outer surface (11a) of cylinder (11) and the inner surface (12a) of cylinder (12) a space (15) which is maintained in a suitable vacuum condition by withdrawing the air or atmosphere between by a suitable vacuum pump and its control through a suitable valve (16).    The spacers may comprise anticline and syncline configurations. The spacers (13,14) maintain the two cylinders (11,12) in a given spaced arrangement but each spacer, strut or separator forms a conductive path for the flow of energy, i.e. heat, cold or the like from one wall or surface of the other cylinder and vice versa across the space (15).
The device for using the energy of the waves has a sloping barrier wall (1) in which there are slit apertures (3) and adjacent to which there are wave reception channels (2). Each of these waves reception channels (2) can be equipped with a working wheel (4) and a water raising device (5) and the apertures (3) can have shutters in the form of valves (6) with counter pulses attached by hinges to the sloping barrier wall (1).    This makes it possible to raise the mass of the water to the highest level so that it can flow into the channels with minimum lowering of its level. The degree to which the wave reception channels (2) fill up with water depends on the height and velocity of the waves. The greater these are, the higher the potential level of the mass of water in the channels. Bul.44/30.11.80.
An oscillating water column vessel (10) has a non-return valve (11) allowing air to pass into a resilient chamber in the form of a rubber tube (12). The tube (12) has an outlet which acts as the inlet to a gas driven turbine. The turbine exhausts into an exhaust chamber (15) which surrounds the rubber tube (12) and which exhausts through a non-return valve (16) into the water column vessel (10).    In operation, as a wave rises up the water column vessel (10) it forces air through the non-return valve (11) into the rubber tube (12) causing the tube to expand ( 12a). Air passes through the turbine into the exhaust chamber (15) and then, as water falls in the water column vessel (10), through the non-return valve (16) back into the water column vessel (10). Since the pressure in rubber is always higher than that in the exhaust chamber (15) smoothing of the air flow through the turbine (14) is achieved.
The electricity generating system uses floats raised and lowered by the sea as its source of energy. The floats are positioned on either side of a support frame and are attached to vertical shafts which pass through guide rings. The shafts are joined by horizontal bars also attached to the shafts of pistons. The pistons are raised and lowered by the floats, and in moving create a flow of hydraulic fluid within their respective cylinders.    A system of valves at the base of the two cylinders directs the fluid to flow through a turbine. This in turn drives an electrical generator providing the output electrical power. The generator uses wave power thus providing cheap energy. Its construction is such that only the floats are in contact with the sea : corrosion is thus reduced to a minimum.
The energy conservation generator uses the movement of vehicles along a highway section to provide induction voltages. The electromagnetic induction coil encloses the highway section so that the voltage is generated directly by the movement of each vehicle. Pref. the induction coil is incorporated in a bridge or tunnel section, so that the construction material provides insulation of the coil.    The vehicles themselves may each incorporate permanent magnets or an electromagnet supplied from the vehicle battery, for amplifying their magnetic field and hence increasing the size of the induced voltage.
The generator, comprises an electrical system that is powered by compressed air from a compressor activated by a mechanism powered by natural forces. The compressed air system between the input and output of the machine permits communication between these ends which is pref. in certain instances instead the direct connection between input and output.    The input is made for harnessing the motion of ocean waves. A hollow float includes an upward extending shaft slidable in a stationary sleeve of a steel plate rigidly affixed to a coastal breakwater or the like. Pins along the shaft engage angle levers respectively. The levers pivot on pins mounted in plate. The levers are connected, the levers activate linkages connected to piston rods of pistons in cylinders and having air inlet ports. In operation, when the float ascends on a wave, the piston pushes air into an air tank and when the float descends on a wave, another piston pushes air into the tank. One way valves prevent return air escape from the tank.
The energy generator includes a mover provided with a housing and an element movable in the housing. A container accommodates the gas which is heated under the action of a surrounding medium. The heated gas is fed into the housing of the mover from the container and expands in the housing so as to move the movable element. At the same time, the expanded gas is cooled and partially condensed.    A new portion of the gas is supplied into an opposite part of the housing and moves the movable element in an opposite direction. The gas, cooled and partially condensed in the previous step, is expelled from the housing of the mover and travels back into the container wherein it is again heated under the action of the surrounding medium.
The appts. includes a hollow spherical vessel having a polished reflective interior surface. A window is provided in the wall of the vessel for allowing concentrated rays from the sun to enter into the interior of the vessel and be absorbed by a solar collector. The collector includes a substantially black (or a selective coating) heat absorbing surface carried by a spherical member which is centrally located within the spherical vessel.    Heat absorbing media such as metal shots, are carried within the spherical member and change from a solid state to a liquid state as it absorbs the solar energy. The heat absorbing media cause radiant energy to be radiated radially in a symmetric beam pattern to the reflective vessel wall where the radiation is reflected back to the spherical member.
A number of water pumping modules (2) disposed at the sea bed serve to raise sea water to tanks from which the water flows to a turbine (6). Each module (2) has a buoy (8) secured to a rod (11) which is guided by rollers (12) and moves longitudinally within a sleeve (10) secured to a pile (1) embedded in the sea bed. The lower part of the rod (11) carries a piston (13) to which is coupled a flexible joint (14) in engagement with the interior of the sleeve (10). A pipe (3) connects the lower end of the sleeve (10) to the tanks and has at least one water check outlet valve (17) and a T-joint (15) with a water inlet valve (16).    Pref. the upper zone of the buoy has a ballast hole for the complete or partial filling, to be used when the buoy weight should be regulated.
The solar collector uses reflective channels to guide the light rays onto a cylindrical tube holding the working fluid. The reflecting channels are defined by walls formed by a succession of abutting cylindrical segments of differing radii and centres. A succession of walls of the same form and proportionately greater radii are supported by end plates perpendicular to the cylindrical segments to form multiple channels. The location of successive centres and radii commences with a horizontal datum line intersecting the working fluid cylinder.    Where the inner most cylindrical wall segment meets the working fluid cylinder defines the centre for the next abutting segment whose radius is reduced so the wall remains continuous. Where the second wall intersects the cylinder defines the next centre and the wall radius is again accordingly reduced. Using this construction the walls spiral inwards to concentrate the solar rays on the working cylinder.
The solar energy converter collects and focusses radiation onto both solar cells and a heat absorber. A plane secondary mirror acts as a spectral filter allowing those parts of the spectrum usuable by the solar cells to pass through it and be converted into electrical energy. The remainder of the spectrum is reflected and absorbed by an independent thermal circuit.    The energy is focussed by either a parabolic reflector, a fresnel lens or a convergent lens. The absorbed heat is used to drive an absorption type refrigeration unit to cool the solar cells and improve their efficiency.
The cross-flow turbine machine provides shaft power by extracting energy from a moving fluid. The fluid comprises both liquids and gases. Fluid is guided into the rotor by inlet shape and the fluid flows through the first rotor, through the interior, through a second rotor, through the exit, and through a diffuser to exit the machine at ambient pressure. Due to the change in angular momentum of the fluid across the turbine rotor, a torque is applied to the output power shaft.    Boundary layer injection slots along the entire width of the machine, between the turbine exit and the diffuser, avoids boundary layer separation in the diffuser and significantly augments the quantity of flow through the turbine machine. The output power shaft can be used, for example, to drive a water pump, an electric generator, or a compressor. Also moving air, water, or steam may drive the turbine.
Safe conversion to usable form of almost all subsurface wave energy available within a predetermined annular region is effected by an affray of submerged wave energy removing impellers mounted upon an annular outrigger surrounding and secured to a seagoing central platform. Maximal progressive inward attenuation of practically any state of the open sea is achieved over a very broad wave frequency band by buoyant, nonbuoyant, and neutrally buoyant impellers that function approx. as generalised simple pendulum whose natural frequencies fall at regular intervals throughout that frequency band.    Optimal functioning of the impellers is achieved by assigning to their working members suitable degrees of omnidirectional response to water movement interial and drag forces, respectively. After conversion by pumps, the extracted wave energy is conveyed viaa pressure transmission subsystem to a central turbine for further conversion and subsequent storage and/or product processing within the central platform.
No further information has been published for this application.
The appts. is for converting solar energy to more useful forms, i.e. thermal and electrical energy. The apparatus includes a photoelectric transducer (e.g. an array of photovoltaic cells), and an arrangement for concentrating solar energy on the transducer, and for circulating a liquid between the transducer and the solar energy concentrator. The spectral properties of the liquid are such that the liquid functions as a bandpass filter, transmitting solar energy to which the transducer is responsive and absorbing solar energy to which the transducer is non-responsive.    The transmitted solar energy is converted to electrical energy by the transducer, and the absorbed solar energy is converted to heat by the liquid. Pref. the liquid is circulated through a container which, in the vicinity of the transducer, is constructed so as to provide optical gain to the system and to integrate incident solar energy for the purpose of eliminating 'hot spots' which could over-heat, and damage, the transducer.
The appts. comprises a movable sleeve (2) with a spine (1) located within it. Light hydraulic rams (6), located in cylinders (5), which are symmetrically placed about the spine, support the sleeve. Each cylinder has an outlet (8) and inlet (9) leading through valves (10,11) to a common high pressure (12), and low pressure (13), pipe. The pioes are connected on either side of a variable displacement hydraulic motor (14), which is connected to an electric generator (15).    Under the action of wave motion the sleeve moves relative to the spine such that the sleeve axis orbits around the spine axis. Hence, the internal surface of the sleeve moves towards the spine so that the ram is contracted and expanded, acting like a pump to provide fluid under pressure to the motor. The sleeve may be replaced by a cylinder or sphere in other embodiments.
The reflector comprises a relatively thin elongated sheet (26) formed to define a concave reflective surface (28), pref. having a uniform parabolic cross section shape. Sheet (26) has integral end walls (30) which have holes (32) through which receiver (14) extends. An integral perimeter flange is formed from longitudinal flanges (34) and end flanges (36). A perimeter wall extends from the perimeter flange and is formed from longitudinal sections (38) and end sections (40).    Pref. element (26) is vacuum formed from a suitable material such as aluminium that either is reflective or has the capability to support a reflective surface. To lower manufacturing costs and readily permit vacuum forming, the element (26) is made from as thin a material as possible.
The system has a towerless collector that is disposed at the same level as the reflector. The reflector has at least one towerless heliostat that is disposed at the same level as the collector onto which it reflects radiant energy, the heliostat being movable to maximise its reflected energy onto the collector.    Pref. there are a number of collectors each having their own heliostats arranged in an array of two rows. Pref. the respective heliostats and sensors are co-mounted on a single support structure to further minimise costs, just as the towerless construction eliminates the nonfunctional cost of the tower for the collectors.
Energy is recovered by direct contact heat exchange between the brine or hot water, and an immiscible working fluid, e.g. a hydrocarbon such as isobutane, in a heat exchange column, the brine or hot water flowing countercurrent to the flow of the working fluid. The column can be operated at subcritical, critical or above the critical pressure of the working fluid. Pref. the column is provided with several sieve plates.    The heat exchange process and column, e.g. w.r.t. the design of such plates, number of plates employed, spacing between plates, area, column, and the like, are designed to achieve max. throughput of brine or hot water and reduction in temp. differential at the respective stages or plates between the brine or hot water and the working fluid, and so minimise lost work and maximise efficiency, and minimise scale deposition from hot water containing fluid including salts, such as brine. Max. throughput approximates min. cost of electricity which can be produced by conversion of the recovered thermal energy to electrical energy.
The solar photoelectric module has a concentrating system and a photo transformer (3) situated in cooling chamber (4) with heat carrier (5). To increase the efficiency, the photo transformer and the heat carrier are situated in the chamber lower part. The concentrating system has concentrator (1) and counter-reflector (2). One of the cooling chamber walls is used as the concentrator. The sun rays pass through the opening (6) in concentrator (1).    The solar radiation falls on concentrator (1) and counter- reflector (2) and then reflection is focussed on the photo transformer (3). The electric energy produced by photo transformer boils the heat carrier. The heat carrier vapours then rise and condense on the cooling chamber walls. The condensate then flows to the chamber lower part and ensures effective cooling of photo transformer. Bul.40/30.10.80
The solar power unit has facet concentrator (1) with a photogenerator (2) placed in its focus. To increase the reliability and increase the service life, each concentrator facet is enclosed in a transparent gas filled convex envelope (3).    Photogenerator (2) is enclosed in a similar envelope (4). Envelopes (3,4), are filled with hydrogen. During operation the solar energy is reflected by the mirror surfaces and falls onto the photogenerator. The reducing media, hydrogen, ensures parameters retention and excess heat removal from the inner elements to the envelope outer surface. Bul.40/30.10.80
The device comprises a body adapted to rest partially immersed in the water. The body has a surface extending horizontally in a direction parallel to the waves and is inclined at right-angles to that direction to present a sloping undersurface to the oncoming waves so that an oncoming wave will meet the surface and trap a body of air between the water, the surface and vertical walls extending in the direction of wave travel.    The air is then compressed and conveyed to openings in the surface, from which it is led to an appts. for extracting its potential and or kinetic energy. The device incorporates submerged surface some distance below the sloping undersurface. The surface extends horizontally in a direction parallel to the waves and is inclined at right-angles to that direction to present a rising surface for the purpose of influencing in a favourable way the form and behaviour of the waves.
The energy converting device has a chamber with an opening for the flow of the water into and out of the chamber (14). An inlet tube (12) from the rear of the device, with a non-return valve (13), is provided for the in draught of air into the chamber as the surface of the sea water in the chamber drops. A hood (14) protects the inlet end of the inlet tube.    A non-return outlet valve (7) in the roof (5) allows air to be expelled from the chamber as the sea surface (6) rises. The resonant or natural frequency is mainly determined by the depth of immersion of the foremost side of the device, to the incoming wave. As this immersion increases the natural frequency of the quantity of liq. decreases.
The solar electric house includes a water tank with a drainage channel leading to a reservoir including heat exchangers for the recovery of energy. Water is circulated by a solar pump. The house includes a black surface for absorbing UV in winter, and a white surface for reflecting it in summer. There is a balcony and terrace, and there is insulation between the three levels of the house.    The house also has a solar panel for heating water, and a photoelectric panel for producing electricity from the solar energy. A battery is provided for storing electrical energy. Lighting is provided by a 24 volt system operating fluorescent lamps.
The station has a prefabricated structure formed in one or more parts enclosing the energy collection, storage and utilisation appts. The outside walls of this structure act as collection surfaces for heat energy and have connection terminals (16) for the energy supply (17) for at least one external load.    Pref. the external walls of the structure are partially formed as solar heat collector surfaces (32) and partially as surfaces (28) collecting heat energy from the air. The structure pref. also incorporates a heat pump (20) and/or a wind-powered generator (34) and/or a rain water collector(26).
The assembly of light-guide lenses, comprises an array of light-steering lens embodiments having different refractive index material light-guide semi-transparent and reflective to incident light radiation-to control, focus, or disperse the transmission angle of the light radiation from that of the incident light rays. The component assembly is contoured in a capping relationship over a focusing lens to provide an extremely high concentration of solar energy irrespective of the angle of the sun.    The light-guide lenses increase by several orders of magnitude the amount of solar energy striking the surface of the focusing lens. The focusing is several flat surface type of lenses stacked one over the other in spaced relationship and operable to concentrate the solar energy to a central region. Surrounding the perimeter of the plurality of focusing lens is an array in a wall configuration of light-guide lenses similar in construction to the capping light-guide lenses.
The system comprises efficient device for conversion of solar energy into stored heat by means of a circulating fluid, preferably silicone oil, so that temperatures higher than 100 degrees C. may be efficiently attained. The fluid is passed through a helical conduit pipe of a blackened metal such as anodized aluminum or copper upon which a stainless steel semi-cylindrical reflector surface concentrates solar energy. There is a movable cleaning rig with a silicone oil wetted pad array that passes periodically over the stainless steel surface to keep it free of dirt and film. Also the transparent cover of a compartment in which the collector is mounted is periodically cleaned. Preferably the collector array is mounted in a pit in the ground to retain ground heat and prevent convection and radiation losses, and the reflector is moved to track the sun position.
The double acting solar water heater has two flat coils of copper tube (3) oriented perpendicular to the sun's rays. The upper surface of the coils, facing the sun, are coated in black pitch (20) while the lower surfaces are bare copper. A corrugated aluminium reflecting surface (18) below the coils reflects heat loss from the coils. The underside of the corrugation is packed with fibre glass insulation (16).    The coils and reflector are mounted in a wooden box (10) with glass covers (22) one immediately above the coils and the other (5) a short distance away from the first giving double glazing so reducing heat loss. A silicone mastic (24) is used to seal the glass. Protection against icing is provided by two electric light bulbs turned on by a thermostat.
The solar collector is modelled on a flower. The central collecting area is in the form of a circular segment of a sphere and is surrounded by 'petals' formed by metal or synthetic sheets erect around the periphery to act as reflectors and to reduce cooling due to wind. A cover on the underside of the collector in the form of sepals reduces heat loss. The assembly is mounted on a stem formed from a metal pipe, and has a two axis motor assembly mounted at the top of the stem to tilt the collector towards the sun and to rotate the head as the day proceeds.    Electric cabling for the motor and pipe work for the heated fluid pass through the stem to the required location. The petals can be modelled on successful local flower varieties.
The collector uses a single curvature parabolic reflector which focuses the sun's rays onto a heat absorbing surface from which energy is drawn. The mirror is fixed, facing southwards with its length running east-west and the angle of elevation is set so maximum conversion efficiency is obtained in mid-winter. This safeguards against overheating during summer.    An injection moulded base of a nonflammable material supports an aluminised plastic reflecting sheet which is glued to the insulating base. The collector element is a steel radiator having a height which is sufficient to capture the focussed rays from the Autumn to the Spring equinox. The face of the radiator is coated with a black absorbent paint. The materials chosen allow maximum transmission of the solar spectrum, from 400 to 2,500 microns wavelength, and a minimum transmission for IR radiation re-emitted by the collector.
The holder is oval shaped, made of plastics and incorporates a solar cell and a miniature fan motor. The motor rotates to cause air circulation through the soap holder around the outside of the tablet of soap, preventing it from becoming soft, after use and retaining its shape etc.    Pref. the holder is formed as a dished base with a ridged interior surface receiving the soap and a cover incorporating the solar cell and the fan motor, with an external rotor carrying the fan blades. The energy supplied by the solar cell which is not required by the motor is fed to a battery associated with a voltage limiter and a current stabiliser. The air is drawn in by holes in the cover around the central solar cell and exits via an opening in the centre of the base.
The domestic hot water installation combines heating from solar panels, from a central heating boiler and from an electric heating element in the base of the storage tank. Solar panels (2) heat the water through a coiled tube (13) inside the insulated (17) tank (8).    Water from the fuel fired boiler (5) heats the water further by passing around the space between the double skins of the boiler (16). When neither solar heating or central heating is operating sufficiently, a thermostat (30) in the lower part of the tank controls the electricity supply (20) to the heating element (31) to bring the water to the required temperature.
The system has a turbine generator and a mass transport conduit system including a warm water intake conduit. It also includes a cold water intake conduit, gravity separation tanks, pumps, outlet conduits, injection nozzle systems, vertical conduit sections and separation tank outlet conduits.    A mass of unencased expandites, e.g. liq. ethane, is provided in one tank outlet conduit, and warm ocean water is introduced into the circuit through the intake conduit (11). The two are combined in one of the vertical conduits and passed through the tanks for gradual separation. The turbine generator is positioned in a second vertical conduit for converting the pressure of the flow of the first expandite-fluid mixt. through the conduit into e.g. electricity.
The solar energy collector includes an open-top shell-like structure with a reflective optical system in the shell structure for directing solar energy toward a solar energy absorber apparatus inside the shell structure. The shell structure is mounted upon a hollow axle for rotation about its longitudinal axis and may be mounted for vertical movement to follow north-south changes in the apparent seasonal position of the sun. The solar energy absorber is nonrotatably mounted inside the shell structure in fluid communication with heat transfer conduits that pass through the hollow axle thereby avoiding rotatable couplings in the conduits.    Photovoltaic appts. for converting at least a portion of the solar spectrum to electrical energy may also be included in the shell structure. The method includes tracking the sun with the solar energy collector thus maximizing the amount of solar energy collected while eliminating coupling failures in the heat transfer conduits.
The solar collector employs two concentrically disposed glass tubes (11,12) having axial end portions sealed and united to form a double-walled structure, with the annular space (13) between the inner and outer glass tubes being highly evacuated. A heat transfer fluid is passed through the inner tube. The outer surface of the innermost tube (11) is provided with a coating of a solar energy absorbent material to trap energy incident upon the outer tube (12) within the inner tube and the heat transfer fluid.    At least one axial section of the inner glass tube is provided with radially inwardly directed deformations to define a bellows configuration (11c) to permit absorption of differential thermal expansion of the inner and outer tubes.
The device includes a box (10) holding liquid and having dimension such that the resonant frequency of wave motion of the liquid within the box is equal to the frequency of the wave whose energy is to be converted. The box, which can be open ended or closed ended and can be e.g. rectangular, semi-circular or V-shaped in cross-section, can be tuned for prevailing wave conditions by varying its depth in the wave liquid (11).    A standing wave will be set up in the box, which is floating in the wave liquid, and will build up until the forces it exerts on the box are equal and opposite to those exerted by the waves in liquid (11) and the box remains stationary, relative to a second member which moves with the waves.
The solar collector has reflecting segments fixed to a polystyrene dish to form a dual focus heating of a closed oil circuit which is used to heat water. The orientation of the reflector dish is determined by photo resistors mounted on the dish which use an operational amplifier circuit to maximise the light intensity at the focus.    The operational amplifier circuits control a hydraulic cylinder which through rack and pinion drive of a chain coupling positions the dish in the horizontal plane. A hydraulic cylinder connected to the lower half of the dish pivots it round the horizontal axis to give vertical orientation. A photo resistor is used to sense illumination level and to control the flow of the oil working fluid in response to the light level.
Sea waves are used to operate air pumps, and the compressed air is piped to the shore where it is stored to provide electric energy. The appts. has two slotted vertical columns that are fixed to the sea bed, and two rods are placed in the slots such that the rods, which lie parallel to the wave front, are free to rise and fall vertically.    A large float carries the two rods and has, mounted on its sides, air pumps whose piston is pushed inwards by an arm attached to two flat plates at right angles to each other, and which lie face on to the waves so as to be rocked about a pivot formed by the lower rod by the wave motion. A counterweight which is connected to the pump piston restores the piston to the outermost position.
A gas or gas mixt. (pref. of hydrogen and oxygen) - pref. of a definite volt. - is brought into a liq., e.g. water, surrounded by a container, pref. spherical in shape. The gas is made to explore and/or detonate, e.g. by light (pref. laser), when it reaches, for instance, the central region of the vol. of liq.    Water and/or vapour mass propelled by the energy released, or through this energy, exerts such a pressure that at least one turbine is supplied with working water and/or steam and/or gas via, e.g. a turbine feed shaft, pipe and/or venturi. The explosive force itself can be used alternatively or additionally. The container pref. has a seatable opening for the liq. and at least one supply tube for the turbine.
A hydraulic pump is driven by a wind wheel or a bobbing float. The pump feeds hydraulic medium into a cylinder to raise a piston loaded by a weight. When the weight rises above a predetermined level, the medium is fed under its constant pressure to drive a hydraulic motor connected to an induction generator.    Because the generator is driven at constant power (though intermittently) it can be connected to the public mains supply, eliminating the need to store power, without sophisticated interface arrangements. A second generator connected to a resistive space or water heating load can be cut in at higher energy levels. The hydraulic pump can be arranged to extract power from the source in the most efficient way.
The system generates electrical power in response to the flow of a moving body of water while submerged in it. A streamlined body member encloses an electrical generator which is equipped with an impeller and shaft. An inlet shroud provides an inlet tube portion housing, pref., a control valve and a wicket structure. The impeller is located immediately downstream of the wicket structure. The shroud diverges so that flowing water externally is accelerated.    Water flowing through the inlet tube portion and past the impeller exits from the shroud at a location where the externally moving water has created a low pressure area called a nappe. The pressure in the nappe is substantially lower than the hydrostatic pressure to which the water inlet is exposed. There is accordingly created a large pressure differential between the nappe, which comprises the outlet of the water path through the device, and the inlet tube which is exposed to hydrostatic pressure.
The tidewater power system consists of a high tide reservoir and a low tide reservoir. The high tide reservoir has an inlet adapted to be supported at high tide level and an outlet with a water wheel and generator between the outlet of the high tide reservoir and the low tide reservoir.    The low tide reservoir has an outlet at the low tide level. The outlet from the high tide reservoir is adjustable to control the flow rate and the high tide reservoir can be closed at high tide to retain water for use over a period of time.
The tracking solar energy collector comprises a number of internally defined, spaced-apart channels for containing a working medium to be heated with solar energy. It comprises a rigid, rectangular frame, a foam insulation layer confined within the frame forming a lower side of the collector and converter disposed within the frame over the insulation layer for absorbing heat from solar energy. A fluid input manifold is disposed within the frame for inputting a working medium into the unit.    A fluid output manifold device is in spaced-apart parallel relationship with the input manifold device. A number of parallel, elongated channels is disposed between the converter and the foam insulative device for conducting fluid between the input manifold device for conducting fluid between the input manifold device and the output manifold device. Pref. the converter comprises a carbon silicone elastomer material having an end portion lapped about the major portion of the length of the output manifold.
The focussing solar energy collector has a main reflector made up of a central support rib and a number of lateral support ribs extending from the main support to form a series of cross shaped supports for a thin reflective sheet held on the supports by a double faced tape. The central support rib connects with end supports for an evacuated cylindrical glass tube that contains a receiver and a secondary mirror.    The secondary mirror is formed from an extrusion and comprises an elongated curved reflective surface having its edges touching the glass cylinder, and an elongated rib also touching the glass to give three point support. A flexible seal is provided between the receiver and the end plates for the glass cylinder to accommodate differential expansion.
The receiver is for the focused beam component of solar radiation. The receiver comprises an elongated element of heat insulating material and an elongated heat conductive element secured to the insulating element along its marginal edges to form a passage for heat transfer fluid.    The heat conductive element has a concave or convex outer surface that has portions normal to reflected solar radiation coming from a range of different directions. Preferably the heat conductive element is formed from a thin walled extrusion which has an internal fin to maximise the surface area of the passage for the heat transfer fluid.
The appts. for generating electricity comprises a linearly reciprocable device, a converter connected to the linearly reciprocable device and convert the linear movement in one direction only into rotational movement, and a rotatable drive device operatively connected to the converter and adapted for connection to an electrical generator.    The linearly reciprocable device is a pad (1) and rack (2) and the converter comprises a gear train (3-7) with a flywheel (9), crank shaft (8) and connecting rod for rotating a generator (15). The pad (1) may be depressed by a wheel of a vehicle, or by a pedestrian. A spring (16) provides return movement. A gear (5) is connected to a gear (6) via a one-way clutch. A solenoid (17) is included, e.g. for returning the rack and pad.
The collector uses flat reflecting surfaces (1,2) assembled in a trough shaped section with thin concave mirror strips (3,4) running along the length of the trough. Between each pair of mirror strips a single pipe or cluster of pipes (5) carrying the working fluid is heated by the reflected solar energy. The mirror strips are positioned one above the line of the pipes and one below, and they are angled to reflect light reflected from the outer walls onto the pipes.    Multiple mirror-pipe assemblies are mounted down the trough centre. The horizontal and vertical orientation of the solar collector is controlled by an electric motor which drives the collector round in the horizontal plane through reduction gearing and the vertical orientation is cam controlled. The working fluid is the pipes is converted to vapour for use in generating electricity.
A long arm, with floats at either end, has pivoted at the centre of the arm a rod supporting a heavy ballast weight. At the pivot a large diameter toothed wheel fixed to the arm drives a smaller toothed wheel fixed to the ballast rod. When the arm is perpendicular to the wavefront, one float will be at a wave peak while the other is in a wave trough.    This imparts a see-saw motion to the arm which is translated to rotary motion by the gears, allowing electricity generation using rotary generators. Attached to the ballast rod is a cable fixed to the sea bed to allow the float to rise and fall with the tide while maintaining its location in the sea.
The energy of waves breaking on sea or lake shore is converted to electricity by the motion of a floating platform (1) which lies parallel with the shore. The platform is constrained by cables or pillars fixed to the sea bed so it is free to rise and fall with the tides but cannot move along the water surface apart from rocking under the action of waves.    The rocking motion is transmitted through bevel gears (10) to a shaft (11) which drives a generator or air compressor through a gear train which increases speed and converts the oscillatory motion to unidirectional motion. The generator or compressor is mounted on the float (12). A cable or pipe (14) takes the electricity or air to the shore.
The machine has a closed cylinder fixed to the sea bed into which water is pumped on either side of a large piston which supports a large column rising to near the normal water surface level. Arms fixed to the column support each a long pivoted lever, which is held approx. horizontally, and has a float on one end which rises and falls with the surface swell, and an immersed pump piston on the other end. The pump cylinder is supported on a bracket fixed to the column.    Water is pumped by the action of the surface swell into a land based storage tank where it may be used to drive water turbines. At the top of the column a small float is at the normal surface level when the column is at the correct height. Surface level movements are detected by the float and used to operate an electrically driven pump which alters fluid level in the main cylinder to adjust the height of the column.
The collector has a cylindrical parabolic mirror (1) rotated about a longitudinal axis by a driven wiper arm (3). This supports a transverse axis (14) around which a photocontrol device (15) is rotated, so as to locate the position of the sun. The photocontrol device (15) supplies a pulse for disconnection of the wiper arm drive (8) upon locating the sun and energises a drive (18) for rotating the mirror (1) about the longitudinal axis. The latter drive (18) is subsequently disconnected on reaching the same position as the wiper arm (3) by a switch (24,25) with contacts carried by the mirror (1) and the wiper arm (3).    The positioning system uses a single photo device to determine the sun's position instead of requiring an array of photodetectors.
The wave energy converter uses a counter-rotating axial flow turbine. A pneumatic-type wave converter is used in which a chamber is provided and water rises and falls within the chamber to force air through a relatively small opening. Extending from the small opening is a flow passage which contains a turbine for converting the flow energy into mechanical energy. Flowing air is allowed to empty into the atmosphere when the internal water surface is rising and drawn into the chamber from the atmosphere when the internal water surface is falling.    The turbine has counter-rotating runners and guide vanes located both upstream and downstream of the runners. Alternating air flow within the passage excites the turbine runners after being turned by the guide vanes. The runners turn an output shaft through gears.
The photo element which may incorporate a light guide (1) consisting of a glass rod, can be shaped as a quarter of a circle. This is coated with e.g. an alkali metal (3) forming an electron emitter surface, and housed inside a tube (4) which can be connected to a voltage source (6) so as to act as an anode.    Between the anode tube and the rod is an evacuated space (2) forming a vacuum chamber which is closed by a seal (5) at each end, of non-conductive material. When a light beam (15) enters the rod, electrons are released from the coating (3) which are totally reflected through the rod, giving a voltage across the positive (6) and negative (7) connections at the outer end. An alternative design uses one or more wave shaped light guides.
The roofing material is in the form of long strips which run down the roof line. Each strip is in the form of a capital M, with rounded corners, and is made from metal, plastic or asbestos cement. The underside of the strip is filled with a light cellular material giving good thermal and noise insulation and in the upper trough of the section the solar energy absorption medium is placed, which may be flowing water or solar cells. Over the absorption medium a clear plastic or glass cover is slid under lips formed in the M section.    The joints between neighbouring collectors are covered by rounded tiles in 'Provincial' style or by an other decorative material such as wood or metal strips or other shaped tiles.
The generator uses a large float (1) which moves vertically up and down with the wave motion. Fixed to the float is a vertical structure (4) which rises and falls with it. A long vertical screw (6) is fixed to this structure and it passes through a threaded wheel (7) which is free to rotate but fixed by a platform (3) to the sea bed.    As the float rises and falls the screw (6) is forced through the threaded wheel, causing it to rotate. Pulleys (9,10) are connected to the wheel drive of an electric generator (15) through belts (11,12) and pulleys (13,14). Ratchet mechanisms are provided on the wheels driven by the screw so that they rotate in one direction only, and by twisting one of the drive belts (11) unidirectional rotation of the generator is obtained.
The edges of the flexible reflector (12) are fixed to the longitudinal edges of a rigid frame (13). A gastight transparent cover (11) encloses an inflatable vol. within which coaxial metallic and glass tubes (20,21) can be moved into the optimum position w.r.t. the sun. The space surrounding the flexible reflector is bounded by a shielding enclosure (40) resistant to wind pressure. The windproof enclosure being dissociated from the flexible mirror can be formed economically e.g. of walls rising to the edges of the frame and affording thermal insulation to reduce heat losses from the outer surface of the mirror.    Fluid for heating passes through the metallic tube (20) which is surrounded by a glass tube (21) for greenhouse effect, and is moved heliostatically by a cable (22) wound on a shaft (23) and working against a spring (24). The flexible cover (11) is formed of longitudinal strips (111,112) with adjacent edges (111a,112a) secured within tubes (152,153) bonded to a reinforcement (151). The width of the lower flexible panel (12) which reflects solar radiation on to the tubes (20,21) is pref. about 1.3 times the spacing (L) between the frames (13).
The hydroelectric generating station taps the energy from flowing streams in the open sea. Masses of water are made to pass through a turbine in an existing field, such as one formerly used for oil or gas extraction.    The turbine is inserted in the underwater cavity system using the difference in height between the cavity system (1/2) and the worked out field. The pressure of the water drop presses the liquid in the field downwards and outwards at the sides. The down pipe is fitted with a nozzle (8) at the bottom end. The down pipe is anchored in a cement or concrete base.
The undershot current generator consists of a horizontal drive shaft mounted on a float moored or anchored in moving water. The drive shaft is transverse to the moving water below, having at least two sets of 3-bladed paddle assemblies fixed.    The blades are driven by the moving water and power is generated at the drive shaft. This current motor may be used in tidal water or in continuously moving water, such as a river or stream, to generate power for producing electricity, for example.
The control system is used for optimising the net power level of the plant by perturbing the flow of circulating fluid individually to the heat exchangers to identify the direction of flow change which results in an increase in generated net power level and adjusting the flow of circulating fluid to each heat exchanger. This optimisation may be carried out periodically. In another case, when the temperature differential of the circulating fluid across at least one of the heat exchangers falls below a predetermined level, only the circulating fluid of the related heat exchangers need be altered to optimise the net power level generated by the plant.    Heat exchanger fouling may cause the plant to be shut down for cleaning of the heat exchangers during a cleaning time interval succeeding each operational time interval. Another aspect provides for deriving a ratio of operating time interval to corresponding cleaning time interval which maximises the net electrical energy produced by the plant.
The battery charger is mounted on top, front or back of a vehicle for propulsion. The charger consists of generators (B) rotated by wind vanes or rotors (A) when the speed is approximately 30 mph. The current from the generators is controlled by regulators or by rotor governor control.    The charger can be used for pure electric-hybrid or for small suitable converted fuel operated vehicles. The charger can be used to boost a small fuel operated engine if increased power is required, and the main objective is economical working. Rotors which are mounted on top of the vehicle which can be retracted if desired. Rotors which are low down in front, connected to generators, may cause the lamp position to be altered. All rotors are shielded or protected by louvres or wire mesh, and vanes can be fixed directly on to generators or can be connected by belts or chains to the generator shaft. The generators charge the propulsion batteries whilst the vehicle is running and then, as usual, the batteries drive the electric motors connected to the road wheels.
Electricity is generated by animals such as horses or cattle harnessed to a rotating arm and walking in a circle to rotate an arm of say ten metres length. Extensive gearing increases the speed of rotation to that suitable to drive alternators to generate electricity which despite frequency fluctuations due to variable speed of the animals may be directly used for heating or lighting.    Alternatively the generated electricity can be used to heat a boiler which feeds a turbine driving an alternator at a governed speed in the conventional configuration.
The wave energy absorber consists of a box (11) which may be mounted adjacent to a break water (7). The box has a vertical outside wall (8) with an opening (9) below wave level. The ends of the box are closed to the sea bed.    The top of the box is closed by a roof and encloses the air space (15). The air connects with a generator driven by an air turbine (14). The turbine is uni-directional with a reciprocating air flow and control valves. Pref. the opening (9) is totally submerged and arranged to be below the lowest level of the sea during wave and tidal cycles. The height of the opening can be made adjustable for areas with strong tides.
The wave energy machine consists of a flexible membrane (10) which carries a series of hexagonal plates (11), both components being made of plastic or synthetic rubber, and joined to one another by welding. Each hexagonal plate (11) is reinforced by four cushion type discs made of glass fibre reinforced plastic, with a central point (13) in the hexagon, through which a non- extensible cable (17) passes.    The upper membrane (10) has an air filled, tube shaped edging and floats on the surface of the sea, while below it is suspended a second membrane (15) of similar shape. This lower membrane carries a drive generator (16) e.g. hydraulic piston and cylinder, which is anchored to the sea bed (20) by further connections (19) which can be elastic. The wave motion this imparts energy to the generator systems which can be transferred to a land based power station.
The reflector system for gathering energy from the sun is simplified by constructing it from two mirror banks whose axes are vertical and orthogonal and each of which has the capability of being moved in one plane only.    This enables a solar energy gathering system to be made without using large surface areas but in small commonly controlled sub-units, in contrast to the usual large swivelling mirrors, which move in two planes and are complicated and costly to construct. The independently controlled smaller reflectors can be angled to gather radiation from the sun and reflect it in the most efficient manner on to the receiving medium.
The device comprises at least two pontoons hingedly connected together so as to perform useful work from the relative motion of the pontoons in response to waves. The hinge (20) is provided by laminated metal reinforced elastomeric elements (22,23,24) which reduce in cross-section with radial displacement from the centre of the hinge, and which constitute pump chambers, above and below sealing strip (37), discharging to a turbine. The latter is arranged to drive an electric generator.    Pref. the angular displacement between the respective centres of the upstanding portion (22) and the intermediate portion (24), and of the depending portion (23) and the intermediate portion (24), is greater than 90 deg. so as to maintain the compressive load on the portions (22,23,24).
The energy expended in creating artificial waves and swells is recovered by holding the wave making ramp (1) between two floating pontoons (2,3) which may be ballasted such that upper edge of the tamp is level with the water surface. This is attached by two hinged lines (5,7) running across its width enclosing an 'S' shaped section (6). The upper hinge pivots along one edge of a reservoir (8).    The reservoir moves between the pontoons maintaining a vertical position hold by pins (10) pivoted at each end. Turbo - generators (15,16) are driven by the reservoir contents via two conduits (13,14) attached to a shaft (17) between the pontoons. The conduits may be controlled by valves at their output ends. The energy recovery method may also be used in sea platforms, floating factories etc.
The solar power arrangement has, e.g. a transparent collector, covering roof, a turbo-heater and a vertical wind tunnel. The earth under the covering roof is used as a heat absorber and thermal energy store. Its heat is released again to the working medium, e.g. at night.    The earth region can be covered by a double transparent covering having a high transparency w.r.t. the incident solar spectrum but almost total opacity w.r.t. the heat spectrum irradiated from the earth. The second inner covering can be placed at a significant distance between the earth level and the outer covering. These coverings can be of normal glazing glass, of special glass with i.r. reflecting layers, e.g. of zinc or indium oxide, or wired glass or of plastics foil.
The appts. consists of an assembly of a concave reflector of circular section having tangential extensions and a receiving-converting system which extends outward by less than the radius of the circular section from the base within the cavity formed by the reflector and symmetrically along its longitudinal centre line.    The receiving-converting system is coincident with the imaginary continuation of the reflector surface at the reflector base. The maximum degree of concentration, using extensions of three diameters of the circular section, is approximately 4.6 for a linear model and 50 for a hemispherical construction. A significant portion of the energy received bythe reflector gathers in the area of coincidence with the imaginary continuation of the collector surface.
The appts. is used for harnessing combined wind and wave energy for generating, e.g., electrical power. It includes a first housing held at a fixed height above the bottom of a body of water and having an internal cavity, and a buoyant second housing having an internal cavity surrounded by sleeves into which the walls of the internal cavity of the first housing are slidably contained for allowing relative movement between the first and second housings in response to wave action. The first body contains a number of funnel-like openings for receiving air driven by the wind and directing it through one set of turbine blades.    The internal cavity of the second housing has a flapper valve which is normally open to the fluid communication between the internal cavities when the wave action move the second housing upwardly from the first housing. It closes in response to the downward movement of the second housing with respect to the first housing as the wave passes by, thereby pumping air trapped in the internal cavity across the blade of a second set of turbines. The discharge of the second set of turbines supplies air to assist in turning the first set of turbines.
Water from a main reservoir is conducted in a tunnel to the power unit installed in a chamber. From a return reservoir, it is further fed in a tunnel to another reservoir connected to the first. By means of an explosion in a cavity, the water is lifted, and further water from the intermediary magazine enters to take its place.    Gases produced by the explosion are conducted away in a pipe to a collection unit. (Provisional Basic advised Week D12)
The petal-type heat exchanger is able to stand high temps. and pressures from geothermal sources without fouling the main heat exchange surfaces. It is of integrated structure to resist the effects of volcanic eruption and earthquake protecting the power generation equipment. The heat exchanger, keeps the water/steam used in the power generation equipment free of fouling media from the geothermal source. The outer shell of the building is treated heat resistant concrete, in the form of a protective skin. This skin also protects the foundation of the building.    Channels are formed in the shell foundations and spider supports for the circulation of a cooling fluid to help limit the skin temp. for as long as possible. The control room and windows are in the top section of the building.
A high temperature solar collector has a high conversion efficiency. It has an absorber which floats freely by being suspended in a frame. The absorber is sealed off by two plates by a gas-type seal. One of the plates transmits radiation.    The plates are protected against external excess pressure by pins. The pins are inserted into the absorber via holes without coming into contact with the absorber. The absorber is divided into several surfaces. The collector is evacuated. The absorber is selectively coated. The pins and back wall reflect heat. It is used as a source for mechanical work such as the Clausius-Rankine process.
The solar radiant energy concentrating reflector concentrates solar radiation on a radiant to electric power thermionic conversion transducer. The radiated energy concentrator uses multiple reflectors that collectively reflect solar radiation onto a multi-surfaced concentrator down onto a focal area encompassing the target area for reflection from the concentrator to the transducer input.    The energy concentration is varied in the ratio range of from 20,000 to 1 up to 250,000 to 1. Reflector units are set to compensate for the constantly varying declination angle of the earth toward the sun, step tracks the sun compensating for daily rotation of the earth West to East on its axis up to a full 360 deg. depending on latitude North or South of the equator. The concentrator is circular in shape, made up of circular bands with the concentrator stationary and situated so that one or more of the reflectors can be aligned at all times to reflect the greatest amount of solar energy onto the concentrator.
The appts. is contained in a tank which is adapted to float near the surface of the water and tilt from side to side about a pivot point located below the tank, thereby simultating a pendulum-like movement. A sinker weight is employed to produce the appropriate movement of the tank and maintain the floating tank in balance at the ocean surface. The pendulum motion of the tank is used to roll a number of gravity wheels or their respective horizontal platforms in the tank so that shafts associated with the gravity wheels are caused to rotate. Electrical generators are connected to the rotating shafts for producing electrical energy from the mechanical rotative energy of the shafts as the tank tilts from side to side with the wave motion.    Each gravity wheel is equipped with a ratchet-like lock which prevents backward motion of the wheel such that it rolls in a single direction in a circular path on the platform. While one or more gravity wheels have their locks set so the wheels roll only in a clockwise direction, other gravity wheels are free to roll only in a counterclockwise direction. In this fashion, when the tank tilts to one side due to the rise of an ocean wave the gravity wheels roll from the higher side of their respective platforms to the lower sides along prescribed circular paths.
The generator is for extracting energy from waves on a liquid by use of the angular motion of a part of it in response to the waves. At least one gyroscope is arranged to be subjected to the effect of the angular motion to cause precession of the gyroscope and relative angular displacement between a portion of the gyroscope and the oart of the generator. An output performs useful work from the relative angular displacement. The work outout comorises hydraulic pump one for each gyroscope to be driven by the relative angular displacement, hydraulic circuit is connected to the hydraulic pump to be pressurised by the hydraulic pump. A hydraulic motor is connected to the hydraulic circuit to drive an electric generator.
A buoy (1) consisting of an open bottomed canopy (2) of conical form has at its top opening a convergent - divergent nozzle (4) at the minimum diameter of which is mounted the rotor of a turbine (5) which would normally be coupled to a generator. The interior of the buoy is divided into three equiangular segments or conduits each feeding a one third segment of the turbine rotor. The design of the turbine is such as to produce a fixed direction of rotation irrespective of the direction in which the working fluid passes through the rotor.    Any rocking motion causes displacement of the working fluid such that the fluid flows through the rotor in one direction in one segment and in a different direction in either or both of the other segments but all contributing to the same rotation..    The design and construction is such that rotational energy is produced when the buoy moves in any of five modes, namely heaving, pitching, surging, swaying or rolling.
When a solar collector (6) emits more heat than it acquires the circulation of the working fluid used for heat transfer is stopped. The regulator senses both the illumination level (12) and the average temp. (9,10) of the working fluid above ambient temperature (8).    An electronic circuit (13) multiplies the illumination level by a constant and compares the product to the temp. above ambient, and if the latter exceeds the scaled illumination value the circulation pump (7) is switched off to limit the losses from the collector panel. A differential temp. step is added to the temp. above ambient to provide hysteresis to stabilise the system before the pump motor is restarted.
The converter consists of one or several independent, but connectable units (10), each with a float (24). The latter is capable to transmit the alternating movement, caused by the sea wave impact, directly to free running wheels (18) and at least one freewheel clutch. The alternating movement of each float is converted into a undirectional rotary movement of a shaft (13,13a), coupled to one or several flywheels and connectable to a current generator, or another working machine.    At least one of the units has its shaft pref. mounted in a holder, emerging from a suitable frame sunk at a selected spot in the sea. One this shaft is inserted a flywheel and a freewheeling gear (18) with a toothed segment. The latter carries a lever arm (22) and is in constant mesh with the free running wheel, as it is articulated as a lever (25) on the frame (36). The arm end is articulated to an end of a connecting rod whose other end is hinged to the float.
A drive shaft (5) of a stationary drive assembly (4), consisting of a housing, an electric motor, a multi-stage epicyclic gear, and a spur gear stage, carries at a free end a housing of a second rotary drive assembly (6). This assembly consists also of a housing, an electric motor, a multi-stage epicyclic gear and a spur gear stage.    The drive shaft (7) of the second assembly, at right angles to the first drive shaft, support on its free end the elements (8,9) to be rotated, such as solar collector panels. Pref., the two drive assemblies are of identical design, the different spur gear stages permitting desired different ratios. For this purpose an additional spur gear stage may be incorporated between the electric motor and the epicyclic gear of one drive assembly. The components of the drive assemblies may be prefabricated as withdrawal units.
The small floating power plant is anchored in streams and rivers and has a relatively wide inlet opening for the active top layer of the water stream. During the flow the stream velocity is braked, resulting in the release of an energy which can be converted into electric current. Inside the inlet opening a baffle diverts the water flow in such manner that it reaches at neutralised velocity the impeller region.    The cross sectional surface of the flow channel from the inlet opening tapers in the direction of the impeller position, with the incorporation of central conical bodies. Then it opens up to the original cross sectional surface at the outlet. With the braked speed of the impeller the kinetic weight of the closed water column has an optimal effect under pressure and suction conditions on the impeller blades, providing continuous work force for energy.
The system brakes the force of waves to protect harbours and beaches and generates electrical power from the waves. The breakwater includes a sloped front wall so that the waves break upwardly along the wall. One or more passages extend through the breakwater to a lower elevation on the harbour side.    Paddle wheels or turbines are disposed in said passages. The force of the waves drives water through the passages and the receding water falling down the face of the wall flows through the passages to provide power to drive the paddle wheel or turbine which, in turn, is connected to drive a generator.
The generator consists of a large rectangular gate (1) pivoted at its upper edge (2) to a pair of fixed pillars (6). The lower edge has bogies (3) running within a pair of fixed rails (4) such that as a wave passes the gate, it lifts, forcing the bogies along the rails and the pivoted edge upwards, the reverse occurring as the wave trough appears.    Linear electrical generators (7) are held within the vertical columns or on the rails, each consisting of fixed and moving coil groups the latter forming a closed magnetic circuit. The system lends itself to three phase generation and has collector electrodes moving synchronously with the coils. Tidal effects are compensated for by electronic control of vertical screws
The use of atmospheric electrical energy rests on the observation that, in the steady state, an electric current flows from a positively charged layer some 60 km above the earth to the negatively charged earth surface. The electric field strength in the steady state is some 120 volts per meter.    By erecting a metal rod or small plate with a trace of an alpha particle emitter, for example thorium, and connecting it by a copper wire to the positive terminal of a battery, the latter can be charged over a long period. The negative battery pole is connected to earth, and the battery case well insulated from earth. After charging the battery can be used in the normal manner.
Storage containers (11) are each rotatably mounted at one end to a generator (12) in a 'rosette' pattern. Cables (13) are attached to the ends of the containers (11) to reduce lateral motion. Electrical energy is produced by rotation of the containers (11) fed from the system to off-shore use, part of the energy being utilised within the system itself for maintaining energy of rotation, pumping, lighting, heating, cooling etc.    In addition to energy of rotation, evaporation energy also may be used for off-shore use and for the system. Liquid may be pumped into or out of the containers for storage purposes or for off-shore use; also, condensed vapour may be returned to the system or it simply may be forwarded off-shore.
The outer surface of the receiver (14) is configured to enhance reception of solar energy and minimize radiation losses. An arc-like portion (18) of the interior of receiver (14) is made microporus while the remaining surface (20) is made smooth. The microporosity is achieved by air blasting the surface with microscopic particles. The energy acceptance angle 'theta' for a parabolic receiver is about 180 degrees while the loss angle 'delta' for radiated heat is 180 degrees. Thus, the surface of receiver (14) is blasted over a up to 180 degree arc, usually by masking the limits of the treated area.    The resultant microporosity in the energy acceptance area gives a greatly increased surface area for reception and reflection of the beam component of solar radiation. At the same time, however, the area over which the radiation heat losses occur is made smooth to minimize the surface area and thus minimize the heat losses. The net effect is increased efficiency for the solar collector. The added cost of treating the receiver to produce increased efficiency is minimal as the process may be automated to treat continuous lengths of tubular elements.
The solar energy apparatus collects, concentrates, and transmits solar radiation to a light converter, which converts solar radiation to another energy form. The apparatus includes aspheric reflectors which are used in conjunction with azimuth and altitude tracking systems to control the position of the aspheric reflectors so that each reflector focuses the solar radiation to a proximate a fixed first position as the sun's position changes during the day.    Optical waveguides have ends located at the fixed first position. The second ends of the optical waveguides terminate at a light converter. Solar radiation received at the first ends of the optical waveguides is transmitted through the optical waveguides to the second ends, where it is converted to thermal energy by the light converter.
A wave energy device (10) has submerged tanks (12,13) filled with a ballast liquid (16) and upper ducts (25,26) above the sea level for air pumped into the upper ducts (25,26) by a flexible wall pump (14,15) actuated by sea waves.    In order to assist in maintenance of the device (10) the submerged tanks (12,13) can be blown out to alter the trim of the device (10) whereby the device (10) achieves a stable position balanced by the buoyancy provided by the submerged tanks (12,13) and the upper ducts (25,26). The ducts contain a turbogenerator (31) with an inlet duct (33) connected to the high pressure duct (25) and anoutlet duct (34) connected to the low pressure duct (26).
The energy recycling system employs hinged sections of a road or motorway deflected by passing vehicles and coupled by rods to pumps to convert a passing vehicle's kinetic energy into stored energy. The system is located beneath the road.    A vehicle travels onto the first hinged section (1,2) raised above the general level of the road which is deflected down by the vehicle. The first section is linked by a coupling mechanism (5,7,9) to a pump (10,11) and to a second hinged section (3,4). When the first section is deflected down, the pump is operated and the second section is raised. The vehicle then passes onto the second section, forcing it down and causing it to operate the pump piston a second time and to raise the first hinged section back into the original position.
The system uses an area of one hundred square miles of a tropical ocean. Within this area, vertical conduits, open on both ends, are positioned in a square array having a pitch of 440 feet and are anchored to the bottom of the sea. Compressed air is pumped to the bottom end of each of the conduits and allowed to bubble up through it. The bubbling causes 40 deg.F water to enter through the open bottom end of the conduits and to be pumped or carried up through the conduits.    In this manner, the cold subsurface water is air-lifted up the conduits. Upon exiting from the conduits, the cold water and air bubbles continue upward in jet stream fashion until the surface of the ocean is reached. At this point the cold water spreads out radially in all directions. Since the air used to lift the water escapes into the atmosphere, the cold water again becomes heavier than the surface water of the ocean, and a naturally occurring downward jet stream is created so that the cold water is returned to its thermal level below the surface.    It is also envisaged that shore-based wind turbines could utilise air currents produced by the presence of sub-surface cold water on the surface to generate electricity.
The basis of the method is to generate an electrical current by an electron, or more generally by a charge carrier, pressure gradient, which is constantly produced and maintained by a standing shock wave. The standing shock wave generator produces a temp. difference which is maintained by the standing shock wave in a supersonic gas flow. This temp. difference causes the charged carrier pressure gradient, thus converting some of the kinetic energy of the gas flow into electrical power.    A plane, normal shock wave front (11) runs through a stationary gas (12) and leaves behind a hot gas (16). The shock wave moves through the gas from right to left. The cold gas on the left is thus impacted by the shock wave front at a supersonic velocity. The gas is compressed by the shock front nearly instantaneously, increasing its pressure, temperature and density.
The electrical generating system comprises a frame fixed w.r.t. the wave motion of a body of water. A flotation element is buoyantly supported by the water and constrained to follow only the vertical component of the wave motion. The motion of the flotation element is transferred to an electrical generating device which includes a device for producing electromagnetic flux and electrical coils.    The motion of the flotation element causes relative motion between the flux-producing device and the electrical coils thereby generating an electromotive force. A positioning sub-system is provided for moving the electrical generating device relative to the flotation element when the average depth of the body of water changes so as to maintain a symmetrical relative motion between the flux-producing device and the electrical coils.
At least one buoyant flap is mounted on a floatable support structure for pivotable movement about a horizontal axis spaced, in use, below the surface of the water.    The appts. may also include one or more pendulums which oscillate in a horizontal plane and/or a member resistant to vertical movement in water and connected to the lower end of a depending elongate member which is connected at its upper end to a pump element on the support structure and which extends, in use, beneath the water surface so that as the appts. rises and falls under the influence of waves, the piston is reciprocated.
The motor which is intended to work using gravitational attraction includes a circular wheel having nine radial supports linked to a hub. Each radial support comprises a flat piece of steel with a groove enabling pairs of weights to roll along it in the radial direction. Each support carries one such pair of weights.    Offset w.r.t. the axis of the wheel are two concentric circular guide surfaces. These two are cylindrical and have just sufficient space between them for the pair of weights. The weights are all so positioned on their radial supports that they lie between the two guide surfaces. Thus as the wheel rotates the weights slide in and out along three quarters of the length of their respective supports. The imbalance caused by the variously positioned weights is said to cause perpetual motion of the wheel providing a limitless source of energy.
The solar energy collector includes flat and parabolic aluminium reflectors bringing the sun's rays to a hot air engine having a hot chamber at the focus of the parabola. The hot air chamber contains a piston (12) connected to a joint (14) and rod (15) to a first crank (16). This crank is linked via a gear train to a second crank (17) and second piston (18) and an output shaft (19).    Heating of the material of the hot chamber to a temp. in the order of 1000 degs. C causes expansion of the air, sending the first piston downwards towards the cold chamber (20). This movement is linked to the second piston which serves to return the first piston to its original position. The cycle is then repeated. The cold cylinder is made of a good heat conductor and may operate at about 100 degs. C. A conical skirt (21) provides a thermal bridge between the chambers and the reflector (3).
The solar collectors comprise single curvature parabolic trough reflectors which focus the sun's rays onto a pipe running the length of the array of collectors to generate steam which is used to drive turbo-generators. Multiple rows of collectors are assembled parallel to each other and, in order to allow them to track the movement of the sun during the day, they are mounted on a floating base which requires very little power to rotate at the slow speed required. The reflectors also tilt on the axis of the steam pipe to allow tracking of the changing elevation of the sun during the day.    A part of the steam generated may be used to provide the low power drives required for these slow movements. A control pillar anchored to the sea or lake bed provides a pivot for the rotation of the floating structure and supports electric cables used to connect the station to the supply network.
The energy generator has a frame (1) secured to the seabed by anchors or weighted down with ballast, supporting one or more rotary shafts (3). A number of pulley wheels (4) are spaced along each shaft (3) with a free-running coupling between them. The pulley cable (8) passed around each pulley wheel (4) has a buoy (7) at its upper end and a counter-weight (9) at its lower end, the pulley wheel (4) rotated as the buoy (7) bobs up and down with the waves. The rotation of the pulley wheel (4) in one direction only is used to rotate the shaft (3) with the rotation of each shaft used to drive a motor etc. which is outside the water.    The buoys (7) are spaced to lie at different heights along the waves, so that one is rising as another is falling, to allow continuous rotation of the drive shaft (3).
The power generator uses the motion of water waves to drive liquid through an impulse turbine. A housing is located in a body of water such as an ocean, or a lake, which is subject to waves. One form of the generator includes chambers fixed within the housing and another form includes floating chambers.    One form of the generator uses an open cycle in which water from the body of water is used to drive the turbine, and another form has liquid interchange between a pair of reservoirs located within the housing. Pref. the container floats within each chamber of the housing.
The solar heat collecting system comprises a lens having a focal length for focusing sunlight at a flat reflective surface which is spaced from the lens by half of the focal length. The flat reflective surface is positioned to reflect the sunlight back at the lens and to bring the sunlight to a focal point. A symmetrical funnel is at the focal point.    The symmetrical funnel has an inwardly tapering reflective inner surface for funnelling the sunlight to light pipe for piping the light to a boiler where the sunlight is converted to thermal energy. Pref. the flat reflective surface is a flat mirror.
The controller for a system includes a variable temperature heat source arranged in a heat exchange relation with a fluid circulating circuit. A variable speed pump is disposed in the circuit for varying the flow rate of fluid in response to variations in the temperature of the fluid. The controller includes a probe for sensing a temperature indicative of the temperature of the fluid in the circuit and for generating an associated signal.    Circuitry is provided for generating a reference signal indicative of a predetermined temperature, and for comparing the first two signals and generating a third signal indicative of the difference. A circuit is used which is responsive to the third signal for generasignal. The pump speed is varied analog control as a function of the control signal for equalising the first two signals.
A reflecting plastics membrane (1) is clamped at its edge and deformed evenly over its surface to impart a parabolic shape to it. The deformation is accomplished by increasing the pressure on one side of the membrane. A transparent second membrane (5) is placed above the reflecting membrane and clamped at its edge. The pressure in the space between the two membranes is increased to impart a parabolic deformation to both membranes.    A radiation collecting device is located at the focal point (7) of the reflecting membrane. The rigidity of the transparent membrane is greater than that of the reflecting membrane so that its curvature is less and consequently the efficiency of the collector greater. The rigidity may be increased by a reinforcing mesh..    Large areas can be covered cheaply.
The device has a caisson (1) incorporated in a dam or sea wall open at the front with the enclosed water chamber (2) having a length of more than a quarter of the wave length, so that a standing wave is obtained within the chamber (2). This standing wave has a node at a point spaced from the rear wall of the chamber (2) by a quarter wavelength, with a turbine wheel (3) positioned at the node point and allowed to rotate in only one direction.    Pref. the sidewalls of the caisson have steel, glass-fibre reinforced plastics or concrete guide plates (5) directing the flow in the region of the turbine wheel (3). Two turbine wheels (3) may be positioned side-by-side, with a central guide surface (6) between them.
The plant utilises the difference in potential energy between two sections of water at different levels. It uses a float (11) which can move vertically within a sleeve (10) having water inlet and outlet openings (14), the movement of the float coupled to a hydraulic pumping system providing the water for driving a turbine generator.    Pref. the float (11) comprises an inner tube (15) with a base plate (16) partway up it from which a piston rod (18) depends, carrying the piston (19) of a water pressure pump (25), with a vertical pump cylinder resting on the bottom of the sleeve (10).
The hydrodynamic electrical energy generating system is driven by wave power. A support is mounted at the base of an expanse of water so as to separate it into a shallow reservoir delimited by the support and an open mass of water subject to wave action and with a normal water level. A controllable static hydrodynamic pressure is thus produced between the reservoir and the open expanse of water.    Pumps communicating between the open water expanse and the reservoir are operated by floats displaced by wave motion. These cause water to be transferred into the reservoir, to maintain the static hydrodynamic pressure, which in turn may be used to drive generators and produce electricity. The reservoir support may be fabricated in the form of a dyke enclosure or a circular sils, and the required number of wave-operated pumps is mounted around the structure.
The weights are coupled to advance a drive mechanism in a single direction when the weights move about their respective axles in either direction of rotation. The drive mechanism is coupled to a flywheel mounted upon a vertical axle and rotatable with it.    The transducer may be mounted athwartship in a floating vessel or supported on a mast or other support which is subjected to wind or wave motion. The eccentric weights oscillate irregularly about their axles under the influence of the rolling and pitching motion imparted by wind or waves. The motion of the eccentric weights thereby drives the flywheel in a single direction to provide useful power.
The rotor having slidably blades is employed to prod. electrical energy from underwater currents. The device includes a structure having four columns which rises from the seabed and supports a circular monorail system. A circular housing fits on top of the monorail. An interior and exterior gear rack on the monorail engage with motors within the circular housing. Four vertical rack structures are associated with the circular housing and may be driven up and down by another set of motors within the circular housing.    Electrical generators are contained within a control house supported by the vertical rack structures. The rotor pref. comprises a housing having four slots which slidably receive four blades which reciprocate up and down as the rotor turns. An automatic control device can position the rotor vertically and horizontally so it impinges on the underwater current having the optimum velocity.
The solar energy collector having a set of elongated upwardly-open trough-shaped reflectors placed side by side and each having facing reflective surfaces joined by a curved section disposed about a medial axis of each trough. The reflectors are supported by a series of templates spaced along the reflectors and having upwardly opening recesses the walls of which engage and shape the reflectors.    The edges of the reflectors are held by locking members engaged on the templates between the recesses, to accurately locate the side edges of the reflectors and hold the reflectors in stressed relationship in the templates. A frame supports the templates and is arranged to be oriented about a horizontal axis. A heat collector tube supported by the frame and disposed at the focal area of each of the reflectors and constructed to act as an absorber of heat focussed on to it by the reflectors.
The point focussing solar concentrating panel includes an overall reflecting surface of parabolic cross sectional configuration having a predetermined focal point and an outermost triangular periphery or a periphery which approximates a triangle. In this regard, the outermost points of the triangle could be omitted without compromising the attendant advantages of a triangle to any appreciable degree. This reflecting surface serves to interrupt solar energy and reflect and focus it into a receiver which, along with the panel comprises part of an overall solar concentrator or concentrating system.    The receiver itself could comprise part of a separate solar power tower physically unconnected with the panel and, in this case, the panel would serve as a heliostat. In any event, this system also includes a hydraulic assembly for pivotally mounting the triangular panel while maintaining one side parallel with a fixed planar surface, a hydraulic assembly for tilting the panel about a horizontal axis, and a hydraulic assembly for rotating it about a vertical axis, whereby to track the position of the sun from sunrise to sunset.
The geothermal power producing loop has a continuous source of water, a tube taking this water down into the earth and another tube meeting the first tube at its lowest extremity to pick up hot water geothermally heated and bring it to the earth's surface as steam. A chimney recieves this steam and carries it upward as a chimney draft, the chimney draft supplemented by a draft of air entering the chimney sidewise near its base through a second chimney.    A steam condenser is connected to the top of the first chimney to turn the steam to water, and a device for returning the water to the continuous water source. A hydro power plant is located near the top of the first named tube and a steam turbine near the upper portion of the second named tube filled with steam. There is an air turbine within the top interior of the first chimney and a water turbine near the lowest point in the device for carrying condensate back to the continuous water source. An electric power generator is rotatively connected to each of the turbines, and a common electric power line is electrically connected to each of the electric power generators.
The unit is used for solar radiation flux automatic regulation. The unit has a radiation flux detectors (1) connected in parallel to each other and to regulator (2). Regulator (2) is connected to the working element (5) placed in front of the concentrator (6). Receiver (7) is placed in the concentrator focus. To increase the accuracy, the unit is provided with rotating wheel (8) with spokes. The wheel is placed directly in front of the receiver (7) and is parallel to it.    The detectors are placed on the wheel spokes and have equal receiving surfaces areas. The distance between two adjacent detectors geometrical centres is equal to the distance between the geometric centres rotation circumference cross section with the concentrator focus contour on the wheel plane. The detectors receiving surfaces are made as circular sectors, having equal central angles, whose apexes are situated on the wheel rotation axles (12). Wheel (8) is rotated by drive (10). Bul.27/23.7.80
Wave-operated power plant, especially for supplying current pipe (2) which has an air (3) at the top linked to a power generator (4) and accumulator (5).    The power plant is designed for greater reliability and increased generating capacity by incorporating a wind motor in the form of concentric Savonius and Dariet rotors (6), connected to the generator shaft (9) by an overrun coupling (10).    Electrical power for the buoy is generated by wave movement inside the air pipe actuating the air turbine (3) and by wind action turning the two rotors on top. The generator power is stored in the accumulator and supplied to the buoy light. Bul.27/23.7.80
The solar power electricity generating system uses radiation reflected to a central point where the resulting heat is used to create steam. The steam thus produced drives a turbo-generator to provide electric power. Mobile plane mirrors are carried on trucks which stand on concentric circular railway tracks seated on ballast material. At the centre of the circular tracks there is a tower supporting the steam producing boiler.    The mirrors are made of polished aluminium, coated with a protective layer of silicon varnish. Each is supported by a spherical ball joint at its centre of gravity, and taut cords attached to the four corners. A telescopic arm is attached to the mirror by a further ball joint to change the angular position of the mirror. The mirrors are moved by controlled synchronous motors, whose speed is planned in advance according to appropriate calculating tables.
The electricity generating system using wave power includes an installation attached to the sea bed. The unit comprises two parallel large channels in a direction parallel to that in which the waves travel. On the outer sides of the channel there are valve flaps opening inwards on one side and opening outwards on the other side.    As water moves past the channels, some water flows in through the inwards opening valves, and out through the outward opening valves. The resulting flow of water is directed through a turbo-generator (3) to produce electric power. Power is taken away from the generator via a cable (5) which may be connected to navigation lights.
The solar collector skin has an upper cover layer (1) which is made of pref. radiation-permeable material; and there is a lower side (3) which is made of pref. ribbed or grid-like structure, coloured with a dark dye. There is a fluid-distribution membrane- or fleece (2). This is positioned between the light upper- and the dark lower skin.    Water or some other suitable fluid is oassed through the channels in the fleece (2), picking up heat from the dark lower skin. The channels (2) may be formed entirely by matching corrugated patterns in the cover layer (1) and bottom layer (3). The top layers may exhibit the greenhouse effect, letting in comparatively short wave IR, and absorbing long wavelength IR reradiated by the bottom layer.
The solar collector and heat absorber has an insulated casing with a transparent front cover which can be selectively opened and closed, so that when it is closed it acts as a normal solar collector panel and when it is open it acts as a heat exchanger cooperating with the surrounding air.    The opening and closing is effected by forming the front cover as a series of parallel glass or plastics lamellae which are pivoted into the required position under control of an electronic control logic responsive to the solar radiation and/or the ambient temp., the wind velocity and the humidity.
The appts. deaerates a stream of warm surface sea water for removing a portion of the gases from the water prior to its entry into a heat exchanger or boiler. The gases, such as oxygen, can be removed by subjecting the warm surface sea water to a vacuum after which the water, having been collected at a number of sources, is fed in separate passageways to a common plenum chamber from the water is discharged through the passages of the boiler or heat exchanger into the ocean.    In the present situation is apparently is not necessary to remove all of the gases from the surface sea water at the removal of a relatively low percentage of the gases would appear to be sufficient to inhibit growth of crustaceae from the surfaces of the heat exchanger or boiler.
The stationary wave-motion-driven power generator comprises a rotatable cylindrical steel structural body (53) mounted, with its axis substantially horizontal by the ends of its axle (54) it is located in bearings (48) which can move up and down for the body (53) to be immersed by its lower part in the sea.    Vanes provided on the body, to cause the latter to be rotated by wave motion are in the form of annular prominences (55) around the body (53) and having outwardly-decreasing approximately triangular cross-section.
The solar collector uses a number of solar panels (1), each of which can be orientated towards the sun and has a lens or a lens matrix covering a zig-zag flow channel for the heat conduction fluid. This is vaporised and the vapour used to drive a turbine coupled to a current generator. The vapour passes through a condenser coil after the turbine, which is submerged in a hot water tank, for heating the water.    Pref. each panel (1) has a rectangular housing (5) held between two struts (6a,6b) on either side to allow it to pivot about a horizontal axis (y,y1) under control of a small servomotor (7) with a drive chain transmission, to allow it to track the path of the sun across the sky. The panel (1) itself can pivot relative to the housing (5) about a perpendicular axis, under control of a second servomotor (11), to follow the seasonal variations in the position of the sun.
A reflector consists of a matrix of aluminium tubes (31) and intermediate struts (41) which support a total of 640 triangular backing panels. The panels are attached by means of standoffs whose heights are adjusted so that all the corners of the backing panels lie on a parabola. On the front or inner side of each backing panel is attached a similar sized mirror glass reflecting panel, mounted and stressed to a curvature near coincident with the curvature of a true parabola..    Although partic. useful as a reflector for the collection of solar energy the arrangement is useful in other applications also requiring large aperture parabolic reflectors. The use of curved mirror panels considerably enhances the focussing ability of the reflector and when used, e.g. as a solar energy collector with a boiler located at the focal point, the boiler temp. is approx. 2000 degrees F as compared to only about 800 degrees F with plane mirror panels.
The mirrors are arranged round the foot of the tower, whose upper end carries a cavity solar heater. The latter is heated by a reflected and concentrated radiation from the mirror, focussed onto an irradiation aperture in the cavity wall. In order to utilise the radiation heat the cavity is connected to a cooling medium circuit. To the edge (38) of the irradiation aperture (29) is allocated a tubular heat exchanger (50), coupled to the cooling medium circuit (15).    The heat exchanger surface, facing the mirror array (23) lies on the outside of the cavity (41) wall (30). Pref. the heat exchanger matches the cross section of the irradiation aperture and overlaps the aperture edge in a width between 1/10 and 1/4 of the inner width of the aperture. Heat pipes may be used in the heat exchanger, their condensation zone lying above the evaporation zone outside of the reflection radiation (28).
The collector has a collector surface provided by a plastics foil stretched across a support frame with a pivot mounting allowing it to pivot about both vertical and horizontal axes. This pivot mounting is positioned at one side of the frame, which is supported via two spaced wheels at the other side, allowing rotation of the panel about a horizontal axis.    The wheels travel around a circular path with the pivot mounting lying at its centre. The positioning of the reception surface is effected via electric or hydraulic drives with a timing control or a photocell control for monitoring the position of the sun.
The solar energy collector comprises a base, sidewalls and a cover with multiple essentially pyramidal outward projections in ordered array or randomly arranged. The pyramidal projections have walls angularly disposed to the mean cover plane. An energy absorber of broad area is disposed within a thin volume defined by the base, cover and sidewalls. The sidewalls may be independent or integral with one or both of the base or cover. The mean planes of cover, base and absorber are essentially parallel.    The projections are partially transparent and oartially reflective and are arranged to cooperate with each other so that solar radiation incident on reflective portions of any one pyramid is reflected essentially parallel to the mean planes and then re-reflected to the absorber by other such reflective portions of one or more other pyramids and so that solar radiation incident on the transmissive portions of pyramids passes through such portions directly.
A turbine generator (1) is suspended freely in a flow of water. e.g. river or other water course, and has external stabilising fins to keep its inlet facing upstream. The generator may be attached to a post (3) set into a bed of the water course or to an anchored buoy..    No fixed installation is required. The generator can be set up anywhere.
The solar energy (10) uses a pair of coaxially arranged spacedly positioned close ended cylinders (11,12) which are maintained in this spaced arrangement by intersecting spacers (13). A brake shoe like structure (18) is arranged within the space (15) between the cylinders (11,12) and reciprocally mounted so as to engage with the outer periphery of cylinder (11) and move away from it.    One suitable device for moving the shoe-like structure (18) into engagement with cylinder (11) and away from it may comprise an unattached electric motor (19).    In order to more readily transfer the heat of the inner cylinder (11) to a heat utilisation device, the shoe-like structure (18) comprises a hollow configuration through which water or other fluid flows by means of pipes (22,23) absorbing by conduction the heat of cylinder (11) and transporting this heat through the vacuum space (15) to the outside world.
The combined solar power generator and water purifier includes a hollow globular boiler (10) floating on and anchored atop a body of water to be purified. The globular boiler (10) includes water inlet (20) disposed adjacent an upper portion of the globular boiler, an upwardly directed steam outlet conduit (22) originating from an upper portion of the globular boiler, and a refractor lens window (44) disposed within an upper half of the globular boiler. Controllable devices are provided for directing the sun's rays towards the refractor lens window to generate heat to boil water in the boiler (11).    A primary turbine (25) is disposed at a level above that of the boiler. A steam condenser (30) is connected to the outlet from the primary turbine for dissipating residual heat in the steam effluent from the turbine and for condensing such steam as pure water. A reservoir is connected to the outlet from the condenser. A secondary turbine (35) for the generation of electricity is disposed at a level which is lower than that of the reservoir but which is higher than that of the globular boiler.
The apparatus for the conversion of energy, comprises a bucket wheel submerged in a water tank. The wheel is set in motion by air bubbles emanating from an air line issuing beneath it.    The water in the tank is conducted to an air vessel with two levels for alternating pressure creation, and the levels themselves are alternately connected to the air line. A water reservoir maintains water level in the water tank.
The sea wave energy converter comprises a toroidal semi-submersible vessel (1) having its centre of gravity (G) disposed below the centre of buoyancy (C) and oscillating about a horizontal axis which passes through the geometric centre of a circle (6). In the lower part of the vessel are chambers (12,13) through which sea water is pumped by the relative movement of a plunger (11). The sea water drives turbines (20) and electrical generators (21).    Alternatively the vessel oscillates relative to an anchored cradle which engages part of the rim of the vessel and a generator mounted on the cradle is driven through gearing. Again the generator may comprise a column of mercury or a copper block which moves radially or circumferentially respectively relative to an electromagnet. Several vessels (1) may be assembled side-by-side to form a unit or may be constructed and assembled so that they form a unit having a helical duct.
Energy is recovered from wave motion or water currents by a floating screw, anchored to the seabed. A hollow tube (1) (e.g. 60m long, 4 m dia.) closed at both ends forms a float. A helical spiral (2) is fixed to the tube and causes the tube to rotate with tidal movement or water current movement. The axles of the screw are supported by a keel (3) which is anchored to the sea bottom by a chain (4) and anchor (5).    One end of the keel structure contains gear transmission to transfer the rotation of the screw to an enclosed generator (7). The generated electricity is passed down a cable (8) which is attached at points to the chain (4). Extra floats may be attached to the keel if reqd. or alternative geometries used if the reaction to the rotation of the screw is insufficient.
A fan or pump (3) brings air down via a pipe (2) from a high altitude and forces it into a mixing chamber where it is mixed with water (5) and local air (4). The mix is compressed by and turbulence caused by a propeller (6) driven by a motor (7) a thunderstorm are simulated.    The 'thunderstorm' produces an electrical discharge between a grounded electrode (10) and another electrode (8) at the outlet of the chamber..    Electrical power is produced by exploiting atmospheric potential differences.
The generator uses vertically sliding floats, each of which is coupled to a pair of cog wheels (11,14) rotated in response to the up and down movement of the float. The cog wheels (11,14) are used to rotate drive shafts (12) all of which are coupled via bevel gear wheels (15) to a central drive shaft (16). This is coupled via a flywheel (17) and a conversion drive (18) to a DC generator (19).    Pref. the electrical energy of several generators (19) is coupled to a common DC motor via separate motor windings associated with the respective generators and a common pole and armature field. This motor is used to drive an output AC generator.
The generator is partially or wholly surrounded by the mass of water and has at least one chamber system containing a turbine and located at a given depth below the surface of the water. After the water has passed the turbine it flows through a discharge system with at least one channel or pipe diverting it to an emptied mineral oil or gas space and/or to a mine chamber or a naturally-occurring rock chamber.    The turbine is fully or partially within the chamber system which pref. has a circular cross-section and a given dia. It is open at the top for inflow of the water and is anchored to the sea or lake bed via cement or steel foundations or anchor elements.
The device converts low temp. heat energy into mechanical or electrical energy with simultaneous heating of, for e.g. a house wall. Pressure and temp. differences are used to prod. mechanical work in expansion chambers comprising movable parts dependent upon pressure variations. The work is carried out by a heat carried fluid, which is compressed and simultaneously heats the wall via inbuilt channels.    In the expansion chambers are one or more expandable containers contg. a cold medium capable of fluid/gas conversion or vice-versa.
The alternating current electrical power generating system has two pairs of dynamo-electric machines (1,2,3,4), each machine having stator and rotor windings wound as for a wound rotor induction motor and their rotors mechanically coupled together. In each pair of machines the rotor windings are interconnected, the stator winding of one (4) of the second pair of machines being supplied with a.c. at a fixed frequency, the output of the stator winding of the other (3) of the second pair of machines being fed through an amplifier (1) to the stator winding of one (2) of the first pair of machines. The output of the stator winding of the other (1) of the first pair of machines provides the a.c. from the system having a frequency equal to the input frequency.    The number of machines can be reduced to two if slip-rings can be tolerated. The system may be powered by a turbine T driven by wind, wave or tide. The second pair of machines may be replaced by a single machine the rotor shaft of which is coupled to one input of a differential gear box. The first pair of machines is replaced by a single machine having its rotor coupled to the output of the differential gear box.
The airtight canopy of a flexible but non-stretching air tight material is provided under which air is compressed by a rising tide (and a partial vacuum is formed by a falling tide) and from which a flow of compressed air for uncompressed air) can be regulated and conducted by pipes and valves to a place where it can be used for industrial purposes.    The air tight canopy is anchored to the sea bed in such a way that its perimeter is below the level of the water at all times. That part of the canopy that is required to be kept above the level of the water is held there by means of an interior pylon or pylons and/or pontoons and/or balloons filled with a gas that is lighter than air.
The appts. is for collecting solar energy and delivering it to a point of application. It comprises a solar radiation collector, for concentrating solar radiation into a delivery input point of the appts. An optical fibre bundle has an input end mounted at the delivery input point to receive concentrated radiation for delivery to the point of application.    Pref. the collector comprises a Fresnel lens and the input end is mounted at the focal point of the lens. Pref. a correction lens is mounted at the focal point of the Fresnel lens, for converting convergent rays from the Fresnel lens into parallel rays directed onto the input end of the optical fibre bundle.    The collector may be used to either generate electricity orto supply energy for cooking or air-conditioning in conjunction with mains supply.
The power generating appts. includes an magnetic wheel (60) with a U-section rim (61) to allow the evacuation of 'used' fluid into a lower container. The rim is made of a nickel-iron alloy having a high thermoelectric coefficient. Sources of heat (61) and cold (62) are situated above the rim, separated by an magnetic distributor (63) lying between two pole pieces of a magnet or electromagnet.    In a tropical region, sea water is used as the source of heat- at about 30 degrees - whilst underground water at about 7 degrees provides the cold temperature. The variation in magnetic properties with the change in temperature acts to produce a force on the rim of the wheel (f).This may be used to produce a continuous motion or a stepping motion as required. In an alternative arrangement the magnetic field may lie radially w.r.t. the wheel instead of axially.
The power generation system uses two floats (1), one of which is tethered by ropes to lie in a position upstream of the second float. The floats are held together by two parallel cable loops, (4) which pass around wheels mounted with their axles horizontal above the floats. The two bands are spaced apart, and carry between them large flat panels (3).    The flat panels are hinged so that as they pass along the lower stretch of their path sections drop down into the current of water. As the panels are drawn along the upper stretch, they fold flat and lie parallel to the bands. The axle on the first float is attached by a drive band to an electric dynamo (7) so that the energy derived from the flowing water may be converted to electricity.
The frequency converting arrangement makes use of a rotary dynamo-electric machine (6) having stator and rotor windings (7,5) wound as for a wound-rotor induction motor. One of the windings is connected via a control device (3) to the output of a three-phase generator (1), e.g. a wind or tidal power generator, having a first frequency which may vary, and the other connected to conductors (9) of a three-phase supply of constant frequency e.g. mains grid supply.    Provided the output power of the generator (1) exceeds a certain value the power at the supply frequency will be fed back into the supply irrespective of the generator frequency. The use of slip-rings
The swell of the ocean is used to move air in a closed space formed by an inverted bell partially immersed in the sea. The air movement drives turbines coupled by free wheel mechanisms to electric generators (23,24). A sealed column (4) supports the inverted bell and a circular disc (7) supported by rods (6) protects the float. Anchor cables (33) fix the position of the station in the sea.    Two turbines (21,22) are placed in ducts (15,16) in which valves (19,20) control the air flow. As a wave passes, one valve (19) allows air to enter the bell at the trough of the wave and the second valve (20) allows air to leave the bell at the wave crest. A freewheel mechanism coupling the turbines to the generators allows the generators to continue to rotate while the turbine is stationary. An electronic inverter controls the electric output which is transmitted by underwater cable.
The radiant energy focusing appts. includes a reflector (16) having a curved cross-section for focusing incident radiant energy upon an elongate radiant energy collecting region (22). One edge (22) of the reflector is fixedly supported relative to the collecting region. The other edge (19) of the reflector is supported for movement about an axis (17) parallel to the collecting region for focusing radiant energy from the sun on the collector (22) as the relative angular orientation of the sun changes about the axis (17). Pref. the reflector is parabolic so tht it has an elongate focal region embracing the collecting regions..    Only one end of the reflector needs to be moved, resulting in simplicity of installation and low material cost. Concentration factors in the rante ten to thirty or higher are obtainable. The appts. is suitable for use in most latitudes outside the tropics.
The installation costs of solar power plants, which concentrate the incident light by means of optical devices, to a high energy density, depend for the large part on the cost of the focussing appts. There are at present, two basic concepts of solar power plants, the small and intermediate output range type and the larger output type, the first having a combined number of smaller optical focussers, and the second, reflecting heliostat mirrors which reflect the incident light to a heat exchanger at the top of a tower.    One version consists of a large, pneumatic vacuum mirror situated in the interior of a transparent dome, and with its degree of latitude arranged fixed towards the south. The vacuumised hollow body, over which the circular mirror foil is stretched, consists of a wall and the floor of the dome. The heat exchanger and cavity temp. absorber are mounted on gimbals on a tower and are always in the focus of the primary mirror.
The panel has a reception surface for the solar radiation forming one wall of a flow chamber for the heat transfer medium (14). A focussing plate of glass or plastics is positioned in front of the reception surface at a spacing corresponding to the focal distance of the plate.    Pref. the reception surface has an array of semi-spherical depressions (13), each with a cylindrical upstanding edge extending towards the front focussing plate which has a corresponding array of focussing lenses. The panel can rotate about vertical and horizontal axes to track the position of the sun to maximise the received solar radiation. The panel movement is electronically preprogrammed using a computer.
The generating apparatus comprising a float mounted on a support which is pivotally mounted to a base. The support is secured to a beam extending behind the base to a vertically extending elongated structure carrying a pair of vertically movable gear racks in guideways. Each rack is engaged by a gear wheel driven by movement of the racks and one-way drive means connects each gear wheel to an output shaft. Driving weights are secured to each rack to drive the racks in opposite directions under the action of gravity forces acting on the weights, the driving motion causing the output shaft to rotate in a given direction. The free end of the beam is connected to a cross-arm vertically movable on a guide on the elongate structure. The cross-arm has motion transmitting mechanism to raise each of the weights during vertical movement of the cross-arm resulting from movement of the float.
The absorber is centrally positioned in a pyramidal structure. The floor of the structure is made radiation energy reflective, and the upper region of the structure is divided between a side region, extending part way around, which has a radiation reflective characteristic and a side region which is radiation energy transmissive. Solar radiation would pass through the radiation transmissive portion of the structure and a portion directly strike the absorber and the balance significantly reflected onto the absorber.    The configuration does not require tilting. The design is such that the base is set in a horizontal plane, and the angle of the sloping sides may be readily adjusted for latitude locations to improve solar collector efficiency. However, without any adjustment for latitude, and with sides permanently set af a fixed angle in the range of from 40 to 80 degrees, the system is very efficient.    The invention is suitable for generation of electricity both on earth as well as in space stations.
The solar energy concentrator includes individually curved mirror slats arranged on a truss-type support structure to collectively form an arcuate surface for concentration of incident radiation upon an elongated absorber. The reflector and absorber are fixed relative to one another by truss members, and the combined assembly is reciprocatingly rotatable by a linear actuator for tracking the position of the sun.    The absorber includes two fluid transport tubes brazed to a plate centered diametrically within two concentric glass tubes. A utilisation fluid is heated as it flows through the absorber fluid transport tubes. A vacuum is maintained in an annulus provided between the concentric glass tubes to alleviate gaseous conduction and convection between them. The ends of the concentric tubes are sealed in a manner which allows for differential expansion, such as the use of bellows, and a vacuum maintaining getter is disposed in the annulus.
The thermal energy conversion appts. uses warm surface water conducted into the closed environment of the dome through intake (5) onto foam generating arrangement (6). Colder seep water is conducted to the condenser through pipe (7). The presence of the warmer and colder water at saturated vapor pressure in the closed environment isolated from atmospheric pressure results in evaporation of the warmer water. Water vapor is introduced into the warmer water through small orifices by the foam generating arrangement.    The pressure gradients within the dome causes the vapor to rise and contact the foam separator (9). The liquid and vapor phases are separated and the liquid is used to propel turbines (11) and then is exhausted to the ocean. The vapor is condensed by condenser (8) and also exhausted to the ocean. The energy of the rotating turbines is converted to electrical energy by a generator.
The accumulation of heat energy in the ground via a suitable number of heat exchange pipes in a contruction consists of an outer steel tube (5) containing a helical small bore pipe (33) and a central small-bore pipe (34) connected to it at the lower end of the tube (5).
The underwater energy installation uses wave energy to drive one or more air-powered turbo-generators. The installation consists of a cylinder (2) whose upper portion is open to the sea, and in which a piston (3) moves, with its lower face always in contact with air.    The piston rod is connected at its base to a counterweight (7), which may be toroidal in shape, by means of chains or cables (8) passing over reversal gullies (9) attached to a gantry (10) supported on the base of the cylinder. The turbo generators driven by the compressed air from the piston are situated in pipes (12) connected to the cylinder by orifices controlled by valves (13+14). The pipes vent to the surface, and open via valves into the cylinder above and below the turbogenerator.
The system consists of a glass solar collector operating in a closed circuit with a solution of ammonia or alcohol to absorb the incident solar energy. The collector panel may be oriented towards the sun by means of a rotatable support. The heat collecting medium is cooled before being recirculated.    The collected heat is used to drive a turbogenerator, whose output is connected to the local electricity distribution network. The size of the collector may be made appropriate to a single dwelling or a conurbation.
The generator (1) includes an elongated rotary drive shaft (2) coupled by a transmission unit to an electrical generator. Spaced along the shaft (2) are a number of pairs of rack and pinion assemblies (15a,15b,8a,8b) with the bottom end of each rack pair (15a,15b) connected to a float (18) which rises with each wave and falls under gravity.    Rack pairs (15a,15b) are displaced such that upward vertical motion of the rack (15a) drives a pinion (8a) inside which is a ratchet and pawl driving the shaft (2) clockwise. The ratchet and pawl of pinion (8b) is disengaged on upward motion but engaged when the rack moves downwards and is handed to also drive the shaft (2) clockwise..    The wave generator can drive an electrical generator located at sea or, via a suitable shaft and transmission, an electrical generator located on land. Each float, rack and pinion assembly is independent and each contributes to total shaft energy even though each may be operating on different amplitude and frequency, depending on wave conditions. The generator may be a floating platform in the open sea or one embodiment may be attached for example to the side of an ocean going barge and arranged such that its output contributes to power required to drive the barge.
The lateral movement of a hollow float is constrained so that it rises and falls as the tide ebbs and flows. The float is filled with water as the tide flows in. This water is released as the tide ebbs. The float is connected to a generator.    The actual filling can take place at the peak of the incoming tide. The vertical movement of the float can be constrained. A clock, set to the period of the tide, may be used to activate a solenoid gate. A remote control r.f. signal may be similarly used. Mechanical activation by interaction of gate switches with upper and lower structural members is possible as well as hand operation.
The energy harnessing system has a floating buoy, a device to anchor the buoy and a pump disposed between the buoy and the anchor. The pump has a piston actuated by movements of the buoy to pump water. The buoy, shaped to orient itself for vertical motion without pitching to wave action in any direction, has a shallow dish shaped underbody with circular water lines throughout its entire immersed depth.    A central protuberance provided in the lower centre of the underbody has an area for the placement of ballast. A vertical cross-section through the centre of the buoy defines a symmetrical buoy hull shape. A universal joint couples the protuberance to the jump. Pref. the universal joint couples the protuberance in a ball and socket universal joint, the ball coupled to a piston rod of the pump. A second ball and socket universal joint is disposed between the housing of the pump and the anchor.
The engine includes a cylindrical, elongated boiler housing with a turbine mounted within it, and the turbine and boiler rotate relative to each other. Heat is applied to the outside of the boiler and converts a liquid working fluid in the boiler to vapour. A shroud in the boiler directs the vapour to the turbine to cause the turbine to rotate in one direction.    Because the boiler can rotate, the boiler and shroud rotate about the shaft in a direction opposite the rotation of the turbine. Centrifugal force holds the liquid working fluid against the boiler walls. After passing through the turbine, the working fluid is condensed and it is injected through a hole into the boiler by centrifugal force. The condenser which rotates with the boiler housing relies on the centrifugal force developed by rotation. Solar energy, the preferred heat source, is concentrated to a hot line on the boiler.
The panel has an array of collectors directing sunlight onto photovoltaic cells to convert part of the energy while the remainder is absorbed by circulating fluid. The panel has hexagonal conical collectors between top and bottom plates with the larger ends closely packed and the smaller ends secured to the top plate and extending upwardly from it.    A cell is secured to the top plate in each collector smaller end and the collectors have reflecting inclined surfaces with the angle of slope related by a given equation to panel geometry. The assembly is pref. covered by a transparent top window forming a fluid tight chamber over the collectors. The panel may also be protected from wind.
Energy storage system with a rotating liquid mass to which rotational energy can be supplied or form which it can be abstracted. The transfer of energy is effected with the aid of one or more impellors e.g. of propellor type which, via a rigid machine house and leads are connected with the energy supplier or the energy consumer.
The device has several transparent and heat insulating sheets at a distance from each other. Small granules are placed between the sheets. The heat is absorbed by a salt. Na2SO4 which is placed in the shells of the granules.
The a.c. power generating system incorporates a generator (1) in the form of a dynamo-electric machine having stator and rotor windings wound as for a wound rotor induction motor. The system also includes an exciter (4) in the form of an induction motor having its rotor coupled to that of the generator with the rotor windings (3,2) of both machines interconnected. The stator winding of the generator is connected to conductors (7) of a three-phase supply of constant frequency, and the stator winding of the exciter is connected to a control device (8) for feeding the winding with alternating current of controlled voltage and frequency.    By suitably controlling the frequency supplied to the exciter the output frequency from the generator (1) can be maintained constant and equal to that of the supply, provided the speed of the generator rotor is above a certain value. The system may be powered by a turbine (6) driven by wind, wave or tide power.
The wave power generator comprises a pair of similar hulls (1,2) attached together near the top by a bridge (3) under which there is a compartment housing a turbine and generator. Inside each hull there is a series of sloping shelves, alternate shelves being attached to opposite walls of the hull. Where the sloping shelves meet, hinged valves (29) may make a waterproof seal.    Near the base of each hull, on the outer side is an opening (22,23) through which water may enter. As the device tilts to the right, the right opening (22) admits water. During subsequent oscillations of the hulls the water is lifted from one compartment to the next until it reaches the top central bridge compartment (3). From here it supplies the hydraulic turbine unit. Each compartment within the hulls is connected to the atmosphere by a vertical pipe.
The power generating paddle wheel structure includes two rotating shells (1,2) mounted on a shaft (3) held between two parallel supports (8). Between the two supports are several metal strips forming the blades of the paddle wheel. The shells are spherical and provide buoyancy. Each paddle wheel blade comprises a strip of bendable material with provision for attaching it to the shaft at intervals along its length.    The strip of material (4) is bent to produce a sine wave shape so that the loops of the wave project from either side of the shaft. Successive loops are similar, with the spacing between them being regular. A number of such strips are attached to the device, angularly spaced around the shaft. The structure is half submerged in the flowing water, and is used to power an electric generator.
The device is designed to utilise solar energy. It has an outer glass envelope (2) which contains a conductor element (4). There are several individual solar cells (6) fastened to this conductor envelope. The glass envelope also contains a pair of parabolic reflectors (8) concentrating the sun's rays on the photocells. The glass envelope containing the mirror and the photocells is evacuated.    The conductor element (4) consists of a heat pipe. It may consist of a copper tube containing a small amount of water and a wick made of copper gauze. One end of the heat pipe (14) is supported by a holder element (16), while the other end has an passing extension (18) through a sealed hole (10) into a heat exchanger (20). There may be cooling fins (26) on this extension.
The electric energy generation method involves water and wind power, assisted by pumps, to drive the generating turbines. If used on ships the horizontal wind wheel can replace the ship's sails. The system can combine all known facilities, such as storage batteries, friction, wind power, vacuum, water pressure and suction, cooling to +4 deg. K, as well as the earth magnetic force.    It can be also assisted by solar energy, sea wave power and natural (wind) or artificial air streams. The generative system has the advantage that it can be used under all weather conditions, on land and sea, and may be developed into a mobile system, with particular use on beaches and off-shore platforms.
The energy generating system is intended particularly for coastal regions. It has pairs of spaced, but interconnected floats, supporting a structure carrying a wind power and solar energy collecting platform, either on prefabricated concrete segments with ropes retained by tensile springs, or directly on floats with rope pulled undercarriage. Longitudinal rows of support rollers are mounted inside the floats.    The rollers support inwards profiled racks, two such racks engaging either a horizontal centre spur gear, or a spur gear train mounted in each float. The gear train drive force is provided by resistance surfaces, rotatably mounted via each support axes. The resistance surfaces turn reciprocally through 90 deg. due to pressure exerted by specified mechanism driven by wind or sea wave force.
The heat supplied by solar energy collectors and/or the waste heat from a combustion engine is fed into a storage appliance and used, as required, for steam generation, utilised for electric current generation. Pref. residual heat after steam generation is fed into a second storage device for assisting the steam generating process further, as required.    In the system a heat exchanger is supplied with the engine's waste heat. The heat exchanger, the storage device and a steam generator are arranged in a closed circuit in series. The solar energy collectors are linked to this circuit by a loop, branching away in front of the heat exchanger and opening into the main heat storage device. The residual heat storage device may be incorporated between the steam generator and heat exchanger, and the solar collector loop may branch off there.
The motorway power generator uses a series of magnetised cylindrical rollers rotatably mounted in spaced transverse channels under a motorway slip road.    Each roller is made of non-magnetic material and has plurality of cavities around its rim in which arcuate bar magnets are mounted. The bar magnets are arranged with like poles adjacent each other to produce magnetic spokes which penetrate the off ramp and extend into the space traversed by vehicles travelling along the off ramp. Motion of the vehicles induces rotation of the magnetic rollers by magnetic interaction with the magnetic spokes. Electrical generators are coupled to the rollers to change their rotary motion into electrical energy.
The heliostat comprises a rigid enclosure and a rectangular mirror having one side mirrored and mounted at a midline for rotation in the enclosure from a first position where such mirrored side is completely protected from the environment to a second position where it is pointed toward the sun. The mirrored side in the second position has an elevation angle which reflects incident solar illumination toward a power receptor. The rotation of the mirror toward the first position requires a change in the elevation angle of more than ninety degrees.    Pref. the rigid enclosure includes a cylindrical surface with pie-shaped end plates forming a rigid structure. Pref. the end plates carry a shaft on which the mirror is mounted for rotation.
The reflector for a solar energy collector, the absorber is a right circular cylinder and is contained in an evacuated glass shroud. The glass shroud prevents the use of the reflector design technique of the prior art, and instead calculations are performed as if an absorber having a smaller diameter were to be used.    The collector has a circular absorber contained in a glass shroud with a portion of the reflector profile omitted to accommodate the glass shroud.
The solar collector compressor system is for heating and compression of a gas. In one form the compressor is formed of serially connected solar heated heat exchanger tubes. The tubes are connected by pressure responsive valves.    In an alternate form solar heated compression tubes are located at the focus of a concentrating reflector. In an additional embodiment a centrally located reflector progressively directs solar energy onto a serially connected ring of absorber units each of which mechanically compresses a gas. The system may be used to provide a supply of electricity and potentially provide a source of energy for operation of a plastics steam engine.
The solar energy device for harnessing energy from the sun comprises a mirror (12) having a cylindrical parabolic face for focussing the rays of the sun onto a fixed elongate hollow tube (13). The mirror is arranged to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the tube.    A tracking control (14) is provided for tracking the part of the sun with the mirror. Fluids passed through the hollow tube. The tracking control comprises photocells (15) arranged on each side of a separation blade (16) lying in a plane including the longitudinal axis of the tube. The solar energy devices may be arranged as a series with one of the device acting as master and one or more collectors in slave relationship possible.
The barrier has three main parts comprising a supply bell, a mixing chamber with an axial flow turbine and a diffuser. The supply bell has a number of depression compartments each with a helical pump along its axis, provided with an injection nozzle with a variable jet intensity and direction.    Within the mixing chamber the injected flow mixes with that drawn out by the diffuser, to equalise their movement. The kinetic energy is partially converted into pressure, to drive the turbine blades of the axial flow turbine. The device can be used to generate electrical energy for an offshore oil exploration drilling platform.
The device uses a float (F) initially containing water, which is pumped out by a piston/cylinder unit (P.C). The float is carried at the end of an arm (TA) which can oscillate about a horizontal shaft (a) positioned at the water surface. The arm is coupled to the shaft (a) via a ratchet mechanism, allowing free rotation of the shaft in one direction, while allowing the arm to fall back below the surface when the water re-enters the float (F).    The float (F) drops to a level beneath the water surface below that of the cylinder (C) so that the water within the float and that within the hollow tube (TA) acting as the oscillating arm, slowly flows into the cylinder under the effect of gravity. The piston (P) is acted on by the press of the column of water contained in the hollow tube, to allow compression of a volume of air (V) acted on by the opposite face of the piston (P), the piston movement aided by an electric motor (Me).
The power generator (10) is incorporated in the water conduit (11) in front of the consumer appliance(s). It is intended for conversion of potential and/or kinetic flow energy into mechanical work force by utilisation energy excess or residue in front or behind the consumers. The rate of energy extraction depends on the permissible reduction of pressure required continuously by the consumers.    A power generator has peripheral pressure elements (23) on a runner wheel (21) which are indirectly engaged by the flowing water or other flow medium. It cooperates with a flow duct (35) with flexible walls, which is arranged over a partial section of the circulation path of the pressure elements in such a manner that these elements partly squeeze the flow duct during rotation of the runner wheels. Through the wall of the duct, water affects the pressure elements so that the runner wheel rotates in the flow direction.
Compact drive of solar radiation collecting panels around a vertical and a horizontal axis ensures the correct alignment of panels with respect to the sun. The planetary gearing provides a high step down ratio for the slow motion to be achieved in a reduced volume combined with a high torsional stiffness. The two panels (8,9) are carried by a shaft (4) projecting through the housing at right angles to the stationary shaft attached to the vertical column (2).    The unit (1) revolves around the axis (3) of the column while the shaft (4) controls the elevation with the collectors (8,9) supported by the carrier (7) and levers (5,6). The shafts are held by taper roller bearings and the planetary reducer is driven by a motor.
A shaft carries several impeller elements. These are connected by centrifugal clutches. There are also flywheels between the impellers to increase the momentum. Compressed air is admitted from a reservoir to the first impeller. When it has reached an adequate speed the first clutch engages the second impeller. Compressed air is then admitted to the second impeller and the supply to the first is shut. The process is repeated for successive impellers.    Each impeller consists of a set of spiral blades with rotating masses which move out along the spiral to increase the momentum as the speed increases.
The apparatus employs cold subsurface water in a large body of water which is upwelled by air-lifting in vertical jet streams to the surface of the body of water. The cold subsurface water emanates radially in all directions from the vertical jet streams, while floating on top of the body of water. The cold water then descends in vertical jet streams to the subsurface allowing the cycle to be repeated.    The cold subsurface water brought to the surface in a number of places over a relatively large area of the body of water allows the temperature differential between the cold surface water and the warm surface water to be used by fluid in a heat engine cycle to drive turbines and so generate electricity. The cold surface water also allows the production of electricity from air turbines which may be placed adjacent to the area having cold water. The cold water cools the air above it creating strong winds which drive the air turbines.
The small vertical deflections are caused by motor vehicles passing over elements, such as steel cable, placed slightly proud of a road surface may be used to generate electricity. The elements are laid across the full width of the road at frequent intervals and are perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicles. The small deflection of the element operates a mechanism which moves the piston of an air compressor against a return spring.    If there are a sufficient number of elements across the road and a sufficient number of vehicles pass over them, as would happen on a major road, the compressed air from each compressor is piped to a single electric generator which provides electric energy to supplement other sources.
The installation for gathering or converting energy from waste water is constructed principally by positioning a collecting tank (10) beneath the ground floor (11) of a dwelling, and connecting all household waste water and rain water pipes to it. The collecting tank (10) is above the level of the main waste water pipe (24), and is connected to it by a down pipe (18), with a waterwheel (20) at an intermediate position between the two.    This waterwheel (20) can be connected to a generator, whose output can be stored for emergencies, or for prewarming water for use in heat pump systems. After driving the waterwheel (20), the water can be stored in an intermediate tank (28), and pumped back into the main storage tank (10) by a wind driven pump (32) on the roof ot the house. This installation makes use of freely available natural energy.
The focussing solar collector includes a solar-radiation reflector and a solar-radiation absorber disposed to receive the solar-radiations directly and those reflected from the reflector. The reflector is of a cylindrical configuration having a semi-circular croos-section of constant radius of curvature. The absorber is of flattened cross-section having a height of from 0.1 to 0.5 times the radius of curvature of the reflector and a width substantially less than its height.    The absorber is disposed within the reflector with one end of the absorber at the mid-point of the reflector inner surface and with the height axis of the absorber aligned with the reflector radius from the mid-point. In the embodiment, the absorber is a flattened pipe for conducting a heat-transfer fluid medium to be heated by the solar radiation, the flattened pipe having a height:width ratio in the range of from 25:1 to 3.5:1.
The collector has a collector panel carried by a chassis, with a tracking system which uses the time of day and the date in the year, to maintain the panel at right angles to the impinging rays from the sun. The chassis is articulated about a horizontal axis for directional orientation and about a perpendicular axis for azimuth variations, during the course of each day.    Pref. the panel has an insulating casing containing flattened copper tubes soldered to copper plates below a glass cover plate. It is enclosed by a rectangular frame (18), supported by a U-shaped frame (15) attached to it at either end and by a semi-circular element (20) at one end. A lifting mechanism (14) raises the U-shaped frame (15) at the other end and the panel is tipped via a drive gear (21) coupled to the semi-circular element (20).
The system has a float (90) which can pivot about a fixed horizontal axis (97a) and which drives a cog wheel, coupled to the drive shaft of an electric generator (125). The float (90) is carried by a shaft (97) carrying two floating bodies (102,103) at opposite ends and which are guided by barriers (104,105) mounted on the seabed, extending transverse to the motion of the waves. Pref. both the float (90) and each of the floating bodies (102,103) is rectangular, the barriers (104,105) for the latter having a U-shaped central section enclosing three sides of the respective body (102,103), with side wings (130,131,132,133) projecting out from the central section, for channeling the water towards the central float (90).
The device to convert wind energy into mechanical and electrical energy includes a variable pitch air-foil supported on a wheeled structure and constrained to move upon a continuous track. A generator is coupled to the wheels of the structure and converts mechanical movement into electrical energy.    The air-foil is rotatably supported in an upright position on the wheeled structure to capture wind energy at a higher elevation above the ground where the winds are stronger. The air-foil is supported upright by guy wires and is free to rotate about its longitudinal axis so that it can be positioned at an optimum angle of attack w.r.t. wind direction.    The air-foil can be used also in water where the power of the ebb and flow of tide races may be used as the motive force. When the prevailing wind is weak or non-existent, the structure can be moved along the track by diesel engines to maintain a constant power output.
The solar energy converter exhibiting a large area with hollow mirrors formed in a plastic and steel wire frame where the reflexion is achieved by electrolytic metal deposition is controlled by a small processor. This ensures mirror assembly alignment in two axes by solenoids, and the focus of mirrors holds a socket for a bulb of thin silicon grid.    Heating of the grid results in electron emission while the bulb socket connection to hoses for water leads to water decomposition using a biocatalyst.
The parabolic cylindrical trough solar concentrator shell has a pair of oppositely disposed end support members jointed by spanning structural support members which may be in the form of individual elongated generally triangular polygon members to form the parabolic cylindrical trough. The inwardly directed surface of each polygon member is concave in shape and rendered highly reflective and so disposed such that the composite produces a highly reflective, concave, generally parabolic surface which reflects and focusses radiant energy striking upon it along a line parallel to and above the surface of the trough.    A radiant energy receiving and absorbing conduit which carries a fluid heat transfer medium is provided along the focal line. The conduit is structurally supported from the end support members in a manner which allows free rotation of the structure relative to the support. In addition to the composite triangular polygon members, the structure may be fabricated using other shapes or a spanning sheet corrugated for strength covered by a separate reflecting surface.
The solar energy concentrator comprises an elongated, linear collector for receiving concentrated solar energy, mounted to extend longitudinally in an East-West direction and spaced above a supporting surface. An array of separate, elongated solar energy reflectors are provided for reflecting received solar energy upwardly and focusing the same along the collector. The reflectors are mounted in parallel, elongated rows, parallel of the collector and at a level below the same.    The reflectors are aligned coaxially in end to end relation in rows and are formed into modular columns transverse or normal to the collector. Each reflector is mounted in a support for individual pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis parallel of the collector. A novel drive system is provided for interconnecting the supports and pivoting the same in unison to continuously reflect the received solar energy in a focused manner on the collector as the angle of elevation of the sun's rays is changed during the day.
Geothermal heat station works with three media. Water is pumped down a shaft which is geothermally heated and raised back up shafts to the second stage where the second medium CO2 contacts the heated water and converts its thermal energy into mechanical energy via machines.    A third medium comprises ammonia which uses geothermal energy in an absorption cooling plant which reduces temp. and pressure of the CO2 at the outlet machine by producing cooling in this plant. Pref. water is injected into the CO2 for the contact process, or is bubbled with CO2 for the same purpose.    Recovery and utilisation of geothermal energy is achieved for heating and power generation. The energy is tapped as and where required, using simple and cheaply-built plant with the turbine outlet medium cooled below the ambient temp. to reduce the energy required to return it to the boiler. Using CO2 which dissolves relatively poorly in warm water permits direct contact to be used, without the use of exchangers. It requires only small exchange surfaces in the condensers due to its low latent heat values. The plant can be erected on dry land or offshore as convenient.
The thermo electric element strips are for use in series or Parallel applications and are suited for use as converters in solar energy applications. The basic elements consist of two different metals located on both sides of a foil. Each strip has a width of 0.5mm and a thickness of 0.06mm.    The production of series elements is provided by location on a common sheet (1) with a connector (2). Typically the elements have a capability to generate 0.007 volts per element when subjected to a radiant temperature of 150 degrees C. A number of configurations are possible for parallel operation.
The appts. is for use in a self-tracking optical system for directing highly concentrated solar radiation upon a device such as a photovoltaic cell, wherein the full image of the sun covers the exposure surface only when the axis of the optical system is aligned with the sun.    Structural features associated with the optical system in the vicinity of cell support effectively enlarge the margin of off-axis misalignment within which self-tracking is achievable. At the same time, certain aspects of these features inherently prevent thermal losses which would otherwise be attributable to convection currents of air in the region of heat concentration.
The device is designed for efficiently collecting and concentrating the sun's radiant energy. and comprises a semi-tubular concave helix reflector with up to a 360 degree turn or turns in its length, to concentrate the sun's rays on a central collecting core continuously as the sun moves through its solar day without the use of opto-electro-mechanical tracking devices.    The central collecting core is disposed within the focal point of the concave helix reflector and a heat exchange medium is piped through the collecting core. The energy transferred to the heat exchange medium may be used in a useful manner. Elevation of the device is easily adjustable to seasonal sun elevation position.
Appts. is for producing electrical energy for multidirectional water wave action including a central support for placement on the bottom of a body of water with the support extending vertically above the surface of the water. Shafts extend radially and horizontally from the central support.    Floats are supplied for each shaft with an elongated member connected at the upper end of each float and in engagement with a weight connected to the lower end of each elongated member and extending below the shaft. A one-way clutch is mounted on each of the shafts and associated with each of the elongated members.
The marine installation is for generating electrical energy and operates as a gaint battery using the sea as the electrolyte. It comprises a number of electrodes connected together mechanically and electrically to form a floating structure of cells which is anchored to the sea bed and insulated to prevent loss of potential by conduction.    Each cell comprises two electrodes coated with materials which react electrochemically with the sea. Insulators mechanically connect these electrodes together in spaced relation.
The concentrator for a solar cell has a Fresnel lens (1) with stepped raised portions (3) on one or both sides embedded in a transparent layer (2) of plastics or glass. The refractive index of the glass is different from that of the lens. The lens can be a collector lens, its material having a higher refractive index than that of the material enclosing it.    Two lenses may be used, one above the other, both embedded in the same material. Underneath the embedded lens are further layers (5,6,7) of plastics or glass, with the solar cell (8) at the bottom. The refractive index of these layers is lower than that of the lens. Their edges can slope inwards, so that the body of the concentrator slopes inwards towards the bottom. The top carries a coating (11) to reduce reflection. The plastics material may be acrylic glass. The whole unit may be shaped as a roof tile.
Appts. recouping energy from vehicular and pedestrian traffic includes tread plates mounted for movement relative to a support between raised and lowered positions for transmitting forces generated by traffic flow over the plates. The plates, when depressed by traffic, drive rocker arms mounted on a shaft via clutches Pref. the shaft is connected to a generator and the generator to a battery so as to store electrically the energy captured mechanically.    A relatively thin device is achieved which can be conveniently installed under a carpet and used in the doorways of buildings or other heavy traffic areas.
The solar collector panel has a parabolic trough type solar collector with precision cast metal bulkheads or cast metal bulkheads with the concave portion of the bulkheads being machined to a close tolerance. The monocoque construction provides for stressed skin to be applied to the front and back portions of the rigid bulkheads in such a manner as to provide a unit monocoque construction of sufficient strength such that stresses exerted on the stressed skin structure are uniformly distributed, without concentration across the entire panel structure.    The monocoque construction solar collector panel can be fixed to a support structure in such a manner that the panel can be rotated along an axis parallel to the long axis of the trough assembly. An arrangement for rotating the solar collector panel is included in the system. A target or energy collector is disposed along a line at the focal point of the parabolic trough assembly.
The heat pipe is adapted as a turbo-generator or other power output device for a reliable, quiet, light-weight high-endurance power source. The device requires input thermal energy from a burner radioisotope (or solar heat) and also forced or natural heat rejection from condenser surfaces. Thermal energy conversion to a suitable power output is accomplished by encapsulating a turbine wheel within a heat pipe shell, located in an appropriately geometrical contoured section.    Flow work extracted from the kinetic energy of the vapour flow provides rotary shaft power output. The shaft power can drive an electrical generator, pump, compressor, or similar device, also mounted within the heat pipe shell structure. A completely self-contained enclosed unit is provided which requires only external power connection at attachment terminals.
The solar battery charging control system has a storage battery and solar cells connected in series with the storage battery to charge it. A detection circuit is provided for detecting a battery charge level and generating an output signal when the battery charge level exceeds a predetermined value. A driver circuit is used for generating a drive signal responsive to the output signal.    A liquid crystal cell functioning as a light control valve is used to control a level of light incident upon one of the solar cells in response to the output signal. An MOS transistor is connected in series with a variable resistor, a control terminal of the transistor being connected to the solar cells so that the impedance of the transistor is controlled responsive to a photoelectric voltage generated by the solar cells.
In the energy producing system, a movable device is mounted at least partially within a housing which, in turn, is mounted in the ground at the surface of a road or the like. The movable device at least partially extends through an opening in the housing and is positioned transversely within the path of travel of vehicles moving along the road for engaging the vehicles seriatim to be set into motion.    A coupling device connects drivingly the movable device and a generating device for transmitting drivingly the motion of the movable device to the generating device, such as an electrical generator. A flywheel is journaled for rotation about its axis for storing the energy in response to the movable device to provide a more continuous production of energy from the generating device.
The electrical power generating system utilizes as a source of energy the otherwise wasted energy expended by motor vehicles moving along a roadway. The system includes a vibrational transducer which is mounted in the roadway and constructed for producing electrical energy directly from the vibrational energy imparted to the transducer from the motor vehicles passing across.    The electrical energy thus produced may be used to charge a battery for powering various devices, such as traffic signals, warning devices, and the like. A number of individual induction coils cooperates with the plate. Respective individual rectifiers are connected to each coil.
The marine auxiliary generator comprises a turbine rotor including a hub (7) having two end portions (13,14) and a central tubular portion (2) blades (3) extend radially outwardly from the tubular portion (2). A fixed shaft (8) is journalled in the two end portions (13,14) and extends through one of them to support the turbine rotor (1).    An electrical stator (9) is carried on the shaft (8) and an excitation magnet or magnets (6) are attached to the radially inner circumference of the tubular portion (2) for rotation around the stator (9). The turbine may be driven by wind or water.
The energy converting appts. comprises an inverted, closed-ended, channel (2) positioned below the liquid-surface so that an interface exists between liquid admitted to the channel and fluid trapped in the channel above the liquid, such that any of the waves (1) having a component of motion parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel will induce secondary waves (10) at the interface. An energy extraction device (7) can operate either indirectly, using a turbine driven by movement of the trapped fluid brought about by propagation of the secondary waves along the channel (2), or directly, using floats, paddles or the like.    Conveniently, the trapped fluid is a gas such as air but it would be possible to use a liq. providing it is immiscible with the liq. admitted to the channel. In order to improve the response of the appts. to the waves concerned, the inverted channel may be provided with an energy collector extending lengthwise of the channel and having at least one upwardly facing inlet to sense the local hydrostatic pressure. Suitably, an upwardly facing inlet can be provided along each side of the channel.
The power station converts natural forms of energy into electrical energy and stores this energy. natural forms of energy converted may be solar and lunar radiation and power from ocean tides and wave movement.    Solar are located on the roof of the power station. The station is built on a floating raft. The various devices are used to drive dynamos which provide part of their energy to charge and recharge accumulators.
The scheme relates to the large scale conversion of still sea water to flowing water, and is used for electricity generation. A suitable sea board site with a rapid fall to a great depth of water must be located. There is a suitable site on the West Coast of France.    A pipe with its inlet (A) at the lowest level of the tide is constructed. In order to give a greater flow the pipe to approximately 50m below the sea flow. The level of the outlet (D) is above the highest tide level, and if some of the energy is generated by the sea water flowing down the pipe is used to establish a steady outflow at the outlet (D) a continuous water flow is available, permitting twenty four hour operation. A capacity of 4800 MW is envisaged.
The system for generating power from the passage of motor vehicles over a roadway includes a highly efficient linkage for connecting a treadle or rocker plate mounted in the roadbed with one or more turbine wheels. The turbine wheels are affixed to a common shaft that is adapted to drive a generator for providing work. The elongated plate extends transversely across the roadway and is supported along one edge by means of a pivot so that the plate is able to move between a first inclined position above the surface of the roadbed and a second horizontal position where it is in coplanar alignment with the surface of the road wheel ratchet teeth formed about its outer periphery which are equally spaced about a common root circle. An arcuate shaped actuator arm is affixed at one end to the bottom of the plate for pivotal movement with it. The arm has a series of downwardly extended pawl elements mounted on its opposite end that are arranged to engage on the ratchet teeth and turn the wheel when the plate is moved from the first position towards the second position and to pass over the teeth in disengagement with it when the plate is moved in the opposite direction.
The solar collector comprises a first elongated light conducting tubular member defining an elongated passage and having a first, open end. The member contains at least one luminescent species capable of emitting luminescent radiation upon excitation with solar radiation. A second elongated tubular light conducting outer member is closed at one end and surrounds the first member. The two tubular members are joined thereby sealing a thermally insulative space between the two members, the space being evacuated to a sub-atmospheric pressure.    Photocells responsive to the emitted radiation are optically coupled to the exterior surface of the first member and disposed within the subatmospheric space. A heat recovery fluid is passed in heat exchange relationship within the elongated passage of the first member.
A typical solar converter circuit for heating installations using solar energy has a rear collector which provides the necessary hot air for driving the heat power machine necessarily a closed circuit. Also required is a heat pump with two separate evaporators, with which in times of low solar radiation, the store can be loaded or unloaded. One evaporator is buried in the ground for extracting the lower temp. heat, or could be placed in a water container, thereby using the relatively large latent heat of the water.    The second evaporator draws heat from the electric motor losses and surrounding cellar air, leading this to the condenser. Heat required for the living quarters of the house is available from the heat store, this store having a large surface area and could be constructed in ceilings, walls and the like.
Apparatus for extracting material floating on the surface of a fluid having waves has a submerged refractive structure in the form of a dome-shaped shell (20) which causes the waves to break. Guide vanes (36) direct the broken surface waves into a centrally positioned vertical standpipe (34) where the fluid and the entrained floating material flows downward and is discharged at the bottom of the shell. The material accumulates at the upper inner portion (22) within the shell. An access opening (50) is provided through the wall of the shell to facilitate removal of the material accumulated within the shell.    Appts. can extract floating material which is partially submerged in the sea and which converts wave energy into useful work.
Electricity generating system using temp. differences present in the ocean between water near the surface and water near the ocean's depth comprises a pump for pumping relatively warm surface ocean water to a flash evaporator for flashing it into steam. The steam is expanded through a subatmospheric pressure range turbine which exhaust into a condenser where the steam is condensed by the relatively cold ocean water pumped into the condenser.    The turbine drives a generator to produce electricity. The turbine speed and generator output are controlled by selectively introducing atmospheric air and relatively warm water into the exhausted motive steam flow to increase the absolute pressure at the turbine's exhaust and thus reduce steam flow through the turbine. During turbine shutdown an inert gas is supplied to the flash evaporator, turbine and condenser to purge the system of moist salt air.    Turbine speed and generator output are precisely controlled.
Warm water from near the surface of the sea is recirculated through the lower portion of a vertical evaporator column operated under vacuum conditions. A portion of the sea water vaporises and passes through a demister near the top of the column. A conduit conveys the vapour the a condenser cooled by seawater recirculated from the depths of the sea. Condensed water is collected in a vertical tank. A turbine is located between the evaporator column and the condenser and is driven by the passage of vapour. Electricity produced by the turbine is used to power the recirculation and vacuum pumps.S The appts. desalinates seawater and produces electricity as a by-prod.
Electrochemical preparation method for a high power selectively absorbent surface comprises depositing a cathodic Ni layer on a metal substrate from an aq. acid nickel chloride soln. and anodising (at 600-850 mV) the nickel layer depositing using 5-8M aq. H2SO4.    The electrodeposition is effected at 20-70 (30-50) deg.C and 0.5-2 A/dm2 from a bath contg. 200-400g/l NiCl2 at pH 1-2 with stirring until a layer not less than 10 microns thick is deposited. Anodising is then effected at 10-30 deg.C at 750mV in a 6M H2SO4 both to give a Ni0 layer of about 100mm thickness.    The method is used for mfr. of solar cells esp. for prodn. of solar cold and in concn. and desalination plants.
In a semiconductor device, a BeO film is formed on the back surface of a semiconductor chip. The semiconductor device has excellent heat dissipation because a BeO film has good crystallisability, excellent insulating properties and heat conductivity.    Specifically, semiconductor elements are formed on a semiconductor chip. A BeO film is formed on the back surface of the semiconductor chip by the ionised-cluster beam process. The BeO film is brought into contact with a heat sink. The semiconductor chip is placed in a vacuum container. A metal Be source is positioned opposite to the chip. The vacuum container is evacuated to less than 10 power (-5) Torr. O2 gas is introduced into the vacuum container. The metal Be is heated at 1300-1400 deg.C to deposit a BeO film on the back surface of the chip.
Black surfaces are produced on metal plates, e.g. for solar heat collectors or other heat recovery appts., by contacting them with carbon electrodes. Carbon rods of 6 mm. dia. and 6 cm. length are mounted in brass sleeves with copper flexes on a conductive plate to form a comb. A d.c. voltage of 24 V is applied, with the plus pole on the electrodes and the minus pole at the metal plate, and a current of 10-20 A is passed through each rod, as the comb is applied at an angle of 65 deg. to the metal plate. This leaves black traces and the dry loose soot can be wiped off.    This requires no prior prepn. of the metal surface.
A collector includes an absorber within an envelope having a translucent upper part and a part-spherical or parabolic lower part with a reflective concave face. The absorber is pref. mounted at the lower end of a pivotable boom, and may be linear for a part-spherical, or punctate for a parabolic reflector.    The envelope is pref. inflatable and is surrounded by a translucent protective envelope. The upper and lower parts may be membranes, e.g. of plastics, carried by a circular beam, or may be thin shell structures.    The arrangement allows collection efficiency to be maintained throughout the day.
A riser pipe with negative buoyancy is fabricated to finished state away from the structure with the upper end buoyant so that it adopts a vertical position when released, moved horizontally to the structure, and controllably lowered to fully submerged vertical state using a line from the structure to the pipe lower end which can be paid out gradually and maintaining a connection to the pipe top.    The vertical pipe is moved to below the structure and raised into engagement for connection and support by the structure. The pipe is pref. made of flexible positively buoyant high-density polyethylene with its lower end ballasted and a weight connected to it by line. The parent patent claims the method of releasing and recovering riser. The pipe is partic. for ocean thermal energy conversion facilities.
An electrochemical cell system comprises two metallic electrodes contacting two electrolytes sepd. by an ion exchange membrane, each composed of different concns. of ionic solvent and a salt having cations of the metallic electrodes. The salt and solvent of one electrolyte form a complex having a free energy of formation less than -5Kcal/mole.    The cell is regenerated by passing the electrolytes through a thermal decomposer which decomposes the complex and forms first and second feeds having high and low concns. of cations, which are recirculated to the respective cell compartments. The decomposer is pref. a solar heated distillation column. Storage chambers are esp. connected to the column to receive prods. from it, and include a supply of materials. Electrolytes are transmitted from the storage chambers to the cell compartments to regenerate the cell when the column is or is not operating.    Process uses low grade heat form solar energy or industrial waste for electricity generation. Efficiency is about 17% if condenser heat is not used, 38% if it is used for e.g. space heating.
Cooling appts. for metal workpieces consists of a fluidised bed of solid particles through which the workpiece are transported by a horizontal conveyor. Pipes, which transport an energy-absorbing medium such as water and/or steam, are located between the conveyor and distributors or similar gas inlets to the bed, arranged in the bottom of the appts. One or more gratings are located between the pipes and the conveyor to protect the pipes, e.g. against incorrectly transported workpieces, and to crush air bubbles in the particle bed.    The appts. is useful for recovering heat during cooling or continuously cast or rolled steel billets or bars, e.g. for room heating, electricity prodn. etc. The grating not only protects the heat transfer pipes but contributes to a uniform high heat transfer between the bed particles and the pipes and workpieces.
Energy generation system is based on a combination of solar heat, geothermal heat and biochemical digestion processes. Closed circuits for the biophysical and biochemical energy are coupled and used to produce mechanical work and generate electricity. Storage circuits are added to accumulate energy for peak periods.    This turns municipal, agricultural and industrial waste into energy and prevents a pollution of the environment. It saves large amounts of primary energy such as coal, mineral oil or natural gas.
The absorber coating consists of metal oxides selected from Sb-doped tin oxide, Sn-doped indium oxide and iron oxide. A second coating is then applied which consists of infra-red reflecting metal oxides, selected from Sb-doped tin oxide, F-doped tin oxide and Sn-doped indium oxide. The composite coating has an absorptivity of at least 0.85 for the solar radiation range of 0.2-2.0 microns, and emissivity of less than 0.2 for infra-red energy range of 2.0-20 microns.    Also claimed is a coating which consists of iron oxide with a Fe to O ratio of at least 1 :1, and a second layer consisting of iron oxide with a Fe to O ratio of about 0.75:1. The layers have infra-red emissivity of 0.08 in wavelength range 2.0-20 microns, and a solar radiation absorptivity of 0.93 for a range of 0.2-2.0 microns.    The coatings provide absorber surfaces for solar energy collectors, with spectral selectivity at low cost. The coatings are easily formed on glass substrates.
A tidal power unit consists of a float with an opening which permits the float to ascend and descend a fixed column mounted on the ocean floor, the float being responsive to the variation in tidal height.    Force linking units connecting the column and float transmit the linear power to a suitable form for an electrical generator mounted on the float. The types of force linking include a gear rack and gear helical gear combination gear speed-multiplier and piston. The float has an air chamber (25) with a check valve (26) connecting it with a turbine (28) rotating on a horizontal axle beneath.
Power supply system has a fuel cell in which hydrogen and oxygen are combined to produce water and electrical energy. The water from the fuel cell is allowed to fall to an impulse turbine to cause rotation of the impeller blades to produce further electrical energy. The water is then fed to an electrolyser to produce hydrogen, by the electrolysis of water, the hydrogen being fed to the fuel cell to produce further water.    Provides an economical system for producing energy from an abundant fuel source i.e. water.
A body containing voids is made by sputtering a composition onto the material to form in situ a mask while anisotropically etching the material. A body which contains a channeled portion and a multiplicity of voids of mean depth 0.3 um min, in which 20-80% vol. of the channeled portion measured to the mean depth consists of voids, the channel dimension of the voids is less than 0.8 um and the wall direction over 75% wall length in any 10 um square is within 20 degrees of the mean direction within the square so claimed. The body may be of Si, Ge or GaAs semiconductor material and comprises discrete holes, reticulations or both (as in Fig.3) A metal surface may be provided in intimate contact. The channel dimension of the voids is preferably less than 1 um. The semiconductor material is sputtered with Al, Mg or stainless steel to form a mask in situ and then etched with CCl2F2.    Used for solar energy absorbing materials. High energy absorption is obtainable using relatively cheap materials.
A solar electrical generating system comprises a solar collector, heat storage containers, a heat transfer fluid manifold, a hot gas manifold and a closed cycle electrical generating appts. receiving operating fluid from the hot gas manifold and returning the fluid to a heat storage container.    A heat transfer fluid is circulated between the collector heat gathering element and heat transfer fluid manifold and between the manifold and each heat storage container. The operating fluid is circulated from each storage container to the hot gas manifold.    Used in power plant using solar energy in which heat is used to produce pressurised gas. The efficiency of the collector is enhanced by an accurate aiming device to track the sun and the ability to gather cosmic and gamma rays in addn. to the normal gathering of infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths.
A solar pond (16) contg. a satd. soln. of brine is used to supply separate dilute and concentrated (20,24) brine solns. to either a pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) permeator or a reverse electrodialysis (RED) permeator for power generation. The pond is non-convective and the brine separates under the effect of solar radiation falling on its surface into a higher cooler dil. soln. and a lower, hotter, concentrated soln.    A 1 kw output using a 370 sq.m. pond with a RED permeator can be obtd., and the same output from a 260 sq.m. pond with a 14O|permeator.|
The stability of a cadmium chalcogenide/copper chalcogenide photovoltaic cell having a metal electrode in electrical contact with the copper chalcogenide layer, is improved by situating a layer of a polymer compsn. contg. electrically conductive particles between the metal electrode and the copper chalcogenide layer, such that the metal electrode is not in physical contact with the copper chalcogenide layer.    Esp. in the prodn. of solar cells having improved stability in prolonged use. The conductive polymeric layer allows electrical contact between the copper chalcogenide layer and the metal electrode whilst preventing physical contact caused e.g. by air and moisture or other degradation, such as nucleation of copper from the copper chalcogenide on the metal electrode due to direct physical contact, which reduces the stoichiometry of the copper chalcogenide, which causes degradation of the cell output.
Electrically conductive polyaromatic cpds. with an electrical conductivity of greater than 10 power minus 2 S/cm are made by treating a polyaromatic cpd. (I) with 0.5-5 wt.% (w.r.t. (I)) of sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium or their amines, with the exclusion of moisture and oxygen. Typical (I) are tetraphenylene, 1,2,7,8-dibenzperylene, bianthene, 3,4,8,9-dibenzpyrene, terylene, peropyrene, anthanthrene, zethrene, fluoranthene, 11,12-peri naphthylenefluoranthene, decacyclene, naphtho(2',7',1,8)-anthrene and dihydrotriangulene.    The conductive polyaromatic cpds. are useful in the prodn. of solar cells, for conversion and fixing of radiation, for the prodn. of electrical and magnetic switches and for rendering plastics materials antistatic.
Electrically conductive polyaromatic cpds. with electrical conductivity values of greater than 10 power minus 2 X/cm are made by treating a polyaromatic cpd. (I) with 0.5-5 wt.% (w.r.t. (I)) of a strong Lewis acid with a pKa value of -10 to +4, with the exclusion of moisture and oxygen. Typical polyaromatic cpds. are tetraphenylene, 1,2,7,8-dibenzperylene, bianthene, 3,4,8,9-dibenzpyrene, terylene, peropyrene, anthanthrene, zethrene, fluoranthene, 11,12-peri Naphthylene fluoranthene, decacyclene, naphtho(2',7',1,8)-anthrene and dihydrotriangulene.    The Lewis acid is e.g. AsF5, SbF5, HCLO4, NO(+)SbF6(-), NO2(+)SbF6(-), NO(+)AsF6(-), NO2(+)PF6(-), NO(+)PF6(-), NO(+)BF4(-), NO2(+)BF4(-), NO(+)ClO4(-), (CF3)2SO4, 2,4,6-trinitrophenol, 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl-sulphonic acid or 2,4,6-trinitrophenylcarboxylic acid.    The conductive polyaromatic cpds. are useful in the prodn. of solar cells, for conversion and fixing of radiation, for the prodn. of electrical and magnetic switches and for rendering plastics materials antistatic.
Silvered glass mirrors are prepd. by contacting the cleaned glass surface with a soln. of lanthanide rare earth ions before pptg. Ag, to improve resistance to delamination in the presence of moisture. The mirrors are made by (a) scrubbing one surface of the glass with Ce oxide slurry to clean it, (b) applying a soln. of Sn or Pd to sensitise the surface, (c) before, simultaneously with or after (b), contacting the surface with lanthanide ion soln., (d) contacting the surface with a soln. of soluble Ag and one or more solns. of caustic and reducer to ppte. an Ag layer on the surface, (e) applying a Cu layer over the Ag and (f) applying a layer of paint over the Cu.    The method is useful for tracking mirrors for solar energy collection, i.e. heliostats. In weathering tests they exhibited no degradation after 3 hr. in boiling distilled water, whereas commercial and control mirrors showed edge and centre degradation after 45 min.
Light-collecting system contains, as energy converter, a coumarin deriv. of formula (I). (T is oxygen or NR4; R1 is (a) a C-bound carbocyclic or oxygen-free 5 or 6 membered heterocycle or (b) an N-bound 5 or 6 membered heterocycle, which is asymmetric to rotation about an axis defined by the coumarin- N-heterocycle bound; these rings can carry nonionic substits. and can be fused to opt. substd. benzene or naphthalene. R2 is H or opt. substd. (cyclo)alkyl, aralkyl or aryl; R3 is H, (cyclo)alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, OR5, SO2R5, SO2NHR5, NHCOR5, halo or COOR5. R4 is H or opt. substd. alkyl or aryl; R5 is (cyclo)alkyl, aralkyl or aryl).    (I) absorb diffuse, incident electromagnetic radiation and emit it into an optically dense medium practically without loss, since most of the emitted light remains totally reflected in the medium. They have a good quantum yield and high amplification factor so are useful in e.g. solar cells; scintillators; display devices with very low energy demand, and various passive display elements, indicators, traffic signs etc.
Method for superficial concn. of light uses a plastic plate which has incorporated in it a fluorescent cpd. of formula (I). (Each R1 is ortho-substd. aromatic or heterocyclic gp. contg. no water- solubilising gps.).    The most pref. R1 are 2-(methyl or chloro)phenyl; 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5- or 2,6-dimethylphenyl; 2,4-dichlorophenyl; 1-(benzyl, n-butyl, phenyl or 4-chlorophenyl) pyrazol-5-yl; 1-phenyl-3- methylpyrazol-5-yl; 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, or 2-isopropyl- or 2,4-diisopropyl-phenyl.    (I) are highly fluorescent (emitting at 500-600 nm), with very high light fastness and no adverse effects on the plastic medium. They are useful e.g. in solar cells.
Process and appts. are claimed for the pyrolysis/gasification of biomass or serap tyres for the prodn. of clean energy prods. the method involving shredding and drying the feed material followed by gasification in a fludised bed reactor consisting of inert particles and employing a gas of controlled 02-contant as fluidising medium. The conversion is effected at 400-1100 deg. C. and the prods . comprises (a) a heavy block oil (similar to No.6 fuel oil), (b) fine powdered char, and (c) a low-Btu (80-300Btu/Scf) fuel gas.    The process is non-polluting. A lower operating temp. than conventional incinerators prevents melting of ash and slagging- yet efficiency and heat transfer rates are greater and response time to changes in steam demand is shortened.
The parent patent describes a method of making an accumulator using high-frequency current oriented in the same direction at a given frequency in two annular coils at right angles to each other, using oxides such as magnesium, silicon or calcium oxides. The appts. comprises a high-speed oscillator.    In the addn., a crystalline ball containing additives of iron, bismuth and silicon dust is provided with a groove into which a metal ring is fitted. This is then covered with an insulating layer, a second metal ring is fitted perpendicular to the first, followed by a further insulating layer and a new ring and so on.    These balls are then placed in a special tube of non-conducting material, e.g. quartz, wound with two perpendicular coils. This is charged by impulse charging, return oscillation being prevented by the self-induction of all the rings. An accumulator constructed of such elements can be enclosed in a Cheops type pyramid.
Natural gas is recovered from geopressured salt water by discharging the geopressured salt water from the subsurface strata into a variable vol. tank at atmospheric pressure. The discharged salt water is flowed over mechanical baffles prior to entry of the salt water into the interior of the variable vol. tank by this release of the gas dissolved in the salt water is enhanced.    Also electrodes are positioned in the path of the salt water flowing through the baffle area, and an AC electric current is established through it which aids in the release of additional hydrocarbon gases from the salt water. The pressurised hot salt water may also be used to generate electrical or mechanical energy before or after the release of the dissolved gases.    The appts. for recovering dissolved hydrocarbon gases from geopressured salt water by rapidly reducing the pressure of the salt water to near atmospheric pressure comprises a single vessel.
Window comprises a glass substrate; an IR-reflecting layer (I) on the inner surface; and a solar reflection- reducing layer (II) on (I). (I) is a semiconductor layer having a reflectivity of at least 60% at 5-15 micron and below 20% at 0.3-2 micron. (II) is a polymeric compsn. layer of thickness 0.5-200 micron, refractive indices of 1.3-1.7 for visible light and transparency at 5-15 micron. Pref. (II) is a methyl methacrylate (co)polyester, esp. polymethyl methacrylate.    (I) is pref. In203 doped with at least 1 of Sn, Sn02 doped with F, Sn02 doped with Sb. The PMMA film is pref. below 1 micron thickness.    Window combines high IR trapping with high solar transmission. It is esp. useful in a collector having an absorber with a low absorption/emission ratio, e.g. 1:1 or less.
A switch includes a photoreceptive layer (16) under a thin optical scattering layer (24) of a highly dispersed multi surfaced transparent material in a transparent medium with different refractive index. A container (10) with a window (14) holds transparent fluid adjacent to the scattering layer.    The fluid refractive index is equal to that of the scattering surface so that on contact the layer is made transparent. The fluid can be removed from the container, when light incident at any angle is diffusely reflected from the layer. The material may be cellulose acetate or acetate butyrate, poly- ethylene, polymethylmethacrylate, polypropylene, polytrifluoro- chloroethylene, PTFE or acetal resin, or the layer may be polyurethane foam or fibrous matting of PTFE foam. The fluid is pref. water, ethyleneglycol or paraffin.
Solar energy is utilised by converting it through photosynthesis into organic plant matter. The prim. yield of the plant substance is partly used as food for man and cattle and partly mixed with the sec. yield in the shape of human and animal excreta. The mixt. is converted to methane or ethyl alcohol by an anaerobic fermentation of the mesophilic or thermophilic type. The digested sludge produced is dried, granulated and applied as nitrogenous fertiliser to the fields to close the biological cycle.    This saves other types of not reclaimable energy (coal, oil) and replaces them by inexhaustible supplies of solar energy.
The glass is heated and then exposed to the vapour of a metal cpd. (I) and a gaseous fluorine cpd. (II), so a film is formed on the glass by CVD. The decompsn. of gas (II) is pref. accelerated by heating the gas (esp. to 100-400 deg.C) and/or exposing it to a catalyst of Fe, Cu, or Pb, before it reaches the glass.    Vapour (I) and gas (II) are pref. fed onto the surface of the hot glass via a carrier gas..    The coated glass is used to form demister screens, or as covers for solar energy collectors. The films have much lower resistivity than films deposited without using gas (II).
The surface has a ratio of absorption (SA) to emission (E) of min. 10; and is obtd. by the anodic oxidn. of copper, which may be located on a metal substrate. The Cu is immersed in 0.35-1.5 normal, esp. 0.75-1.5 normal NaOH at 50-85, esp. 70-85, deg.C., using current density 1-40, esp. 4-20mA/sq.cm, for anodic oxidn. until the electric resistance of the Cu increases.    The anodic oxidn, may be undertaken using a gradual or stepwise increase of the current density. The surface thus obtd. has high resistance to climates; withstands repeated heating and cooling to and from 180 deg.C. and a ratio SA/E up to 15 can be attained.    The Cu can be used as a cladding or plating on a sheet made of steel; on iron coated with Zn; or Ni; or on Cu alloys.
Geothermal energy is utilised by drilling a borehole to a depth of 10,000m and circulating water through the borehole in a closed circuit. The steam, developed by the geothermal gradient, drives a steam turbine on the surface and its condensate is passed down the hole. The electric generator, driven by the turbine produces electrical current which is used to produce hydrogen from water by electrolysis.    The hydrogen can be bottled and used to drive cars fitted with gas engines or to power aircraft and ships.
A solar collector plate through which a heat exchange fluid circulates to transfer the heat to a remote location is made by immersing a stainless steel or Ni or Cr flush coated metal plate in a fused bath of sodium and/or potassium dichromate for a time sufficient to form an oxide coating having a figure of merit of 4-13. The oxide coated plate is then enclosed in a glass cover. The temp. of the fused bath may be 375-500 deg.C and the immersion time is 1-15 mins.    The oxide coating has a high figure of merit, is abrasion resistant and withstands the high working temp. even when the fluid flow is stopped due to pump failure.
Light-collecting system contains a coumarin deriv. of the formula (I) (in which T is O or NR4; R4 is H or opt. substd. ar(alk)yl or cycloalkyl; R1 is a C-bound 5- or 6-membered carbo- or heterocycle or an N-bound 5- or 6-membered heterocycle which is rotationally asymmetrical about the coumarin-N-heterocycle bond, these 5- and 6-membered rings have nonionic substits. and can be condensed with an opt. substd. benzene or naphthalene ring; X is -NR2R3 or -OR'2; R2 is H or opt. substd. (cyclo)alkyl or ar(alk)yl; R3 is R2, R6-(Y)n-CO- or R7-(Y)n-SO2-; R6 and R7 are opt. substd. (cyclo)alkyl or ar(alk)yl; Y is NH or O; n is O or 1; R2 and R3, when R3 is R2, together with the N atom can form a 5- or 6-membered heterocycle opt. contg. other heteroatoms and opt. with nonionic substits. and a condensed, opt. substd. benzene or naphthalene ring, or R2 and R3 together are a CHR8- gp.; R8 is opt. substd. (cyclo)alkyl or ar(alk)yl; and R'2 is opt. substd. (cyclo) alkyl, ar(alk)yl or alkenyl)..
A concave multi-faceted glass mirror for use as a solar collector trough is made by locating a first film on the silvered surface (13) of a flat glass mirror (12), cutting the mirror on its glass face into a plurality of segments, locating a second film over the cut glass face, and then removing the first film.    The assembly so formed is then applied over a convex mould (31) with the second film contacting the mould and pressure is applied to the assembly to force the segments into lateral compression against each other. A plastics backing (21,22) is applied and hardened over the segments, the assembly so formed removed from the mould and the second film removed.    A cheap method in which the lateral compression of the segments strengthens the mirror. The plastics backing layer acts to prevent the ingress of moisture between the segments, thereby preventing cracking due to freezing.    Pref. the plastics backing comprises a gel coat (21) and a fibre glass reinforced resin layer (22).
The heat exchanger comprises a no. of individually removable tube bundle modules disposed in horizontal rows within a support structure in the shell defining voids for receiving the modules. Each module has a rectangular tube sheet at each end and a no. of tube supports between the tube sheets. A stiffening structure is disposed about the periphery of the module.    Used on ocean platforms of ships for ocean thermal energy conversion cycles. The tube bundle modules can be pre-fabricated at mfg. establishments for shipment to the point of use.
Mirror comprises a highly reflective surface (A) on a substrate, with a protective coating (B) on (A), (B), which is impervious to oxygen, is composed of 0-100% Ti oxide, 0-25% Si oxide, 0-100% Ta oxide and 0-15% of the oxide of an alkoxide-forming metal. Pref (B) is 100% Ti oxide.    (A) is esp. Ag or Al on a glass substrate and (B) is 200-5000 (1000-3000)angstrom units thick. (B) is pref. applied from a compsn. comprising the appropriate alkoxide(s); 1.7-8 moles water per mole alkoxide; alcohol to give a solids content of 0.1-15%; and acid sufficient to prevent cloudiness. This coating is fired at 200-600 deg.C..    The mirrors are esp. used for heliostats in solar energy conversion systems. They can now be prepd. more cheaply than front- coated mirrors having MgF2 covers and (B) do not react with (A). Some (B) are also reflective to UV light.
System includes a reflector with a rim angle of 109 deg. and its centre of gravity coincident with the focal point. The dish is supported for angular movement about the focal point to adjust elevation and azimuth, while being mounted balanced about the point without requiring counterweights.    The reflector is pref. a lightweight aluminium honeycomb with a coating of aluminised Mylar (RTM), and there is a stationary heat receiver rigidly located at the focal point and forming part of a receiver-boiler assembly which is mounted on a lightweight pipe pedestal with a top yoke supporting the reflector pivotally about a horizontal axis passing through the focal point.
Photovoltaic device has a luminescent collector member (11) with first and second extensions (13,14) each having length, width, thickness, inner and outer surfaces; a major part of the outer surface of the first extension (13) being arranged to receive solar radiation from a source, the extensions extending at an angle to each other and in a direction such that a photovoltaic cell (27) may be mounted on the second extension at a point which is further from the source than the outer surface of the first extension when the radiation is being received by the luminescent collector, and located so that the low light transmitting portion of the photovoltaic device is between the cell and the source, and entirely located away from the surfaces directly receiving solar radiation. The cell receives and converts to electrical energy solar radiation energy emitted from the luminescent collector into the cell when solar radiation is received by the collector.    Used in concerting solar radiation to electrical energy. Photovoltaic cell is placed away from from surfaces directly heated by the sun and entirely shadowed from the solar source without loss of collecting area. The shape of the panel facilitates mfr.
A collector has a tube with parallel inner and outer surfaces, and a layer luminescing when excited by sunlight. The major part of the luminescence is totally internally reflected and photovoltaic cells responsive to the luminescence are optically coupled to a small part of the tube area.    A mirror pref. reflects sunlight onto the tube, which is of circular cross-section with o.d. wall thickness ratio of at least 6 and with highly reflective coatings on the ends. The tube may be composite of glass and/or plastic layer with one layer containing one or more luminescent species, or may be solely of polymethylmethacrylate contg. a luminescent dye and with the cells bonded to the exterior surface.
A segment of the transparent PMMA pipe protecting the heat absorbing pipe through which the heat conveying medium flows, in a collector for solar energy, is designed to have the action of lenses and esp. Fresnel lenses, which concentrate the light on to the absorbing pipe.    The segment of the protecting pipe opposite to the lenses is made into mirrors, and the absorbing pipe has a flattened cross-section with a width four times its depth. The absorbing pipe is arranged along the focussing line of the mirror segments on supports having a poor conductivity for heat such as PTFE.    The collector concentrates as much sunlight as possible on to the absorbing pipe without high reflection losses and too large a mirror surface, so that it is compact and small.
A cell for the generation of electric energy is based on conversion of corpuscular radiation. Two electrodes, made of anodic and cathodic material, respectively, are separated by a layer of organic material with a moisture content of 10-50%, Shredded waste paper has been found to be very satisfactory.    System does not rely on solar radiation and can be used at night, overcast sky and in winter. A humidity of at least 10% is present in every cellar of a housing using this source for electricity.
A liquid is dropped down a pipe to drive a turbine, coupled to a generator for the prodn. of electric power. The liquid is circulated in a closed circuit by being raised to its initial level through evaporation. The energy supply for the evaporation comes from a heat pump which extracts the heat from the earth itself.    The pref. liquid gas has a high specific gravity and low specific heat, for example trichlorofluoromethane with a liquid-gas change point at 24 deg.C. The heat pump can be replaced by solar heat collectors.    This saves oil, gas and coal and provides energy at low cost. It causes no environmental pollution by exhausts or smoke.
Solar energy converter for converting the rays of energy from the sun into a continuous supply of H2 and O2 gases comprises a parabolic reflector which follows the movement of the sun to receive energy rays directly from it provided with a mechanism for tracking the sun's movement. The rays from the reflector are projected to impinge upon a cluster of thermocouples which is angularly adjusted to synchronise the movement of the cluster with that of the reflector as it turns with the movement of the sun.    The thermocouples, which generate positive and negative current flow, are connected to a water electrolysis unit to generate H2 and O2 gases which are pumped to separate storage tanks. A voltage booster and a voltage regulator within the positive current flow maintains the voltage received by the electrolysis unit between 1 and 10V.    The converter is inexpensive to operate and produces large continuous quantites of hydrogen and oxygen.
A generator includes an induction coil and magnetic flux generator with an elastic separator between them, and a non-elastic chest harness with an adjustable strap passing around the chest and having its ends attached to coil and flux generator so that normal respiration causes expansion and contraction of the separator.    The movement varies the flux linkage and generates an induced e.m.f. across the coil. The separator pref. comprises high- tensile steel straps, elastic springs or an elastic yarn of rubber, spandex or anidex fibres. The flux generator pref. comprises a permanent magnet mounted on a diamagnetic plate. The generator is e.g. for recharging the battery of a cardiac pacemaker or hearing aid.
The appts. includes a counter-electrode (I) with the same length as the tube end, after the appts. has been inserted in the tube, electrode (I) can be pressed against the bore of the tube, pref. by an inflatable hose. Electrode (I) is mounted on a carrier together with a second electrode (II) which includes a profiled metal strip (III); and the electrodes (I), (II) and (III) have profiles suitable for coating the tube bore. Strip (III) is used to influence the electric field in the tube.    Electrode (II) is pref. semicircular; and strip (III) pref. has a cross-section resembling a roof. Electrode (I) is pref. made of flexible Cu strip, 0.05-0.3, esp. 0.1 mm thick, with spring ends pressing on the tube bore.    Used esp. for the internal coating of very long transparent glass or plastic tubes used for collecting solar energy.
Radioactive waste material in fluid or powder form is placed in containers mounted on a frame in a shielded casing. Further containers around each of the waste containers are transparent and contain material which emits light in response to irradiation from the waste material. Photocells mounted on the frame receive the light and produce electricity. The casing is evacuated.    The battery is simple and cheap tomanufacture, strong and durable.
Collector includes an elongate absorber at the focal axis of a reflector formed by a flexible reflective sheet suspended between two spaced parallel supports. One support is movable in response to diurnal movement of the sun to alter sheet shape. The sheet is non-uniformly loaded along its cross-section so that when the shape is altered the focus will be held at the axis.    The sheet is pref. of plastic film with an aluminised surface, and it is held in a parabolic curve. The supports and sheet are pref.within a housing having a transparent face panel. There is pref. a set of solar sensors on each side of the axis, a support drive responding to an unbalance signal.
Method for prodn. and use of an accumulator is claimed in conjunction with patent nos.2408040 and 2725680 and the printing ink accumulator; in the use for storage of current from solar sheets and prodn. of rain.    An electro-osmotic accumulator is constructed in which an electrode 'a', an electrode 'b' and a diaphragm space (C) are used, immersed in an aq. soln. of soot, lime and water or printing ink. The diaphragm space comprises molecular capacitors, microscopic conducting molecules with an isolation film and a coating of conductive metal formed by vapour deposition, electrostatic adhesion of metal dust or deposited carbon particles in dense printing ink. The conductive diaphragm electrode 'b' is sepd. uniformly from an electrode b(x) also in aq. soot soln., or may be on its own and connected with a second similar cell. For charging up the electrode 'a' of one container and the electrode 'a(1)' of the other container are connected together and electrodes b(DC) of the two containers are connected together; so that in each diaphragm space another charge is stored. On discharge both diaphragm electrodes of the storage space of both cells are discharged across a rheostat.    Both containers are constructed as crystalline pyramids in which a waterproof container in pyramide shape with small crystalline squares is provided; with worked in grooves and ribs, suitably pressed together, without mortar, adhesive etc., and can be cast in the form of lava.
The electric storage battery is monitored in operation and automatically replenishes with the chemicals employed to operate the battery and provide its electrical energy output. In one form, a computer or microprocessor receives, processes and automatically analyses signals received from a number of sensors which sense the battery condition and operation.    The microprocessor generates control signals for controlling the flow of chemicals to and from the battery operating chamber or chambers. As a result, the battery is kept in a predetermined state of charge or operating condition.
The system consists of several repeating fuel cells which are arranged in a stack with the cells connected electrically in series, and separated by a cooling module. Cooling passages are provided in the module through which air flows to absorb heat generated by the electrochemical reaction in the cells.    In order to maintain a relatively constant temperature across the fuel cells without excessively large cooling airflow rates, the surface area of the cooling passages varies with the distance from the inlet end of the passages. A smaller surface area is provided at the inlet end and a larger surface area is provided at the exit end. Achievement of a more even temp. distribution allows a higher average bipolar plate temperature for a given maximum temp. As well as reducing the airflow required and so the required circulator power, the effects of carbon monoxide catalyst poisoning are reduced by the high average temp. The cooling passages are generally rectangular with the edges of the passages inclined at seven degrees from the vertical to accommodate removal of a die during fabrication.
The process channels vary in a manner such that more fuel is provided in the fuel channels nearest the fresh oxidant channel inlets, and less fuel is provided in the fuel channels nearest the depleted oxidant channel outlets. Similarly, the oxidant channels provide more oxidant flow near the fresh fuel inlets, and less oxidant flow near the depleted fuel outlets.    Preferably, the channels are defined by generally rectangular bipolar plates in a cross flow geometry. The fuel channels are parallel and coextending, as are the oxidant channels. The flow and surface area is varied by providing, for e.g larger rectangular shaped fuel channels which progressively decrease to smaller rectangular channels. Additionally, similar or differing channels can be unevenly spaced to achieve a more balanced reactor rate across a fuel cell.
A layer can be deposited on a substrate and subsequently removed and used in an electrical device. A shaped (e.g. thimble shaped) portion for incorporation in an electrical device may be formed by deposition onto a suitably shaped substrate. In one example, the electrical devices are oxygen sensors and a portion possessing selected electrical properties in each case is a layer of solid electrolyte.    For example if tube (1) is of nickel, the plug (2) can be of porous nickel. The porosity of plug (2) is such that, in operation, a reference gas of fixed oxygen partial pressure can permeate through. A layer of solid electrolyte (3) is provided on the plug (2) and is partially overlaid by a sensing electrode (4) (e.g. a platinum electrode). Electrical connections (5,6) are provided to connected respectively the porous plug (2) and sensing electrode (4) to a millivoltmeter. The device may be used in photovoltaic cells, fuel cells, thin film piezoelectric transducer etc.
The switch is used where the loads are an even number of batteries or electrolytic cells producing hydrogen and oxygen (16). The appts. includes switching units (10) each having four terminals. Each switching unit has two switching states (A and B). Alternate switching units have pairs of batteries or cells connected between first and third, and second and fourth terminals so that when the switching unit is in one state (A), the batteries are in parallel and when in another state (B) they are in series.    Alternate switching units each serve for the interconnection of adjacent pairs of batteries in series or parallel. A controller is responsive to the voltage output of the generator effects a switching sequence at given voltage thresholds to switch the batteries progressively from parallel arrangement to series arrangement as the output voltage from the wind-driven generator increases from a minimum to a maximum.
Method for monitoring the matching of capillary properties of gas diffusion electrodes, to the hydrogen-oxygen fuel of the matrix electrolyte carrier uses the measured voltage dependence on the electrolyte volume, at a constant current level in the electrolyte, and at the imbalance signs of the working gas pressure. Then the buffer capacity is determined according to the potential level of the electrolyte optimum volume.    The electrodes' optimum capillary properties are found by circulating hydrogen through the condenser and the hydrogen chamber. The water is removed from the electrolyte until the gas pressure reaches the level above the electrolyte. The mixture in the condenser is cooled and by regulating the condenser temperature, the amount of water is altered. The matrix of the hydrogen-oxygen element is tested at a temperature of 95 deg, at a current density of 4 amps and a gas pressure of 4 bars and a condenser temperature of 75 deg.C. Then the graph (5) is used to determine the imbalance of the gas pressure at the extremal voltage. Bul.26/15.7.80.
The equipment comprises a closed vessel (3) into which a quantity of liquid (4) such as water, is introduced through a side entry inlet pipe (5) fitted with a valve (6). Over the top of the liquid is introduced a fuel such as benzene. Into the water below the upper surface are introduced from below two electrodes (10) connected to current source (12) and a controller (11).    As a result of electrolytic action, hydrogen and oxygen are formed at the electrodes by the current source, and mix with the fuel. The resulting gas mixture is conveyed to the user (2) which may be electrically connected (13,14) to the same regulator as that used to control the current supply to the electrodes.
The simplified indicator of the charge state of galvanic cell featuring swelling electrodes monitors the rhythm of charging and discharging. The change in the volume is attributable to crystalline transformation in pressed or rolled electrodes in alkaline electrolyte. The individual cells (5) of the battery are held between a fixed plate (2) and a movable plate (3) which is subject to pressure of the spring (7).    The pressure of the plate is measured by a force transducer (10) while expansion is measured by a dial (II). The spring is made up of Belleville washers (8) with preload set by bolts (I).
A fired ZrO2 ceramic of over 98% theoretical density, consists of (a) a major amt. ZrO2, comprising 5-30 wt.% monoclinic ZrO2 and 95-70% cubic ZrO2 stabilised with 5-15 wt.% CaO, MgO or Y2O3; and (b) 1.0-15% Ca metaborate, Ca tetraborate or B2O3 densification promoter.    A ZrO2 ceramic (I), at least 98% dense, is prepd. by (i) milling and blending cubic ZrO2 powder stabilised with 5-15 wt.% CaO, MgO or Y2O3 with 1-15% boric oxide promoter having m.pt. below 1200 deg.C; and (ii) pressing and firing in air at 1150-1350 deg.C for half-4 hr. to densify the prod. and convert 5-30% cubic ZrO2 to monoclinic. The prod. so prepd. is also claimed.    A monoclinic ZrO2 ceramic (II) at least 90% dense is prepd. by (i) milling and blending monoclinic ZrO2 powder with 1-10% V oxide promoter, m.pt. below 1200 deg.C; and (ii) pressing and firing in air at 1050-1125 deg.C for half-24 hr. The prod. is also claimed.    The ZrO2 ceramics are useful as high temp. furnace linings and in electronic applications, e.g. fuel cell electrolyte. The lower firing temp. (1700-1900 deg.C conventional) is more economical. Both embodiments provide good control of microstructure, with (I) including a large vol. microcracks for enhanced fracture toughness and thermal shock resistance, and (II) free of stabiliser for better control of impurity levels.
Fluid is supplied to or drained from a marginal portion of a flat fuel cell electrode (1) mounted in a frame (2) via a device which is connected with a spacious collecting channel (5) which runs in a plane parallel to the longitudinal plane of the frame and parallel the marginal portions of the fuel cell electrode and which is connected with a number of equidistantly spaced points of this marginal portion via microchannels (4) which microchannels run in a plane parallel to the longitudinal plane of the frame and are open at the upper side, the side being situated in one of the two outer planes of the frame that are parallel the longitudinal plane of the frame, when the arrangement is not assembled and have substantially identical dimensions and a width (b) that is smaller than their depth (d).    Provides uniform fluid supply to, or drainage from the fuel cell electrode. Preferred embodiment has the frame made of thermoplastic material. A battery is formed of a stack of similar elements.
Prodn. of acetaldehyde (I) comprises anodic oxidn. of an ethanol-contg. fuel in a fuel cell so as to provide an output voltage of 1-1000 mV. At least the prods. of oxidn. are removed to avoid formation of condensates or more highly oxidised prods., and most of the (I) recovered.    Pref. the fuel is provided by vaporising water and ethanol from a fermentation broth contg. 2-20 vol.% ethanol. The cell esp. operates at 15-90 deg.C with spontaneous distillation of most of the (I) and the oxidised fuel can be circulated to a distillation zone at below 70 deg.C for recovery of the remainder.    (I) is specifically trimerised to paraacetaldehyde or converted to pentaerythritol by reaction with formaldehyde. It can also be simply burnt as a fuel (e.g. in internal combustion engines) or as a fuel oil additive, or used in urea- or phenol-aldehyde resin prodn.; ethanol denaturing, fruit and fish preservation etc. Formation of potentially poisoning by-prods. (acetic acid, aldol condensates or CO2) is minimised.
Electrodes for anodic oxidn. of SO2, comprising a Pt-gp. metal contg. catalyst coated onto a high surface area porous substrate, are prepd. by (a) applying a soln. contg. Pt-gp. metal(s) onto a first surface of the substrate; (b) applying a press. differential of at least 10 (pref. 10-100, esp. 10-30) mmHg across the substrate, with the first side at higher press.; and (c) uniformly heating at least one side of the substrate, pref. radiantly heating. The Pt-gp. metal is pref. Pd and the substrate is radiantly heated to 40-60 deg.C.    The electrodes are useful for large scale H2 prodn., where SO2 is anodically oxidised to produce H2SO4 with simultaneous H2 evolution at the cathode, and the H2SO4 is catalytically reduced to SO2 and O2. The coating provides good catalyst loading and high uniformity, minimising electrode voltage and hence increasing process efficiency at a given temp.
Prodn. of H2 and O2 is carried out by exposing steam to IR radiation (wave no. 3755.79cm-1) as it passes through a tube equipped with a magnetised central shaft carrying stators imparting turbulent motion to the steam.    Specifically the tube is frustoconical, diverging from the inlet to the outlet. Two IR lamps, directly opposite each other, are attached to the outside of the tube and extend along its whole length. The inside of the tube is coated with IR- opaque material, except for 2 entrance slits adjacent to the lamps.    The process can be operated at much lower temps. (e.g. 500 deg.C) than conventional processes involving contact of steam with hot coke. The H2 and O2 formed by IR-induced dissociation of the steam are sepd. by a combination of centrifugal force and magnetic attraction.
Cell comprises (a) anode (24) and cathode (22,23) assemblies, each having an attached lead (34,35) to provide electrical output to a prothesis, (b) a fuel-electrolyte chamber (44,45) between them, for receiving an externally supplied duel, (c) a biologically acceptable O2-permeable membrane (46) contacting the cathode assembly and lying between the cathode andbody tissue to permit endogenous tissue O2 to diffuse to the cell from the tissue, and (e) a fuel electrolyte compsn. in the chamber having a high concn. ratio of fuel:diffused endogenous tissue O2. The cell pref. also includes a tube (36,37) for refuelling the cell, with one end communicating with the fuel-electrolyte chamber and the other terminating subcutaneously. The prothesis and fuel cell are implanted in body tissue, and the cell is percutaneously refuelled when power output drops to a min. amt. required by the prothesis.    The cell provides e.g. 0.14 W-hr/g, 0.16 W-hr/ml, has indefinite life when intermittently refuelled and is smaller and lighter than comparable power cells. It is nontoxic and does not require hermetic sealing. . 2
Catalyst for the recombination of H2 and O2, esp. the gases formed in the operation of electrical accumulators, consists of a mixt. of PTFE and kieselguhr as support, which is provided with the active catalyst material. This has a mat of a rolled PTFE-kieselguhr mixt., which is provided with a catalytically active metal after rolling, hydrophobised and sintered.    The PTFE-kieselguhr wt. ratio is 40:60 to 60:40, whilst the catalyst is Pd in an amt. of 0.1-5(0.5-2)wt.%. The catalyst can be rolled with a C mat, opt. impregnated with CuO.    The catalyst has good mechanical strength and retains its good catalytic activity and hydrophobic properties for long periods. Besides recombinators for accumulators, it is also useful for all plant in which unwanted H2 is generated, e.g. fuel cells, battery rooms of submarines, etc., for eliminating radiolysis gases in nuclear power stations and H2 from hydrogenation processes or for generating heat from H2 and O2 and air.
New metal zirconate-silicate-phosphate cpds. (I) contg. H or hydronium ions have the formulas Me(1+x-y)(H(+))(y)Zr (2)Si(x)P(3-x)O(12)    (in which x is max. 3 and y is max. 1+x, both exceeding zero and pref. being min. 0.1. Me is a monovalent metal, pref. Na, K and/or Li). (I) are prepd. by treating a cpd. (II) of the formula Me(1+x)Zr(2)Si(x)P(3-x)O(12) with an acid aq. soln. until the Me concn. in the soln. has risen to the required value for y.    (I) are specified for use as solid state electrolytes which conduct H or hydronium ions in electrochemical cells, esp. fuel cells, pH meters, detectors for determining ion concns. in aq. solns., organic solns. (e.g. pH meter) and melts, electrochromic displays, separator in H2 generators at low and high temps. or a H2 gas purifier (ion sieve) at low and high temp. They are stable enough to be used at temps. up to min. 300 deg.C.
Noble metal/base metal catalyst alloy useful for catalytic reduction of oxygen comprises up to 30 (up to 25) atomic % chromium balance noble metal esp. platinum. The alloy is produced with a surface area of at least 30 sq.m./g of noble metal in the alloy.    Also claimed is a method for catalytic reduction of oxygen using the above catalyst, the alloy having twice the catalytic activity of the unalloyed noble metal. An electrochemical cell esp. a fuel cell is independently claimed using an electrode contg. the above catalyst.    The improved catalytic activity gives rise to increased voltage yield for an electrode in a fuel cell.
Fuel cell battery has rectangular, bipolar construction with anode matrix electrolyte, cathode and bipolar plate, the electrodes having a catalyst layer and a C or graphite support. The novel feature is that porous C or graphite powder, which is more porous than the electrode support layers, is inserted between the bipolar plate and anode and between the cathode and bipolar plate to form the gas space. The cost of construction is favourable.    Fuel gas and air are forced through the gas spaces so that their directions of flow are perpendicular to one another. They are kept apart by providing the gas space papers with gas-permeable plastics strips along 2 opposite sides or by forming suitable edge projections on both sides of the bipolar plate, which pref. is square. The bipolar plate or both layers of this consists of flexible graphite or graphite/plastics mixts., stainless steel (sheet), C-coated metal sheet or plastics.
In prepn. of catalyst of fine metal particles suitable for fuel cell electrode, in which a solution containing ions of at least two metals or complexes with different redox potentials, e.g. platinum and palladium, is reduced to precipitate metal particles, and then particles of at least one of the metals are eluted.    In an example, 200 ml aq. soln. of 13 g H2PtCl6.6H2O and 10g reduced by dropwise addn. of 20% formic acid; platinum particles were sepd. by filtering, water-washed and dried, giving a mixed platinum-palladium catalyst. To 5 g of the powder catalyst obtd. ca. 50 ml conc. nitric acid, was added and the mixt. boiled ca. 20 min. then left to cool. This is followed by dilution with water, filtering, water-washing, and drying, giving a fine platinum black catalyst.    Elution of 2nd metal give porous catalyst with specific surface area of ca. 70 to 100 sq.m./g.
02 is electrolytically generated using a catalyst of Ru oxide and Mn oxide, pref. contg. 5-25 wt.% Mn oxide, esp. a solid soln., for the 02 -evolving anode. The anode pref. also includes a filler or binder, esp. fluorocarbon polymer.    The cell comprises a catalytic cathode and the anode bonded to opposed surfaces of a solid polymer electrolyte transport medium, pref. a cation exchange resin, with a direct potential applied between cathode and anode. Water is supplied to one of the electrodes (pref. anode) to electrochemically generate 02 at the anode. In an embodiment, an aq. medium is continuously supplied to the cathode and a medium electrolytically evolving 02 is supplied to the anode, with 02 continuously removed from the anode.    The Mn oxide stabilises the Ru oxide catalyst, providing a life up to over 4000 hr. for electrolysis of water. with little increase in cell voltage or efficacy(see graph), whereas Ru oxide alone, although having lower cell voltage, becomes unusable after about 48 hr. through corrosion.
A support for the immobilisation of biologically active materials comprises a base substance coated with a copolymer of (a) a hydrophilic acrylic or methacrylic monomer of formula CH2:C(R1)COOR2OR3 (I), (where R1 is H or CH3; R2 is 2-3C alkylene which may be substd. or a polyoxyalkylene gp.; R3 is H, 1-3C alkyl opt. substd. by a polar gp.), and (b) a copolymerisable unsatd. acid of formula CH2:C(R1)COOH (II), or (c) a copolymerisable amine CH2:C(R1)COOR4NHR5 (III), (where R4 is 2-3C alkylene; R5 is H or 1-3C alkyl), (b) or (c) representing 1-50% of the total polymerisable monomers present.    Used as selective adsorbents for clinical use, affinity chromatography, and analytical columns, and for the preparation of affinity electrodes. Greater selectivity than is possible with prior art supports is achieved.
The battery system comprises (a) a number of cells connected electrically (partly) in series and hydraulically (partly) in parallel, (b) a hydraulic pathway for aq. electrolyte common to at least two cells, where the common electrolyte provides an electrical bypass for undesirable shunt currents, (c) a pump circulating the electrolyte and (d) a REDOX reaction couple for applying protective current through (part of) the bypass path.    The REDOX couple provides consumption and replacement of aq. electrolyte, so the electrolyte compsn. remains constant, and the protective current is applied in the same direction as shunt current through the shared electrolyte and is of a magnitude effective to reduce or eliminate shunt currents.    Minimises undesirable effects of shunt currents while allowing advantages of circulating electrolyte, i.e. improved heat removal, overcoming mass transfer limitations, reduced IR losses and improved electrolyte homogeneity.
Method of preparing a piece of solid electrolyte based on stabilised zirconia comprises (a) prepg. an alcohol soln. of a Zr salt, a salt of stabilising metal and an Al salt; (b) copptg. hydroxides of the metals; (c) sepg. the ppte.; (d) washing with hydrophilic solvent to remove the majority of the water; (e) drying at below 100 deg.C; (f) calcining in air; (g) forming from the powder a blank of the desired shape by compacting the powder; (h) sintering the body obtd. in a hydrogen atmosphere.    The solid electrolyte is esp. for use in a cell for electrolysing water vapour at high temp. for prodn. of gaseous H2 or for use in a fuel cell. The conductivity of the stabilised zirconia is improved by the addition of small amounts of Al2O3.
Process for electrolytic prodn. of hydrogen in which hydrogen is evolved at the cathode and sulphurous acid is oxidised to sulphuric acid at the anode, uses a cell having an anode chamber and a cathode chamber sepd. by an intermediate chamber through which a sepn. electrolyte flows. Separate electrolyte streams flow through the three chambers and the intermediate chamber is sepd. from the cathode chamber by a cation exchange membrane and from the anode chamber by a cation exchange membrane or a diaphragm. The sulphuric acid concn. in both the anode and cathode chambers is at least ca. 50 wt.% and the sepn. membrane on the cathode side is a cation exchange membrane with a specific resistance in 55 wt.% H2SO4 at 80 deg. C of less than ca. 30 ohm.cm. The separator membrane between the anode chamber and the cation exchange membrane is pref. also a cation exchange membrane with a specific resistance in 55 wt.% H2SO4 at 80 deg. C of less than ca. 30 ohm.cm.    Pref. membranes are made by polymerising styrene and divinyl benzene in the presence of PVC, and introducing SO3H gps.    The cell operates at low voltages and hinders passage of SO2 from the anode to the cathode chamber, so that poisoning of the active cathode layer with sulphur or H2S is avoided.
Lithiated cobalto-cobaltic oxide is claimed. The stoichiometric formula is Co3O4 and the Li content is pref above 2, more pref 3-15, esp 5-12 and partic 6-11 at %.    The oxide is specifically prepd by a slurry method in which Co(OH)2 or Co3O4 is treated with LiOH soln., drained, dried and heated, pref at 300-600 deg C for 5-10 hrs. It may also be prepd by thermal decompsn or freeze-drying, starting e.g. from a mixt of Co and Li nitrate solns.    Used as an electro-catalyst in an electrochemical cell. The compsn is esp suitable for O2 evolution and reduction electrodes exhibit stability over periods up to 6000 hrs. The compsn may also be used in purely chemical processes such as decompsn of H2O2 or peroxy ions and fuel cells.
Solid electrode in electrolytic cell is described. The electrode is used for the rapid acceptance or delivery of ions from or to an electrolyte, with low voltage losses; and is employed esp. in fuel cells, high performance batteries, electrochromic visual display units, or in electrochemical memory devices. The electrode has a higher electrical conductivity for electrons or holes than for ions; and the concn. of mobile electrons or holes in the electrode is lower than its concn. of mobile ions.    The stationary discharge curve for the electrode pref. shows a steep voltage drop at the beginning and end of discharge. In the almost fully charged state (A), the electrode pref. consists of Li in Sb or Bi; whereas in the almost completely discharged state (B) the electrode consists of Li3Sb, or Li3Bi.    The current density w.r.t. the surface area of the electrode can be increased during charge and discharge. Overvoltages during charging are reduced; and voltage losses during discharge are decreased.
Improved molten carbonate fuel cell electrolyte structure consists essentially of 55-75 wt.% strontium titanate and 25-45 wt.% of an alkali metal carbonate electrolyte. the strontium titanate has a crystallite morphology which is at least significantly spherical and has an av. size of 0.1-1 micron. The titanate is chosen from stoichiometric strontium titanate, strontium-rich titanate and mixts. of these. The alkali carbonate is chosen from ternary Li-K-Na carbonates compsn., binary Li-K carbonates compsn., binary Li-Na carbonates compsn., binary Na-K carbonates compsn. and mixts. of these. The electrolyte structure is essentially pore free when the electrolyte is in molten form.    Parent specification 4242426 concerns the prodn. of the electrolyte structures, e.g. by mixing the Sr titanate powder and electrolyte, and hot pressing at 480-490 deg.C and at least 1000 psi.
An electrochemical cell includes an electrolyte retaining matrix layer located between anode and cathode electrodes comprised of grooved substrates including a gas porous body and a catalyst layer adjacent the matrix layer. Each substrate body has a ribbed section for receiving reactant gas. Side portions of the substrate include a channel which defines a web adjacent or substrate surface.    Each channel is filled with a gas impervious substance and each web is impregnated with a gas impervious substance so as to provide a gas impervious seal along the entire length of each side portion of each substrate and between opposite faces.    The gas impervious edge seal spans the entire length and thickness of a porous substrate and does not rely entirely on an impregnating process.
Carbonacous material is electrochemically oxidised at the anode of a cell whilst producing a useful fuel or chemical at the cathode. The energy change brought about by the electrolysis is supplied in part by the anodic oxidn. and in part by electrical energy from a fuel cell supplied by the cathodic fuel prod. The fuel cell and electrolysis cell have shared electrodes. In a specific process solid C material is electrochemically gasified and C oxides are obtd. at the anode and H2 is obtd. at the cathode.    Used for converting C materials such as coal, lignite, char, domestic waste, sewage sludge, shale oil and heaby petroleum fractions to useful gaseous or liq. fuels. Fuels in a useful or more conc. form, e.g. H2 or light hydrocarbons, are obtd. from C fuels under mild conditions. A 1.2V H2 fuel cell can easily drive the electrochemical gasification. No NOx or SOx gases are formed.
The anode of a liquid cell is made of carbon powder particles of size 50-mesh bonded with a binder. At least 30 vol.% of the particles are of size 100-mesh. Preferably, one vol. of powder passes through a 50-mesh screen but not 100-mesh screen, and 0.5-1.5 vol. of powder passes through 200-mesh but not 325 mesh. The anode pref. contains 10-35 wt. pts. binder per 100 pts. powder. A liquid fuel cell is also claimed in which methanol is used as the liquid fluel.    Cell performance is improved, as product gas is prevented from escaping providing more efficient supply of fuel to the cell. . 1
H2 evolution electrode comprises a conductive substrate having a coating comprising an oxide of at least one of Ni, Co and Ag, or a coating in which the oxide is reduced. Pref. substrates are Ni (alloy) and austenite or ferrite stainless steels.    A pref. coating also contains a metal and/or its oxide which has a valency smaller than the first coating metal (oxide), and is pref. Li (oxide).    Used in electrolysis of water or brines etc. Electrode has high strength and durability and a very low H2 overvoltage. The H2 evolution potential is extremely noble as compared with -0.98V vs normal H2 electrode.
Electrochemical cell system (10) has a number of electrically connected fuel cells (12) and at least one cooling module arranged between selected fuel cells. The cells and cooling module are arranged in a stack and are shaped in elongate polygonal cross section. Each fuel cell has an electrolyte (16) positioned between a pair of bipolar plates (14) which define channels (28) carrying an oxidant in reacting communication with the electrolyte, and channels (26) for carrying a fuel in reacting communication with the electrolyte. The fuel and oxidant channels (26,28) have inlets on one short peripheral face of the cell and outlets on the opposing short peripheral face. The cooling module (42) has cooling passages (44) with an entry on one longer peripheral face of the cooling module and an exit on the opposite longer peripheral face of the cooling module.    Used partic. in a fuel cell for reaction of oxygen and hydrogen to produce heat, electrical energy and water. The system simplifies construction and sealed ducting requirements, while improving efficiency with the relatively short channels, provided between the longer peripheral faces of the module, the cooling fluid flow reducing the pressure drop and circulation power requirements.
Cell comprises (a) a container contg. (b) a metal fuel anode, pref. at least 99% pure Al or Mg, (c) a cathode of porous conductive material dissimilar to the anode and (c) a caustic fluid electrolyte between and contacting electrodes, comprising a mixt. of aq. solns. of (i) base materials having equiv. ionic conductance 180 or more at concn. 0.05M and (ii) acid material having equiv. ionic conductance 100 or higher at 0.05M and PK1 values less than 1.0. The ratios of acid and base material in the electrolyte are pref. varied to change the pH of the electrolyte from below 7 to above 14, putting the cell in chemically dormant storage and chemically active working states respectively.    Cell allows use of lightweight inexpensive and abundant Al (also Mg) as fuel cell electrode, while avoiding corrosion of the anode during storage.
An appts. for the automatic prodn. of a gas e.g. oxygen, hydrogen, chlorine, by the reaction of an alkaline soln. on non-ferrous metals recovered after use comprises a reaction vessel with an automatic system of feeding without interruption of the reaction.    A lock chamber below the vessel allows discharge of the residues to be recovered. Another vessel is placed above the reaction vessel for recovery of the gas produced. The appts. includes a brush in the reaction vessel. The brush scrubs the metal continuously and removes the surface layer to give a continuous durable reaction.    The appts. may be used e.g. for the prodn. of hydrogen to obtain energy by the reaction of aluminium on sodium hydroxide soln. in water. The brush allows the aluminium to be cleaned by elimination of the layer of sodium aluminate formed on it. The appts. can be put in a vehicle and replace petrol. The sodium aluminate can be treated for recovery of the aluminium.
Elecgrochemical cell having an electrolyte and two electrodes includes an O2 electrode contg. an electrocatalyst material of Pt3MO6, where M is Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Mg, Ca, Cu, Cd or Hg, having an orthorhombic crystal structure. The electrolyte may be acid, pref. H3PO4 or H2SO4 aq. soln., or alkaline, pref. KOH aq. soln.    The cell is specifically a fuel cell, a caustic-chlorine producing cell, an air-metal battery, an electrolyser or a metal electrowinning device.    Electrocatalyst has high activity for O2 redn. in acid electrolyte and is insoluble in hot strong acids.
An electrolytic converter, converting water (vapour) to H2 and O2 comprises (a) a housing of cell chamber, water vapour inlet and O2 and H2 outlets; (b) at least one cell assembly in the chamber, comprising an anode having a coating of 65-85 wt.% Ir oxide, 15-35% high temp. resin binder, pref. PTFE on a foraminous metal base surface, a cathode and an electrolyte-contg. matrix providing a conductive path between them; and (c) conductors connected to electrodes.    Water vapour in air is electrolysed by (i) applying a potential across anode and cathode and (ii) passing a stream of air contg. water vapour in contact with the outer surface of the anode, the water Vapour contacting the coated anode surface where it is electrolytically converted to O2 and H+ ions, (iii) passing H+ ions through the electrolyte to the cathode where H2 is formed and (iv) passing O2 gas from the cell with exiting air, enriching its O2 content. The anode, made by sintering the coating onto the base, is also claimed.    The cell/method is useful in closed environments, e.g. space vehicles, operating at ambient temps. with atmospheric air to give current efficiency over 99%. It also operates at higher temps. with steam and at superatmospheric pressure.
H2 gas is formed from an electrolyte comprising a suspn of semiconductor platelets in a vertically flowing electrolyte soln. Radiant energy impinges on the suspended platelets causing the evolution of H2 gas which is then collected.    The platelets comprise an ohmic contact layer sandwiched between n- and p-type semiconductor layers, with an insulating layer covering the exposed edge of the ohmic contact. The position of the platelet is controlled by the rate of electrolyte flow. Pref electrolyte is a bromide soln esp aq HBr.    Useful esp in conversion of solar energy to H2 fuel. Method has better efficiency than prior art photochemical systems.
H2 gas and Br2 liq. are formed from an electrolyte comprising a suspension of semiconductor platelets in a vertically flowing bromide soln. Radiant energy impinges on the suspended platelets causing the evolution of H2 and Br2 which are then collected.    The platelets comprise an ohmic contact layer sandwiched between n- and p-type semiconductor layers, with an insulating layer covering the exposed edge of the ohmic contact. The position of the platelets is controlled by the rate of electrolyte flow.    Used in energy conversion systems, esp. conversion of solar energy to H2 and Br2 fuels. Method has better efficiency than prior art halogen photochemical systems; over-voltages and corrosion effects are reduced, and dissociation prods. are easier to handle than e.g.I2 solids.
Continuous bands comprising at least a thin, porous, conductive layer are produced by mixing an aq. dispersion of C powder, opt. supporting a catalyst, with a binder (pref. PTFE) emulsion, precipitating the binder on the powder, drying, dry grinding, grinding further with a wetting agent to avoid adherence of the grains to the calender rollers which are subsequently used to calender the obtd. material free of any P prod..    The prod. is used as fuel cell electrode partic. in a cell where the current is recovered by dots or lines which are spaced at a distance of the order of mm by means of an electronically conductive collector. The multi-layer bands are free of P and are self-supporting thus allowing a thin layer to be obtd. having excellent homogeneity and free of cracks.
Dry mixing of active carbon and polymer for air diffusion electrodes. Active carbon and PTFE powder are fed into a blade mixer (1), which also contains a rapidly rotating cutter head (5) provided with sharp knives (6). Knives (6) cut the mixt. so at least part of the PTFE is temporarily evaporated and then deposited on the carbon grains. The peripheral speed of knives (6) is pref. min. 15 m/second, esp. min. 25m/second.    The wt. ratio of active carbon:PTFE in the mixt. is pref. 5-1:1, esp. 3-2:1. The dry mixt. thus obtd. is pref. rolled out into thin foil and then pressed into a metal mesh strip. The thin foil pref. has wt. 15 mg/sq.cm, and thickness 0.15-0.2 mm., esp. 0.16-18 mm. Mixer (1) is pref. followed by two sets of rolls, one making the foil, the other rolling the foil into the metal mesh strip.    A very uniform dry mixt. is obtd. without lumps, resulting in the successful mfr. of thin, hydrophobic electrodes.
Photosynthetically-driven fuel cell consists of a growth chamber with a transparent top, a nutrient aq. soln. and anode and cathode which are sepd. in the chamber but connected by an external load. Suspended in the soln. are (a) mesophyll cells which produce malate in sunlight, (b) a substance (I) converting malate to NADH and (c) a potential mediator (II) for transfer of electrons from NADH to anode.    The soln. sustains the isolated cells in an autotrophic cells and can initiate export. Esp. (I) is malic enzyme and (II) is esp. methylene blue, benzyl viologen or methyl viologen. The soln. can include a catalyst (esp. xanthine oxidase) for cpd. (II).
The generator, producing gas by chemical reaction of solid fuel on controlled exposure to liq. vapour comprises (a) a compartment (12) storing solid fuel (14) and (b) a separate adjacent compartment (28) controllably receiving liq. water at suitable press. from an external reservoir, sepd. by (c) a wall including porous hydrophobic membranes, (20,24) pref. of Teflon (RTM), passing gases and vapours while restricting passage of liq. water under normal demand operations.    The wall comprises a pair of spaced membranes, each forming (part of) the wall of the respective compartments, with spacers (22) maintaining membrane sepn. to form a gas passageway between the compartment walls. An outlet (26) conducts produced gas to a utiliser and any excess liq. water from the passageway.    The generator is useful for e.g. producing H2 for a fuel cell.
The prepn. of a fluorinated copolymer having ion-exchange gps. by copolymerising a fluorinated ethylenic unsatd. monomer (I) and a comonomer (II) contg. a carboxylic gp. (precursor) in aq. medium using an initiator is improved by effecting reaction in the presence of an aliphatic or alicyclic alkane or water-soluble organic solvent as mol. wt. regulator (I)..    The mol. wt. is controlled reproducibly without lowering the polymerisation velocity or the stability of the resulting latex. Ion exchange capacity is 0.5-2.2 meq/g dry polymer.    The copolymer is used in a diaphragm for diffusion dialysis, electrolytic redn. or a fuel cell where anticorrosion is reqd. When used as a cation selective membrane in electrolysis of an alkali metal chloride, NaOH can be obtd. in more than 40% concn. at a current efficiency higher than 90% using a more than 2N concn. of aq. NaCl at a current density of 5-50 A/sq.dm.
Gas diffusion electrode comprises an open pore electrically conducting carbon cloth (1) having a coating of a uniform mixture of catalytic carbon particles and hydrophobic binder particles (2, 3) pref. of Teflon (RTM) evenly deposited on the cloth, with the mixture of particles adhered within the cloth pores and to the yarns of the cloth..    Used in electrochemical cells including metal electrowinning cells, caustic chlorine cells, metal air batteries and fuel cells. Thin porous electrode is of high volume to weight ratio, which permits easy, substantially uniform short path diffusional access of the gas, under minimal pressure, to the active sites of the catalyst layer in contact with the electrolyte, and has improved structural strength and integrity.
Coal for use in clean, efficient electric power generation is upgraded by a non-pyrolytic, non-polluting process comprising (a) reacting the coal with water to form CO and H2; (b) sepg. the gases, (c) reacting the CO with a hydroxide (I) to form a formate (II); (d) reacting (II) with O2 in a fuel cell to form (II), CO2 and electricity; (e) reacting the H2 from step (b) with O2 in a fuel cell to form H2O and electricity; (f) recycling (I) from step (d) to step (c); and (g) recycling the H2O from step (e) to step (a).    An efficiency of about 50% is provided.
Sealing band for the edge of a porous electrode substrate in a fuel cell comprises SiC, C or graphite powder of particle size 0.1 to 10 micron mixed with 2% PTFE as binder. The band is clamped by the distributor plates such that a gas-tight seal is formed around the edge of the cell.    Seal compsn. provides denser particle packing thus reducing compressibility and providing a better seal than the prior art.
The cell includes two electrodes (1,11), and two pre-electrodes (3,10) sepd. from a central diaphragm by an insulating grid formed by beads located on threads, which are pref. thinner than the beads. The pref. grid is formed by a mesh of horizontal and vertical threads with a bead at each intersection. The threads may also be woven like lacework with holes at the intersections for locating the beads. The object is to provide a good mechanical support for the diaphragm, and to prevent short circuits between the latter and the pre-electrodes (3,10).    The cell is used e.g. in the industrial electrolysis of pressurised water to mfr. H2 and O2.
In the simultaneous prodn. of hydrogen and oxygen from water, an aq. mixt. of a photosensitiser and an electron relay, one of which acts as electron donor and the other as electron acceptor, is irradiated with visible light, in presence of a hydrogen-evolving catalyst and an oxygen-evolving catalyst. The electron transfer between the photo-sensitiser, the electron relay, and the water, brought about by the catalyst, results in prodn. of hydrogen and oxygen, and the cyclic regeneration of the photo-sensitiser and the electron relay.    The process is economical. No electron donor is added.
Solid electrolytes of ZrO3 ceramics, consisting mainly of cubic crystals and monoclinic and opt. tetragonal crystals due to the addn. of Y2O4, contain monoclinic (and tetragonal) crystals with an average size of max. 2 micron. The ratio of the intensity of the monoclinic (11barl) x-ray diffraction line to the cubic (200) line is 0.01-2.5, and, if appropriate, that of the tetragonal (200) line to the cubic (200) line is max. 1.0.    The electrolyte has very good strength, which does not deteriorate on ageing at 200-300 deg.C, and very good thermal shock resistance. It is useful as oxygen conducting electrolyte for meters for measuring the O2 concn. which can be used directly in i.e. engines, furnaces etc. or in flame analysis equipment.
The parent patent (4218 520) discloses appts. for generating heat and electricity from varied Al (scrap) pieces, comprising a reactiong chamber contg. aq. electrolyte and appts. for controllably introducing Al pieces into the chamber for reaction with the electrolyte, yielding Al(OH)3 and heat, and for removing generated heat and Al(OH)3 prod. and for generating electrical energy from the reaction.    The present appts. includes an electrochemical cell for oxidising an intermediate reactant, pref. Zn or H2, produced by the Al- electrolyte reaction to generate electrical energy. It is pref. a slurry-type Zn/air or Zn/O2 battery or, for H2, a cell having a nongaseous cathode reactant.    The Zn cell produces about 1.25 V/cell at 0.08 A/sq. cm and gives an electrical energy yield about 40% of the free energy of reaction between Al and O in aq. soln. at room temp. Voltage from H2 is similar, but efficiency lower as recharge is necessary, but design is simpler.
The fuel cell uses the electrolyte to carry both the fuel (ethylene-glycol or methanol) and the oxidant (oxygen) mixed together to form an emulsion which is pumped (4) into the main reaction chamber (5).    The potash or porous carbon fibre electrodes (6,7) are placed perpendicular to the entry flow direction, so that positive (6) and negative (7) electrodes alternate. The electrolyte thus travels from side to side in the main chamber, wetting fully the electrode surfaces.
Solid ion conductive electrolyte, consisting of hydronium beta"Al2O3, formula nH2O.nX.5Al2O3.qH2O; where n is 0.75-1.0; X is MgO, Li2O or m(MgO)p(Li2O), m+p is n; q is 0-2.8, is prepd. by (a) providing Na beta"Al2O3, formula nNa2O.nX.5Al2O3, n,X as above, (b) immersing in conc. H2SO4 at 50-300 deg. C for 12-36 hr. The hydronium beta"Al2O3 is pref. single crystalline. This specification is a div. ex. 4197 365, which discloses the solid hydronium beta"Al2O3 electrolyte. A pref. compsn. O.84H2O.O.84MgO.5Al2O3.8H2O is prepd. from O.84Na2O.O.84MgO.5Al2O3.    The electrolyte has high proton conductivity and useful in fuel cells and electrolysers.
Fuel cell, for the generation of electrical power, subjects an anode (10) to a fuel gas to generate free positive ions, conveys the free positive ions to a cathode (30), and subjects the cathode to an oxidant gas. The cathode (30) includes a carbon member (31) and carbon dioxide is supplied to the region of the cell adjacent the carbon member to inhibit corrosion of the carbon.    Presence of the added carbon dioxide gas in the cathode region suppresses corrosion of the carbon prolonging the useful life of the cell.
Electricity is generated in a fuel cell using H2 sepd. from a low-Btu gas produced by in-situ gasification of coal. The gas is produced by drilling 2 wells into an underground coal formation, establishing a fluid communication passage between the igniting the coal in the passage and establishing a reaction zone therein, and withdrawing low-Btu gas from the reaction zone.    The gas is introduced into an above ground separator, where it is sepd. into H2, CO, H2O, CO2 and a mixed residual stream. The H2 is injected into the fuel cell, which is also supplied with O2 from an external source.    Fuel cells are more efficient than thermal electricity generators, and H2-fuelled cells produce water, which is a useful by-prod. in arid regions.
Prodn. of electrical energy comprises (i) producing electrolyte comprising an aq. alkaline ammoniacal soln. contg. a Zn, Co, Ni, Mn or Ag - ammonium complex; (ii) forming a positive pole comprising a cell composed of Al-Zn, Al-Mn, Al-Co, Al-Ag complex; (iii) forming a negative pole comprising a carbon rod, part of which is coated with a metal oxide or organic cpd. which can be both oxidised and reduced, and another part of which is coated with anodic material; (iv) decomposing the ammonium complex on the surface of the cell to produce nascent hydrogen; and (v) reacting nascent hydrogen with oxygen on the cell surface.    Used to produce electrical energy from air and water.
Electricity is produced using a number of cells, each comprising (a) a thin anode layer of fuel oxidn. catalyst and (b) a thin cathode layer of oxidant redn. catalyst, laterally spaced apart in close proximity to each other and (c) a solid electrolyte material bridging the gap between the anode and cathode layers providing an ion conductive path between them.    Fuel and oxidant gases are supplied to anode and cathode and spent gases removed, with gases provided separately to separate gas spaces above anode and cathode or a gas mixt. supplied to a common gas space over both electrodes.    Individual cells are laterally spaced from each other, each adjacent at least one another, with the cathode layer of one cell closely proximate the anode layer of the adjacent cell and electrically conductive material bridging the gap to connect cells in series forming a cell gp.    The cells are of simplified structure and can be made by high speed prodn. methods. The electrolyte does not serve as separator and there is no functional catalyst support, minimising resistance and maximising efficiency. The cell operates efficiently at low temps.
The appts. comprises a reaction chamber which is supplied with feedstock having predetermined frequency absorption band(s) and flooded with radiation within at least one of the adsorption bands of the feedstock. The reaction chamber has a central gas discharge device for producing characteristic output radiation at various lower frequencies enclosed in a reaction zone. Between the gas discharge tube and the reaction zone is a layer of frequency selective material., e.g. Al film, which transmits higher frequencies in the absorption bands and reflects lower frequencies.    Used for producing H2 and H2O2 from water and water vapour. The output radiation from the gas discharge tube which has a large portion of the output energy at relatively low frequencies is raised to the higher energy UV range by means of the frequency selective material.
Electricity is stored by using solar, wind or water energy to drive an electrical generator, electrolysing water with the electricity, collecting and storing the hydrogen and oxygen evolved, and using as required as fuel for a gas turbine or rocket motor driving an electrical generator.    Water power may be wave or tidal movement. The method can also be applied to electricity produced by coal-fired, oil-fired, nuclear or hydroelectric power stations. The method can be more efficient and less expensive than electrical battery or water pumped storage systems.
Solar energy converter for converting the rays of energy from the sun into a continuous supply of H2 and O2 gases comprises a parabolic reflector which follows the movement of the sun to receive energy rays directly from it provided with a mechanism for tracking the sun's movement. The rays from the reflector are projected to impinge upon a cluster of thermocouples which is angularly adjusted to synchronise the movement of the cluster with that of the reflector as it turns with the movement of the sun.    The thermocouples, which generate positive and negative current flow, are connected to a water electrolysis unit to generate H2 and O2 gases which are pumped to separate storage tanks. A voltage booster and a voltage regulator within the positive current flow maintains the voltage received by the electrolysis unit between 1 and 10V.    The converter is inexpensive to operate and produces large continuous quantites of hydrogen and oxygen.
The plant has a separate anolyte circuit and catholyte circuit; and contains diaphragms which are permeable to liq. but impermeable to gases. Partial transfer of the electrolyte occurs through the diaphragms from each cathode chamber to a corresp. anode chamber to maintain the current densities in the anode and cathode circuits.    The plant includes a catholyte degasser pref. with an exit for gas, esp. H2, and an inlet for replenishing the liq. being electrolysed, which is esp. water; and flow controllers are included in the circuits.. Yields of hydrogen and oxygen are increased.
Electrochemical cell stack component comprises a gas impervious graphite separator plate with flat opposed surfaces, and a gas porous cooler holder of resin bonded carbon fibres which have been graphitised, one side of the holder being bonded to one of the surfaces of the plate in electrical contact therewith, the other side of the holder having channels for carrying coolant tubes the channels having a depth substantially the thickness of the holder.    Used as a component to carry cell coolant fluid through an electrochemical cell stack. Separator plates do not have to carry coolant tubes or fluids and can therefore be made flat and thin and easy to mfr., and since the coolant tube holder is not required to have channels for reactant gas it can be optimised for efficient cooling with min. thickness.
Electrode is provided with a catalyst on its surface for converting gas to electricity and an electrically conductive material while internally the electrode contains a hydrophobic material which forms a cohesive porous plastics layer the pores of which are impermeable to liquid but permeable to gas, providing a peripherally totally sealed gas space within the electrode..    The electrode is used in an electrochemical cell for a metal oxygen battery, a fuel cell or a metal oxide/hydrogen battery. The gas diffusion electrode is self breathing without having to provide gas conduits and simplifying the construction, making it cheaper to manufacture, while providing enhanced energy density.
Ion exchange membranes for use in electrochemical appts. comprising a stack of ion exchange-moderated cells, are formed of at least two polymeric components comprising (a) a first component which forms a chemical-resistant matrix structure with ion exchange functionality and (b) a solid polymeric material infused into the matrix. Membranes are formed by solvent-etching material from the matrix structure. The matrix material (a) is e.g. a known ion exchange type membrane with a fluorinated hydrocarbon or polyolefinic backbone; suitable isotropic membranes are available commercially as 'Nafion' (RTM). Polymer (b) is e.g. of polyether sulphone, polyarylene ether, polysulphone, polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylfluoride.    The membranes have low gas permeability and low electrical resistivity coupled with excellent physical and mechanical properties. Useful in prodn. of electrochemical appts. e.g. fuel cells, alkali-chlorine mfg. cells, water electrolysis cells, etc., comprising a stack of ion exchange membranes, in which the generation of internal heat can be reduced by using a series of membranes with graded electrical resistivities.
The structure is made by (a) mixing 55-75 wt.% Sr titanate powder and 25-45 wt.% electrolyte and (b) hot pressing at 480-490 deg.C., at least 1000 psi. The Sr titanate is spherical 0.1-1 micron stoichiometric or Sr-rich crystallites, and the electrolyte is ternary Li-K-Na carbonate or binary Li-K, Li-Na or Na-K carbonate.    Alternatively, the Sr powder is formed into a supporting matrix blank having 50-70 vol % pore vol. as uniformly distributed capillary sized interstices between crystallites. The blank is impregnated with electrolyte by (I) placing on a support nonreactive with molten electrolyte, shaped to allow gas escape from blank, (ii) depositing sufficient solid electrolyte on blank to fill pore vol. and (iii) heating in CO2-contg. atmos. to at least 10 deg.K above electrolyte liquids temp. but not to vaporisation, so molten electrolyte advances through the blank, filling the pore vol. In both embodiments, the structure is pore free when electrolyte is molten.    The matrix has only one stable crystal structure, avoiding phase changes and resulting change in pore size/distribution. It is virtually insol. in, and does not enter into reactions with, the electrolyte.
Exchangeable element for gas producer consists of a perforated cylinder which contains the fuel, normally a metal hydride. The gas, esp. H2, is produced by reaction of the hydride with H2O.    Such hydrides expand on reacting with H2O and the cylinder has compressible packing pieces at either end to allow for this. The holes in the container walls allow the ingress of H2O and the egress of H2.    Used in portable fuel gas generators e.g. to supply fuel cells with H2. Conventional metal hydride elements have the problem that as the hydride expands, flow passages become blocked and gas generation rate falls away.