(EP53145-B)      Process for the manufacture of an anode incorporating a support formed by a metal plate or grating covered by a metal combination of zinc and magnesium, this process comprising the depositing on both faces of the said support of a metal powder mixed with a provisional binder, followed by drying, the said process being characterised in that: the metal powder is a mixture of electrolytic zinc powder and magnesium powder in weight proportions of 84:16, the deposit of the mixture of metal powder and of the provisional binder is subjected to compression at pressure of 1 tonne/cm2 (approximately 10 power 8 Pa), the drying is followed by sintering, carried out at a temperature of 500-600 deg.C in a microwave oven. (3pp)
(EP41333-B)      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. (24pp)
(GB2077028-B)      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. (8pp)    (DE3117917-C)      Battery having construction with oppositely disposed wall parts for the cell parts including inclined grooves with each such groove (12) having an insertion section (12A) spaced from the wall part (8) at a first angle. There is a hold section for the electro-chemical components and a junction section (12B). The entry section is disposed at a first angle while the hold section (12C) is disposed from the wall part at a second angle greater than the first angle. The transition section (12B) is spaced at varying angle disposition between the first and second angle. The hold section can be disposed at a spacing from the open upper end. The hold section can be sepd. from the base of the cell portion.    USE -   For the grooves forming the insertion section to be of plastic form. (6pp)
(DE3132810-C)      Separator plate for electrolytic cells, not more than 3.81 mm thick, is mfd. by moulding a plate from a mixt. of high-purity graphite, that contains less than 1500 ppm total impurities, none of which has a particle size more than 0.25 mm, and a carbonisable, thermally hardening phenolic resin, in a ratio. Pressure and temp. are such that the resin is melted and partially hardened and the plate has a density of 97-99% theoretical density. It is then heat treated at at least 2100 deg.C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Partic. for phosphoric acid fuel cells, with improved endurance. (11pp)
(GB2076584-B)      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. (6pp)
(GB2076583-B)      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).
(DE3015751-C)      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. (10pp)
(EP37954-B)      Plugs for batteries with an aq. electrolyte having a device for the catalytic recombination of gases generated during the operation of the batteries are provided on an outer surface of the plugs with either (a) a water adsorbing molecular sieve or (b) high specific thermal capacity salt hydrates, oils or crystalline crosslinked epoxide or polyurethane or polyester resin, each applied to a support, with (a) and (b) being in thermally conducting connection with the catalyst material.    The catalyst arrangement is pref. thermally coupled to a metallic lid. The molecular sieve is arranged as packing in a metal cage and is in thermally conducting connection with the lid.    The shock like heat of reaction from the gas recombination is dissipated over a longer time period than previously. (5pp)
(EP37953-B)      Catalyst mat for the recombination of H2 and O2 is produced by (a) rolling a mixt. of PTFE and kieselguhr and impregnating the rolled mixt. with a PdCl2 soln., (b) allowing the impregnated material to dry and dipping it into an aq. dispersion of PTFE and (c) allowing the material to dry and sintering it in an inert or reducing furnace atmosphere.    The wt. ratio PTFE:kieselguhr is pref. 40:60 to 60:40. The mat pref. contains 0.1-5, esp. 0.5-2 wt.% Pd. The catalyst mat is pref rolled on a coal mat, esp. one impregnated with CuO. Pref. details of the prodn. of the mat are given.    The process is sparing in material allowing prodn. of catalyst mats at satisfactory rates. The mats have the required porosity and mechanical strength. They retain their good catalytic action and hydrophobic properties over long periods. They can be used wherever H2 is to be eliminated or reacted. (5pp)
(EP37032-B)      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.
(GB2072933-B)      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. (4pp)
(GB2070845-B)      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).
(US4448803-A)      Method of forming a stable, bonded, electrically conducting, polychelate coating on an electrically conductive substrate surface providing metal coordination centres is claimed. The surface is contacted with a vapourised tetranitrile cpd. in amts. of up to 10 g/sq.m of surface at 400-600 deg.C for 12-24 hrs. Conditions are controlled to avoid thermal decompsn. of the tetranitrile cpd. or other undesirable competing reactions. A crosslinked, relatively insoluble polychelate coating bonded to the substrate via the metal coordination centres is obtd.    The coating is obtd. in a reproducible manner and the coated substrate can be used to form electrodes with satisfactory, stable long term performance. (9pp)c    (EP36709-B)      Mfr. of a stable electrically conducting polychelate coating bonded to the surface of an electrically conducting substrate body is claimed. The substrate consisting of a chelating metal chosen from Ti, Ta, Zr, Mo, Nb, W, Co, Fe, Ni, Cu, Al or their alloys is contacted with a vapour phase contg. a predetermined specific amt., i.e. less than 20 g/m2 substrate surface, of tetracyanobenzene or tetracyanoethylene. The N4-chelate coating obtd. is heat treated to convert it to the corresp. polychelate.    The two steps are carried out for up to 24 hrs. at 550 deg.C for tetracyanobenzene and up to 600 deg.C for tetracyanoethylene.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Uniform coatings are obtd. in a reproducible manner. Used e.g. for catalytic electrodes. (13pp)
(GB2070033-B)      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. (6pp)
(GB2069021-B)      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. (5pp)
(GB2068925-B)      Lithiated cobalto-cobaltic oxide is claimed. The stoichiometric formula is Co304 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 Co304 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 electrocatalyst 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 H202 or peroxyl ions and fuel cells. (16pp)    (US4464239-A)      In appts. for electrochemical O2 evolution an electrode is used which comprises a lithiated-cobalto-cobaltic oxide with a spinel structure.    Pref. the electrode comprises a support carrying a coating consisting of a polymer matrix in which the oxide is dispersed. In a claimed electrochemical cell contg. the electrode, the latter is pref. made by treating Co(OH)2 or CoO4, with a soln. of LiOH. This is drained, dried and heated at 300-600 deg.C for 5-10 hrs., powdered, mixed with a dispersion of PTFE applied to a lithiated Ni support and then dried and cured.    ADVANTAGE -   Long term stability over periods up to 6000 hrs. (12pp)
(EP44868-B)      Starved electrolyte lead/acid battery has separators which absorb and contain the electrolyte. The separator compsn. comprises 15-75 wt.% expanded perlite, 20-70 wt.% glass fibres and 5-20 wt.% acid insoluble thermoplastic fibres. The glass fibres have dias. of 0.3-1.0 micron and the perlite has particle size 3-100 micron.    The thermoplastic fibres may be of polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, vinylidene chloride polymer or vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer. The separator is esp. in the form of paper.    ADVANTAGE -   The paper has increased strength and can be rapidly wound into a cylindrical battery shape without bearing. It has electrical characteristics and low cost equiv. to known separators. (5pp)
(EP33061-B)      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.
(EP35842-B)      An electrochemical cell having an anode and a cathode in operative relationship, material of which the cathode is formed comprising a conductive mixture including as a first constituent a compound selected from monomerice substituted pyridines, dimeric substituted pyridines, quninoline, substituted quinolines, trimeric substituted pyridines, and mixtures thereof,; as a second constituent of different from said first constituent an iodine-comple-forming compound selected from vinyl-pyridine-based polymers, copolymers threof, pyridine, 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl) ethylene, 1,2-bis(2-pyridyl) ethylene, 2,2'-dipyridyl, 4,4'-dipyridyl, 2,4'-dipyridyl; and mixtures thereof, and as a third constituent iodine. (9pp)
(GB2065956-B)      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.
(NL190299-B)      Electrochemical cell with an anode of a metal of gp. IA, a cathode of a vanadium-contg. electroconductive material and an ion conductive electrolyte soln. in active contact with the anode and cathode, characterised in that the cathode has a composite oxide matrix which is the thermal decomposition prod. of a mixt. of vanadium oxide with at least one thermally decomposable cpd. of a metal of gps. IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VIB, VIIB and VIII.    Typical cells have Li anode, a cathode of mixed Ag-V oxide or Cu-V oxide, and an electrolyte e.g. of a soln. of LiClO4 in propylene carbonate, a soln. of LiBr in Se oxychloride, or a soln. of LiAlCl4 in thionyl chloride.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The cells have a relatively high energy density and discharge capacity, relatively high open circuit voltage and current capacity, wide range of usage temps. of -55 to +225 deg.C, good storage properties and high reliability.
(DE3116197-C)      Prim. electrochemical cell comprises (a) an oxidizable active anode material; (b) a cathode accumulator contg. a catalyst for reducing the cathode material which contains a composite material comprising C and Pt, which is connected to a chemically neutral, electrically conducting substrate; and (c) an electrolyte soln. which is in contact with (a) and (b) and which contains a reducible liq. cathode material and an electrolyte dissolved in it.    Pref. the composite material of C and Pt is formed as a layer contg. an aggregate of C black particles which support Pt particles.    ADVANTAGE -   Higher discharge rates and higher current densities are achieved at low cost. (15pp)
(DE3045594-C)      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.
(DE3111224-C)      Galvanic cell comprises a positive electrode composed of a charge transfer complex, and a negative electrode. The complex consists of the reaction product of at least one halogen (acceptor) with an organic cpd. (donor). The positive electrode contains two layers, the layer directed towards the negative electrode consisting of the charge transfer complex, and the other layer consisting of a conducting agent. The complex layer thickness is pref. 0.0025 cm to 15% of the conducting agent layer thickness.    The cell is of simple construction, and does not suffer from short circuiting during assembly and discharge. (5pp)
(US4726882-A)      Mfr. of thin porous conductive strips comprises adding aq. emulsion of synthetic resin binder to a very dil. aq. dispersion of conductive carbon or graphite fibres, then initiating pptn. of part of the binder onto the fibres. The mixt. is spread as a layer, at least some water is removed, and the layer is dried. The layer is then set to the required thickness. Wt.% of binder w.r.t. binder plus conductive fibres in the layer is 20-99.    Before the drying step, an additional mixt. in dil. aq. dispersion is prepd. and spread on the layer, to form a second layer and provide a multilayer strip.    The first layer may be a barrier layer and the second layer may be a catalytic layer, so that the strip can be used for a fuel cell electrode.    ADVANTAGE -   The mfr. can take place on a continuous basis. The conductive strips have high mechanical strength and allow current densities of the order of 300 mA/cm2 for hydrogen and 200 mA/cm2 for air to be obtd. (5pp)
(DE3048286-C)      Electrochemical element has a negative lithium electrode; a positive manganese dioxide electrode contg. water; and an electrolyte contg. electrolyte salt dissolved in 1,3-dioxolan (I).    The improvement is that (I) is free from impurities which react with lithium. Pref. the manganese dioxide is thoroughly heat treated before it is used in the element. Pref. the electrolyte salt is LiClO4. Pref. (I) is polymerised, pref. by passing an electric current through it.    ADVANTAGE -   A passivating, film-type coating is avoided so that the element has a greatly improved capacity. (3pp)
(DE3048123-C)      An electrochemical battery cell is produced with an anode that is a gelled micture of an electrolytic solution and a metal in a finely distributed or porous form. The metal can be of aluminium, cadonium, calcium copper, indium, etc. in various combinations. The form can be as particles or powder. The electrolytic soln. can be in the form of an alkali hydroxide and hydroxides of rare earth metals. The gelled anode-electrolyte mixture and the cathode are separated by such materials as porous cellulose, plastic, or glass.    ADVANTAGE -   Gell anode formed in situ in container of cell. (5pp)
(EP37817-B)      Electric storage battery has two cells separated from one another by a partition and each comprising a positive and a negative electrode separated by an absorbent fibre separator contg. no free unabsorbed electrolyte. The positive plates of one cell are connected to the negative plates of the other by an inter cell connector which passes over or through the partition and is not sealed to it.    The connector has an electrolyte creepage barrier consisting of a ring of plastics moulded around the connector. The barrier pref. consists of epoxy resin and the electrodes and separators of each cell are within respective plastic bags, the bag material forming the partition. The separator material pref. comprises microfine glass fibres, and the amount of electrolyte in each cell is insufficient to saturate the pores in the electrodes and separators. (8pp)
(EP26845-B)      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.
(DE3108623-C)      Separator for use in electrochemical cells e.g. secondary batteries consists of a porous, non-selective membrane which is permeable to ions in the electrolyte, the characteristics of the membrane being modified by the addn. of a polyelectrolyte with a m.wt. of more than 10000, which migrates to the membrane surface to form an ion-selective barrier which blocks specific ions.    ADVANTAGE -   Increased cell efficiency. (6pp)    (NL191815-B)      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.
(EP32750-B)      A sealed electrochemical cell comprising a cathode material, and an electrolyte housed in a container sealed at its open end by a closure means which comprises a generally cup-shaped cover a non-conductive gasket and a polyamide-containing material, the gasket being disposed and compressed between the interface of the cover and the container characterised in that the polyamide-containing material is a polyamide adhesive forming a bead disposed on the top edge of the gasket and contacting and extending over the adjacent edges of the container and of the cover. (8pp)
(DE3033432-C)      Depolariser for lithium halide elements in galvanic cells comprises a charge transfer complex of an organic component and halogen, present in excess. The complex comprises an organic component (1 pt. wt.) e.g. a phenylmethane dye, polyvinyl-N-alkylpyridinium halide or similar derivs.; and excess halogen (3-50 pts. wt.).    USE -   Li halide battery systems contg. these depolarisers have improved power characteristics. (18pp)
(GB2056756-B)      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.
(DE2932335-C)      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.
(DE2935951-C)      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.
(DE2930099-C)      Prim cell has a light metal (Li) anode and H202 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.
(US4504561-A)      Galvanic primary element with a light metal negative electrode utilises hydrogen peroxide as a cathode depolariser. The peroxide is fixated in a gel formed with polyurethane or with branched polyacrylic acid. The gel is adjacent a conductor covering the electrode surface and there are means for pressing the gel against the conductor.    Pref. the conductor is a coarse meshed metal grid and/or gas diffusion electrode and the light metal electrode is Li.    ADVANTAGE -   Reactants can be supplied in a controlled fashion which matches the current drain requirements. (5pp)o    (DE2930056-C)      Galvanic prim. element has a negative light metal electrode (I) and H2O2 as cathode depolariser, the H2O2 being fixed in a polyurethane gel (II).    Pref. the gel (II) contg. H2O2 is applied to an electrical charge eliminator covering the surface of (I); and pref. there is situated in the cell, a device by means of which gel (II) can be pressed against the charge eliminator. Pref. the charge eliminator is a coarse mesh metal net and/or a gas diffusion electrode. Pref. (I) is a lithium electrode.    ADVANTAGE -   The reactants can be controlled in the reaction chamber and the element can be re-set according to the current requirement. (4pp)
(DE3037143-C)      Bearing sleeve for an electric battery pole uses a metal sleeve fitted thoruqh the cover of the battery and embedded in a resilient sprinq sealing material. The outer peripheral surface of the latter lies in mobile direct contact with the cover and provides a sealing surface for the cover. Pref. the sealing material is a rubber material, with the metal sleeve and the surface of the battery pole bolt made of Pb. The rubber material is pref. vulcanised before combining it with the metal sleeve.    ADVANTAGE -   Ensures secure seal between bearing sleeve and battery cover. (4pp)
(EP22223-B)      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.    (EP22223-B2)      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.
(DE3023970-C)      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.    (NL190091-B)      Water-free battery or cell comprising an active metal anode, a cathode collector and an active liq. cathode contg. a dissolved conductive ionic substance and a dissolved vinyl polymer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The incorporation of the vinyl polymer into the active liq. cathode passivates the active metal anode and is simpler to carry out than coating the anode with vinyl polymer, since the anode metal is e.g. of Li which is soft and very reactive and requires working in a dry inert atmos.. Good passivation of the anode is now achieved by incorporating e.g. 0.25-4.0 g/l vinyl polymer into the catholyte. Esp. good results are obtd. with vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate copolymers, vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate/dibasic acid copolymers and/or vinyl chloride homopolymers.
(DE3023618-C)      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.
(DE3132810-C)      Separator plate for electrolytic cells, not more than 3.81 mm thick, is mfd. by moulding a plate from a mixt. of high-purity graphite, that contains less than 1500 ppm total impurities, none of which has a particle size more than 0.25 mm, and a carbonisable, thermally hardening phenolic resin, in a ratio. Pressure and temp. are such that the resin is melted and partially hardened and the plate has a density of 97-99% theoretical density. It is then heat treated at at least 2100 deg.C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Partic. for phosphoric acid fuel cells, with improved endurance. (11pp)
(US4440800-A)      Particulate material is vapour coated by dispersing by application of an electrostatic field and permeating the dispersion with a coating vapour or dispersion which may be supplied from an external source or formed within the coating container. The process is pref. carried out under vacuum or in an inert gas or SO2.    The coating material may be vaporised or dispersed from an electrode above a bed of the particulate material and at ground potential, the coating thickness being controlled by varying the coating material withdrawal rate. The coating material pref. forms a continuous outer coating and is provided with a charge of opposite polarity to the particles. The method avoids agglomeration by inter-particle contact. (5pp)d    (DE3115725-C)      While sepd. from each other by charging in an electrostatic field, individual grains of powder are coated from vapour or a dispersion of the coating material formed outside or inside the chamber where the coating takes place, under vacuum or in an atmos. of SO2 or inert gas. The coating material is evaporated or dispersed by an electrode above the bed of powdered material, which is charged to a different potential. One of the two electrodes may be earthed. Coating thickness is varied by changing the rate of withdrawal of treated powder, which like the provision of fresh material may be continuous.    ADVANTAGE -   Individual grains are coated without agglomeration. (6pp)
(DE3013043-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. (9pp)
(US4448803-A)      Method of forming a stable, bonded, electrically conducting, polychelate coating on an electrically conductive substrate surface providing metal coordination centres is claimed. The surface is contacted with a vapourised tetranitrile cpd. in amts. of up to 10 g/sq.m of surface at 400-600 deg.C for 12-24 hrs. Conditions are controlled to avoid thermal decompsn. of the tetranitrile cpd. or other undesirable competing reactions. A crosslinked, relatively insoluble polychelate coating bonded to the substrate via the metal coordination centres is obtd.    The coating is obtd. in a reproducible manner and the coated substrate can be used to form electrodes with satisfactory, stable long term performance. (9pp)c    (EP36709-B)      Mfr. of a stable electrically conducting polychelate coating bonded to the surface of an electrically conducting substrate body is claimed. The substrate consisting of a chelating metal chosen from Ti, Ta, Zr, Mo, Nb, W, Co, Fe, Ni, Cu, Al or their alloys is contacted with a vapour phase contg. a predetermined specific amt., i.e. less than 20 g/m2 substrate surface, of tetracyanobenzene or tetracyanoethylene. The N4-chelate coating obtd. is heat treated to convert it to the corresp. polychelate.    The two steps are carried out for up to 24 hrs. at 550 deg.C for tetracyanobenzene and up to 600 deg.C for tetracyanoethylene.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Uniform coatings are obtd. in a reproducible manner. Used e.g. for catalytic electrodes. (13pp)
(DE2949011-C)      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.
(EP28147-B)      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.
(US4425502-A)      In order to reduce microphone due to the piezoelectric nature of a pyroelectric element (9) in a pyroelectric detector, the detector comprises one or more flexible films resiliently supporting the element (9) and two electrical connections thereto each comprising an electrically conductive layer (6,8) on the film(s). There are suitably two films with the element (9) therebetween.    The films are secured to one another around the element (9) by an adhesive, thereby urging the films against the element (9) to hold it in position and maintain the electrical connections. (7pp)
(GB2073825-B)      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.
(US4441789-A)      The resonance absorber of refractive index n and absorption coefficient k has a frontally disposed medium of refractive index na. The thickness of the absorption material is made equal to m lambda/(4n), where m is the whole number closest to 2na/(pik) where n equals na. Each of the interference layers abutting the reverse or posterior side of the absorption material has an optical thickness of lambda/4 and has alternatingly a low and a high refractive index, in that order, when m is even or alternatingly a high and a low refractive index, in that order, when m is odd.    The absorber reduces the area in which the photons or the electromagnetic radiation are at least almost completely absorbed, compared to the normal phonton penetration depth into the same absorption material at the identical wavelength. (5pp)
(EP36453-B)      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. (7pp)
(DE3008451-C)      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.
(DE3044551-C)      The converter produces mechanical energy from the thermal energy of water and consists of a vertical rise tower (12) with an open bottom end to form the ascent path for the air/water mix. Sprays (22) are used to inject warm water from the source into the relatively colder air at the tower base and thus set up an ascending medium composed of water droplets in air suspension.    The rise pipe transfers a bend at the top into the horizontal and has a reservoir (42) below the flow downstream of the bend point to collect the gravity descent of the droplets to power a conventional hydraulic turbine (46).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Energy conversion systems. Air-water droplet suspension rising in tower sets up pressure gradient to raise water prior to gravity collection for turbine etc. suitable for lakes, reactor cooling towers recovery etc.
(US4425023-A)      The device for scanning a beam spot, has a light deflecting portion and a light condensing thin film lens formed on a thin film waveguide path. In this device, a chirped signal is applied to a surface elastic wave transducer constituting the light deflecting portion, whereby scanning of the beam spot is effected on or near the curved end surface of the thin film waveguide path. This device is very compact and capable of high speed scanning.    A magnetic transfer film is provided on the light beam exit surface of a thin film waveguide path and a light deflecting portion for deflecting the light beam directed into the waveguide path is provided on a portion of the waveguide path. (10pp)s    (DE3102972-C2)      The continuous scanning device, using a light fleck (11), has a light guide (2) for propagation of a parallel light beam which supports a deflection device (6) and a thin-film collimation lens (9), which focusses the beam onto the scanned surface. The focal surface of the thin-film collimation lens is cylindrical or curved, the beam deflection device using an interdigitated electrode array providing ultrasonic surface waves in the light guide, in response to an applied signal with a continuously varying frequency.    Pref. the parallel light beam is respectively deflected over a given angle to record signals along a recording material extending across the light output face of the light guide.    ADVANTAGE -   Compact device with high scanning rate.
(DE3005375-C)      The generator, driven by a water powered turbine with adjustable blades, is used to supply a network with a frequency of 50 or 60 Hz. The speed of the turbine is altered steplessly according to hydraulic and electric loading conditions. The generator operates at a nominal frequency lower than 20 Hz so that the output frequency of the turbine is lower than 20 Hz, and a variable frequency converter used is formed as a direct frequency converter.    The propeller of the turbine supports the rotor of the generator on the outer ring of its blades. The generator is of asynchronous type.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved efficiency. (5pp)    (DE3037147-C)      The turbine generator set has a water driven turbine (1) with fixed turbine blades coupled to a generator (3) which can supply a constant frequency network. The turbine set rotation is continuously adjustable to maintain optimum efficiency in dependence on the electrical load and the hydraulic parameters, with a frequency regulated current converter between the asynchronous generator (3) and the supplied network.    The rotor (4) of the generator (3) has a cage winding (5). The inner surface of the stator (7) has a water-tight sheathing of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material for incorporation in the turbine line (19). Pref. this sheathing is made of glass fibre reinforced plastics material.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple construction with good efficiency. (4pp)
(GB2066899-B)      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.
(US4547123-A)      The machine includes a number of housings or chambers each having a runner positioned within. A head cover and an intermediate speed ring and movable guide vanes at an outside portion of the runner housing or chamber of the highest pressure stage are also provided. Each of the runners has a runner crown with an exhaust hole bored through it.    Each of the runner housings has an exhaust chamber formed at the exit portion of the exhaust hole and a device for sealing water at the radially outside portion of the exhaust chamber. A number of exhaust paths are provided in each of the exhaust chambers to the exterior of the machine respectively.    ADVANTAGE -   No exhaustion retardation, can be started as pump in air or be operated as condensor. (12pp)    (DE3040468-C2)      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.
(EP27072-B)      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.
(DE3032058-C)      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.
(DE3032023-C)      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.
(DE3028416-C)      The device described has a first summing point (14) for comparing the actual RPM signal (fG) with a reference signal (f2) representing the nominal RPM to be reached and for forming an RPM error signal (f2-fG) and also a second summing point (13) for comparing an acceleration signal derived from the actual RPM signal with a reference acceleration signal and for forming a control signal for the locking mechanism of the turbo-machine.    The RPM error signal obtained from the first summing point is applied at the input of a signal limiting unit (15) whose saturation value determining the max. output signal can be preset and the output signal from this unit, as a reference acceleration signal, is applied to the second summing point whose output is connected to an adjustable, proportioning element (18) and this element supplies the control signal for the locking mechanism through an integrating element (9).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Efficient method of setting the desired RPM of a turbine by means of a simple arrangement.
(DE2931446-C)      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.
(DE3101970-C)      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.
(US4483899-A)      Infrared reflection preventing film has an infrared optical substrate, a layer of Ti oxide and a layer of Zn sulphide. The layers satisfy the relationships n1d1 + n2d2 = lo/4 and n1d1 = 10-50 nm, where n1d1 is the optical thickness of the first layer, n2d2 is the thickness of the second layer and lo is a centre wavelength of a desired reflection-preventing wavelength band.    The substrate is pref. Ge or Si and there is pref. also a layer of MgF2.    ADVANTAGE -   High moisture resistance. (4pp)
(EP34982-B)      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. (15pp)    (US4435224-A)      Wafer comprising an epitaxial layer of Hgl-xCdxTe on a substrate of CdTe is formed by isothermal evapn.-diffusion in vacuo. The epitaxial layer has mediocre internal homogeneity and a gradually changing compsn. w.r.t. the substrate.    In the improvement a layer of an intermediate compsn. Hg1-xoCdxoTe is epitaxially deposited, where xo is less than x. The layer is melted and then rapidly cooled. Pref. the layer is melted at approx. 800 deg.C.    Useful in the mfr. of infrared detectors. Internal homogeneity is improved and there is an abrupt transition between the Hg1-xCdxTe layer and the substrate. (7pp)
(US4554478-A)      Photoelectric conversion element has a photocnductive layer consisting of amorphous Si which also contains H. The layer is on an electrode via a light transmitting or semi-light transmitting metallic film consisting of Ta, Cr, W, Nd, Mo, V or Ti. The photoconductive layer is on a supporting substrate which pref. is light transmitting and the electrode is pref. also transparent.    The photoconductive layer pref. consists of at least 50 atom % Si and 5-50 atom % H, the resistivity being at least 10 power 10 ohm-cm.. In the compsn. 0.1-50 atom % Si may be replaced by Ge.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Photoconductive image pick-up tube target or solid state imager. Good adhesion is obtd. between the amorphous layer and substrate. (11pp)
(EP31918-B)      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. (90pp)
(EP52095-B)      The power plant uses the temperature difference between different water layers in a pelagic area. Upper (4) and lower (5) chambers,    connected by a vertical shaft (6), are blasted in the rock. A heat exchanger (9) in the upper chamber is supplied with water from the cooler layers (2) by a pipe (10) and pump (11). Water is discharged from the heat exchanger through a line (12) opening into the ocean below its surface (3).    A second heat exchanger (13) in the lower chamber draws in warmer surface-layer water through a pipe (15) and pump (14) and discharges it through a pipe (16) which opens into the cooler volume. Fluid ethane is subjected to the higher pressure in the lower chamber and rises through the shaft (6) to the upper chamber where it condenses. The condensate flows through a pressure shaft (17) to drive a Pelton turbine (18) which, in turn, drives a generator (19). Placing the plant in solid rock provides such large cross-sections for flow that pressure losses are low. (6pp)o    (US4450689-A)      The plant comprises a closed system which is filled with ethane both in the liq. and vapour phases. The system has two heat exchanging appts. (13,9) which are in fluid communication with each other. The first exchanger (13) supplies heat to the ethane by heat exchange with water from a relatively warmer water layer, while the other exchanger (9) removes heat from the ethane by heat exchange with water from a colder water layer. A difference in pressure is created in the system which is used to take energy out of the system.    In order to make the system large enough and the ethane pressure high enough to give a reasonable power yield, the heat exchanging appts. are placed in respective chambers (5,4) which are comprised by cavities in solid or consolidated rock (1). The necessary fluid communications (6,17) and water pipes (10,12,15,16) are also blasted in the rock with fluid cross-sections large enough to make pressure losses small. (4pp)
(GB2075610-B)      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. (3pp)
(DE3017621-C)      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. (4pp)
(GB2075127-B)      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.
(GB2073824-B)      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. (16pp)    (US4464578-A)      The float group includes two floats connected by elongated rigid links disposed at a right angle to the direction of incidence of waves. The floats are free from the coastal ground and sea bed and allowed to heave, to sway, and to roll. A dynamic system of the converter absorbs the wave energy through the relative movements between the floats and the links and between the adjacent links while the natural frequency of this system is approximately tuned to the frequency of the incident wave.    In this way, the reflected waves and transmitted waves caused by this system are suppressed since the energy of the incident wave is virtually absorbed. The wave energy converter may be provided with some air chambers and air turbines or one-directional rotating means actuated by this dynamic system so as to drive electric generators coupled to it.    ADVANTAGE -   Widens the frequency band having the high energy absorbing efficiency. (15pp)
(EP39778-B)      The solar radiation reflector uses a partial vacuum to provide a curvature of elastic membranes (14,24) and an adjustable valve (20) which varies the curvature and, consequently, the focal length of the reflector. Each membrane is coupled over a respective opening (22,25) in a housing (12) which is evacuated by a vacuum pump (33) connected through a fluid line (31) and valve (32) with an orifice (30) in the housing wall.    The valve (20) is formed by a body (35) adjacent to an aperture (34) in the membrane to close the aperture by means of a flow-restricting surface (36). The surface extends into the housing for a depth equal to the depth of the desired deflection of the central part of the membrane relative to a given reference plane. This allows the focal length of the reflector to be adjusted accurately by an unskilled person. The reflector is lightweight and cheap to make. (12pp)
(GB2071772-B)      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.
(DE3007543-C)      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. (24pp)
(DE3006612-C)      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.
(DE3005876-C)      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.
(EP34547-B)      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.
(GB2069061-B)      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.
(GB2068469-B)      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.
(DE3000684-C)      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).
(GB2066369-B)      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.
(EP30193-B)      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).    (US4432342-A)      The solar collector comprises an upper transparent flexible cover and a lower reflectively metallised sheet, the upper cover and the lower sheet both being flexible and the space between them being inflated under gas pressure. The joint between the upper and lower members is closed by longitudinal stringers that are carried by upright side walls that protect the lower sheet against deformation by the force of the wind.    Tubes carrying the liquid to be heated are disposed within the inflated enclosure, the sun's rays being concentrated on them by the reflective coating on the lower sheet; and these tubes are appropriately moved so as to follow the focal point of the lower reflector as the reflector and the sun move relative to each other during the day. (7pp)
(GB2063373-B)      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).
(GB2062114-B)      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.
(DE2943944-C)      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.
(GB2060082-B)      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).
(GB2059514-B)      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.
(DE3035458-C)      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.
(GB2057062-B)      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.
(DE2937529-C)      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).    (US4546758-A)      The apparatus includes a tower having a base and an upper end, and an array of mirrors disposed around the base of the tower. A solar heater is disposed at the upper end of the tower and has a cavity defining a wall adjacent to the cavity. The cavity wall has a radiation input opening defining an edge of the cavity wall. The solar heater is heatable by radiation reflected and concentrated by the mirror array and received through the radiation input opening.    A coolant loop is connected to the solar heater for utilising radiation heat. A radiation heat exchanger is connected to a second coolant loop. The exchanger is disposed at the edge of the cavity wall and has a surface disposed outside the cavity wall and facing the mirror array. (13pp)
(DE2954151-C)      The tower of the tube form construction has exchangeable coaxially disposed tube sections placed one above the other with flanges at their ends. Screws engage into the flanges for securement of adjacent tube sections with one another. The tube sections (2) additionally have extending connection cables (5) traversing each tube section, made up from a metallic material, through which they connect up with one another. The tower form construction (1) can have a base hold set into the earth.    Each section (2) can have at its end a flange (4), with the flanges (4) at adjacent tube sections (2) serving as support parts. There can be connecting cables (5) of metallic material. Intermediate parts can be inserted between adjacent sections, and may be flexible.    USE -   For lightning discharges. (3pp)
(GB2056183-B)      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.
(GB2055979-B)      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.
(GB2054131-B)      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.
(DE2930052-C)      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.
(EP21302-B)      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.
(GB2051462-B)      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.    (DE3001732-C)      The energy generation plant uses seawater as a battery electrolyte. A number of individual cells (5) are electrically and mechanically coupled together to form a floating structure which is anchored to the seabed (1) and which is insulated to prevent potential losses. Each cell (5) has two electrodes which are coated with a material which exhibits an electro-mechanical reaction with the seawater, held apart from one another by insulators.    The upper electrode of each cell (5) pref. lies just below the sea surface and the upper electrodes are coupled together to allow their relative horizontal movement in dependence on the motion of the sea. Pref. the cells are coupled together in series via flexible cables (11) extending between the lower electrode of one cell (5) and the upper electrode of the next cell (5). (5pp)
(GB2050522-B)      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.
(DE3110604-C)      A beryllium oxide film is formed between an s-c body and a heatsink by using a beam of ionised beryllium oxide directed at the surface of the body (1) or of the heatsink (51). The beryllium oxide is deposited from the beam to form a crystalline oxide film (41).    The s-c body is joined to the heatsink by the oxide film. The s-c body, the oxide film, and the heatsink are placed on top of each other in layers. Alternatively the beryllium oxide may be on a substrate or the s-c body and the heatsink may be side by side on the oxide film. The substrate (61) on which the oxide may be formed may be glass or steel. (9pp)
(DE3113795-C)      The light-absorbent body, esp. solar collector, has a ribbed surface with open pores, and 20%-80% of the body vol. in the surface area, consists of pores, measured to the ave. depth of the pores.    The ave. depth of the pores (1) is a min.0.3 micron. The cross sectional channel dimension of individual pores is less than 3 microns. In a local section defined by a square of 10 micron sides, the direction of the walls of the pores, over 75% of the wall length, is within an area of 20% relative to an ave. direction of the pore walls in this section. The ribbed section of the body consists of a material with a semi-conductor.    ADVANTAGE -   The collector is very efficient esp. in the 0.2-2 microns wavelength band. (10pp)
(GB2068415-B)      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. (5pp)
(US4526705-A)      A light collecting system consists of A) as known an emission surface and an absorption surface in ratio 1:50-2,000 and B) comprises a plastic medium having a greater optical density than its surroundings and which transmits light and can be used for optical purposes and contains a coumarin deriv. (1) as energy convertor. In (1) R is, opt. substd., pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzthiazolyl, pyridinyl or a radical derived from benzpyrimidine; R' is H, (substd.) alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aryl; R'' is H, (cyclo)alkyl, aralkyl, aryl,-OQ,-SO2Q, -SO2NHQ, -NHCOQ, halogen or -COOQ; Q is (cyclo)alkyl, aralkyl or aryl.    In a pref. cpd. (1) R' is H or 1-4 C alkyk; R'' is H, 1-4 C alkyl (sulphonyl or alkoxy, phenyl-sulphonyl or phenoxy; R is (2), where the benzene ring is opt. substd. with 1-4 C alkyl or alkoxy or halogen. The coumarin deriv. has bee purified by repeated crystallisation and/or partition chromatography on solid support and/or column chromatography before use. A 0.05 soln. of the deriv. in CHCl3 exhibits a rise in transmission at a change of wavelength from 25 to 45 nm in a 10 cm cell. The plastic is a (co)polymer of acrylic acid (deriv.) or a polycarbonate, esp. a poly(meth)acrylate.    ADVANTAGE -   Dyestuffs (1) have a good quantitative yield and a high amplification factor, have excellent fastness to light and are therefore economical to use. (4pp)
(EP27403-B)      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).
(EP24900-B)      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.
(DE2926503-C)      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.
(DE2925248-C)      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).
(EP37953-B)      Catalyst mat for the recombination of H2 and O2 is produced by (a) rolling a mixt. of PTFE and kieselguhr and impregnating the rolled mixt. with a PdCl2 soln., (b) allowing the impregnated material to dry and dipping it into an aq. dispersion of PTFE and (c) allowing the material to dry and sintering it in an inert or reducing furnace atmosphere.    The wt. ratio PTFE:kieselguhr is pref. 40:60 to 60:40. The mat pref. contains 0.1-5, esp. 0.5-2 wt.% Pd. The catalyst mat is pref rolled on a coal mat, esp. one impregnated with CuO. Pref. details of the prodn. of the mat are given.    The process is sparing in material allowing prodn. of catalyst mats at satisfactory rates. The mats have the required porosity and mechanical strength. They retain their good catalytic action and hydrophobic properties over long periods. They can be used wherever H2 is to be eliminated or reacted. (5pp)
(DE3122786-C)      New catalyst (I) is obtainable by treating platinum, deposited on a carbon support, with a metal cpd., and then drying and heating in a reducing atmos. to form an alloy.    The platinum, deposited on the carbon support, is impregnated with a chromium cpd. (I) contains up to 30 atom percent chromium and the surface of the alloy is at least 30 m2/g.    USE -   (I) is useful as oxygen redn. catalyst in a cathode in an electrochemical cell, esp. in an acidic fuel cell having a phosphoric acid electrolyte. (5pp)
(DE3013043-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. (9pp)
(DE3105768-C)      A support for the immobilisation of bioactive materials consists of a base coated with a copolymer of A) 99-1, pref. 60-40 wt.% hydrophilic (meth)acrylate monomers CH2=C(R)COOR'OR'' with B) 1-50, pref. 10-40 wt.% of copolymerisable either a) unsatd. carboxylic acid CH2=C(R)COOH or b) unsatd. amine CH2=C(R)COOQNHR''. In the formulae R is H or Me; R' is divalent 2-3 C alkylene or a polyoxyalkylene residue; R'' is H or 1-3C alkyl; Q is divalent 2-3 alkylene. The base is pref. glass, activated C, silica, alumina or high mol. wt. organic cpds. in the form of granules, spheroids, webs, films or tubing. The base is esp. (non)porous glass of particle dia. 0.05-5 mm. The support also contains a sufficient amount of an epoxyl contg. monomer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For specific biochemical reactions esp. for the quantitiative and selective determination of a substance in vivo or in vitro in presence of certain antibodies and antigens; non-specific adsorption of undesirable substances is reliably prevented. (7pp)
(DE3005032-C)      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. (12pp)
(GB2068925-B)      Lithiated cobalto-cobaltic oxide is claimed. The stoichiometric formula is Co304 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 Co304 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 electrocatalyst 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 H202 or peroxyl ions and fuel cells. (16pp)    (US4464239-A)      In appts. for electrochemical O2 evolution an electrode is used which comprises a lithiated-cobalto-cobaltic oxide with a spinel structure.    Pref. the electrode comprises a support carrying a coating consisting of a polymer matrix in which the oxide is dispersed. In a claimed electrochemical cell contg. the electrode, the latter is pref. made by treating Co(OH)2 or CoO4, with a soln. of LiOH. This is drained, dried and heated at 300-600 deg.C for 5-10 hrs., powdered, mixed with a dispersion of PTFE applied to a lithiated Ni support and then dried and cured.    ADVANTAGE -   Long term stability over periods up to 6000 hrs. (12pp)
(US5023153-A)      (+28.1.81, 23.4.85, 18.12.85, 8.9.86, 13.4.87, 23.9.88-US-230601, 726176, 810643, 906153, 038472, 250968).    Solid electrode for a fuel cell, high performance battery etc. consists of a solid semiconductive material that is characterised by a coulometric titration curve that decreases sharply at a part of the curve corresp. to a discharged condition and that has a higher conductivity for electrons or holes than for movable ions. Suitable compsns. include Li3Sb or Li3Bi.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Partic. electrochrome sign display, with increased current density during charging and discharging. discharging. (11pp)
(GB2067344-B)      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.    (US4457987-A)      Liq. fuel cell has an anode made of C powder carrying a catalyser and has a porosity of 65-85% in which pores of size 20-100 microns occupy at least 30% of the total pore vol. There is also a gas-permeable cathode supplied with an oxidiser and a separator between the anode and cathode. The assembly is accommodated in a casing, the electrolyte at least existing in the separator. Pref. liq. fuel is fed to the cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Supply of fuel is complete and cell performance does not deteriorate. (5pp)
(US4496453-A)      Hydrogen-evolution electrode comprises an electrically conductive substrate of Ni (alloy) coated with a compsn. comprising (a) NiO or CoO and (b) Ni or Co metal and having oxidn. degree 20-90 %. The oxidn. degree of the coating is defined by    (H1/(H1+HO)) x 100    where HO is the height of a peak corresp. to the highest intensity X-ray diffraction line of Ni or Co for the coating and H1 is the corresp. height for an oxide of the metal, where both metals or both oxides are present the arithmetic means of the heights is used.    The coating is applied by melt spraying anticorrosive powder material comprising Ni, Co, NiO or CoO.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrode has excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical strength. It exhibits low hydrogen overvoltage for a long time and is stable. Used in electrolysis of brine, Glauber's salt, water, etc.. (11pp)n    (RU2045583-C1)      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.
(DE2941774-C)      Activated carbon, plastic bound layers are produced by intensively desintegrating a dry mixt. of activated carbon and PTFE powder, pref.. in ratio 5-1:1, esp. 3-2:1, using rapidly rotating blades of a cutting head, so that the PTFE at least partially, temporarily sublimes and redeposits on the C particles.    The blades pref. rotate at a speed of at least 15, esp. at least 25 m/sec. The mixt.is then rolled into a thin film using a powder roller, which esp. compresses the mixt. to a density of 15 15 mg/cm2 and a thickness of 0.15-0.20, esp. 0.16-0.18 mm. The film is then pressed into a woven metal web using a roller train.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For gas diffusion electrodes, esp. air electrodes. Thin uniform electrodes can be produced continuously.    (4pp)
(DE3035072-C)      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.
(EP30954-B)      An electrochemical cell esp. a metal/oxygen battery, a metal oxide/hydrogen battery or a fuel cell has at least one gas diffusion electrode externally coated with catalyst.    The diffusion electrode being formed externally of electrically conducting material and internally of cohesive porous hydrophobic plastic. During operation of the cell, gas diffuses out of the electrode while entry of liquid is prevented. The resulting sub. pressure is used to automatically suck gas down into the electrode. (11pp)