(GB2098129-B)      A sheet comprises sintered particles of terpolymer consisting of linear ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer backbone with grafted segments to PVC in an amt. of at least 60% of terpolymer wt., the backbone providing the sheet with toughness and flexibility.    Before sintering the terpolymer particles are pref. smooth-surfaced hollow spheroids less than 60 microns in dia. The terpolymer is pref. 2-40 wt.% copolymer with the balance consisting of PVC, the sheet also including sintered particles of PVC and the sheet can be folded around a plate at room temp. and heat-sealed at the plate edges without damage. (5pp)
(US4450211-A)      A metal-air type battery comprises a cylindrical container with a thin air cathode (1) formed by a slightly truncated conical section (1a) closed at the smaller end by a hemispherical integral cap (16) crowned by a solid cylindrical nipple (3), and spaced from the container inner surface, and an anode mass (4) occupying a substantial part of the space within the cathode and spaced from it by a separator (6) applied against the cathode internal surface.    A current collector (2) associated with the cathode is formed by a thin porous metal film adherent to the cathode external surface, and a second collector (5) is associated with the anode. The anode collector is pref. on the common centre axis of container and cathode. The cathode is pref. formed from a dry particulate mixt. of cpds. with electrocatalytic activity, and electronic conductivity, PTFE fibres of av. 0.5 mm size obtd. by coagulation of a PTFE emulsion and a lubricant. (5pp)n
(DE3207281-C)      A battery separator in the form of a track of a material (40) with two opposite lying sides, whereby each of the sides has a top edge and a bottom edge, to produce a sleeve or envelope. At least one of the sides has a number of sinusoidal shaped ribs (14a-14c), which at least up to 75 per cent of its extension from the lower edge (17) to the top edge (18) are cohesive, however in general sepd. from each other, so that some of the ribs (14a-14c) at least are arranged to nestle in adjacent ribs. The track is essentially a level support track (13). The ribs have not more than a full cycle per 45 mm vertical distance. The sinusoidal ribs have a deflection of 5-25 deg. from the vertical and their entire horizontal deflection amounts to 3-50 mm.    ADVANTAGE -   Gives effective battery operation, with an overall identical thickness of battery separator and with improved separator prevents hitherto disadvantages. Produces better gas escape. (17pp)
(EP62525-B)      Method for sealing facing surfaces of a microporous battery plate separator and insulation material comprises (a) feeding the facing surfaces edgewise towards a pair of sealing surfaces, at least one of which includes a pair of axially spaced, rotatably mounted sealing wheels, the other sealing surface acting as an anvil against which the wheels are pressed; and (b) sealing at least two edges of the facing surfaces by compressing the edges into one another between the sealing surfaces.    Used in batteries with acid electrolyte using battery plate separators in the form of envelopes. The separator envelopes are mounted more efficiently and more expeditiously than in prior art. (35pp)
(GB2103008-B)      A galvanic dry cell comprising in combination a cylindrical consumable anodic container having an open end, an electrode comprising a depolarizer mix disposed within said container and separated therefrom by a separator, a current collector partially embedded in said depolarizer mix, and a closure covering the open end of said container, said closure having an opening and being disposed such that the upper portion of the current collector passes through and is secured to the wall defining the opening and the peripheral portion of the closure sits on the upper rim of the open end of the container; and a heat shrunk tape having an adhesive side adhesively secured to and shrunk about the upstanding cylindrical wall of the container, shrunk and adhesively secured onto at least the peripheral portion of the closure thereby sealing said closure to the container, and shrunk and adhesively secured to at least a portion of the bottom of the container.    (DE3211331-C)      A dry galvanic cell includes a cylindrical anodic container with an open end, an electrode, a separator, a current collector and a plastic sleeve. The plastic sleeve consists of a heat shrinkable thermoplastic, and is adhered to the mantle surface of the cylindrical container. The edge of the seal is seated on the curved-over top edge of the container. The band material is pref. shrinkable, and pref. extends to the base of the container.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell is efficient and reliable and prevents any leakage. (6pp)
(EP67278-B)      An electrochemical cell assembled in a closed housing comprising a container having an open end closed by a cover and having a terminal member electronically insulated from and hermetically sealed to said housing by a layer of an insulating material, characterised in that the exterior lines of junction of the insulating material terminal and the insulating material housing are coated with an adherent non-conductive, water-resistant, protective material. (7pp)
(US4434206-A)      Shaped porous carbon article has porosity 50-85% and compressive strength over 50 kg/cm2. Fading of at least 60% of the total number of pores are distributed in a range where the differences between the upper and lower limits of pore radii is at most 20 micron.    The article is prepd. from lumps of a mixt. of 100 pts. wt. carbonaceous fibres 3-30 micron dia. and under 2mm long and 20-100 pts. wt. phenolic or furfuryl resin binder. The mixt. is crushed and 100 pts. wt. is combined with 20-100 pts. wt. granular substance which is soluble in a solvent.    Radii of particles occupying over 70 wt.% of the granular substance are distributed in a range where the difference the upper and lower radii limits is at most 30 micron. The mixt. is shaped at elevated temp. under pressure then the granular substance is dissolved out and the prod. is baked. The obtd. carbon article has excellent electroconductivity. It can be used for a fuel cell electrode base plate or as a filler material. (9pp)p    (DE3211474-C)      Moulded articles (I) of porous carbon contg. carbon fibres have a porosity above 50%. (I) have a compression strength on break of more than 4.9 N/square mm. and a porosity of 50-85% and not less than 60% of the pore radii lie in such range that the difference between the upper pore radius and the lower pore radius is 20 microns. Pref. not less than 60% of the pore radii lie in the range 5-10 microns; or not less than 60% of the pore radii lie in the range 30-50 microns.    Process of producing (I) is also described.    ADVANTAGE -   (I) have high porosity, an exact pore size distribution and excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. (9pp)
(US4493879-A)      Fuel cell has two gas diffusion electrodes and a matrix retaining phosphoric acid electrolyte. The matrix comprises at least one metal oxide which is electron-insulative and insoluble in phosphoric acid for enlarging the retention of the acid in the matrix, together with at least one polymer binder. The metal oxide used is a complex oxide contg. Zr and Se, P, or Si.    Pref. the matrix consists of at least one metal oxide and a fluoropolymer or phenolic resin as a binder.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell can be used for a long time without degradation. (7pp)
(US4496640-A)      Battery has an electrolyte comprising a cpd. capable of being oxidised into an anion or cation dopant. The anode or cathode comprises, as active material, an acetylene high polymer shaped article having fibrous microcrystalline structure and bulk density 0.7-1.2 g/cm3.    It is prepd. by shaping under pressure an acetylene high polymer swollen with inert organic solvent and (1) dopable to a more highly oxidised state by the anion dopant, or anelectron accepting cpd. consisting of a molecule of the anion of (2) dopable to a more lowly oxidised state by the cation dopant, or an electron-donating cpd. consisting of the molecule of the cation.    ADVANTAGE -   The battery has a long discharge time with high energy density, good levelness in the discharge curve and good cycle life. Wt. and size can be easily reduced and the battery is inexpensive to make. (16pp)e
(GB2091934-B)      H2 absorbent for electrochemical cells compries a mixt. of Mn oxide, pref. MnO2 or MnOOH, or Pb oxide, pref. PbO2, with powdered Fe,Co or Ni, pref. Ni. The amt. of metal in the mixt. is pref. up to 25 wt.% of total. The absorbent may also include a hydrophobic, H2-permeable binder, pref. 0.05-5 wt.% PTFE. In a typical embodiment, the absorbent is disposed in a cell in the form of agglomerates of average size 2.2mm.    Used in H2-generating cells; a specific cell is a Zn/aq. KOH/MnO2 cell. (5pp)
(EP61123-B)      Apparatus for relieving tensile stress along welded seams in plastic containers characterised in that the apparatus comprises means for holding the container so that at least one seam therein is at a predetermined position, movable roller means including at least two rollers, respectively engaging the inner and outer sides of the seam and for applying rolling pressure thereto, and drive means for moving said at least two rollers along a predetermined portion of the seam and for establishing the rolling pressure. (9pp)
(US4447505-A)      Fuel cell electrode has a catalytic layer composed of two separately prepd. mixts. of a noble metal on C. One mixt. has a specific surface area of less than 100 square metre/gm and the second has a specific surface area of more than 150 square metres/gm. The second mixt. contains the same quantity or a smaller quantity of noble metal than the first one.    The C in the two mixts. respectively has a specific surface area of less than 50 and 200-1200 square metres 1 gm. The C in the second mixt. is pref. heat treated and the C is the first mixt. is graphite. The catalytic layer pref. also contains a binder which is pref. PTFE.    The electrode is stable and has a good performance. (3pp)
(US4547939-A)      Battery grid with a metal mesh element supported in each paste-receiving area is made by moulding a plastic perimetral frame (15) with integral dividers parallel to the sides to define the areas, and embedding the element peripheries during moulding. At least one corrugation (16) is then formed in each element parallel to the dividers to remove any buckling which has occurred during moulding.    A number of parallel corrugations are pref. formed in the elements by rolling (20), forming a projection on one side of an element and a complementary depression on the other. Corrugation height is pref. less than divider and frame thickness so that the corrugation crests are within the paste.    ADVANTAGE -   Eliminates problems in pasting due to buckling.    (6pp)t
(US4451542-A)      Cell comprises a positive can having an opening defined by a lateral circumferential edge for receiving an electrolyte. A negative collector has a peripheral portion fitted in the opening defining a space between the peripheral portion and the circumferential edge of the can. A gasket is set in the space to prevent leakage of the electrolyte.    The gasket comprises a synthetic resin compsn. contg. 5-50 wt.% glass beads of average particle size 2-60 micron. The resin is esp. nylon or polypropylene. Electrolyte leakage is prevented for a long period. (7pp).
(DE3146334-C)      Electrochemical cell cathode array consists (partly) of a mixt. of halogen component (I) and an O-contg. organic component (II), comprising an ether, alcohol, ketone, (poly) vinyl ester, salt, anhydride, propylene oxide, poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone), propylene carbonate and/or triphenylphosphine oxide. It is connected functionally to the anode array of the cell.    The cell is useful for inaccessible equipment, e.g. heart pacemakers. The cathode is more generally useful in numerous batteries and cells, esp. prim. cells, giving relatively high voltage and high energy over a long period with low current take-off. Pref. (I) consists (partly) of I2 and (II) (partly) of polyethylene oxide (PEO), a monomer or a polymer-monomer mixt., esp. polyvinyl methyl ether, THF, diethyl ether, butyl methyl ether, PEO, polypropylene oxide (PPO), polyvinyl butyral, PVA, EtOH, PhOH, methylcellulose, starch, acetone, polymethyl vinyl ketone, MEK, polyvinyl succinate, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl acetate, polyacrylic acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, Na and ammonium polyacrylates, Na acetate and/or acetic anhydride.
(US4602045-A)      Preformed permselective membrane derived from a copolymer of TFE and perfluorovinyl sulphonyl fluoride is contacted with perfluorobutenoic acid or (m)ethyl perfuorobut-3-enotae as monomer and simultaneously irradiated with high energy radiation to graft copolymerise the monomer onto the membrane. Pref gamma, x-ray or electron beam irradiation is used and the membrane undergoes a wt. increase of 3-5 wt.%.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The membrane aquires improved resistance to back migration of OH ions when used in a chloralkali electrolysis cell, enabling high current efficiency to be obtd. The membrane can also be used e.g. as a separator or solid electrolyte in batteries, fuel cells and other electrolysis cells. (6pp)
(DE3045479-C)      The galvanic battery has a series of spaced electrode plates (1,2) and intermediate porous separators (4) projecting beyond the peripheral edges of the electrode plates (1,2). The projecting edges of the separators (4) are bent to overlap the side edge of each electrode plate (1,2). Pref. each separator (4) is made of a thermoplastics material, with the edges of 2 adjacent separators joined together before bending them in the same direction to overlay the edges of the electrode plates (1,2).    ADVANTAGES -   Simple mfr. (4pp)
(DE3038440-C)      The electrode consists of a carrier or grid which is made at least partly of an electrically-conducting material. On the carrier is an electrochemically active mass consisting mainly of lead oxide, plus thermoplastic polymer fibres which resist attack by the electrolyte or by oxidn. The fibres have a split and branched structure and are pref. fibrids made of polythene or polypropylene and treated so they are hydrophilic. The pref. active mass contains by wt. 0.03-1.0%, esp. 0.1-0.15% or 0.03-0.05% fibrids. The term fibrids refers to fibres which are highly oriented in the longitudinal direction and have a length of up to a few mm.; they have a strongly branched or dendroid structure resembling cellulose. Under the electron microscope the structure resembles the Arab meat dish "shich-kebab", i.e. meat on skewers.    The fibrids require neither a coating nor a heat-treatment before providing adequate reinforcement for the active mass, and their cost is lower than that of PTFE.
(GB2087637-B)      A cover (2) for a battery fitted with bosses contg. the lead bushes welded to respective lead plate poles (5) has at least one boss (4) connected to the cover surface by an elastic flexible zone (7) formed by a number of single or multiple concentric rings.    The zone around the boss may have a convex or concave arcuate profile and the cavities formed by the rings are covered by perforated diaphragms (8) with rims resting on the cover surface and the boss slidable in the perforation. The zone and diaphragm are pref. of the same thermoplastics as the cover, e.g. polypropylene. Diaphragms may have a different colour for each pole. The cover is pref. fusion welded to the battery case and is welded to the pole straps or is clamped to each pole by a threaded locking ring.
(GB2087636-B)      Recombinant electric storage battery has at least two cells, each including a cell pack (2) comprising positive and negative electrodes interleaved with compressible absorbent fibrous separator material and contg. substantially no free unabsorbed electrolyte. Each cell pack (2) is enclosed in a respective plastics bag (6) and all the cell packs are sealed in a further common outer plastics bag (14) provided with a vent (20) adapted to vent gas from the bag but to prevent air entering it. The whole assembly is accommodated in an outer protective casing. Pref. bags are of polypropylene or other electrolyte resistant plastics.    Used in lead acid storage batteries. Conventional flooded batteries use expensive compartmented polypropylene casings. New arrangement provides a cheap battery easily assembled using conventional machinery.
(US4518705-A)      Prodn. of an electrode comprises adding dil. aq. dispersion of PTFE particles to aq. suspension of larger active carbon particles to discontinuously coat the carbon particles with the PTFE particles. The mixt. is shear blended to form an intimate mixt. of active carbon particles and attenuated, fibrillated PTFE.    The mixt. is comminuted into granules and the granules are formed into an active sheet. The working surface of this sheet is laminated to a current distributor and the opposite surface to a PTFE-contg. wet-proofing layer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As an air cathode in chloralkali and other electrochemical cells, and in fuel cells. Improved electrical conductivity and balanced hydrophobicity are obtd.. (11pp)
(US4500647-A)      A laminated electrode is produced by (A) prepg. an active layer by intimately mixing carbon black with an aq. dispersion of PTFE particles, (B) drying the mixt. at 250-325 deg.C, (C) thoroughly incorporating into the dried mixt. sufficient de-ashed carbon particles impregnated with a small amt. of a precious metal catalyst to obtain a mixt. contg. 40-80 wt.% C particles, (D) fibrillating the mixt., and forming an active layer and (F) laminating the working surface of the active layer to a current distributer and the opposite surface to a porous, coherent, hydrophobic, wet proofing layer contg. PTFE.    The intimate mixt. pref. contains 25-50 wt.% of a pore forming bulking agent. The carbon black is acetylene black and has a particle size 5-300 nm, a surface area 25-300 m2/g and contains Ag ot Pt. The active C particles have a size 1-30 microns. Mixt. (A) consists of 65-75 pts. wt. carbon black and 35-25 pts. wt. PTFE particles.    ADVANTAGE -   The electrodes are stable under the corrosive conditions in chlor-alkali cells so satisfactory, stable and durable cells can be produced. (12pp)
(US4579794-A)      Anhydrous cell comprises a cathode comprising a mixt. of polyacetylene and 5-75 wt.% electroconductive material (w.r.t total cathode wt.). The cathode can be p-doped by the cell electrolyte which is dissolved in an organic solvent in which the cathode is insoluble when either undoped or p-doped. The solvent is stable to electrochemical decomposition and is inert towards the cell anode. The solvent may be e.g. propylene carbonate, sulpholane or 3-methyl sulpholane. The conductive material may comprise carbon black and graphite.    ADVANTAGE -   The cathode has stable electrical conductivity properties. The cell has high drain rate and enhanced efficiency w.r.t. watt hr/pound. (7pp)
(DE3040019-C)      A spacer for rigid electrode plates in accumulators, esp. lead batteries, where the plate spacing is at least 5 (10-20) mm, consists of an electrically insulating plastics foil with projections having gaps between them into which the edge of a battery plate can fit. Two such plates are mounted opposite each other and the electrode plates slid into the slots formed in them. The width of each projection determines the spacing of the plates.    The projections may be rectangular box shapes, cylindrical, conical etc. Alternatively, they may be formed of continuous vertical ribs.    Pref. materials for the projections, which may be bonded onto the foil, are PVC or polyethylene of 0.5 mm thickness. Alternatively, the projections may be produced by deep-drawing foil of these materials. (10pp)    (EP50740-B)      A storage battery comprising a spacer member for dimensionally stable electrode plates, the electrode plates being spaced by at least 5 mm, characterised in (a) that the spacer member (1) is an electrically insulating sheet (2) having projections (3) provided therein beneath one another at predetermined distances (a), the lateral extension (b) of said projections corresponding to the distances (c) between adjacent electrode plates (4,5,6), (b) that a respective sheet is disposed in each storage battery cell on opposite inner cell walls such that the side edges (7 to 12) of the associated electrode plates may be arranged between the projections (3). (6pp)
(GB2085645-B)      Storage battery is produced by placing two or more cell packs each consisting of positive and negative plates interleaved with compressible fibrous absorbent separator material, into a battery container transferring the container to a station where plate straps and inter cell connectors are moulded around the plate lugs in a number of mould cavities, and transferring the container to a station where the inter cell connectors, while still hot, are dipped into a fluidised bed of organic polymer particles, which adhere to the inter cell connectors to form an impervious layer around them.    The layer of polymer forms an electrolyte creepage barrier and prevents the surface of the inter cell connectors acting as an electrolyte wicking surface allowing inter cell ionic leakage. Applying the polymer by dipping in a fluidised particle bed while the connectors are hot saves time and causes the resin to adhere only to those components, where it is required. (7pp)
(US4579795-A)      Anhydrous cell comprises (A) a metal (alloy)anode, (B) a polyacetylene film or foam cathode; (C) an electrolyte which can p-dope the cathode; and (D) organic solvent for (C). (D) does not dissolve the undoped or p-doped cathode; is stable to electrochemical decomposition and is inert towards the anode.    Pref.(A) is of Li, Al, Na or Mg; (D) is e.g. sulpholane, 3-methyl sulpholate or propylene carbonate; and (C) is e.g. Li perchlorate or Li hexafluorophosphate.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell has high drain rate and enhanced efficiency in terms of watt hrs/pound of cell. (9pp)
(GB2085218-B)      A vent, partic. for a sealed recombination battery, comprises a valve with a valve member of foamed closed-cell ethylene- propylene elastomer. The member is pref. a disc (19) in which partly-closed cells (25) at the disc closure surface contain petroleum jelly filler (24) to provide a continuous smooth surface.    The valve is pref. in a wall which has a surrounding upstanding rounded rim (16), the opening (13) being ribbed and a porous disc covering the opening upstream of the member. The member is pref. engaged and slightly deformed by a central post (18) on a perforated outer closure to provide good contact between disc and rim. The vent may be integral with or fitted removably in the battery lid.
(GB2085217-B)      A vent, partic. for a sealed recombination battery, has an elastomeric disc (10) normally resting on a rounded shoulder (16) around an opening to act as a valve member closing the opening. The disc is pref. of foamed closed-cell ethylene-propylene elastomer and a porous disc covers the opening upstream of the disc.    There is pref. a valve closure (17) with vents (21) for escape of gas passing the disc, and the closure has a post (18) to engage and slightly deform the disc to give better contact with the shoulder. The opening is pref. in a wall which has a surrounding upstanding rim having the shoulder spaced from the wall, the opening being ribbed. The vent may be integral with the battery lid or formed as a plug fitting removably in the lid.
(EP49140-B)      A charge transfer complex cathode for a solid state cell is the reaction prod. of an organic electron donor and a halogen electron acceptor contg. a minor amt. (pref. 5-30, esp. 15-20 wt.%) dispersed, chemically inert, particulate, high surface area, electrically nonconductive material, pref. Al2O3, SiO2 and/or TiO2.    A solid state cell comprises an anode (pref. Li, Na, K, Rb, Mg, Ca); a solid electrolyte (pref. LiI or LiBr); and a cathode as above, pref. having an organic electron donor of poly-2-vinylpyridine, mesophase pitch, poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone), anthracene or naphthalene and an electron acceptor of I2 or Br2. The impedance is reduced, and rises less during discharge than cells not contg. the particulate material, giving greater discharge rate capacity, e.g. for similar cells with and (without) Al2O3, impedance at 75 days was 13,500 (52,000) ohm; at 272 days 37,000 (234,000) ohms. (15pp)
(US4437231-A)      Method of assembling an electrochemical cell having a safety vent structure is claimed. The cell comprises a cylindrical metal container acting as positive terminal, a cathode collector shell, a separator and an anode. The anode is composed of first and second half-cylindrical annular member each having an inert metal screen disposed against their inner surface wall. Electroconductive spring strip is disposed in the axial cavity between the anode members to provide a uniform, continuous pressure contact over the inner wall of the anode members.    A first metal cover with a vent opening is secured over the open top of the container. A second metal cover is secured over the first cover and includes a tubular member to surround the vent orifice in the first cover. Liq. cathode/electrolyte is fed into the cell through the vent opening, then a deformable member is force fitted into the opening to provide a fluid-tight seal. Sealant which adheres to metal is placed over the deformable member and the area of the first cover surrounded by the tubular member.    The cell is esp. an oxyhalide cell and is produced inexpensively. (8pp)o
(DE3136820-C)      Primary cell comprises a combination of (a) an anode comprising Li; Na or a dischargeable alloy of these having a m.pt. above 80 deg.C; (b) an electrolyte contg. a solvent or a mixt. of solvents having suitable m.pt. and b.pt. which can also dissolve a polysulphuride at a concn. above 0.01 M and an electrolyte salt to give a soln. of at least 0.1 M, the solvent having an intrinsic electromagnetic force compared with the anode, which is sufficiently low that the reaction of the anode material with the polysulphide, to form a solid M2S-electrolyte intermediate phase, is not inhibited, the electrolyte contg. a polysulphide M2Sn in which M is Li or Na and the concn. of the polysulphide is high enough, and n is low enough that a preselected low self-discharge of the cell results; and (c) an inert porous cathodic accumulator which can be charged with S.    ADVANTAGE -   New cell has high energy density, long storage stability and very low self-discharge rate. (8pp)
(DE3138039-C)      Gaseous hydrogen and oxygen are recombined on a catalyst comprising a carrier and a layer with a porous matrix of PTFE and exposed, partly platinised carbon particles with large surface area at a ratio of PTFE to carbon by wt. of 1.5-6 to 1. They are condensed in an inverted cup, divided by a perforated partition in an upper and a lower catalyst-filled chamber. The condensed water leaves at the bottom of the latter.    ADVANTAGE -   This reduces the activity loss of the catalyst due to contact with water and delays thermal quality loss. (9pp)
(DE3035842-C)      Sea comprises a pot shaped formation in the resin cover (2) for the hole (3) in the area of the terminal (1), a lower, coated resin layer (5) pref. of an acid resistant two component resins on the floor of the pot, an intermediate, thermopplastic, permanently elastic and acid resistant polymer layer (6) on (5) pref. made of a hot melt adhesive e.g an ethylene-acrylic copolymer or similar prod. or of bitumen, wax, resin or fat and a top, cast resin layer (7) on (6) pref. of a two component, acid resistant resin. The accumulator esp. head accumulater has a resin housing, in particular of polyethylene or polypropylene.    The seal remains tight under all conditions of use such as fluctuating temp., fluctuating miner pressures, shaking or axial terminal movement.
(EP47792-B)      Battery has an inert container housing a number of hollow, box like cathode elements (1) each having at least one gas permeable porous cathode (4) in at least one wall, and at least one consumable metal anode (5) separate from and removably supported opposite the porous cathode wall. The cathode and anode of adjacent elements are disposed in spaced facing relation and an electrolyte is maintained in the spaces between the anodes and cathodes. A depolariser gas is fed through the interior of the box like cathode elements to the porous cathodes and pptd. material is collected below the cathode and anode elements. The cathode and anode elements are electrically connected to an external load.    Used as a rechargeable battery. Consumable portion of the anodes are easily removed and renewed outside the cell container, or the consumable portion may be removed and replaced without removing the box like cathodes from the battery.
(US4499160-A)      Li reserve type electrochemical cell cathode consists of a self-supporting or a grid-supported structure of porous C and a binder in combination with a transitional metal oxide.    Pref. the binder is a PTFE polymer and the support is a Ni, stainless steel, Ni plated steel or Al grid. The C pref. has a porosity of 30-70%. The metal oxide is pref. a prod. of heat curing a C cathode soaked with a soln. of a heat decomposable transition metal oxide.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell is rapidly activated to max.voltage. (6pp)u    (DE3122080-C)      Electrochemical storage cell with Li electrode and liquid depolariser has a porous C cathode, consisting of a self-supporting structure or a structure carried by a mesh-like support of porous C and a binder together with a transition metal oxide. Pref. the cathode comprises 40-99 wt.% C, including graphite, 0.5-20 wt.% binder, pref. a polyfluoroethylene polymer, and 0.1-40 wt.% transition metal oxide. The carrier can be of Ni, stainless steel, Ni-plated steel or Al.    ADVANTAGE -   Rapid actuation and high current flux, partic. at low temps. (8pp)
(GB2083277-B)      Electrochemical high temp. cell, comprising solid positive and negative electrodes and a separator of finely divided ceramic material, having molten electrolyte fixed in the electrodes and separator, is made by (a) mixing finely divided separator or electrode material with electrolyte powder and a heat decomposable, residue-free plastics material; (b) rolling into a coherent plate of uniform thickness; (c) incorporating the plate(s) into the cell; and (d) heating the assembled cell to above the decomposition temp. of the plastics material.    The plates may be assembled individually in the cell, or may be rolled together as an electrode/separator composite before assembly. The plastics material is pref. a polyhydrocarbon having quat. C atom., esp. polyisobutylene.    Separators can be simply made with desired porosity, based only on loose particulate fillings and packings. Very thin electrodes can be made, and the whole structure may be very compact. The cell is e.g. an Li-Al/LiCl.KCl/FeSx system. (4pp)    (US4447376-A)      Mfr. of an electrochemical high temp. cell having solid positive electrode, a solid negative electrode, a separator of finely divided ceramic material and a molten liq. electrolyte is claimed.    Start-ng material of the separator and/or of the electrodes are mixed with electrolyte powder and with synthetic plastics which thermally decomposed without leaving a residue. The mixt. is rolled into a cohesive uniformly thick plate and the plates are assembled individually or after being rolled together into composite electrode(s)/separator plates into a cell. The completely assembled cell is heated to decompose the plastics but below its operating temp.    The plastics is e.g. polyisobutylene.    The ceramic separator is composed only of loose particle accumulations and has uniform structure and strength. It can be handled in the same way as electrode plates during the cell construction. (4pp)
(DE3026141-C)      Solid electrolytic cell has an alkali metal (Li or Na) anode solid cathode and solid electrolyte (of Li3N or Na3Zr2Si2PO12) and can be discharged at room temp. In the charged state, the cathode consists of Sb and/or Bi or their oxides and chalcogenides (Sb2O3, Sb2S3, Bi2O2, Bi2S3) and in the discharged state of a reversible intermetallic cpd. of Sb and/or Bi with the alkali metal of the anode.    A very high coulombic yield is obtd. and the cathode has a high energy density. (9pp)
(EP49086-B)      A solid state cell comprising an anode, a solid electrolyte and a charge transfer complex cathode in which the complex is the reaction product of a first electron donor and an electron acceptor; characterised in that a minor amount of a second electron donor in particulate form is at least partially embedded in the anode and said second electron donor being at least partially exposed to the electron acceptor so that it effectively provides a network extension of a complex cathode into the anode.    (9pp)
(GB2081492-B)      Anode assembly for a lithium-iodine anode comprises an anode current collector (26), a pair of lithium elements (22,24) bonded together and against the current collector between the elements, a seal element (78) surrounding the peripheral edges of the lithium elements to seal the edges and an electrical conductor (30) connected to the current collector and extending through the seal element. At least one opening is provided in the seal element to receive lithium forced therein during forming the assembly so as to increase adherence between the seal element and the lithium elements.    Used in conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy, when implanted with a cardiac pacemaker etc. Cell construction prevents electrical short circuit from migration of iodine contg. cathode material (88) into the anode assembly through the pressure bonded seal, the seal being enhanced by the strap (78).
(GB2080722-B)      In an injection mould, for making multi-compartmented battery casings by injection moulding around a plurality of spaced elongated cores (24) each having a groove (26) of mortise shaped cross-section along which complementary shaped ejector bars (31) are slidable, each bar having fin defining recesses (32) (See GB2080723), the leading ends of each bar is provided with an angled lip (33).    The lips define undercuts at the ends of the fins and prevent material from flowing between the ends of the bars and the base wall of the mould, thereby forming fins which are not attached to the base wall and which are more flexible.S The angle of the tip is preferably at (30) to the axis of ejection to facilitate deflection of the fin around it without damage during ejection.
(DE3122659-C)      A catalyst mat is produced (A) by rolling a 1st mat from a PTFE/activated C (AC) mixt., impregnating it with an aq. soln. contg. salt of a catalytically active metal, hydrophobing the mat and sintering it; and (B) bringing the mat in intimate mechanical contact with an AC mat free from catalytically active material. The wt. ratio PTFE/AC is pref. 40-60 to 10-90, esp. 25:75. The 1st mat contains 0.1-5, esp. 0.1-1 wt.% Pd. The 2nd mat is impregnated with CuO.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For recombination of H2 and O2 produced during the operation of an electrical accumulator; the mat stays hydrophobic and can be readily mounted. (5pp)
(GB2080352-B)      Prodn. of a lead acid accumulator separator comprises making an aq. dispersion (I) of a blend of cellulosic fibers, and olefin polymeric fibrils in a ratio of 20:80 to 40:60, with a degree of freeness from 40-75 deg. SR(II), 20-25 wt.% of an inorganic powdery material soluble to less than 5 wt.% after 72 hrs immersed in 30% sulphuric acid at 71 deg.C, and from 0.01-0.3 wt.% of a wetting agent. The dispersion (I) is formed into a sheet by a paper making method.    (I) contains up to 50(10-20) wt.% of glass fibers of dia. not exceeding 15 microns. The separator sheets are pref. heated under substantial absence of pressure to a temp. at least equal to the mpt. of the fibrils (II). (I) also contains pref. up to 50(10-20) Wt.% of a vinyl(idene) polymer, an ethylene propylene copolymer, or a copolymer of a vinyl(idene) monomer with ethylene contg. up to 50 mol.% copolymerised ethylene.    The separator sheets produced have pores of very small dia., a high total proosity, and a satisfactory ionic permeability. When subjected to a consolidation process involving heat, the sheets have increased dimensioned stability, and resistance to moisture and humidity. (6pp)
(DE3125751-C)      Battery separator material (I) is produced by forming an aq. dispersion contg. polyolefin pulp fibres (II) of length up to 12.7 mm and diameter up to 20 microns and a fibre-form or particulate inorganic filler. This dispersion is allowed to settle on a surface so that a substantial part of its water content can run off to form a wet sheet. This sheet is compressed to produce a coherent film to which is added 5-30 wt.%, based on the non-binder content of (I), of an organic binder.    The film is dried at a temp. below the m.pt. of the fibres (II); or the organic binder is added to the dried film which is subjected to renewed drying.    ADVANTAGE -   (I) so obtd. has e.g. excellent filter properties and very good electrical, chemical and physical properties. (5pp).    (DE3153271-C)      Battery separator is produced by (A) producing a film from a slurry of polyolefin fibres and (in)organic filler; (B) extruding polyolefin strands on the cooled matrix part of a moulding roller pair; (C) embossing the film to form spaced, parallel indentations extending over the whole width of the film; and (D) applying the polyolefin strands to the side of the film opposite to the indentations to form protruding ribs of a virtually triangular cross-section.    The separator is pref. wound up into a roll in such a way, that the ribs on one side of the separator are pushed into the indentations on the other side of the separator. The separator is unwound from the roll, cut into suitable length and folded over and the folded layers are welded along at least two of their edges to form a pouch or a sheath.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used in maintenance free batteries; the separator is resistant to usual reactions in the battery, ensures a good cold discharge capacity and satisfactory circulation of the electrolyte. (4pp)
(EP64837-B)      A battery separator paper comprises a blend of poly-olefinic pulp fibres (I) and alkali-resistant fibres (II) which reinforce (I). (I) are not heat-bonded to each other or to (II) but are bonded to each other and to (II) by an alkali-resistant hydrophilic binder (III) which is additional to any binder present in (I) or (II). Also claimed is the prepn. of the paper by forming a wet-laid web of a blend of (I) and (II) and drying the web by heating without heat bonding the fibres and with the incorporation of (III).    The paper is used in an alkaline battery, e.g. an alkaline Mn battery, providing good storage and shelf life and good discharge rate. The separator is cheap. (20pp)
(EP64226-B)      A potassium pased cpd. (I) is claimed which is a white powder of fine granular structure comprising more than 60 wt.% up to 95 wt.% beta-double-prim. alumina. The cpd. is prepd. by mixing together cpds. of Na, K and/or Mg and Al sulphate, dissolving them in water, atomising the soln., freezing the spray and freeze drying and calcining the particles formed.    Cpd. (I) is pref. of formula K+-beta"-Al2O3. It is esp. prepd. by mixing together (by wt.) 1-3% Na2CO3, 8.2-11.5% K2CO3, 2.0% MgSO4 and 85.2-86.9 Al2(SO4)3, forming a soln., atomising it, freezing and freeze drying at 195.8 deg.C or below, pref. in liquid nitrogen.    The potassium of the cpd. (I) can readily be exchanged for hydroxonium ions to form hydroxonium beta-double-prim. alumina (II) which is useful as a proton conductor in fuel cells. (II) is obtained in polycrystalline form which is preferred for fuel cell use and which is difficult to obtain by other methods. (13pp)
(US4493879-A)      Fuel cell has two gas diffusion electrodes and a matrix retaining phosphoric acid electrolyte. The matrix comprises at least one metal oxide which is electron-insulative and insoluble in phosphoric acid for enlarging the retention of the acid in the matrix, together with at least one polymer binder. The metal oxide used is a complex oxide contg. Zr and Se, P, or Si.    Pref. the matrix consists of at least one metal oxide and a fluoropolymer or phenolic resin as a binder.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell can be used for a long time without degradation. (7pp)
(JP93030029-B)      A unitary separator and spacer unit is for use in an electrochemical cell having electrodes. During operation, a circulating electrolyte flows in contact with the electrodes adjacent pairs of electrodes being separated and spaced apart by a respective unit. Unit comprises a single non-porous frame or border surrounding and defining the edges or borders of the faces of a non-perforated microporous web which is thinner than the frame or border in order to define or form either internal compartments or recesses forming at least part of such internal compartments between the unit and the adjacent electrodes when assembled with the latter so that circulating electrolyte can flow about said electrodes. Web is capable of providing ionic communication between adjacent compartments of the cell, a plurality of discrete pebble-shaped and/or rod-shaped projections extending from each face of the web and which projections are ionically either less conductive or substantially non-conductive for maintaining a spaced compartmental distance between unit and adjacent electrodes. All projections extending from one face of the web being directly opposite corresponding projections extending from the other face, the web being ion-selective. (J57199167-A)
(EP55016-B)      High temp. solid electrolyte fuel cells use a natural or synthetic fuel gas such as those containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane and a suitable oxidant such as oxygen or air to directly convert the chemical energy of the fuel into direct current electrical energy by means of electrochemical combustion with byproducts of water vapour and heat.    A fuel cell stack comprises a number of elongated annular fuel cells. The fuel cells are preferably tubular and are electrically connected in series. Each cell of the battery generates an open circuit voltage of approximately one volt and hundreds of cells can be connected in series to achieve the desired system voltage.    Surrounding the outer periphery of the cathode is a layer of gas-tight solid electrolyte comprised of yttria stabilised zirconia approx. 20 to 5 microns thick. (15pp)
(JP6097473-A)      A pin amorphous Si type photovoltaic cell has, on at least one of its sides (p and/or n type) exposed to incdent lght, an amorphous semiconductor having an optical band gap of at least 1.85 eV, an electric conductivity of at least 10-8 per ohm-cm at 20 deg.C and a pin junction diffusion potential of at least 1.1 V.    The amorphous seiconductor is pref. of formula a-Si(1-x)Cx or a-Si(1-y)Ny (where x and y are each between 0.05 and 0.8 (not inclusive)).    The cell is useful as a photo-electromotve cell in solar cells, photoswitches, etc. The amorphous semiconductor layer improves the photovoltaic conversion giving greatly increased shortcircuit current and open circuit voltage.    (JP7022633-A)      The amorphous silicon substrate is formed by optical irradiation on either pin junction faces. One half of pin junction normally comprises a P type amorphous substrate (3) followed by an I type silicon substrate (4) and a N type silicon substrate (5). The other half of pin junction comprises a P type silicon substrate (8), an I type silicon substrate (9) and an N type amorphous semiconductor substrate (10). Vertical irradiation is carried out on either end faces of P type and N type substrates. The diffusion potential of pin junction is made 1.1V or more. The optical band gap energy output (Es.opt) of the amorphous substrate is maintained in the order of 1.85ev to 2.30ev. The conductivity of this substrate is also made to be in the order of 10-8 ohm cm-1.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For use in solar batteries. Improves short circuit current (Jsc) characteristic and high circuit open discharge potential (Voc) is obtained.
(US4656735-A)      An electrolyte retaining matrix for use in a fuel cell is produced by contacting a self supporting felt or plate made of long alumina fibres with a lithium salt and then heating to form a lithium aluminate matrix. Finally alkali carbonate is impregnated into the matrix. Pref. the alumina fibres are initially sintered at 800-1600 deg.C to give the desired self supporting plate followed by heating at 400-750 deg.C when treated with the lithium salts.    ADVANTAGE -   The matrix has high mechanical strength and good adhesion to the electrodes. (6pp)e
(DE3122787-C)      Matrix for retention of a molten electrolyte of a carbonate type in a fuel cell consists of a mixt. of at least 5.0 vol.% crack-inhibiting particles and carrier particles in the sub-micron range. The crack-inhibiting particles are of materials which are compatible with the electrolyte and cell operating conditions and are sufficiently larger than the carrier particles and present in a quantity to cause the formation of a number of micro-cracks on cooling from operating temp. to room temp., without through-cracks.    ADVANTAGE -   Matrix withstands cyclic operating conditions.    (5pp)
(DE3239731-T)      The photodetector has a light-sensitive substrate, positioned in an electrically conducting housing. A window of a material is transparent to selected wavelengths, the window being situated opposite to the substrate and being set into the housing. The window is formed electrically conducting and is in electrically conducting contact with the detector housing.    Pref. the window comprises a non-conductable substrate on which is formed at least one electrically conductable transparent layer which is in electrically conductable contact with the detector housing.    ADVANTAGE -   Interfering radiation adjacent the detector window cannot reach the light-sensitive substrate in the housing.    (3pp)
(US4465941-A)      The water engine consists of a barrage with a working chamber housing a double-acting piston. Valves control the flow of water through the chamber on both sides of the piston.    The engine pref. includes a series of working chambers with pistons connected to a common linkage to simplify power take-off. The valves can be butterfly valves with inflow and outflow positions, as well as a third position in which water can freely flow through the barrage. The valves are linked to move in unison and can be controlled by a common mechanical linkage. Alternatively, the valves can be controlled hydraulically or pneumatically.    USE -   In tidal application where the head of water may not be constant. (7pp)c
(US4451735-A)      Theinfrared radiation detector has a multicell photosensor disposed at the top of a cold finger in an evacuated container. The sensor comprises a stack of annular ceramic layers coaxially surrounding the cold finger and serving as supports for several arrays of radially extending metallic strips screen-printed on respective layers in angularly offset relationship.    The metallic strips are connected to respective cells of the sensor to serve as output leads. The connections include axially extending metal pins spaced around the cold finger while linked with the sensor cells by short, thin wires spanning an intervening annular gap. The sensing elements lie within an evacuated container with a window enabling the focusing of radiation upon the elements. (6pp))
(US4475865-A)      The appts. includes a detector for sensing the rotational speed of the turbine. A load rejection arrangement includes a first detector comparing the turbine speed with a prescribed value and a second for judging whether the speed governor performs a normal operation. The load rejection arrangement also includes inlet valve close and open order devices receiving signals from the first and second detectors, respectively.    An inlet valve control device is connected to receive the inlet valve close order and the output signal of the inlet valve open order device for producing a control signal. The control signal closes the inlet valve to a prescribed opening when the inlet valve close order is received. A control signal is produced to open the inlet valve to a maximum opening when the output signal is received.    USE -   For water turbine or pump turbine. (17pp)m
(GB2090939-B)      The appts. includes a receptacle which is a large open-mouthed bucket, connected by a chain or cable to bearings and a pivot, biassed by a counterweight. The pivot is offset relative to the bucket centre of gravity and is attached to a carriage mounted on a guide rail.    The bucket is placed under a downwardly directed discharge pipe connected to a water reservoir. The bucket fills with water, overcomes the bias and carriage descends, so bucket empties and returns to raised rest position, by means of the counterweight. Linear movement of bucket rotates flywheel and generates electrical power. (4pp)
(DE3146764-C)      The control system for double regulation has a regulator, affecting control deflectors by forming a function of the deviation between the actual and rated speeds, this deviation being derived over a time period. Over a circuit, comprising a coupler, the regulator affects second type of control members, such as injectors. The regulator is supplied with parameters fitted exclusively to the control deflectors.    The coupling containing circuit comprises also a correction circuit whose parameters are chosen so as to obtain an optimum change for the control injectors. The correction circuit consists of a differential amplifier with a counter-reaction circuit with a low-pass filter, a differential circuit, and a limiting circuit. In this manner, the system attains the optimum double control using control deflectors and injectors. (10pp)
(DE3129437-C)      The cylindrical tube turbine with axial water circulation has an off-drive shaft connected, via a gear to the turbine shaft.    In order to avoid losses in the water channel, such as downstream of the turbine rotor wheel, hollow ducts (22) are provided on the turbine tube (20) for insertion and pass through of the off-drive shaft (19) and its bearing and connections, such as flanges on the turbine shaft or gear in the turbine tube.
(DE3035944-C)      An opto electronic semiconductor system uses a luminescent diode in a dual mode, both as a display and as a means of monitoring the ambient light intensity for brightness control.    For a single element, the diode (5) is located within a plastic housing (4). The diode is coupled to the integrated semiconductor circuit (6) and two connecting strips (1,2) pass externally. The circuit has a drive stage that is coupled over a switch with the diode. Alternatively light received is detected by a photo amplifier that is coupled to the drive stage. A clock source is used to alternately switch between the transmission and reception modes continuously.
(US4511808-A)      Several pontoon are arranged in outer and intermediate lateral rows. The pontoons in each row are arranged in tandem and so shaped with spacings between and between adjacent rows to form a multiplicity of longitudinal channels to channel water flow from the front to the rear of the installation. Several transverse channels channel water flow from the side of the installation to its centre to hinder water flow as little as possible. The installation is free of floor or lateral limitations between respective outer and intermediate pontoons.    Water wheels in tandem have crankshafts connected to each other by connecting rods which, in turn, drive double acting piston pumps. The pumps are slow running and have a relatively large stroke for drawing in river water and pumping the water through high pressure lines to a pressure storage device. The storage device communicates through pressure conduits to the turbine of the turbo-generator.    ADVANTAGE -   Enables optimum use of energy of flowing water.    (11pp)
(US4445046-A)      The front portion of the immersed turbo-generator bulb houses the alternator. The intermediate portion houses the gear box, and the rear portion has the turbine projecting from it. The intermediate portion is of greater dia. than the front portion and they are interconnected by a flange. The external cooling is by tubes through which cooling air flows, and having one end connected to orifices through the flange.    The greater dia. of the intermediate housing portion provides extra space around the gearbox and because the flange does not project inwardly relative to the front portion, additional space is provided for access to electrical connections on the alternator. (6pp)
(GB2080433-B)      The pump comprises a chamber having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is arranged to receive a supply of liquid under pressure, and a device for periodically opening and closing the valve in the inlet. The arrangement is such that, in use, pressure surges are created in the liquid supplied to the inlet as a result of the periodic closing of the valve. The surges force liquid into the chamber as the valve is periodically opened. The liquid enters the chamber and compresses gas inside and is forced out of the outlet as the gas expands. The pump includes an impeller for supplying the liquid under pressure to the inlet. Pref. the inlet is connected to a source of liquid under pressure. The pumps are used in a hydroelectric plant to pump water up to a reservoir.
(EP66490-B)      The frequency regulator for a low head hydro-electric generation plant supplying an isolated electrical network and using a turbine with adjustable blades positioned by a frequency responsive speed regulator, has additionally an energy sink coupled to the generator terminals, under control of the regulator.    The energy sink can dissipate up to 20% of the nominal power rating of the installation. The regulator normally controls the energy sink so that around 10% of the rated output is absorbed. If load changes suddenly the regulator alters the power absorbed by the sink to maintain correct frequency until the turbine blade angle has had time to adjust. (7pp)
(EP42158-B)      The optical coupler includes a photodetector (R) transforming the light information coming from an optical fibre. Objectives and/or lenses focus and transmit over the optical fibre the light information generated by a source (SS). The photodetector has in correspondence with its centre a hole inside which a microlens (LS) is inserted. The photodetector has a surface much wider than the cross-section of the microlens.    Pref. the light source is placed, at the focus, at an end of the microlens. The parallel light rays emerging from the other end of the microlens is focused by the objective (OB) and injected, through the end face (a), into the fibre (FO). Pref. the microlens consists of a cut-down size of optical fibre with a refractive index gradually varying along a radial direction.    (US4773722-A)      A two-way coupler comprises a photodetector with a receiving surface larger than a proximal end face of the coating fibre, the photodetector being disposed with its receiving surface perpendicular to the fibre axis at a predetermined distance from the end face for illumination by incoming light signals forming partly diverging first beam centred on the axis. A positively refracting microlens is in line with the fibre axis traversing a central hole of the photodetector occupying a small fraction of the area illuminated by the first beam.    A virtual point source of outgoing light signals is coaxially juxtaposed with the microlens on the side of the photodetector opposite the coacting fibre for projecting upon the centre of the end face a second beam centred on the axis with a maximum diameter not exceeding the diameter of the microlens. The microlens diameter is on the order of magnitude of the coacting fibre. The source is separated from the microlens by a first distance exceeding the focal length of the microlens.    ADVANTAGE -   Minimised attenuation. (5pp)
(GB2096387-B)      A self-powered nuclear radiation detector assembly has a current generating detector portion connected to a cable portion. The detector portion includes an emitter wire, one end of which is electrically connected to the cable wire.    The wires are placed in a tubular metal sheath with insulator between them. The dia. of the assembly is reduced while the sheath and wires are elongated and the insulator is compacted. The end of the emitter wire is trimmed and the sheath is hermetically sealed at the adjacent end, with insulator between the wire and the seal.    The detector produces signals as a function of incident neutron or gamma radiation flux, without requiring a drive potential. The method of prodn. allows accurate determination of emitter dia. and length, thereby controlling radiation sensitivity.
(JP92051983-B)      Photosensor is manufactured by forming a photoconductor film (I) of amorphous material chiefly of silicon and contg. hydrogen on a substrate, forming a transparent conductive film (II) on film (I) by sputtering, and heating the coated substrate at 140-280 deg. C, pref. 170-250 deg. C.    The substrate may be treated, before formation of film (I), by forming a number of opaque metal electrodes to form a one-dimensional array electrode on the insulating substrate, or by forming switches arranged in a two-dimensional array, each switch having a ternal exposed on the surface of the semiconducting substrate. (J58068965-A
(GB2095030-B)      Photoconductive article comprises (a) a support; (b) an amorphous photoconductive layer on the support, comprising a matrix of Si ats., pref. with H and/or halogen ats., having a layer region contg. 0 ats.; where the 0 content is distributed unevenly in the direction of layer thickness; and pref. (c) an intermediate, esp. barrier, layer between the support and amorphous layer; and/or (d) an upper, esp. barrier, layer over the amorphous photoconductive layer.    The article is useful as an image-forming plate for electrophotography, or solid state image pick up devices or reading devices. It has stable photoconductive, optical and electrical characteristics, with high sensitivity over a wide spectral range and no deterioration on repeated use. It provides excellent electrophotographic images, with clear half tone and high definition, even in high humidity. (29pp)    (DE3143764-C)      Electrophotographic recording material has a layer support and a photoconductable layer (I) comprising amorphous material. (I) contains Si-atoms, as matrix, and opt. H-atoms. (I) has, in part(s) a layer area (II) contg. O-atoms. The content of the O -atoms is non-uniformly distributed in (II) in the direction of the thickness of (I). (I) can contain halogen atoms as well as or instead of H-atoms. Pref. (II) has a max. value of the content of the O-atoms in the distribution profile of the content of the O-atoms in the direction of the thickness of (I).    ADVANTAGE -   New material has high dark resistance, and high photosensitivity. (29pp)
(US4463279-A)      Photoconductive film has a Se based layer with a Te-contg. region in a direction of the thickness. This region and/or an adjacent region in a direction of hole flow to the Te-contg. region is doped with a Gp. II, III, or VII element or the oxide or fluoride, and which forms a negative space charge in Se. The amt. of doping is 10 ppm - 1wt.%.    Pref. the oxide is CuO, In2O3, SeO2, V2O5, MoO3 and WO3, the fluoride is GaF3 or InF3, and the element is Zn, Ga, In, Cl, I, or Br.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Image pick-up tube target. After-image effects are reduced. (11pp)d
(US4431475-A)      Doped semiconductor workpieces are made in a closed system by epitaxial growth of a doped monocrystalline layer on a monocrystalline body (A) by a transfer reaction from a semiconductor (B) serving as source material in the presence of gaseous dopant. The two semiconductors A and B are positioned in the closed system in a contact-free way. A temp. gradient is maintained in the direction of material transfer of not more than 1 deg. C/mm. The prod. has a thickness of at least 100 microns.    Pref. the semiconductor material is Si and the dopant is pref. a gp. VI element or a gp. III element iodide. The transfer promoting agent is pref. iodine.    Relatively thick doped layers are obtd. (5pp)
(US4495424-A)      The plant includes fluid flow engines for utilising both wind and wave energies, and generating power therefrom. Each engine includes blades for making use of the energy of the wind, and a float for making use of the energy of the waves. The engines operate a common turbogenerator, and a floating carrier receives the turbogenerator. A low-loss power transmission is provided for transmitting power generated by the engines to the turbogenerator.    The transmission includes a pressure vessel adapted to store water under pressure to drive the turbogenerator, a conduit to pass the water under pressure to the vessel, and a pump driven by the engines to draw in the water from a water source, and to deliver it through the conduit to the vessel.    ADVANTAGE -   Plant is anchored rotatably so it always faces in correct orientation w.r.t. wind and waves. Does not require complicated constant frequency control. (17pp)
(US4461278-A)      A lens is mounted on a frame for focussing solar light in the frame on the axis of parallel holes. A light guide cable comprises a number of fibres, the fibres having light receiving and radiating end faces. Two groups of fibres have light receiving ends extending into one or more of the holes.    The positions of the receiving faces of the first group are adjusted along the axis of each corresponding hole so light of a selected spectral distribution is focussed on it. Similarly the positions of the second group are adjusted, but in a different plane for a second selected spectral distribution. The fibres of the two groups are interspersed in the cable, so that the desired region is illuminated with light of both distributions.    ADVANTAGE -   Allows light components of various colours to be selectively transmitted in greater amounts. (7pp)
(EP62481-B)      In an ocean thermal energy conversion system (OTEC) the power plant is based on the utilisation of the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and cooler subsurface seawater. Pref. warm surface seawater is used to vapourise a working fluid. The vapour is used to drive turbine generators. After the vapour has passed through the turbines, cool subsurface seawater is used to condense the vapour thus completing the working fluid cycle.    The underwater land formation (10) in addition to being composed of a hard stable material, in order to permit the system to be adopted there should be sufficient clearance between the bottom opening (86) of the conduit (50) and the seabed such that an accumulation of rubble (42) will not block theening. Pref. the opening (86) should be located approximately 500 to 1000 metres in depth.
(GB2095337-B)      The unit converts wave energy directly into rotary motion for the generation of electrical power. It comprises a sectionalised rotor and an inlet hopper both supported by girders forming a boom which spans two pontoons. In use the boor is set at about 30 degrees to the crests of the approaching waves. Each wave enters the hopper via flap valves and is then deflected by wall surface so that the foremost section of the wave is directed downwardly into the rotor where the rest of the wave is directed upwardly to momentarily provide a potential energy store before passing down through the rotor.    The water is discharged from the rotor into the wave trough via flap valve. The rotor sections are interconnected by flexible couplings and drive a DC generator through a gearbox system. Several units may be linked together and function additionally as a barrier or breakwater. (10pp)
(GB2094499-B)      The device comprises a heliostat having an axicon-shaped geometry with a cylindrical captor coaxial to the axis of the axicon. A heliostate supporting cradle is mounted on a fixed frame in such a manner that it can rotate about an axis parallel to the earth polar axis. The heliostat is pivoted to the cradle in such a manner as to be able to turn around about an axis perpendicular to the cradle rotation axis.    A cradle operating reversible synchronous motor with a reduction gear and a heliostat operating threaded rod engaging in nut are interlocked with in order to impart to the heliostat a combined movement in directions perpendicular to each other, according to a pre-set program. (11pp)
(DE3048942-C)      The device uses two partially filled containers (1,2): one divided to provide two successive storage chambers (11,12) and the other having at least one storage chamber (16). The former two chambers communicate with the latter chamber (16) via a feed and return line (3,4) respectively.    The return line (4) has a non-return valve (4c) adjacent the second container (2) which is arranged horizontally behind the first container (1). The passage between the two chambers (11,12) within the latter incorporates a turbine (14) driven by the circulating flow between the contains caused by their up and down movement due to the wave motion.
(DE3037777-C)      The electrical generator uses waste heat from heating or nuclear plant, solar heat energy or geothermal energy. It is powered by a turbine driven by vaporised Frigen 11 (RTM) circulated around a thermodynamic circuit with a pair of heat exchangers and a condenser and absorber.    The heat obtained by solar heating, waste heat extraction etc. is fed to one coil of each heat exchanger via a circulation pump which is driven by the electricity provided by the generator. The generator is designed for energy conservation. (6bp)
(US4441316-A)      The device has a body (21) defining at least one chamber (22) which is square or rectangular in plan and is open at the bottom to a liquid (13) in which the device floats. A column (24) of the liquid is defined in the chamber, and a duct (26) above the chamber houses an air turbine (27) driven by bi-directional air flow. An obturator in the form of a rotatable valve (29) is located at the junction of the duct with the chamber for controlling air flow through the duct.S A wave gauge (31) extends downwardly from the top of the chamber (22) and pressure transducers (32,33) are located at the front and at the rear bottom of the body. By predicting the behaviour of the wave excitation force, from its immediate past history as measured by the pressure transducers the opening of the valve may be timed so that when the liquid column resumes its reciprocating motion its velocity is in phase with the wave excitation force. (11pp)n
(GB2088017-B)      The device is for converting mechanical power associated with rectilinear reciprocation to mechanical energy associated with rotary motion, comprising a cylindrical body the outer cylindrical surface of which supports one or more parallel threads having a helical outline along a portion of its length. A body having a cylindrical hollow space contains and supports in its interior a screw-threadcomplementary to that of the cylindrical body first named.    The two bodies are arranged coaxially the one within the other as a screw and a nut but without any contact. A magnetic gap, is maintained between the confronting threads; and one or more conductors are arranged in hollow spaces formed through the surface which are not parallel to the axis of the cylindrical bodies of at least one of the threads.
(DE3141789-C)      The solar energy concentrator is partic. used for concentrating solar radiation impinging on the working surface of a phototransducer. The concentrator is of prismatic shape with separate surfaces for inlet, reflection and outlet of solar radiation. A film (5) of material with a generated spatial hologram is deposited on the inlet surface (2) and/or on the reflection surface (3).    On the inlet surface the hologram is of transmission type, while on the reflection surface it is of a reflection type. In each case it is so constructed that the radiation impinges into the prism (1) under a total reflection angle (theta). Pref. the angle (phi) between the inlet and reflection surfaces equals at least a half of the angular deviation of the Bragg angle at which the refraction effectiveness of the hologram is at a minimum.
(GB2086492-B)      The apparatus comprises a positive displacement pump (15) which is driven by the sea waves. The quantity of delivery of this pump is adjustable in accordance with the lengths of strokes made by the ocean waves. This is made possible in that the positive displacement pump comprises pistons (29,30,31) having different volume displacements.    The height of the incoming waves is measured by a diaphragm cell (141) connected to a control apparatus (18) which generates signals such that only that piston of the group of pistons is made to operate, which has by design a volume displacement which gives the optimal recovery of the energy of the ocean waves. The piston(s) pump a working fluid into a storage vessel, which allows the generation of peak load as well as base load electrical energy.    (US4426197-A)      The apparatus comprises at least one positive displacement pump, which is driven by the sea waves. The quantity of delivery of this pump is adjustable in accordance with the lengths of strokes made by the ocean waves. This is made possible in that the positive displacement pump comprises pistons having different volume displacements.    The height of the incoming waves is measured by a membrane box connected to a transducer which generates signals such that only that piston or the pistons is made to operate, which has by design a volume displacement which gives the optimal recovery of the energy of the ocean waves. The or these pistons pump a working fluid into a storage vessel, which allows the generation of peak load as well as base load electrical energy. (10pp)
(US4438760-A)      The reflector has a foil with a surface of specular reflection and having a contour and configuration of a paraboloidal sector. It has accordingly a leading edge and a trailing edge and a plane of symmetry. A wing-like structure of which the upper surface is transparent is provided above and below the foil, there being a lower surface accordingly completing, with the upper surface, an aerodynamic, lift producing profile.    A rudder and support structure extend upward from the profile, in the plane of symmetry, and contoured so that the rudder support structure includes a focal area for the paraboloid. The rudder support structure is provided for receiving radiation concentrated by the reflecting foil in the focal area. (6pp)i
(DE3039030-C)      Breakers dissipating high energy are exploited for power generation. The air, enclosed between the wave ridges is fed, together with water in a pressure container, the enclosed air being used for delivery of the water to a higher level, possibly after compression. For this purpose a wave breaker (10) is used for enclosing the air between the wave ridges (28).    At the breaker end is a passage (14) to a pressure container (16) for water and air. In the passage is mounted a non-return valve (12), preventing back flow. The lower region of the pressure container pref. contains a riser (18) to a water reservoir (20) at a higher level. A second riser (22) may connect to the breaker passage, through which water is entrained by surging air to be lifted to a higher level.
(DE3137503-C)      The plant has an expansion evaporisation chamber to which heated water drawn from underground. It is formed by a horizontal cylinder (11) closed by end plates (17,18) at either end one of which is hemispherical. The injection jet (13) for the heated water faces the latter end plate (17). The interior of the cylinder (11) contains a pair of spaced apertured partition plates (22,24) and an apertured horizontal base plate (20) through which the water droplets fall, with a drain outlet (16) in the bottom of the cylinder.    A team outlet (15) near the second end plate (18) feeds the produced steam to a turbine. The evaporisation chamber provides relatively dry steam.
(DE3032732-C)      The support structure, has vertical support arms (4) and horizontal support rails (5), with each reflector (6) attached by elastic fixing elements to the support rails (5) and/or the support arms (4). The support structure has determined differing degrees of flexibility at the points of attachment of the reflectors (6) to allow the latter to tip slightly to compensate the deformation of the support structure due to its wind resistance, thus maintaining their original orientation to the sun.    Pref. a rigid mast (1) supports a horizontal cross beam (2) in turn supporting two support arms (4). The reflectors (6) are attached to the latter in pairs via horizontal support rails (5), with springs of differing flexibility attaching the reflectors (6) to the support rails (5).
(EP47213-B)      The mechanism is used for extending and retracting a solar panel attached to a satellite and includes a swinging arm (9A) to which is attached a V-shaped extension (9B). The panel (1c) is hinged to the free ends of the two arms of the extension so that it can be swung inwards, and housed inside a container along the side of the satellite when retracted.    The arm and extension are designed so that the shadow of the satellite does not fall on the panel when it is extended. The extension is secured by a hinge to the angled end of the arm which is attached at the other end to a control member (8) so that the panel is swung through an angle as it is extended and retracted. The appts. occupies a minimal amount of space when retracted, the articulated elements being fitted inside each other. The coordination of the deployment of the members is assured by a system of cables.
(EP47212-B)      The method is used for controlling a space craft travelling along an elliptical path between the earth and the sun and includes operating a of solar panels extending on opposite side. Each panel is attached to a container, which in the fully retracted position are supported against the body of the space craft. They are extended by a parallelogram linkage with the upper two arms connected to the container and the lower two arms connected to a drive. This operates so that when the drive is rotated to follow the direction of the sun, the panels are raised and lowered.    A drive shaft (5) projecting from a side of the craft (Sp) carries a bevel gear wheel (6) on its end. This rotates against two bevel wheel segments (7,8) formed on the ends of the two lower arms. The system is connected also by a spindle (9) through the drive shaft, connected to a spindle (13) at right angles. The spindle passes through the axes of rotation of the two segments.
(US4454890-A)      The system includes an absorber panel having an inlet and an outlet connected to a water supply tank. A valve is located in both the inlet and outlet connections and the inlet valve is temperature responsive so as to close when the temperature of the panel contents falls below a first predetermined temperature. The outlet valve may be temperature or flow responsive so as to close under the temperature or flow conditions prevailing when the inlet valve closes for isolating the panel from the tank.    A temperature responsive dump valve is connected to the panel and opens when the temperature of the panel contents falls below a second predetermined temperature which is lower than the first predetermined temperature and empties the panel contents. The inlet and dump valves are formed by a single combination valve having a temperature responsive element which controls both a primary valve member and a secondary valve member. (10pp)
(DE3030389-C)      The appts. converts the energy of the flow of water into potential energy by pumping it, e.g. for irrigation, or into electrical energy, using direct or indirect conversion systems. It carries several large paddle wheels in rows. The vessel has an open deck allowing the transverse mounting of a number of rotating wheels on axles and drums. These are turned by the flowing water via turbine buckets and side plates.    The wheels carry large gear rings for the transmission of the energy of their rotation and tyres allowing the ship to be moved on land and in shallow water. The ship is anchored by the bow so that it cannot move in the direction of the flow of water.    (6pp)
(EP47223-B)      A configuration for the recovery of ground heat with vertically arranged heat-exchange elements, and with at least one collector line for the heat transfer fluid, to be installed in the ground to run horizontally in the vicinity of the surface of the earth, for the purpose of connecting the heat-exchange elements with a heat utilisation system, as well as with means for return of heat from near the surface of the earth down to deeper layers of the ground, which said configuration is characterized by the fact that the means for return of heat to deep in the ground consist of the following: Installation of the collector line as a heat transfer device in relation to the ground near the surface, and Provision of a control unit by means of which the heat-transfer fluid is pumped through the collector line and the heat-exchange elements by a circulating pump even while the heat pump is switched off. (10pp)
(GB2082687-B)      The wave energy device (10) incorporates at least one stabilising chamber (40) for influencing the motion of the device (10) in response to waves. The stabilising chamber (40) is open at the bottom to the sea, and has a closable port (41) at the top of the stabilising chamber (40) for controlling air flow into and out of the stabilising chamber (40) resulting from changes in level of the seawater inside the stabilising chamber (40).    Appropriate timing of an opening and closing sequence of the port (41) is used to produce air pressure forces in the stabilising chamber acting on the device in a manner to control the heave and pitch components of the motion of the device. Pref. chamber is provided at the bows and/or at the stern of the device, and the chamber(s) might define a water plane area of about 10% of the water plane of the device. The ports may comprise a number of hinged louvres, with electric drive units for controlling the position of the louvres in response to the signal.
(US4444468-A)      The solar beam collector collects and condenses solar beams to introduce them into light guides or conductors. To ensure that almost all components of the white light and other radiations including ultra-violet and infra-red rays are introduced into the light guides, parabolic mirrors are employed in order to converge all of the solar beams having various wave lengths at the inlet of the light guides. Thus the problem of chromatic aberration is avoided.    The solar beam collector is compact in size and comprises a first parabolic mirror for converging the arriving solar beams and a second parabolic mirror for condensing the beams from the first mirror into parallel beams. A third parabolic mirror converges the parallel beams from the second mirror at a fixed focus. The inlet end of a light guide is placed at the focus of the third mirror. (8pp)f
(EP46100-B)      The solar mirror comprises contiguous panels (1) supported at their longer edges by flexible elastomer holders (2) carried on a trelliswork arrangement of parallel girder frames (3), perpendicular to the plane of the panels, and integral with a single beam (4) of circular section. The beam (4) is mounted in pivoting fashion at the ends of arms (5) about a horizontal axis (X-X) w.r.t. the upper part of a fixed upright base (6). Stretcher cables (7) equipped with eyelets (8) interconnect the frames (3) to form a rigid structure.    The part of the frame adjacent to the rear face of the panels features a hollow girder with a split yoke engaging the core of a T-section profile, which is bent to suit the curvature of the mirror, and whose branches carry the holders (2). The structure is less costly than prior systems and the positions of joists are more easily adjustable on site.
(US4452046-A)      The system is for obtaining energy by fluid flows resembling those of a natural cyclone or anti-cyclone. It comprises a cyclonic conversion tower constituted by a group of convectors all situated round an axis toward which there are directed vortical membranes or screens contained in trumpet-shaped revolution bodies. At its top or bottom the conversion tower optionally bears deflectors or diffusers which increase output.    Devices for conversion of electrical or mechanical energy from the kinetic energy of the flow are located at both the top and the base of the tower of convectors. The convection tower optionally is situated on a base which permits the passage of solar radiation with the aim of utilising its energy. The assembly is completed by a conventional heating system for alternative use. (16pp)
(US4446378-A)      The system uses a floating body comprising two oblong boat-shaped floating supports which are connected by a lower platform, and a main deck. Between these two elements an impeller with a horizontal axis is provided for transmitting the motion of the impeller to an installation for converting the kinetic energy into electrical energy.    The system regulates and concentrates the current seawater towards the impeller and the seawater reaches the impeller at an increased rate as compared to that in the surroundings. A gate is provided in front of the impeller for allowing the access of the water to the impeller to be controlled as required. The impeller has a width of 100m and a diameter of 20m. In the region of the impeller plate-shaped supports are provided between the lower platform and the main deck, which divide the vanes of the impeller into various sectors. The plates stiffen and brace the whole structure, particularly in the region of the moving impeller. (11pp)
(GB2100532-B)      The electric power generating apparatus, utilizing centrifugal force and having advantage over hydro-electric power generators with regard to capital installation requirements and geographic availability restrictions, comprises a set of concentric guide tracks (1) one or more trolleys (2) arranged to run around each guide track, and a number of energy generating modules (5) freely moveable in a centrifugal path outwardly over successive trolleys.    Each module carries a battery (8) to be charged by a generator (7) driven by a pinion (6) from ratchets (3) on the trolley surfaces. When the module reaches the edge of the apparatus, energy is extracted, e.g. by microwave transmission and reception (18) and the module is transported back to the centre of the apparatus and placed on the innermost trolley (2A) at a station (4).
(US4657355-A)      The device for changing the width and direction of light comprises a transparent Fresnel plate having a surface with a number of minute parallel ridges having sloped faces. The Fresnel plate is positioned with the surface facing a light ray source for receiving incident light rays from it across a predetermined width of the plate in a direction transverse to the ridges. The sloped faces of the ridges are oriented in a direction and at an angle to the incident light rays for reflecting the light rays reaching the faces from the light ray source in a path of reflection which has a width transverse to the path which is smaller than the predetermined width and which is at an angle to the incident light rays.    An energy collector is disposed in the path of reflection for receiving the reflected rays from the sloped faces and collecting the energy of the light rays. A transparent second Fresnel plate id is disposed in the path of reflection between the sloped faces and the energy collector, the second Fresnel plate having ridges parallel with and facing the sloped faces.    ADVANTAGE -   Can be produced by quantity production at relatively low price. (13pp)
(US4530576-A)      The refractor comprises a group of prismatic elements on one side of a plane which is perpendicular to the refractor, and a second group of prismatic elements on the other side of the plane. The two groups of elements are made of a transparent material of such a form as to refract light rays passing through the elements towards the plane. Each of the elements has a different size and different power of refraction.    The refractor is capable of concentrating solar energy striking it, into an absorber of substantially smaller area than the exposed area of the refractor, with a sustained concentration ratio equal to or greater than 2. (8pp)
(EP64917-B)      The satellite is equipped with symmetrical deployable solar panels (17,18) whose folding axes (19a) are parallel to its longitudinal axis (15). The apogee motor places it in an intermediate transfer orbit (3) in which it is stabilised about three axes. The power required in this orbit and for injection into a final geostationary orbit is obtd. from exposure of symmetrical portions of panel corresp. to each of two photovoltaic generators. Full deployment is commanded only when the apogee motor has ceased to operate.    Special sun sensors (20) may be used to counteract loss of performance with the major axis of the transfer orbit inclined at 15 deg. or more to the direction of the sun.
(US4495408-A)      A nontransparent flange is in an upper end of a cylindrical body. A photosensor is located on the nontransparent flange. One pair of photosensors are symmetrically arranged at a lower end of the cylindrical body so that inner edges of the second and third photosensors correspond to an inner periphery of the flange. A ratio of a width of a luminous flux falling incident on the second or third photosensor to an overall width being measured from the inner edge of the corresp. sensor. A = (S-T)/(W.F-2T) where F(mV) is an output signal generated in response to a total amount of luminous flux incident on the first sensor, S1 (mV) is an output signal generated in response to an amount of direct and indirect luminous flux incident on the second photosensor, T2 (mV) is an output signal generated in response to an amount of indirect luminous flux incident on the third photosensor, and W is the ratio of the output signals from the first and second photosensors when luminous flux is incident on the entire surfaces of the first and second photosensors. (12pp)
(DE3130095-C)      The compressed air generator has a float pivoted to a floating artificial island and coupled to a cylinder attached at the opposite end to an oscillating pivot element. The motion of the latter is transferred directly or indirectly to at least one high pressure compression cylinder. The working spaces of each compression cylinder are coupled to high pressure stores and low pressure stores within the artificial island.    The pivot element comprises a hollow pivot beam supported at its centre and partially filled with liquid, with one end of at least one high pressure compression cylinder secured to each of its ends, the other end of each compression cylinder attached to the artificial island. The generated compressed air can be used to operate current generators. (64pp)
(US4465734-A)      Composite mirror panel is made by bonding a first backing sheet water-tight to the mirror rear surface, the backing sheet including a vitreous sheet carrying a radiation-reflective coating on its rear side.    The laminate and a second backing sheet are located between dies, and the space between laminate and sheet is injected with foamable plastic material which is then foamed to form the composite mirror panel. Pref. the foamable material is polyurethane, and the first backing sheet is steel.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Weatherproof mirror esp. for solar energy collection. (8pp)C    (JP93048443-B)      Composite mirror panel is made by bonding a first backing sheet water-tight to the mirror rear surface, the backing sheet including a vitreous sheet carrying a radiation-reflective coating on its rear side.    The laminate and a second backing sheet are located between dies, and the space between laminate and sheet is injected with foamable plastic material which is then foamed to form the composite mirror panel. Pref. the foamable material is polyurethane, and the first backing sheet is steel.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Weatherproof mirror esp. for solar energy collection. (J58035360-A)
(US4435043-A)      Composite mirror panel is formed by laminating a flexible waterproof backing sheet to the rear of a flexible vitreous sheet having a reflective coating on its rear face.    A corrugated backing sheet is bonded to the first backing sheet along crests of the corrugations to form a panel, which is flexible about axes parallel to the corrugations.    The backing sheets are pref. of metal. Low cost solar energy collectors can be mfd. . (7pp)p    (DE3216845-C2)      Flexible mirror lies flat out of load and is formed from a laminate (6) having a front glass (1) backed in reflecting rear side (2) and bound here waterproofly to a first support plate (5, 12). A second support plate (8) had identically orientated ribs (9, 10) to whose surfaces facing the rear of the first plate (5, 12) the first plate firmly bonded to give a combined mirror arrangement flexing round axes parallel to the ribs. Pref. first support plate (5, 12) and the ribbed plate (8) are metal, specifically steel or Al or Al alloy.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Solar energy collectors. Collector mirror flexes to requirement and holds adjusted setting, is easy to assemble and less sensitive to tolerance margin.
(DE3020355-C)      Reflector body of the type used in electromagnetic etc. wave transmission engineering and in solar energy engineering has a surface approximating to a section of a paraboloid of rotation and is designed to overcome the high costs involved in earlier models for the tensioning ring and the necessity of maintaining a minimum differential pressure.    Thus, the intermediate space between the two membranes stretched tightly in a tensioning device is filled with a single- or multi-phase curing material, pref. a synthetic resin material, or a foamed resin, that is made to flow during equal deformation of the two membranes and the resultant differential pressure, and then hardened by subsequent deformation of the membranes to form a rigid, compound body comprising the membranes and the filler that retains its shape after removal of the differential pressure and which can be then released from the tensioning device.
(US4511618-A)      A reflecting panel for a solar concentrator comprises a glass mirror sheet less than 2 mm thick and having a reflective coating on its rear surface, and a thicker flat glass backing sheet bonded to the mirror rear surface. The drawing direction of the mirror sheet is transverse to that of the backing sheet.    The mirror sheet is pref. of drawn glass 0.6-1.5 mm thick and the baking sheet is of float glass 5-6mm thick and laminated to the mirror sheet via the face which contacted the metal bath in the float tank. The bonding material is pref. thermoplastic foil with an adhesive coating. The reflective coating is pref. of silver and is covered by a copper and a paint layer followed by a water proof coating.    ADVANTAGE -   Minimises energy absorption without increasing mirror fragility. (6pp)3    (DE3214853-C)      Plate reflector comprises one or more plate mirrors each less than 2 mm thick as glass plates with reflecting layer one side and a flat glass support plate to which the mirrors are laminated so that their reflecting sides face the support plate. The glass mirror plates should each be 0.6-1.5 mm thick, the support plate (7) 4 mm thick and made of float glass. One or more mirror plates and the support plate are connected so the drawing direction of the mirror plate is at right angles to that of the support (7). Pref. the mirror plates are joined to the support plate side which was in contact with the metal melt in the float tank.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Solar reflectors e.g. heliostat technology. Reflector withstands weather in large area planar design using thin low-absorbing mirrors laminated to thick support to strengthen product.
(DE3103936-C)      Light-collecting systems consisting of polymers are dyed, esp. with fluorescent dyes, by diffusion of dye into the pre-formed polymer article. The polymer is esp. polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene or cellulose acetate. The dye is diffused from (1) soln., or (2) gas phase.    (1) The dye, e.g. 3-acetylperylene, is dissolved in a solvent which is inert to the polymer, e.g. methanol, and the polymer part is immersed in the soln. At room temp. the penetration of 3-acetylperylene into PMMA from methanol soln. is about 2 mm after 1 week. The diffusion depends on the solvent, e.g. tert. butylated rubicen does not diffuse into PMMA from a pentane soln., but has the same diffusion rate as 3-acetylperylene from a methanol soln.    The polymers are used in light-concentrating and light-conducting systems. The dye is not thermally or chemically stressed. Aged samples can be redyed. Dyed polymers can be dyed with a second colour. The polymer can be dyed locally. A colour concn. profile e.g. to form layers, can be obtd. by choice of diffusion conditions. The surface of the polymer is not attacked.    (5pp)
(GB2089558-B)      A system for power generation includes a cavity beneath the earth's surface. The cavity contains energy at very high temps. which heats fractured rock surrounding the cavity. At least one passage connects the heated rock with a station at or just below the earth's surface. Material is conveyed down the passage to the rock zone.    The arrangement is intended for the conversion of waste material into useful power, esp. using nuclear explosives to initiate an energy producing reaction. The process is said to be efficient, cheap, safe, convenient and non-polluting. (9pp)
(DE3218970-C)      Solar energy is selectively absorbed by a substrate of Al or an Al alloy, the surface of which is roughened by electrolytic etching with alternating current. The material can be passed continuously as foil strip through an electrolytic etching bath, current being applied with a frequency of 10-300 Hz. The surface is given a selectively blackened coating by oxidn., anodising, or sputtering. A pref. substrate is high -purity hard Al sheet.    ADVANTAGE -   Good and uniform absorption properties, process being adaptable to large scale mfr. (9pp)
(DE3117099-C)      A device for converting hydromechanical energy into electrical energy comprises metallised piezo electric high polymer foil; the foil is wound into a cable, clamps are attached to its ends for the fixing of electrical terminals and mechanical holding devices, and one end of the cable is anchored on the sea bed while the other end is attached to a float.    The movement of the float under the action of waves stretches the cable and produces electrical charges, which generate electricity due to the capacitance of the foil. The electricity is used for charging an accumulator.    A cable of adjustable length may be connected between the top of the generator cable and the float, and the length of this adjustable cable is automatically varied by a servo motor to give the highest output voltage. (6pp)
(GB2093263-B)      A fuel cell block comprising a stack of intermediate hollow elements maintained between two end elements, wherein each intermediate hollow element comprises a frame, partitions arranged parallel to one side of the frame and regularly spaced so as to define adjacent housings, and porous plates of electrically conductive material disposed perpendicularly to the partitions at two different levels, and wherein the width of the plates is substantially twice that of a housing, the plates define three superposed compartments in each housing, the portions of the plates between two adjacent partitions are coated with a catalyst or catalysts to form electrodes and to provide for electro -chemical reactions - in use - between a fuel and an oxidant in the presence of an electrolyte, at least some of the plates located between a partition and the frame in which they are disposed have current collecting lugs that extend outside of the fuel cell block, and ducts are arranged in the frames in communication with the compartments to provide for the supply of the compartments with oxidant, fuel or electrolyte.
(GB2090046-B)      The process reduces electrolyte loss from electrochemical cells, each cell having electrolyte adjacent to a gas diffusion type porous electrode. During operation the electrolyte evaporates into a reactant gas stream flowing through the cell in operable relationship to the electrode and to the electrolyte. The process involves the step of cooling the gas stream in a condensation zone within each cell adjacent to the reactant gas outlet of each cell so as to condense at least some of the electrolyte vapour from the gas stream back into the respective electrode of each cell prior to the gas stream leaving the cell.    The condensed-out electrolyte is redistributed within the cell by diffusion and/or bulk flow within the electrode. The cooling step includes reducing the amount of heat generated by a cell in the condensation zone by preventing the cell electrochemical reaction from occurring in that zone. The cooling step also includes passing all of the reactant gas stream through the pores of a portion of the porous electrode disposed in the condensation zone. (6pp)    (DE3148790-C)      In fuel cells, in which electrolyte is liquid during operation, the cells have a gas diffusion anode (22) and cathode (24). Fuel gas passes through channels (34) of the anode, while air flows through channels (44) of the cathode. Electrolyte e.g. phosphoric acid evaporates into the gas streams, which are cooled in a condensation zone near the gas outlet.    At least part of the electrolyte is condensed from the gas stream into the cell. It is distributed within the cell by diffusion and/or direct flow within the electrode.    ADVANTAGE -   Operation is not affected and corrosion is avoided. (6pp)
(DE3043692-C)      The source includes series, or series and parallel, fuel cells or batteries, each cell or battery having its own gas supply. In the gas supply conduits there are controllable valves, respective like poled outputs of the series connected fuel cells, or fuel batteries, being connected through an electrical valve with a like denoted busbar.    The electrical valves are pref. formed as controllable diodes. Each fuel cell unit has its own gas supply in the form of a gas supply lead (28,29) for oxygen and hydrogen.    ADVANTAGE -   Operates quietly and avoids large electronic power supply. (6pp)m
(DE3121698-C)      A battery operater loading vehicle esp. for the mining industry, has a loading device arranged at the front end of the vehicle chassis, as well as an electric traction motor A battery box is carried by the vehicle chassis, which can be lifted off by means of a lifting unit. Horizontal axis bearings (50,51) are provided for the swivelable pivoting of the lifting unit at the vehicle chassis.    A power drive (56) is arranged between the vehicle chassis and the lifting unit, to swivel this about the bearing means (50,51). A lifting frame (47) forms a part of the lifting unit, which extends backwards from the chassis, and forms a support (52) for the battery case (17), which can be swivelled with the switching on of the power drive (56).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Mining industry. Use not restricted to coal mines, shape and size permits use in ore seams. Improved handling and replacement of bastteries. (10pp)
(DE3022802-C)      The storage system has a hydrogen fuel cell to which hydrogen evaporating from the liquid-hydrogen storage tank is passed. The fuel cell converts this evaporated hydrogen into electrical energy which is then used to cool the storage tank. The energy produced drives a refrigerator that cools the radiation shield around the storage tank.    If the liquid hydrogen is being used as fuel for a vehicle then a part of the electrical energy derived from the evaporated hydrogen is used to recharge the vehicle's battery. The refrigerator may be thermoelectric or a linearly-oscillating Stirling engine. (12pp)
(US4569890-A)      Coal is gasified under pressure to produce a raw gas contg. hydrogen, CO, steam, unsatd. hydrocarbons, HCN and organic S cpds. The raw gas is scrubbed, cooled, then fed to a catalytic shift converter process which converts CO and steam to CO2 and H2, hydrogenates the hydrocarbons and decomposes or hydrogenates HCN and organic S cpds. The S cpds. are removed and all the resulting fuel gas mixt. contg. hydrogen is supplied to a fuel cell which is also supplied with O2. Electrochemical reaction takes place in the fuel cell to oxidise (part of) the H2 in the fuel gas mixt. with O2 to produce electric energy and steam. The obtd. fuel gas mixt and steam are removed from the fuel cell unit. The steam is sepd.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Heating value of fuel gas mixts. contg. H2 gas is increased to at least 17.58 MJ/m3 and its specific gravity is increased to at least 0.4. The highly efficient process maximises energy recovery.
(EP64226-B)      A potassium pased cpd. (I) is claimed which is a white powder of fine granular structure comprising more than 60 wt.% up to 95 wt.% beta-double-prim. alumina. The cpd. is prepd. by mixing together cpds. of Na, K and/or Mg and Al sulphate, dissolving them in water, atomising the soln., freezing the spray and freeze drying and calcining the particles formed.    Cpd. (I) is pref. of formula K+-beta"-Al2O3. It is esp. prepd. by mixing together (by wt.) 1-3% Na2CO3, 8.2-11.5% K2CO3, 2.0% MgSO4 and 85.2-86.9 Al2(SO4)3, forming a soln., atomising it, freezing and freeze drying at 195.8 deg.C or below, pref. in liquid nitrogen.    The potassium of the cpd. (I) can readily be exchanged for hydroxonium ions to form hydroxonium beta-double-prim. alumina (II) which is useful as a proton conductor in fuel cells. (II) is obtained in polycrystalline form which is preferred for fuel cell use and which is difficult to obtain by other methods. (13pp)
(US4490464-A)      Electrode for electrochemical regeneration of coenzymes NADH, NADPH or their analogues comprises carbon or graphite to the surface of which is adsorbed a condensed aromatic ring system comprising phenaxazinium ions, phenoxazinones, phenothiazinium ions or phenothiazinones, substd. or unsubstd.    USE -   For regenerating coenzymes for biotechnical, microbiological or biochemical purposes, for improving performance of a biochemical fuel cell and for use in analysis. (17pp),
(US4428805-A)      Composite anode for O2 mfr. has an electrically conductive substrate covered by an interface coating and a polymetal Co spinel outer coating. The interface coating comprises a layer of Pb-, Sn-, Sb-, Al and/or In oxide. The spinel comprises MxZyCo3-(x+y)04, in which M is a Gp. Ib, IIa and/or IIb metal, Z is a Gp. IA metal, x is 0-1, y is 0-0.5, x+2y is 0-1, and M, Z and Co satisfy the valence requirements of oxygen in the structure.    The substrate ispref. Ti, Ta, Zr, Mo, Nb, W, Hf and/or V (alloys).    Useful in the electrolysis of alkaline, neutral or acid solns. or non-aq. solns.. (5pp)
(US4493879-A)      Fuel cell has two gas diffusion electrodes and a matrix retaining phosphoric acid electrolyte. The matrix comprises at least one metal oxide which is electron-insulative and insoluble in phosphoric acid for enlarging the retention of the acid in the matrix, together with at least one polymer binder. The metal oxide used is a complex oxide contg. Zr and Se, P, or Si.    Pref. the matrix consists of at least one metal oxide and a fluoropolymer or phenolic resin as a binder.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell can be used for a long time without degradation. (7pp)
(DE3110792-C)      Fuel cell comprises a fuel compartment F with cathode membrane C adjacent to an acidic electrolyte E, in which an ion exchange membrane I is mounted adjacent to the anode A in contact with the oxidant or oxygen carrier O.    The fuel F is a lower oxyhydrocarbon liq. such as MeOH, EtOH, glycol, HCHO, MeCHO, HCOOH or oxalic acid soln. The cathode C is coated electrolytically with a terniary catalyst contg. Ru (30-35 wt.%), Sn (2-7 wt.%) and Pt (to make 100 wt.%). The electrolyte E is an aq. soln. of H2SO4, H3PO4 or CF3-SO3H, or their mixts. The oxidant O is air. A typical output is 30-60 mA/cm2 at about 0.4-0.6 V for about 2000 hr. (5pp)g
(GB2094835-B)      Pure water is electrolysed in an electrolytic cell divided into an anode compartment (I) and a cathode compartment (II) by a cation exchange membrane (III), pure water being supplied to (I) to generate oxygen in (I) and hydrogen in (II). (III) is a graft copolymer of a fluorovinyl sulphonic acid monomer and a membranous polymeric substrate having monomer units CH2=CXY; where X is H, F or Me; and Y is H of F. (III) is used in contact with an anode and a cathode.    Pref the fluorovinyl sulphonic acid monomer has the formula CF2=CF-(CF2)n-SO2Z, R'-CF=CF-SO2Z, CF2=CF-(CFR2)m-CFH-SO2Z, CF2=CF-(O-CF2CFR3)l -O-CF2-CFR4-SO2Z, or CF2=CF-(CF2-CFR5-O)k -CF2-CFR6-SO2Z; where n is O or 2; , m is 1-5; l and k are 1-3; Z is F, OH, NH2, ONH4 or OM; M is alkali metal; R' and R2 areF or 1-5C perfluoralkyl; R3 and R5 are F or Me; and R4 and R6 are F or 1-10C perfluoroalkyl. Pref the substrate is polyethylene esp supported by a reinforcing material.    (III) has high performance in the electrolysis of pure water and can be mfd more cheaply than "Nation" (RTM) membranes. (III) has low electrical resistance, is not easily oxidised and deteriorates more slowly than known membranes. (6pp)
(US4445994-A)      Electrolysis cell for alkaline H2O electrolysis comprises an insulator between a pair of electrically conductive separator plates defining a cathode and an anode, two metallic meshes on opposite sides of a diaphragm, and two lattices of conductive support elements welded to the respective meshes.    The cathode and anode are in physical contact with the first mesh and lattice, and the second mesh and lattice respectively.    Cell has a long working life. (8pp)n    (DE3108255-C)      Building unit for electrolysis cells for alkali-water electrolysis, includes a diaphragm with porous active nickel electrodes on both sides of it, and support elements. The nickel electrodes comprise a fine nickel net filled with active nickel, which extend over the surface and which are welded to the support elements. The support elements are pref. mesh rods.    ADVANTAGE -   The arrangement is simple in construction and is efficient and reliable. (6pp)l
(JP93030029-B)      A unitary separator and spacer unit is for use in an electrochemical cell having electrodes. During operation, a circulating electrolyte flows in contact with the electrodes adjacent pairs of electrodes being separated and spaced apart by a respective unit. Unit comprises a single non-porous frame or border surrounding and defining the edges or borders of the faces of a non-perforated microporous web which is thinner than the frame or border in order to define or form either internal compartments or recesses forming at least part of such internal compartments between the unit and the adjacent electrodes when assembled with the latter so that circulating electrolyte can flow about said electrodes. Web is capable of providing ionic communication between adjacent compartments of the cell, a plurality of discrete pebble-shaped and/or rod-shaped projections extending from each face of the web and which projections are ionically either less conductive or substantially non-conductive for maintaining a spaced compartmental distance between unit and adjacent electrodes. All projections extending from one face of the web being directly opposite corresponding projections extending from the other face, the web being ion-selective. (J57199167-A)
(US4427749-A)      Photocatalyst for use in harnessing solar energy etc., comprising semiconductor material in the form of discrete particles of as a layer forming part of an electrode, is covered with a transparent layer of RuO2 and/or IrO2 which inhibits photo-corrosion of the material.    The semiconductor material is pref. CdS, CdSe, GaP, or Si. Pref. one surface of the semiconductor material is deprived of the transparent layer and is covered with material having a low overvoltage for the redn. of a cation, of water or CO2, more pref. Pt or Ni being used.    Used for conversion of solar energy into electrical energy or into a fuel such as H2. (6pp)1
(DE3218259-C)      A multi-celled gas generator with a filter press construction, esp. for producing explosive gas for a transportable welding device, includes a number of flat electrolysis chambers, a stack of flat electrodes and intermediate frames, insulating spacers, and connection channels. Inside the individual flat elements of the stack, slots are connected to one another via bore holes. The slot connection channels supply the electrolyte.    ADVANTAGE -   The generator is simple to produce and is easy to clean. (13pp)
(GB2105750-B)      A bioelectrocatalytic process in which electrons are transferred directly between, on the one hand, an electrode made of an electrically conductive substance and on the other hand, an electroactive biological material, characterised in that the electrically conductive substance contains therewithin a binding species comprising a charged functional gp., for orientation and chemical and reversible binding of the electrode to the electroactive biological material, the electroactive biological material having an oppositely charged gp., to that of the binding species.
(US4702894-A)      Appts. for generating H2 comprises a water tank contg. two charged metal electrodes, one of which is fed against the other to compensate for its consumption. Electrical discharge between the electrodes generates H2 and forms a metal oxide. Pref. both electrodes are of Al, and one is a wire fed endwise and the other a rotating drum.    USE -   On-vehicle H2 generator continuously supplies engine running on H2 and air mixt. (4pp)
(EP55016-B)      High temp. solid electrolyte fuel cells use a natural or synthetic fuel gas such as those containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane and a suitable oxidant such as oxygen or air to directly convert the chemical energy of the fuel into direct current electrical energy by means of electrochemical combustion with byproducts of water vapour and heat.    A fuel cell stack comprises a number of elongated annular fuel cells. The fuel cells are preferably tubular and are electrically connected in series. Each cell of the battery generates an open circuit voltage of approximately one volt and hundreds of cells can be connected in series to achieve the desired system voltage.    Surrounding the outer periphery of the cathode is a layer of gas-tight solid electrolyte comprised of yttria stabilised zirconia approx. 20 to 5 microns thick. (15pp)
(DE3041799-C)      Cell for the production of hydrogen and sulphuric acid from water and sulphur dioxide has an intermediate chamber which separates the anode from the cathode space and has electrolyte flowing through it; separators in the form of ion exchange membranes form the boundaries of this intermediate chamber. A porous supporting structure of ion exchange material is incorporated between these two separators.    Preferably, the entire intermediate chamber is filled by the porous ion exchange material support structure and the separators with the electrodes directly adjoining them bear flat against this structure. More specifically, the supporting structure is of the same material as the separators and firmly bonded to them.    Cell is used partic. for the electrolytic production of hydrogen and sulphuric acid by the sulphuric acid hybrid circuit process. Especially for the production of hydrogen as an energy carrier (fuel). It is found that, by incorporating an ion-conducting support structure between the separators, the internal resistance of a three-chamber electrolysis cell for hydrogen production can be reduced and the functioning rendered more efficient. In particular the migration of sulphur dioxide into the cathode space is prevented. (11pp)
(US4500647-A)      A laminated electrode is produced by (A) prepg. an active layer by intimately mixing carbon black with an aq. dispersion of PTFE particles, (B) drying the mixt. at 250-325 deg.C, (C) thoroughly incorporating into the dried mixt. sufficient de-ashed carbon particles impregnated with a small amt. of a precious metal catalyst to obtain a mixt. contg. 40-80 wt.% C particles, (D) fibrillating the mixt., and forming an active layer and (F) laminating the working surface of the active layer to a current distributer and the opposite surface to a porous, coherent, hydrophobic, wet proofing layer contg. PTFE.    The intimate mixt. pref. contains 25-50 wt.% of a pore forming bulking agent. The carbon black is acetylene black and has a particle size 5-300 nm, a surface area 25-300 m2/g and contains Ag ot Pt. The active C particles have a size 1-30 microns. Mixt. (A) consists of 65-75 pts. wt. carbon black and 35-25 pts. wt. PTFE particles.    ADVANTAGE -   The electrodes are stable under the corrosive conditions in chlor-alkali cells so satisfactory, stable and durable cells can be produced. (12pp)
(US4441977-A)      Electrolytic cell comprises (A) a first frame member housing an electrode, (B) a second frame member housing an electrode and (C) a separator between (A) and (B). First sealing means contacts a planar side of (A) and one side of (C). Second sealing means contacts a planar side of (B) and has level first and second portions sepd. by a raised portion. The raised portion contacts the other side of (C) with an area of contact less than that of the first sealing means with (C). (A) and (B) are pressed together against the sealing means and (C) to form a fluid tight.    The sealing means may be gaskets. The second sealing means may be of neoprene, Nypalon, EDPM or gum rubber elastomer.    Slippage between the sealing means and slippery surfaces of the separator wet with electrolytes such as NaOH is avoided. Gasket pressures and gasket frame surface structural forces can be controlled. (5pp)
(US4656735-A)      An electrolyte retaining matrix for use in a fuel cell is produced by contacting a self supporting felt or plate made of long alumina fibres with a lithium salt and then heating to form a lithium aluminate matrix. Finally alkali carbonate is impregnated into the matrix. Pref. the alumina fibres are initially sintered at 800-1600 deg.C to give the desired self supporting plate followed by heating at 400-750 deg.C when treated with the lithium salts.    ADVANTAGE -   The matrix has high mechanical strength and good adhesion to the electrodes. (6pp)e
(US6266248-N)      Thermochemical hydrogen prodn. involves the use of a tandem mirror fusion reactor while operating the thermal blanket at a temp. relatively lower than that required by the thermochemical process by electrical heating.    A method is described for decomposing SO3 without a catalyst by contact with Si carbide heating elements at approx. 1250 K. A joule boosted decomposer is used comprising a cylindrical chamber contg. parallel heating elements aligned with the chamber axis. Blanket temp. is approx. 900 K. (17pp)    (GB2099805-B)      A jule-boosted method of driving a high temperature step of a thermochemical process for hydrogen production involving the SO2/H2O/SO3 cycle from a magnetic fusion reactor having a blanket operating at a substantially lower temperature than the high temperature step, comprising removing lower temperature thermal energy from the blanket of the reactor; converting the lower temperature thermal energy from the blanket to electrical energy and converting the electrical energy to thermal energy at a sufficient temperature to meet the heat requirements of the high temperature step.
(DE3122787-C)      Matrix for retention of a molten electrolyte of a carbonate type in a fuel cell consists of a mixt. of at least 5.0 vol.% crack-inhibiting particles and carrier particles in the sub-micron range. The crack-inhibiting particles are of materials which are compatible with the electrolyte and cell operating conditions and are sufficiently larger than the carrier particles and present in a quantity to cause the formation of a number of micro-cracks on cooling from operating temp. to room temp., without through-cracks.    ADVANTAGE -   Matrix withstands cyclic operating conditions.    (5pp)