Abstract: An electrical terminal connector is disclosed for use in an electrochemical cell. The terminal connector includes a first terminal member made from metal inert to the environment within said cell and adapted for interfacing internally within the cell. The first terminal member includes a socket portion communicating with the exterior of the cell. The terminal connector also includes a second terminal member made from low electrical resistance metal and is adapted for engagement within the socket portion from the exterior of the cell.

Abstract: A cadmium electrode for use in a rechargeable cell employing an alkaline electrolyte is disclosed. The electrode includes an electrically conductive substrate supporting an electrochemically active cadmium material. In addition, an effective amount of a nonionic, water soluble glycoside-based surfactant is added to retard cadmium agglomeration during operation of the electrode. Finally, a process for making such an electrode is also disclosed.

Abstract: A support assembly, including an end plate, for use in metal gas cells. The support assembly inhibits a plate stack which is positioned within a pressure vessel from impinging the walls of the pressure vessel. The support assembly comprises a first and a second weld ring and a first and a second end plate, each of the end plates being attached to a different end of the plate stack. The first and second weld rings mate with the first and second end plates, respectively, and cooperate to support the plate stack. The end plate comprises two plates secured together. A raised portion on one of the plates forming the end plate has a radially extending embossment formed therein to increase the rigidity thereof. The pressure vessel is constructed of generally cylindrical container defining two circumferentially extending lips, each of which is secured to an end portion.

Abstract: An electrode for a rechargeable electrochemical cell including an electrically conductive substrate, a layer of an electrochemically active material attached to the substrate, the active material comprising a reducible species of a metal, at least one conductive contact area formed of a metallic form of said metal attached to said substrate, said metallic contact area comprising said reducible species in a converted form. A positive electrode is further provided wherein said active material is nickel hydroxide and said metallic form of said metal is nickel metal. The invention further comprises the method for manufacturing electrodes as described above, featuring use of reducing gas to effect conversion.

Abstract: A metal hydride negative electrode plate for use in an alkaline electrochemical cell is disclosed including a conductive substrate carrier, a layer of electrochemically active hydrogen storage alloy material capable of reversibly storing hydrogen attached to the carrier, and the presence of a layer of carbon particles affixed to the outer surface of the active material layer. The carbon particle layer is present as a uniform distribution on the surface of the active material layer and prevents substantial oxidation of the active hydrogen storage alloy material during charge and overcharge of an alkaline cell incorporating the carbon coated metal hydride negative electrode of the invention.

Abstract: A lead-acid cell in which insert molded lead terminal connectors are provided with a surface layer of an elastic adhesive material bonded to the connector and making sealing contact with the enshrouding plastic molding. Electrolyte creepage and corrosion is suppressed.

Abstract: A battery powered energy-using device is disclosed which operably distinguishes between batteries having standard and non-standard terminal configurations. The battery compartment in the device is provided with a terminal having first and second insulated contacts, one contact configured to make contact with a battery of standard terminal configuration and the second contact adapted to make contact with a second terminal. In one embodiment the device is associated with charging circuitry which is adapted to recharge a rechargeable battery having the special non-standard terminal configuration, while permitting discharge but not recharge of a primary battery having a standard terminal configuration.

Abstract: A sealed rechargeable nickel electrode containing electrochemical cell has a pasted negative electrode having paste layers adhered to a nonforaminous conductive substrate, which retards growth (swelling) of the nickel electrode on cycling.

Abstract: A binary lead-tin alloy substrate for support of the electrochemically active material in lead-acid cells is disclosed having a tin concentration from about 0.3 to about 0.9 weight percent, the balance being lead. The tin impedes the formation of a passivation layer at the interface between the grid material and the active material improving cell recovery from deep discharge and improving cold cranking amperes performance.

Abstract: A charger for charging a rechargeable electrochemical cell including: a first conductive terminal having a central opening therein and a first contact end, the first conductive terminal connected to circuitry capable of providing charging current at a first charging rate; and a second conductive terminal positioned within the opening, the second conductive terminal having a second contact end portion extending outwardly from and electrically insulated from the first contact end, the second conductive terminal connected to circuitry capable of providing charging current at a second charging rate. The charger may have an insulator with an insulating contact end portion in place of the second conductive terminal having a second contact end portion.

Abstract: A sealed rechargeable nickel electrode containing electrochemical cell has a pasted negative electrode having paste layers adhered to a nonforaminous conductive substrate, which retards growth (swelling) of the nickel electrode on cycling.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell and method of making same are provided wherein the electrochemical cell includes a radial sealing function effected by the combination of a seal comprised of an amorphous polymer and a cell container wall having a stiffening rib on one axial side of the seal and a lip on the other side of the seal wherein the rib and the lip eliminate springback of the container wall upon removal of the external radial force establishing the compressive sealing forces.

Abstract: A cadmium electrode for use in rechargeable alkaline cells is disclosed featuring use of dispersed polyamide having specific properties. The polyamide serves as a binder as well as an anti-agglomerant to retard cadmium agglomeration during use of the electrode. The use of elemental silver additive dispersed throughout the electrode is also disclosed, as is the use of zirconium material as an elecrolyte wicking and anti-compressive agent. A process for making any of the foregoing electrodes is disclosed featuring the step of forming a paste by mixing together the polymeric resin, active cadmium material and a non-aqueous solvent, applying the paste to a conductive substrate and removing the solvent. Alternatively, known prefabricated cadmium electrodes, such as Teflon-bonded or sintered types, are post-treated through dipping or the like in a solution of the aforementioned polyamide.

Abstract: A charger for charging a rechargeable electrochemical cell including: a first conductive terminal having a central opening therein and a first contact end, the first conductive terminal connected to circuitry capable of providing charging current at a first charging rate; and a second conductive terminal positioned within the opening, the second conductive terminal having a second contact end portion extending outwardly from and electrically insulated from the first contact end, the second conductive terminal connected to circuitry capable of providing charging current at a second charging rate. The charger may have an insulator with an insulating contact end portion in place of the second conductive terminal having a second contact end portion.

Abstract: A support assembly, including an end plate, for use in metal gas cells. The support assembly inhibits a plate stack which is positioned within a pressure vessel from impinging the walls of the pressure vessel. The support assembly comprises a first and a second weld ring and a first and a second end plate, each of the end plates being attached to a different end of the plate stack. The first and second weld rings mate with the first and second end plates, respectively, and cooperate to support the plate stack. The end plate comprises two plates secured together. A raised portion on one of the plates forming the end plate has a radially extending embossment formed therein to increase the rigidity thereof. The pressure vessel is constructed of generally cylindrical container defining two circumferentially extending lips, each of which is secured to an end portion.

Abstract: A method for winding into an electrochemical cell, a plurality of flexible strip members each having a leading end portion, including the steps of positioning a first and second arbor half to face each other but not in contact, feeding the leading end portions between the first and second arbor halves, bringing the arbor halves together to capture at least a portion of the leading end portions, rotating the first and second arbor halves to wrap the leading end portions around a first curvilinear driving surface of the first arbor half, and applying pressure with a roller to the flexible strip members during at least a portion of the time the arbor halves are rotating. An electrochemical cell having a central opening extending the length of the axis of the cell is also described.

Abstract: A support assembly, including an end plate, for use in metal gas cells. The support assembly inhibits a plate stack which is positioned within a pressure vessel from impinging the walls of the pressure vessel. The support assembly comprises a first and a second weld ring and a first and a second end plate, each of the end plates being attached to a different end of the plate stack. The first and second weld rings mate with the first and second end plates, respectively, and cooperate to support the plate stack. The end plate comprises two plates secured together. A raised portion on one of the plates forming the end plate has a radially extending embossment formed therein to increase the rigidity thereof. The pressure vessel is constructed of generally cylindrical container defining two circumferentially extending lips, each of which is secured to an end portion.

Abstract: A wound electrode assembly for use in a sealed electrochemical cell. The wound electrode assembly has at least one electrode comprised of an electrically conductive substrate and an electrochemically active material secured to at least one face of the substrate. This one electrode defines an outer wrap for the electrode assembly. The electrochemically active material is absent from at least a portion of the exterior of the outer wrap to permit the first substrate in the outer wrap to contact at least a portion of the cell container into which the wound electrode assembly is positioned.