Abstract: The invention discloses an innovative fuel cell-type electrochemical energy conversion device and method of potentially high power density capability, suitable especially for stand-alone applications such as electricity-powered vehicles The inventive device, named “storage fuel cell”, may be viewed as a converted storage battery, including plates, electrolyte and separators that can be similar to the ordinary known lead-acid battery. Thus it can be charged from an electrical source, or discharged across an external load with the usually high surge current features of storage batteries. An innovative additional charging mode of the storage fuel cell, by chemical reactions of each electrode with fuel and oxidizer supplied at specific flow ratios, is however the prime object of this invention. Whereas all types of prior art fuel cells exchange ions between the electrodes, across the electrolyte, each of the electrodes of the instant fuel cell independently exchanges ions, only using their adjoining electrolyte.

Abstract: The invention discloses an innovative fuel cell-type electrochemical energy conversion device and method of potentially high power density capability, suitable especially for stand-alone applications such as electricity-powered vehicles The inventive device, named “storage fuel cell”, may be viewed as a converted storage battery, including plates, electrolyte and separators that can be similar to the ordinary known lead-acid battery. Thus it can be charged from an electrical source, or discharged across an external load with the usually high surge current features of storage batteries. An innovative additional charging mode of the storage fuel cell, by chemical reactions of each electrode with fuel and oxidizer supplied at specific flow ratios, is however the prime object of this invention. Whereas all types of prior art fuel cells exchange ions between the electrodes, across the electrolyte, each of the electrodes of the instant fuel cell independently exchanges ions, only using their adjoining electrolyte.

Abstract: Two-dimensional arrays of polarized energy-generating or energy-storing elements (20A, 20B, . . . , 20D; 21A, . . . , 21D; 22A, . . . , 22D; 23A, . . . , 23D; 24A, . . . , 24D; 25A, . . . , 25D), such as solar cells, batteries, thermoelectric generators or capacitors are formed as a matrix of rows and columns of elements, with the elements of each column being connected in series and the junctions between the series-connected elements in each column within the matrix being connected, in sequence, first to the corresponding junction in one of the adjacent columns and then to the corresponding junction in the other one of the adjacent columns. By connecting the junctions (32, 33) of alternate pairs of elements in the left hand column of the matrix to the respective junctions (32A, 33A) in the right hand column of a matrix having an even number of columns, the mathematical equivalent of a tubular matrix of elements is formed.

Abstract: A pair of eyeglasses of the variable-lens type is described including a positioning member adjustable on the eyeglass frame and engageable with the base of the wearer's nose to stably support the eyeglass frame in either a normal position, or in an elevated position with respect to the wearer's eyes.In one described embodiment, the positioning member includes a saddle shaped element pivotably mounted to the eyeglass frame underlying the frame bridge; and in a second described embodiment, the positioning member includes a clip slidable receivable on the bridge of the eyeglass frame.