Abstract: For a cylindrical sodium sulfur cell, a cathode electrode structure is provided with improved electronic conductivity in the radial direction, compared with other directions, by forming a block of fibre material, e.g. graphite fibres, with the fibres aligned in one direction, slicing the block to form a sheet with fibres normal to the plane of the sheet, moulding the sheet and impregnating it with cathodic reactant in a heated mould having a plurality of ribs, to form a plurality of trapezoidal segments with the fibres normal to the planes of the parallel surfaces of the trapezoids, cooling the mould so that the impregnant is solidified and then forming the trapezoids into an annular structure. Preferably the mould is such that thin webs are left joining adjacent trapezoidal sections along parallel edges of the wider of the two parallel faces so that the webs form hinges for folding the segments into the annular assembly.

Abstract: An alkali metal, such as sodium, sulfur cell having an alkali metal anode, a solid ionic electrolyte, such as sodium .beta. alumina, and a liquid catholyte formed by sulfur, a halosulfane, such as sulfur monochloride and a haloacid, such as aluminum chloride, is described.

Abstract: In a sodium sulphur cell having beta alumina solid electrolyte material separating an anodic region containing sodium from a cathodic region, the surface of the electrolyte exposed to the sodium is pretreated with a first metal, conveniently lead, which will form an alloy with sodium and the anodic region contains a second metal, e.g. titanium or aluminium which will react with sodium oxide to form a sodium oxide compound of the second metal or an oxide thereof. The combined effect of these features gives a significant improvement in preventing resistance rise of the cell on discharge.

Abstract: In a sodium sulphur cell having a solid electrolyte tube separating an annular anodic region containing liquid sodium from a cathodic reactant, this anodic region containing also metallic aluminium flakes constituting a wicking medium.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the production of sealing glasses capable of forming strong, non-porous seals with glasses containing at least 10% by weight of an alkali metal oxide such as are used in the fabrication of the glass membranes utilized in sodium-sulfur and potassium-sulfur batteries. The inventive seals require an interdiffusion of ions to occur between the sealing glass and the glass being sealed. Glasses presently employed as membrane glasses for such batteries have base compositions within the Na.sub.2 O--B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and K.sub.2 O--B.sub.2 O.sub.3 systems. The inventive sealing glasses consist essentially, expressed in mole percent on the oxide basis, of about 3-30% R.sub.2 O and 60-95% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, wherein R.sub.2 O consists of K.sub.2 O, Rb.sub.2 O, Cs.sub.2 O, and mixtures thereof and, optionally, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 is substituted for up to one-half the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 content on a molar basis.

Abstract: Sodium resistant sealing glasses have aluminoborate glass compositions in which glass stability is improved by the incorporation of specific mixtures of modifying alkali earth oxides of calcium oxide, strontium oxide and barium oxide. These modifying alkali earth oxides are present in a total weight percent range from 15 to 40 weight percent of the glass composition.Also disclosed is the employment of the above glasses as seals in sodium-sulfur cells.

Abstract: In a method of regulating the temperature of a system in which exothermic type reactions take place at temperatures of several hundreds of degrees and which are followed by stoppage periods, the system (1) is put in contact with a first substance (4) whose boiling temperature (T2) is close to the required temperature (T) of the system, and heat which results from the exothermic reactions is used to boil the first substance (4). Thereafter heat which comes from the condensation of the vapor evolved by said boiling is used to heat a second substance (5) to its melting point (T1), the second substance (5) being chosen so that it melts at a temperature close to but lower than the boiling temperature (T2) of the first substance (4). In operation the second substance (5) is kept at a temperature which is substantially constant and a little higher than its melting point (T1) until the end of a period of exothermic reaction.

Abstract: Thermal stressing of hollow fibers constituting the electrolyte-separator in a high temperature battery cell, and of certain other elements thereof, is avoided by suspending the assembly comprising the anolyte tank, the tubesheet, the hollow fibers and a cathodic current collector-distributing means, within the casing and employing a limp connection between the latter means and the cathode terminal of the cell.

Abstract: A cell for generating electric energy is provided comprising a sealed container partitioned into anode and cathode chambers, said partition comprising an electrolyte/separator in the form of a bundle of hollow glass or ceramic fibers, fusion sealed together between their interstices adjacent at least one end thereof. Preferably, the ends of the fibers which project within the anode chamber are sealed closed whereas the opposite ends are in open communication with the cathode chamber. Preferred anode and cathode materials comprise an alkali metal such as sodium or potassium and sulfur respectively.

Abstract: There is interest in the use of solid-solution electrodes as a way of meeting the problems of conventional batteries; Li.sub.a TiS.sub.2 where O<a<1 is known in this respect and may be made by high temperature preparative routes.Fast ion conductors of the formula A.sub.x M.sub.y O.sub.2 where A is Li, Na or K, M is a transition metal e.g. Co or Ni, <x<1 and y.apprxeq.1 have been made for this purpose according to the invention. They cannot be made by high temperature routes when x is substantially less than 1 owing to stability problems. In the invention, they have been made by electrochemical extraction of A.sup.+ ions from compounds of the formula A.sub.x' M.sub.y O.sub.2 where O<x'<1, carried out at low temperature.

Abstract: For a cylindrical sodium sulphur cell, a cathode electrode structure is provided with improved electronic conductivity in the radial direction, compared with other directions, by forming a block of fibre material, e.g. graphite fibres, with the fibres aligned in one direction, slicing the block to form a sheet with fibres normal to the plane of the sheet, moulding the sheet and impregnating it with cathodic reactant in a heated mould having a plurality of ribs, to form a plurality of trapezoidal segments with the fibres normal to the planes of the parallel surfaces of the trapezoids, cooling the mould so that the impregnant is solidified and then forming the trapezoids into an annular structure. Preferably the mould is such that thin webs are left joining adjacent trapezoidal sections along parallel edges of the wider of the two parallel faces so that the webs form hinges for folding the segments into the annular assembly.

Abstract: A solid state rechargeable battery containing an alkali metal-containing electrode, a solid electrolyte, and an intercalation graphite-containing layer.

Abstract: In an electrochemical cell such as a sodium sulphur cell using a ceramic electrolyte tube (e.g. of beta-alumina), the electrolyte tube is secured to a rigid annular element of, for example, alpha-alumina, having substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the electrolyte tube, this annular element being radially thicker than the electrolyte tube and having two oppositely sloping tapered surfaces on its outer face. Metal elements are then forced onto the tapered surfaces with an interstrate layer of soft metal, e.g. aluminium, which deforms into a groove or grooves in the tapered surfaces to form a hermetic seal.

Abstract: A glass for sealing a beta-alumina tube in a sodium-sulphur cell has a composition suitable to resist attack by sodium at elevated temperatures and a coefficient of thermal expansion suitable for use with beta-alumina. The glass consists essentially of 28-48 mol % B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-20 mol % SiO.sub.2, 16-28 mol % Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, together with 18-33 mol % of at least one alkaline earth oxide selected from the group consisting of BaO, SrO, CaO and MgO, the proportions of the constituents being such that the combined total of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2 is 40 to 60 mol % and furthermore being such that 0.0517 A.sub.1 +0.0354 A.sub.2 -0.0063 A.sub.3 +0.168 A.sub.4 +0.1336 A.sub.5 +0.098 A.sub.6 +0.1597 A.sub.7, lies between 5.7 and 6.4 where A.sub.1, A.sub.2, A.sub.3, A.sub.4, A.sub.5, A.sub.6 and A.sub.7 are the respective molar percentages of B.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaO, CaO, MgO and SrO.A cell sealed with such a glass is described.

Abstract: A method of making a portion of a sodium sulfur battery is disclosed. The battery portion made is a portion of the container which defines the volume for the cathodic reactant materials which are sulfur and sodium polysulfide materials. The container portion is defined by an outer metal casing with a graphite liner contained therein, the graphite liner having a coating on its internal diameter for sealing off the porosity thereof. The steel outer container and graphite pipe are united by a method which insures that at the operating temperature of the battery, relatively low electrical resistance exists between the two materials because they are in intimate contact with one another.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell and an anode for use in an electrochemical cell are disclosed. The cell in its charged state comprises an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. The anode comprises a polysulphide or a polyselenide of an alkali metal such as sodium, potassium, or lithium sorbed into a zeolite molecular sieve carrier.

Abstract: The present invention will provide storage batteries, which may be solid electrolytic batteries, and an ionically conductive crystalline solid separator useful in electrical devices. The present invention is characterized by the use of partitioning membranes formed in a honeycomb structure of a plurality of unit tubes arranged in close configuration, the cross-sectional shape of the unit tubes being polygonal. In one preferred embodiment, oxygen transmissive electrodes are provided to yield an oxygen pump.

Abstract: A sodium-sulfur cell is disclosed herein along with a method of constructing its sulfur electrode. The cell includes means containing a supply of sodium, an elongated housing joined at one end with sodium containing means, a beta-alumina electrolyte tube located within and extending from the joined end of the housing so as to define a compartment within the housing around the tube. A mixture including sulfur and an electrically conductive filler is disposed within the compartment and forms the cells sulfur electrode. In constructing this electrode, sufficient space is initially provided within the cell compartment around the beta-alumina electrolyte tube to allow for expansion of the sulfur when the latter converts from its solidified state during initial storage to its molten state during operation of the cell, thereby minimizing the possibility of damage to the electrolyte tube as a result of this expansion.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising an anode, a cathode and a solid electrolyte, and a battery made up of a plurality of such cells. The anode comprises silver or copper or alloys or amalgams thereof. The cathode is a molecular sieve carrier having a pore size of less than 1 micron and having a halogen, a chalcogen or phosphorous sorbed therein. The electrolyte is a multiple salt system having a silver or copper halogenide as a component thereof.

Abstract: If one of a series string of battery cells fails on open circuit, the circuit through all of the cells is broken. An automatic means for by-passing the failed cell maintains the circuit and allows operation of the string to continue (at a lower no-lead voltage). The potential difference across the failed cell is utilized to heat a body of a conductive liquid so that it expands, ruptures the ampoule containing it and fills the gap between two conductors, thereby completing a shunt circuit.

Abstract: A coating of chromium/chromium oxide is disclosed for coating the surfaces of electrically conducting components of a sodium sulfur battery. This chromium/chromium oxide coating is placed on the surfaces of the electrically conducting components of the battery which are in contact with molten polysulfide and sulfur reactants during battery operation.

Abstract: A method of forming a sodium sulfur battery and of starting the reactive capability of that battery when heated to a temperature suitable for battery operation is disclosed.An anodic reaction zone is constructed in a manner that sodium is hermetically sealed therein, part of the hermetic seal including fusible material which closes up openings through the container of the anodic reaction zone. The hermetically sealed anodic reaction zone is assembled under normal atmospheric conditions with a suitable cathodic reaction zone and a cation-permeable barrier. When the entire battery is heated to an operational temperature, the fusible material of the hermetically sealed anodic reaction zone is fused, thereby allowing molten sodium to flow from the anodic reaction zone into reactive engagement with the cation-permeable barrier.

Abstract: A sodium-sulfur battery including sodium and sulfur separated by a beta-alumina tube is disclosed herein along with a method of operating the battery utilizing a sodium storage and dispensing arrangement. This storage and dispensing arrangement includes a housing containing a supply of sodium out of contact with the beta-alumina tube and a thermally responsive bimetallic valve for passing sodium from its supply housing into contact with the beta-alumina separating tube when the sodium is in a liquid state and so long as the average temperature along at least a predetermined section of the tube remains below a predetermined value. In the event that this average temperature reaches the predetermined value, the bimetallic valve automatically prevents passage of liquid sodium from its supply housing to the beta-alumina tube.

Abstract: A sodium Beta-alumina thin film is coated onto a supporting substrate by forming an agglomerate-free, hydrolyzed sol, principally comprising an electrically surface active polymer formed by the hydrolysis and peptization of sodium and aluminum alkoxides, which is applied to the substrate. The substrate and applied sol are then heated to crystallize the polymer and form a solid film having pores with radii of up to about 250 Angstrom units.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an improvement in a sodium sulfur battery construction in which a seal between various battery compartments is made by a structure in which a soft metal seal member is held in a sealing position by holding structure. A pressure applying structure is used to apply pressure on the soft metal seal member when it is being held in sealing relationship to a surface of a container member of the sodium sulfur battery by the holding structure. The improvement comprises including a thin, well-adhered, soft metal layer on the surface of the container member of the sodium sulfur battery to which the soft metal seal member is to be bonded.

Abstract: In a sodium sulphur cell, a cathode electrode of annular form comprising a plurality of segments, each of trapezoidal form in cross-section and joined by webs along a longer edge of each segment so that the assembly is foldable to form a substantially annular structure. This electrode may be made by compressing a blanket or sheet of carbon or graphite felt or fibres in a heated mould, which is shaped to produce the segments joined by thin webs, the material being impregnated with sulphur or sodium polysulphide before or after insertion in the mould, and the material being cooled before removal from the mould. Alternatively, the segments may be formed from the blanket or sheet by using shaped rolls, the material being cooled, e.g. by water or air, as it leaves the rolls.

Abstract: An electrochemical storage cell or battery with an anode space for an alkali metal as the anolyte and with a cathode space for a sulfur-containing catholyte substance, which are separated from each other by an alkali-ion-conducting solid electrolyte and are confined by a cell wall of metal, particularly of a light metal or steel. Long-life corrosion protection of the metal cell wall is provided by a protective layer by applying to at least that part of the metal cell wall in contact with the catholyte substance, a foil of corrosion-resistant material 0.01 to 0.2 mm thick by means of a conductive adhesive which retains its adhesive properties at operating temperatures.

Abstract: An energy conversion device comprising an improved sealing member adapted to seal a cation-permeable casing to the remainder of the device. The sealing member comprises a metal substrate which (i) bears a nonconductive and corrosion resistant coating on the major surface to which said casing is sealed, and (ii) is corrugated so as to render it flexible, thereby allowing said member to move relative to said casing without cracking the seal therebetween. Corrugations may be circumferential, radial, or both radial and circumferential so as to form dimples. The corrugated member may be in form of a bellows or in a substantially flat form, such as a disc.

Abstract: Electrochemical storage cell or battery of the alkali metal and sulfur type operable in the range from about 100.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. A solvent component is added to the cathode chamber, which solvent will at least partially dissolve sulfur and is stable under the conditions of operation.

Abstract: An electrolyte glass for use as the solid electrolyte in high-temperature galvanic batteries, for example a sodium-sulfur battery. The glass electrolyte has relatively low resistivity and high corrosion resistance and is easily worked by glass manufacturing techniques. The composition of the glass electrolyte according to the invention is defined by xNa.sub.2 O.multidot.ySiO.sub.2 .multidot.zAl.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: Electrochemical storage cell of the alkali metal-and-chalcogen type with at least two spaces (anode and cathode space) separated by an alkali-ion-conducting solid electrolyte for receiving the reactants. The cathode space contains as catholyte at least one chalcogen or chalcogenide in dissolved or melted form, preferably sulfur or sulfides, as well as carbon- or graphite felt as the electrode material. The felt is provided with a layer that is porous, i.e., the surface of its fibers expose, in island-fashion, an alkali-ion-conducting substance which permits improved rechargeability at lower temperatures.

Abstract: Novel compounds or compositions are provided capable of serving as solid electrolytes involving intercalated dichalcogenides having a combination of a tetravalent metal ion with a metal ion of lower oxidation state and a compensating amount of alkali metal ions to provide a substantially electrically neutral structure. The compositions have the formula:A.sub.x M.sub.x T.sub.1-x X.sub.2where A is an alkali metal ion, M is a metal ion of lower valence state than T, T is a metal capable of forming a stable substantially electrically non-conductive intercalatable chalcogenide and X is a chalogen. Also included are batteries employing the subject compositions as the solid electrolyte.

Abstract: A composite sulfur electrode container is described which comprises an outer metallic casing portion readily corroded by liquid sulfur and polysulfides, a metallic foil portion substantially corrosion resistant to liquid sulfur and polysulfides bonded to the inner surface of the outer metallic casing portion, and a layer portion of chromium bonded to the opposite surface of the foil portion, the chromium layer portion containing in excess of sixty weight percent chromium. A method is described for making a composite sulfur electrode container.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant contiguous duplex chromium-carbon-iron alloy layer bonded to a steel and other similar ferrocarbon substrate for use as a cell casing for a sodium-sulfur cell. The outer layer includes in excess of 60 weight % chromium. The duplex layer is formed by pack chromizing in a pack of chromium and ammonium halide at elevated temperatures in hydrogen or inert gas atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sodium-sulphur type electric cell. It includes a positive compartment which contains:a positive active material (2) which is liquid at operating temperature, and a positive current collector (1);a negative compartment which contains a negative active material which is liquid at operating temperature, and a negative current collector;a solid electrolyte tube (6) which separates the two compartments; characterized in that the positive current collector is at least partially coated with an electronically insulating layer (7), means (8) which are suitable for concentrating the lines of ionic current (10) which prevails between said electrolyte tube and said positive collector being provided in such a way that during the cell recharging process, the positive active material is deposited preferentially level with said means. The invention is used in electric cells for electric vehicles.

Abstract: A sodium-sulfur battery in which the sulfur or sulfur-containing positive electrode material is contained in a number of sealed tubes made from a sodium ion-conducting glass electrolyte. The tubes are placed and electrically conducted in parallel and immersed in the sodium constituting the negative electrode. Each of the capillary tubes contains a sealed-in electrical contact wire which passes through an appropriate closure plate to constitute the positive pole of the battery. A number of embodiments is described. The invention also describes the method of construction of the battery.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of selectively plugging broken fibers included in a bundle of hollow fibers having open ends terminating in or protruding from one face of a tubesheet and closed ends or loops depending from the other face of the tubesheet. The open ends are covered with a curable and flowable sealant and a pressure differential is utilized to draw the sealant into the broken fibers. The resistance to compression of the gases in the unbroken fibers is such that the sealant does not move into them a substantial distance. The sealant is diluted and another pressure differential employed to expel the sealant from the good fibers. The diluted sealant is removed and the plugs in the broken fibers are cured.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of this specification, a sodium sulfur battery is formed as follows. A plurality of box shaped sulfur electrodes are provided, the outer surfaces of which are defined by an electrolyte material. Each of the electrodes have length and width dimensions substantially greater than the thicknesses thereof as well as upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface. An electrode structure is contained in each of the sulfur electrodes. A holding structure is provided for holding the plurality of sulfur electrodes in a stacked condition with the upwardly facing surface of one sulfur electrode in facing relationship to the downwardly facing surface of another sulfur electrode thereabove. A small thickness dimension separates each of the stacked electrodes thereby defining between each pair of sulfur electrodes a volume which receives the sodium reactant. A reservoir is provided for containing sodium.

Abstract: A stable, long life sodium/sulfur electrochemical cell or battery wherein the cathodic current collector has a boronized surface in contact with the cathodic reactant and an additional boron source in physical proximity to the boronized current collector surface. In one embodiment, the cathodic current collector is the can or electrode container thereby providing a stable, long life cell casing protected from corrosion effects.

Abstract: A small amount of SiO.sub.2 is added to the sodium borate solder glasses of the type previously used to make tubesheets in hollow fiber, high temperature battery cells. The modified glass is more easily ground and has a lower softening temperature. When the powdered glass is fused, to form the tubesheet and sealingly engage the fibers, the fiber-weakening fluxing action of the glass is considerably reduced.

Abstract: An electrochemical storage cell or battery with at least one anode filled with a molten alkali metal as the anolyte and at least one cathode chamber filled with a sulfur-containing catholyte substance with the anode chamber and the cathode chamber separated from each other by an alkali-ion-conducting solid electrolyte. To the catholyte substance in the cathode chamber is added a chemical compound of the polar bond type which can charge the sulfur positively while absorbing electrons. This induces mobilization of the sulfur phase in the cathode chamber and prevents major accumulation of liquid sulfur as an insulator. As a result the cell can be repeatedly recharged with large currents to a greater capacity.

Abstract: In a sodium sulfur cell including a beta-alumina separator between the sodium and sulfur compartments, high surface area gettering means, e.g., beta-alumina or beta"-alumina, for potassium and alkali earth metal ion impurities in the sodium to protect the separator. The gettering means is disposed in the sodium container in the form of particles or a continous porous shell or porous solid plug adjacent to the separator.

Abstract: Electrolyte geometry in alkali metal thermoelectric generator devices that alters the view thereof seen by cooler condenser regions provides an increase in power generating area without undesirably concomitant increase in radiation heat transfer area.

Abstract: A ceramic tubesheet pierced by a plurality of hollow, glass fibers and consisting of sintered particles is rendered essentially impermeable by selectively fusing the portion of the tubesheet subjacent to and defining one of its surfaces. The fiber lengths extending from the opposite surface of the tubesheet are freer to flex and less likely to be broken than if the entire tubesheet were fused.

Abstract: A plurality of sulfur electrode container constructions characterized by mild steel containers and discrete anticorrosive liners disposed within the containers and method of manufacturing each.

Abstract: Novel assembly method and sodium/sulfur battery prepared thereby are provided whereby, in a preformed sulfur compartment, the sulfur electrode is prepared in situ, providing for graduated resistance from the beta-alumina electrolyte to the container wall. The method employs providing for a high resistance conductor as a relatively thin sheet adjacent the beta-alumina electrolyte and a conductive sulfur electrolyte extending from the high resistance conductor to the container wall, whereby the electrolyte is composed of sulfur and small carbon fibers. Conveniently, the high resistance film is positioned adjacent the beta-alumina electrolyte and appropriate amounts of the carbon fiber are introduced into the electrolyte chamber, followed by the addition of molten sulfur.

Abstract: Electrochemical device comprises a negative compartment and a positive compartment. The negative compartment contains a negative medium formed at least in part of a liquid metal, and the negative and positive compartments are separated by a solid separator which is capable of being traversed by ions of the metal and is a conductor of said ions. The device is characterized by the fact that the negative compartment contains a solid electrolyte which is a conductor of these ions, this electrolyte separating the negative compartment into two regions--on the one hand, a negative region containing the negative medium and a negative collector, and, on the other hand, an intermediate region, located between the separator and the electrolyte, containing an intermediate medium formed at least in part of the metal in liquid state and/or of at least one salt of the metal in dissolved or molten state.

Abstract: An electrochemical storage cell or battery with one anode chamber containing molten alkali metal as the anolyte and one cathode chamber containing sulfur-containing catholyte substance, the anolyte and catholyte separated by an alkali-ion-conducting solid electrolyte. The cathode chamber is bounded by a cellwall having a protective layer of a light weight metal also serving as a current collector. The light weight metal in the regions in contact with the catholyte is coated with a metallic alloy which under conditions of operation has certain properties of adhesion, conduction, resistance, corrosion and solubility.

Abstract: Electrochemical storage cell or battery of the alkali metal and sulfur type operable in the range from about 100.degree. to 200.degree. C. A solvent is added to the alkali sulfides in the cathode chamber to at least partially dissolve the sulfides. In addition to other good properties, the solvent of the invention is outstanding with respect to stability, i.e. can be used for very long periods of time under the conditions of operation without decomposing.

Abstract: In an electrochemical cell such as a sodium sulphur cell using a ceramic electrolyte tube (e.g. of beta-alumina), the electrolyte tube is secured to a rigid annular element of, for example, alpha-alumina, having substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the electrolyte tube, this annular element being radially thicker than the electrolyte tube and having two oppositely sloping tapered surfaces on its outer face. Metal elements are then forced onto the tapered surfaces with an interstate layer of soft metal, e.g. aluminium, which deforms into a groove or grooves in the tapered surfaces to form a hermetic seal.