Abstract: The invention is the utilization of an aqueous solution of tin fluoborate as the electrolyte in galvanic cells. It is particularly useful in primary galvanic cells employing permanganate depolarizers.

Abstract: A method for making single crystals of metal or other crystallizing materials whereby powders of irregular shaped single crystal particles (as small as 325 mesh or about 50 microns) may be readily and economically made. Said method comprises the steps of: (a) forming thin individual coatings on each of said particles such as oxides of metals on metal particles; (b) melting the particle material within said coatings which function as individual particle crucibles; (c) cooling the melted particles within the coatings to form individual single crystals each within its own coating: and (d) removing the coating such as by solvation with a solvent or by chemical reaction. The single crystal particles conform to the original shape of the particles which may be irregular. Such irregular shaped single crystals, such as of zinc, when used in electrochemical cell anodes enables the utilization of reduced amounts of mercury for amalgamation thereof without significant increase in cell gassing.

Abstract: Pressure release means for pressurized containers and particularly electrochemical cell containers subject to pressure eruption conditions in which the pressure release means is an integral part of the container wall. This means is actuated at predetermined abnormal pressure at which a relatively rigid and undeformed wall area between two deformed portions of the container wall tears to form a vent. This vent can be adapted to provide either slow or rapid pressure release.

Abstract: A method for filling an electrochemical cell can with a pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or a liquid depolarizer. The method includes disposing an electrochemical cell system within a cell can having an open end, loosely positioning means for temporarily sealing the cell can between the open end of the cell can and the electrochemical cell system, and reducing the diameter of the open end of the cell can thereby confining the temporary sealing means between the electrochemical cell system and the open end of the cell can. The pressurized liquid electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer is introduced into the cell can. After the cell can is filled some of the electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer vaporizes. The resulting gas forces the temporary sealing means into temporary sealing engagement with the narrowed end of the cell can thereby substantially preventing loss of electrolyte solvent and/or liquid depolarizer from the cell can before the cell can is capped and permanently sealed.

Abstract: The safety of a non-pressurized electrochemical cell such as a Li/MnO.sub.2 cell, having a safety pressure vent and an organic electrolyte solvent is enhanced by, in conjunction with said vent, providing said organic electrolyte solvent with at least 80% by volume of a volatile component, such as dimethoxyethane, having a boiling point between 30.degree. C. to 130.degree. C. Upon cell venting, under abuse conditions, the cell is thereby rapidly evacuated and safely rendered inoperable under further abuse conditions.

Abstract: Heavy metal polysulfides which are insoluble in non-aqueous electrolytes and having the formula M.sub.x.sup.m (S.sub.y) .sub.z.sup.-2 (wherein M is a heavy metal such as iron, cobalt, copper or nickel; S is sulfer; mx=2z; and y is greater than two) are utilized as very high energy density cathodes in non-aqueous electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A method for making spirally wound cells using a deformed metal strip mandrel with an electrode being forced therein by a compressing element fixedly retained by the mandrel to hold the electrode during winding. The electrode is electrically connected to the mandrel by the compressing force.

Abstract: In a sealed galvanic cell having an anode, cathode, and cylindrical can into which the principal components of the cell are assembled, a sealing and insulating member at the top end of the cathode can is provided which is held in sealing relationship to the can by a crimp formed over the top edge thereof. The sealing and insulating member has a circular rim formed at its periphery in at least one of the top and bottom surfaces, the diameter of the sealing and insulating member being substantially the same as the inside diameter of the can above a bead which is formed near the top edge thereof. At least a portion of the thickness of the peripheral material of the member is stressed by the crimp in an amount greater than the elastic limit of the material, and at least another portion of the thickness of the peripheral material of the sealing and insulating member is stressed in an amount less than the elastic limit. The stressed portion is at the top or bottom of the periphery of the member.

Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical cell is formed by blending an electrochemically active compound with a conductive material, forming the blend into a plurality of agglomerates, admixing the agglomerates with a second conductive material which may be the same as or different from the first conductive material and compressing the resulting mixture. The method is particularly useful for forming cathodes containing a mercury compound, since such cathodes have greatly enhanced abilities to immobilize free mercury during cell discharge.

Abstract: A flashlight construction is disclosed, which comprises a body portion, a head portion attached to the body portion and pivotable about a single pivot axis, and through a pivot arc that lies in the longitudinal plane of the body portion, the body portion adapted to contain at least one battery and the head portion adapted to contain a light bulb. Separate electrical contact means are located in the body portion and the head portion and slidably engage with each other. The electrical contact means cooperates to define an electrical switch means that controls the flow of electrical current. The switch means is located inboard of the head portion and adjacent the pivot axis. Accordingly, the flashlight may be switched off by rotating the head portion into position in abuttment with the body portion, while switching the flashlight on as accomplished by rotating the head portion away from such abuttment.

Abstract: An extremely high rate flat cell and a method of fabrication thereof with the cell comprising successive stacked anode and cathode layers within a cell container comprised of two members with co-fitting external flanges. Each cathode layer embodies a metallic extension or tab therefrom for external terminal connection. The extensions of all the cathode layers are substantially symmetrically positioned between said co-fitting external flanges with said flanges and metallic extensions all being simultaneously welded together and electrically interconnected during cell sealing. The anode layers are electrically connected together, preferably by pressure contacting layers to each other adjacent to a metallic terminal member for said anode. Such a cell having a lithium anode, a carbon cathode and a thionyl chloride electrolyte solvent/cathode depolarizer (3" diameter.times.0.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having an anode, a cathode and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte solution. The anode is an intimate gelled mixture of a powdered metal, an aqueous electrolyte solution and an agent capable of gelling the mixture. The agent is a material capable of absorbing water and having a carbohydrate backbone which has a water soluble side chain grafted thereon. A preferred agent is a water insoluble salt of an aqueous alkali saponified gelatinized starch having a water soluble side chain grafted thereon. The gelling of the intimate mixture of the powdered metal anode and electrolyte solution with the agent is a method of improving the discharge characteristics of the cell.

Abstract: A non-aqueous cell having a lithium anode is made abuse resistant by sandwiching and enclosing a thin substantially perforation-free copper foil or sheet between layers of lithium whereby the copper is isolated from the cell electrolyte.

Abstract: A method for making decorated battery casings wherein a thin walled heat shrinkable plastic tubing is cut to size, placed on a support member such as a mandrel, heat shrunk, decorated with decorative materials and protective coatings thereon and crimped at one end. The casing is then removed from the mandrel, placed upon a cell or battery and crimped at the other end to complete the battery or cell encasing procedure. The procedure is particularly efficacious in providing metallic decorated plastic battery casings.

Abstract: A novel gelling agent comprised of cross-linked CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose) is utilized as a gelling agent in the anode of alkaline electrochemical cells with improved cell performance and reduced cell gassing as compared to the commonly utilized non cross-linked CMC.

Abstract: A catalytic cathode composition and method for the preparation thereof for an air-depolarized cell, said cathode comprising carbon activated with a metal permanganate such as KMnO.sub.4, and an unactivated carbonaceous material such as virgin carbon black. The mixture optionally contains electrolytic MnO.sub.2 and polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: A high voltage cell or battery has its voltage reduced for lower voltage applications by means of volt lowering diodes i.e. p-n junction and resistive elements placed in series with the cells and the appliance to be electrically powered.

Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical cell is formed by blending an electrochemically active compound with a conductive material, forming the blend into a plurality of agglomerates, admixing the agglomerates with a second conductive material which may be the same as or different from the first conductive material and compressing the resulting mixture. The method is particularly useful for forming cathodes containing a mercury compound, since such cathodes have greatly enhanced abilities to immobilize free mercury during cell discharge.

Abstract: A method for preparing metal chromate cathode electrodes for use in non-aqueous lithium/chromate cells for medium to high discharge rate service is described. Cells utilizing such cathodes are also described. Chromates used include the chromates, dichromates and basic chromates of silver, copper, mercury and lead. The cathodes can be prepared without internal conductive elements or cohesive binders.