Abstract: A separator for an electrochemical primary cell of the metal-air type and having an alkaline electrolyte comprises a support based on woven or non-woven fibers, with at least one of the faces of the support being provided with a film of polyvinyl alcohol is insoluble in the alkaline medium.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having an alkaline electrolyte and a gelled negative electrode containing zinc powder free from mercury, from cadmium, and from lead, and having 1 ppm to 1000 ppm of an organic stabilization compound selected from: polyfluoride compounds of the ethoxyl fluoroalcohol type; and compounds of the polyethoxyl alcohol and alcoyl sulfide type. The electrode is provided with a nail-shaped cylindrical negative current collector immersed in the gell and passing through a sealing plug and connected to the negative terminal. The current collector is constituted, at least superficially, by a substance selected from: pure zinc, pure cadmium, indium, and gallium; and the nail includes means assembled thereon without melting metal and serving to increase its developed surface area.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery having an alkaline electrolyte and a gelled negative electrode containing zinc powder free from mercury, cadmium, and lead, and 1 ppm to 1000 ppm of at least one organic stabilizer compound selected from polyfluorine compounds of the ethoxyl fluoroalcohol type and compounds of the alcoyl sulfide and polyethoxyl alcohol type, the electrode being provided with a negative current collector immersed in the gell and connected to the negative terminal, wherein the current collector comprises a bundle of conducting fibers which are fixed together at their ends closest to the negative terminal, the fibers having a diameter lying in the range 0.05 mm to 1 mm, and being constituted, at least superficially, by a metal selected from: indium; gallium; cadmium; and pure zinc.

Abstract: A bicycle lamp device comprises a concave reflector (1), and a light source disposed substantially of the focus of said reflector and constituted by the filament (7) of a bulb (5). Said reflector had at least one window (10) in its surface enabling a secondary beam to be emitted from said source, and the device is characterized by the fact that said reflector further includes at least one secondary mirror (9) fixed to the edge (8) of its inside face, and oriented in such a manner as to send rays from said source through said window (10), thereby increasing the solid angle of said secondary beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lantern whose housing (1) includes two superposed compartments (4, 5), the first of which (4) contains a light bulb (7) and the second of which (5) contains a single-cell or multi-cell battery (8), switching means being provided for switching the light bulb (7) on and off.In accordance with the invention, the housing (1) has a one-piece structure without a bottom, at least one portion of the casing of the battery co-operating with the inner surface of the second compartment (5) to guide the battery (8) when it is being inserted in the housing (1) and then to switch said light bulb (7) on and off.Application to lanterns on work sites.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beacon lamp which includes a point source of light located at F and surrounded by a transparent cap (20) which is in the shape of a solid of revolution about an axis zz' which passes through F and which forms at least one annular lens (L1, L2) whose focus is F. The profiles of the optical surfaces of the lens(es) are such that they produce a cap which can easily be moulded and which is anastigmatic for the point F and infinity, i.e. which concentrates much of the light from the point F into a plane (25) through the point F. Application to lamps for indicating the survivors at sea of shipwrecks or air crashes, said lamp being suitable for equipping life jackets on board aircraft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beacon lamp which includes a substantially point source of light F surrounded by a transparent cap (1) which forms a lens (8). In accordance with the invention, said lens is chosen so that the emerging beam (9) occupies the nappe or sheet of a cone (10) having its apex at F. Application to air spotting survivors at sea of an air crash or a ship wreck, the survivors being equipped for example with life jackets including such lamps.

Abstract: The air-depolarized cell comprises a positive electrode having a catalytic mass, a negative electrode, an electrolyte disposed between the electrodes, a gas space above the assembly formed by the negative electrode and the electrolyte, a ventilation duct passing through the positive electrode to convey oxygen into the catalytic mass, and a source of oxygen which is separated from the said gas space by a wall impermeable to oxygen. In accordance with the invention the said duct is connected to the said source of oxygen by a tube impermeable to oxygen which is hermetically sealed to the said wall and to the catalytic mass which is situated entirely below the free surface of the electrolyte.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air-depolarized primary cell which includes a container (1), a negative electrode (4) disposed against the walls of the container, a positive electrode (3) disposed in the central portion of the container and a ventilation circuit (6, 8, 9, 28) for the positive electrode; a gas-filled space (15) is provided above the negative electrode and the electrolyte for accommodating the negative electrode as it expands during use; the space is delimited by the ventilation circuit, the walls of the container and a wall (26) which is impermeable to oxygen. In accordance with the invention, the periphery of the impermeable wall has a step configuration rim (27, 30) welded to the walls of the container, this avoids cracks damaging the seal (17) between the impermeable wall (26) and the ventilation circuit when the walls of the container (1) are deformed by the expanding negative electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pocket lamp having an electric battery, a light bulb, a housing one of whose walls is made of a plastic material and supports the light bulb and forms a reflector and conductors forming with the light bulb and the battery an electric circuit closed by a switch. The switch has a knob sliding along the wall of the housing and which can be placed in two stable positions which are determined by a resilient appendage belonging to the aforementioned wall and co-operating with a protuberance formed in the knob. Application to pocket torches having a flat electric battery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a preferably cylindrical electric cell having its anode constituted by a tube made of zinc for example. One end of the tube fits into a metallic cup having a bottom and a cylindrical wall; a gasket is interposed between the tube and a portion of the cup leaving a part of the cylindrical wall bare so as to provide both sealing by the gasket and electric contact between the tube and the cup. Application of the invention is especially to zinc-manganese dioxide cells.

Abstract: The remaining useful life of a battery is indicated by a mechanical resilient means for displaying the thickness of the battery electrode. A mechanical indicator shows the electrode thickness at a convenient and visible top area of the battery container. The indicator may be coupled to any primary electrode which changes its thickness during battery discharge. This type of indicator may be used with batteries having opaque containers and nontransparent electrolytes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a discharge indicator of an electrochemical generator such as a cell or battery comprising a consumable negative electrode basically containing powdered metal, for example, zinc. The said indicator is constituted by an enclosure containing a substance which can be seen from the outside of the battery and having an appearance which changes on coming into contact with the electrolyte, the said enclosure being closed by a metal plate arranged within the negative electrode and which is made of a material chosen from among zinc, zinc alloys, zinc amalgams. Application of the indicator is to air depolarization cells.

Abstract: The invention concerns an air depolarization cell or battery. The positive electrode is supplied with air through at least one cavity formed by at least two funnels formed directly by molding or otherwise in the mass of the positive electrode separated by a portion of the mass of the positive electrode, each funnel communicating with the outside air at one of their ends and communicating together by a passageway similarly formed directly in the mass of the positive electrode at the level of their other ends. The ratio between the area of the surface of each funnel through which air flows into the electrode and the volume of air therein is different for the two funnels.

Abstract: The invention relates to electrochemical cells intended to be electrically connected up in series. Such a connection is obtained by means of a mechanical link between the terminals of opposite polarities of two adjacent cells. That mechanical link may be formed by a spring-catch system, screwing or locking. The invention applies more particularly to cylindrical electric cells.

Abstract: Alkaline electrolyte electric primary cell comprising a visual indicator of its state of charge, the said primary cell having a negative electrode basically containing zinc powder in contact with its outside casing. The said charge indicator is constituted by a perforated copper or copper alloy sheet which is visible from the outside of the primary cell and is in contact with the negative mass. On assembly, the copper sheet becomes coated with a film of zinc and appears to have a grey color. During cell discharge the zinc of this film oxidizes and the original coloration of the sheet comes visible through a transparency provided in at least a portion of the casing. The sheet may be located at any selected depth in the thickness of the negative electrode and the time of restoration of original coloration is a function of the location depth and thus indicative of the residual state of charge.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a zinc negative electrode, a positive electrode, a saline electrolyte and a corrosion inhibitor added to the saline electrolyte to prevent corrosion of the zinc electrode by the electrolyte is disclosed. The inhibitor is ascorbic acid, which is added to the saline electrolyte preferably in proportions comprised between 700 and 900 mg/l. The mixture of the electrolyte and inhibitor is generally in paste form. The resultant inhibitor-containing electrolyte in practice does not corrode the zinc negative electrode of such cells during storage. Thus, prolonged storage of such cells, even in adverse tropical environments is possible.