Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and producing electrical energy in an electrochemical cell, where the cathode is a porous air electrode and the anode is a hydrogen-containing metal hydride. According to the invention, an overpressure is allowed to form inside the porous air electrode during charging, the said pressure preventing the formation of hydrogen bubbles on the metal hydride electrode. The overpressure remains at the desired level because the pores of the air electrode are made so small that the surface tension of the electrolytic solution penetrating into the pores seals the porous air electrode.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 13, 1994
Date of Patent:
July 8, 1997
Assignee:
Markku Lampinen
Inventors:
Markku Lampinen, Minna Viitanen, Jaakko Lamminen, Marina Fomino