Abstract: A coupling for connecting a battery to a battery charger of a replacement station for electric road vehicles equipped with exchangeable batteries receivable upon a roller conveyor associated with the replacement station, or to a battery charger of the owner of the vehicle, includes corresponding terminal strips associated with the battery and with the battery charger having plugs and sockets for electrical connection, and optionally for connection with an air supply and a water refilling device. The plugs and sockets are suitably connected to the battery with cables and hoses. The correspondingly adjusted terminal strip arranged at the charging position in the replacement station is provided with corresponding sockets and plugs, and has additional guide pins for engaging corresponding guide openings in the battery terminal strip. These various structures are automatically connected when the battery is advanced along the roller conveyor.

Abstract: An Li/LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4 secondary cell employing a SWING system (i.e., of the "rocking chair cell" type) includes a positive electrode formed as a metal gauze-reinforced, rolled electrode, and a negative electrode formed by impregnating a nickel foam with a paste of Li-intercalating graphite. Such electrodes are from 3 to 4 times thicker than the thin-film electrodes fabricated with prior, knife-coating techniques and employed in wound cells, and are therefore particularly suitable for constructing prismatic cells. By prerolling the as yet empty nickel foam to specific thicknesses, the capacity per unit area of the negative electrode can be tailored to that of the positive, rolled electrode. By rerolling the impregnated nickel foam, optimal energy density and electrode capacity is achieved, at a porosity of from 50 to 60%.

Abstract: A carbon-black-containing gas-consuming layer on the surface of a negative electrode is produced from a mixture of an aqueous carbon black dispersion and an aqueous PTFE dispersion, both of which contain a surfactant of the same type (either cationic, anionic or nonionic) for the purpose of stabilization. The stabilized particles in the final gas-consuming dispersion are formed by coating PTFE particles with smaller carbon particles, preferably with an interlayer or envelope of a surfactant film. Pores and cracks operate to increase the effective catalytic surface area for oxygen gas. Additions of polyacrylic acid esters are suitable for adjusting the viscosity of the dispersion. The dispersion is applied to the electrode by immersion or spraying.

Abstract: In a plate block for lead batteries having plates of one polarity with plate lugs which are thicker than the plate lugs of the plates of the other polarity, an equalization of the volumes and of the areas of the two lug types is achieved by providing the thicker lugs with a wedge-like taper toward their end, so that the end thickness of the tapered lugs is less than that of the thinner lugs, which are left in their original shape (i.e., an essentially rectangular cross-section). As a result, the heat applied to the two lug types is balanced during casting on of the pole bridges in similar casting molds and at the same lead temperature. The wedge-like geometry is imparted to the thicker lugs by machining them with a face milling tool.

Abstract: The positive electrode of a Ni/metal hydride accumulator is formed from a mass mixture of Ni(OH).sub.2 and an oxidation-resistant graphite. The stable graphite is notable for a high degree of crystallinity and a low ash content. In conventional Ni/metal hydride accumulators, cobalt compounds play an essential part in developing a conductive matrix within their positive nickel hydroxide electrodes, leading to reductive destruction of the matrix by severe high temperature short circuit testing. In contrast, the same accumulators, with positive electrodes produced according to the present invention, survive the test with only a temporary and slight decline in capacity.

Abstract: An active material for a positive electrode for lithium secondary batteries and composed of a lithium-manganese oxide (Li.sub.x Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4) with a spinel structure is produced by mixing manganese dioxide with lithium formate (HCOOLi) and/or lithium acetate (CH.sub.3 COOLi), heating the resulting mixture for 10 to 100 hours, preferably at a temperature of from 600.degree. C. to 750.degree. C., and if necessary, grinding the heated mixture. The constituents of the mixture contain manganese and lithium in a molar ratio (Mn:Li) of 2:x, where 0.5<x<1.5. The resulting product has an extremely fine crystallinity and exhibits good cycling stability.

Abstract: A button cell containing electrodes having a polygonal shape, preferably square or hexagonal, in a flat housing is advantageous when compared to such cells having conventional round pressed powder electrodes. The electrodes can be cut from a continuously manufactured rolled strip with a metallic web overlay without appreciable material waste. The webs of the electrodes face outwardly toward the top and bottom of the housing when the electrodes are fitted into the cell. The free space left between the electrode edges and the interior of the cylindrical cell housing is available as electrolyte collecting space and is advantageous for gas take-up.

Abstract: Lead oxide is used for neutralizing the sulfuric acid wastewater received from washing charged (formed) electrodes during lead battery production. The neutralization product, including lead sulfate and excess lead oxide, is returned directly to production of the active mass paste. The mother liquor, after a possible use as cleaning water, is subjected to another neutralization with lead oxide, separate from the wastewater received from the electrode washing procedure in view of its possible content of impurities. The resulting lead sulfate is sent to a metal-processing facility for recycling. The neutral mother liquor, after the removal of lead residues by conventional precipitation methods and filtration, is discharged as treated water.

Abstract: A gas-tight nickel/hydride battery with a high oxygen consumption rate and a correspondingly low internal pressure has a stacked arrangement of positive and negative electrodes wherein the negative electrodes are divided in two with a coarse supporting framework as a space between the resulting partial electrodes. Gas impermeable microporous separators deflect the oxygen stream emerging from the positive electrodes to faces of the negative partial electrodes. The spacer provides an inner space with walls defining an enlarged area for reducing the deflected oxygen stream. Because the micropores are completely filled with electrolyte due to their capillary activity, the microporous separators also permit the construction of nickel/hydride batteries with cell heights which could not otherwise be achieved in alkaline batteries with nonwoven fabric separators.

Abstract: A sealing plug for a lead battery which prevents both the emergence of acid mist from the cell, and its harmful effects on the operation of the safety valve of the sealing plug, is configured to cause escaping cell gases to follow a path to the outside of the cell which first passes through a porous frit and which then proceeds through a pressure-release valve. To this end, a housing base is provided which includes a bottom portion for receiving the frit and for engaging a filler opening of the battery's lid. A premounted pressure-release valve including a compression spring and a sealing disk is retained between the housing base and a cap for engaging an outer flange of the housing base, for enclosing the resulting structure.

Abstract: Nontoxic, chemically stable lithium tris(fluorosulphonyl)methanide, LiC(SO.sub.2 F).sub.3, is used as a conducting salt for rechargeable lithium cells containing nonaqueous electrolytes based on esters or polymeric electrolytes such as polyethylene oxide. The cell electrolyte is preferably comprised of an approximately 1 molar solution of the salt in a mixture of 50% by volume of ethylene carbonate (EC) and 50% by volume of diethyl carbonate (DEC).

Abstract: A lead storage battery is filled with electrolyte in two steps. In a first step, the filling electrolyte is a sulfuric acid which does not contain a gelling agent, and the amount of electrolyte introduced into the battery casing is selected so that the electrolyte fills only the pores in the active compound of the electrodes and the pores of the separators (to the extent that they are capable of retaining the absorbed liquid by capillary action). In a second step, the filling electrolyte is a thixotropic mixture of sulfuric acid and silicic acid, which fills the remaining electrolyte space. The state of the electrode plates that are used (i.e., formed or unformed) determines the density of the sulfuric acid used in both portions of the filling process. In the case of formed plates, the density conforms to the normal final acid density for a charged storage battery.

Abstract: Discrete locations of an electrode web or electrode segment based on a porous metallic carrier framework, which are intended to receive the take-off conductor, are briefly heated to about 450.degree. C. and then cleared of active mass with compressed air. The heating, for which a stream of hot air is particularly suitable, has the effect of destroying the organic binder present in the active material. Following such treatment, a clean metal surface is made available for the welded attachment of the take-off conductor, of a size which is limited to the precise dimensions necessary for the connection.

Abstract: Viscous active ingredients are introduced into the case of a galvanic cell by extrusion from a nozzle fed with the ingredients by a pumping device. The pumping device includes an elastic, substantially straight piece of hose, and a pressure roll which can be moved along the hose between two established limits, both in the general direction of the outlet nozzle to compress the hose, and in the opposite direction to assume a retracted position along the hose. The piece of hose is compressed at a point immediately adjacent to the hose segment defined between the established limits of the pressure roll so that the material to be metered does not come into contact with parts in relative motion to each other.

Abstract: A push-through, blister card package for zinc-air batteries includes a cardboard support to which is sealed a transparent plastic foil with cup-shaped recesses for holding button cells. The battery bases, which are provided with air supply holes, are attached to a shared adhesive foil. When a battery is pushed through the support, which is perforated in the region for battery removal, the adhesive foil automatically detaches from the battery while remaining an integral part of the package.

Abstract: Surface rich forms of magnesium hydroxide and/or basic magnesium salts, or titanium (IV) oxide, preferably with lye or an aqueous potassium carbonate solution in weight ratios of between about 1:0.5 and 1:2, or between about 1:1.5 and 1:4.5, respectively, produce pastes of a consistency ranging from nearly dry to wet. These pastes are used in producing alkaline primary and secondary elements with immobilized electrolytes and high operating capacities. The specific surfaces of the solids are preferably in the range of from 25 to 50 m.sup.2 /g (and higher). The paste electrlytes can be utilized in the temperature range of from -50.degree. C. to near the boiling point of the pure electrolyte, while exhibiting capacities which scarcely differ from those of an additive-free KOH electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrochemical secondary element with a non-aqueous electrolyte, whose charge/discharge mechanism is predicated upon the reversible intercalation of active Li+ ions in electrode materials having an open skeletal structure. The positive electrode is essentially a lithium-manganese spinel of the type Li.sub.q M.sub.x Mn.sub.y O.sub.z which, in addition to satisfying the expressions 0<x<0.6 and 1.4<y<2.0, can also contain up to 30% of other metals such as Co, in addition to Mn. The negative electrode is based on a carbon product obtained by pyrolysis from organic compounds, and serves as the recipient substance for the Li+ ions. By limiting the Li concentration in the spinel lattice to a range in which the numerical values of the variable q lie between 0 and 1.3, a lithium-poor manganese spinel is obtained.

Abstract: In a lithium secondary cell of the intercalation type, with a positive electrode which includes a lithiated transition metal oxide Li.sub.x M.sub.y O.sub.2, wherein 0.5.ltoreq.x/y.ltoreq.1.0 and M is a metal from Groups VIIb and VIIIb (preferably Co, Ni, Mn), and with a negative electrode formed of a carbon product with disordered crystalline structure produced from organic materials by delayed coking, both electrodes are uncharged in the initial assembly state, but the negative electrode is doped with lithium through prelithiation in an amount which is irreversibly consumed in the formation of ion conductive surface layers. This permits a loss-free deintercalation of any subsequently introduced lithium so that the cell exhibits, from its inception, a largely stable capacity during cyclic charge/discharge operation.

Abstract: Positive ribbon electrodes for primary and secondary cells are produced in a dry process wherein two strips of active material in powder form, preferably comprised of MnO.sub.2, FeS.sub.2, CuO, .alpha.-Cu.sub.2 V.sub.2 O.sub.7, and Li.sub.x MnO.sub.y, are simultaneously rolled and then fed into the gap of a roller mechanism, on opposite sides of an interposed metal net or mesh, to roll coat both sides of the lattice-like carrier strip. After excess mass is stripped off, the finished electrode ribbon has a thickness of less than 0.45 mm and a porosity of more than 24% which, because of its large active surface, is advantageously used in wound batteries incorporating Li or H.sub.2 electrodes.