Abstract: Disclosed herein is a venting mechanism for a battery. The venting mechanism includes a battery vent structure which is located on the battery cover and may be integrally formed therewith. The venting mechanism includes an opening extending through the battery cover such that the opening communicates with a plurality of battery cells located within the battery case. The venting mechanism also includes a vent manifold which attaches to the battery vent structure. The vent manifold includes a first opening which communicates with the battery vent structure opening and second and third openings which allow the vent manifold to be connected to two separate conduits. In this manner, a plurality of batteries may be interconnected for venting purposes, thus eliminating the need to provide separate vent lines for each battery. The vent manifold may be attached to the battery vent structure by a spin-welding technique.

Abstract: An improved high rate alkaline cell is obtained by employing an anode current collector comprising a foraminous metal.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting electrical current from individual fuel cell stacks in a solid oxide fuel cell is provided, in which the current collectors are protected from oxidation through advantageous placement in non-oxidizing surroundings. Fuel cell module configurations employing and taking advantage of the current collecting apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a protective device for batteries having a high energy density such as lithium ion batteries. The protective device includes a current conduction cutoff means having a current-conducting circuit comprising a voltage-detecting means for detecting the voltage of at least one battery being charged, a heat-generating resistance for starting the conduction of a current when the detected voltage exceeds a preset voltage, and a temperature fuse thermally coupled to the heat-generating resistance. When a state where battery voltage is higher than a preset value continues, a charging circuit for the battery is cut off by the temperature fuse and current output from the battery is disabled. The protective device further includes a battery-discharging means actuated upon detection of the fusing-down of the temperature fuse, so that the battery is disabled, and then placed in a dischargeable state.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus, such as a pager, comprises a case having a battery holder in the form of a battery receiving recess of a size to receive the larger (or largest) of at least two coin-shaped batteries having respectively different predetermined diameters. A resiliently biased edge contact for bearing on the periphery of a battery protrudes through an aperture in a wall of the recess and another electrical contact is provided in the base of the recess. In order to adapt the battery holder to accommodate a smaller size of coin battery, resiliently biased battery locating abutment means are provided in the base of the recess at location(s) coinciding with the periphery of the smaller (or smallest) battery size when placed in the recess. The abutment means when extending into the recess maintain the smaller (or smallest) battery in contact with the resiliently biased edge contact but are depressed when the largest battery is placed in the recess.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid-circulating type redox flow battery which comprises(a) said battery being defined by a ratio (H/L) where (H) is the average height of each of said porous electrodes in a flow direction of each of said electrolytic solutions, and (L) is the length of each of said porous electrodes in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of each of said electrolytic solutions, the ratio (H/L) being in the range of 0.18 to 1.95; and(b) said battery being defined by ratios (.SIGMA.s.sub.ai /S.sub.a) and (.SIGMA.s.sub.ci /S.sub.c) where (.SIGMA.s.sub.ai) is the sum of the cross-sectional area of an inlet for introducing said positive electrolytic solution into said positive cell, (.SIGMA.s.sub.ci) is the sum of the cross-sectional area of an inlet for introducing said negative electrolytic solution into said negative cell, (S.sub.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly (2) includes a vessel (4) containing a gas-permeable, porous housing (16). A fuel cell stack (14), including cells (42) and interconnect plates (44), is contained within the porous housing. Each interconnect plate has oxidant and fuel sides (64, 60) adjacent to the cathode (58) and anode (62) of adjacent cells. Fuel (68) is supplied to the fuel side at positions (78) midway between the center (82) and the periphery (80) of the fuel side. Reaction products (90) are withdrawn from the center of the fuel side. Flue gas (100) is withdrawn from the center (98) of the oxidant side. Air is preheated as it passes through the porous housing to the fuel cell stack. The preheated air combusts residual fuel (110) flowing radially outwardly from the periphery of the stack to further heat the air to the stack operating temperature to eliminate any external preheating of the air.

Abstract: A secondary zinc air cell, or another selected metal air cell, employing a spouted/packed metal particle bed and an air electrode. More specifically, two embodiments of a cell, one that is capable of being hydraulically recharged, and a second that is capable of being either hydraulically or electrically recharged. Additionally, each cell includes a sloped bottom portion to cause stirring of the electrolyte/metal particulate slurry when the cell is being hydraulically emptied and refilled during hydraulically recharging of the cell.

Abstract: A miniature galvanic cell employing a cell housing comprising an indented cup, such as a beaded cup, and can wherein the indented area is disposed at the vicinity of the open end of the cup so that effectively the majority of the cross-section thickness of the vertical portion of the cell is attributed to the thickness of the wall of the cup so that maximum internal volume of the cell is reserved for the active components. A process for producing the novel housing is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrolytic cell and associated process for fabrication, wherein the cell utilizes an intermediate sub-component connecting layer. This layer comprises an electrolyte which, in an at least partially cured state, is at least partially sandwiched between an electrolyte on a first sub-component and an electrolyte on a second sub-component. Prior to full curing of the intermediate sub-component connecting layer, the cell is oriented into a desired product configuration. Once such a configuration is obtained, the intermediate sub-component connecting layer is fully cured to, in turn, maintain the cell in the desired product configuration without concern of misalignment or mechanical degradation between the various sub-components and/or the cell.

Abstract: The invention discloses a lid suited to be used on batteries of the "re-combination" type or of the "KAMINA" type realized with a single manufactured article moulded of plastic material. The manufactured article presents an essentially flat surface (6), a series of holes (4) aligned in relation to one another communicating with each element of the battery, a plurality of caps (11) lodged in said holes and a channel (5) for conveying the fumes generated by the battery and having its ends facing the external surface of the lid. With such an embodiment the lid is suited to be used on batteries of the "KAMINA" type, since it suffices for this purpose to place a tube for the exhaust of the fumes at at least one end of the conveyance channel (5). On the other hand, when the lid according to the invention is to be used on batteries of the "re-combination" type, it is sufficient to insert at the end of the re-conveyance channel (5) at least one one-way valve and sealing means such as OR rings under each cap (11).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a leak resistant battery cover for storage batteries. The battery cover provides a labyrinth of passages which provide a path from each cell vent to the atmospheric vent. The labyrinth is configured to provide a portion of each path above a level in which the electrolyte in the respective cells attains when the battery is tipped on any one of its sides or rotated ninety (90) degrees from an upright position. The labyrinth configuration prevents electrolyte from reaching the atmospheric vent and spilling out of the battery.

Abstract: A miniature type of galvanic cell employing a novel ribbed gasket that has a rigid rib segment that will reduce any bowing of the central area of a flat electrode, such as a positive electrode of an air depolarized cell. A process is disclosed for producing a novel ribbed gasket having a rigid rib segment and assembling the novel ribbed gasket in a galvanic cell, such as an air depolarized cell.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells having a current collector that includes a redox polymer film affords overdischarge protection. The redox polymers can reversibly insert anions and/or cations during oxidation and/or reduction thereby rendering the polymers conductive relatively to their neutral state.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode for batteries, especially a pasted electrode, and a process for producing the same which is improved in the adhesiveness between the active material and the electrode core material, utilization of the active material, discharge characteristics and in the charge and discharge cycling life. The resultant electroconductive core material comprises a perforated or non-perforated metal sheet such as punched metal sheet having sintered hollow nickel members separately or entangled fixed on the surfaces thereof. The hollow of the sintered nickel members is formed due to the thermal decomposition and evaporation of the resin fibers which have been applied to the electroconductive core material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a leak resistant battery cover for storage batteries. The battery cover sealably engages a conventional battery housing having multiple cells separated by internal housing walls. The cover has a substantially flat interior area, a portion of which extends over part of each battery cell when the cover is placed upon a battery housing. The cover includes a cell chamber for each battery cell. Drain-back/vents communicate each cell chamber with its corresponding battery cell. The drain-back/vent, whether separate or integrated allows escape of electrolyte gases from the battery cells into the corresponding battery chamber and provide for the return of liquid electrolyte back to the cells from the cell chambers. None of the cell chambers communicate directly through the battery cover to atmosphere.One or more additional chambers are provided in the cover above the central cells of the battery housing.

Abstract: A secondary battery has a cylindrically wound laminate made up of a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator plate interposed therebetween. The wound laminate is enclosed within a protective can, which also encloses a volume of electrolyte. The negative electrode plate includes a support member, an electrolytically active substance disposed on at least one surface of the support member, and a supplementary support embedded in the electrolytically active substance. The supplementary support is in the form of an electrically conductive network formed from a plurality of entangled and interconnected conductive members, and is used to improve the electrical conductivity of negative electrode.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a corrosion resistant fuel cell in which an ion impermeable protective layer is positioned over at least a portion of the noncatalyzed carbon based components. This layer prevents reactant ions or molecules form reaching localized high potential areas of these components and corroding the carbon material.

Abstract: The present application discloses battery sealant compositions which exhibit excellent flexibility and chemical (alkalinity) resistance properties without requiring the use of organic solvents. These compositions comprise an epoxy resin, such as polybutadiene epoxy resin; a polyol material, such as a butadiene polyol; a cationic photoinitiator; and optionally a radiation curable monomer, such as a vinyl ether monomer. Electrochemical (battery) cells which incorporate a seal made by the photoinitiated polymerization of this material is is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical terminal provides an electrical interconnection between the exterior and the interior of the pressure vessel of an energy storage cell. The terminal includes an external electrical conductor exterior to the pressure vessel and an internal electrical conductor within the interior of the pressure vessel. An electrically nonconductive support mounts the electrical conductors to the wall of the pressure vessel. The two electrical conductors are cooperatively engaged, preferably by matching threads. A compliant seal is positioned between the external electrical conductor and the internal electrical conductor, on the one hand, and the wall of the pressure vessel, on the other, and a biasing washer set applies a force between the seal and the electrical conductors to maintain hermeticity in the event that the seal deforms during service.