Abstract: We have discovered that the introduction of small particulate matter into the area between the electrolyte and the inner surface of the battery cover can dramatically reduce water loss, if the material possess the following properties:The material should have a closed cell, which is not a solid material in a sense that it is a plurality of hollow structures linked together.

Abstract: A cell having a cell and a method of producing a cell element which includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode with a separator sandwiched therebetween and an electrolyte absorbed in the cell element is, characterized in that the separator in the cell is composed of a mixture of a binder the volume of which can be increased with the penetration of the electrolyte and an insulating support having an insulating property, the mixture being penetrated with the electrolyte, wherein the separator is so designed as to have a larger size than the outer periphery of the positive electrode and/or the negative electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical cell comprising a negative electrode of a stable hydride-forming material, in which a large loading capacity at low temperature is obtained by the addition of a catalytic material of the type DE.sub.3, wherein D is one or more of the elements selected from Cr, Mo and W, and wherein E represents Ni and/or Co.The catalytic material can be provided in the form of a eutectic segregation or it can be provided at the surface of powdered hydride-forming material by means of an electrochemical reaction.

Abstract: Gaps occurring between a cathode substrate and a gas housing in a fuel cell interfere with electron transfer in the cell causing high cell internal resistance. To reduce the high resistance gaps are closed by coating the substrate with metal powder that expands during oxidation closing the gaps.

Abstract: Porous electrodes for use in fuel cells and other electrochemical cells are disclosed. Principally, the electrodes a catalytically active layer on a porous conductive substrate, which catalytically active layer is derived from non-noble metals. The loading of the catalytically active layer is lower in terms of weight of catalyst per unit area of geometrical electrode surface than heretofore. Several alternative methods of forming the electrode are taught, including impregnating a porous conductive substrate with a metal salt solution, followed by chemical or thermal formation of the porous catalytically active layer; or mixing the catalytically active material with the material of the porous conductive substrate, followed by fabrication of the electrode; or depositing pyrolitic carbon from the gas phase onto a porous conductive substrate, at elevated temperatures in a gas atmosphere. The electrode may also have a porous metallic current collector, and also a further gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: A stacked fuel cell has a plurality of cell plaques, each plaque having a plurality of horizontally disposed fuel cells placed in an insulating frame. By utilizing a plurality of cell plaques, overall fuel cell stack voltage can be substantially increased by interconnecting adjacent plaque cells to form substacks which are in turn connected in series. Thus stack voltage is increased without requiring additional fuel cell height.

Abstract: An assembled battery including a plurality of bipolar cells is disclosed. In one embodiment, the battery comprises a plurality of conduits for introducing electrolyte into the bipolar cells, each of the conduits acting to introduce electrolyte into a different one of the bipolar cells. In another embodiment, the battery comprises at least one spacer element acting to maintain the spacing between plates and/or electrodes in the battery.

Abstract: A new approach for efficient current collection is provided for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell comprising a positive electrode having a polyaniline or conductive organic polymer as an active material, a negative electrode, a nonaqueous electrolyte, and an outer casing having these components received therein. The positive electrode is affixed to the inner surface of an outer casing segment associated with the positive electrode through a conductive adhesive layer having carbon powder dispersed in a base polymer. The cell can recover from an over-discharged state.

Abstract: A cadmium electrode for use in rechargeable alkaline cells is disclosed featuring use of dispersed polyamide having specific properties. The polyamide serves as a binder as well as an anti-agglomerant to retard cadmium agglomeration during use of the electrode. The use of elemental silver additive dispersed throughout the electrode is also disclosed, as is the use of zirconium material as an elecrolyte wicking and anti-compressive agent. A process for making any of the foregoing electrodes is disclosed featuring the step of forming a paste by mixing together the polymeric resin, active cadmium material and a non-aqueous solvent, applying the paste to a conductive substrate and removing the solvent. Alternatively, known prefabricated cadmium electrodes, such as Teflon-bonded or sintered types, are post-treated through dipping or the like in a solution of the aforementioned polyamide.

Abstract: The incorporation of the hydrophilic porous element and the heat pipes in a fuel cell system enables high current density operation with a simplified accessory section as well as simplified controls, improved reliance and efficiency, and decreased maintenance and maintenance costs. The porous element, replacing the circulating pump and condenser of conventional systems, removes water from the cathode, wets the anode, and removes excess water from the system. The heat pipe system, replacing the coolant pump, coolant heat exchanger, and thermal and other controls, removes waste heat from the system.

Abstract: An ionically conductive material useful in electrochemical generators is disclosed. This ionically material comprises a salt in solution in a solvent. The solvent comprises a sulfonated derivative of Formula (I):R.sub.1 R.sub.2 N--SO.sub.2 NR.sub.3 R.sub.4wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are each independently a C.sub.1-10 alkyl group or a C.sub.1-10 oxaalkyl group.

Abstract: The invention provides a compressed envelope of solid electrolyte for holding an electrode in an electrochemical cell. The envelope comprises corrugated sheets joined along their edges. The sheets are aligned with each other so that their corrugations extend parallel along the length of the envelope and a space is defined between the sheets. The corrugations of the sheets nest in each other where the sheets are joined together at the ends of the envelope. The invention also provides a method of making the envelope and a cell having an electrode held in said envelope.

Abstract: Thermal insulation with a double walled housing in which the space between the housing walls is evacuated and filled with insulating material and feedthroughs are provided between the interior of the housing and the outer area. The closure area of the housing is free of feedthroughs, and each boundary wall of each feedthrough is mechanically extended and connected vacuum tight to the housing walls.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a flattened solid electrolyte, e.g. .beta.-alumina, envelope for use as an electrode holder in an electrochemical cell. A mouldable mixture of the .beta.-alumina with a binder is formed into sheet material and two panels of the sheet material are joined together along their peripheral edges to form the envelope. Spacing and reinforcing means is provided between the panels to space them apart and to reinforce the envelope. The edges of the panels are joined together using pressure, heat and/or solvent, after which are envelope is heated to cure the binder, volatilize the cured binder and sinter the solid electrolyte.

Abstract: A cover for a galvanic cell having a reverse curved peripheral edge and a substantially centrally disposed upstanding wall bounding an aperture. A sealing member is positioned below the cover and has a tubular hub which projects through the aperture in the cover and a skirt that electrically insulates the edge of the cover. An electrically conductive fastener is positioned in the tubular hub on the sealing member which tends to cause the edge of the tubular hub to roll or "mushroom" when the electrically conductive fastener is peened or clinched in place. The rolled tubular hub tightly locks the fastener and the cover together while the edge of the cover presses against the inner wall of the container holding the components of the galvanic cell. The pressure tends to slightly bow the cover enabling it to stay in a tightly sealed condition under both physical and thermal stress. A galvanic cell incorporating the cover is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plastic sealing element for dry cells includes a radially symmetrical, contrally perforated base element, the upper side of which is provided with an elastomeric sealing material which is extruded in the form of a circumferential annular bead, and a process for its manufacture. After the sealing element is pre-assembled with the cell's metal housing cover and the cell is assembled, the annular bead is pressed flat during final crimping so that a sealing zone having a small cross section and defining a long leakage path is developed between the cover and the base element, effectively preventing the leakage of electrolyte or water vapor, which is especially diffuse from the cell's porous carbon rod conductor, into the cell's sealing zone.

Abstract: A sintered body of a ceramics material consisting essentially of a mixture of lanthanum chromite of the formula of LaCrO.sub.3 with an oxide of a specifically limited metal, or consisting essentially of lanthanum chromite, whose Cr is partly replaced by a specifically limited metal, has high mechanical strength and electroconductivity and is very useful as an interconnecting member of fuel cell. A mixture of lanthanum chromite, whose Cr is partly replaced by a specifically limited metal, with an oxide of a specifically limited metal is effective for obtaining a sintered body having high mechanical strength and electroconductivity in a high sinterability.

Abstract: A battery capable of extended operation at high temperature includes a cell of laminated construction utilizing a solid oxidant cathode, an electrolyte element, a catalyst and a gas impermeable separator sheet providing an anode for the cell, with each element in electrical connection with the next. The solid oxidant is a mixture including powdered manganese dioxide, carbon and caustic material, the electrolyte element is a mixture including powdered magnesium oxide, and a binder, pressed into a solid pellet and soaked with caustic material. The cell further has a porous carbon paper substrate in electrical contact with the gas impermeable separator sheet and the catalyst is platinum dispersed on and adhered to the substrate. A source of hydrogen gas is provided, and when the battery is exposed to the hydrogen gas, a voltage is generated.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of lead-acid batteries and associated apparatus and a lead-acid battery design resulting therefrom is disclosed. The method involves providing a battery grid and pasting the grid with a battery paste such that a profiled and tapered battery plate is formed. This battery plate is wrapped onto a coil and cured in curing apparatus. A battery element is formed using coils of the finished plate stock, separator material, and winged end plate. After this, several battery elements are then placed into a battery container.

Abstract: An electrode suitable for use as a lead-acid battery plate contains an inorganic metal oxide additive which enhances the formation of the plate. The additive is electrically conductive, stable in aqueous solutions of sulfuric acid, but does not participate in the electrode reaction. Suitable metal oxides include barium metaplumbate and other ceramic perovskite materials having similar properties. The conductive ceramic may also be used in electrodes for bipolar lead-acid batteries and in an electrode, particularly an anode (positive electrode), used in electrolytic processes.