Abstract: Heat exchanger 4 operates in counterflow relationship to cool reformed gas and to heat raw gas during operation with gaseous raw fuel feed. It also operates in counterflow relationship when preheating the system while recirculating inert gas. This same heat exchanger 4 operates in parallel flow relationship when liquid raw fuel is to be vaporized. Only one heat exchanger is required while avoiding cracking and fouling in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: In rechargeable, electrochemical cells, oxygen may evolve on charge, overcharge or any reversal of polarity. The invention concerns an auxiliary, electrochemical, transfer electrode to catalyze the recombination of such oxygen with the anode mass. The auxiliary electrode may comprise a porous carbon bonded with PTFE, or it may comprise a zinc gel having graphite particles and/or metal-plated zinc particles--where the metal that plates the zinc particles may be copper, or may be any of cobalt, cadmium, nickel, or silver. The auxiliary electrode for rectangular electrodes as used in flat plate or jelly roll cells may have the catalytically active material PTFE bonded to the current collector. The cell is generally one having a zinc anode, a metal oxide cathode (usually manganese dioxide), and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte (usually potassium hydroxide) contacting both anode and cathode.

Abstract: A fuel cell cooling device includes a plurality of plate-like fuel cell units arranged in a vertical stack and having singly interspersed therein cooling plates. A main coolant pipe supplies coolant at a pressure above the saturation point thereof to the cooling plates through corresponding inlet cooling pipes. A throttle is provided in each inlet cooling pipe to produce a pressure drop such that coolant entering a cooling plate is at a pressure below the saturation point thereof.

Abstract: A method is described for forming a solid electrolyte comprising a polymeric network structure containing an ionically conducting liquid for use in solid state electrochemical cells which comprises forming a mixture of a crosslinkable polysiloxane or a crosslinkable polyethylene oxide, an ionically conducting liquid, and an ionizable ammonium or alkali metal salt, and subjecting said mixture to actinic radiation to thereby crosslink said crosslinkable polysiloxane or crosslinkable polyethylene oxide to form a solid matrix through which said ionically conducting liquid interpenetrates to provide continuous paths of high conductivity in all directions throughout said matrix.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an electrochemical cell is disclosed comprising a metal oxide cathode; an anode/electrolyte mixture which contains a zinc anode material and an aluminum compound additive as an source of aluminum ions (e.g., an aluminum salt). The anode/electrolyte mixture may also contain a source of sulfate ions (e.g., a metal sulfate). The anode/electrolyte mixture can also include a suitable carrier (e.g., gelling agent, buffer) for admixing the various components of the mixture.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrochemical cathode for an electrochemical cell comprised of a current collecting layer or substrate having at least one side thereof to a layer of a nonwoven conductive fibrous web, preferably of conductive carbon fibers, impregnated with a mixture of carbon particles, carbon fibers of a length of less than about 1/8" and a nonfibrous polymeric substance, and optionally with a hydrophobic microporous film or layer disposed on the layer of the nonwoven conductive fibrous web as well as the product produced thereby.

Abstract: An auxiliary battery having a casing divided by a partition member, defines a first compartment, for initial receipt of an electrolytic medium, and a second compartment for subsequent receipt of the electrolytic medium. A valve assembly is disposed within the partition member to selectively pass the electrolytic medium into the second compartment, into contact with electrodes disposed therein, enabling the generation of an electrical current when desired.

Abstract: A secondary electrochemical cell is made by(i) assembling a solid state electrochemical cell having an anode containing an alkali metal such as lithium as active anode material; a solid alkali metal ion conducting electrolyte, for example a polymer electrolyte comprising a complex of a solid polymer (e.g. poly(ethylene oxide)) and an alkali metal salt (e.g. LiClO.sub.4), which polymer is capable of forming donor-acceptor type bonds with alkali metal ions; and a cathode containing manganese (IV) oxide as active cathode material; and(ii) discharging the cell under conditions, e.g. of elevated temperature, such that the cathode material is transformed in situ into a rechargeable cathode material which may, for example be LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4.

Abstract: The invention refers to a fuel cell electrode for oxidation of preferably methanol in a fuel cell with acid electrolyte. The electrocatalytically active material comprises known noble metal catalysts such as mixtures of platinum and ruthenium which have been fortified with lead or lead compounds added in this connection in a large quantity so that the addition of lead or lead compounds is above a concentration around 5 mg Pb/cm.sup.2. A suitable amount is 5-10 mg Pb/cm.sup.2. Fuel cell electrodes of this kind can also be used for other fuels for instance hydrogen containing carbon monixide in acid electrolytes up to around 250.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed are a platinum alloy electrocatalyst having high activity and a long life comprising an electrically conductive carrier and dispersed in, and deposited on it, a platinum-iron-cobalt-copper quaternary ordered alloy composed of 40 to 70 atomic % of platinum, 9 to 27 atomic % of iron, 9 to 27 atomic % of cobalt and 9 to 27 atomic % of copper, and an electrode for an acid electrolyte fuel cell which electrode comprises the platinum alloy electrocatalyst, a water-repellent binder and a conductive and acid-resistant supporting member, the electrocatalyst and the water-repellent binder being bonded to.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte tube for sodium sulfur cells, having an outer surface of a roughness defined by an arithmetical mean deviation of the profile (R.sub.a) of not exceeding 2.0 .mu.m and a maximum height of the profile (R.sub.max) of not exceeding 15 .mu.m, is produced by leveling the outer surface of the solid electrolyte tube in a state of green body, bisque fired and calcined body, or fired body, by means of a finishing apparatus such as a centerless grinding machine, external cylindrical grinding machine, lathe, or the like. The solid electrolyte tube having a smooth and even surface can be prevented from crack formation due to local concentration of Na ion, S, sodium polysulfide and thermal stress thereon, so that it can improve durability and reliability.

Abstract: In a fuel cell assembly, each cell is disposed inside a fuel flow passage or an oxygen-containing gas flow passage. A lower end portion of the cell is inserted into a recess defined in a partition wall sectioning between the fuel flow passage or a fuel feed passage and the oxygen-containing gas feed passage, while an upper end portion of the cell is insertible into and withdrawable from a further partition wall sectioning between the fuel flow passage or the oxygen-containing gas passage and an exhaust passage. In a further fuel cell assembly also disclosed, each cell is disposed inside a fuel flow passage or an oxygen-containing gas flow passage.

Abstract: A solid electrode in an electrolytic cell for rapid incorporation and exclusion of ions wandering to and from the electrode by way of an electrolyte with a minimum of voltage loss, in particular for a fuel cell, a high-performance battery, an electrochrome sign display unit or an electro-chemical storage element. The electrode comprises a structure having a higher electrical conductivity for electrons or holes than for the ions, and wherein the concentration of the electrons or holes movable within said electrode is lower than the concentration of the ions movable within the electrode.

Abstract: A sheet type storage battery and a printed wiring board containing the sheet type storage battery. The sheet type storage battery comprises a negative electrode, a solid electrolyte layer, a positive electrode layer which are laminated in this order, and a thermoplastic resin film laminated on at least one of the surfaces of said positive and negative electrode layers, which is extendible and weldable by an ultrasonic welding operation. The printed wiring board includes a base plate comprising at least one sheet type storage battery having a negative electrode layer, positive electrode layer and a solid electrolyte layer sandwiched between the positive and negative electrode layers, preimpregnation plates laminated on both surfaces of the base plate, and holes having the inner walls coated with copper coating and formed in the printed wiring board for electrically connecting the positive and negative electrode layers to the circuit elements provided on the printed wiring board.

Abstract: A thin primary cell formed with a combination of a positive current collection layer, a positive active layer, a solid polyelectrolyte layer and a thin metallic film layer which are successively laminated onto an insulating material. Since this thin primary cell employs a solid polyelectrolyte as an electrolyte, it is not only free from liquid leakage but also formable on a film or sheet.

Abstract: In a battery housing device including a case for receiving at least two batteries in a parallel condition, retaining means provided in the vicinity of one of inside surfaces of the case, and an electrode spring adapted to be retained by the retaining means, wherein positive and negative electrodes of the batteries are electrically connected to each other through the electrode spring.

Abstract: A battery compartment for portable electrical equipment such as computers, tape recorders, VCR recorders, camera flash equipment and other such devices has an internal configuration and appropriate electrical connections to receive at least two different types of battery cells which may be of different dimensions. These can include standard dry cell batteries and rechargeable NiCad batteries, for example. The power pickup from the two types of cells is different, so that non-rechargeable dry cells can be isolated from charge when external power is attached to the portable device, while rechargeable cells are not isolated from the charge. The different dimensions are accommodated by orientation of the one type of cell-receiving spaces at right angles to the other type of cell-receiving spaces so that incorrect placement of the cell types is prevented.

Abstract: A housing for carrying a plurality of rechargeable batteries is configured such that air gaps defined adjacent to the batteries have a continuously-decreasing cross-sectional area. Cooling air being directed through the air gaps thus increases its speed in inverse relationship with its temperature rise such that all of the batteries are cooled to substantially the same degree. All of the cells of the batteries thereby accept electrical charge at a substantially uniform rate.

Abstract: A battery strength indicating and switch means on a battery which is coupled across the terminals of the battery and which is provided with an indicating means to indicate the strength of the battery and in addition, the battery strength indicating means is also provided with an in-line switch which can easily be depressed to complete the circuit so as to place the indicator means across the terminals of the cell and display the charge of the battery.

Abstract: This invention relates to rechargeable alkaline electrochemical cells, having manganese dioxide cathodes. Generally, those cells have zinc anodes and an alkaline electrolyte, but several other options are considered. In any event, the present invention provides an improved cell by providing a pre-conditioned manganese dioxide cathode, where the net oxidation state of the cathode at the time that the cell is finally assembled and sealed is such that the manganese dioxide is, in fact, MnOx where x is between 1.70 and 1.90. The preconditioned cell may be preconditioned by cycling the cathode in a unsealed cell, then replacing the zinc anode and sealing the cell; or by adding a reduction agent to the manganese dioxide cathode prior to the time when the cell is finally assembled and sealed; or by adding an overcharge reserve material to the cathode.