Abstract: A battery loading mechanism requires that a battery is inserted with a positive electrode terminal inserted first into a battery chamber. The battery chamber is formed with a space into which the battery is inserted from an insertion port opened outside. A positive-side electrical contact is provided in an inner part, opposite to the insertion port, of the battery chamber, and a negative-side electrical contact is provided on a side of the insertion port of the battery chamber. The positive-side electrode has a contact point contacting the positive electrode terminal of the battery and a preventive portion contacting the non-conductor portion when the battery is inserted with the negative electrode terminal first. The contact point does not contact the negative electrode terminal when the preventive portion contacts the non-conductor portion to reduce accidental discharge of the battery.

Abstract: This invention features polymer-based batteries comprising metal anodes and an oxygen gas cathode. The oxygen is not stored in the battery but rather it is accessed from the environment. This solid-state battery is constructed by sandwiching a metal ion conductive polymer electrolyte film between a metal anode (negative electrode) and a composite carbon electrode which serves as the cathode current collector on which the electroactive oxygen is reduced during discharge of the battery to generate electric current. The metal anodes include lithium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, aluminum and zinc.

Abstract: A lubricating oil additive comprising an alkaline earth metal salt of a sulfurized monoalkylcatechol as a main component represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein Me represents an alkaline earth metal, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent each an alkyl group having 14 to 30 carbon atoms, m is a number of from 1 to 2, which provides a lubricating oil additive excellent in anti-oxidant, friction-reducing and anti-abrasive properties at high temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved processes for forming anti-corrosion layers, particularly barium metaplumbate, on lead, lead alloy-, and lead oxide-containing substrates. The processes of the invention are used to form corrosion-resistant current collectors which are assembled into lead-acid batteries. The inventive methods used to form barium metaplumbate employ a salt solution which includes a barium compound and a solvent salt. In a first embodiment, a substrate material having at least a surface comprising elemental lead reacts with a salt solution to form barium metaplumbate. The salt solution includes a barium compound and an oxidizing agent. The solvent salt or barium compound may themselves be oxidizing agents, or an additional oxidant may be added to the solution. The molten salt solution is applied to the substrate in any known manner such as dipping, spraying, and brushing.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of isopalmitic acid esters of branched aliphatic polyols containing 2 to 6 primary hydroxyl groups and 4 to 10 carbon atoms as a base oil for two-stroke engine lubricants. The isopalmitic acid esters are low in viscosity, even at low temperatures, and do not crystallize out in gasoline, even over periods of several days.

Abstract: A cast strap for a lead-acid battery is made of a lead-based alloy consisting essentially of from about 2.5 to 3.5 wt. % antimony, about 0.01 to 0.5 wt. % arsenic, about 0.01 to 0.5 wt. % tin, about 0.008 to 0.1 wt. % selenium, and the balance lead. The content of at least one of arsenic, tin and selenium is within the following ranges: about 0.075 to 0.5 wt. % tin, about 0.1 to 0.5 wt. % arsenic, and 0.021 to 0.03 wt. % selenium. For lead-based alloys containing antimony, arsenic, tin and selenium, increased additions of antimony, arsenic, and selenium generally have a favorable effect on long term corrosion resistance of battery straps in a lead-acid battery environment, whereas tin has an unfavorable effect such that increased amounts of tin dramatically lower high temperature corrosion resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of phenyl substituted, five member aromatic amine alkoxylate compounds as additives in fuel compositions. The invention is also directed to the use of these compounds for decreasing intake valve deposits.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte layer in form of a plate, an oxygen electrode formed on one surface of the electrolyte layer, a fuel electrode formed on the other surface of the electrolyte layer, and a conductive separator opposed to the oxygen electrode or fuel electrode for defining oxygen-containing gas passages or fuel gas passages. The separator includes a plate-like portion opposed to and spaced from the oxygen electrode or fuel electrode, a pair of strip-shaped projections extending along opposite ends of the plate-like portion for contacting opposite edges of the electrolyte layer, and a plurality of ridges for defining gas passages in form of grooves between the pair of strip-shaped projections. A fuel cell system includes a plurality of such fuel cells stacked one over another in a spaced relationship to define fuel gas passages or oxygen-containing gas passages in between. A flexible conductive element is disposed between an adjacent pair of the fuel cells.

Abstract: A method for lubricating a ceramic bearing surface which comprises applying a cesium-containing compound selected from the group consisting of Cs.sub.2 MoO.sub.4, Cs.sub.2 SO.sub.4, Cs.sub.2 WO.sub.4, Cs.sub.2 WOS.sub.3, Cs.sub.2 MoOS.sub.3 and CsOH, to the bearing surface and heating the thus-coated bearing surface to a temperature of about 300.degree. C. or greater. Alternatively, the cesium-containing compound may be applied in admixture with a lower alkali metal silicate. This method is particularly useful for lubricating the bearings in expendable, high temperature turbine engines, such as those used in expendable missiles.

Abstract: An injection molded containment for bipolar batteries of the type which include terminal electrodes and one or more bipolar battery cells is disclosed. In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, a novel spacer is employed, including beveled edges to facilitate sealing of the injection molding material and the individual cells. Furthermore, the preferred spacer includes a crush ridge to assist in sealing. The present invention facilitates assembly of bipolar batteries in a way which improves sealing when compared to other techniques, such as vibration welding.

Abstract: Embodiments are described of an additive composition of matter, for inclusion in fuels and in lubricants, which comprises an overbased sulfonate, jojoba oil, and castor oil. Adding the additive to transportation fuels, such as diesel fuel or automobile gasoline, greatly improves combustion engine performance and mileage. Adding the additive to motor-oil or other lube oils greatly improves the lubrication performance of the oil. There is a synergy between the overbased sulfonate, jojoba oil, and castor oil that provides remarkable performance improvements especially under high pressure and high temperature conditions, and also provides residual protection for an engine or other machinery that improves re-start and subsequent operation. The additive also provides excellent lubrication for non-ferrous metals, and is less toxic than those additives containing chlorinated compounds.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for treating coal to reduce the emissions of sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride gases upon combustion. In the subject method, coal is washed with a calcium anion wash solution, such as calcium hydroxide solution, and then separated from the wash solution. The treated coal exhibits reduced emissions of both sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride gas on combustion as compared with untreated coal.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid essentially consists of magnetic particles which are coated with a polyelectrolyte and are suspended in a polar liquid. The fluid has a magnetorheological effect of more than 100 Pa, measured in a magnetic field of 100 kA/m.

Abstract: A metal hydride electrode is mainly composed of a hydrogen-absorbing alloy and provided with carbon powder which is selected from acetylene black, carbon black, ketjen black, and active carbon. The metal hydride electrode is further provided with an additive including an oxide and/or a hydroxide of a metal having oxidation-reduction potential nobler than an operational potential of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy. The metal hydride electrode has excellent oxygen gas absorption ability and easy detection of -.DELTA.V, thereby realizing to produce a nickel-hydrogen alkaline storage cell with excellent charge/discharge cycle life.

Abstract: This invention discloses an alkali secondary battery which includes a cadmium-free positive electrode whose swelling ratio is decreased, and in which the cycle characteristic is improved and the charge efficiency in use at high temperatures is also improved. This alkali secondary battery includes a positive electrode accommodated in a case and having a structure in which a paste containing nickel hydroxide grains, a conductor, and a binder is filled in a metal porous body, a negative electrode accommodated in the case and so arranged as to oppose the positive electrode with a separator sandwiched between them, and an alkali electrolyte contained in the case. The nickel hydroxide grains contained in the positive electrode have a structure in which cobalt and at least one transition metal selected from the group consisting of copper, bismuth, chromium, gallium, indium, lanthanum, scandium, and yttrium are coprecipitated with metal nickel at a ratio of 1.5 to 11.0 wt % with respect to nickel hydroxide.

Abstract: Tanning agents containing an .omega.,.omega.-dialdehyde as as the active tanning substance, optionally in a deactivated form, in combination with a polymer containing hydroxyl groups, and methods for using such tanning agents in the preparation of leather, particularly in pickling, tanning, and retanning.

Abstract: 3-Substituted para-aminophenols of general formula: ##STR1## where X=H, halogen; Y=O--, --S--; R=alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, C.sub.1-4 aminoalkyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 polyhydroxyalkyl;with the proviso that, when X=H, R is not methyl, and when X=H and Y=O, R is not ethyl;process for preparing them, intermediate compounds of formula: ##STR2## where X.sub.1 =halogen, Y and R have the meaning stated above; with the proviso that, when Y=O, R is not methyl, and when R=aminoalkyl, X.sub.1 can also denote hydrogen;dyeing compositions containing one or more compounds of formula (I), and a process For dyeing human hair.

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: A process for upgrading a low rank coal and a heavy oil to produce an improved coal product and an improved oil product. First, the low rank coal is dewatered to reduce its moisture content to less than about 4 percent in order to render the low rank coal more oleophilic. Next, the dewatered low rank coal is mixed with a quantity of the heavy oil of between about 15 and 40 percent of the dry weight of the low rank coal so that the heavy oil substantially contacts the low rank coal in order to produce a mixture. The mixture is then heated to a temperature less than the mild thermal cracking limit of the mixture in order to separate hydrocarbons from the mixture and to produce the improved coal product. The hydrocarbons separated from the mixture during the heating step are then collected in order to produce the improved oil product.

Abstract: Wet leather treating compositions and methods of wet treating leather hides employing alkylpolyglycosides for enhancing the penetration and absorption of the leather treatment formulations in an environmentally safe manner. The compositions are substantially free of volatile organic compounds.