Abstract: A miniature sealed toggle switch having a housing (2,4) that is sealed by a gasket (16) sealed to the toggle lever by a groove (12b) and RTV (18) and to the housing by a ridge (16d) and a tapered edge (2e) on the base, and by two grooves (6d, 6e, FIG. 3) on the terminals that prevent leaks under different expansion of the metal terminals (6) and the molded base (2a, 2b, FIG. 3). Contactor erosion is reduced by a drop (26d) on the contactor causing arc movement on opening. Grooves (2g, 2h) and arc shields (2f) in the base prevent formation of conductive paths. A stepped taper (12d) on the toggle lever and a tapered hole (28a) reduce wear. Nickel plating of the brass lever (12) and aluminum bushing (4a) insure ground of the lever. The contactor configuration (32c, 32d, FIG. 5), clearance between the toggle lever and actuator, and energy storage in conical spring (30) provide non-stall, non-tease operation. The radius of the actuator tips (28c) are maintained by the radius (32a, 32b, FIG.

Abstract: A piston for use in spring-closed valves whose semi-toroidal shape minimizes the possibility of the piston jamming during tipping motions while providing maximum guidance, sealing area and maximum bearing material for resisting side wear.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell with an electrode having deposited thereon an electrocatalyst which is a mixed oxide of nickel-molydenum, nickel-tungsten, cobalt-molydenum or cobalt-tungsten and containing an aqueous alkaline electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of a molybdenum, vanadium or tungsten compound. The electrodes are preferably prepared by alternately coating an electrode core with a compound of nickel or cobalt, and with a compound of molydenum or tungsten, said compounds being capable of thermal decomposition to the corresponding oxides, heating the coated core at an elevated temperature to form a layer of the mixed oxides on the core and finally curing the core with the mixed oxide layer thereon in a reducing atmosphere at a temperature between 350.degree. C. and 600.degree. C. The cells are particularly suitable for use in the electrolysis of water or brine.

Abstract: An electrode having a coating of face-centered cubic alloy of nickel and molybdenum or tungsten.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting the formation of and/or breaking of preformed mercury butter in chlor-alkali cells. The method comprises introducing at any one of the numerous stages of the electrolytic process an aqueous solution of a surfactant material which enables the interfacial tension of the sodium-amalgam interface to be increased to or maintained above a value of 180 dynes/cm. The surfactants may be extracts of decaying vegetation, solutions of carboxylic acids or chlorohydrocarbons. Extracts containing lignite or humic acids are most effective.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing metal electrodes by treating a metal electrode substrate so as to coat the substrate surface with a homogeneous solution of the compounds of (i) at least one metal selected from a first group of iron, cobalt, nickel and manganese (ii) at least one other metal selected from a second group of molybdenum, tungsten and vanadium, each of which compound is capable of thermal decomposition to the corresponding metal oxide. The coated substrate is then thermally decomposed and the oxide-coated substrate is cured in a reducing atmosphere at elevated temperature. Substrates coated with Ni-Mo oxides are preferred. The electrodes thus produced exhibit very low overvoltage, are of high stability with respect to their activity and can be used as cathodes for the electrolysis of water or brine.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel electrodes and a method of preparation thereof for use in electrochemical cells. The novel electrodes contain a combination of electrocatalysts deposited on a metal substrate.The electrocatalysts are deposited from a homogeneous solution of the compounds of (a) at least one metal selected from iron, cobalt, manganese and nickel, (b) at least one metal selected from molybdenum, vanadium and tungsten, and (c) at least one rare earth metal of the lanthanide group having an atomic number of 57-71 inclusive, the metal compounds are decomposed to the oxides and the oxide coated substrate cured at elevated temperature in a reducing atmosphere. The electrodes thus produced can be used as an anode or as a cathode in fuel cells and in cells for the electrolysis of water or brines.