Abstract: A power supply apparatus for an automotive vehicle having a storage battery and a large-capacity capacitor charged by the storage battery. When the engine is started, an engine starter is driven by the electric charge stored in the large-capacity capacitor.

Abstract: Fine powder particles of an electrically conductive or semiconductive material, which have a diameter of 10 .mu.m or less, are pressurized, and at the same time, a pulse voltage is applied between the fine powder particles to produce an electric discharge therebetween. The fine powder particles are fused together at areas where they contact each other, thereby producing a porous sintered body. The porous sintered body is made of only an electrically conductive or semiconductive material without using any particle binders whatsoever.

Abstract: An engine starter system starts a motor in response to operation of a starter keyswitch. Immediately before the engine is started, a capacitor is manually connected to a power supply such as a storage battery. When the capacitor is charged up to a preset voltage, the electric energy stored in the capacitor is discharged to energize the motor.

Abstract: At least two powders of minute active carbon particles having different diameters are mixed, and the mixture is placed in a mold. While a pressure is being applied to the mixture in the mold, pulse voltages are applied between the minute active carbon particles for producing electric discharges therebetween, and the minute active carbon particles are kept at a predetermined temperature, thereby sintering the minute active carbon particles into a porous sintered body, which is used as an electrode. Two such electrodes are impregnated with an electrolyte, producing polarized electrodes. An electric double layer capacitor comprises the polarized electrodes which are sandwiched between current collectors, and separated by a separator.

Abstract: An electrical double-layer capacitor cell arrangement constituted of a plural number of cells (C), and each respective upper and lower collecting electrode (1) of those cells is made as an electrode is common to all cells and has a sheet-like form. The portion of the collecting electrode sheet positioned in the boundary part between adjacent cells is made easily be cut off. In correspondence to the way of cutting off, the connecting relation between cells to each other can be made in series connection and parallel connection.