Abstract: A compact reserve battery is disclosed comprising a cell housing, an expandable cell stack contained within a first portion of the housing, and an electrolyte reservoir contained within a second portion of the housing. The cell stack is expandable into the housing second portion, expansion of the cell stack displacing electrolyte from the electrolyte reservoir into the cell stack, thereby activating the battery.

Abstract: An aqueous electrolyte aluminum-air battery comprises one or more cells, each cell comprising a frame which defines an electrolyte chamber. The frame is made of a rigid material inactive to the electrolyte. The cell has a consumable aluminum anode and an air cathode spaced from the anode by said electrolyte chamber. Means are provided for admitting electrolyte solution into the electrolyte chamber. A vent exposes the electrolyte chamber to atmosphere. A hydrophobic membrane which is impermeable to the passage of electrolyte but permeable to the passage of hydrogen closes the vent. A surface of each cell anode is exposed to the flow of air. The amount of surface exposed is effective to dissipate heat generated at the anode.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a closed-loop filter system for continuously removing a metal hydroxide precipitate from an alkali metal hydroxide solution. The filter system comprises a filter having a filter surface and a plurality of small diameter openings in said surface. The alkali metal hydroxide solution is impacted onto said filter surface, metal hydroxide precipitate agglomerating on said surface. The filter surface openings have an average diameter effective for said agglomerating. Means are provided to remove the agglomerated precipitate from said filter surface, and to separate the agglomerated precipitate from the alkali metal hydroxide solution, the agglomerated precipitate having a particle weight to surface area ratio effective for said separation.

Abstract: The present inveniton resides in a metal-air battery consisting of one or more cells. Each cell comprises a cell frame. An air cathode is attached to each face of the frame. An anode blank is inserted through an access opening in the frame into the space between the cathodes. The anode blank comprises an elastomeric rubber labyrinth seal molded to the blank and sealing the access opening. Means may be provided for circulating electrolyte into an out of the spaces between the anode and air cathodes. A preferred electrolyte is an aqueous solution of an alkali hydroxide.

Abstract: An aqueous electrolyte aluminum-air battery comprises one or more cells, each cell comprising a frame which defines an electrolyte chamber. The frame is made of a rigid material inactive to the electrolyte. The cell has a consumable aluminum anode and an air cathode spaced from the anode by said electrolyte chamber. Means are provided for admitting electrolyte solution into the electrolyte chamber. A vent exposes the electrolyte chamber to atmosphere. A hydrophobic membrane which is impermeable to the passage of the electrolyte but permeable to the passage of hydrogen closes the vent. A surface of each cell anode is exposed to the flow of air. The amount of surface exposed is effective to dissipate heat generated at the anode.