Abstract: A system (20, 30, 40, 50) and method for canceling a leakage current is provided that uses line voltages (L1, L2) that are out of phase with each other to produce a counter leakage potential that cancels leakage current. In one embodiment of the invention, the actual potential of the phases is measured (42, 52, 54) and used to determine the counter potential that is to be applied to the line voltage (L1 or L2) that is generating the leakage current. The counter potential is applied to the appropriate line voltage by way of a transistor circuit (Q1, Q2). The transistor circuit (Q1, Q2) is controlled through standard electronic circuitry (28), or by way of a microprocessor device (32).

Abstract: This invention is directed to a seal for a sodium sulfur battery in which the sealing is accomplished by a radial compression seal made on a ceramic component of the battery which separates an anode compartment from a cathode compartment of the battery.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method relating to the separation of a metal from its electrically dissociable molten salt by electrically attracting the cations thereof through a solid electrolyte and converting them to elemental metal at a cathode. The improvement comprises disposing a secondary molten electrolyte adjacent to and contiguous with the side of said solid electrolyte in closest proximity with said recovered metal such that the cations of said metal being recovered are reduced at the interface between said secondary electrolyte and the recovered molten metal rather than in or adjacent to the surface of the solid electrolyte.

Abstract: An improved secondary battery or cell of the type comprising: (A) an anodic reaction zone containing a molten alkali metal reactant-anode in electrical contact with an external circuit; (B) a cathodic reaction zone containing a cathodic reactant comprising a liquid electrolyte which is electrochemically reactive with said anodic reactant and an electrode of porous conductive material which is at least partially immersed in said cathodic reactant; and (C) a cation-permeable barrier to mass liquid transfer interposed between and in contact with said anodic and cathodic reaction zones, said porous conductive material being in electrical contact with both said cation-permeable barrier and an external circuit. The improvement of the invention comprises employing a cation-permeable barrier having major grooves or channels being devoid of said porous conductive material and being adapted in size and shape such that polysulfide salts within said cathodic reaction zone can flow therein by capillary forces.

Abstract: An improved electrical conversion device of the type comprising: (1) an anodic reaction zone containing a molten alkali metal reactant-anode in electrical contact with an external circuit; (2) a cathodic reaction zone containing a cathodic reactant comprising a liquid electrolyte which is electrochemically reactive with said anodic reactant and an electrode of porous conductive material which is at least partially immersed in said cathodic reactant; and (3) a cation-permeable barrier to mass liquid transfer interposed between and in contact with said anodic and cathodic reaction zones, said porous conductive material being in electrical contact with both said cation-permeable barrier and an external circuit; the improvement of the invention comprising a modification of the cathodic reaction zone of the device such that there are a plurality of channels and/or spaces within the zone which are free of the porous conductive material and which in combination with said porous conductive material are adapted to all

Abstract: An improved process for recharging secondary cells or batteries of the type which in the discharged state comprise:A. an anodic reaction zone containing a molten alkali metal reactant-anode in electrical contact with an external circuit;B. a cathodic reaction zone containing (1) cathodic reactants selected from the group consisting of (i) a single phase composition comprising molten polysulfide salts of said anodic reactant and (ii) a two phase composition comprising molten sulfur and molten sulfur saturated polysulfide salts of said anodic reactant and (2) an electrode of porous, electronically conductive material which is at least partially immersed in said cathodic reactants; andC. a cation-permeable barrier to mass liquid transfer interposed between and in contact with said anodic and cathodic reaction zones, said porous, electronically conductive material being in electrical contact with both said cation-permeable barrier and an external circuit.