Abstract: The present invention relates to battery power system configurations, particularly systems using VRLA batteries in uncontrolled environments wherein the batteries are isolated from the rectifier when the batteries are in the float mode but on line during charge and discharge. The battery power system configuration of the present invention eliminates thermal runaway because the current drawn by each battery is limited to the value determined by a constant current source. A shorted battery cell may be easily detected by observing if the voltage of the battery is lower than a specified and expected value. In addition, battery capacity is maintained by the boost provided periodically from the current source. Finally, batteries are protected against receiving excessive current and since the currents sent through the batteries match the needs of these particular batteries, the life of the batteries is increased.

Abstract: A process is described for making alkaline batteries in which particular attention is given to the pretreatment of nickel plaques prior to impregnation. This pretreatment involves production of a uniform thin oxide film on the nickel plaque surface under carefully controlled conditions. This pretreatment prevents corrosion under conditions for commercial production of electrodes for alkaline batteries and permits not only higher loadings but more uniform loadings of the electrodes.

Abstract: A process is described for making nickel cadmium batteries in which the cadmium electrodes for these batteries are electrolytically impregnated under special conditions and employ a particular electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution contains not only a soluble form of the cation of the active ingredient for the electrode and nitrate ions, but also certain other ions such as chloride, iodide and sulfate ions which increase the rates of impregnation and also increase the electrode loadings. In addition to obtaining more rapid and greater electrode impregnation, the present process improvements facilitate use of a continuous impregnation procedure.