Abstract: A metal-air battery assembly having plurality of free standing metal-air cells forming a cell group within a battery case assembly. Each free standing cell has flexible, compressible walls capable of containing electrolyte, the walls comprising air cathodes including cathode current distributors. Each cell has a split anode assembly and current. The anode assembly has one or more reactive anode fuel plates and an anode current collector. Each of the cells is free standing and easily replaced. The battery case assembly has a mechanism for compressing the cells when the lid is closed and releasing the cell group for servicing when the lid is open.

Abstract: A battery cell includes at a plurality of composite separator/electrode structures, each composite structure including a support member having a plurality of parallel, closely spaced ribs defining a plurality of grooves which extend longitudinally of the support member, alternating ones of the grooves having a positive paste of an active material therein, and the remaining grooves having a negative paste of an active material therein, and a current collector lead wire in each groove embedded in the paste and centrally located in the groove with the terminal ends of the lead wires of the positive electrodes extending out of one end of the composite structure and being interconnected to form a positive termination, and the terminal ends of the lead wires of the negative electrodes extending out of the opposite end of the composite structure and being interconnected to form a negative termination, a plurality of the battery cells being stacked together to form a battery having a desired amp hour capacity.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a sealed, oxygen recombinant lead-acid battery which includes a series of modules, e.g. 4-volt modules. The modules are prepared from frame and film assemblies which are easily stacked to the desired voltage or capacity. In the preferred embodiment, the assemblies include two 2.0 normal voltage cells, attached in series, three of which are then combined to form a 12-volt system. Modularity eliminates the need for expensive tooling and parts inventory and permits the creation of a wide variety of battery designs. Specially designed vents are employed to permit gas escape during overcharge or if recombination efficiencies are less than desired and to prevent entry of oxygen or moisture when the battery is in its recombinant mode.

Abstract: A sealed lead acid recombination electric storage cell comprises a container containing alternating positive and negative plates separated by separators. Each separator includes reinforcing means extending over substantially its entire area and constructed to define a plurality of apertures and being surrounded by microfine glass fibre material. The plates and separators are under a compressive force and the reinforcing members are so constructed and arranged that the major proportion of the compressive force is transmitted through the reinforcing members while the major proportion of the area of the plates is contacted by the glass fibre material.

Abstract: A novel industrial battery stack is disclosed, wherein positive plates which have been longitudinally wrapped with a perforate or semi-perforate material are accurately aligned with respect to the negative plates and separators in the stack during the stacking operation. The novel spacing members of the present invention have a generally U-shaped cross section for engaging through the wrapping a portion of the positive plate adjacent to the longitudinal edges of that plate. Projections protruding substantially from the base of the "U" provide the proper distance between the edge of the wrapped plate and an adjacent longitudinal surface. During the stacking and burning operation, this longitudinal surface comprises the back wall of a novel industrial battery plate holder.

Abstract: A separator is disclosed for a flat, substantially vertical electrode plate in an electric accumulator. An electrode array is also disclosed which consists of alternatingly placed positive and negative, flat, substantially vertically arranged electrode plates, and said separators. The separator is of the type which comprises two substantially vertical, U-shaped edge insulating members. According to the invention these are kept together by a bottom strip and two parallel top strips, all strips being substantially horizontal, and at least one vertical insulating rod between each top strip and the bottom strip, a space for the electrode plate being formed within said separator.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes two outer electrodes and a central electrode of opposite polarity, all nested within a housing having two symmetrical halves which together form an offset configuration. The outer electrodes are nested within raised portions within the side walls of each housing half while the central electrode sealingly engages the perimetric margins of the side-wall internal surfaces. Suitable interelectrode separators and electrical insulating material electrically isolate the central electrode from the housing and the outer electrodes. The outer electrodes are electrically connected to the internal surfaces of the cell housing to provide current collection. The nested structure minimizes void volume that would otherwise be filled with gas or heavy electrolyte and also provides perimetric edge surfaces for sealing and supporting at the outer margins of frangible interelectrode separator layers.

Abstract: The major surfaces of a solid plate-like conductive core in an accumulator are adjacent to slabs of positive active material which are flanked by porous layers consisting of sintered synthetic plastic material or of compacted glass wool, synthetic plastic filaments or rock wool. A sheath consisting of polyvinyl chloride has a chamber which receives the core, the slabs and the layers and is formed with vertical slots for the passage of electrolyte. The major surfaces of the core are profiled to enlarge the area of contact with active material, and the inner sides of the layers are also profiled to enlarge the area of contact with the outer sides of the slabs.