Abstract: An anode coating for anhydrous electrochemical generating cells is disclosed wherein the anode active material is immersed in an electrolyte solution and coated with the insoluble reaction product of the anode metal with an inhibiting reactant such as CO.sub.2, SO.sub.2, O.sub.2, NH.sub.3, and N.sub.2 saturated with respect to water vapor. This coating is insoluble in the cell under open circuit conditions and is stable with regard to said electrolyte but is removable in said electrolyte, when the cell is discharged with a negligible over voltage. The coated anodes and the method for making same are specifically described. Cells with anodes treated according to this invention have been stored at 55.degree. C., for extended periods with negligible self discharge.

Abstract: Disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode in addition to the separator layer is an electrolyte-impermeable inert film or foil about 5 to 50 microns thick. The film or foil includes a very small current-focusing aperture produced by piercing, punching, or melting. The entire electrolytic current is focused through this aperture. The area of the aperture is at least ten times smaller than the surface area of the separator layer. The thickness l of the film or foil and the radius r.sub.i of the aperture are governed by the relationship 4l/r.sub.i .ltoreq.10. The electrolyte-impermeable film or foil is sealingly clamped between the positive electrode and a sealing ring at the edge of the cell. The film or foil may be of a synthetic resin polymer material, of nickel, or of a nickel alloy. Self-discharge is decreased by the construction of the cell. The cell may be in a flat form without any appreciable decrease in the energy density taking place.

Abstract: Electrochemical power cells having a cathode current collector, a combination liquid active cathode depolarizer electrolyte solvent and an anode that forms surface compounds when in intimate contact with the liquid cathode are enhanced by the addition of a passivation limiting film contiguous to said anode. The passivating film is a member of the cyanoacrilate family of organic compounds.

Abstract: A nonaqueous cell comprising a liquid cathode-electrolyte an active metal anode, such as lithium, a cathode collector, such as carbon, and a separator disposed between said anode and said cathode collector and wherein the surface of the separator facing the anode is coated with a vinyl polymer film.

Abstract: A nonaqueous cell utilizing an active metal anode, such as lithium, a cathode collector and an ionically conductive cathode-electrolyte comprising a solute dissolved in a liquid cathode, such as an oxyhalide, and wherein a vinyl polymer is dissolved in the cathode-electrolyte.

Abstract: A fuel-air cell comprising an anode of readily corrodable metal such as aluminum or magnesium, a porous substantially non-corrosive cathode spaced from the anode and a caustic fluid electrolyte between and contacting the anode and cathode, said electrolyte is a mixture of a base having equivalent ionic conductance value of 180 or higher when tested in concentrations of 0.5 M and an acid having equivalent ionic conductance values of 100 or higher when tested in concentrations of 0.5 M and proton transfer reactance (PK1) values less than 1.0; whereby no corrosion of the anode occurs when, by varying the proportioning of the base and acid, the PH of the electrolyte is at or below 7, no appreciable corrosion of the anode occurs when the PH of the electrolyte is between 7 and 14; and minor corrosion of the anode occurs when the PH of the electrolyte is above 14.

Abstract: A method and means for reducing the potential hazard presented by escaping electrochemical cell contents are disclosed. The invention involves associating a micromolecular sieve carrier with the cell to sorb such contents when they escape, to reduce the severity of undesired reactions of such contents. The sieve carrier is conveniently associated with the cell by being provided in a layer, e.g. in a holder, around the cell.

Abstract: A negative, highly active iron electrode for an electrical storage battery is coated with a sulfur based protective layer to impede premature oxidation and increase charge capacity.

Abstract: A dry cell battery has a switch for selectively activating and deactivating the battery.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery capable of activation by the addition of electrolyte thereto includes at least one pack of formed positive and negative battery plates with insulating separators being interposed between adjacent plates. Part of the sulphuric acid used to form the plates is retained by the battery and has a specific gravity between 1.25 and 1.35, the amount of the retained acid being insufficient to electrically connect the plates during storage. In addition means is provided to seal the battery against ingress of air but allow gases generated in the battery to escape.

Abstract: A method of producing a lead-acid battery capable of activation by the addition of electrolyte thereto, comprises the steps of:starting with a battery container accommodating at least one pack of battery plate grids having insulating separators interposed between adjacent grids, each of said grids carrying the lead-acid battery paste required to produce a positive or a negative battery plate after conversion of the paste into the active material of the plate. With the grids immersed in an aqueous solution of sulphuric acid, an electric current is passed between the grids so that the solution rises to a temperature in excess of 180.degree. F. but not greater than 210.degree. F., the passage of the electric current converting the paste on the grids to the active material of the plates.

Abstract: Battery comprising a container housing a plurality of sealed cells employing an oxyhalide-, halide- and/or liquid sulfur dioxide-containing nonaqueous electrolyte, and a porous shock absorbing material impregnated with an immobilizing agent which will react with and neutralize any oxyhalide, halide, liquid sulfur dioxide or their reaction products that escape from the cells.

Abstract: A novel battery package is described wherein a sealing strip having a plurality of minute vent holes, one for each opening in the battery case, is retained in place by a plurality of disposable inserts which retain the strip in place and which seal the strip at least around the top surface of each of the battery case venting ports. Each of the inserts are equipped with a vent aperture a portion of which is surrounded on its top surface by raised indicia which extend to the periphery of the inserts. An adhesive strip is applied to engage each disposable insert to form a circuitous venting passage therebetween. The strip also engages the sealing strip, as well as the edges of the battery case in such a manner so that, upon activation, the entire battery package may be removed and disposed of by loosening one end of the sealing strip and pulling that strip up and across the top of the battery to expose each of the fill holes for activation.

Abstract: Electrochemical power cells having a cathode current collector, a combination liquid active cathode depolarizer electrolyte solvent and an anode that forms surface compounds when in intimate contact with the liquid cathode are enhanced by the addition of a passivation limiting film contiguous to said anode.

Abstract: Deterioration of a glass-to-metal seal in a lithium cell is prevented by protecting the exposed interior of the glass with a metal oxide or a non-conductive non-reactive polymeric material such as a fluorocarbon or a polyolefin stable in the presence of lithium and other cell components.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lead-acid storage battery capable of being stored after completing the battery processing and thereafter activated by the addition of water including coordinating the formation and processing of the battery elements with a deep discharge to provide residual sulfuric acid electrolyte within the battery elements with a desired specific gravity level and thereafter reducing the amount of the electrolyte in the battery to thereby retain a specified level of residual sulfuric acid electrolyte within the elements of the thus-processed battery. The battery is suitably sealed and may thereafter be stored; and, when desired for service, activation is accomplished by addition of water and suitably charging. The sulfate in the battery elements resulting from the deep discharge and the residual sulfuric acid electrolyte retained within the elements combine, upon the addition of water and recharge, to yield the required specific gravity of the electrolyte.

Abstract: An anode coating for anhydrous electrochemical generating cells is disclosed wherein the anode active material is coated with the insoluble reaction product of the anode metal with an inhibiting reactant such as CO.sub.2, SO.sub.2, O.sub.2, NH.sub.3, and N.sub.2 saturated with respect to water vapor H.sub.2 O. This coating is insoluble in the cell under open circuit conditions and is stable with regard to said electrolyte but is soluble in said electrolyte, when the cell is discharged with a negligible over voltage. The coated anodes and the method for making same are specifically described. Cells with anodes treated according to this invention have been stored at 55.degree. C, for extended periods with negligible self discharge.

Abstract: A novel battery package is described wherein a sealing strip having a plurality of minute vent holes, one for each opening in the battery case, is retained in place by a plurality of disposable inserts which retain the strip in place and which seal the strip at least around the top surface of each of the battery case venting ports. An adhesive strip is applied to engage each disposable insert and to engage the sealing strip, as well as the edges of the battery case in such a manner so that, upon activation, the entire battery package may be removed and disposed of by loosening one end of the sealing strip and pulling that strip up and across the top of the battery to expose each of the fill holes for activation.

Abstract: A battery pack is disclosed for an electrical device that is to be stored for an extended period until put into use in a body of water at some depth. The pack is comprised of fully charged batteries from which the electrolyte has been effectively removed for storing. Each battery is connected by a small tube to a reservoir containing an electrolyte-forming substance (which may be just water) or fully constituted electrolyte. Means on an inlet opens at a predetermined depth to admit water into the reservoir and force electrolyte (or just water in the case of battery plates being impregnated with electrolyte-forming substance) into the batteries. Each tube is also blocked by suitable means to hold electrolyte (or water) in the reservoir until its pressure exceeds a predetermined level. The battery pack is encased and the spaces between batteries are filled with inert pressure-equalization fluid so the outside of the batteries will be at the same pressure as the pressurized electrolyte.

Abstract: Solar power pack apparatus adaptable for powering emergency equipment at remote locations includes a solar cell array, a rechargeable battery pack, a long shelf-life primary battery pack and switching circuitry interconnecting these elements to provide upon demand immediate and continuous supply of electrical power over extended periods of time notwithstanding environmental conditions which would render unsuitable conventional emergency-use reserve power packs.

Abstract: A nonaqueous cell comprising an active metal anode, such as a lithium, sodium, potassium or aluminum anode, a liquid cathode-electrolyte comprising a solute dissolved in a solvent which is an oxyhalide of an element of Group V or group VI of the Periodic Table and wherein the surface of the anode contacting the cathode-electrolyte is coated with a vinyl polymer film.

Abstract: An electrode pouch for use in a reserve battery has a flexible containment wall with first and second side wall portions defining between them a fluid impervious, electrolyte chamber. Preferably each of the side wall portions has a carrier layer of a sealable plastic material and a bonded overlying fluid barrier layer formed of a metal electrode material. The electrode pouch construction enables rapid and inexpensive manufacture at high production rates by conventional plastic film and sheet packaging equipment. The pouch is used in combination with other pouches or by itself in various battery constructions. Such batteries include means for piercing the pouch through the metal and plastic layers to release the electrolyte and activate the battery.