Abstract: The iron electrodes of a battery are recharged by removing them from the battery, heating them in a reducing gas atmosphere at over about 450.degree. C., for a sufficient time to convert discharged iron compounds to charged iron compounds, and then cooling the charged electrodes.

Abstract: A lead acid battery comprising: a positive plate; a negative plate having higher capacity than said positive plate; a separator interposed between said plates; and an electrolyte, said plates and said separator being impregnated with said electrolyte, the amount of said electrolyte being limited so that a free electrolyte is not substantially present therein, the theoretical capacity of said positive plate being more than 2.5 times as much as the theoretical capacity of said electrolyte, and thus having an excellent discharge storage property; and a method of storing the retainer type lead acid batteries including above battery to improve the discharge storage property comprising permitting said battery to stand under such a condition that a load is connected between said positive and negative plates when said battery is allowed to stand after the discharge has been finished.

Abstract: A process for the disassembling of scrapped, i.e. worn out, damaged or in some other way unserviceable electrical storage batteries (10), in particular alkaline batteries, which consist of a prismatic cell container with sets of positive and negative plates, each secured to the next by means of a connecting strap, from which terminal posts project through a cover on the upper part of the cell container. After any free electrolyte has been emptied from the cell container, the materials making up the battery can be recovered.This is done by removing the upper part of the cell container so as to produce an opening and by withdrawing the sets of plates (31) from the cell container through the opening by means of a mechanical device (20) at the same time as the container is gripped and held fast in a pre-determined position by means of clamping devices (33, 34).

Abstract: Batteries (50) containing oxidized, discharged metal electrodes such as an iron-air battery are charged by removing and storing electrolyte in a reservoir (98), pumping fluid reductant such as formalin (aqueous formaldehyde) from a storage tank (106) into the battery in contact with the surfaces of the electrodes. After sufficient iron hydroxide has been reduced to iron, the spent reductant is drained, the electrodes rinsed with water from rinse tank (102) and then the electrolyte in the reservoir (106) is returned to the battery. The battery can be slowly electrically charged when in overnight storage but can be quickly charged in about 10 minutes by the chemical procedure of the invention.

Abstract: A replaceable electrode primary battery utilizing hollow zinc anodic electrodes and hollow nickel oxide cathodic electrodes immersed in a potassium hydroxide electrolyte solution. The electrodes are arranged in stacks formed by electrically conducting guides contacting the outer surfaces of the spherical electrodes, the respective guides forming the battery anode and cathode. Fresh electrodes are added to the top of the stack from a supply of electrodes, causing a spent electrode to be ejected from the bottom of the stack. The ejected electrode floats to the surface of the electrolyte solution and is collected in a holding compartment. The spent electrodes may be reused by electroplating the appropriate material on the outer surface of the spherical shell. The battery finds particular utility with electric vehicles where electrodes may be dispensed from conventional filling stations.

Abstract: A metal halogen battery construction, with the improved combination comprising, at least one cell having a positive electrode and a negative electrode for contact with aqueous electrolyte containing the material of said metal and halogen, sump means wherein the electrolyte is collected, store means wherein halogen hydrate is formed and stored as part of an aqueous material, circulation means for transmitting electrolyte through the battery, conduit means for transmitting halogen gas formed in the cell to hydrate forming means associated with the store means, fluid jet pump means operative to cause circulation of gases from the sump including hydrogen and halogen to contact a reactor means whereby hydrogen and halogen are combined and returned to the sump, and valve means sensitive to gas pressure in the sump means whereby when sump pressure drops below a desired setting of said valve means, the valve opens and permits halogen gas from the store to be transmitted to the electrolyte circulation means.

Abstract: A metal halogen battery construction containing a novel reactor means having at least two reaction zones with a reaction initiator device in each zone, whereby the reactor permits controlled recombination of hydrogen gas and halogen gas in the system to form hydrogen halide, which is then dispersed into the aqueous electrolyte of the battery.

Abstract: In a system for controlling the flow rates in a storage battery of the type having at least one pump driven at a controlled speed by a motor driven at a speed determined by the average applied voltage and the load experienced by the pump, which system includes a circuit for applying an average voltage to the motor and means for generating a reference signal for controlling the general magnitude of the average applied voltage to drive the pump at the desired speed, there is provided an improvement.

Abstract: A process for recovering lead from scrap lead-acid batteries comprises smelting whole unbroken batteries in a blast furnace having a configuration which minimizes the amounts of flue dust produced. The volatile organic material produced by the combustion of the battery cases and separators and entrained in the furnace exhaust gases are ducted to an after-burner and burned to carbon dioxide while any sulfur dioxide gas combines with metal oxides to form solid metal sulphate including lead sulphate particles which can be collected and recycled into the furnace for further lead recovery. The blast furnace utilized in the lead recovery process is characterized by its wide shaft causing gases to rise at a low velocity, thus enabling a longer time for hot reducing gases generated in the smelting zone to contact and give up heat to the descending charge of scrap batteries, resulting in the maintenance of a cold furnace top.

Abstract: A metal-halogen secondary battery system having electrolyte circulating lines for its positive and negative plate galvanic reaction chambers, further incorporates in the electrolyte circulating lines cleaning lines and a deionized line circulating line including a positive plate galvanic reaction chamber cleaning solution tank, a negative plate galvanic reaction chamber cleaning solution tank, a deionized water tank, a cleaning solution discharge pipe and a plurality of pipes and on-off valves for connecting and opening and closing the tanks and the discharge pipe, thereby making circulation cleaning of the reaction chambers possible and ensuring restoration of the battery characteristics and longer battery life.

Abstract: A method for treating carbon-containing cathodes of a primary electrochemical cell for the purpose of reducing the gas pressure in the cell during open circuit and during discharge of the cell. The method of the invention includes purging the carbon-containing cathodes of the cell with sulfur dioxide or thionyl chloride gas to displace water and insoluble gases (oxygen and nitrogen, and argon or helium) entrapped within the carbon of the carbon-containing cathodes. The purge gas is soluble in an electrolytic solution including liquid thionyl chloride as is employed to activate the cell for use in discharge.

Abstract: A zinc-chlorine battery plant system and method of redirecting the electrical current around a failed battery module. The battery plant includes a power conditioning unit, a plurality of battery modules connected electrically in series to form battery strings, a plurality of battery strings electrically connected in parallel to the power conditioning unit, and a bypass switch for each battery module in the battery plant. The bypass switch includes a normally open main contact across the power terminals of the battery module, and a set of normally closed auxiliary contacts for controlling the supply of reactants electrochemically transformed in the cells of the battery module. Upon the determination of a failure condition, the bypass switch for the failed battery module is energized to close the main contact and open the auxiliary contacts.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating heat and electricity from the consumption of a variety of aluminum products comprise:(a) a reaction chamber containing an aqueous electrolyte solution and adapted for introduction therein of aluminum pieces of various shapes and sizes up to a certain maximum predetermined size and for effecting a chemical reaction between said aqueous electrolyte and said aluminum pieces yielding aluminum hydroxide and an intermediate reactant;(b) means for feeding said aluminum pieces into said reaction chamber in small quantities upon demand;(c) means for removing the heat generated in said chamber as a result of said reaction;(d) means for removing said aluminum hydroxide reaction product; and(e) means for oxidizing said intermediate reactant in an electrochemical cell, thereby generating electrical energy.The intermediate reactant is preferably hydrogen or zinc.

Abstract: If one of a series string of battery cells fails on open circuit, the circuit through all of the cells is broken. An automatic means for by-passing the failed cell maintains the circuit and allows operation of the string to continue (at a lower no-lead voltage). The potential difference across the failed cell is utilized to heat a body of a conductive liquid so that it expands, ruptures the ampoule containing it and fills the gap between two conductors, thereby completing a shunt circuit.

Abstract: A method for the useful storage of electrical energy is described in which an electrochemical cell employing a halide electrolyte and an ungraphitized carbon positive electrode is charged at a voltage substantially below the conventional decomposition voltage required to produce free halogen from the selected electrolyte. An unidentified chemical complex is formed and stored at the positive electrode, and the positive electrode may thereafter be employed as an electrical energy source in a primary or secondary battery.

Abstract: A rechargeable plug-in battery compatible with printed circuits and the like. At least one rechargeable storage cell is mounted inside a battery case having at least two terminal pins which extend through the battery case for insertion to a mating socket. Inside the casing, the pins are welded directly to the battery terminals, and recesses formed in the base and cover portions of the battery case at the interior receive the storage cell, or cells, so as to restrain them against movement.

Abstract: The invention resides in a process for restoration of nickel-cadmium batteries which are rechargeable. The battery is submersed in boiling water and is maintained therein for a period of time of approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The battery is removed from the boiling water and is immediately cooled to approximately room temperature. Preferably such cooling is effected by submersion of the battery in water at a temperature of from 45.degree. to 50.degree. F. in which water bath the battery is permitted to cool for a period of approximately 20 minutes. The battery is then in condition for electrical recharging.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for rejuvenation of oxygen electrodes which maximize the power efficiency available from such oxygen electrodes while minimizing the voltage necessary to operate such oxygen electrodes over extended periods of time. These methods include in situ and out of cell techniques using hot water washing followed by air drying and dilute acid washing followed by air drying.

Abstract: A one-piece top closure for a battery enclosure such as a lantern battery is described including a substantially planar top surface in which is integrally mounted a recharge jack of improved design, and in another embodiment there is disclosed discrete spacer elements integral with the top closure and which project to bridge the space from the surface of the top closure to the electrochemical cells contained within the enclosure.

Abstract: A tape comprised of an atactic polypropylene and a non-conductive filler is described. This tape is useful in a process which enables a secondary battery having a defective seal to be repaired safely while remaining in operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric cell of the sodium-sulphur type particularly adapted for undergoing complete recharging. It comprises a cathode tank containing sulphur, an anode tank containing sodium, these reagents being separated by a solid electrolyte tube disposed in said cathode tank fitted with graphite felt washers ensuring cathode collection of the current generated, wherein said electrolyte tube is surrounded by a grating which is connectable to the negative terminal of the recharging current source by means of a resistor. The invention is used in cells for electric vehicles.

Abstract: A wet cell storage type battery which may be quickly restored to a fully charged condition by the removal and replacement of its electrical generating elements or slowly recharged in the normal manner.

Abstract: A process is described for repairing secondary batteries which have defective seals. The process of repair can be performed safely while the battery is in operation.

Abstract: A battery casing salvage machine comprising a plurality of discrete stations disposed in operative communication by a conveyor means to sequentially remove the original cover from the enclosed battery case and rebuild the battery case and battery cell partitions. The plurality of discrete stations includes a first station comprising a first cutting means including a saw cutting means to remove at least a portion of the original battery cover and the upper portion of the original battery case, a second station comprising a second cutting means including a bevel cutting means to remove the remaining portion of the original battery cover, and a third station comprising a third cutting means including at least one drill means to undercut the battery cell partitions where the cell connectors are fused together. The battery casing salvage machine further includes an automatic feed means disposed in operative relationship to the first station to continuously feed battery casings thereto.

Abstract: The posts of electrical storage batteries are treated with an aerosol of a halogenated hydrocarbon propellant and mineral oil to remove oily residues and corrosion scale therefrom and to protect the posts against reappearance of scale and corrosion thereon.

Abstract: Nickel-Cadmium cells of insufficient voltage capacities are rejuvenated by process which includes the steps of charging the cells, flushing the cells with demineralized water, replacing the electrolyte, and then deep discharging. The cells are left in the discharged state for shipping purposes and then charged prior to use.

Abstract: A system which permits self-generating halogen liquifaction in a rechargeable battery and apparatus for use in that system are disclosed. The system includes the use of separate electrolyte flows for the metal electrode and halogen electrode, the electrolyte being separated by a permselective membrane, and a halogen gas accumulator which communicates with the halogen gas being generated at the halogen electrode.

Abstract: A quick patch for a tank comprising a suction cup. The cup is partially filled between its dome or center portion and rim with mastic. A quick setting adhesive is applied to a cleaned surface on the interior tank wall about the crack. The vacuum cup is applied over the crack and the dome portion depressed while the rim is tightly engaged with the surface. The interior of the depressed center portion is pressed against the adhesive and quick-glued in place while the interior is evacuated. In the event that the adhesive fails to hold after a while, the center portion will expand causing the peripheral edge portions of the vacuum cup to adhere to the wall surface of the tank and drawing in the encompassing mastic. In the exterior application the expansion of the center portion serves as an indicia of the failure of the patch.

Abstract: An improvement in accumulator batteries having a zinc anode and an oxide cathode (e.g., nickel oxide or silver oxide cathode) is disclosed. The zinc anode and/or separator part between the anode and cathode is vibrated at a frequency and amplitude sufficient to inhibit dendrite growth on the zinc anode. The electrolyte contains excess zinc such that solid zinc oxide is present in the fully charged condition. The separator may be provided with circulation enhancement means. The resulting batteries have long life with a large number of charging and discharging cycles.

Abstract: An hermetically-sealed cardiac pacemaker which may be operated on a single non-rechargeable cell or a magnetic-induction-rechargeable mercury cell that is hermetically sealed along with an outgas alleviating material in a separate container within an integral stainless steel outer case, which case also houses the system electronics. The integral case is formed with an opening in which a closure plate is disposed in a recessed position and sealed about its periphery to the interior of the opening to form a receptacle in the exterior of the casing. The receptacle is filled with a biocompatible material to isolate the seal from the exterior of the casing and the case acts along with the internal electronics during recharging as a charging current regulator system which maintains a substantially constant power transfer from the charging transmitter to the internal receiver despite variations in their proximate spacing.