Abstract: The invention pertains to a safety feature that finds particular utility in batteries with flexible shells. Conductors to be attached to the electrodes of a battery are thin strips, and the strength of such a conductive strip (20) is reduced at one point e.g. by cutting a slit (22) on its side. At one side of the slit the conductive strip is attached to the top part (61) of the battery shell, and at the other side of the slit to the bottom part (62) of the battery shell. If overcharging, for instance, generates an overpressure inside the battery, the battery shell bulges and tears (B) the conductive strip in two starting at the slit. This way, the structures and equipment around the battery will avoid damage possibly caused by battery chemicals or high temperature. The arrangement according to the invention makes separate internal battery protection components redundant and has low costs.

Abstract: A secondary battery including an electricity generating element, which includes at least a positive electrode implemented by a lithium-manganese compound oxide, a negative electrode, an electrolyte and a separator, and films encasing the electricity generating element is disclosed. The secondary battery further includes a composition causing the electrolyte to react with water to thereby produce hydrogen ions, and a hydrogen ion uptaking agent so positioned as to contact the electrolyte existing in the battery. The battery is desirable in charge-discharge cycle characteristic, storage characteristic, and safety. In addition, the battery swells little despite a repeated charge-discharge cycle or storage.

Abstract: A charging element device comprises a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal which are located at one end of a cylindrical battery case having a positive electrode and a negative electrode equipped therein and which are respectively connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode, with an electrolyte solution charging opening being formed at the other end of the battery case. The electrolyte solution charging opening is sealed by a plug having a safety valve, and the safety plug reduces an inner pressure of the battery case when the inner pressure is not less than a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: An industrial type vented cell storage battery includes an electrode package including at least one positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide, one negative electrode, and one hydrophilic and gas-permeable separator an extension of which beyond said electrode package is in contact with the electrolyte contained in said space. It also includes an oxygen recombination device. It contains an excess quantity of alkaline electrolyte. A space between the base of the electrode package and the bottom of the container contains at least some of the excess quantity of electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a can for containing electrochemical materials including positive and negative electrodes and an electrolyte, the can having an open end and a closed end; a pressure relief mechanism formed in the closed end of the can for releasing internal pressure from within the can when the internal pressure becomes excessive; a first outer cover positioned on the closed end of the can to be in electrical contact therewith and to extend over the pressure relief mechanism; a second outer cover positioned across the open end of the can; and an insulator disposed between the can and the second outer cover for electrically insulating the can from the second outer cover. According to another embodiment, the second cover is dielectrically isolated from a current collector.

Abstract: A non-aqueous cell according to the present invention has an assembly element comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator in a sealed case with the features: an amount of electrolyte is greater than or equal to 30% and less than or equal to 100% of the total pore volume of said assembly element; and a carbon dioxide content is greater than or equal to 1 volume % of the total gas contained in said sealed case.

Abstract: A closure assembly for sealed batteries in which explosion-proof features are incorporated. A metal plate having a hole, an insulating resin sheet, a metal thin sheet, an insulating sheet having an air hole, a metal guide plate having a hole, and a metal cap are laid upon one another within an insulating gasket. Metal plate and metal guide plate are in contact with each other and electrically connected. Upon a build-up of pressure within the battery, the insulating resin sheet expands and ruptures, whereby a narrow part provided in the metal thin sheet positioned above the insulating resin sheet breaks, thus cutting supply of electric current.

Abstract: A catalyst device for use with battery cells to recombine oxygen and hydrogen gas and thereby improve the performance and life of such cells. The catalyst device has the ability to filter out catalyst poisons and control the temperature of the recombination reactions. A container houses the catalyst within a chamber. A catalyst poison filter is provided in the chamber with the catalyst. The movement of gas and vapor to and from the chamber is controlled by a microporous section of the device. The pore size is chosen to allow gas and vapor to pass, but not liquids, and to also prevent a flame from passing through. Within these parameters the pore size can also be chosen to control and or limit the amount of gas that can pass through to the catalyst in a given time period. Preferably, the microporous section is formed as a disc that seals an opening in the chamber.

Abstract: A catalyst device for use with battery cells to recombine oxygen and hydrogen gas and thereby improve the performance and life of such cells. The catalyst device has the ability to filter out catalyst poisons and control the temperature of the recombination reactions. A container houses the catalyst within a chamber. A catalyst poison filter is provided in the chamber with the catalyst. The movement of gas and vapor to and from the chamber is controlled by a microporous section of the device. The pore size is chosen to allow gas and vapor to pass, but not liquids, and to also prevent a flame from passing through. Within these parameters the pore size can also be chosen to control and or limit the amount of gas that can pass through to the catalyst in a given time period. Preferably, the microporous section is formed as a disc that seals an opening in the chamber.

Abstract: Access openings in a fuel cell assembly are isolated from their surroundings by use of a closure member that is actuated by the pressure in a fluid stream within the fuel cell assembly. An isolating apparatus prevents undesirable water loss or gain in certain fuel cell types and protects the fuel cell assembly from contamination.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a sealed battery and a manufacturing method of a sealed battery that suppresses cracking incident to welding using an energy beam, such as a laser beam, when a material such as an aluminum alloy is used for the external casing and the cover plate, with keeping the productivity as high as possible. In order to realize the object, a rib is formed on the cover plate, and the thickness of the external casing at the rim is made small, and the rib and the rim of the external casing are welded together in manufacturing the sealed battery. Then, the closure cap and the external casing are welded together using a laser the energy distribution of which has a flat part in manufacturing the sealed battery to realize the object. In addition, the closure cap and the external casing are welded together while the molten part is gradually cooled in manufacturing the sealed battery to realize the object.

Abstract: A secondary cell comprises a gastight can 1 having a cylinder 11 and a lid 12 fixed to an opening portion of the cylinder, and a secondary cell element accommodated in the can 1. The lid 12 is fixedly provided with a gas vent closure 4 in the form of a disk and having a diaphragm 42 openable upon the internal pressure of the can 1 exceeding a predetermined value. The gas vent closure 4 has an outer peripheral portion welded to an opening edge defining a through bore 14 formed in the lid 12. The lid 12 is formed in a front surface thereof with a circumferential groove 5 surrounding the welded portion of the gas vent closure 4, and a diminished portion 51 is provided between the groove 5 and the welded portion for reducing the sectional area of a heat flow path for the heat of welding to pass therethrough. The lid 12 thus constructed makes it possible to weld the vent closure 4 to the lid 12 free of defects such as pinholes or cracks.

Abstract: A recombinant lead-acid battery, and method for operating thereof, are provided wherein the battery includes a case with a a plurality of lead-acid cells therewithin. The cells are in vapor communication one with another, and in vapor communication with discrete catalyst units. The catalyst units act to enhance recombination within the case of hydrogen and oxygen into vapor phase water. The number of discrete catalyst units is fewer than the cells.

Abstract: A sealed battery includes a can for receiving an electric generator, the can having an opened top end, a deformable plate air tightly mounted on the opened top with a gasket disposed between the deformable plate and an inner wall of the opened top end, a terminal cap disposed on the deformable plate, the terminal cap being elevated except for an edge, and a circuit breaker disposed between the deformable plate and the terminal cap to cut-off current flow when the deformable plate is deformed by internal pressure increased above an allowable level.

Abstract: A process for heat treating the metal sheeting forming the anode casing of a zinc/air depolarized cell before anode material comprising zinc is inserted into the anode casing. The anode casing has a layer of copper on its inside surface. The process comprises heat treating the metal sheeting forming the anode casing by passing a gas at a temperature between about 200° C. and 700° C., preferably between about 300° C. and 600° C. in contact therewith to form a heat treated sheeting and then cooling said heat treated sheeting to ambient temperature. The anode casing is stored away from atmospheric air until anode active material is inserted therein during cell assembly. The heat treating process significantly reduces gassing during cell discharge and storage. The cell's capacity and performance is improved when the cell's anode comprises particulate zinc (or zinc alloy) plated with indium, preferably between about 200 and 600 ppm indium.

Abstract: In a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having: an electrode plate assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; a non-aqueous electrolyte including a lithium salt and a non-aqueous solvent; and a gas absorbing element that absorbs gas produced in the secondary battery, wetting of the gas absorbing element with the non-aqueous solvent is controlled.

Abstract: A cylindrical lithium-ion battery with excellent safety where abnormal heat generation and remarkable deformation of a battery container do not occur even at an abnormal time is provided. When an average diameter of a winding group 6 is A mm, an inner diameter of the battery container 5 is B mm, a longitudinal length of the winding group 6 except for lead pieces extending from the winding group 6 is H mm, and the number of windings where a layer of one unit comprising a negative electrode member/separator/negative electrode member/separator is wound around a shaft core 11 is W, a calculation value K obtained by a formula; K=(B−A)×(10000/(W×H) is set to 0.89 or more. When the calculation value K is 0.89 or more, a gap (B−A) between an outer periphery of the winding group 6 and an inner periphery of the battery container 5 that enables the winding group 6 to expand in its diameter direction at an abnormal time is properly secured.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an explosion-proof safety valve assemblage having a lead cap which allows some of the manufacturing man-hour in the process such as precision working and positioning to be deleted, since the lead cap is integrally formed with an explosion-proof safety valve and serves to provide a current circuit in a battery in place of a conventional one composed of lead plate or lead wire which requires such precision working and positioning operations, and to provide a closed secondary battery using the above mentioned safety valve assemblage.

Abstract: A selective gas permeable membrane allows hydrogen to vent from a battery while preventing other gases from entering the battery. The surface of the filter membrane also catalytically combusts hydrogen and oxygen if both are evolved inside the battery and retains the resulting water for use in the battery. The membrane is made with a porous plastic substrate coated with a thin metal film permeable to hydrogen, and additional coatings. These coatings protect the surfaces, and catalytically combust hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: An electrochemical conversion system (110) is disclosed having a housing (111) defining an opening (112) and an internal chamber (113). An electrochemical cell (116) is mounted within the opening (112) which is electrically coupled to a circuit (117). A mass of metal hydride material (118) is positioned within the chamber (113). The circuit (117) includes a load (127) and a battery (128) electrically coupled in series. The system may also be adapted to generate DC power with the addition of a rectifier (131).

Abstract: A lead-acid cell includes a case, positive and negative plates within the case, microporous separator material between adjacent plates and electrolyte in a starved amount, with the case having jar and covers joined by a weldment along overlapping cover and jars. The positive plates include a grid frame with an intermediate member extending between spaced apart generally peripheral portions of the frame, with pasted active material on the grid frame separated substantially into two portions by the intermediate member. Compressive force is adjustably continuously applied to the positive and negative plates within the case. The plates are suspended within the case at positions removed from the wall of the case, while plate growth is permitted in a manner that plate shorting is-avoided.

Abstract: A closing plate for a battery comprises a metal substrate provided with a safety valve at a peripheral portion thereof. The safety valve is protected by applying a protection film to the metal substrate of the closing plate. The closing plate comprises a metal substrate, metal foil which is adhered to the lower surface of the metal substrate, and a protection film attached to the upper surface of the metal substrate, which protection film has previously been provided with a cut in a prescribed shape.

Abstract: The battery pack of the present invention connects a terminal holder to a cell. The cell is sealed air-tight at its connection between a sheathing case and a sealing plate. The sealing plate has a terminal protruding from its surface. The terminal holder is made of an insulating material and provides a storage space adjacent to the sealing plate for storing a protective component. The protective component is provided in the storage space between the terminal holder and the sealing plate. The protective component is placed in the storage space provided between the terminal holder and the sealing plate except for the terminal location, and its bottom surface level is positioned under the top surface level of the terminal.

Abstract: A battery having a hydrogen removing agent disposed on the battery external from the active cell volume of its container for removing hydrogen produced by the electrochemically active materials. The hydrogen removing agent is disposed on a surface of the seal member which is disposed within an open top end of the container, according to one embodiment. According to other embodiments, the hydrogen removing agent is disposed on an inner surface of an outer cover, or disposed on a label on the outside walls of the container. A multi-cell battery is also provided having the hydrogen removing agent disposed on the interior walls thereof.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte is dosed with an additive which acts on the negative electrode to reduce electrolysis and, hence, water consumption of the cell during the course of operation of the cell, in particular when the cell is in a state of overcharge. The additive is arranged to reduce the flow of current between the electrodes when a potential ordinarily sufficient to cause electrolysis of the electrolyte is applied across the electrodes. The additive typically coats the negative electrode to form a barrier in conjunction with gas bubbles evolving from the negative electrode in order to reduce the flow of current to the electrode and/or a reduction in the flow of ions to the negative electrode and/or gas bubbles flowing from the negative electrode.

Abstract: In a pressure-sensitive breaker for a battery, a recess is formed at a position on the inner surface of a battery pack opposing a side face of a battery case of a battery. A first terminal is provided to be connected to an external electrode of the battery pack, and a second terminal is provided to be connected to the battery case serving as one electrode of the battery. An electric path is formed of a conductive portion on the surface of an element, and both ends of the conductive portion are connected to the first and second terminals. Due to bending of the side face of the battery case toward the recess caused when the internal pressure in the battery rises above a predetermined value, the element is deformed toward the recess and broken, and the electric path is cut off.

Abstract: In a current cutoff mechanism for a cell, when the internal pressure of a cell case exceeds a predetermined value, a diaphragm section is displaced upward, and a terminal is broken from portions of a V-shaped groove section in contact with two slits, thereby cutting off the current path formed between a cell lid and a power generating element inside the cell.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery, which achieves a low profile while allowing grids of relative maximum height to be used, comprises a container having the terminal cells located adjacent the front of the battery so as to allow ready access to the battery when located in racks or the like in service, and a cover, preferably a two-piece cover, containing the terminals, interior surfaces of the cover and top surfaces of the container being sloped upwardly in a rearward direction from the front of the battery, thereby allowing the use of relatively tall grids.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a container with a closed bottom end, an open top end, and side walls extending between the top and bottom ends has a pressure relief mechanism formed in the bottom end, and positive and negative electrodes disposed in the container. The pressure relief mechanism is a stress concentrator formed in the container for providing pressure relief to vent high pressure gases. The stress concentrator includes first and second crossing grooves and third and fourth arcuate grooves to provide for multiple stress concentration points which offers increased reliability of venting, reduced space required for the vent opening, and results in significant reduction of bulging in the closed bottom end of the container.

Abstract: A battery structure is arranged such that an elastic valve body or the like cannot easily come off from the cover body during the production of the battery, which thereby enhances the production yield. A cover body of the invention includes a flange portion airtightly fixed to an injection port and a bulge portion protruding from the flange portion and provided with a space in which an elastic valve body is fitted (mounted). The bulge portion has an opening for ventilation provided on the side wall thereof and a protrusion at the lower end of the side wall thereof protruding inwardly of the side wall, whereby the elastic valve body can be held by the protrusion and the annular rim of the elastic valve body so that it can be prevented from coming off from the cover body. Accordingly, the elastic valve body can be prevented from coming off from the cover body due to vibration developed during the transportation of the cover body or like occasions, making it possible to enhance the production yield.

Abstract: A safety device having a thin plate of a brittle material adapted to be ruptured by a difference between pressures exerted on opposite sides thereof; and a conductive path provided on the thin plate and adapted to be cut off by the rupture of the thin plate. One surface of the thin plate is present in a reference pressure chamber. The safety device with its reference pressure chamber being sealed is incorporated in a secondary battery. When the secondary battery is overcharged, the pressure difference between the opposite sides of the thin plate is increased, so that the thin plate is ruptured to cut off the conductive path.

Abstract: An alkaline battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator, an alkaline electrolyte, and a hydrogen recombination catalyst. The hydrogen recombination catalyst includes a hydrogen oxidizing material, such as CuO, and an activating material. The activating material includes a first activating component and a second activating component. The components of the activating material can be Pd, Pt, Ru metals or salts thereof.

Abstract: In the charging of a valve-regulated, lead-acid (VRLA) cell at a charge voltage which has a value that is slightly in excess of the value of the open-circuit voltage of the cell, wherein, during charging of the cell, there is produced at the positive and negative electrodes respectively oxygen gas and hydrogen gas in a predetermined amount, and wherein the negative electrode tends to discharge over a prolonged period of time during charging, the improvement comprising inhibiting the tendency of the negative electrode to discharge during charging by controlling the amount of oxygen gas in the cell by catalytically converting a portion of the oxygen gas and a portion of the predetermined amount of hydrogen gas to water, for example, by use of a catalyst positioned in the cell.

Abstract: A cylindrical secondary battery includes a case, a cathode plate and an anode plate installed in the case, and a separator interposed therebetween, a cap on the case and a cap cover coupled to the cap and having a vent hole, and a one-way valve installed in the vent hole. The one-way valve includes a hollow body portion inserted in the vent hole of the cap cover, gas passing grooves at the outer circumferential surface of the hollow body, an upper flange at the outer circumferential surface of the hollow body, disposed above the cap cover, a lower flange at the outer circumferential surface of the hollow body, disposed under the cap cover, a spring elastically supported between the upper flange and the cap cover, and a fragile portion closing an upper portion of the hollow body.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack may be enclosed within a plastic membrane. In one embodiment of the invention, a stack may be enclosed within a heat shrinkable membrane and the membrane caused to shrink about the stack. In this way, any leakage of fluids from the stack may be prevented or retarded by the membrane. A variety of different membranes may be utilized including composite membranes made up of barrier film and heat shrinkable puncture resistant film or bubble wrap covered by shrink wrap film. Any openings formed in the enclosure may be closed using plastic tape or heat sealing techniques. A leak detector may be provided within the enclosure for detecting leaks including gas leaks from within the stack.

Abstract: A metal reinforcing plate is welded in place close to the opening on the inside of the battery case, and a plastic insulation gasket and a sealing member provided with an anti-explosion mechanism or the like are sequentially mounted on the metal reinforcing plate. By this arrangement, higher battery capacity can be realized by eliminating the waste of space because it is unnecessary to form a conventional indentation around the upper wall of a battery case. A sealed battery construction having an anti-explosion mechanism and being highly reliable in terms of leakage prevention can be thereby obtained.

Abstract: A battery having a hydrogen removing agent disposed on the battery external from the active cell volume of its container for removing hydrogen produced by the electrochemically active materials. The hydrogen removing agent is disposed on a surface of the seal member which is disposed within an open top end of the container, according to one embodiment. According to other embodiments, the hydrogen removing agent is disposed on an inner surface of an outer cover, or disposed on a label on the outside walls of the container. A multi-cell battery is also provided having the hydrogen removing agent disposed on the interior walls thereof.

Abstract: An electrical accumulator having a case in the form of a button cell which is closed such that it is gastight, including a case cover and a case cup with an interposed electrically insulating seal, which contain an electrode set including positive and negative electrodes as well as interposed separators, with at least two electrodes of one polarity being mechanically. and electrically connected at at least two points on their circumference in such a manner that a mechanically robust electrode packet results. The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing such a rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A sealed secondary battery assembly in which electricity-generating elements (1) are accommodated in battery cases (3) formed in rectangular tubular shape having a bottom, a plurality of cells (2a to 2j) constituted by sealing the apertures of battery cases (3) by covers (4) are arranged in series, and these are electrically connected by means of electrical connecting elements (9), wherein the battery cases (3) of the individual cells (2a to 2j) are constituted by a unitary battery case (51) and electrical connection elements (9) are arranged so as to pass through partition sections (53, 54) that define the space for the individual cells (2a to 2j), and coolant passages (55, 56) that communicate with the outside are formed in the partition sections (53, 54).

Abstract: A cell electrical path breaking mechanism in which an electrical path is formed between a cell case and an external cathode through a diaphragm and a connection member. When the internal pressure in the cell case increases to a value equal to or greater than a predetermined value, causing the diaphragm to be displaced upward, the connection member is severed, so that the electrical path is broken. Even when flammable gas or the like is generated in the cell due to an abnormality in the cell, the cell electrical path breaking mechanism makes the cell safe to use by preventing an arc produced when the connection member is severed as a result of the displacement of the diaphragm from igniting the flammable gas.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a can for containing electrochemical materials including positive and negative electrodes and an electrolyte, the can having an open end and a closed end; an integral seal/inner cover assembly positioned in the open end of the can, the integral seal/inner cover assembly having a rigid inner cover and a seal preformed directly onto at least an inner-facing surface of the rigid inner cover; a collector extending through a central hole provided in the integral seal/inner cover assembly and into the can so as to contact one of the electrodes; and an outer cover positioned across the open end of the can proximate an outer-facing surface of the rigid inner cover, the outer cover being positioned so as to be in electrical contact with the collector. The rigid inner cover preferably includes at least one aperture extending from the inner-facing surface to the outer-facing surface of the inner cover.

Abstract: A closure assembly for sealed batteries in which explosion-proof features are incorporated. A metal plate (8) having a hole (81), an insulating resin sheet (9), a metal thin sheet (6b), an insulating sheet (4) having an air hole (41), a metal guide plate (3) having a hole (31), and a metal cap (1b) are laid upon one another within an insulating gasket (5b). Metal plate (8) and metal guide plate (3) are in contact with each other and electrically connected. Upon a build-up of pressure within the battery, the insulating-resin sheet (9) expands and ruptures, whereby a narrow part (69) provided in the metal thin sheet (6b) positioned above the insulating resin sheet (9) breaks, thus cutting supply of electric current.

Abstract: A secondary battery including an electricity Generating element, which includes at least a positive electrode implemented by a lithium-manganese compound oxide, a negative electrode, an electrolyte and a separator, and films encasing the electricity generating element is disclosed. The secondary battery further includes a composition causing the electrolyte to react with water to thereby produce hydrogen ions, and a hydrogen ion uptaking agent so positioned as to contact the electrolyte existing in the battery. The battery is desirable in charge-discharge cycle characteristic, storage characteristic, and safety. In addition, the battery swells little despite a repeated charge-discharge cycle or storage.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack (6) includes at least first and second cells (40) and a separator assembly (42). Each cell includes an anode (44), a cathode (46) and electrolyte (48) between them. The separator assembly includes a fluid separator (58) having a fuel side, an oxidant side, an anode spacer element (68) between the fuel side and the anode of the first cell and a cathode spacer element (80) between the oxidant side and the cathode of the second cell. The separator assembly further includes a cathode exhaust passageway(86), having an exhaust inlet (84) at the central region (82) of the cathode spacer element, and an anode feed passageway (64), including a continuous loop anode feed tube, located spaced apart from the cell peripheral edge, with radially inwardly and outwardly directed fuel outlets (76, 78). An air deflector (62) helps prevent radially inwardly moving air from contacting the anode while permitting the air access to the peripheral edge (102) of the cathode spacer element.

Abstract: A lead acid storage battery cell having a sealed housing in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are immersed in a liquid electrolyte. The negative electrode is partially exposed to a gas space within the battery cell housing. A pressure relief valve allows excess gas to escape the battery cell while preventing air from outside the cell from entering the gas space. Exposing a section of the negative plate to oxygen gas that evolves within the battery and collects in the gas space reduces water consumption of the cell and extends the maintenance-free life of the battery. The addition of a catalyst to recombine oxygen and hydrogen offers further improvement.

Abstract: A recombinant battery element of a lead acid battery including a negative plate, a positive plate and a separator having an additive associated with the separator that improves the overall efficiency of the lead acid battery.

Abstract: A flashlight apparatus includes a quantity of tritium within a transparent capsule for emitting light independently of any power source for helping a person locate the apparatus in the absence of substantial external light. The tritium glows in the dark for many years without any external power source. The apparatus also includes the conventional elements of a power source, a primary light source, a power circuit for electrical communication between the power source and the primary light source, a switch, and a housing containing the power source, the primary light source. The light source is preferably a light emitting diode, and may alternatively be an incandescent bulb. The light emitting diode is preferably a high intensity, low power consuming light emitting diode. The transparent capsule includes a vial containing the tritium, which capsule provides a virtually unbreakable enclosure.

Abstract: For an improved recombination system serving to catalytically recombine hydrogen and oxygen, which form in a storage battery, into water and incorporating an adapter union assembly for the gas-tight connection of the system to a storage battery, a container which is gas-impermeable to the outside and which houses a recombination assembly, as well as a conduit for the loss-less gas intake from the adapter union to the container and water return flow in the opposite direction, whereby even in the event of an overload the hazard of escaping gas can be avoided and the efficacy of the catalytic unit can be maintained while at the same time the system can be produced at low cost and in a way as to be easily assembled and maintenance-free, this invention proposes to provide next to the conduit an expansion section which is open toward the outside but delimited by an ignition suppressor, and to connect the conduit with the expansion section by way of a gating aperture.

Abstract: A pressurized fuel cell system (10), operates within a common pressure vessel (12) where the system contains fuel cells (22), a turbine (26) and a generator (98) where preferably, associated oxidant inlet valve (52), fuel inlet valve (56) and fuel cell exhaust valve (42) are outside the pressure vessel.

Abstract: The pressure sensitive circuit breaker comprises a diaphragm portion formed by grinding a part of a lid so as to have a wall thickness which is small in comparison with other portions of the lid, the diaphragm portion being displaced by an internal pressure of a battery, a cut-off element having a cut-off circuit and held by the lid, the cut-off element functioning to cut off the cut-off circuit by displacement of the diaphragm portion with an increase in internal pressure of the battery, an external electrode connected to one end of the cut-off circuit, and inner connection means for connecting an opposite end of the cut-off circuit of the cut-off element with a power generating element located in the interior of the battery.