Abstract: The optimum electrolyte level sensing method and the automatic topping up apparatus for storage wet cell are disclosed. The difference in the conductivities between the distilled water and the electrolyte is utilized. An injection outlet portion (15), an adjust ring (14), and two wires are used to detect the optimum electrolyte level to supply distilled water to storage cells. The feedback control to maintain the constant optimum electrolyte level of storage cells is carried out by a single microprocessor.

Abstract: A process for charging and discharging zinc/bromine batteries with a plurality of anode and cathode chambers into and from which anolyte or catholyte fluids are fed and drained. Metallic zinc is deposited on the anode and atomic and/or molecular bromine is deposited at the cathode, and bromine is bonded in an only slightly water soluble complex with a complex-forming agent from the aqueous phase. The anolyte and/or catholyte fluids are circulated periodically. The oleophilic cathode phase is separated from the hydrophilic cathode phase. Only the aqueous phase of the catholyte is circulated through the cathode chambers, and the times at which the fluid is circulated is dependent upon the temperature of the anolyte in the anode chambers.

Abstract: A reserve, energy sourced, or deferred action battery in which each battery cell is provided a separate reservoir containing the necessary electrolyte fluid for that cell. A simple design is then possible as the electrolyte fluid is stored in close proximity to the battery cells when needed at the time of activating the battery. A combination of two electrolyte fluids may be used that react exothermically when mixed together at the time of activation thereby producing heat. The production of heat allows the battery to activate at existing cold ambient temperatures that would otherwise render the reserve battery without sufficient operating power. The invention also provides an activation system which ensures reliable activation of the battery and ensures that the battery is not is subject to unintended activation.

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 method of controlling a power generating system comprising a plurality of metal-air cells and a pump for circulating an electrolyte solution through the cells. The method comprises sensing an operating condition of the generating system, and selectively energizing the pump as a function of the sensed operating condition whereby energizing the pump causes the electrolyte solution to be circulated through the cells.

Abstract: The electrolyte matrix and electrolyte reservoir plates in a molten carbonate fuel cell power plant stack are filled with electrolyte by applying a paste of dry electrolyte powder entrained in a dissipatable carrier to the reactant flow channels in the current collector plate. The stack plates are preformed and solidified to final operating condition so that they are self sustaining and can be disposed one atop the other to form the power plant stack. Packing the reactant flow channels with the electrolyte paste allows the use of thinner electrode plates, particularly on the anode side of the cells. The use of the packed electrolyte paste provides sufficient electrolyte to fill the matrix and to entrain excess electrolyte in the electrode plates, which also serve as excess electrolyte reservoirs. When the stack is heated up to operating temperatures, the electrolyte in the paste melts, the carrier vaporizes, or chemically decomposes, and the melted electrolyte is absorbed into the matrix and electrode plates.

Abstract: An electrochemical power generating system has a base unit and a replaceable fuel unit. The base unit comprises controller for controlling operation of the pump. The fuel unit comprises a second housing releasably connectable to the first housing and a row of metal-air cells in the second housing electrically inter-connected together. Each cell includes a casing, a metal anode within the casing, an air cathode, a spacer between the cathode and anode for preventing the anode from contacting the cathode, an electrolyte intake port and an electrolyte discharge port in the casing for passage of electrolyte through the casing and between the anode and cathode. The fuel unit further comprises a manifold, an electrolyte reservoir, and a fluid line. The manifold has an intake port and a plurality of discharge ports in fluid communication with the electrolyte intake ports of the cells so that electrolyte flowing through the manifold is directed through the intake ports of the cells.

Abstract: A metal air cell comprising a flexible, recloseable, pouch made of a gas-permeable, electrolyte-impermeable, material forming the cathode of the cell, a metal plate anode in the pouch, and spacers physically isolating the anode from the interior of the flexible pouch cathode, the spacers separating the anode and the cathode by a predetermined spacing. A plurality of such cells are preferably stacked into a multicell battery, and compressed in a harness to maintain proper anode-cathode spacing as the anode is consumed. The stack can be incorporated as a replaceable part of a larger power system including a circulatory system for circulating an electrolyte solution through the cells in the stack. A controller controls the circulatory system, particularly during start-up and shut-down, to achieve a fast start up, and an efficient shut down.

Abstract: A system for increasing the efficiency of electro-chemical batteries includes a liquid electrolyte battery having positive and negative terminals and electrolyte fluid input and output ports. The system also is provided with an electrolyte distribution manifold, an electrolyte filter, an electrolyte holding tank, and a pump and control valves for circulating the electrolyte fluid between the battery and the holding tank, whereby stratification of the electrolyte fluid is prevented and gases and solids are removed from the electrolyte.

Abstract: A battery assembly has a battery case and a battery acid container, wherein the battery case has a number of sockets on an upper central part thereof and the battery acid container has a number of adjacent vessels. Each socket has a central post with crossed bridge linked therebetween to form apertures that surround the central post. Each vessel has a neck with a hat-like plug for inserting into the opening of the neck and an air vent between every two adjacent vessels. The hat-like plug has a weak portion which is easily torn apart upon insertion in the socket to fill battery acid therethrough and a reinforced portion for retaining the torn part affixed to the plug. A cover has a number of annular plugs to seal the sockets.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrical generating plant, especially for use in a submarine, having dual modes of operation and which comprises a fuel cell which requires a supply of gaseous hydrogen and a supply of gaseous oxygen in order to generate an electrical output. First supply means supplies to the plant a hydrogen-containing compound, preferably methanol, which is liquid at NTP and which can undergo an endothermic reaction to liberate gaseous hydrogen, and second supply means is provided which is selectively operable for supplying to the plant liquid hydrogen peroxide in a first mode of operation and air in a second mode of operation. A reformer is connected to the first supply means and causes the hydrogen-containing compound to undergo the endothermic reaction with liberation of gaseous hydrogen, whereas a decomposer is selectively connectible to the second supply means, in the first mode of operation, and is arranged to decompose the hydrogen peroxide exothermically so as to liberate gaseous oxygen.

Abstract: An automatic watering and gas purging system for batteries and fuel cells utilizing a watering cap which establishes a desired electrolyte level in the cells.

Abstract: A flame arrestor for a battery manifold through which gases are vented from cells and liquid is occasionally pumped to replenish electrolyte in the cells comprises two chambers connected by a liquid trap. The trap is connected to each chamber such that liquid tends to drain from the chamber into the trap and thereby seals the trap. The liquid seal suppresses any flame attempting to propagate through the manifold. Gas buildup in the manifold displaces liquid from the trap into the downstream chamber, whereupon gas flows through the chamber for venting and the liquid is returned to the chamber to reform the seal.

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 device for maintaining the electrolyte level in the accumulator of an electric battery includes a pneumatic chamber, with levelling members in it, connected to the accumulator, and a reservoir for supplying liquid to the pneumatic chamber. The levelling members assure a constant level of liquid in the pneumatic chamber. When the electrolyte level in the accumulator drops below a preset limit, the resulting reduction in pressure in the pneumatic chamber permits reservoir liquid to enter the accumulator, until the level of electrolyte in the accumulator rises enough to raise the pressure in the pneumatic chamber to stop flow of liquid into the accumulator.

Abstract: A process for carrying out chemical and/or electrochemical reactions in a reaction chamber traversed by a suspension of particles in a fluid is improved due to the fact that the suspension emerging from the chamber is separated into two fractions: a "concentrated fraction" comprising the greater part or all of the particles and a "fluid fraction" comprising the greater part or all of the fluid. The "fluid fraction" is introduced into a reservoir. A flow of the fluid from the reservoir is combined with the "concentrated fraction" in order to form a suspension, which is then introduced into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: An improvement is provided for a battery which has an anode and a cathode, pair of spaced apart concentric tubes, a piston mounted in the inner tube, an electrolyte disposed in the inner tube between one side of the piston and one end of the inner tube, and a device disposed in the inner tube between the other side of the piston and the other end of the inner tube for biasing the piston toward the one end of the inner tube. The improvement includes the cathode being porous and being mounted in the annular space, and an electrolyte which substantially completely fills the pores of the cathode. The volume of the electrolyte within the porous cathode is substantially only sufficient for stoichiometry. A passageway is provided for communicating the electrolyte side of the inner tube with the annular space. The volume of the electrolyte within the inner tube is substantially only sufficient for filling the voids left within the annular space as the products react.

Abstract: A sealed water supply chamber 18 for a battery vessel 1 is formed by thermally bonding together the vessel, a lid member 2 having a plurality of vertically disposed level defining tubes 11, water inlet and gas outlet ports 12, and water pools or reservoirs 14 at each end, and a cover member 3 having threaded openings 16 at each end and downwardly depending cups 13 disposed above the respective tubes 11. Tight bonding is facilitated by molding the vessel, the lid member, and the cover member from the same thermoplastic material. L-shaped water inlet and outlet pipes 4 are screwed into the openings 16 and sealed by rubber packings 15, with the lower end of each pipe disposed just above the bottom of a water reservoir 14. Surplus water remaining in the reservoirs thus provides a gas barrier to isolate the chambers 18 of a plurality of batteries connected in an array, whereby a gas explosion in one battery cannot flash through the water connecing pipes to ignite the other batteries.

Abstract: To prevent differential electrolyte levels in the various cells of a storage battery having a common expansion and filler chamber, while preventing internal short circuits through the electrolyte, each cell is formed with an overflow tube extending just below the normal electrolyte level of each cell, and an inlet tube flush with the expansion and filler chamber and having general U-shape, extending first downwardly and then upwardly, the U-shaped tube being at least partly filled with electrolyte to form resistance to flow of gases and electrolyte liquid from a particular cell back into the expansion and filler chamber through the inlet tube, rather than through the overflow tube, which extends above the wall separating the common expansion and filler chamber and the individual cell.