Abstract: A zinc-halogen secondary battery has a filter filled with zinc particles and is disposed with a manifold for filling with an electrolyte. The filter is connected to an exhaust pump. The exhaust pump is operated for removing bubbles in respective cells of the battery before charging.

Abstract: The invention provides a high temperature electrochemical cell having an anode and a cathode separated by a separator. The cell has a housing divided by the separator into two cell compartments for the anode and cathode, each of which compartments contains liquid at the cell operating temperature, and has a gas space therein above the liquid, containing an inert gas. The cell compartments are in communication with each other, e.g. by passage, and are otherwise sealed. This communication is above the levels of the liquid in the compartments at all stages of charge of the cell.

Abstract: A vent cap includes a hollow vent cover which is inserted into a battery vent hole and a flange which retains the vent cap from overinsertion into the vent hole. An aperture near the top of the vent cap communicates with the hollow interior of the vent cover and forms an exhaust path for discharge of gases from within the battery. A flame protection device, for example, a microporous disc, is disposed within the vent cover so that gases must pass through the disc in order to exit the battery through the aperture. A splash guard may be provided in the vent cover to reduce electrolyte leakage into the exhaust path and onto the flame arrestor, thereby inhibiting electrolyte leakage from the battery.

Abstract: We have discovered that the introduction of small particulate matter into the area between the electrolyte and the inner surface of the battery cover can dramatically reduce water loss, if the material possess the following properties:The material should have a closed cell, which is not a solid material in a sense that it is a plurality of hollow structures linked together.

Abstract: A submersible flame-retardant vent plug is adapted for use in storage batteries of the type containing liquid electrolyte. The plug has inlet and outlet slots and a hollow portion providing a gas communication path. A porous flame arrester is positioned in the path. A check valve is positioned in the path between the flame arrester and the outlet slots and is adapted to be opened by gas pressure from the battery's interior and to be closed by water pressure from the battery's exterior.

Abstract: A vented battery includes an aperture 108 in the battery housing 104 for venting built up gases inside of the vented battery 104. The aperture 108 is covered with a sintered metal vent 204. The sintered vent can be molded in the battery housing, staked to the housing, friction fitted into the aperture, or attached using other commonly known methods.In an alternate embodiment, a vented battery 200 has at least one battery contact 210 formed from sintered metal allowing for the venting of gases inside of housing 104. The battery contact 210 performs the dual function of allowing the battery 200 to be vented, and also act as electrical battery contacts which allow battery 200 to be connected to external devices.A communication device 300 includes a radio 302 that has a radio battery retainer 310, or other external housing member made from sintered metal thereby allowing for radio 302 to be vented.

Abstract: An aqueous electrolyte aluminum-air battery comprises one or more cells, each cell comprising a frame which defines an electrolyte chamber. The frame is made of a rigid material inactive to the electrolyte. The cell has a consumable aluminum anode and an air cathode spaced from the anode by said electrolyte chamber. Means are provided for admitting electrolyte solution into the electrolyte chamber. A vent exposes the electrolyte chamber to atmosphere. A hydrophobic membrane which is impermeable to the passage of the electrolyte but permeable to the passage of hydrogen closes the vent. A surface of each cell anode is exposed to the flow of air. The amount of surface exposed is effective to dissipate heat generated at the anode.

Abstract: A removable strip adapted to be placed in a gas tight relationship with the top of a battery enclosure housing a plurality of channels and providing gaseous communication from a plurality of battery cells to a flame arrester located internally in the battery.

Abstract: A battery exhaust gas plug filter is disclosed in which surfaces of pores of an inorganic porous substance composing the filter are coated with a silane or titanium coupling agent inner film before coating them with a fluororesin outer film having finer micro-pores. Accordingly, it is believed that the fluororesin outer film having finer micro-pores comes to be tightly bonded with the surfaces of the pores of the inorganic porous substance through silane or titanium coupling agent inner film, and that even smaller pores of the inorganic porous substance are covered with the silane or titanium coupling agent inner film at least. As a result, the water repellency, gas permeability and strength of the battery exhaust gas plug filter have been improved.

Abstract: A porous compressible plastic material is inserted into the head space above the cells in a storage battery to attenuate the explosion of combustible gases accumulating therein. The attenuation material is distributed to create a unique bimodal por distribution, including a major proportion of small pores effective in attenuation and a minor proportion of large pores effective in gas and electrolyte management. Both open cell and fibrous materials may be utilized.

Abstract: A rechargeable storage battery includes a container, a gas venting and circuit-breaker device and a concentric electrode assembly comprised of plural negative electrode plates, positive electrode plates and separators each disposed between every two adjacent, opposite plates, wherein the gas venting and circuit-breaker device may absorb the entrained electrolyte and may disconnect a positive terminal of the cell as biased by the excessive gas pressure during overcharged operation for safety purpose; and the concentric electrode plates may overcome the breaking or deformation drawbacks since the plates are concentrically wrapped up in one-fold, instead of a conventional spiral-winding electrode configuration which is continuously rolled up by many turns.

Abstract: A porous compressible plastic material is inserted into the head space above the cells in a storage battery to attenuate the explosion of combustible gases accumulating therein. The attenuation material has a unique bimodal pore distribution, including a major proportion of small pores effective in attenuation and a minor proportion of large pores effective in gas and electrolyte management. Both open cell and fibrous materials may be utilized.

Abstract: Porous compressible plastic material, effective in attenuating the explosion of combustible gases which accumulate in the head space of a storage battery, is prepared for installation by compressing the material and maintaining the compression with a releasable binding means. The compressed attenuation material is inserted into the head space of the battery and, upon release of the binding means, the material reexpands to fill the head space. Various embodiments of the general method are disclosed and each may be used with a variety of open cell and fibrous plastic materials. The releasable binder may be either a physical enclosure or a chemical adhesive, each of which is preferably releasable by dissolution in the battery electrolyte.

Abstract: A cordless rechargeable replaceable battery assembly powered drive assembly for driving orthopedic surgical instruments in which the battery has silver and zinc oxide electrodes in sodium hydroxide electrolyte to provide low voltage high current power. The switch is encased in the battery assembly, the battery cells are vented through a microporous polymeric curtain to restrict expulsion of electrolyte, a two speed transmission is provided to change drive speeds, and a brush block on the motor has contacts adapted to be connected in different combinations to change the motor rotation direction.

Abstract: In a multicell electric storage battery designed for central gas release, before being released into the open air the battery gases pass through a container positioned on the block casing in which the acid particles and moisture are separated from the gases as a consequence of the gases being repeatedly deflected by a series of walls placed in the path of the gases, which may be perforated if desired, and the dehumidified gases are then passed through a porous flame-protection frit. Flashback of a flame caused by external ignition of the gases is prevented by rapid burn-off of the gases in a flame extinguishing chamber preceding the frit.

Abstract: An improved stopper structure for a storage battery container according to the present invention is basically defined as a unit including a plurality of hollow stopper supports which comprise threaded support, a spongy rubber, and a rubber pad within each hollow stopper support. Each stopper support has a cylindrical shape with a hollow center to accomodate the abovementioned elements, respectively. The gas that evolves during battery operation is blocked by a stopper, additionally, the water vapor has no way to escape, therefore, the amount of battery fluid loss is reduced. At a time that the evolved gas within the hollow stopper support possesses enough pressure, the rubber pad will be forced to curve upwardly. As a result, the gas may be evolved along a slot provided across the bottom surface of a trough carrying the stopper supports.

Abstract: A cylindrical battery provided with a battery case acting also as one polarity terminal with a cylindrical one polarity electrode disposed inside, and another polarity terminal member connected electrically with a lead plate to another polarity electrode installed through a cylindrical separator in a hollow zone of said one polarity electrode, which comprises providing an annular descending wall placed closely upon a top opening inside peripheral edge of said cylindrical separator on the lower surface of an annular insulating packing for insulating the battery case and said another polarity terminal member, preventing the battery capacity reduction due to self-discharge.

Abstract: A sealed lead-acid secondary cell of the type that absorbs oxygen by the negative electrode, is characterized in that a porous member impregnated with a liquid substance is disposed within or outside of a safety valve, or in contact with the bottom of said safety valve.

Abstract: A sealed lead acid battery being equipped with a venting valve discharging inner gas to an outside of battery in the event that an inner gas pressure in the battery reaches a prescribed value, a valve opening pressure being set to 0.2-0.4 kg/cm.sup.2, an enforceable pressure of positive and negative plate groups being set to 35-60 kg/dm.sup.2, polypropylene with filler being used for a material of container, and a side wall thickness of the container being set to 2-4 mm.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a battery assembly which comprises several gas depolarizable electrochemical cells, e.g., metal/air cells, stacked electrically in series along a first dimension. Each cell has first and second electrodes of opposite polarities. The battery assembly also comprises a housing for containing the stack of cells. The housing includes a structure for ventilating the interior of the housing and further includes first and second opposite end walls which lie perpendicular to the first dimension. The stack of cells is arranged within the housing with the first electrode of the initial cell of the stack facing the first wall and the second electrode of the final cell of the stack facing the second wall. The battery assembly further includes first and second electrically conductive connectors disposed within the housing. The first connector has a first end electrically coupled to the first electrode of the initial cell and a second end disposed adjacent the first wall.

Abstract: A method of making vented battery frames in which strips of paper are laminated between strata of dissimilar thermoplastic materials, at least one of which is formed as a frame, having a central opening to receive battery components.

Abstract: A recombination device including a gas-tight enclosure connected to receive he discharge gases from a rechargeable storage battery. Catalytic material for the recombination of hydrogen and oxygen to form water is supported within the enclosure. The enclosure is sealed from the atmosphere by a liquid seal including two vertical chambers interconnected with an inverted U-shaped overflow tube. The first chamber is connected at its upper portion to the enclosure and the second chamber communicates at its upper portion with the atmosphere. If the pressure within the enclosure differs as overpressure or vacuum by more than the liquid level, the liquid is forced into one of the two chambers and the overpressure is vented or the vacuum is relieved. The recombination device also includes means for returning recombined liquid to the battery and for absorbing metal hydrides.

Abstract: A galvanic dry cell includes a cylindrical container having an open end provided with a closure having a centrally disposed aperture adapted to be slid over and secured to the carbon rod of the cell and a peripherally disposed depending flange having an undercoating of a soft sealant into which the upper rim of the container is embedded, thereby providing a seal closure for the container.

Abstract: An electric storage battery having a battery gas venting system including: an electrolyte-trapping chamber; an exhaust port for venting battery gases to the ambient; a porous flame arresting filter between the electrolyte-trapping chamber and the port; a combustion chamber adjacent the exhaust port for the controlled combustion of the battery gases; a buffer chamber intermediate the porous filter and the combustion chamber; a partition separating the combustion and buffer chambers; and a relatively small aperture communicating the combustion and buffer chambers one with the other. The aperture between the buffer and combustion chambers preferably has an effective cross-sectional area which is no more than about one-half the cross-sectional area of the exhaust port.

Abstract: A reduced maintenance, explosion damage resistant storage battery (10), having internal means for both recombining evolved gases and for protecting the battery against damage due to evolved gas ignition whether from external or internal sources is disclosed. In a first embodiment of the invention, a honeycomb-like member (60) of electrolyte-resistant material substantially fills the space within the battery above the battery electrodes, dividing this volume into a plurality of small volumes (76), surrounded by cooling surfaces, so that ignition of one small volume (76) by an external spark or by failure of an internal battery component will not cause damage. A small space (20) is left above the honeycomb member (60), and a planar catalytic recombination element (78) is provided, substantially filling this space.

Abstract: An explosion-proof battery vent and filler plug (10) is disclosed, which provides a flame barrier (16) to prevent external ignition of gas evolved from a battery during operation from causing ignition of the larger volume of gas within the battery itself, without simultaneously allowing a high rate of evaporation of the electrolyte. In accordance with the invention, the flame barrier means (16) is provided with an indirect, restricted outlet (64) for the evolved gases to pass to the atmosphere, thus reducing the flow of air through the electrolyte space of the battery. The preferred embodiment includes a filler tube (14) with a funnel-shaped entrance (24) within a shell member (12) which sealingly engages an opening of a battery.

Abstract: A closure device for lead-acid batteries includes a filter of granulated activated carbon treated to be hydrophobic combined with means for preventing explosion of emitted hydrogen and oxygen gas. The explosion prevention means includes a vertical open-end tube within the closure housing for maintaining a liquid level above side wall openings in an adjacent closed end tube. Gases vent from the battery through a nozzle directed inside the closed end tube against an impingement surface to remove acid droplets. The gases then flow through the side wall openings and the liquid level to quench any possible ignition prior to entering the activated carbon filter. A wick in the activated carbon filter conducts condensed liquid back to the closure housing to replenish the liquid level limited by the open-end tube.

Abstract: A recombination system for catalytic oxidation of hydrogen in storage battery gases includes a gas supply duct which makes it possible for the combustible gas flowing through it to aspirate from the ambient the necessary combustion air, following the principle of a Bunsen burner, and to entrain it to the recombination catalyst. In case of over-supply of gas, an acid separator positioned in the gas supply pipe counteracts the gas aspiration by means of its flow impedance and thereby makes the recombination system safe from overload. It can also be connected following a conventional recombiner, thereby increasing its effectiveness, by receiving the excess hydrogen from same and reacting it with the aid of the air aspiration.

Abstract: A gaseous hydrogen and oxygen combining and condensing device comprising an inverted cup-shaped casing having a partition dividing the casing into an upper, condensing chamber a lower, catalyst chamber and a heat conducting assembly for conducting heat from the condensing chamber. The catalyst chamber being partially filled with a catalyst assembly comprising at least one catalyst support coated with a porous matrix of polytetrafluoroethylene and exposed, partially platinized high surface area carbon particles dispersed throughout the porous matrix in the weight ratio of the order of 1.5:1 to of the order of 6:1 polytetrafluoroethylene to partially platinized high surface area carbon particles.

Abstract: A nonspill vented closure assembly is provided for a wet cell type of storage battery which normally provides a venting hole to the interior of the battery, and which includes a tiltable weight that lifts a valve to close the vent hole whenever the battery is tilted with respect to the vertical beyond a certain angular displacement, so as to prevent leakage of the liquid electrolyte through the closure assembly. The closure assembly includes a tubular casing which is threaded into the normal fill hole of the battery. A lead weight which constitutes the tiltable mass is supported in the casing. A valve stem connects the lead weight to a valve member, and it serves to move the valve member against an annular valve seat surrounding an orifice in the lower end of the casing whenever the lead weight is tilted. The valve stem includes a ball at its upper end which extends into a cavity in the bottom of the lead weight, and which is held in the cavity by a plastic disc which forms a bearing surface for the ball.

Abstract: An agent which absorbs hydrogen gas for electrochemical cells is made from an oxide of manganese and nickel, cobalt or iron. At temperatures above about 40.degree. C., the oxide of manganese can be replaced by lead oxide. Hydrophobic binders can be added to the agent or the agent can be microencapsulated in water-impermeable but hydrogen-gas-permeable materials. The agent is preferably added to the cell in the form of small agglomerates or microcapsules.

Abstract: A chemical scrubber unit for containing and neutralizing toxic, corrosive thionyl chloride and sulfur dioxide acid fluids vented by a primary electrochemical cell. The scrubber unit includes an inlet tube coupled to the electrochemical cell by which thionyl chloride and sulfur dioxide vented by the cell is conveyed to an elongated, generally rectangular distribution trap disposed within a housing of the scrubber unit. The distribution trap contains sodium carbonate or sodium bi-carbonate for reacting chemically with and neutralizing thionyl chloride vented by the cell and received within the trap and is itself surrounded within the housing by soda lime for chemically reacting with and neutralizing both sulfur dioxide and thionyl chloride vented by the cell and received within the trap.

Abstract: An electrical storage battery, which includes a battery casing formed with a gas venting exhaust passage which communicates the interior of the battery casing to the atmosphere; a flame intercepting filter located at an intermediate portion of the gas venting exhaust passage and extending across it; and a means for grounding part of the vicinity of a part of the passage which is on the atmosphere side of the flame intercepting filter. Thereby, sparking is prevented from occurring from a high voltage electrical source outside the battery to any conducting film of electrolyte formed on the wall of the passage on the inner side of the filter, and thus explosion of hydrogen gas/oxygen mixture within the battery casing is guarded against.

Abstract: A vent for thin, flat laminar batteries comprising a paper strip enclosed along its length by a gas-permeable, liquid impermeable thermoplastic composition. One or more of the vents can be incorporated into a frame structure which also serves to provide internal and external sealing. For this purpose, the vents are sealed to frames comprising closed loops of thermoplastic material, dimensioned to correspond to the external and internal dimensions of the battery. Methods of making vents comprising the steps of laminating paper with a thermoplastic material and forming the laminate into thermoplastic tubes filled with a paper core.

Abstract: A vented filling plug for an electric storage cell has a vent path including a flame trap through which gas may enter or leave the cell arranged so as, in use, to communicate with the interior of the cell at a point above the normal electrolyte level. The flame trap includes a liquid trap defined by a trough and a tubular partition, and a ceramic partition. The plug also has a filling path through which electrolyte may be poured into the cell arranged so as, in use, to communicate with the interior of the cell at a point below the normal electrolyte level. The filling path includes a liquid trap defined by a trough and a partition below the normal electrolyte level.

Abstract: An arrangement for limiting the pressure developed by the combination of gases of a gaseous mixture, such as hydrogen and oxygen in a closed container, for example, in a rechargeable battery. The arrangement includes material having substantial heat capacity and having a high surface-to-volume ratio disposed in free spaces in the container wherein the hydrogen and oxygen may accumulate during the charging or discharging of the battery. When the hydrogen and oxygen combine to form a gaseous product or vapor at a high pressure, the gaseous product is cooled by the aforementioned material to limit the pressure to an amount below that capable of causing rupture of the container. The material may further, in the case of a condensible vapor such as that formed by the combination of hydrogen and oxygen effect a temperature reduction which results in condensation of the vapor to further reduce the pressure to insure against rupture of the container.

Abstract: A container for a liquid includes a gas venting closure device. The closure device includes a body of a porous material that is not wetted by the contained liquid. The nonwetting relationship between the liquid and the solid prevents droplets of the liquid from being forced through the solid. One use for such devices is for lead-acid storage batteries, which must vent internally generated gases, while preventing leakage of battery acid. An exemplary battery plug also includes a sealing gasket of an elastomer formulated for long term stability against attack by battery acid.

Abstract: A reaction catalyst for the recombination of the oxyhydrogen gas produced by lead-acid storage batteries into water in a controlled, exothermic reaction, where the catalyst element is a solid rod element with a central heat conducting core, the catalyst rod being positioned inside a gas-tight housing in communication with the battery gas space. This rod element is produced by a fabricating method in which granular catalyst carrier material is worked into a paste which is then shaped and dried, the metallic catalyst being deposited on the surface of the carrier grains.

Abstract: An electric storage battery comprising a closure sealed with a battery casing and having gas venting means which allows gases from cells to be vented out of the storage battery, but which prevents electrolyte mist and water steam from the cells carried together with the gases to be leaked out of the storage battery. A gas cooling chamber is provided on a battery cover of the closure and has a water returning cylindrical portion provided on a bottom of the gas cooling chamber and having a water returning lateral port adapted to return the water. A gas filter chamber is provided adjacent to the gas cooling chamber to communicate with the gas cooling chamber through an opening in the wall of the gas cooling chamber at the top thereof and has an explosion-proof gas filter of porous ceramics provided to vent gases therethrough.

Abstract: Cells or multicell batteries are provided with vents comprising fiber-filled plastic tubes. The plastic tube walls are formed of a hydrogen-permeable, liquid-impermeable, plastic material and the fibers which fill the interior of the tube serve to maintain an open gas diffusion passage through the tube. The vents extend through seals between battery components into electrochemically active regions of the battery, into gas permeable regions of the battery outside of the electrochemically active regions, or both. The fiber filled tube can terminate in the cell interior when the end positioned within the cell is sealed with a hydrogen-permeable, liquid-impermeable, plastic layer, or the tube can extend across the battery length or width. At least one end of the tube is open to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A storage battery containing a recombination catalyst wherein the recombined water vapor is conducted by a conduit into the electrolyte and is condensed therein. The storage battery contains battery plates in the liquid electrolyte. It contains a recombination catalyst and an upper enclosure and means for directing evolved oxygen and hydrogen gases to said recombination catalyst.

Abstract: A closure plug containing a recombination catalyst is adapted to fit into an opening of a battery. It contains means for directing evolved oxygen and hydrogen gases to the recombination catalyst and also contains gas communication means to conduct the recombined water vapor below the surface of the electrolyte where it is condensed. The method is directed to operating a battery wherein gaseous oxygen and hydrogen are recombined to form water vapor in the upper portion of the battery and the recombined water vapor is then conducted through a conduit extending into the electrolyte wherein it is condensed.

Abstract: A battery is at least partially enclosed by a wrapper comprising a composite of a gas pervious plastic layer and a gas impervious layer. The gas impervious layer has a fracture wide enough to permit the transmission of gases, and the width of the fracture can be maintained at a predetermined and desired size. The combination of the gas pervious plastic layer and the fracture in the gas impervious layer provides a system for regulating the species of gases that enter and/or exit from the battery, as well as the rate at which such gas transmissions occur. The gas impervious layer may be a thin metal foil, preferably of aluminum.

Abstract: A battery including means housing a plurality of electrically interconnected electrochemical cells. Each electrochemical cell includes a container retaining an aqueous electrolyte, and anode and cathode electrodes. The aqueous electrolyte evolves hydrogen, under certain conditions, during electrical discharge and/or storage of the cell. The cathode electrode includes a reducible oxide of a metal. The battery housing includes an agent for converting hydrogen to water molecules and a second agent for retaining water molecules.

Abstract: Various improved battery vent plugs utilizing a slit resilient acid-resistant diaphragm bi-directional valve which opens temporarily automatically under gaseous pressure serve to minimize battery fluid loss.

Abstract: A substance, a method of producing it, and a device for using the substance in the absorption of catalyst poisoning gases out of the oxyhydrogen gas mixture produced by lead-acid storage batteries, the substance effecting the oxidation of the unstable catalyst poisoning gases SbH.sub.3 and AsH.sub.3 to produce hydrolysis-resistant intermetallic compounds. As absorbing substances are usable heavy-metal manganites, heavy-metal oxides and catalytic agents. As a device, the absorbing substance is combined with an oxygen and hydrogen recombination unit.

Abstract: Stibine is removed from gases generated in antimonial lead-acid batteries by using a filter having carbon powder (especially activated charcoal) as the active agent.