Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus – product – and – Current producing cell – elements – subcombinations and... – Electrode
Patent
1992-09-21
1994-07-12
Willis, Jr., Prince
Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and
Current producing cell, elements, subcombinations and...
Electrode
429160, 429161, H01M 472
Patent
active
053287835
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This application is a PCT application.
This invention concerns improvements in or relating to electric cells and particularly but not exclusively lead-acid accumulators.
Lead-acid accumulators are commonly used, and particularly in motor vehicles, to take advantage of the high current which can be obtained from them. However, a number of disadvantages are experienced with such accumulators. These accumulators contain liquid sulphuric acid and thus hazardous spillage may occur, particularly in the occurrence of an accident such as the accumulator being dropped or a road accident. For this reason in certain situations such as on board ships, lead-acid accumulators are often not permitted. Further such accumulators are relatively bulky and particularly heavy thus making transportation difficult. This is of particular relevance in for instance mines where miners may carry such accumulators to power their head lamps. Furthermore if a lead accumulator is overcharged, gaseous hydrogen and oxygen may be given off and thus a system of venting is required which further increases the likelihood of acid spillage. The relative weight of such accumulators reduces their effective use in electrically powered vehicles.
According to the present invention there is provided an electric cell comprising a self supporting porous member in which a liquid electrolyte is absorbed, and means for locating a first material in contact with the member to constitute the anode and a second material in contact with the member to constitute the cathode.
The porous member is preferably substantially rigid.
Preferably the first and second materials are respectively in contact with opposite sides of the member.
Electrical conductors preferably extend through the cell in contact respectively with either the first or second materials. The conductors may be provided on the porous member and may be printed thereon and may comprise printed gold.
Additional electrical conductors preferably extend from the conductors in contact with the first and second materials, externally of the cell to provide terminals for the cell.
The porous member is preferably made of a ceramic material.
The porous member desirably has a substantially planar configuration and the exterior of the porous member may be contoured.
The first and second materials may be particulate and held in closed spaces against respective sides of the porous member.
Alternatively the first and second materials may be applied as a coating to the respective sides of the porous member. The coating may be applied to the porous member by rolling or pointing.
The electrolyte may be sulphuric acid and the first and second materials respectively lead oxide and lead.
The invention also provides an accumulator comprising a plurality of connected cells adjacent each other of the type described in any of the preceding ten paragraphs. The cells preferably have respective alternate common first and second materials. The accumulator may be of the lead-acid type.
A protective coating is preferably provided around the cell or cells and this may be formed by dipping the cell or cells in a liquid rubber or plastics material to provide a durable coating.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional side view through a cell according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a similar view of an accumulator comprising a plurality of further cells according to the present invention; and
FIG. 3 is a respective view of part of the accumulator of FIG. 2.
FIG. 1 shows a cell 10 suitable for use in combination with other such cells in for example a battery for a motor vehicle. The cell 10 comprises a plate 12 of porous ceramic material. The ceramic material of the plate 12 is porous and the plate 12 has been previously soaked in sulphuric acid such that a substantial volume of the pores contains sulphuric acid.
The plate 12 is mounted centrally within a rectangular casing 14 which may be made for
REFERENCES:
patent: 3379569 (1968-04-01), Beyer et al.
patent: 4400447 (1983-08-01), Gerenser et al.
Adams, III W. Thad
Nuzzolillo M.
Portmeirion Potteries Limited
Willis Jr. Prince
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