Method and arrangement for charging a sealed, secondary electrochemical power source
First Claim
1. A method for charging a sealed, secondary electrochemical power source having positive and negative electrodes, a water-based electrolyte and a gas space, and including provision for oxygen recombination at at least some part of the surface of the negative electrodes or of a plate tab associated therewith, said method comprising:
- reducing the pressure in the gas space from atmospheric pressure to a level not below the vapour pressure of the water present in the power source; and
charging the power source by imposing a constant DC voltage while the pressure in the gas space is reduced.
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Abstract
A method for charging a sealed, secondary electrochemical power source having with a water based electrolyte (20), a gas space (20) and the possibility of recombination in accordance with the oxygen cycle during pressure stabilization at a low controlled level. Charging takes place at a constant d.c. voltage whilst the pressure inside the gas space of the power source is reduced by evacuation. An arrangement for implementing the method consists essentially of a vacuum pump which is connected to the gas space of the power source via an evacuation line, and of a constant d.c. voltage source. The vacuum pump is so arranged as to come into operation when the power source is being charged.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for charging a sealed, secondary electrochemical power source having positive and negative electrodes, a water-based electrolyte and a gas space, and including provision for oxygen recombination at at least some part of the surface of the negative electrodes or of a plate tab associated therewith, said method comprising:
- reducing the pressure in the gas space from atmospheric pressure to a level not below the vapour pressure of the water present in the power source; and
charging the power source by imposing a constant DC voltage while the pressure in the gas space is reduced. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- reducing the pressure in the gas space from atmospheric pressure to a level not below the vapour pressure of the water present in the power source; and
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6. Apparatus for charging a sealed, secondary electrochemical power source having positive and negative electrodes, a water-based electrolyte, and a gas space, said apparatus comprising:
- vacuum pump means connected to the gas space via an evacuation line;
charging means including d.c. voltage source means connected with the power source to maintain a constant charging voltage to the power source; and
control means for operating the vacuum pump means during operation of the charging means. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
- vacuum pump means connected to the gas space via an evacuation line;
Specification