Sealed batteries with zinc electrode

• US 5,143,799 A
• Filed: 01/21/1992
• Issued: 09/01/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acme Electric Corp. (Hubbell, Inc.), Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Battery Technology Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Tsenter, Boris
• Primary Examiner(s): Skapars, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US07/822,816
• Time in Patent Office: 224 Days
• Field of Search: 429/57, 429/59, 429/101, 429/9, 429/219, 429/223, 429/229, 429/206, 429/254
• US Class Current: 429/9
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/34 Gastight accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/52 Removing gases inside the secondary cell, e.g. by absorption vent plugs or other mechanical arrangements for facilitating escape of gases H01M50/30
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A sealed rechargeable nickel-zinc or silver-zinc electrochemical cell including two compartments, one having a zinc electrode and a first hydrogen electrode and the other having a nickel or silver electrode and a second hydrogen electrode electrically connected to the first hydrogen electrode. The two compartments share a common gas space. During discharge the cell acts as a conventional nickel-zinc or silver-zinc electrochemical cell. During charging the gases evolved are immediately internally consumed, allowing the entire cell to be sealed. Furthermore, when the cell is fully charged there is a noticeable voltage jump which serves as a clear indication that the cell is fully charged and helps prevent overcharging and its detrimental effects.

Claims

1. An electrochemical cell, comprising:

(a) a first sealed compartment containing a first electrolyte and a first gas space;

(b) a second sealed compartment containing a second electrolyte and a second gas space, said second gas space being in communication with said first gas space;

(c) a first electrode in contact with said first electrolyte;

(d) a second electrode in contact with said second electrolyte;

(e) a first hydrogen electrode in contact with said first electrolyte; and

(f) a second hydrogen electrode in contact with said second electrolyte and electrically connected to said first hydrogen electrode.

2. A cell as in claim 1 further comprising:

(i) a first separator separating said first electrode and said first hydrogen electrode; and

(ii) a second separator separating said second electrode and said second hydrogen electrode.

3. A cell as in claim 1 wherein said first electrode is a zinc electrode.

4. A cell as in claim 1 wherein said second electrode is a nickel electrode.

5. A cell as in claim 1 wherein said second electrode is a silver electrode.

6. A cell as in claim 2 wherein said first separator is cellophane, non-woven polypropylene or ion-exchange membrane.

7. A cell as in claim 6 wherein said first separator is cellophane.

8. A cell as in claim 4 wherein said second separator is asbestos or non-woven polypropylene.

9. A cell as in claim 8 wherein said second separator is asbestos.

10. A cell as in claim 5 wherein said second separator includes cellophane.

11. A cell as in claim 10 wherein said second separator further includes non-woven polypropylene or ion-exchange membrane.

12. A cell as in claim 1 wherein said first electrolyte includes from about 20 to about 40 percent potassium hydroxide.

13. A cell as in claim 1 wherein said second electrolyte includes from about 20 to about 40 percent potassium alkaline.

14. A cell as in claim 13 wherein said potassium alkaline is potassium hydroxide.

15. A cell as in claim 13 wherein said second electrolyte further includes from about 0.5 to about 2.5 percent lithium alkaline.