GB1296316A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1296316 Cell stack TUDOR AB 19 April 1971 [26 March 1970] 24301/71 Heading H1B A battery comprising a stack of structural elements, at least two of which contain centrally disposed active electrodes fixed in surrounding frames, e.g. of thermoplastic material, is characterized by the elements being directly or indirectly anchored to each other by selflocking, snapping connections such as snap fitting connections 23, 24. In a hydrogenoxygen fuel cell, the connections 23 surround through passages for fuel, oxidant, coolant, electrolyte &c., Fig. 2 (not shown), and the connections 24 are along the periphery. The stack includes hydrogen electrodes 2 of sintered nickel activated with noble metals, oxygen electrodes 6 of sintered nickel and silver, and cooling plates 9, end elements 11 and end plates 12. The plastic frames 3, 7, 10, include flexible portions 4. Intermediate locking elements may be used in place of male and female type connections on the electrode supporting elements. Other anchoring arrangements providing good seals are illustrated, Figs. 3-10 (not shown), some being for a metal air battery. The invention is applicable to primary cells, metal air batteries with iron, zinc or cadmium anodes, bipolar lead batteries and bipolar alkaline storage batteries with circulating electrolytes. The assembled stack may be sprayed with plastics material to ensure good sealing. The individual cells are connected in series, parallel or seriesparallel using bus-bars in channels within or outside the electrode stack. The frames are of polyethylene, polypropylene, P.V.C., chlorated polyether or nylon, and may be reinforced with glass fibres or fabric. Alternatively plastics coated metallic frames are used. The snapping and locking elements may include metallic springs. The battery has many similarities to that of Specification 1,085,899.