Communications Satellite Corporation

James D Dunlop

Gerrit Van Ommering

Joseph F Stockel

Martin W Earl

A rechargeable metal oxide-hydrogen battery which operates on the back-to-back electrode placement theory as opposed to single metal oxide-hydrogen couple cells is disclosed. Interconnecting of electrodes in series and construction of an electrode stack of series connected electrodes is utilized in one embodiment in place of bipolar construction to achieve high voltage operation. In a second embodiment, back-to-back construction is used for positive electrodes in a parallel arrangement of electrode connection to complete an operative cell. Individual cells are separated by a nonporous polymer separator which avoids the formation of electrolyte films which tend to electrochemically short each cell, yet are fashioned of light weight and volume to keep sizes to minimum dimensions. Interconnection of various cells is by means of bus bars coupled to electrode tabs. The entire stack of cells is held under compression by end plates and one or more tie rods, or, in the case of prismatic cell design, the stack can be held under compression by the walls of the battery container.

Metal-hydrogen battery

A sealed electric fuel cell of the type utilizing a reoxidizable compound as the positive electrode and a hexagonal nickel-rare earth metal hydride as the negative electrode is disclosed. The energy released by the electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction of the anode appears in the cell as electrical energy.

Lanthanum nickel hydride-hydrogen/metal oxide cell

This invention relates to improvements in the construction of metal oxide/lanthanum nickel hydride storage batteries. A stack construction is disclosed which allows recombination of oxygen before it reaches the hydride electrode. The oxygen gas is forced to escape from the back of the metal oxide electrode where it is reduced at a catalyst electrode held at the potential of the lanthanum nickel electrode. With rapid recombination, no build-up of pressure occurs and no oxygen gas will arrive at the hydride electrode which would tend to damage it. In one embodiment, the hydride electrode is separated from the metal oxide electrode by a fuel cell-type separator. In one embodiment, a single oxygen reduction electrode is placed between two back-to-back metal oxide electrodes, and the reduction electrode is connected to the two common leads to the hydride electrodes. In a second embodiment, the reduction electrodes are pressed against or attached to the hydride electrodes.

Overchargeable sealed metal oxide/lanthanum nickel hydride battery

A new sealed rechargeable electric fuel cell of the type using a metal oxide, metal hydroxide or oxygen as the positive electrode reactant and hydrogen as the negative electrode reactant. The cell uses a hexagonal nickel - rare earth metal hydride compound for storage of hydrogen gas which causes the cell to be maintained at a low gas pressure during charging and discharging.

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Gaithersburg, MD, United States of America

James D Dunlop