Globe-Union Inc.

Leonard J Burant

James T Daley

Richard L Beauchamp

Battery electrodes, such as those having nickel hydroxide as electrochemically active material, may be produced according to the invention by reducing the electrodes after normal impregnation processing is completed to remove residual nitrate in the impregnated electrode. The alkali metal hydroxide electrolyte utilized in this reduction may be reused up to 7 to 10 times. The reduced electrodes can be used directly to assemble batteries or may be processed further by a formation and characterization electrolytic cycling of charge and discharge. The alkali metal hydroxide electrolyte utilized in this characterization may be reused up to 22 times.

Process for producing battery electrodes by electrochemical reduction

A deferred action battery including a plurality of stacked electrode plates functional to produce an electrical potential when immersed in seawater, the battery having a bottom port cover including an opening for admitting seawater into the battery and a cavity in communication with the opening and intended to facilitate migration of precipitate waste material from the battery during its operation.

Deferred action battery having improved bottom port cover

A lead chloride cathode suitable for use in seawater batteries comprises a supporting electrically conductive grid to which lead chloride is applied by dipping the grid in a molten lead chloride bath. The grid is preferably made of mesh or expanded metal, and after allowing the lead chloride to solidify, a conductive matrix is formed in the cathode by inserting it in a salt solution and partially discharging it to form electrically conductive lead pathways within the cathode adjacent the points at which the grid material is closest to the surface and the grid itself. The preferred method comprises dipping the mesh or grid material in molten lead chloride, removing the grid and the adhering lead chloride, allowing the lead chloride to solidify, and partially discharging the cathode to form conductive lead portions.

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Milwaukee, WI, United States of America

Leonard J Burant