Reserve activated electrochemical cell with a cell condition checking

Abstract

A reserve activated electrochemical cell with a cell condition checking apparatus uses a sealed electrolyte storage reservoir having an expandable pressurized capsule within the reservoir for pressurizing the electrolyte. The reservoir is provided with a rupturable diaphragm providing a fluid-tight seal across an opening in a wall of the electrolyte reservoir. The reservoir is formed integrally with a container for a reserve cell electrode assembly or stack with the wall therebetween containing the rupturable diaphragm. A selectively operable lance is arranged with a pointed first end adjacent to the diaphragm and a second or opposite end projecting out of the cell stack container. A resilient bellows is attached externally of the cell stack container to cover the projecting end of the lance while providing a fluid-tight seal to the external wall of the cell stack container. The bellows provides a deformable cap covering the projecting end of the lance to enable the lance to be selectively operated by an operator to penetrate the diaphragm to activate the cell by enabling the electrolyte to reach the cell stack. A pressure transducer is arranged within the cell stack container to contact the rupturable diaphragm adjacent to the lance to provide an output signal indicative of the pressure imposed on the electrolyte by the pressurized capsule. A pair of output leads from the pressure transmitter are arranged to extend through respective fluid-tight seals in a wall of the cell stack container to enable a cell condition check to be made based on the pressure within the electrolyte.