GB1417727A - Electrolytic batteries - Google Patents

Abstract

1417727 Electrochemical cells DEUTSCHE AUTOMOBIL GmbH 21 Dec 1972 [23 Dec 1971] 59004/72 Addition to 1347860 Heading H1B Each cell 21 of a battery has a chamber 22 bounded on at least one side by an electrode and provided with an inlet 27 and outlet 28 for the passage of a fluid and with a series of guides 23 to establish separate flow paths 24 between inlet and outlet. The identical cells are assembled into a battery with all the inlets 27 aligned and with all the outlets 28 aligned so that single inlet and outlet channels 31 may be attached to the sides of the battery. At least one of these channels is of tapered cross-sectional area-in all embodiments both are. This is to ensure an equal flow of fluid-electrolyte or reaction gasto all the cells. As shown in Fig. 2, even distribution within the chamber of an individual cell may be aided similarly by the provision of tapered spaces 25, 26. Fig. 5 shows channels which taper in height, but which are of a uniform width considerably narrower than the cell width. Alternatively, the channels may be of uniform height and of tapering width. The inner wall of the channel may be multiply apertured to provide apertures corresponding to (though desirably slightly larger or slightly smaller than) the inlets or outlets or may have a large single aperture surrounding all the inlets or outlets if the battery wall is gap-free and milled smooth. Fig. 11 shows a cross-section through a cell in a metal/air battery. The air channels 35, 36 occupy the entire width of the battery wall and are arranged to taper only in height (Fig. 10, not shown). The cell chambers do not contain internal tapered spaces. Channels may be of elastomer or metal; they and the cells may be injection-moulded and may be fastened together by glueing, welding, clamping, or screwing. The fluid may be an electrolyte circulated (a) to dissipate surplus heat, (b) to maintain constant electrolyte composition, or (c) to supply reaction media from elsewhere, or may be air or other reaction gas. The cells may be fuel cells, metal/air cells, or other unspecified cells and accumulators.