GB799104A - Reserve type electric dry cell - Google Patents

Abstract

799,104. Batteries. RUBEN, S. Dec. 17, 1956, No. 38367/56. Class 53. A deferred-action dry cell has the anode and cathode spaced on either side from a solid electrolyte, the anode and cathode being movable to contact the electrolyte and so activate the cell. Fig. 1 shows a cell comprising a nickel-plated steel shell 10 containing a dipolarizer 11 of mercuric oxide and graphite and a tin-plated steel shell 12 containing a zinc amalgam anode 13. Both shells are a frictional fit within an insulating sleeve 14 and are spaced from a disc 17 of gelled potassium hydroxide which is cast into V-shaped grooves 16 in the sleeve. To activate the cell, the shells 10 and 12 are pressed to force the dipolarizer and anode on to the electrolyte disc. Manganese, silver, copper or lead oxide may be used instead of mercuric oxide as depolarizer. The gelling agent used with an alkaline electrolyte is preferably sodium carboxy-methyl cellulose but other alkali metal salts of carboxy methyl cellulose or starch or polyvinyl alcohol may be used. Magnesium hydroxide or oxide or calcium oxide may be added to gels containing carboxymethyl cellulose. A number of cells may be placed in series in a cylindrical insulating casing to form a battery and activated simultaneously by pressure between a fixed terminal at one end of the casing and a sliding terminal at the other.