Gas depolarization cell

Claim 1

A gas depolarization cell capable of delivering a relatively high current drain under intermittent short term current demand and a continuous relatively low current drain under normal operating conditions, comprising: A. an anode; B. a cathode disposed for exposure to a depolarizing gas; C. a separator separating the anode and the cathode; D. an electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode; E. a casing surrounding the anode, separator, electrolyte, and cathode, said casing being spaced from the cathode by a predetermined amount to provide a gas reservoir between the cathode and casing for receiving and storing depolarizing gas, said casing being generally impermeable to gas, electrolyte, and moisture and including a predetermined number of apertures arranged therein with an inner liner contiguous to said casing, said inner liner impeding the passage of electrolyte and moisture through said apertures while allowing the introduction of gas to the reservoir through said apertures at a predetermined rate which is greater than the rate required to maintain continuous normal current drain and less than the rate required to deliver the intermittently required high current drain so that gas accumulates in said gas reservoir to provide sufficient gas for the intermittent short term high current drain thereby reducing the rate of evaporation of electrolyte and moisture and prolonging the active life of the gas depolarization cell.