Vented electrochemical cells

Claim 2

A gas depolarized cell comprising: a. an anode electrode, the anode electrode being apertured to contain electrolyte for the cell, b. a cathode, the cathode including a layer of electrolytephobic material and surrounding the anode electrode, c. an end cap closing at least one end of the cathode and structurally joined to the cathode, the cathode forming at the interior thereof a space, the electrolyte-phobic material of the cathode providing a surface through which gas within said interior space of the cell may pass to the exterior to allow gas pressures interiorly and exteriorly of the cell to equalize; and d. an outer casing pervious to gas engaging the end cap and surrounding the cathode in spaced relation thereto.

Claim 3

A gas depolarized cell as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cathode electrode comprises a current collector, a catalyst and the electrolyte-phobic layer, the electrolyte-phobic layer only extending axially beyond the end of the anode at the portion where the gas is to pass therethrough for the equalization of the internal and external pressures.

Claim 4

The cell of claim 2 wherein: the end cap overlies and is secured to the cathode portion having the electrolyte-phobic layer.

Claim 5

The cell of claim 1, further comprising: a tear-susceptible layer of gas impervious material removably contacting the exterior surface of the outer casing to preclude the passage of gas therethrough until the cell is put into service.

Claim 6

A gas depolarized cell comprising: a. an anode, the anode being tubular to provide an electrolyte reservoir therein; b. end caps, one at each end of the cell; c. a cathode, the cathode being tubular, surrounding the anode and being formed in part of electrolyte-phobic material which extends beyond the anode at each end thereof to said end caps to form an interior space at each end of cell bounded by the cathode, and d. a predetermined volume of electrolyte which does not completely fill the interior of the cell, the whole arrangement being such that at least one of said spaces is free of electrolyte irrespective of the attitude of the cell so as to allow unwanted gases within the cell to vent to the atmosphere and to allow gas pressures interior and exterior of the cell to equalize.

Claim 7

A gas depolarized cell comprising: a. an anode, the anode being tubular to provide an electrolyte reservoir therein; b. end caps, one at each end of the cell; c. a cathode, the cathode being tubular, surrounding the anode and being formed in part of electrolyte-phobic material which extends beyond the anode at each end thereof to said end caps to form an interior space at each end of cell bounded by the cathode, and d. a predetermined volume of electrolyte which does not completely fill the interior of the cell, the whole arrangement being such that at least one of said spaces is free of electrolyte irrespective of the attitude of the cell so as to allow unwanted gases within the cell to vent to the atmosphere and to allow gas pressures interior and exterior of the cell to equalize.

Claim 8

In a gas depolarized cell; an anode; a cathode surrounding the anode and comprised in part of an electrolyte-phobic layer and a porous current collecting conductive mesh extending axially beyond the anode to form at the interior of the cathode a void for the collection of gases at the interior of the cell, at least a portion of the cathode being pervious to the collected gases, the electrolyte-phobic layer of the cathode providing an interface between the exterior of the cell and the void to retain electrolyte but permit the passage of gas therethrough to relieve pressure at the cell interior; and an end cap sealing the cell and joined structurally and electrically to the cathode conductive mesh.

Claim 9

In a gas depolarized cell; an anode; a cathode surrounding the anode and comprised in part of an electrolyte-phobic layer and a porous current collecting conductive mesh extending axially beyond the anode to form at the interior of the cathode a void for the collection of gases at the interior of the cell, at least a portion of the cathode being pervious to the collected gases, the electrolyte-phobic layer of the cathode providing an interface between the exterior of the cell and the void to retain electrolyte but permit the passage of gas therethrough to relieve pressure at the cell interior; and an end cap sealing the cell and joined structurally and electrically to the cathode conductive mesh.

Claim 10

The cell of claim 6, wherein; the mesh has apertures therethrough adjacent the void to expose the electrolyte-phobic layer to collected interior gas.

Claim 11

In a gas depolarized cell; an anode; a tubular cathode surrounding the anode and comprised in part of an electrolyte-phobic layer and a porous current collector extending axially beyond the anode to form at the interior of the cathode a void for the collection of gases at the interior of the cell, at least a portion of the cathode being pervious to the collected gases, the electrolyte-photic layer of the cathode providing an interface between the exterior of the cell and the void to retain electrolyte but permit the passage of gas therethrough to relieve pressure at the cell interior; an end cap sealing the cell and joined structurally to the cathode; an insert associated with the end cap and providing an annular support surface generally parallel to the cathode at the interior end thereof; and means associated with the end cap radially compressing the cathode inwardly against the support surface, the end cap overlying the insert.

Claim 12

In a gas depolarized cell; an anode; a tubular cathode surrounding the anode and comprised in part of an electrolyte-phobic layer and a porous current collector extending axially beyond the anode to form at the interior of the cathode a void for the collection of gases at the interior of the cell, at least a portion of the cathode being pervious to the collected gases, the electrolyte-photic layer of the cathode providing an interface between the exterior of the cell and the void to retain electrolyte but permit the passage of gas therethrough to relieve pressure at the cell interior; an end cap sealing the cell and joined structurally to the cathode; an insert associated with the end cap and providing an annular support surface generally parallel to the cathode at the interior end thereof; and means associated with the end cap radially compressing the cathode inwardly against the support surface, the end cap overlying the insert.

Claim 13

The gas depolarized cell of claim 8 wherein: the porous current collector comprises a conductive mesh having an aperture therethrough in at least one location adjacent the void.

Claim 14

The cell of claim 8, wherein: the end cap is in electrical contact with the cathode.