Importance

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Abstract

A reduced maintenance, explosion damage resistant storage battery (10), having internal means for both recombining evolved gases and for protecting the battery against damage due to evolved gas ignition whether from external or internal sources is disclosed. In a first embodiment of the invention, a honeycomb-like member (60) of electrolyte-resistant material substantially fills the space within the battery above the battery electrodes, dividing this volume into a plurality of small volumes (76), surrounded by cooling surfaces, so that ignition of one small volume (76) by an external spark or by failure of an internal battery component will not cause damage. A small space (20) is left above the honeycomb member (60), and a planar catalytic recombination element (78) is provided, substantially filling this space. In a second embodiment, the honeycomb member (60) itself is the catalytic recombination element, being formed of a hydrophobic material such as polytetrafluoroethylene impregnated with platinum or palladium, or of an inert material plated with platinum or palladium.

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First Claim