Electrical storage systems.

摘要

Apparatus is described for storing electrical energy. This apparatus generally comprises a storage compartment (14) containing a storage electrode (11) comprising tin and an alkaline sulphide solution and generally the solution contains tin in soluble form and the compartment is at least partially enclosed by a membrane (13). The apparatus generally takes the form of at least one cell and each cell may additionally include a second compartment (15) containing a second electrode (12) and a polysulphide solution and that is separated from the storage compartment (14) by the membrane (13). The second electrode may be a counterelectrode (12) and the second compartment may also include a semiconductor photo-conversion electrode (16) electrically connected to the storage electrode (11). There may be a plurality of storage cells positioned in a container separated by a separating member that can slide within the container, each of the cells being separated by a membrane that can compensate for volumetric variations within each of the compartments. There may be means for venting hydrogen generated in each cell. Each cell may comprise a storage compartment comprising tin electrode and an alkaline sulphide solution and closed at one end by a membrane and positioned within a second compartment comprising a polysulphide solution, a photo-conversion electrode and a counterelectrode. Each cell may comprise two end discs at opposite ends and at least two bored discs that can be clamped between the end discs with a membrane held between the bored discs so as to form a compartment on each side of the membrane. There may be a plurality of cells each comprising at least two electrodes and a liquid electrolyte and positioned serially within a container and separated from one another by a separating member comprising an orifice for placing adjacent cells in fluid communication to allow for volumetric changes in each of the cells. A battery comprising a plurality of cells may be made by inserting the cells into a container having at least one orifice and then adding electrolyte into each of the cells through the at least one orifice.