1. A fastening system in which a retaining element on a first component and a clip on a second component are used to fasten the second component to the first component, and wherein:
the clip and the second component have cooperable mounting elements constructed to mount the clip on the second component,
the clip and the first component have cooperable retaining elements constructed to retain the clip on the first component,
the cooperable mounting elements are constructed to mount the clip on the second component at a pre-installation position before the cooperable retaining elements are effective to retain the clip on the first component; and
the cooperable mounting elements are constructed so that the clip can move from the pre-installation position to an installation position at which the cooperable retaining elements are effective to retain the clip on the first component; and
wherein the clip is constructed as a frame having an opening at the bottom for receiving the shank of a T-stud and a lead-in opening at one end for receiving a head of the T-stud, a shoulder that is substantially U-shaped and is substantially parallel to the bottom of the frame, and with legs of the U-shaped shoulder that merge with ramps disposed to engage the head of the T-stud entering the frame through the lead-in opening.
2. A fastening system according to claim 1, wherein the clip and the second component have cooperable guide surfaces disposed to guide the movement of the clip relative to the second component.
3. A fastening system according to claim 2, wherein the guide surfaces are provided on the cooperable mounting elements.
4. A fastening system in which a retaining element on a first component and a clip on a second component are used to fasten the second component to the first component, and wherein:
the clip and the second component have cooperable mounting elements constructed to mount the clip on the second component,
the clip and the first component have cooperable retaining elements constructed to retain the clip on the first component,
the cooperable mounting elements are constructed to mount the clip on the second component at a pre-installation position before the cooperable retaining elements are effective to retain the clip on the first component, and
the cooperable mounting elements are constructed so that the clip can move from the pre-installation position to an installation position at which the cooperable retaining elements are effective to retain the clip on the first component, and
wherein the cooperable mounting elements include hooks on the clip that engage a rail on the second component
wherein the cooperable retaining elements include a T-stud projecting from the first component through an opening in the clip, and a shoulder on the clip that engages a head of the T-stud, and
wherein the second component has a wall from which a flange extends between the clip and the first component, the flange has an opening through which the T-stud projects, and the flange has a lip that engages a side of the clip opposite to a side of the clip where the hooks are located.
5. A fastening system according to claim 4, wherein the rail has a T-shaped cross-section with a stem projecting from the second component and a head embraced by the hooks from opposite sides of the stem.
6. A fastening system according to claim 1, wherein the frame has a resilient latch disposed and constructed to be lifted from an initial position by the head of the T-stud moving along the ramps and then to return to the initial position, at which it blocks movement of the T-stud toward the lead-in opening.
7. A fastening system according to claim 1, wherein a compressible seal is disposed between the first component and the second component and is compressed in response to movement of the clip to the installation position.
8. A fastening system according to claim 1, further comprising a detent that holds the clip temporarily at the pre-installation portion.
9. A fastening system according to claim 1, wherein the clip has a tool-receiving recess into which a tool is inserted to move the clip from the pre-installation position to the installation position.
10. A clip for use in fastening a second component to a first component, wherein the clip is constructed as a generally rectangular frame having a bottom, a pair of sides, and a pair of ends,
wherein one of the sides has upwardly and downwardly facing hooks projecting outwardly therefrom for receiving a rail on a second component therebetween,
wherein the bottom of the frame has an opening and one end of the frame has a lead-in opening so that a T-stud can be inserted in the frame from a first component,
wherein the frame has a substantially U-shaped shoulder substantially parallel to the bottom of the frame with legs merging with respective ramps leading upwardly to the legs from locations adjacent to the lead-in opening, such that a head of a T-stud inserted through the lead-in opening can move along the ramps onto the shoulder.
11. A clip according to claim 10, wherein the frame has a resilient latch adjacent to the ramps constructed to be lifted from an initial position upon insertion of the head of a T-stud in the lead-in opening and then to return to the initial position to block movement of the head of the T-stud toward the lead-in opening.
12. A clip according to claim 10, wherein the frame has a guide step extending along the other side of the frame.
13. A clip according to claim 11, wherein the frame has a region at which the shoulder, ramps, and latch are located and a second region for receiving a tool to move the clip.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A rechargeable accumulator comprising one or more metal-air cells, each cell comprising
a first terminal and a second terminal,
a metal negative electrode for a metal-air cell, connected to the first terminal,
a first positive oxygen-releasing electrode,
a second positive electrode, which is a porous air electrode containing at least one oxygen reducing catalyst, and
an electrolyte,
a control adapted to continuously compare the measured voltage between the second terminal and the first terminal to a setpoint value and to send a switch signal to switching means when the measured voltage falls below the setpoint value,
a commutator adapted to receive a switch signal originating from the control and to connect and disconnect the air electrode from the second terminal.
2. The accumulator of claim 1, wherein the negative electrode is a lithium electrode (LiLiOH) or a zinc electrode (ZnZn(OH)42\u2212).
3. The accumulator of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first positive oxygen-releasing electrode is a silver electrode (AgAgO) or a nickel electrode (NiNiO or NiOHNiOOH).
4. The accumulator of claim 1, wherein the air electrode comprises carbon particles and on at least one oxygen reducing catalyst.
5. The accumulator of claim 1, wherein the oxygen reducing catalyst in the air electrode is chosen from the group formed by manganese oxide and cobalt oxide.
6. The accumulator of claim 1, wherein the setpoint value is set to a value lower than the open circuit voltage of the cell in the charged state when only the air electrode is connected.
7. The accumulator of claim 1, wherein the control is an electromechanical relay driven by an operational amplifier.
8. The accumulator of claim 1, wherein the first positive electrode takes the form of a grid or of a perforated plate and lies between the negative electrode and the air electrode.
9. A method for storing and releasing electrical energy using an accumulator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, said method comprising the following successive steps:
(a) a charging phase during which the negative electrode is connected to the first terminal, the first positive electrode is connected to the second terminal and the air electrode is disconnected,
(b) a first discharging phase during which the negative electrode is connected to the first terminal, the first positive electrode is connected to the second terminal, the air electrode is disconnected, and the control continuously compares the measured voltage between the terminal and the first terminal to a setpoint value,
(c) a first switching step during which the second positive electrode, which is the air electrode, is connected to the second terminal when the value of the voltage between the second terminal and the first terminal falls below the setpoint value,
(d) a second discharging phase during which the negative electrode is connected to the first terminal, and the air electrode is connected to the second terminal, and
(e) a second switching step during which the air electrode is disconnected from the second terminal.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first switching step, the commutator disconnects the first positive electrode from the second terminal.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first switching step, the commutator does not disconnect the first positive electrode from the second terminal.