Electrochemical cell having continuous depletion gauge

An electrochemical cell comprising:

• an outer conductive housing;
• a cathode material within said housing, said cathode material being in direct electrical contact with said housing;
• at least a first anode material within said housing, said first anode material including first and second major surfaces;
• porous insulating means separating said cathode material from said first anode material;
• an electrolyte within said housing and within said porous insulating means;
• a conductive resistive strip member positioned within said first anode material, having a distal end and a proximal end and extending generally diagonally through said first anode material between said major surfaces of said first anode material;
• means for insulating said strip member from said first anode material;
• means for establishing electrical connections between said first anode material and said conductive strip member, said means for establishing electrical connections being capable of being rendered non-conductive when in contact with said electrolyte;
• and an electrical conductor connected to said proximal end of said strip member and extending out of and insulated from said conductive housing whereby an initial voltage is developed between said electrical conductor and said housing and, as the anode material is used up and more electrical connections are rendered non-conductive, the number of non-conductive electrical connections between said electrolyte and said conductive strip member controls the amount of electrical resistance of said strip member between said first anode material and said electrical conductor, the increase in resistance of said strip member during consumption of said first anode material serving to indicate the level of discharge of said cell.