Abstract: An improved high-efficiency electrochemical motor is disclosed that uses hydrogen gas in a gas-tight pump housing to convert electrical energy to mechanical work. The motor consists of an electrolytic membrane with pervious electrodes on both sides separated by the thickness of the electrolytic membrane such that the gas, being electrochemically reversibly active, enters into an anodic reaction on one side of the membrane where the gas molecules are converted to ions transportable through the electrolytic membrane and a cathodic reaction at the opposite electrode where the ions are reconverted to gas molecules. By applying a reversible electric current to the electrodes to transport the ions through the electrolytic membrane, the gas is pumped reversibly from one gas-tight chamber to another. A diaphragm disposed in a gas-tight motor housing moves from one motor housing partition to the other in response to an imbalance in the pressure of the gas.

Abstract: An electrochemically actuated control valve is disclosed which represents a new class of devices for fluid flow control. The valve is activated by an electrochemical motor which converts DC electrical energy into compressed gas energy suitable for producing mechanical work. The mechanical motion is typically reciprocating linear motion. This linear displacement can be accurately controlled, can be modulated at high frequencies and responds quasi-instantaneously to the applied DC voltage. The electrochemical valve can be computer or microprocessor-controlled.

Abstract: A prime mover module used in a fluid delivery micropump, especially for pharmaceutical purposes, transports an electrochemically active material, such as oxygen, at a steady rate across an ion exchange cell to apply external pressure to a collapsible reservoir and expel fluid therefrom. An air-actuated battery, such as a zinc-air battery, which is located in the module in a fixed closed circuit with the cell and which shares one of its electrodes with the cell, is activated by peeling off an adhesive tape covering air inlet ports to thereby establish a voltage gradient acrosss the cell and control the rate at which fluid is expelled from the reservoir in accordance with the value of a resistor in the cell/battery circuit. The reservoir is filled or refilled by inserting a vented needle into an air bleed port while discharging a fluid-filled syringe inserted into a fluid injection port.

Abstract: An electrochemically driven drug dispenser for dispensing a drug at a controlled rate. The drug dispenser includes an electrochemical pump which pumps an electrochemically active fluid from a first compartment through a membrane into a scond compartment. As the fluid enters the second compartment it exerts pressure on a diaphragm separating the second compartment from a chamber containing a drug to be administered. As the pressure increases, the drug is expelled. In the absence of any pumping action, the fluid moves between the two compartments by diffusion through the membrane at a rate which is characteristic of the membrane and determined by any pressure difference between the two compartments. The pumping rate is determined by the magnitude of an electric current applied to the pump, and by varying the pumping rate with reference to the diffusion rate any of a variety drug administration rates can be implemented. A pressure sensor may be included in the pump for more precise control of the pumping rate.

Abstract: An improved drug dispenser for the pulsatile or peristaltic delivery of drugs. The drug dispenser includes a fluid reservoir for storing the drug to be dispensed, an electrochemical pump for pumping the drug from the fluid reservoir, and a pump valve responsive to the pump pressure such that when the pump pressure reaches some predetermined value, the pump valve releases the pressure exerted upon the drug. The result is a low cost, low weight ad efficient drug dispenser for the pulsatile delivery of drugs.

Abstract: An improved arrangement of electrochemical cells wherein the individual cells are arranged on a single electrolytic membrane. The arrangement provides for the placement of many individual cells in one chamber, thereby eliminating the many chamber walls and inlet and outlet lines associated with the standard structure. An electrochemical device can thus be constructed very simply and, when the cells are electrically connected in series, will operate at voltages compatible with standard battery voltages or generate power at any desired voltage.

Abstract: A prime mover or motor having one or more compartments in which pressure variations are produced by transporting molecules into and/or out of the compartment by means of an electrolytic membrane. Devices for converting the pressure changes to mechanical motion without adversely affecting the sealed condition of the compartment. The mechanical motion produced by the apparatus of the invention is typically reciprocating linear motion and means are disclosed for converting such motion into a pumping function, a rocking function or a rotating function. Disposed within the compartments is an electrochemically active material that can exist in the gaseous phase and that can enter into an oxidation/reduction reaction in order to form ions that move across an electrolytic membrane so as to increase or decrease pressure in a compartment in response to application of a voltage gradient of proper duration and polarity across the membrane. Hydrogen and oxygen are materials for use in the apparatus.

Abstract: A prime mover or motor having one or more compartments in which pressure variations are produced by transporting molecules into and out of the compartment by means of an electrolytic membrane. Devices for converting the pressure changes to mechanical movement are disclosed; the devices effect conversion to mechanical motion without adversely affecting the sealed condition of the compartment. The mechanical motion produced by the apparatus of the invention is typically reciprocating linear motion and means are disclosed for converting such motion into a pumping function, a rocking function or a rotating function.Disposed within the compartments is an electrochemically active material that can exist in the gaseous phase and that can enter into an oxidation/reduction reaction in order to form ions that move across an electrolytic membrane so as to increase or decrease pressure in a compartment in response to application of a voltage gradient of proper duration and polarity across the membrane.

Abstract: Method of operation and apparatus for a salt gradient solar pond employing a novel barge carrying a plurality of two axis stabilized high temperature concentrator solar cell arrays including means to control the flow rate of the concentrator solar cell array cooling fluid to optimize power station characteristics.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing halogen gas from gaseous or aqueous halogen acid, wherein the halogen is mixed with a slurry of electrocatalytically active particles and pumped into an electrochemical cell. The slurry of said particles is then electrochemically treated employing said slurry as a dispersed halogen electrode. Under the influence of an applied potential, halogen is released at the slurry electrode while protons migrate to the counterelectrode to form and release hydrogen gas. The process is particularly applicable to the production of chlorine from gaseous or aqueous hydrochloric acid using an aqueous slurry of circulating particulate carbon as the chlorine electrode.Apparatus for carrying out the above process is also provided. The process can also be applied to the production of hydrochloric acid from chlorine and hydrogen.