Alloy Patents (Class 429/226)
  • Patent number: 5544681
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating cored structures are provided. The cored structures may particularly find usefulness as cored battery plates for use in lead/acid batteries. A pre-formed core element is provided, and on its surfaces there is placed a thin layer of an active surface material. That active surface material is one which may enter into a chemical or electrochemical process when in use and in the presence of an electrolyte or other agent which will promote such chemical or electrochemical process. In the case of lead/acid batteries, the active surface is lead or lead oxide. The core element is generally one which does not bond with the active surface material, but will if the active surface material is ion bombarded or neutral atom embedded into the surface of the core, and where the amount of bombardment or embedment is determined by controlling the accelerator voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Derafe, Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert S. Feldstein
  • Patent number: 5526223
    Abstract: An electrochemical capacitor device (10) including an anode (20) and a cathode (30) separated by a separator (40) and surrounded by an electrolyte (50). The anode (20) and cathode (30) is fabricated from a multi-valent, multiple oxidation state material. The material has a high, an intermediate, and a low oxidation state. In an initial condition, both the anode and cathode are in the intermediate oxidation state. During charging, one electrode will be oxidized to the higher states, while the other electrode will be reduced to the lower state. The processes are reversed during discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Han Wu, John E. Nerz
  • Patent number: 5510213
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrode for a lead-acid battery, formed in an essentially continuous process without the need for curing under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. This is accomplished by using a relatively high metallic lead content precursor powder intermingled with a leady-oxide powder. Another aspect of the invention is the use of relatively high surface area leady-oxide powder which contributes to performance. Another important aspect of the invention is that the active material paste is prepared without the use of an acid in a water based process which provides a simpler pasting chemistry. The process eliminates the complex basic lead sulfate reactions found in present methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene G. Gagnon, Daniel J. Lisi
  • Patent number: 5494763
    Abstract: An improved electrochemical cell is provided using a high surface area can electrodes as the negative electrode in an alkali metal hydroxide electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Wishvender K. Behl, Edward J. Plichta
  • Patent number: 5434025
    Abstract: A continuous method for making starting, lighting and ignition lead-acid battery positive plates and the resulting battery is disclosed which utilizes a direct cast alloy strip wherein the alloy consists essentially of lead, from about 0.02 to 0.05% calcium, from about 0.3 to about 0.5% tin, and from about 0.02 to 0.05% silver, the percentages being based upon the weight of the alloy strip, as well as related alloys utilizing calcium and strontium or strontium in place of calcium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: GNB Battery Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Purushothama Rao, Thomas F. Uhlemann, John Larson, Steven R. Larsen
  • Patent number: 5411821
    Abstract: An integral battery electrode structure for lead/acid battery plates is provided. The principle structure material is elemental lead or lead alloyed with antimony or calcium. At least the surface of the lead or alloy has an ion implanted or atomic embedded graded junction of at least one other atomic species, such as titanium, cadmium, or bismuth. Additionally, highly oxidative atomic species such as fluorine, chlorine, or metallic components such as titanium, tin, vanadium, chromium, or rhodium may be added at the surface of the lead or lead alloy. Optionally, an element such as cadmium, arsenic, uranium, barium or bismuth may be added at the surface and within several atomic layers below the surface in such a manner that the concentration may be from 0.05% to about 10.0% of the total mass in that region but that the total concentration in the electrode structure is from about 50 to about 350 parts per billion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Derafe, Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert S. Feldstein
  • Patent number: 5368958
    Abstract: Lithium based electrical cells having a new anode electrode construction are described. The cells have a sandwich construction of lithium sheet, conductive foil and lithium sheet, wherein the anode tab is welded directly onto the conductive foil not onto the lithium. Alternatively, the tab is connected onto the lithium in an area where the lithium does not dissolve during discharge, so that the tab will not become disconnected from the anode sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Toshiro Hirai, Jun-ichi Yamaki
  • Patent number: 5352549
    Abstract: A co-doped lead oxide for use in the manufacture of storage battery plates, the use of such lead oxides improving the efficiency of lead-acid batteries, comprising, as co-dopants, based upon the total weight of the lead oxide, copper in an amount of from about 0.01 to 0.1% and either tin in an amount of from about 0.008 to 0.1% or antimony in an amount of from about 0.005 to 0.08%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: GNB Battery Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Purushothama Rao, Frederick L. Marsh
  • Patent number: 5298350
    Abstract: Automotive SLI lead-acid batteries are disclosed which are characterized by enhanced resistance to positive grid corrosion, even when exposed to the current, relatively high under-the-hood service temperatures in use with recent model automobiles. The grids are formed from either a cast lead-based alloy including from about 0.025 to 0.06% calcium, from about 0.3 to 0.7% tin and from about 0.015 to 0.045% silver, the percentages being based upon the weight of the alloy prior to casting or a wrought lead-based alloy including from about 0.02 to 0.05% calcium, from about 0.3 to 0.5% tin and 0.02 to 0.045% silver, the percentages being based upon the weight of the alloy. Aluminum in an amount of from about 0.008 to about 0.012%, based upon the as-added total weight of the alloy may be used to maintain the desired calcium content during casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: GNB Incorporated
    Inventor: Purushothama Rao
  • Patent number: 5154991
    Abstract: A teflon-bonded thin, flexible .beta."-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 solid electrolyte parator is provided for use in a high temperature electrochemical cell including a sodium-lead alloy anode (Na.sub.0.9 Pb.sub.0.1) and an FeS.sub.2 cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Edward J. Plichta, Wishvender K. Behl
  • Patent number: 4891284
    Abstract: A composition of lead and aluminum is disclosed with particular utility as a battery grid material. Rapid solidification techniques permit manufacture of a composition with between about 0.1% and 20% by weight aluminum, and the balance lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: International Lead Zinc Research Organization, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 4851309
    Abstract: A rechargeable negative electrode for an electrochemical apparatus using nonaqueous electrolytes, said electrode comprising an alloy comprising (1) at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Sn, Pn, In and Bi and (2) Zn or Zn and Cd, as well as a rechargeable electrochemical apparatus comprising a combination of said negative electrode with a positive electrode having reversibility in charging and discharging. The above-mentioned negative electrode reversibly absorbs and desorbs alkali metal ions, as the result of charge and discharge, in nonaqueous electrolyte containing alkali metal ions. It undergoes no pulverization even after repeated charge and discharge, and maintains its shape stably, so that it has a long charge-and-discharge cycle life. Further, since it can absorb a large quantity of alkali metal per unit volume, it is of high energy density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Toyoguchi, Junichi Yamaura, Tooru Matsui, Takashi Iijima
  • Patent number: 4844994
    Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical device comprising a cathode (6) composed chiefly of activated carbon, anode (3) composed of a lithium alloy, and an electrolyte composed of an organic solvent in which a lithium salt is dissolved. Lithium content in the lithium alloy forming the anode (3) is selected such that, if converted to the electric capacity under the charged condition, the capacity of this alloy ranges from 3 to 20 times the cathode capacity that is obtained when the cathode is discharged from 3.0V to 2.0V in a single-pole potential with respect to metal lithium. This constitution is able to provide a reliable rechargeable electrochemical device, which is proof against super-discharge and excellent in charge and discharge cycle life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuharu Koshiba, Keigo Momose, Hayashi Kayakawa
  • Patent number: 4676338
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material comprising a porous lead alloy containing from 0.7 to 1.0% silver or 0.1 to 1.0% calcium or 0.7 to 1.0% silver and 0.1 to 1.0% calcium and having its pores filled by a resin such as epoxy resin. The product has utility as a battery electrode and as a sound absorbing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Samim S.p.A.
    Inventors: Renato Guerriero, Ilario Tangerini, Italo Vittadini
  • Patent number: 4637970
    Abstract: A bipolar electrode for generating electrical power in an electrochemical cell includes a base member, which is comprised of a core portion composed of titanium. An integral, substantially continuous and non-porous layer of lead is electroplated onto at least one face surface of the core portion and diffused a selected distance into the core portion. A substantially continuous, residual layer of the titanium alloy in the core portion remains substantially free of lead. A negative-type active mass is connected to a first face surface of the base member, and a positive-type active mass is connected to a second face surface of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Lun-Shu R. Yeh, Morten Grenness, Robert J. Fuller
  • Patent number: 4632890
    Abstract: Gassing is significantly reduced in electrochemical cells having anodes of polycrystalline metals, such as zinc, by heat treatment of the anode metal at a temperature below that of the melting point of the metal for a period of time sufficient to reduce the number of grains in the polycrystalline metal to at least a third of the original number of grains and thereafter using the metal in the formation of the cell anode. With such gassing reduction, the amount of mercury required for amalgamation with the zinc may also be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 4456579
    Abstract: A lead-based alloy containing, based upon the total weight of the alloy, 0.8-1.6% antimony, 0.08-0.16% arsenic, 0.006-0.012% silver and, optionally, 0.2-0.5% tin, is disclosed for making lead-acid battery grids using a continuous casting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: GNB Batteries Inc.
    Inventors: Purushothama Rao, Wendy J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4401730
    Abstract: A maintenance-free, lead-acid cell that is capable of achieving long cycle life in deep discharge rapid recharge applications is sealed, has positive grids formed from antimony-lead alloys containing no more than about 2 wt. % of antimony, has negative grids formed from alloys that are essentially antimony-free, has highly porous, easily wetted separator material interposed between the plates which is capable of wicking the electrolyte, and provides a sufficient void volume to facilitate gaseous oxygen transport, and has the electrolyte required for operation of the cell substantially completely absorbed in the plates and separators, with the separators not being completely saturated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: GNB Batteries Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Szymborski, Sudhansu S. Misra, Mark L. Eggers, Brian W. Burrows
  • Patent number: 4279977
    Abstract: Wrought, recrystallized, lead-calcium-tin, battery grid alloy consisting essentially of about 0.07% to about 0.11% by weight calcium no more than about 0.35% by weight tin and the balance principally lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Matter
  • Patent number: 4170470
    Abstract: A lead alloy particularly suited for use in lead-acid type storage batteries having the following composition by weight:______________________________________ Strontium 0.01%- 2.0% Tin 0.1%- 5.0% Aluminum 0.005%- 0.1% Copper 0- 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1979
    Assignee: Globe-Union Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis L. Marshall, Anthony Matuszewski
  • Patent number: 4158563
    Abstract: An electric storage battery grid made from an improved low antimonial content lead alloy is disclosed. The battery grid can be used to manufacture maintenance free lead acid storage batteries. The alloy has an improved combination of low gassing rate and hardness, castability and pasteability and contains less than 2.0%, i.e. approximately 1.3 to 1.9 weight percent antimony, 0.05 to 0.45 percent arsenic and 0.02 to 0.5 weight percent tin as well as small amounts of copper and sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1979
    Assignee: N L Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ranna K. Hebbar, M. Vikram Rao, George S. Foerster
  • Patent number: 4125690
    Abstract: There is disclosed a battery electrode structure made of a lead-calcium-tin alloy comprising 0.075 to 0.13% by weight calcium, 0.005 to 0.99% by weight tin and 0.0001% to 0.1% by weight aluminium, the balance being substantially lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1978
    Assignee: Chloride Group Limited
    Inventors: Norman E. Bagshaw, John McWhinnie
  • Patent number: 4074029
    Abstract: The invention is a rechargeable voltaic cell in which both the cathodic and anodic reactants are derived from the electrolyte. The cell comprises an anode of lead mercury amalgam, an electrolyte of lead sulfamate and sulfamic acid and a cathodic reactant supported on a stainless steel base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1978
    Inventor: Samuel Ruben
  • Patent number: 4007056
    Abstract: A cadmium-tin-lead alloy composition containing at least 0.4 percent by weight of both cadmium and tin is used for forming the straps employed which weld together the lugs of the grids in lead-acid storage batteries. The relatively small amount of cadmium and tin provide a large volume fraction of a cadmium-tin eutectic phase that is low melting and serves to facilitate the welding. This alloy composition may also be used to form intercell connectors and terminal posts for such batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1977
    Assignee: Gould Inc.
    Inventors: Purushothama Rao, George W. Mao
  • Patent number: 4006035
    Abstract: A maintenance-free battery having improved current draw characteristics is provided by adding elemental cadmium, or a cadmium affording compound such as cadmium sulfate to the electrolyte in amounts sufficient to decrease the current draw that would otherwise occur during overcharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1977
    Assignee: Gould Inc.
    Inventor: George W. Mao
  • Patent number: 4003755
    Abstract: A lead alloy is prepared by dispersing minor amounts by weight of silicon in a continuous lead phase. The alloy has a lesser density than unalloyed lead and has improved strength, excellent corrosion resistance, good electrical conductivity, and satisfactory workability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1977
    Inventor: Robert Lawrence Gustison
  • Patent number: 3993480
    Abstract: A lead-antimony alloy is disclosed containing 0.5-3.5% by weight antimony, 0.025-0.3% by weight arsenic, 0.005-0.1% by weight selenium, 0.002-0.05% by weight tin, 0.01-0.1% by weight copper, balance lead. The alloy also preferably contains from 0.025-0.1% by weight silver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1976
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Armin Ueberschaer, Ulrich Heubner, Max Reinert
  • Patent number: 3990893
    Abstract: Lead alloy for the grids of lead storage batteries, which comprises from 1.0 to 3.5 % antimony, 0.025 to 0.2 % arsenic, 0.005 to 0.1 % selenium, 0.05 to 0.5 % tin, and the remainder lead.Preferably the alloy also contains 0.025 to 0.1 % silver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1974
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1976
    Assignee: Varta Batterie Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Subash Chander Nijhawan, Waldemar Borger