Patents by Inventor Wilfrid B. O'Callaghan

Wilfrid B. O'Callaghan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5260144
    Abstract: A battery and a method for its operation are described. The battery comprises a metal-air battery with an air cathode having opposed surfaces supported for simultaneous exposure of a first surface to air and a second surface to liquid electrolyte and a metal anode positioned in spaced juxtaposed relation to the second cathode surface to define therewith an anode-cathode gap for receiving electrolyte to form an anode-cathode pair electrically coupled by electrolyte. The battery contains an alkaline electrolyte and seed particles adapted to decrease passivation of the anode during discharge of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventor: Wilfrid B. O'Callaghan
  • Patent number: 5114802
    Abstract: A battery and a method for its operation are described. The battery comprises a caustic-based metal, e.g. aluminum, battery with a cathode adapted to reduce oxygen and a metal anode positioned in spaced juxtaposed relation to the cathode to define therewith an anode-cathode gap for receiving electrolyte to form an anode-cathode pair electrically coupled by electrolyte. The battery contains an alkaline electrolyte and seed particles adapted to decrease passivation of the anode during discharge of the battery. The seed particles are .alpha.-alumina of very fine particle size distribution obtained by calcination of high-purity alum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventor: Wilfrid B. O'Callaghan
  • Patent number: 5093213
    Abstract: A metal-air battery is described having recirculating electrolyte. The battery comprises: (a) a tank defining a reservoir for liquid electrolyte, (b) a support panel mounted in the tank above the electrolyte reservoir, (c) a plurality of individually removable metal-air cells mounted in side-by-side relationship on said support panel with air gaps therebetween, each cell comprising a pair of spaced-apart flat side walls joined by end faces and top and bottom faces, said side walls including air cathodes, a metal anode mounted between and spaced from said flat side walls, an electrolyte inlet connector below the lower edge of the anode and an electrolyte outlet connector, said connectors being adapted to removably extend through openings in said support panel, and said outlet connector being adapted to return electrolyte to the reservoir, and (d) circuit means for connecting said cells to an external load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventor: Wilfrid B. O'Callaghan
  • Patent number: 4908281
    Abstract: A metal-air battery is described having recirculating electrolyte. The battery comprises: (a) a tank defining a reservoir for liquid electrolyte, (b) a support panel mounted in the tank above the electrolyte reservoir, (c) a plurality of individually removable metal-air cells mounted in side-by-side relationship on said support panel with air gaps therebetween, each cell comprising a pair of spaced-apart flat side walls joined by end faces and top and bottom faces, said side walls including air cathodes, a metal anode mounted between and spaced from said flat side walls, an electrolyte inlet connector below the lower edge of the anode and an electrolyte outlet connector, said connectors being adapted to removably extend through openings in said support panel, and said outlet connector being adapted to return electrolyte to the reservoir, and (d) circuit means for connecting said cells to an external load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventor: Wilfrid B. O'Callaghan