Activated By Immersion, E.g., Sea Water Type Patents (Class 429/119)
  • Patent number: 6972119
    Abstract: A hydrogen producing apparatus comprising: a reforming section having a reforming catalyst which causes a reaction between a carbon-containing organic compound as a feedstock and water; a feedstock supply section for supplying the feedstock to the reforming section; a water supply section for supplying water to the reforming section; a heating section for heating the reforming catalyst; a shifting section having a shift catalyst which causes a shift reaction between carbon monoxide and water contained in a reformed gas supplied from the reforming section; and a purifying section having a purifying catalyst which causes oxidation or methanation of carbon monoxide contained in a gas supplied from the shifting section, wherein the shift catalyst comprises a platinum group metal and a metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Taguchi, Takeshi Tomizawa, Kunihiro Ukai, Toshiyuki Shono, Koichiro Kitagawa, Tetsuya Ueda, Seiji Fujihara, Yutaka Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6913854
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating power from voltage gradients at sediment-water interfaces or within stratified euxinic water-columns is provided. Natural voltage gradients typically exist at and about sediment-water interfaces or in isolated water bodies. One electrode (anode) is positioned in the sediment or water just below the redox boundary and the other electrode (cathode) is positioned in the water above the redox boundary over the first electrode. The anode is lower in voltage than the cathode. Current will flow when the electrodes are connected through a load, and near-perpetual generating of worthwhile power may be sustained by the net oxidation of organic matter catalyzed by microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignees: Rutgers, The State University of NJ, The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Randall Alberte, Harold J. Bright, Clare Reimers, Leonard M. Tender
  • Patent number: 6869710
    Abstract: A metal air cell system is provided. The system includes a cathode having a pair of oxidant sides and anode sides. An anode is provided in two parts, each part having a side complementary each anode side of the cathode. A separator is disposed between the anode and cathode to electrically isolate the anode and the cathode. Electrolyte is disposed between the cathode and the anode, the electrolyte provided within the anode, separately at the interface between the cathode and the anode, or both within the anode and separately at the interface between the cathode and the anode. This configuration generally allows a single oxidant flow to be exposed to both portions of the cathode due to the central passage of the oxidant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: eVionyx, Inc.
    Inventors: George Tzong-Chyi Tzeng, Craig L. Cole
  • Patent number: 6849356
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved semi-fuel cell and an improved cathode used therein. The semi-fuel cell stack comprises a housing, an anode within the housing, a porous cathode within the housing, an aqueous catholyte within the housing, an aqueous anolyte stream flowing in the housing, and a membrane for preventing migration of the catholyte through the porous cathode and into the anolyte stream. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the catholyte comprises an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, the anolyte comprises a NaOH/seawater solution, and the membrane permits passage of OH? ions while inhibiting the passage of hydrogen peroxide. The membrane is attached to a surface of the cathode or alternatively, impregnated into the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Eric G. Dow, Susan G. Yan, Maria G. Medeiros, Russell R. Bessette
  • Publication number: 20040081894
    Abstract: Disclosed are oxidizer-treated lithium electrodes, battery cells containing such oxidizer-treated lithium electrodes, battery cell electrolytes containing oxidizing additives, and methods of treating lithium electrodes with oxidizing agents and battery cells containing such oxidizer-treated lithium electrodes. Battery cells containing SO2 as an electrolyte additive in accordance with the present invention exhibit higher discharge capacities after cell storage over cells not containing SO2. Pre-treating the lithium electrode with SO2 gas prior to battery assembly prevented cell polarization. Moreover, the SO2 treatment does not negatively impact sulfur utilization and improves the lithium's electrochemical function as the negative electrode in the battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: PolyPlus Battery Company
    Inventors: Yevgeniy S. Nimon, May-Ying Chu, Steven J. Visco
  • Patent number: 6656628
    Abstract: A power generating method of generating power supply by: guiding seawater through a reaction tank having negative electrodes made of magnesium or aluminum alloy and a positive electrode made of silver chloride, cuasing the negative electrodes to produce the oxidizing reaction of Mg→Mg+2+2e− and the positive electrode to produce the reduction reaction of 2AgCl+2e−→2Ag+2Cl−.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventors: Tao-Kuang Chang, Chih-Shen Chen
  • Publication number: 20030124418
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved semi-fuel cell and an improved cathode used therein. The semi-fuel cell stack comprises a housing, an anode within the housing, a porous cathode within the housing, an aqueous catholyte within the housing, an aqueous anolyte stream flowing in the housing, and a membrane for preventing migration of the catholyte through the porous cathode and into the anolyte stream. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the catholyte comprises an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, the anolyte comprises a NaOH/seawater solution, and the membrane permits passage of OH— ions while inhibiting the passage of hydrogen peroxide. The membrane is attached to a surface of the cathode or alternatively, impregnated into the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Eric G. Dow, Susan G. Yan, Maria G. Medeiros, Russell R. Bessette
  • Patent number: 6379835
    Abstract: A flexible thin film battery including a film layer and a porous cathode deposited on a portion of a film and a porous anode deposited on a portion of the film, with an electrolyte and separator layer positioned between the porous anode and the porous cathode. The electrolyte is preferably dried so the battery is activated when liquid contacts the electrolyte and separator layer. In a preferred embodiment, water swellable particles are included in the cell. The film layers are least partially sealed around the edges, confining the anode, cathode, and electrolyte and separator layer. The method of producing such a battery preferably includes printing various inks in a pattern on a polymeric film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Morgan Adhesives Company
    Inventors: Joseph S. Kucherovsky, George R. Simmons, James A. Miller, Christopher F. Mlnarik
  • Patent number: 6228527
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an electrochemical system is provided which comprises a plurality of cells, the cells being formed by spaced apart bipolar electrodes. Each of the electrodes is formed by an anode portion formed from a magnesium containing material and an electrocatalytic material joined to a surface of the anode. The electrodes are spaced such that the anode portion of one electrode faces the electrocatalytic material of the adjacent electrode. The electrochemical system also comprises a manifold system for introducing a seawater-catholyte solution into the spaces between the electrodes. An electrical connection is provided across the cells so as to initiate the reduction of the seawater-catholyte solution at the electrodes and to create electrical power. In a preferred embodiment, the seawater-catholyte solution is a seawater-hydrogen peroxide or seawater-sodium hypochlorite solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Maria G. Medeiros, Steven P. Tucker, James M. Cichon, Russell R. Bessette, Dwayne W. Dischert
  • Patent number: 6168882
    Abstract: A seawater electric power system has a solar cell or wind generator for generating electromotive force, a battery including a plurality of electric double layer capacitors each having seawater therein as an electrolytic solution for storing the electric energy, a voltage regulator, and a seawater replenishment section for replenishing seawater into the electric double layer capacitors. A long term operation can be obtained by the seawater electric power system substantially without regular maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiki Inoue, Masako Inagawa
  • Patent number: 6146787
    Abstract: In one implementation, a reactive metal-water battery includes an anode comprising a metal in atomic or alloy form selected from the group consisting of periodic table Group 1A metals, periodic table Group 2A metals and mixtures thereof. The battery includes a cathode comprising water. Such also includes a solid polymer electrolyte comprising a polyphosphazene comprising ligands bonded with a phosphazene polymer backbone. The ligands comprise an aromatic ring containing hydrophobic portion and a metal ion carrier portion. The metal ion carrier portion is bonded at one location with the polymer backbone and at another location with the aromatic ring containing hydrophobic portion. The invention also contemplates such solid polymer electrolytes use in reactive metal/water batteries, and in any other battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC
    Inventors: Mason K. Harrup, Eric S. Peterson, Frederick F. Stewart
  • Patent number: 6033602
    Abstract: Disclosed is a water-activated battery comprising an anode member and a cathode member which comprises cuprous chloride, graphite, and a fluorinated ion exchange polymer having at least one pendant sulfonic acid group. Such a battery is capable of being activated in fresh water or sea water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Prosar Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Morton Sunshine, Syed Zaigham Abbas Zaidi, William R. Kuenzel
  • Patent number: 6013192
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dry composition of materials to be used n a battery system. The dry composition comprises a mixture consisting of sodium hydroxide and sodium oxide. In a first reservoir in the battery system, the mixture is present in an amount sufficient to form with water a heated sodium hydroxide electrolyte solution having a 15% by weight concentration of sodium hydroxide. In a second reservoir in the battery system, the mixture is present in an amount sufficient to form with water a heated sodium hydroxide electrolyte solution having to up to about 75% by weight concentration of sodium hydroxide. The present invention also relates to a battery system and a method for generating electrical power which utilize the aforementioned dry composition of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Steven P. Tucker, Raymond W. Roberts, Eric G. Dow, James R. Moden
  • Patent number: 6010799
    Abstract: Disclosed is a water-activated battery, comprising an anode member and a cathode member which comprises a cuprous halide, graphite, and at least Group IV to Group VIII transition metal salt of a chalcogen-containing acid, and can additionally include a 200-400 mesh metal powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Prosar Technologies
    Inventor: Ash Jafri
  • Patent number: 5963009
    Abstract: A lantern and power source includes a hollow housing with a hollow tubular power cell formed within the housing. The tubular power cell includes an anode rod formed of a magnesium alloy and extending along the longitudinal axis of the hollow tube. An opening formed in the side wall of the hollow tube is covered by a metal cathode plate, and the tube is filled with salt water. An electrical lamp is mounted on the housing and has one terminal connected to the anode and one terminal connected to the cathode such that a flow of electrons caused by the caustic reaction of salt water with the magnesium alloy anode will light the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Gaylen M. Brotherson
  • Patent number: 5665487
    Abstract: The cathode of the water-activated battery is a chloride member with a silver coating on its surface or it is a silver-chloride cathode. The anode is a magnesium plate. The anode and cathode are spaced apart with a rigid spacer member. A battery casing encloses the electrodes. A conductive liquid such as saltwater enters the housing through entry and exit ports formed therein and the water then surrounds the electrodes. Lead wires, e.g. a wire bundle, project through the casing wall and they connect to a light or a similar load. The battery is operated by immersing the housing into the conductive liquid, removing the entry port plug from the entry port to permit the conductive liquid to enter the casing through the entry port, and removing the exit port plug from the exit port to permit the conductive liquid to exit the casing through the exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Sartech Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Shiraz Dhanji
  • Patent number: 5532079
    Abstract: An electrolyte-activated battery, particularly for generating electric energy for the propulsion of underwater systems, and presenting a reservoir, an electrochemical cell, and a system for forming and circulating the electrolyte between the reservoir and the electrochemical cell; the electrolyte forming and circulating system presenting an inlet conduit communicating with the outside environment, a circulating pump, a device for regulating the temperature of the electrolyte at the inlet of the electrochemical cell, and a gas separator located at the outlet of the electrochemical cell and presenting a liquid phase outlet, and a gaseous phase outlet connected to an outlet conduit; the system also presenting a switching device for selectively connecting the liquid phase outlet to the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignees: Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei S.p.A., Microtecnica S.p.A.
    Inventors: Silvano Tribioli, Vito Giardinelli, Francesco Rocco, Franco Cerrano
  • Patent number: 5506065
    Abstract: An electrolyte-activated battery, particularly for generating electric energy for the propulsion of underwater systems, and presenting a reservoir, an electrochemical cell, and a system for forming and circulating the electrolyte between the reservoir and the electrochemical cell; the electrolyte forming and circulating system presenting an inlet conduit communicating with the outside environment, a circulating pump, a device for regulating the temperature of the electrolyte at the inlet of the electrochemical cell, and a gas separator located at the outlet of the cell and presenting a liquid phase outlet connectable to the circulating pump, and a gaseous phase outlet connected to an outlet conduit; the inlet and outlet conduits presenting respective closure members facing and rigidly connected to each other so that they are subjected to the same but opposite hydrostatic pressures, and which are movable between a closed position and an open position wherein they are housed inside the respective conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignees: Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei S.p.A., Microtecnica S.p.A.
    Inventors: Silvano Tribioli, Vito Giardinelli, Francesco Rocco, Franco Cerrano
  • Patent number: 5480743
    Abstract: A bipolar compression cell for a water-activated battery that can be used with a plurality of such cells stacked together in a side-by-side array to form the bipolar battery. Each cell includes an elastomeric frame that can be compressed and a special alloy foil that separates cuprous iodide and magnesium elements and which does not interact with the cuprous iodide or magnesium to allow for bipolar action when the cells are stacked side-by-side. The use of elastomeric frames allows for low cost manufacture, eliminating manual construction. The water-activated battery is especially useful in sonobuoys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: ACR Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter K. McCarter, Jorgen T. Fischer
  • Patent number: 5427871
    Abstract: This invention relates to galvanic seawater cells and batteries and in particular to cathodes which are suitable for use in galvanic cells that use an oxidant dissolved in the electrolyte as depolarizer. An example of such cells are seawater cells which use the oxygen dissolved in the seawater as oxidant. The cell has an inert electrode which consists of a number of conducting fibers (1,3,14) connected to a conducting body (2,4,15). The fibers (1,3,14) have different orientations relatively to each other and to the body (2,4,15). In a preferred embodiment the electrode body (2,4) consists of two or more wires which are twisted together to constitute an electrode stem while clamping the fibers (1,3) in a fixed position between the wires, as in a laboratory bottle brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Forsvarets Forskningsinstitutt
    Inventors: Tor Garshol, Oistein Hasvold
  • Patent number: 5424147
    Abstract: The invention provides a water-activated, deferred-action battery having a housing containing at least one cell, comprising at least one anode selected from the group consisting of magnesium, aluminum, zinc and alloys thereof; a cathode comprising a skeletal frame including conductive metal and having a portion of its surface area formed as open spaces, and further comprising a heat-pressed, rigid static bed of active cathode material encompassing the skeletal frame, the cathode material being formed of cuprous chloride, sulfur, carbon and a water-ionizable salt and being compacted and fused under pressure and heat to itself and to the skeletal frame, to form a heat-fused, conductive, electrochemically active phase; at least one cavity separating the cathode and the at least one anode, and at least one aperture leading to the at least one cavity for the ingress of an electrolyte-forming, aqueous liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Electric Fuel (E.F.L.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric Khasin, Jonathan Goldstein, Neal Naimer, Binyamin Koretz
  • Patent number: 5405717
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sea water cell which uses wave action to increase the flow of the water through the cathode. The cell has an anode and a cathode arranged in an open cell structure to allow the electrolyte, i.e. the sea water, to flow through the structure. The cell structure is provided with water flow deflector means causing water flow through the cell to be deflected from the vertical direction, when the cell is suspended from or attached to a buoyancy device. The water flow deflector is preferably arranged in the upper end of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Forsvarets Forskningsinstitutt
    Inventor: Oistein Hasvold
  • Patent number: 5395707
    Abstract: A water-activated, primary reserve battery for use in an environment, such as the ocean, that provides an environmentally safe battery, especially useful in sonobuoys. The battery includes the use of cuprous iodide as a cathode and magnesium as the anode in an array to provide voltage, amperage, and operational time equivalent to conventional lead chloride batteries. Once the sonobuoy is no longer useful as it deteriorates in the environment, no lead will be presented into the ocean. The structural frame members protect the cuprous iodide which is brittle in a rigid array and provides for proper venting of gas and sludge formation to insure efficient operation of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: ACR Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter K. McCarter, John F. Flood, Jorgen T. Fischer
  • Patent number: 5395491
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and means for preventing or greatly reducing biological growth on the cathode (7, 11) of a sea water cell (1) which is based on electrolytic reaction between oxygen, water and a metal anode (6, 10), and which is arranged to be connected to a load (3, 15) through a DC/DC converter (2, 14). An external power supply (5, 16) which may be powered from the load (3, 15), is at intervals connected to an electrode of copper (or copper alloy) (8, 12) included with the cell structure, to electrolytically dissolve copper. The negative terminal (18) of the power supply (16) may at intervals be connected to an auxiliary electrode (13) of a suitable metal or metal alloy such as copper, titanium or stainless steel. The interconnection of the power supply (5, 16) to the electrode (8, 12), and possibly to the auxiliary electrode (13) is controlled by a timing device (4, 17). At intervals, the same or a separate timing device (4, 17) may turn-off/switch-on the DC/DC converter (2, 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Den norske stats oljeselskap a.s.
    Inventor: Oistein Hasvold
  • Patent number: 5288564
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a battery including a plurality of series connected battery cells rolled into a cylindrical form. Each of the battery cells includes a thin flexible rectangular anode closely spaced apart from a thin flexible cathode. The plurality of series connected battery cells are placed on a flexible carrier sheet which is tightly wound into the cylindrical form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Magnavox Electronic Systems Company
    Inventors: Lloyd E. Klein, Donald V. Conte
  • Patent number: 5256501
    Abstract: This invention relates to sea water cells or salt water galvanic cells or batteries which use oxygen dissolved in the sea water as the oxidant, and in particular to cathodes which are suitable for cells which are exposed to high hydrodynamic forces (from waves or strong currents). The cathode (3, 12) may consist of a helix, or spirally wound perforated or expanded metal plate or sheet. The cathode (20) may alternatively consist of a number of concentrical spaced apart layers of cylinders of a perforated or expanded metal sheet. The number of layers of the cathode is 2-50. preferably 3-20. The layers of the cathode are spaced apart with radially arranged bars, spacers, notches (4, 15, 16) or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Forsvarets Forskningsinstitutt
    Inventors: Oistein Hasvold, Tor Garshol
  • Patent number: 5225291
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved deferred actuated battery assembly including a plurality of electrochemical cells comprised of a hybrid cathode member and an anode member formed of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys and mixtures thereof attached to an inert intermediate dielectric layer or member and configured for gross electrolyte contact therebetween disposed between an anode plate and a cathode plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Alupower, Inc.
    Inventor: Bhaskara M. L. Rao
  • Patent number: 5188911
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, inlet and outlet manifolds for a forced electrolyte flow battery, the manifolds having nonuniform cross-sections. The inlet manifold extends along the base of the battery cells and tapers from a large cross-section at the inlet end thereof to a small cross-section at the closed opposite end of the manifold. The outlet manifold has electrolyte outlets at either end of the manifold and tapers from a small cross-section at the middle of the manifold to large cross-sections at the electrolyte outlets of the manifolds. The inlet and outlets to and from the inlet and outlet manifolds are arranged, respectively, such that the header connected to the inlet manifold is larger in cross-section than the cross-section of the inlet manifold at that point and the headers connected to the outlet manifold are larger in cross-section than the cross-sections of the outlet manifold at that point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Magnavox Electronic Systems Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Downing, Donald V. Conte
  • Patent number: 5178972
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electrochemical power cell comprised of an anode member and cathode member mounted via an intermediate non-porous dielectric layer having a volume resistivity of at least 1000 ohm..times.cm. therebetween to permit electrolytic contact to be established through the bulk electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Alupower, Inc.
    Inventor: Bhaskara M. L. Rao
  • Patent number: 5158838
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preventing or greatly reducing formation of calcareous deposits on an inert electron conducting cathode in a primary cell (1) which is based on reaction between oxygen, water and a metal anode when it is submerged in seawater and connected to a load (2). The problem of deterioration of the cell (1) caused by calcareous depositions on the cell cathode is solved by monitoring the cell voltage and/or criteria leading to changes in the cell voltage and reducing or disconnecting the load (2) if the cell voltage falls below a certain level (VL) and reconnecting the load (2) after a certain time or when the voltage rises above a certain second level (VH).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Inventors: Oddvar Bjordal, Arne H. Hansen, Oistein Hasvold, Roy Johnsen, Per Solheim, Nils J. Storkersen, Sverre Oen
  • Patent number: 4822698
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery having an anode selected from the group consisting of magnesium, zinc, and mixtures and alloys thereof, an oxygen electrode as the cathode, and means for maintaining the anode and the cathode in an electricity-generating relationship when the battery is placed in salt water. Also disclosed is a method of producing electricity by positioning the anode and cathode in a saline electrolyte whereby the reactionM+20H.sup.- .fwdarw.M(OH).sub.2 +2e.sup.-occurs at the anode and the reactionO.sub.2 +2H.sub.2 O+4e.sup.- .fwdarw.20H.sup.31occurs at the anode, where M is magnesium, zinc, aluminum, or mixtures or alloys thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: John F. Jackovitz, David Zuckerbrod, Edward S. Buzzelli
  • Patent number: 4811481
    Abstract: An improved method of beading deformable electrodes is provided which method comprises forming a plurality of spaced depressions, preferably simultaneously, as through the use of a novel beading tool, in at least one surface of a deformable electrode and then adhesively binding nonconductive beads in said depressions so as to collectively form a nonconductive separator on said surface. The method is applicable for use with metallic electrodes such as sintered silver or nickel or cadmium plaque electrodes, the surfaces of which are not subject to easy plastic flow at relatively low pressure, in contrast to silver chloride plates. Preferably the depressions are hemispherical and the beads are spherical so that a substantial portion of each bead extends outwardly from the beaded electrode surface. The dimpling can be carried out effectively through the use of an improved novel tool which comprises a flat plate having a plurality of spaced apertures extending from the top to the bottom thereof at about a 90.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Yardney Corporation
    Inventor: Aldo S. Berchielli
  • Patent number: 4803135
    Abstract: A pressure activated reserve battery, capable of being activated by increasing external or environmental seawater pressure as the device is lowered or sinks to depth, without benefit of an external pressure hull. Pressure compensation, balancing of external seawater pressure and internal electrolyte pressures continually after activation of the device precludes the use of a pressure hull. A pressure activated battery, made up of reserve cells, for selectively providing stored reserve electrolyte into cell electrode environments upon application of a specified activation pressure. Each cylindrical reserve cell housing includes an electrolyte reservoir and a cell electrode assembly. A first barrier having a pressure rupturable disc is arranged to provide a fluid-tight separation between the electrode assembly and the electrolyte reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt F. Garoutte
  • Patent number: 4752542
    Abstract: In an activatable AgO/Al battery, the electrolyte tank is partitioned into two portions (31, 32) which are simultaneously filled on activation. During a first discharge stage electrolyte in one of said portions (31) is used and is then removed from the battery. During the second discharge stage, the battery operates using concentrated electrolyte to be found in the second portion (32) of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: Saft, S.A.
    Inventors: Yannick Leben, Louis D'Ussel
  • Patent number: 4745529
    Abstract: A battery powered light source comprising an electric light bulb; a plurality of air cathodes; a plurality of metal anodes, one for each cathode; a plurality of electrically nonconductive housings disposed adjacent to each other, wherein each housing encloses a respective chamber containing one cathode and one anode which are spaced from each other and form an anode-cathode pair and also encloses a cavity which is below the anode-cathode pair and is in fluid flow communication with the chamber, each housing having a portion defining at least one air passage from its chamber to an adjacent housing, and an opening through which a surface of the contained cathode is exposed to air in the passage. The housings are secured to each other in such arrangement that their respective air-passage-defining portions cooperatively define at least one common air passage. Circuit elements are provided for electrically connecting the anode-cathode pairs to each other and to the electric light bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Alupower, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Hamlen, Thomas J. Zoltner, William Kobasz, Michael V. Rose
  • Patent number: 4735630
    Abstract: The electrode structure includes electrolyte injection and collector channels, and, on pairs of opposite sides of each battery cell (1), plates (2) for distributing electrolyte through said cells, said plates being disposed to ensure that the flow of electrolyte through each cell is substantially constant over any point of the area of said cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Saft, S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Planchat
  • Patent number: 4710438
    Abstract: A battery which is activatable by seawater and which uses electrochemical AgO/Al couples includes means (200, 12) for eliminating the aluminates which form in the electrolyte during discharge, and for regenerating the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: SAFT, S.A.
    Inventors: Yannick Leben, Louis D'Ussel
  • Patent number: 4626481
    Abstract: A common electrolyte manifold battery that includes at least one module having a plurality of cells, at least one common electrolyte manifold traversing the cells for transporting a low conductivity electrolyte, an anode and a cathode. The one module includes a collector plate, the collector plate has an end exposed to the common electrolyte manifold, and one of the cells. The one cell comprises a first bipolar plate, positioned in parallel with the collector plate, that has an end proximal to the manifold and an end distal to the manifold, the distal end being connected to the anode. In addition, a second bipolar plate is provided, positioned parallel with the anode plate, that has an end proximal to the manifold and an end distal to the manifold, the distal end being connected to the cathode. The one cell further comprises a layer of insulator enveloping each of the proximal end of the first bipolar plate and the second bipolar plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Altus Corporation
    Inventor: J. Pierre Wilson
  • Patent number: 4601961
    Abstract: A seawater battery has been provided which includes an anode and a cathode, he anode being a flexible sheet of anode material and the cathode being a flexible foil of cathode material. An insulative flexible film joins one side of the cathode foil to one side of the anode sheet so as to form a flexible bilaminar composite. A device is operatively associated with the bilaminar composite for providing it positive buoyancy in seawater, and a ballast device is connected to a bottom edge of the bilaminar composite. An electrical lead is connected to the anode sheet and an electrical lead is connected to the cathode foil at a common edge of the bilaminar composite and in close proximity to one another. The bilaminar composite is flexed to a compacted condition, and a device is provided for releaseably retaining the bilaminar composite in the compacted flexed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Joseph F. McCartney
  • Patent number: 4522897
    Abstract: A flexible, water activated electrochemical cell and battery suitable generally for application in marine devices requiring low power levels for long periods of time without maintenance or replacement is fabricated in the shape of a rope. This novel shape permits extension of the rope battery cells over long distances and greatly increases the rates at which deleterious reaction products can be liberated to the surrounding water and thus greatly improves the efficiency of low drain water activated batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Cape Cod Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Myles A. Walsh
  • Patent number: 4487821
    Abstract: A battery cell for a primary battery, particularly a flat cell battery to be activated on being taken into use, e.g., when submerged into water. The battery cell comprises a positive current collector and a negative electrode. A separator layer which, being in contact with the negative electrode, is disposed between said negative electrode and the positive current collector. A depolarizing layer containing a depolarizing agent is disposed between the positive current collector and the separate layer. An intermediate layer of a porous, electrically insulating, and water-absorbing material is disposed next to the positive current collector and arranged in contact with the depolarizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: Innovex Oy
    Inventor: Allan H/a/ kkinen
  • Patent number: 4421831
    Abstract: An improved battery structure for a multicelled primary cell circulating electrolyte battery which provides for uniform distribution and rate of flow of the electrolyte to all of the cells. Batteries of this type include an intake raceway to conduct electrolyte along the edges of the cell plates to introduce the electrolyte to all of the cells. The invention contemplates the use of a flow restrictor in the form of a physical separator between the intake raceway and the cells which is interrupted by passages to permit a controlled flow of electrolyte to the cells. The passages are sized and located responsive to system parameters to provide a uniform flow and a predetermined pressure drop at the restrictor which is preferably of the order of ten times the pressure drop of the electrolyte through the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Roger Garcia, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4368167
    Abstract: An improved method of making a silver chloride and copper chloride-containing electrode comprises forming a minimum melting point mixture of about 47% by weight of silver chloride and about 53% by weight of cuprous chloride and melting this mixture e.g. at about 255.degree. C., cooling the resulting eutectic, as by casting the same, to form solid pieces, and then grinding the eutectic to a powder of e.g. about 100 mesh. This powdered eutectic is then uniformly mixed with a predetermined desired amount of additional particulate cuprous chloride and the resulting mixture is heated in a mold to above the melting point of the eutectic therein to cause the eutectic to melt and bind the particles of cuprous chloride together. Normally the eutectic is in a concentration of about 10% by weight and the additional particulate cuprous chloride is in a concentration of about 90% by weight of this mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Assignee: Yardney Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Aldo S. Berchielli
  • Patent number: 4338384
    Abstract: Batteries activated by immersion in the sea comprise a case containing battery elements separated by tightly sealed partitions. These elements are electrically connected in series.Tubes leading to the elements are used for filling and for discharging gases. These tubes are connected to first connecting tubes, coaxial to second connecting tubes issuing to the outside by means of openings.Application to long-life batteries for sonic buoys which can be dropped from an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: Thomson-CSF
    Inventor: Jean Rouge
  • Patent number: 4332864
    Abstract: A magnesium alloy contains the following additives: A1 1-9%, Zn 0-4%, Sn 0.1-5%, Mn 0-1%. It is useful as an anode in cells operating with a salt water electrolyte, especially in batteries powering equipment for deep-sea use in which a pulsed power source is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Assignee: Magnesium Elektron Limited
    Inventors: John F. King, Stephen L. Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 4278743
    Abstract: A marine installation for generating electrical energy, which installation operates as a giant battery using the sea as the electrolyte and comprises a plurality of electrodes (6, 8) connected together mechanically and electrically to form a floating structure of cells (5) which is anchored to the sea bed and insulated to prevent loss of potential by conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Inventor: Jack E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4262069
    Abstract: A seawater activated battery plate, and a method of making the same, utilizing an electrically conducting grid and an active reducible material primarily constituting lead chloride adhering to the grid such that the grid is exposed at a surface of the active material, the material adjacent the grid primarily constituting porous lead and a metal chloride. The battery plate is characterized by its inexpensive method of manufacture, its quick activation even in cold seawater, its absence of significant voltage peaking at initial discharge and uniform voltage generation during discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Assignee: Sparton Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Devitt, Johnson, Douglas E., Robert S. Willard
  • Patent number: 4261853
    Abstract: A deferred action battery having a magnesium alloy anode and a cathode depolarizer and a method for making the depolarizer. The depolarizer material comprises cuprous thiocyanate, a form of carbon and free sulphur. A metal grid is used as a current collector and a base for the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Assignee: Magnavox Government and Industrial Electronics Co.
    Inventors: Ralph F. Koontz, Lloyd E. Klein
  • Patent number: 4198474
    Abstract: A high energy multicell seawater activated battery with provision for unimly distributing a desired concentration of the electrolyte for maximum power output. When the battery is submerged to a predetermined depth, seawater is admitted into a mixing chamber where it flows through a plurality of intercommunicating compartments each containing an electrolyte of pelletized potassium hydroxide (KOH) which dilutes to form an ionized solution. The solution flows into a plurality of evacuated cells to establish an ionic flow from a nickel oxide hydroxide (Ni00H) cathode to a zinc (Zn) anode in each cell. An outlet valve in each cell releases the solution to reduce the internal cell pressure when the external pressure decreases as when the battery is retrieved. The quantity of pelletized electrolyte, seawater flow rate, and turbulence within the chamber are predetermined to insure uniform distribution of electrolyte in solution at a desired concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Pinakin M. Shah
  • Patent number: 4192913
    Abstract: A deferred action battery having a magnesium alloy anode and a cathode depolarizer and a method for making the depolarizer. The depolarizer material comprises cuprous thiocyanate, a form of carbon and free sulphur. A metal grid is used as a current collector and a base for the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Assignee: Magnavox Government and Industrial Electronics Company
    Inventors: Ralph F. Koontz, Lloyd E. Klein