Activated By Immersion, E.g., Sea Water Type Patents (Class 429/119)
  • Patent number: 4185143
    Abstract: In the cell of a water activated battery using a metal/organo-halogen couple wherein the anode and cathode are formed as planar members with a porous insulator sandwiched between there are provided channels to allow the electrolyte access throughout the cell. The channels may be cut in the cathode or the cathode may be formed as discrete portions of cathode reactant material deposited on a current collector backing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventors: Dennis C. P. Birt, Leonard J. Pearce
  • Patent number: 4184008
    Abstract: A float type metal-air battery having an air chamber positioned at the center thereof, a weight positioned at the center bottom thereof, two electrolyte chambers positioned on both sides of the air chamber, and two cells positioned on both sides of the air chamber, so that the battery is improved in balance and is facilitated in manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Inventor: Yuichi Watakabe
  • Patent number: 4184009
    Abstract: The invention disclosed is a floating metal/air battery wherein the anode is immersed in an electrolyte, and the cathode is exposed to the atmosphere. An electro-conductive path between the anode and cathode is achieved by a wick means in contact with the electrolyte. Embodiments are described for use in sea-water and in fresh water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence
    Inventor: William A. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 4087590
    Abstract: A pack of ordinary, commercially-available batteries is provided with a con electrolyte-filled reservoir coupled to each battery by a small tube. The reservoir includes a compliant diaphragm which, when exposed to deep-sea pressure, applies the pressure to the reservoir electrolyte to force it into the battery. Forceful filling of the cells equalizes their internal and external pressures. Electrical discharge currents are reduced to a minimum by making the tubes as small as and as long as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Dennis W. Kraft
  • Patent number: 4076904
    Abstract: A multilayer device has a coated photoelectrochemical electrode and a counterelectrode. The device is packaged without an electrolyte. However, when the device is immersed in sea water, the water acts as an electrolyte by contributing ions which makes photogalvanic action possible. The device may be fabricated in the form of flexible sheets which are easily transported and deployed for use in sea water. The device will generate electricity for a utilization device after it is immersed in sea water and exposed to light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1978
    Assignees: Optel Corporation, Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Schoen-nan Chen
  • Patent number: 4072801
    Abstract: A deferred action battery including a plurality of stacked electrode plates functional to produce an electrical potential when immersed in seawater, the battery having a bottom port cover including an opening for admitting seawater into the battery and a cavity in communication with the opening and intended to facilitate migration of precipitate waste material from the battery during its operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1978
    Assignee: Globe-Union Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard J. Burant, James T. Daley
  • Patent number: 4063006
    Abstract: Liquid oxychlorides are fed to a cathode chamber in an aqueous electrolyte attery. The oxychlorides flow through a porous carbon electrode. At the electrode the oxychlorides are reduced and the reaction products dissolve in an aqueous electrolyte flowing by the face of the carbon electrode opposite to that in which the oxychlorides are introduced. Metal standoffs connect to the porous electrode for use as conductors while maintaining spacing in the cathode chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1977
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Francis G. Murphy
  • Patent number: 4021597
    Abstract: A lead chloride cathode suitable for use in seawater batteries comprises a supporting electrically conductive grid to which lead chloride is applied by dipping the grid in a molten lead chloride bath. The grid is preferably made of mesh or expanded metal, and after allowing the lead chloride to solidify, a conductive matrix is formed in the cathode by inserting it in a salt solution and partially discharging it to form electrically conductive lead pathways within the cathode adjacent the points at which the grid material is closest to the surface and the grid itself. The preferred method comprises dipping the mesh or grid material in molten lead chloride, removing the grid and the adhering lead chloride, allowing the lead chloride to solidify, and partially discharging the cathode to form conductive lead portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1977
    Assignee: Globe-Union Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Joseph Burant
  • Patent number: 4020247
    Abstract: A water activated primary battery in which each cell includes a cathode manufactured largely from an oxy-halogen material and an anode of aluminum, magnesium, zinc or alloys thereof, the electrodes being separated and insulated from one another by a porous membrane; the main feature of the invention being the sandwich construction of the cells and design of the anode which is perforated to provide access of the electrolyte to the cathode and escape of gas from the cell and dimpled to facilitate uniform compaction of the cathode material and to provide cooling water/electrolyte passageways in each cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1977
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defense in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventors: Dennis Courtney Parsons Birt, Ronald Holland, Leonard John Pearce
  • Patent number: 4016339
    Abstract: A battery electrode structure of flat configuration comprises a cast mass of electrochemically active material, said mass having contained therein and exposed opposite surfaces thereof an open-mesh electrically conductive structure adapted for connection to a battery terminal. An open-mesh electrically conductive support member in the mass and in contact with the exposed electrically conductive structure maintains electrical conductivity throughout discharge to ensure maximum use of the active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1977
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada as represented by the Minister of National Defence
    Inventors: Thomas J. Gray, Jan Wojtowicz
  • Patent number: 4012234
    Abstract: A battery pack is disclosed for an electrical device that is to be stored for an extended period until put into use in a body of water at some depth. The pack is comprised of fully charged batteries from which the electrolyte has been effectively removed for storing. Each battery is connected by a small tube to a reservoir containing an electrolyte-forming substance (which may be just water) or fully constituted electrolyte. Means on an inlet opens at a predetermined depth to admit water into the reservoir and force electrolyte (or just water in the case of battery plates being impregnated with electrolyte-forming substance) into the batteries. Each tube is also blocked by suitable means to hold electrolyte (or water) in the reservoir until its pressure exceeds a predetermined level. The battery pack is encased and the spaces between batteries are filled with inert pressure-equalization fluid so the outside of the batteries will be at the same pressure as the pressurized electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1977
    Assignee: Bunker Ramo Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis W. Kraft
  • Patent number: 3980498
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell exhibiting high specific power and specific energy n combination which comprises an aluminum-lithium alloy anode with an aqueous electrolyte. The electrolyte may be the readily available seawater circulated through the cell at a predetermined flowrate to obtain maximum controlled electrical energy output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1974
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Herman B. Urbach, David E. Icenhower, Mark C. Cervi, Robert J. Bowen