US3278335A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for producing electricity from underground fuel cell
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1962-06-20
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Granted: 1966-10-11
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Expires: 1982-06-20
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald O Hitzman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:18
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/16; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A METHOD FOR PRODUCING ELECTRICAL ENERGY, WHICH COMPRISES INOCULATING AN UNDERGROUND OIL-BEARING FORMATION WITH BACTERIA WHICH WILL GROW AND MULTIPLY THEREIN, GROWING AND MULTIPLYING SAID BACTERIA IN SAID FORMATION, DISPOSING A FIRST ELECTRODE IN A FIRST WELL PENETRATING SAID FORMATION AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE PRODUCTS OF METABOLISM OF SAID BATERIA, DISPOSING A SECOND ELECTRODE IN A SECOND ADJACENT WELL PENETRATING SAID FORMATION, AND COMMUNICATING WITH SAID BACTERIAL THROUGH AN UNDERGROUND SALT BRIDGE, CONTRACTING SAID SECOND ELECTRODE WITH AN OXIDANT SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF OXYGEN, AIR, SAID AERATED WATER; CONNECTING SAID ELECTRODES TO AN EXTERNAL LOAD AND PRODUCING ELECTRICAL ENERGY.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A METHOD FOR PRODUCING ELECTRICAL ENERGY, WHICH COMPRISES INOCULATING AN UNDERGROUND OIL-BEARING FORMATION WITH BACTERIA WHICH WILL GROW AND MULTIPLY THEREIN, GROWING AND MULTIPLYING SAID BACTERIA IN SAID FORMATION, DISPOSING A FIRST ELECTRODE IN A FIRST WELL PENETRATING SAID FORMATION AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE PRODUCTS OF METABOLISM OF SAID BATERIA, DISPOSING A SECOND ELECTRODE IN A SECOND ADJACENT WELL PENETRATING SAID FORMATION, AND COMMUNICATING WITH SAID BACTERIAL THROUGH AN UNDERGROUND SALT BRIDGE, CONTRACTING SAID SECOND ELECTRODE WITH AN OXIDANT SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF OXYGEN, AIR, SAID AERATED WATER; CONNECTING SAID ELECTRODES TO AN EXTERNAL LOAD AND PRODUCING ELECTRICAL ENERGY.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1969-10-10 | 1970-04-11 | 1970-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1973-10-10 | 1974-04-11 | 1974-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1977-10-10 | 1978-04-11 | 1978-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |