US3614489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid electrode
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-01-11
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Granted: 1971-10-19
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Expires: 1988-01-11
Abstract
Abstract Improved electrode performance in a magnetohydrodynamic device is obtained with an electrode structure which includes a liquid (molten) portion in electrical contact with the electrically conductive gas stream. The liquid is highly electrically conductive and, when employed as a cathode, it has excellent electron emission characteristics at and These presently employed practical operating temperatures in MHD devices. Tese properties are retained during continuous operation over long periods of time. If both cathode and anode are liquid they may be held in place by rotating the gas flow channel, which supports the electrodes, about its longitudinal axis.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl A Jensen
- 👤 Lowell L Wood Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:52
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K44/00; H02K44/08; H02K44/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
In a magnetohydrodynamic device including walls defining a flow channel for a high temperature, high velocity electrically conductive gas stream, means for generating a magnetic field transversely in the channel and spaced-apart electrode means for conducting electric current between the gas stream and an external circuit, an improved electrode structure which maintains efficient electrical connection with the gas stream over long operating periods, said electrode structure having a liquid electrically conductive portion which is maintained at a temperature at least as high as its melting point and which is supported in said flow channel with a face of the liquid in electrical contact with said gas stream, said electrode structure further having a solid electrically conducting portion of the same material as said liquid portion contacting said liquid portion and extending from said structure for connection to the external circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a magnetohydrodynamic device including walls defining a flow channel for a high temperature, high velocity electrically conductive gas stream, means for generating a magnetic field transversely in the channel and spaced-apart electrode means for conducting electric current between the gas stream and an external circuit, an improved electrode structure which maintains efficient electrical connection with the gas stream over long operating periods, said electrode structure having a liquid electrically conductive portion which is maintained at a temperature at least as high as its melting point and which is supported in said flow channel with a face of the liquid in electrical contact with said gas stream, said electrode structure further having a solid electrically conducting portion of the same material as said liquid portion contacting said liquid portion and extending from said structure for connection to the external circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said liquid portion of said electrode structure is retained in a cavity in a solid electrically insulating matrix, said cavity facing into the channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said liquid portion of said electrode structure is a metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said liquid portion of said electrode structure is a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, mutual alloys thereof and alloys thereof with iron, cobalt and nickel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said liquid portion of said electrode structure is a nonmetal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
143 words
An electromagnetohydrodynamic device utilizing a stream of electrically conductive gas at a temperature of at least about 2, 000* K. comprising walls defining a flow channel enclosing the gas stream; means for generating a magnetic field transversely in said channel; and an electrode structure mechanically supported in association with said walls, said electrode structure including an electrically conductive electrode having a melting point below the temperature of the gas stream And a boiling point above the temperature of the gas stream, a portion of said electrode being in electrical contact with the gas and being maintained in a molten condition at least partially by the heat of the gas stream and the remaining portion of said electrode being maintained below its melting point so as to be solid, said solid portion defining a solid electrical conductor for making connection with an external circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
143 words
An electromagnetohydrodynamic device utilizing a stream of electrically conductive gas at a temperature of at least about 2, 000* K. comprising walls defining a flow channel enclosing the gas stream; means for generating a magnetic field transversely in said channel; and an electrode structure mechanically supported in association with said walls, said electrode structure including an electrically conductive electrode having a melting point below the temperature of the gas stream And a boiling point above the temperature of the gas stream, a portion of said electrode being in electrical contact with the gas and being maintained in a molten condition at least partially by the heat of the gas stream and the remaining portion of said electrode being maintained below its melting point so as to be solid, said solid portion defining a solid electrical conductor for making connection with an external circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said electrode is a cathode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 including a second electrode structure of the same construction associated with said walls and disposed on an opposite side of the flow channel from the first electrode, the molten portions of said electrodes facing the axis of said channel and being held against mechanical supporting structure by centrifugal force, said apparatus further including means for rotating said walls about the axis of said channel to effect the centrifugal force which holds said molten portions in place.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
118 words
In the method of converting one form of energy to another in accordance with magnetohydrodynamic principles by generating a magnetic field transversely of a stream of high temperature electrically conducting gas moving axially through a channel structure and passing an electric current between an external circuit and the gas stream, the improvement which comprises establishing efficient electrical connection between the gas stream and the external circuit by placing a body of molten electrically conductive material in electrical contact with the gas stream, maintaining the body in molten form at least partially by heat transferred to the body from the gas stream and mechanically and electrically connecting a solid electrical conductor between the molten body and the external circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
118 words
In the method of converting one form of energy to another in accordance with magnetohydrodynamic principles by generating a magnetic field transversely of a stream of high temperature electrically conducting gas moving axially through a channel structure and passing an electric current between an external circuit and the gas stream, the improvement which comprises establishing efficient electrical connection between the gas stream and the external circuit by placing a body of molten electrically conductive material in electrical contact with the gas stream, maintaining the body in molten form at least partially by heat transferred to the body from the gas stream and mechanically and electrically connecting a solid electrical conductor between the molten body and the external circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 9 including the step of providing mechanical support for said body of electrically conductive molten material and the step of rotating the channel structure about its axis at a speed sufficient to hold said molten body against the mechanical support by centrifugal force.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
135 words
Apparatus in which electric current passes between an electrode structure and a mass of electrically conductive gas within the apparatus, comprising: walls defining a gas-containing chamber; at least one electrode structure for conducting electric current between the gas and an external circuit, said electrode structure having an electrically conductive liquid portion which is maintained at a temperature at least as high as its melting point and which is in electrical contact with said gas stream, said electrode structure further including support means engaging said liquid portion; and means for holding said liquid portion in engagement with said support means by centrifugal force including means for rotating at least said liquid portion about an axis at sufficient velocity to produce a centrifugal force on said liquid portion capable of holding the latter to the support means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
135 words
Apparatus in which electric current passes between an electrode structure and a mass of electrically conductive gas within the apparatus, comprising: walls defining a gas-containing chamber; at least one electrode structure for conducting electric current between the gas and an external circuit, said electrode structure having an electrically conductive liquid portion which is maintained at a temperature at least as high as its melting point and which is in electrical contact with said gas stream, said electrode structure further including support means engaging said liquid portion; and means for holding said liquid portion in engagement with said support means by centrifugal force including means for rotating at least said liquid portion about an axis at sufficient velocity to produce a centrifugal force on said liquid portion capable of holding the latter to the support means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 11 including means for moving electrically conductive gas through said chamber past said liquid electrode portion.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
104 words
The method of passing an electric current between a mass of electrically conductive gas and an external circuit comprising: establishing electrical connection between the electrically conductive gas and the external circuit by placing a body of molten electrically conducting material in electrical contact with the electrically conductive gas and electrically connecting a solid electrical conductor between the molten body and the external circuit; and mechanically supporting said molten body on a support structure by rotating at least said molten body about an axis at sufficient velocity to produce a centrifugal force on said molten body capable of holding the latter to the support structure.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
104 words
The method of passing an electric current between a mass of electrically conductive gas and an external circuit comprising: establishing electrical connection between the electrically conductive gas and the external circuit by placing a body of molten electrically conducting material in electrical contact with the electrically conductive gas and electrically connecting a solid electrical conductor between the molten body and the external circuit; and mechanically supporting said molten body on a support structure by rotating at least said molten body about an axis at sufficient velocity to produce a centrifugal force on said molten body capable of holding the latter to the support structure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 9 wherein the electrically conducting gas stream is at a temperature of at least about 2,000* K.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 9 wherein thE molten electrically conducting material is metal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, mutual alloys thereof and alloys thereof with iron, cobalt and nickel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 9 wherein the molten electrically conducting material is a nonmetal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a magnetohydrodynamic device including walls defining a flow channel for a high temperature, high velocity electrically conductive gas stream, means for generating a magnetic field transversely in the channel and spaced-apart electrode means for conducting electric current between the gas stream and an external circuit, an improved electrode structure which maintains efficient electrical connection with the gas stream over long operating periods, said electrode structure having a stationary liquid electrically conductive portion which is maintained at a temperature at least as high as its melting point and which is supported in said flow channel with a surface of the liquid in electrical contact with said gas stream, said electrode structure further having a solid electrically conducting portion contacting said liquid portion and extending from said body for connection to the external circuit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a magnetohydrodynamic device including walls defining a flow channel for a high temperature, high velocity electrically conductive gas stream, means for generating a magnetic field transversely in the channel and spaced-apart electrode means for conducting electric current between the gas stream and an external circuit, an improved electrode structure which maintains efficient electrical connection with the gas stream over long operating periods, said electrode structure having a stationary liquid electrically conductive portion which is maintained at a temperature at least as high as its melting point and which is supported in said flow channel with a surface of the liquid in electrical contact with said gas stream, said electrode structure further having a solid electrically conducting portion contacting said liquid portion and extending from said body for connection to the external circuit.
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) | 1974-10-18 | 1975-04-19 | 1975-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-18 | 1979-04-19 | 1979-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-18 | 1983-04-19 | 1983-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |