US3657017A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-feeding sea water battery
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-10-20
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Granted: 1972-04-18
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Expires: 1990-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A galvanic cell or battery is powered by a centrally disposed anode and an outwardly, edgewise-spaced and disposed group of outwardly disposed cathodes of dissimilar electrolytically reactive metal, and has lever-operated lifting means or spring means for automatically adjusting the relation between the cathodes and the anode as the anode is destructively worn away during power generating utilization of the battery. The adjusting means is adapted to exert lateral, radial or axial pressure on the group of cathodes to urge them against insulating means which defines a desired operative spacing between the anode and the group of cathodes. Wire screen material is folded or wound about and is secured on a centrally positioned metal backing member to provide cathode elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert E Ketler Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:21
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/30; H01M6/32; H01M6/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
In a galvanic battery for generating electrical energy in a salt water electrolyte environment, a support frame structure, a metal anode and a cooperating group of metal cathodes carried by said frame structure, first means for positioning said cathodes in an operative spaced relation with respect to said anode, and second means cooperating with said first means for automatically adjusting the positioning of said cathodes with respect to said anode to retain the minimum operatIve spacing therebetween by urging said cathodes and said anode towards each other during the operating life of the battery.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a galvanic battery for generating electrical energy in a salt water electrolyte environment, a support frame structure, a metal anode and a cooperating group of metal cathodes carried by said frame structure, first means for positioning said cathodes in an operative spaced relation with respect to said anode, and second means cooperating with said first means for automatically adjusting the positioning of said cathodes with respect to said anode to retain the minimum operatIve spacing therebetween by urging said cathodes and said anode towards each other during the operating life of the battery.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
In a battery as defined in claim 1, said cathodes having an endwise-positioned operative positioning with respect to an opposed operating surface of said anode, and said second means having means applying an inward force on said cathodes for moving said cathodes towards the opposed operating surface of the anode progressively as it erodes during the operation of the battery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
In a battery as defined in claim 1, said first means comprising insulating means interposed between said cathodes and said anode, and said second means is adapted to wedge said insulating means against an opposed operating surface of said anode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
In a battery as defined in claim 1, said cathodes being suspended by said support frame structure as an outwardly positioned group with respect to and along said anode, and said cathodes having wide side portions in a spaced relation with respect to each other and having narrow edge faces in a facing power-generating spaced relation with respect to said anode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a battery as defined in claim 4, each of said cathodes having a metal central support member, metal screening layered on said body member, and said screening having interstices open therethrough to said support member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a battery as defined in claim 5, said metal screening being secured in a wrapped around relation on said support member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a battery as defined in claim 5, said metal screening being secured in a folded relation on opposite sides of said support member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
In a battery as defined in claim 5, said support member being of grid-like construction to cooperate with said metal screening for flowing electrolyte therethrough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
In a battery as defined in claim 1, said first means comprising insulating spacer means mounted on said cathodes and interposed between said cathodes and said anode, and said second means comprising force-applying means that is resisted by said insulating spacer means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
In a battery as defined in claim 9, said second means being flexible means urging said cathodes towards said anode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a battery as defined in claim 9, said second means being a lever mechanism carried by said support structure and operatively connected to said cathodes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
In a battery as defined in claim 9, said second means being a lever system connected to said support frame and suspending said cathodes therefrom for urging said cathodes laterally towards said anode when a lifting force is applied to said lever system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
In a battery as defined in claim 9, said second means comprises spring means about said cathodes and urging them radially inwardly towards said anode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
In a battery as defined in claim 13, said support frame structure having upper and lower slotted end members, and said cathodes being operatively positioned for inward sliding movement along the slots of said upper and lower end members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a battery as defined in claim 9, said anode being of somewhat frusto-conical shape and being surrounded by said group of cathodes, said group of cathodes being positioned in a complementary sloped relation with respect to said anode, and said second means comprising: a rubberlike boot resiliently connecting upper end portions of said cathodes with said support structure and about said anode, and spring and plunger means connected between a lower portion of said support structure and said cathodes for urging said cathodes vertically upwardly towards said anode in an inclined plane represented by the slope of said anode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
119 words
In an improved galvanic battery for generating electrical energy and maintaining full power throughout its life as utilized in a salt water electrolyte environment, a support structure, a metal anode carried centrally by said support structure, a cooperating group of metal cathodes of elongated substantially planar shape suspended from said support structure in an endwise-opposed and Spaced relation with respect to an operating surface of said anode, first means for limiting the minimum operative spacing of said cathodes with respect to said anode, and second means cooperating with said first means for automatically adjusting the positioning of said cathodes with respect to said anodes to substantially retain the minimum operative spacing therebetween during the operating life of the battery.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
119 words
In an improved galvanic battery for generating electrical energy and maintaining full power throughout its life as utilized in a salt water electrolyte environment, a support structure, a metal anode carried centrally by said support structure, a cooperating group of metal cathodes of elongated substantially planar shape suspended from said support structure in an endwise-opposed and Spaced relation with respect to an operating surface of said anode, first means for limiting the minimum operative spacing of said cathodes with respect to said anode, and second means cooperating with said first means for automatically adjusting the positioning of said cathodes with respect to said anodes to substantially retain the minimum operative spacing therebetween during the operating life of the battery.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
In an improved battery as defined in claim 16, insulation secured on surface portions of said anode that are remote from said cathodes for protecting said portions from erosion.
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) | 1975-04-18 | 1975-10-18 | 1976-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-18 | 1979-10-18 | 1980-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-18 | 1983-10-18 | 1984-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |