US3686566A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of operating a coulometric device
Assignee: Curtis Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1970-04-20
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Granted: 1972-08-22
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Expires: 1990-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A method for operating small coulometric devices having liquid metal electrodes is disclosed. The maximum operating current which such devices are capable of absorbing may be increased ten fold and more by superposing on the conventional direct operating current an alternating pacifying current.
Inventors
- 👤 Curtis C Beusman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R22/00; G01R22/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
The method of operating a coulometric device including a nonconductive body having a bore therein, two columns of liquid metal within said bore, each column extending from an end of said bore toward the other column such that a gap not filled by column metal exists between the endmost ends of the columns and a liquid electrolyte disposed within said gap and being in conductive contact with the endmost ends of said columns, said device being characterized by a maximum practical operating current in the absence of alternating current, which method comprises the steps of: energizing the coulometer with a direct operating current exceeding said maximum practical operating current in the absence of alternating current, the polarity of said operating current determining the normal coulometric function of said liquid metal columns; and superimposing on said operating current an alternating current having a frequency of less than about 2,000 cycles per second for pacifying the effects of electrolytic action due to said operating current.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
The method of operating a coulometric device including a nonconductive body having a bore therein, two columns of liquid metal within said bore, each column extending from an end of said bore toward the other column such that a gap not filled by column metal exists between the endmost ends of the columns and a liquid electrolyte disposed within said gap and being in conductive contact with the endmost ends of said columns, said device being characterized by a maximum practical operating current in the absence of alternating current, which method comprises the steps of: energizing the coulometer with a direct operating current exceeding said maximum practical operating current in the absence of alternating current, the polarity of said operating current determining the normal coulometric function of said liquid metal columns; and superimposing on said operating current an alternating current having a frequency of less than about 2,000 cycles per second for pacifying the effects of electrolytic action due to said operating current.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of operating a coulometric device according to claim 5 wherein the frequency of the pacifying alternating current is about 60 cycles per second.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of operating a coulometric device according to claim 1 and in which the amplitude of the pacifying alternating current is sufficient to cause an inversion of the normal coulometric functions of the liquid metal columns during a portion of each cycle of the pacifying current.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of operating a coulometric device according to claim 1 and in which the frequency of the pacifying alternating current is less than about 1,000 cycles per second.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3255413A
Cited
US3462684A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |