US3702532A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrolytic gas operated actuator
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1971-03-29
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Granted: 1972-11-14
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Expires: 1991-03-29
Abstract
Abstract An actuator incorporating an electrolytic gas generatorevacuator is disclosed. A membrane of material selectively permeable to a drive gas is inserted in a combined inlet-outlet of an expandable chamber. The membrane forms a portion of an electrolytic cell by being immersed in a body of electrolyte capable of transporting an ionic species of the drive gas between the membrane as one electrode and a counter electrode. By connecting the combined inlet-outlet of the chamber to the outside surface of the membrane and cyclically driving the electrolytic cell in a drive gas generation mode and a drive gas evacuation mode, the chamber will cyclically expand and contract.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter G Simmonds
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:13
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03G; F03G7/00; F03G7/008; F03G7/011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A gas operated actuator including in combination: container means defining a drive gas impermeable, expandable chamber and having a combined drive gas inlet and drive gas outlet; a thin film selectively permeable to the drive gas when heated interposed in said inlet-outlet and having a first surface facing said chAmber; a body of electrolytic fluid disposed in contact with the obverse surface of said film, said fluid being capable of electrolytically transporting ionic species of the drive gas between electrodes; a counter electrode disposed in contact with said body of fluid; and potential means connected to said film and counter electrode forming an electrolytic cell through said body of fluid and for heating said film to the drive gas''s permeable temperature for the generation and evacuation of drive gas through said film.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A gas operated actuator including in combination: container means defining a drive gas impermeable, expandable chamber and having a combined drive gas inlet and drive gas outlet; a thin film selectively permeable to the drive gas when heated interposed in said inlet-outlet and having a first surface facing said chAmber; a body of electrolytic fluid disposed in contact with the obverse surface of said film, said fluid being capable of electrolytically transporting ionic species of the drive gas between electrodes; a counter electrode disposed in contact with said body of fluid; and potential means connected to said film and counter electrode forming an electrolytic cell through said body of fluid and for heating said film to the drive gas''s permeable temperature for the generation and evacuation of drive gas through said film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An actuator according to claim 1 in which said drive gas is hydrogen and said film comprises palladium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An actuator according to claim 2 in which said film is selected from the group consisting of palladium and alloys thereof with silver, gold or rhodium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An actuator according to claim 2 in which said electrolyte comprises a hydrated inorganic metal hydroxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An actuator according to claim 4 in which the electrolyte contains 10 to 35 percent water of hydration and is a mixture of sodium or potassium hydroxide with 10 to 25 percent of lithium hydroxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
An actuator according to claim 1 in which said potential means includes a polarity reversing switch for rendering said film anodic for generation of drive gas through said film to expand said chamber in a first polarity mode and for rendering said film cathodic for evacuation of drive gas through said film into said electrolyte fluid in a second polarity mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An actuator according to claim 1 in which said container means comprises a gas expandable bellows.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An actuator according to claim 1 in which said film comprises a hollow tubular body having a closed end immersed in said body and an open end communicating with the combined inlet-outlet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
An actuator according to claim 8 in which the counter electrode comprises a closed, hollow tubular member formed of a material permeable to drive gas when heated whereby drive gas is stored in said member during an evacuation mode of operation and is supplied by the member during a drive gas generation mode of operation.
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) | 1975-11-14 | 1976-05-15 | 1976-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-14 | 1980-05-15 | 1980-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-14 | 1984-05-15 | 1984-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |