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US3716413A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Rechargeable electrochemical power supply

Assignee: Saint Gobain Abrasives Inc
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Filing: 1970-07-15
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Granted: 1973-02-13
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Expires: 1990-07-15
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Abstract

Abstract This invention relates to an improvement in zinc-air and other rechargeable electric storage cells whereby the zinc-electrode surface is mechanically activated allowing the cell to be recharged very rapidly without the growth of dendrites on the zinc plates.

Inventors

  • 👤 S Eisner

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 19:30
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M12/00; H01M12/08; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/4214; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 173 words
A rechargeable electrochemical power supply comprising: a. a body of aqueous electrolyte; b. an electrically conductive cathode permeable to the passage of air and oxygen therethrough while being substantially impermeable to the passage of electrolyte, said cathode having a surface in electrolytic contact with said electrolyte and a means for supplying oxygen-containing gas to the interior of said cathode; c. a conductive anode material in electrolytic contact with said electrolyte; d. a supporting medium having a plurality of spaced small hard particles disposed between said anode and said cathode; e. means for establishing relative motion and contact between the surface on said anode material and the particles supported by said supporting means whereby the said entire surface of said anode material is continuously mechanically activated at least during any recharge cycle; f. electrical terminal means respectively electronically connected to said anode material and said cathode for interconnection to an electrical load; and g. means for interconnecting a source of electrical power to said terminals whereby the power supply is recharged for subsequent reuse.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 173 words
A rechargeable electrochemical power supply comprising: a. a body of aqueous electrolyte; b. an electrically conductive cathode permeable to the passage of air and oxygen therethrough while being substantially impermeable to the passage of electrolyte, said cathode having a surface in electrolytic contact with said electrolyte and a means for supplying oxygen-containing gas to the interior of said cathode; c. a conductive anode material in electrolytic contact with said electrolyte; d. a supporting medium having a plurality of spaced small hard particles disposed between said anode and said cathode; e. means for establishing relative motion and contact between the surface on said anode material and the particles supported by said supporting means whereby the said entire surface of said anode material is continuously mechanically activated at least during any recharge cycle; f. electrical terminal means respectively electronically connected to said anode material and said cathode for interconnection to an electrical load; and g. means for interconnecting a source of electrical power to said terminals whereby the power supply is recharged for subsequent reuse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 15 words
A rechargeable power supply as in claim 1 wherein the conductive anode material is zinc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 57 words
A rechargeable power supply as in claim 2 wherein the supporting medium containing the spaced particles thereon makes contact with the zinc anode only during the recharge cycle and a means is supplied to withdraw said supporting medium from the surface of the zinc anode during the period in which power is supplied to an external load.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 32 words
A rechargeable power supply as in claim 2 wherein said supporting means comprises an electrolyte-permeable matrix having said plurality of small particles adhered to in fixed spaced relationship one to the other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 16 words
A rechargeable power supply as in claim 4 wherein said matrix comprises a porous non-wOven web.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
A rechargeable power supply as in claim 4 wherein said matrix comprises an open-weave fabric.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 14 words
A rechargeable power supply as in claim 6 wherein said particles comprise abrasive grains.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 117 words
In a rechargeable electrochemical current generator including a reversible electrode and a counterelectrode, said reversible electrode having a working surface of active material confronting said counterelectrode, said active material being prone to develop growth formations extending toward said counterelectrode during recharge, the combination therewith of a supporting medium having a plurality of spaced small hard particles thereon interposed between said reversible electrode and said counterelectrode, means for imparting relative motion and contact between the working surface on said reversible electrode and the particles on said supporting medium at least during recharge whereby said entire working surface is continuously and repetitively mechanically activated and said supporting means continuously prevents said growth formations from forming on said working surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 117 words
In a rechargeable electrochemical current generator including a reversible electrode and a counterelectrode, said reversible electrode having a working surface of active material confronting said counterelectrode, said active material being prone to develop growth formations extending toward said counterelectrode during recharge, the combination therewith of a supporting medium having a plurality of spaced small hard particles thereon interposed between said reversible electrode and said counterelectrode, means for imparting relative motion and contact between the working surface on said reversible electrode and the particles on said supporting medium at least during recharge whereby said entire working surface is continuously and repetitively mechanically activated and said supporting means continuously prevents said growth formations from forming on said working surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 13 words
A rechargeable generator as in claim 8 wherein the reversible electrode is zinc.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3440098A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1976-02-13 1976-08-14 1977-02-13 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1980-02-13 1980-08-14 1981-02-13 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1984-02-13 1984-08-14 1985-02-13 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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