US3879228A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photo-regenerative electrochemical energy converter
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1972-03-06
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1992-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A photoelectrochemical device for converting incident radiation energy to electrical energy through the utilization of a photochemically reversible galvanic cell. Basically, the device is constructed of a sealed transparent container into which is placed a chemically inert anode coated with a photo-responsive material and a chemically inert cathode. A compatible electrolytic solution is also disposed within the container and provides a conductivity path across the electrodes to complete the electrochemical circuit. Decomposition of the photoresponsive material is induced by incident radiation passing through the transparent container. The products of the photo reaction recombine electrochemically by passing an electric current through a resistance load connected externally to the anode and the cathode.
Inventors
- 👤 Ignatius E Theodorou
- 👤 Richard Payne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M14/00; H01M14/005; H01G; H01G9/00; H01G9/20; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/44; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY CONVERTER FOR CONVERTING INCIDENT RADIANT ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY WHICH COMPRISES A POTASSIUM CHLORIDE AQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE DISPOSED WITHIN A SEALED, INERT RADIATION-TRANSPARENT ENVELOPE, A FIRST ELECTRODE PHOTO-CHEEMICALLY RESPONSIVE TO INCIDENT RADIATION ENERGY AND COMPOSED OF A PLATINUM SUBSTRATE COATED WITH A THIN UNIFORM LAYER OF SILVER CHLORIDE, A SECOND ELECTRODE COMPOSED OF PLATINUM, SAID FIRST AND SECOND ELECTRODES BOTH IMMERSED WITHIN AND IN CONTACT WITH SAID ELECTROLYTE WHICH PROVIDES A CONDUCTIVITY PATH THEREBETWEEN.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY CONVERTER FOR CONVERTING INCIDENT RADIANT ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY WHICH COMPRISES A POTASSIUM CHLORIDE AQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE DISPOSED WITHIN A SEALED, INERT RADIATION-TRANSPARENT ENVELOPE, A FIRST ELECTRODE PHOTO-CHEEMICALLY RESPONSIVE TO INCIDENT RADIATION ENERGY AND COMPOSED OF A PLATINUM SUBSTRATE COATED WITH A THIN UNIFORM LAYER OF SILVER CHLORIDE, A SECOND ELECTRODE COMPOSED OF PLATINUM, SAID FIRST AND SECOND ELECTRODES BOTH IMMERSED WITHIN AND IN CONTACT WITH SAID ELECTROLYTE WHICH PROVIDES A CONDUCTIVITY PATH THEREBETWEEN.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
A photoelectrochemical energy converter for converting incident radiant energy into electrical energy which comprises a potassium chloride aqueous electrolyte disposed within a sealed, inert, radiation-transparent envelope, a first electrode photo-chemically responsive to incident radiation energy and composed of a platinum substrate coated with a thin uniform layer of silver chloride, a second electrode composed of platinum, said first and second electrodes both immersed within and in contact with said electrolyte which provides a conductivity path therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
A photoelectrochemical energy converter for converting incident radiant energy into electrical energy which comprises a potassium chloride aqueous electrolyte disposed within a sealed, inert, radiation-transparent envelope, a first electrode photo-chemically responsive to incident radiation energy and composed of a platinum substrate coated with a thin uniform layer of silver chloride, a second electrode composed of platinum, said first and second electrodes both immersed within and in contact with said electrolyte which provides a conductivity path therebetween.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |