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US3972730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Pyrotechnically activated lithium-chlorine cell
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1975-06-25
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Granted: 1976-08-03
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Expires: 1995-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A pyrotechnically activated lithium-chlorine cell possessing high voltage,igh energy density and a high rate of discharge is composed of a porous graphite gas diffuser, a fused alkali metal salt electrolyte, a lithium anode in contact with the electrolyte, and a cartridge containing a pyrotechnic material disposed within the anode, all of the components being stacked inside a container that serves as the cell case. The porous gas diffuser is positioned within the cell case to provide a gas receiving chamber. Chlorine is introduced into the gas receiving chamber as the pyrotechnic material is ignited to activate the cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederic M. Bowers
- 👤 Judith H. Ambrus
- 👤 George S. Briggs
- 👤 Michael E. DeGraba
- 👤 Gary L. Green
- 👤 Allan S. Kushner
- 👤 Donald L. Warburton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:08
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/30; H01M6/36; H01M12/00; H01M12/04; H01M12/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A pyrotechnically activated lithium-chlorine primary cell comprising: a cell case; a porous graphite wafer positioned within the cell case to provide a gas receiving chamber; a fused salt electrolyte contiguous to the porous graphite wafer; an anode comprising a metal shield which contains a lithium impregnated metal matrix, the anode being in contact with the electrolyte and insulated from the cell case by a refractory electrical insulator, wherein the metal of the shield and the metal of the matrix are selected from the group consisting of nickel and nickel alloys; a metal cartridge containing a pyrotechnic material, the cartridge being disposed within the anode, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel and nickel alloys; a source of Cl 2 gas; means to introduce the Cl 2 gas into the gas receiving chamber; and means to activate the pyrotechnic material; wherein, chlorine gas is introduced into the gas receiving chamber and passed through the porous graphite wafer as the pyrotechnic material is activated thereby providing sufficient heat to melt the electrolyte, and to heat the entire cell to its operating temperature, thus generating the flow of ions between the cell electrodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
A pyrotechnically activated lithium-chlorine primary cell comprising: a cell case; a porous graphite wafer positioned within the cell case to provide a gas receiving chamber; a fused salt electrolyte contiguous to the porous graphite wafer; an anode comprising a metal shield which contains a lithium impregnated metal matrix, the anode being in contact with the electrolyte and insulated from the cell case by a refractory electrical insulator, wherein the metal of the shield and the metal of the matrix are selected from the group consisting of nickel and nickel alloys; a metal cartridge containing a pyrotechnic material, the cartridge being disposed within the anode, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel and nickel alloys; a source of Cl 2 gas; means to introduce the Cl 2 gas into the gas receiving chamber; and means to activate the pyrotechnic material; wherein, chlorine gas is introduced into the gas receiving chamber and passed through the porous graphite wafer as the pyrotechnic material is activated thereby providing sufficient heat to melt the electrolyte, and to heat the entire cell to its operating temperature, thus generating the flow of ions between the cell electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cell as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cell case is dense graphite.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cell as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fused salt electrolyte is an alkali metal salt or a mixture of alkali metal salts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cell as claimed in claim 3 wherein the metal matrix is a compressed, sintered fiber metal mat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cell as claimed in claim 4 wherein the anode is in intimate contact with the electrolyte.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cell as claimed in claim 5 wherein the cartridge is in intimate contact with the anode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cell as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fused salt electrolyte is a lithium chloride-potassium chloride eutectic mixture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cell as claimed in claim 7 wherein the metal matrix is a compressed, sintered fibermetal mat.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cell as claimed in claim 8 wherein the anode is in intimate contact with the electrolyte.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cell as claimed in claim 9 wherein the cartridge is in intimate contact with the anode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
204 words
A pyrotechnically activated lithium-chlorine primary cell comprising: a cell case which comprises a cylindrical, dense graphite cell case, the walls of said cell case being lined with a BN insulator; a porous graphite wafer positioned within the cell case to provide a gas receiving chamber; a LiCl - KCl eutectic fused salt electrolyte contiguous to the porous graphite wafer; an anode which comprises a nickel 200 cylinder containing a lithium impregnated nickel 200 compressed, sintered fibermetal mat, the anode being in intimate contact with the electrolyte and insulated from the cell case by the BN insulator; A cylindrical graphite-lined nickel 200 cartridge containing a mixture of aluminum, nickel and ferric oxide, the cartridge being concentrically disposed within and in intimate contact with the anode; a source of Cl 2 gas; an inlet to introduce the Cl 2 gas into the gas receiving chamber; and an electrical heating element to activate the pyrotechnic material; wherein, chlorine gas is introduced into the gas receiving chamber and passed through the porous graphite wafer as the pyrotechnic material is activated thereby providing sufficient heat to melt the electrolyte, and to heat the entire cell to its operating temperature, thus generating the flow of ions between the cell electrodes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
204 words
A pyrotechnically activated lithium-chlorine primary cell comprising: a cell case which comprises a cylindrical, dense graphite cell case, the walls of said cell case being lined with a BN insulator; a porous graphite wafer positioned within the cell case to provide a gas receiving chamber; a LiCl - KCl eutectic fused salt electrolyte contiguous to the porous graphite wafer; an anode which comprises a nickel 200 cylinder containing a lithium impregnated nickel 200 compressed, sintered fibermetal mat, the anode being in intimate contact with the electrolyte and insulated from the cell case by the BN insulator; A cylindrical graphite-lined nickel 200 cartridge containing a mixture of aluminum, nickel and ferric oxide, the cartridge being concentrically disposed within and in intimate contact with the anode; a source of Cl 2 gas; an inlet to introduce the Cl 2 gas into the gas receiving chamber; and an electrical heating element to activate the pyrotechnic material; wherein, chlorine gas is introduced into the gas receiving chamber and passed through the porous graphite wafer as the pyrotechnic material is activated thereby providing sufficient heat to melt the electrolyte, and to heat the entire cell to its operating temperature, thus generating the flow of ions between the cell electrodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A battery comprising a plurality of the pyrotechnically activated lithium-chlorine primary cells as claimed in claim 1.
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) | 1979-08-03 | 1980-02-02 | 1980-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-03 | 1984-02-02 | 1984-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-03 | 1988-02-02 | 1988-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |