US3976509A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrolyte compositions
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1975-04-04
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Granted: 1976-08-24
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Expires: 1995-04-04
Abstract
Abstract In a reactive metal-water electrochemical cell, an alkaline electrolyte containing organic additives which reduce the parasitic direct corrosion reaction between the reactive metal and the water of the electrolyte. More particularly, the additives substantially reduce the activity of the water by forming inter-molecular hydrogen bonding between the organic additive and water. Illustratively, such organic additives include alcohols, nitrogen containing compounds such as amides, amines and hydrazine, and ketones, ethers and esters. Optionally, molarity of the electrolyte is controlled independent of water additions by chemically removing the reactive metal ions formed during discharge of the cell. This is accomplished by the controlled additions of precipitating agents to the electrolyte to form insoluble salts.
Inventors
- 👤 Keh Chi Tsai
- 👤 Ernest L. Littauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/26; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
An electrochemical cell consisting essentially of a reactive metal anode highly reactive with water and spaced from a cathode by an electrically insulating film formed on said anode in the presence of water, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte in which said anode and cathode are immersed, said electrolyte permitting, at the anode, electrochemical dissolution of reactive metal to aqueous reactive metal ions, formation of an aqueous salt to a solid salt in the form of a porous film on the anode and, at the cathode, reduction of water, and an organic solvent in said electrolyte which reduces direct corrosion/parasitic reaction at said anode by hydrogen bonding with the water in said electrolyte while having only a minor inhibiting influence on said anode-cathode reactions, said organic solvent being at least one alcohol selected from the group of alcohols consisting of methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, ethyl alcohol, allyl alcohol and propyl alcohol.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
An electrochemical cell consisting essentially of a reactive metal anode highly reactive with water and spaced from a cathode by an electrically insulating film formed on said anode in the presence of water, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte in which said anode and cathode are immersed, said electrolyte permitting, at the anode, electrochemical dissolution of reactive metal to aqueous reactive metal ions, formation of an aqueous salt to a solid salt in the form of a porous film on the anode and, at the cathode, reduction of water, and an organic solvent in said electrolyte which reduces direct corrosion/parasitic reaction at said anode by hydrogen bonding with the water in said electrolyte while having only a minor inhibiting influence on said anode-cathode reactions, said organic solvent being at least one alcohol selected from the group of alcohols consisting of methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, ethyl alcohol, allyl alcohol and propyl alcohol.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrochemical cell in accordance with claim 1, wherein said alcohol is methanol present in an amount of from about 10 to about 40 volume percent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrochemical cell in accordance with claim 1, wherein said electrolyte is an alkali metal hydroxide containing methanol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
152 words
An electrochemical cell consisting essentially of a reactive metal anode highly reactive with water and spaced from a cathode by an electrically insulating film formed on said anode in the presence of water, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte in which said anode and cathode are immersed, said electrolyte permitting, at the anode, electrochemical dissolution of reactive metal to aqueous reactive metal ions, formation of an aqueous salt to a solid salt in the form of a porous film on the anode and, at the cathode, reduction of water, and an organic solvent in said electrolyte which reduces direct corrosion/parasitic reaction at said anode by hydrogen bonding with the water in said electrolyte while having only a minor inhibiting influence on said anode-cathode reactions, said organic solvent being at least one amine selected from the group of amines consisting of ethyl amine, propyl amine, hydroxyl amine, ethylene diamine, diethylemetriamine, pyridine, aniline and dimethyl amine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
152 words
An electrochemical cell consisting essentially of a reactive metal anode highly reactive with water and spaced from a cathode by an electrically insulating film formed on said anode in the presence of water, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte in which said anode and cathode are immersed, said electrolyte permitting, at the anode, electrochemical dissolution of reactive metal to aqueous reactive metal ions, formation of an aqueous salt to a solid salt in the form of a porous film on the anode and, at the cathode, reduction of water, and an organic solvent in said electrolyte which reduces direct corrosion/parasitic reaction at said anode by hydrogen bonding with the water in said electrolyte while having only a minor inhibiting influence on said anode-cathode reactions, said organic solvent being at least one amine selected from the group of amines consisting of ethyl amine, propyl amine, hydroxyl amine, ethylene diamine, diethylemetriamine, pyridine, aniline and dimethyl amine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
148 words
An electrochemical cell consisting essentially of a reactive metal anode highly reactive with water and spaced from a cathode by an electrically insulating film formed on said anode in the presence of water, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte in which said anode and cathode are immersed, said electrolyte permitting, at the anode, electrochemical dissolution of reactive metal to aqueous reactive metal ions, formation of an aqueous salt to a solid salt in the form of a porous film on the anode and, at the cathode, reduction of water, and an organic solvent in said electrolyte which reduces direct corrosion/parasitic reaction at said anode by hydrogen bonding with the water in said electrolyte while having only a minor inhibiting influence on said anode-cathode reactions, said organic solvent being at least one amide selected from the group of amides consisting of formamide, N-methyl-formamide, dimethylformamide, acetamide, N-methyl-acetamide, N, N-dimethylacetamide, and N-methyl propionamide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
148 words
An electrochemical cell consisting essentially of a reactive metal anode highly reactive with water and spaced from a cathode by an electrically insulating film formed on said anode in the presence of water, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte in which said anode and cathode are immersed, said electrolyte permitting, at the anode, electrochemical dissolution of reactive metal to aqueous reactive metal ions, formation of an aqueous salt to a solid salt in the form of a porous film on the anode and, at the cathode, reduction of water, and an organic solvent in said electrolyte which reduces direct corrosion/parasitic reaction at said anode by hydrogen bonding with the water in said electrolyte while having only a minor inhibiting influence on said anode-cathode reactions, said organic solvent being at least one amide selected from the group of amides consisting of formamide, N-methyl-formamide, dimethylformamide, acetamide, N-methyl-acetamide, N, N-dimethylacetamide, and N-methyl propionamide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
An electrochemical cell consisting essentially of a reactive metal anode highly reactive with water and spaced from a cathode by an electrically insulating film formed on said anode in the presence of water, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte in which said anode and cathode are immersed, said electrolyte permitting, at the anode, electrochemical dissolution of reactive metal to aqueous reactive metal ions, formation of an aqueous salt to a solid salt in the form of a porous film on the anode and, at the cathode, reduction of water, and an organic solvent in said electrolyte which reduces direct corrosion/parasitic reaction at said anode by hydrogen bonding with the water in said electrolyte while having only a minor inhibiting influence on said anode-cathode reactions, said organic solvent being hydrazine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
127 words
An electrochemical cell consisting essentially of a reactive metal anode highly reactive with water and spaced from a cathode by an electrically insulating film formed on said anode in the presence of water, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte in which said anode and cathode are immersed, said electrolyte permitting, at the anode, electrochemical dissolution of reactive metal to aqueous reactive metal ions, formation of an aqueous salt to a solid salt in the form of a porous film on the anode and, at the cathode, reduction of water, and an organic solvent in said electrolyte which reduces direct corrosion/parasitic reaction at said anode by hydrogen bonding with the water in said electrolyte while having only a minor inhibiting influence on said anode-cathode reactions, said organic solvent being hydrazine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
145 words
An electrochemical cell consisting essentially of a rective metal anode highly reactive with water and spaced from a cathode by an electrically insulating film formed on said anode in the presence of water, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte in which said anode and cathode are immersed, said electrolyte permitting, at the anode, electrochemical dissolution of reactive metal to aqueous reactive metal ions, formation of an aqueous salt to a solid salt in the form of a porous film on the anode and, at the cathode, reduction of water, and an organic solvent in said electrolyte which reduces direct corrosion/parasitic reaction at said anode by hydrogen bonding with the water in said electrolyte while having only a minor inhibiting influence on said anode-cathode reactions, said organic solvent being at least one ketone selected from the group of ketones consisting of acetone, ethyl methyl ketone and diethyl ketone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
An electrochemical cell consisting essentially of a rective metal anode highly reactive with water and spaced from a cathode by an electrically insulating film formed on said anode in the presence of water, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte in which said anode and cathode are immersed, said electrolyte permitting, at the anode, electrochemical dissolution of reactive metal to aqueous reactive metal ions, formation of an aqueous salt to a solid salt in the form of a porous film on the anode and, at the cathode, reduction of water, and an organic solvent in said electrolyte which reduces direct corrosion/parasitic reaction at said anode by hydrogen bonding with the water in said electrolyte while having only a minor inhibiting influence on said anode-cathode reactions, said organic solvent being at least one ketone selected from the group of ketones consisting of acetone, ethyl methyl ketone and diethyl ketone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
142 words
An electrochemical cell consisting essentially of a reactive metal anode highly reactive with water and spaced from a cathode by an electrically insulating film formed on said anode in the presence of water, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte in which said anode and cathode are immersed, said electrolyte permitting, at the anode, electrochemical dissolution of reactive metal to aqueous reactive metal ions, formation of an aqueous salt to a solid salt in the form of a porous film on the anode and, at the cathode, reduction of water, and an organic solvent in said electrolyte which reduces direct corrosion/parasitic reaction at said anode by hydrogen bonding with the water in said electrolyte while having only a minor inhibiting influence on said anode-cathode reactions, said organic solvent being at least one ether selected from the group of ethers consisting of biacetyl and ethy ether.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
142 words
An electrochemical cell consisting essentially of a reactive metal anode highly reactive with water and spaced from a cathode by an electrically insulating film formed on said anode in the presence of water, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte in which said anode and cathode are immersed, said electrolyte permitting, at the anode, electrochemical dissolution of reactive metal to aqueous reactive metal ions, formation of an aqueous salt to a solid salt in the form of a porous film on the anode and, at the cathode, reduction of water, and an organic solvent in said electrolyte which reduces direct corrosion/parasitic reaction at said anode by hydrogen bonding with the water in said electrolyte while having only a minor inhibiting influence on said anode-cathode reactions, said organic solvent being at least one ether selected from the group of ethers consisting of biacetyl and ethy ether.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
145 words
An electrochemical cell consisting essentially of a reactive metal anode highly reactive with water and spaced from a cathode by an electrically insulating film formed on said anode in the presence of water, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte in which said anode and cathode are immersed, said electrolyte permitting, at the anode, electrochemical dissolution of reactive metal to aqueous reactive metal ions, formation of an aqueous salt to a solid salt in the form of a porous film on the anode and, at the cathode, reduction of water, and an organic solvent in said electrolyte which reduces direct corrosion/parasitic reaction at said anode by hydrogen bonding with the water in said electrolyte while having only a minor inhibiting influence on said anode-cathode reactions, said organic solvent being at least one ester selected from the group of esters consisting of tetrahydrofuran, dioxan, methyl formate and methyl acetate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
145 words
An electrochemical cell consisting essentially of a reactive metal anode highly reactive with water and spaced from a cathode by an electrically insulating film formed on said anode in the presence of water, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte in which said anode and cathode are immersed, said electrolyte permitting, at the anode, electrochemical dissolution of reactive metal to aqueous reactive metal ions, formation of an aqueous salt to a solid salt in the form of a porous film on the anode and, at the cathode, reduction of water, and an organic solvent in said electrolyte which reduces direct corrosion/parasitic reaction at said anode by hydrogen bonding with the water in said electrolyte while having only a minor inhibiting influence on said anode-cathode reactions, said organic solvent being at least one ester selected from the group of esters consisting of tetrahydrofuran, dioxan, methyl formate and methyl acetate.
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) | 1979-08-24 | 1980-02-23 | 1980-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-24 | 1984-02-23 | 1984-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-24 | 1988-02-23 | 1988-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |