US3989542A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photogalvanic device
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1975-02-14
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Granted: 1976-11-02
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Expires: 1995-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A photogalvanic device adaptable to the conversion of visible light to electrical energy, comprising a light-permeable cell; a light-sensitive electrolyte comprising a solution of a photoreducible dye and a material selected from the group consisting of a salt of iron, a salt of cobalt which is complexed with a chelating agent, and hydroquinone; a first electrode comprising a "N" type semiconductor material; a second electrode comprising an elemental metal having a valence of at least 2; a spacer element separating the first and second electrodes; means to seal the cell; and means for connecting the electrodes to an external circuit; the first and second electrodes are chemically inert to the electrolyte and are in contact therewith.
Inventors
- 👤 William Donald Kennedy Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:03
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01G; H01G9/00; H01G9/20; H01G9/2027; H10; H10K; H10K85/00; H10K85/60; H10K85/649; H10K85/657; H10K30/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/542
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A photogalvanic device comprising: a. a light-permeable cell; b. a light-sensitive liquid electrolyte comprising: 1. a solution of a photoreducible dye; and 2. a material selected from the group consisting of a salt of iron, a salt of cobalt which is complexed with a chelating agent, and hydroquinone. c. a first electrode comprising a "N" type semiconductor material having a bandgap greater than 3 electron volts; d. a second electrode comprising an elemental metal having a valence state of at least 2; e. a spacer element separating said first and second electrodes; f. means to seal the cell and exclude air therefrom; and g. means for connecting said electrodes to an external circuit, said first and second electrodes being chemically inert to the electrolyte solution and in contact therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A photogalvanic device comprising: a. a light-permeable cell; b. a light-sensitive liquid electrolyte comprising: 1. a solution of a photoreducible dye; and 2. a material selected from the group consisting of a salt of iron, a salt of cobalt which is complexed with a chelating agent, and hydroquinone. c. a first electrode comprising a "N" type semiconductor material having a bandgap greater than 3 electron volts; d. a second electrode comprising an elemental metal having a valence state of at least 2; e. a spacer element separating said first and second electrodes; f. means to seal the cell and exclude air therefrom; and g. means for connecting said electrodes to an external circuit, said first and second electrodes being chemically inert to the electrolyte solution and in contact therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said photoreducible dye is a thiazine dye.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein the "N" type semiconductor material is a compound consisting of a metal and a Group VIA non-metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as in claim 3 wherein the "N" type semiconductor material is stannic oxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device as in claim 1 wherein the second electrode consists of platinum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said material present in the electrolyte is a salt of iron.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein the material present in said electrolyte is a salt of cobalt complexed with the disodium salt of ethylene-diamine tetra-acetic acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as in claim 1 wherein the material present in the electrolyte is hydroquinone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein the spacer element is a polyelectrolyte membrane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device as in claim 1 wherein the light-sensitive electrolyte consists of a solution of thionine and an iron salt, the first electrode consists of stannic oxide and the second electrode consists of platinum.
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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) | 1979-11-02 | 1980-05-03 | 1980-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-02 | 1984-05-03 | 1984-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-02 | 1988-05-03 | 1988-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |