US4015054A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrolytic cells
Assignee: National Research Development Corp UK
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Filing: 1975-08-18
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Granted: 1977-03-29
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Expires: 1995-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A lithium/chalcogen thermal cell having a ceramic electrolyte and a lithium ion-containing salt intermediate the anode and the electrolyte. The chalcogen is preferably selenium or sulphur and the ceramic electrolyte is preferably βalumina, or β"alumina, or Li 4 SiO 4 , or Li 4 TiO 4 . Contact between the anode and the electrolyte is prevented by the intermediate salt and the ceramic electrolyte prevents self discharge of the cell resulting from dissolution of the electrode materials.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Cleaver
- 👤 Geoffrey John Rowlands
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:23
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/36; H01M10/39; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M4/64; H01M4/70; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
An electrolyte cell comprising: a. an anode formed of a material including lithium, b. a ceramic electrolyte selected from the group consisting of β alumina and β" alumina, c. a cathode containing a chalcogen, and d. a salt containing lithium ions which salt is interposed between the anode and the electrolyte.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
An electrolyte cell comprising: a. an anode formed of a material including lithium, b. a ceramic electrolyte selected from the group consisting of β alumina and β" alumina, c. a cathode containing a chalcogen, and d. a salt containing lithium ions which salt is interposed between the anode and the electrolyte.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrolytic cell as claimed in claim 1 in which the chalcogen is selected from the group consisting of selenium and sulphur.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electrolytic cell as claimed in claim 1 in which the anode comprises a reticulated metal foam, said lithium being held in the cells of said reticulated metal foam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrolytic cell as claimed in claim 1 in which the lithium containing anode comprises an alloy of lithium and sodium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrolytic cell as claimed in claim 1 including an inert filler in which said salt is immobilised.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrolytic cell as claimed in claim 4 in which the said salt contains lithium and sodium ions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrolyte cell as claimed in claim 1 in which the anode comprises an alloy of lithium and aluminum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
An electrolytic cell comprising: a. an inert pot which encloses the cell, b. a chalcogen cathode, c. a cylinder of carbon felt suspended in the cathode material and forming the current collector therefor, d. an electrolyte comprising a pot of lithium-conducting ceramic material suspended within the cathode material, e. a lithium ion-containing salt contained within the electrolyte pot, f. an inert tube having an open end and a closed end, said tube being suspended within the lithium ion-containing salt with its open end lowermost, g. a lithium anode which is contained at the closed end of the inert tube, and, h. a lid closing said inert pot and from which said carbon felt cylinder, said ceramic pot, and said inert tube are suspended in their respective positions within said inert pot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
131 words
An electrolytic cell comprising: a. an inert pot which encloses the cell, b. a chalcogen cathode, c. a cylinder of carbon felt suspended in the cathode material and forming the current collector therefor, d. an electrolyte comprising a pot of lithium-conducting ceramic material suspended within the cathode material, e. a lithium ion-containing salt contained within the electrolyte pot, f. an inert tube having an open end and a closed end, said tube being suspended within the lithium ion-containing salt with its open end lowermost, g. a lithium anode which is contained at the closed end of the inert tube, and, h. a lid closing said inert pot and from which said carbon felt cylinder, said ceramic pot, and said inert tube are suspended in their respective positions within said inert pot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrolytic cell of claim 8, wherein said electrolyte is β alumina or β" alumina.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
A multicell battery in which cell comprises a. a first, and a second, conductive, flanged end piece, b. a lithium-aluminum alloy anode contained in the first end piece, c. a plate of lithium-conducting ceramic forming the electrolyte, d. a layer of lithium ion-containing salt immobilised in an inert filler and contained in the first end piece, and, e. a sulphur impregnated, carbon felt cathode contained in the second end piece; said ceramic electrolyte being interposed between said end pieces to prevent contact between the flanges thereof, and said layer of lithium ion-containing salt being interposed between said anode and said ceramic electrolyte to prevent contact thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
A multicell battery in which cell comprises a. a first, and a second, conductive, flanged end piece, b. a lithium-aluminum alloy anode contained in the first end piece, c. a plate of lithium-conducting ceramic forming the electrolyte, d. a layer of lithium ion-containing salt immobilised in an inert filler and contained in the first end piece, and, e. a sulphur impregnated, carbon felt cathode contained in the second end piece; said ceramic electrolyte being interposed between said end pieces to prevent contact between the flanges thereof, and said layer of lithium ion-containing salt being interposed between said anode and said ceramic electrolyte to prevent contact thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The multicell battery of claim 10, wherein said electrolyte is β alumina or β" alumina.
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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) | 1980-03-28 | 1980-09-27 | 1981-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-28 | 1984-09-27 | 1985-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-28 | 1988-09-27 | 1989-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |