Patent US4048383A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4048383A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combination cell
Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute Inc
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Filing: 1976-02-09
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Granted: 1977-09-13
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Expires: 1996-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A combination water electrolyzer and fuel cell for selectively storing and supplying energy while in a substantially fixed position, typically comprising a pan held in a substantially horizontal position, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte (e.g., NaOH) held within the pan at elevated temperature, means communicating with a supply of hydrogen and forming a container for the hydrogen within the pan, a thin nonporous corrosion resistant hydrogen diffusion negative electrode (e.g., PdAg) having a porous support positioned within the pan and having one surface on contact with the electrolyte and an opposite surface communicating with the hydrogen, means communicating with a supply of oxygen and furnishing the oxygen to a region contiguous with the exposed surface of the electrolyte, a thin porous corrosion resistant positive electrode (e.g., Pt or alloy thereof) in contact with the electrolyte and having a thin substantially flat major portion yieldably supported to float adjacent and substantially parallel to the upper surface of the electrolyte with a substantial portion of the surface of the positive electrode contacted by electrolyte and adjacent an interface of the electrolyte and the oxygen, and means for connecting the electrodes selectively either to a source of direct current for charging the cell or to an electric load circuit for using the energy stored in the cell when charged. Typically included are an insulating member fitting onto the upper portion of the cell and shaped to hold another such cell; at least one additional such cell, each held by the insulating member of the cell beneath it; means for storing in a first confined region the supply of hydrogen, including that produced during charging; and means for storing in a second confined region the supply of oxygen, including that produced during charging, with the partial pressure of the oxygen at least about 5 psia.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Clifford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:36
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/18; H01M8/184; H01M8/186; H01M4/00; H01M4/86; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
332 words
A combination water electrolyzer and fuel cell for selectively storing and supplying energy while in a substantially fixed position comprising a pan held in a substantially horizontal position, an aqueous electrolyte held within the pan, means communicating with a supply of hydrogen and forming a container for the hydrogen within the pan, a nonporous hydrogen diffusion negative electrode positioned within the pan, forming at least a portion of the hydrogen container, and having one surface in contact with the electrolyte and an opposite surface communicating with the hydrogen, means communicating with a supply of oxygen and furnishing the oxygen to a region contiguous with the exposed surface of the electrolyte, a porous positive electrode in contact with the electrolyte and having a thin substantially flat major portion adjacent and substantially parallel to the upper surface of the electrolyte with a substantial portion of the surface of the positive electrode contacted by electrolyte and adjacent an interface of the electrolyte and the oxygen, the positive electrode comprising a thin porous conductive member, having on its upper surface a thin porous substantially hydrophobic and nonconductive coating, yieldably supported to permit it to float on the electrolyte with the pores of the electrode at least partly below the upper surface of the electrolyte, means for connecting the electrodes selectively either to a source of direct current for charging the cell or to an electric load circuit for using the energy stored in the cell when charged, means for storing in a first confined region the supply of hydrogen, including that produced during charging, means for storing in a second confined region the supply of oxygen, including that produced during charging, means for maintaining the temperature, current density, and electrolyte purity and concentration during charging such that substantially all of the hydrogen gas is formed in the hydrogen container, and means, comprising the hydrogen container and means communicating therewith and forming an enclosure around the first confined region, for keeping the hydrogen separated from the oxygen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
332 words
A combination water electrolyzer and fuel cell for selectively storing and supplying energy while in a substantially fixed position comprising a pan held in a substantially horizontal position, an aqueous electrolyte held within the pan, means communicating with a supply of hydrogen and forming a container for the hydrogen within the pan, a nonporous hydrogen diffusion negative electrode positioned within the pan, forming at least a portion of the hydrogen container, and having one surface in contact with the electrolyte and an opposite surface communicating with the hydrogen, means communicating with a supply of oxygen and furnishing the oxygen to a region contiguous with the exposed surface of the electrolyte, a porous positive electrode in contact with the electrolyte and having a thin substantially flat major portion adjacent and substantially parallel to the upper surface of the electrolyte with a substantial portion of the surface of the positive electrode contacted by electrolyte and adjacent an interface of the electrolyte and the oxygen, the positive electrode comprising a thin porous conductive member, having on its upper surface a thin porous substantially hydrophobic and nonconductive coating, yieldably supported to permit it to float on the electrolyte with the pores of the electrode at least partly below the upper surface of the electrolyte, means for connecting the electrodes selectively either to a source of direct current for charging the cell or to an electric load circuit for using the energy stored in the cell when charged, means for storing in a first confined region the supply of hydrogen, including that produced during charging, means for storing in a second confined region the supply of oxygen, including that produced during charging, means for maintaining the temperature, current density, and electrolyte purity and concentration during charging such that substantially all of the hydrogen gas is formed in the hydrogen container, and means, comprising the hydrogen container and means communicating therewith and forming an enclosure around the first confined region, for keeping the hydrogen separated from the oxygen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A cell as in claim 1, comprising also an insulating member fitting onto the upper portion of the cell and shaped to hold another such cell, and at least one additional such cell, each held by the insulating member of the cell beneath it.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A cell as in claim 1, comprising also means for maintaining the partial pressure of the oxygen in the second confined region at about 5 to 3000 psia.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cell as in claim 1, comprising also means for maintaining the temperature of the electrolyte at least at about 100° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein the negative electrode comprises a thin member on a porous support held in a substantially horizontal position to form, with the bottom portion of the pan, the container for the hydrogen within the pan, and with the upper surface of the thin member supporting the electrolyte.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein the negative electrode comprises a thin tube immersed in the electrolyte and with the inside of the tube comprising the means communicating with the supply of hydrogen and forming the container for the hydrogen within the pan.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A cell as in claim 6, wherein the tube comprises a thin conductive outer layer on a porous tubular support.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cell as in claim 6, wherein the pan has an insulating inner surface that supports the tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein the surface of the negative electrode in contact with the electrolyte comprises a corrosion resistant alloy consisting essentially of a major amount of palladium and a minor amount of silver.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cell as in claim 9, wherein the alloy consists essentially of about 10 to 45 percent by weight of silver and the balance palladium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cell as in claim 10, wherein the negative electrode comprises a conductive layer about 0.2 to 80 micrometers thick in contact with the electrolyte on a porous support in contact with the hydrogen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein the distance between the adjacent surfaces of the positive and negative electrodes is about 0.2 to 30 millimeters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein the electrolyte comprises an alkaline solution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein the electrolyte comprises sodium hydroxide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein the electrolyte comprises about 35 to 85 percent sodium hydroxide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein the positive electrode comprises a corrosion resistant material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein the positive electrode comprises platinum or an alloy thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
A cell as in claim 17, wherein the ratio of surface area to weight of the active surface material of the positive electrode is about 0.02 to 0.5 square meter per gram.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein the positive electrode comprises an alloy including platinum and rhodium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein at least part of the yieldable support is provided by springs or other flexible members.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein at least part of the yieldable support is provided by the buoyancy of the electrolyte.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a layer about 0.1 to 400 micrometers thick comprising essentially polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein the major portion of the positive electrode is about 0.5 to 100 micrometers thick.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein the average distance between the substantial portion of the surface contacted by electrolyte and the interface of the electrolyte and the oxygen is about 0.2 to 50 micrometers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein the connecting means include a plurality of flexible connectors to the positive electrode.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
66 words
A cell as in claim 1, comprising at least one additional such cell, each held by the insulating member of the cell beneath it, with a plurality of flexible conductive members connecting respective regions on the lower surface of the negative electrode in each additional cell to the regions directly beneath them on the adjacent upper surface of the positive electrode of the cell beneath it.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cell as in claim 1, including a thin flexible portion extending outward from the major portion of the positive electrode and connected to the pan above the upper surface of the electrolyte.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein the positive electrode includes an upwardly extending rim along its perimeter.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cell as in claim 1, comprising means for limiting the vertical movement of the positive electrode.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
A cell as in claim 1, wherein the positive electrode includes a downwardly extending portion shaped to stop any downward movement at a position where the substantially flat lower surface is closely spaced from the nearest surface of the negative electrode.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
51 words
A cell as in claim 30, wherein the downwardly extending portion includes capillary means for maintaining electrical contact between the electrolyte and the major portion of the positive electrode should the level of the upper surface of the electrolyte fall below the position of the major portion of the positive electrode.
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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) | 1980-09-12 | 1981-03-14 | 1981-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-12 | 1985-03-14 | 1985-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-12 | 1989-03-14 | 1989-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |