Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An alkali metal-sulphur cell comprising an outer tubular casing, an inner tubular solid electrolyte whose interior constitutes the cathode compartment of the cell containing sulphur material, said inner tubular solid electrolyte being spaced from said outer tubular casing to define an annular space therebetween, at least the part of said annular space adjacent to the outer surface of said inner tubular solid electrolyte constituting the anode compartment of the cell and containing alkali metal, an alkali metal reservoir from which alkali metal is supplied to said anode compartment, and means located between said outer tubular casing and said inner tubular solid electrolyte and surrounding the outer surface of said inner tubular solid electrolyte for limiting material upon mechanical failure of said solid electrolyte.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
An alkali metal-sulphur cell comprising an outer tubular casing, an inner tubular solid electrolyte whose interior constitutes the cathode compartment of the cell containing sulphur material, said inner tubular solid electrolyte being spaced from said outer tubular casing to define an annular space therebetween, at least the part of said annular space adjacent to the outer surface of said inner tubular solid electrolyte constituting the anode compartment of the cell and containing alkali metal, an alkali metal reservoir from which alkali metal is supplied to said anode compartment, and means located between said outer tubular casing and said inner tubular solid electrolyte and surrounding the outer surface of said inner tubular solid electrolyte for limiting material upon mechanical failure of said solid electrolyte.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
An alkali metal-sulphur cell according to claim 1 wherein said means comprises a coating on the outer surface of said inner tubular solid electrolyte for holding the solid electrolyte together in the event of fracture of the solid electrolyte.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
An alkali metal-sulphur cell according to claim 1 wherein said means comprises a filler material in said anode compartment operative to reduce the space in the anode compartment available for alkali metal, said filler material being a material which is inert to alkali metal and alkali-metal polysulphides at high temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
An alkali metal-sulphur cell according to claim 1 wherein an alkali-metal flow restrictor is provided between said reservoir and the anode compartment, said flow restriction being formed from a nonmetallic material selected from carbon felt treated so that it is wetted by alkali metal, ceramic cloth or felt, a sintered ceramic body, ceramic, carbon or glass beads.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
An alkali metal-sulphur cell according to claim 1 wherein said means comprises a covering on the inner surface of said outer tubular casing, said covering being fabricated of a material which is not readily corrodible by sodium polysulphide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An alkali metal-sulphur cell according to claim 2 wherein said coating is a metallic material selected from the group of aluminum, nickel and copper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An alkali metal-sulphur cell according to claim 2 wherein the coating is a sprayed-on coating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
An alkali metal-sulphur cell according to claim 2 wherein said coating is nonmetallic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
An alkali metal-sulphur cell according to claim 8 wherein said coating comprises a ceramic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An alkali metal-sulphur cell according to claim 3 wherein the filler material is selected from glass beads, steel shot, ceramic spheres, ceramic powder, silica carbide granules, graphite powder, and graphite spheres.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An alkali metal-sulphur cell according to claim 5 wherein said covering comprises a sleeve disposed adjacent said inner surface of said casing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
An alkali metal-sulphur cell according to claim 5 wherein said covering is selected from a. a carbon sleeve b. a ceramic, carbon or glass cloth c. a corrosion resistant metal shim d. a mica sleeve e. a glass or ceramic sleeve f. a ceramic spray coating g. a vitreous enamel coating, and h. a carburized steel coating.