US4049885A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Construction for solid electrolyte in sodium/sulfur battery
Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
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Filing: 1976-10-12
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Granted: 1977-09-20
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Expires: 1996-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A high surface area short diffusion path sodium/sulfur cell is provided having a plurality of half-cells in spaced-apart planes extending through the block in a first direction with a second group of half-cells in the planes intermediate the planes of the first group of half-cells extending through the block in a direction normal to the direction of the first group of half-cells. The construction is strong and stable, provides for large surface area contact with the cell reactants and avoids narrow passageways which result in high resistance. The sodium and sulfur can be circulated through the active cell volume during charging and discharging of the battery permitting large storage capacity. Current collection can be achieved employing graphite fibers twisted between aluminum wires, with the aluminum wires welded to an aluminum manifold.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Paul Mitoff
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; H01M10/3909; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A sodium-sulfur solid electrolyte battery wherein sodium is the negative electrode reactant and sulfur is the positive electrode reactant comprising: a ceramic block having a plurality of parallel half-cells in spaced-apart planes in a first direction for negative electrode reactant and in a second direction normal to said first direction for positive electrode reactant; means connected to said negative electrode half-cell for introducing negative electrode reactant into said negative electrode half-cell; means connected to said positive electrode half-cell for circulating positive electrode reactant through said positive electrode half-cell; and means for collecting current from said positive electrode reactant in said positive electrode half-cell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A sodium-sulfur solid electrolyte battery wherein sodium is the negative electrode reactant and sulfur is the positive electrode reactant comprising: a ceramic block having a plurality of parallel half-cells in spaced-apart planes in a first direction for negative electrode reactant and in a second direction normal to said first direction for positive electrode reactant; means connected to said negative electrode half-cell for introducing negative electrode reactant into said negative electrode half-cell; means connected to said positive electrode half-cell for circulating positive electrode reactant through said positive electrode half-cell; and means for collecting current from said positive electrode reactant in said positive electrode half-cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A sodium-sulfur solid electrolyte battery according to claim 1, wherein said ceramic block is β-alumina and said positive electrode half-cell have a cross-section of from 1.5 to 3 times the cross-section of said negative electrode half-cell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A sodium-sulfur solid electrolyte battery according to claim 1, wherein said ceramic block is β-alumina.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A sodium-sulfur solid electrolyte battery according to claim 3, wherein said means for collecting current from said positive electrode reactant in said positive electrode half-cell comprises aluminum wires twisted about graphite fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
129 words
A sodium-sulfur solid electrolyte battery, wherein sodium is the negative electrode reactant and sulfur is the positive electrode reactant comprising: a β-alumina block having a plurality of oval half-cells in spaced-apart planes in a first direction for negative electrode reactant and in a second direction normal to said first direction for positive electrode reactant; means connected to said negative electrode half-cell for introducing negative electrode reactant into said negative electrode half-cell; a negative electrode reactant reservoir connected to said negative electrode reactant introducing means; means connected to said positive electrode half-cell for circulating positive electrode reactant through said positive electrode half-cell; a positive electrode reactant reservoir connected to said positive electrode reactant circulating means; and means for collecting current from said positive electrode reactant in said positive electrode half-cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
129 words
A sodium-sulfur solid electrolyte battery, wherein sodium is the negative electrode reactant and sulfur is the positive electrode reactant comprising: a β-alumina block having a plurality of oval half-cells in spaced-apart planes in a first direction for negative electrode reactant and in a second direction normal to said first direction for positive electrode reactant; means connected to said negative electrode half-cell for introducing negative electrode reactant into said negative electrode half-cell; a negative electrode reactant reservoir connected to said negative electrode reactant introducing means; means connected to said positive electrode half-cell for circulating positive electrode reactant through said positive electrode half-cell; a positive electrode reactant reservoir connected to said positive electrode reactant circulating means; and means for collecting current from said positive electrode reactant in said positive electrode half-cell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A sodium-sulfur solid electrolyte battery according to claim 6 wherein said current collecting means in said positive electrode half-cell comprises aluminum wires twisted about graphite fibers, wherein said aluminum wires are connected at one end to a conductive manifold.
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) | 1980-09-19 | 1981-03-21 | 1981-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-19 | 1985-03-21 | 1985-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-19 | 1989-03-21 | 1989-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |