Patent US4075448A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4075448A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Cell bypass switches for electrochemical cell systems
Assignee: Occidental Chemical Corp
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Filing: 1975-09-29
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Granted: 1978-02-21
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Expires: 1995-09-29
Abstract
Abstract An electrochemical cell circuit has vacuum interrupter cell by-pass switches provided in order to prevent the impurities in the environment, caused by leakage from the electrochemical cells, from interfering with the switch operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack H. Seedorf
- 👤 Robert M. Hruda
- 👤 Donald E. Abell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:40
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H33/00; H01H33/002; C; C25; C25B; C25B9/00; C25B9/60; C25B9/65; C25B9/66; H01H1/00; H01H1/58; H01H1/5822; H01H2001/5827; H01H33/60; H01H33/66; H01H33/6606; H01H2033/6613
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
28 words
In an electrochemical cell circuit having a plurality of electrolytic cells, the improvement comprising a cell by-pass switch having contact surfaces sealed in a corrosive resistant evacuated envelope.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
28 words
In an electrochemical cell circuit having a plurality of electrolytic cells, the improvement comprising a cell by-pass switch having contact surfaces sealed in a corrosive resistant evacuated envelope.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein each cell has a plurality of anode banks and cathodes, each anode bank connected in series with a cathode of the next adjacent cell by electrically connective means so that the electrolytic cells are connected in series.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein the electrochemical cells are mercury amalgam cells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The circuit of claim 3 wherein each mercury amalgam cell has a plurality of anode banks and cathodes, the anode banks on a cell connected by electrical means in series arrangement with the cathodes of the next adjacent cell so that the cells are in series arrangement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein the contact surfaces of the cell by-pass switch are contained in a vacuum circuit interrupter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The circuit of claim 5 wherein the vacuum circuit interrupter has contact members of a copper bismuth alloy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein the cell by-pass switch has vacuum circuit interrupters comprising a. an upper end plate and a lower end plate b. two contact members of a copper-bismuth alloy, each in mechanical and electrical connection with each end plate, each contact member having a contact surface, c. a flexible envelope, mechanically connected to the upper and lower end plate and enclosing the contact members, the envelope being constructed of a material which is impermeable to air and the mechanical connection of the envelope to the end plate being such that a vacuum is maintained in the space enclosed by the envelope and the end plates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The circuit of claim 7 wherein the envelope is by weight an alloy of from about 66% to about 68% nickel from about 2% to about 4% iron, about 2% manganese and about 28% copper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit of claim 7 wherein the outer side of envelope is covered with an elastomeric coating.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
The circuit of claim 7 wherein the envelope has convolutions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The circuit of claim 7 wherein the envelope contains a ceramic ring which insulates the upper end plate from the lower end plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The circuit of claim 7 wherein the vacuum circuit interrupter also has guide pins in insulated arrangement between the end plates provided with spring means which are in insulated arrangement between the end plates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit of claim 12 wherein the envelope and guide pins are enclosed by an elastomeric sleeve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The circuit of claim 7 wherein the end plates are oxygen free high conductivity copper.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The circuit of claim 7 wherein the contact surfaces are in substantially parallel arrangement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The circuit of claim 7 wherein the cell by-pass switch comprises a plurality of switch assemblies each switch assembly comprising a plurality of vacuum circuit interrupters electrically connected in parallel and mounted on a chassis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The circuit of claim 16 wherein the switch assembly comprises four vacuum circuit interrupters.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The circuit of claim 16 wherein the total current capacity of all of the switch assemblies for a cell is at least equal to the current drawn by the cell.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit of claim 16 wherein the current is from about 1000 amperes to about 120,000 amperes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The circuit of claim 16 wherein the switch assemblies are in mechanical connection with a single means for opening and closing the vacuum circuit interrupters.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The circuit of claim 20 wherein the vacuum circuit interrupters open and close in a substantially simultaneous manner.
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) | 1981-02-20 | 1981-08-22 | 1982-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-20 | 1985-08-22 | 1986-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-20 | 1989-08-22 | 1990-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |