US4175164A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermoelectric generator electrode
Assignee: Environmental Research Institute of Michigan
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Filing: 1978-04-10
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Granted: 1979-11-20
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Expires: 1998-04-10
Abstract
Abstract A new class of porous electrodes deposited on solid electrolyte for use in thermoelectric generator devices as the sodium heat engine. The electrode configuration has an openness that provides especially high electrode efficiency.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry Cole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01G; H01G9/00; H01G9/21; H01M; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M6/00; H01M6/14; H01M6/18; H01M6/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
An alkali metal thermoelectric generator device that has an electrically continuous, porous electrode on solid electrolyte that comprises metal peaks averaging below about 50 micrometers and valleys below about 10 micrometers and having an average pore diameter above about 0.15 microns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
41 words
An alkali metal thermoelectric generator device that has an electrically continuous, porous electrode on solid electrolyte that comprises metal peaks averaging below about 50 micrometers and valleys below about 10 micrometers and having an average pore diameter above about 0.15 microns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrode comprises equiaxed grains on its surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein the electrolyte comprises a beta alumina.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the electrolyte comprises β" alumina.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
15 words
The device in accordance with claims 1 or 2 wherein the metal comprises metal molybdenum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An improved alkali metal thermoelectric generator device that has an electrode on a solid electrolyte made by a process comprising exposing a metal conductor deposited on the electrolyte to oxidizing conditions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An improved alkali metal thermoelectric generator device that has an electrode on a solid electrolyte made by a process comprising exposing a metal conductor deposited on the electrolyte to oxidizing conditions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device in accordance with claim 6 wherein the process comprises exposing the oxidized conductor to reducing conditions.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
20 words
The device in accordance with claims 6 or 7 wherein the deposited metal conductor is deposited by chemical vapor deposition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the metal conductor comprises molybdenum.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
15 words
The device in accordance with claims 6 or 7, wherein the metal conductor comprises molybdenum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process that improves performance of porous electrode on solid electrolyte in an alkali metal thermoelectric generator device which comprises: (A) exposing a metal conductor deposited on the electrolyte to oxidizing conditions; (B) exposing the oxidized conductor of (A) to reducing conditions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process that improves performance of porous electrode on solid electrolyte in an alkali metal thermoelectric generator device which comprises: (A) exposing a metal conductor deposited on the electrolyte to oxidizing conditions; (B) exposing the oxidized conductor of (A) to reducing conditions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process in accordance with claim 11 which comprises exposing the oxidized conductor to reducing conditions comprising metallic sodium at high temperature.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process in accordance with claims 11 or 12, wherein the exposure to oxidizing conditions comprises contacting the conductor with oxygen.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process in accordance with claim 13, wherein the conductor comprises molybdenum.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process in accordance with claim 11, wherein the conductor comprises molybdenum.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
In an alkali metal thermoelectric generator device which comprises electrode of porous metal deposited on solid electrolyte, the improvement which comprises an electrode on the solid electrolyte that has been exposed to oxidizing conditions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
In an alkali metal thermoelectric generator device which comprises electrode of porous metal deposited on solid electrolyte, the improvement which comprises an electrode on the solid electrolyte that has been exposed to oxidizing conditions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The alkali metal thermoelectric generator in accordance with claim 16, wherein the oxidizing is conducted within the thermoelectric generator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The alkali metal thermoelectric generator in accordance with claims 16 or 17 wherein a reducing is conducted at conditions comprising a temperature range above about 500° C.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The alkali metal thermoelectric generator in accordance with claims 16 or 17 wherein the electrode comprises molybdenum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1982-11-19 | 1983-05-21 | 1983-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-11-19 | 1987-05-21 | 1987-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-11-19 | 1991-05-21 | 1991-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |