US4184009A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Buoyant metal/air battery
Assignee: Department of National Defence
•
Filing: 1978-11-15
•
Granted: 1980-01-15
•
Expires: 1998-11-15
Abstract
Abstract The invention disclosed is a floating metal/air battery wherein the anode is immersed in an electrolyte, and the cathode is exposed to the atmosphere. An electro-conductive path between the anode and cathode is achieved by a wick means in contact with the electrolyte. Embodiments are described for use in sea-water and in fresh water.
Inventors
- 👤 William A. Armstrong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:31
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M12/00; H01M12/04; H01M12/06; H01M12/065; H01M50/00; H01M50/40; H01M50/409; H01M50/44; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
A floating metal/air battery, comprising (a) a metal anode, (b) an air cathode, (c) means for completing an electro-conductive path from the anode to the cathode, and (d) floatation means, such that in use the metal anode is immersed in a suitable electrolyte and wherein the completing means is in contact with the electrolyte.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
A floating metal/air battery, comprising (a) a metal anode, (b) an air cathode, (c) means for completing an electro-conductive path from the anode to the cathode, and (d) floatation means, such that in use the metal anode is immersed in a suitable electrolyte and wherein the completing means is in contact with the electrolyte.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A battery according to claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is selected from solutions in water of suitable salts, bases and acids.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A battery according to claim 2, wherein the metal anode is selected from magnesium, aluminum, zinc and suitable alloys thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A battery according to claim 3, wherein the cathode is constructed to facilitate run-off of liquid upon which the battery is floating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A battery according to claim 4, wherein the anode and cathode are arranged substantially parallel to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A battery according to claim 5, wherein the floatation means separates the anode and cathode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A battery according to claim 6, wherein said completing means is a wick attached to the cathode, made of a suitable electrolyte absorbent material which is stable in the electrolyte.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A battery according to claim 7, wherein the material is a glass-vinyon paper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A battery according to claim 8, wherein the floatation means includes an opening therethrough, and wherein the wick is positioned in said opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A battery according to claim 9, wherein the electrolyte is sea water upon which the battery is floating.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A battery according to claim 9, wherein the floatation means comprises a pair of floating members, said opening being between said members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
A battery according to claim 10, wherein the floatation means comprises a rectangular frame member, said opening being located centrally thereof and being closed at one end by the anode to define a compartment open at the other end, and wherein a second opening is provided in said compartment to permit entry of the electrolyte to contact said wick.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A battery according to claim 12, wherein said second opening is provided in said float below the water line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A battery according to claim 12, wherein said second opening is provided in the anode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A battery according to claim 7, wherein the anode and cathode are arranged substantially perpendicular to each other.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
A battery according to claim 9, wherein the floatation means comprises a rectangular frame member, said opening being located centrally thereof, and further comprising a reservoir for said electrolyte attached to said frame such that the anode and wick extend into the reservoir.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A battery according to claim 16, further comprising a plurality of separate spaced cells electrically connected in series.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
A battery according to claim 17, including a port in each cell to provide an electrolyte path between the cells, said ports being located to maximize the distance between the ports in adjacent cells.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
A battery according to claim 9, 16 or 17, wherein the air cathode comprises about 3.6 mg/cm 2 manganese dioxide, 20 mg/cm 2 activated carbon and 5.2 mg/cm 2 polytetrafluoroethylene, spread evenly on both sides of a nickel screen.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2964583A
Cited
US2997518A
Cited
US3598655A
Cited
US3589945A
Cited
US3966497A
Cited
US4129684A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-01-14 | 1983-07-16 | 1984-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-01-14 | 1987-07-16 | 1988-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-01-14 | 1991-07-16 | 1992-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |