US4212932A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for the direct conversion of radiant energy to electrical energy
Assignee: SNIA Viscosa SpA
•
Filing: 1979-02-22
•
Granted: 1980-07-15
•
Expires: 1999-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A cell for the direct conversion of radiant energy to electrical energy forarrying the process is characterized in that it comprises two layer-like zones each comprising a transparent material and at least one photochromic compound, electrical conduction means between said two zones, and two electrodes. The two layer-like zones may be constituted by different portions of a same layer. The photochromic compounds used are preferably spiro-2H-pyranes and the electrodes are metals having a standard oxidation potential higher than--2.5V or their oxides or photoactive semi-conductors.
Inventors
- 👤 Seba Calgari
- 👤 Vittorio Sirtori
- 👤 Ignazio R. Bellobono
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:58
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M14/00; H01M14/005; G; G01; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/48; G01J1/50; H01G; H01G9/00; H01G9/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
Cell for the direct conversion of radiant energy to electrical energy, which comprises two layer-like zones each comprising a transparent material and at least one photochromic compound which is a spiro-2H-pyrane, electrical conduction means between said two zones, and two electrodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
41 words
Cell for the direct conversion of radiant energy to electrical energy, which comprises two layer-like zones each comprising a transparent material and at least one photochromic compound which is a spiro-2H-pyrane, electrical conduction means between said two zones, and two electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Cell according to claim 1, wherein the two layer-like zones are constituted by different portions of the same layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
Cell according to claim 2, wherein electrolytic conductive means are incorporated in the layer comprising the photochromic compound, whereby said layer coincides with the conductive layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Cell according to claim 2, wherein the layers comprising the at least one photochromic compound are liquid layers having a thickness from 10 microns to 10 millimeters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Cell according to claim 2, wherein the layers comprising the at least one photochromic compound are polymeric membranes having thicknesses from 1 to 250 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
Cell according to claim 2, wherein the layers have a curved configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
Cell according to claim 6, wherein the layers are embodied in hollow fibres.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
Cell according to claim 1, wherein the transparent material is a material having low absorption in the spectral range in which the photochromic effect of the photochromic compounds employed is significant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
Cell according to claim 1, wherein the electrical conduction means comprise at least one conductive layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
Cell according to claim 9, wherein the conductive layer comprises at least one ionizable salt in solution in at least one polar solvent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
Cell according to claim 9, wherein the conductive layer has a liquid base containing at least a thickener.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
Cell according to claim 1, wherein the layer-like zones comprising the at least one photochromic compound also contain at least one sensitizer substance capable of rapidly stabilizing the photochemical dynamics of the photochromic compounds.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
Cell according to claim 1, wherein the transparent material has a low electrical resistance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
Cell according to claim 1, characterized in that it is bounded at least on one face by a layer of transparent inert material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
Cell according to claim 1, wherein it comprises two electrodes and a layer interposed therebetween, said layer comprising a transparent viscous liquid material, at least one photochromic compound, and an electrolyte.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
Cell according to claim 1, wherein the electrodes comprise an active material chosen from the class consisting of metals having a standard oxidation-reduction potential higher than -2.5 V and oxides of said metals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
Cell according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a photoactive semi-conductor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
Cell according to claim 17, wherein the photoactive semi-conductor is a metal oxide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
Cell according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises as active material a metal, the oxide of which has the properties of a photoactive semi-conductor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
Cell according to claim 1, wherein the electrical conduction means comprise at least one polyelectrolyte.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
Device for the conversion of radiant to electrical energy, which it comprises a plurality of cells according to claim 1, in mutual association.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
Cell according to claim 1, wherein the spiro-2H-pyrane compounds are selected from the group consisting of spiro-[2,2'-benzothiazoline-2H-aropyranes], spiro-pyranopyranes, spiro[2H-1-benzopyrane-2,2'indolines], spiro-indolinenaphthopyrane and spiro-[2H-1 benzopyrane-2,2'-benzothiazoline].
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) | 1983-07-15 | 1984-01-14 | 1984-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-15 | 1988-01-14 | 1988-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-15 | 1992-01-14 | 1992-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |