US4279732A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Annular electrodes for shunt current elimination
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
•
Filing: 1980-02-19
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Granted: 1981-07-21
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Expires: 2000-02-19
Abstract
Abstract Shunt currents can be eliminated in electrochemical devices by introducing nulling currents via auxiliary electrodes. In electrochemical devices including those having a circulating electrolyte, such electrodes are designed to have a generally annular shape in order to provide a substantially uniform current density profile along a common electrolyte carrying manifold. The uniform current density profile allows for the elimination of these harmful shunt currents with a minimum of power consumption.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J. Bellows
- 👤 Patrick G. Grimes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:51
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M50/00; H01M50/70; H01M50/77; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04276; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An electrochemical device, comprising: at least one common manifold; a plurality of cells fluidically communicating through said one common manifold; a common electrolyte for said cells which is disposed in said one common manifold and which provides an electrical electrolytic conductive bypass path around said cells which is capable of resulting in undesirable shunt currents; and at least one annular protective electrode supported by said one common manifold having means for applying a protective current about the manifold which has a substantially uniform current density profile through said electrolyte along said manifold to provide effective reduction of said shunt currents with a minimized power consumption.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
An electrochemical device, comprising: at least one common manifold; a plurality of cells fluidically communicating through said one common manifold; a common electrolyte for said cells which is disposed in said one common manifold and which provides an electrical electrolytic conductive bypass path around said cells which is capable of resulting in undesirable shunt currents; and at least one annular protective electrode supported by said one common manifold having means for applying a protective current about the manifold which has a substantially uniform current density profile through said electrolyte along said manifold to provide effective reduction of said shunt currents with a minimized power consumption.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, further comprising means for flowing said electrolyte through said annular protective electrode and manifold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular protective electrodes is substantially porous.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein there are two annular protective electrodes supported by said manifold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular protective electrode is comprised of selectively permeable material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular protective electrode comprises means of supplying said electrolyte with ions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of cells define a battery structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said cells and manifold support a Zn/Br 2 reaction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said cells and manifold support a Br 2 /Br - reaction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular protective electrode is a negative protective electrode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular protective electrode is a positive protective electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular protective electrode comprises a sleeve having a porous inner liner.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein each cell of said plurality of cells is electrically connected in series.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein there are four common manifolds for said cells, each manifold has at least one annular protective electrode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein there are two common manifolds for said cells, each manifold has at least one annular protective electrode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular protective electrode comprises a sleeve whose material is selected from a group of materials consisting of: carbon, graphite, metallized carbon and ruthenized titanium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular protective electrode comprises a separator liner whose material is selected from a group of one or more materials consisting of: microporous and ion-selective plastics and ceramics.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular protective electrode comprises an electrical connector selected from a group consisting of: tantalum, platinum and carbon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular protective electrode has a substantially uniform axial annular cross-section.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular protective electrode has a tapered axial annular cross-section.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular protective electrode has a curved axial annular cross-section.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular protective electrode has an irregular axial annular cross-section.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular protective electrode has an inner wall having a circular radial cross-section.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular protective electrode has an inner wall having an oval radial cross-section.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular protective electrode has an inner wall having a polygonal radial cross-section.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular electrode has means for introducing reactant material to the electrolyte.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrochemical device of claim 1, wherein said annular electrode has means for removing materials from the site of the annular electrode.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said device is a photoelectrochemical device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said electrochemical device is a battery.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 29, wherein said electrochemical device is a primary battery.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 29, wherein said electrochemical device is a secondary battery.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said electrochemical device is a fuel cell device.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said electrochemical device is a chlor-alkali cell device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said electrochemical device is an electrowinning device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said electrochemical device is an electrorefining device.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said electrochemical device is an electrochemical device having a plurality of electrolytes.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said electrochemical device is an electrolyzer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said electrochemical device is an electrochemical reactor.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said electrochemical device is an electrochemical device having bipolar electrodes.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said electrochemical device is an electrochemical device having monopolar electrodes.
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) | 1984-07-20 | 1985-01-19 | 1985-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-20 | 1989-01-19 | 1989-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-20 | 1993-01-19 | 1993-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |