US4474862A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat rechargeable iron battery system
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1983-11-10
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Granted: 1984-10-02
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Expires: 2003-11-10
Abstract
Abstract The iron electrodes of a battery are recharged by removing them from the battery, heating them in a reducing gas atmosphere at over about 450° C., for a sufficient time to convert discharged iron compounds to charged iron compounds, and then cooling the charged electrodes.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward S. Buzzelli
- 👤 Jack T. Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:26
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M12/00; H01M12/04; H01M12/06; H01M12/065; B; B60; B60L; B60L50/00; B60L50/50; B60L50/60; B60L50/64; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/44; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M2004/024; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of recharging an iron electrode from a battery, the battery comprising removable iron electrodes containing discharged iron compounds disposed in alkali electrolyte between electrode cathodes, all contained in a casing, comprising the steps of: (1) removing discharged iron electrodes from the battery; (2) heating the discharged iron electrodes in a reducing gas atmosphere at over about 450° C., for a time effective to convert discharged iron compounds to charged iron compounds in the electrodes; and (3) cooling the charged iron electrodes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of recharging an iron electrode from a battery, the battery comprising removable iron electrodes containing discharged iron compounds disposed in alkali electrolyte between electrode cathodes, all contained in a casing, comprising the steps of: (1) removing discharged iron electrodes from the battery; (2) heating the discharged iron electrodes in a reducing gas atmosphere at over about 450° C., for a time effective to convert discharged iron compounds to charged iron compounds in the electrodes; and (3) cooling the charged iron electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, where the discharged iron electrode is heated at from about 450° C. to about 700° C. in hydrogen gas, and is washed of electrolyte before heating.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of quickly recharging an iron-air battery, the battery comprising removable iron electrodes containing discharged iron compounds disposed in alkali electrolyte between two air electrodes, all contained in a casing having air inlet means, comprising the steps of: (1) removing discharged iron electrodes from an iron-air battery; (2) heating the discharged iron electrodes in a reducing gas atmosphere at from about 450° C. to about 700° C., for up to about 20 minutes, to convert discharged iron compounds to charged iron compounds in the electrodes; (3) cooling the charged iron electrodes; and (4) replacing the charged iron electrodes in an iron-air battery.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of quickly recharging an iron-air battery, the battery comprising removable iron electrodes containing discharged iron compounds disposed in alkali electrolyte between two air electrodes, all contained in a casing having air inlet means, comprising the steps of: (1) removing discharged iron electrodes from an iron-air battery; (2) heating the discharged iron electrodes in a reducing gas atmosphere at from about 450° C. to about 700° C., for up to about 20 minutes, to convert discharged iron compounds to charged iron compounds in the electrodes; (3) cooling the charged iron electrodes; and (4) replacing the charged iron electrodes in an iron-air battery.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 3, where the discharged iron electrode is heated in a gas selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, dissociated ammonia, reformed hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof, and is washed of electrolyte before heating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3, where the discharged iron electrode is heated in hydrogen gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3, where the discharged iron electrode contains iron compounds substantially as Fe(OH) 2 , and is heated at from about 500° C. to about 700° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3, where the charged iron electrode contains elemental iron, and is cooled in a nitrogen gas environment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 3, where the alkali electrolyte is an alkali hydroxide, the iron electrodes are removably attached to a removable support plate, the iron electrode comprises active material disposed within a porous fiber metal current collector, and the air electrode comprises an active material hydrophilic layer containing a current collector disposed next to electrolyte and bonded to a hydrophobic layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An iron-air battery recharged by the method of claim 3, which is also capable of electrical recharging.
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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) | 1987-10-02 | 1988-04-02 | 1988-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-02 | 1992-04-02 | 1992-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-02 | 1996-04-02 | 1996-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |