US4478916A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for operating aqueous galvanic high energy cells
Assignee: VARTA Batterie AG
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Filing: 1980-02-19
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Granted: 1984-10-23
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Expires: 2000-02-19
Abstract
Abstract Galvanic high energy cells based on the aqueous system Li/H 2 O 2 are operated in conjunction with a fuel cell. The H 2 /O 2 gas mixture developed by the high energy cell is supplied first to the positive and then the negative electrode of the fuel cell. The required quantitative relationship of the two gases, corresponding to the stiochiometry of water, is provided either by adding O 2 to the gas mixture, or by separating O 2 by means of an O 2 /O 2 gas chain, operating as a cleaning cell.
Inventors
- 👤 August Winsel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:18
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M16/00; H01M16/003; H01M12/00; H01M12/04; H01M8/00; H01M8/06; H01M8/0662; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of operating an aqueous galvanic high energy cell in conjunction with a fuel cell, the high energy cell having electrodes of lithium, aluminum, or an Li/Al alloy, and having H 2 O 2 as cathode depolarizer, said method comprising supplying the H 2 /O 2 gas mixture developed in the high energy cell to the positive electrode of the fuel cell, and from there to the negative electrode of the fuel cell, and separating a quantity of excess oxygen from the gas mixture supplied to the negative electrode of the fuel cell which substantially equals the excess amount of oxygen above the stoichiometry of water, by means of an O 2 /O 2 cell functioning as a cleaning cell.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of operating an aqueous galvanic high energy cell in conjunction with a fuel cell, the high energy cell having electrodes of lithium, aluminum, or an Li/Al alloy, and having H 2 O 2 as cathode depolarizer, said method comprising supplying the H 2 /O 2 gas mixture developed in the high energy cell to the positive electrode of the fuel cell, and from there to the negative electrode of the fuel cell, and separating a quantity of excess oxygen from the gas mixture supplied to the negative electrode of the fuel cell which substantially equals the excess amount of oxygen above the stoichiometry of water, by means of an O 2 /O 2 cell functioning as a cleaning cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising adding oxygen to the H 2 /O 2 gas mixture supplied to the positive fuel cell electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising adding hydrogen to the H 2 /O 2 gas mixture supplied to the negative electrode of the fuel cell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the added oxygen quantity substantially equals the shortfall of oxygen below the stoichiometry of water in the gas mixture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1, wherein a limiting current determined by consumption of O 2 without residue in the cleaning cell is utilized as the controlling parameter for the H 2 /O 2 supply to the high energy cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
101 words
A system for performing the method of claim 1, wherein the high energy cell is followed by a fuel cell having a positive and a negative electrode and means for supplying the gas mixture developed in the high energy cell to the positive fuel cell electrode, and further including a cleaning cell for separating excess oxygen, which cell operates in accordance with the principle of an O 2 /O 2 gas chain, and means for supplying unconsumed gas from said positive fuel cell electrode to said cleaning cell and hydrogen separated by said cleaning cell to the negative fuel cell electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 6, further comprising a dosage valve for the H 2 /O 2 supplied to the high energy cell, said dosage valve being controlled by the limiting current flowing in the cleaning cell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 7, wherein gas storage means for hydrogen and/or oxygen are provided in the path of movement from the cleaning cell to the fuel cell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 8, wherein the storage means for hydrogen is a hydride storage unit.
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) | 1987-10-23 | 1988-04-23 | 1988-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-23 | 1992-04-23 | 1992-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-23 | 1996-04-23 | 1996-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |