US4526845A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molten carbonate fuel cell integral matrix tape and bubble barrier
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1983-07-25
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Granted: 1985-07-02
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Expires: 2003-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A molten carbonate fuel cell matrix material is described made up of a matrix tape portion and a bubble barrier portion. The matrix tape portion comprises particles inert to molten carbonate electrolyte, ceramic particles and a polymeric binder, the matrix tape being flexible, pliable and having rubber-like compliance at room temperature. The bubble barrier is a solid material having fine porosity up to about 50% by volume, optionally being bonded to the matrix tape. In operation in a fuel cell, the polymer binder burns off leaving the matrix and bubble barrier providing superior sealing, stability and performance properties to the fuel cell stack.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl A. Reiser
- 👤 Donald L. Maricle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/14; H01M8/141; H01M8/142; H01M8/02; H01M8/0289; H01M8/0295; H01M8/24; H01M8/2404; H01M8/241; H01M8/244; H01M2008/147; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0048; H01M2300/0051; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A matrix material for a molten carbonate fuel cell comprising a fine pore, gas permeable, anode stable metal layer having about 40% to about 50% by volume porosity bonded to a matrix tape, the matrix tape comprising a mixture of particles inert to molten carbonate electrolyte having a particle size less than about 1 micron, ceramic particles having a particle size greater than about 25 microns, and an organic polymeric binder material, the binder material being present in an amount at least about 25% by volume, the matrix tape being flexible, pliable, and compliant at room temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A matrix material for a molten carbonate fuel cell comprising a fine pore, gas permeable, anode stable metal layer having about 40% to about 50% by volume porosity bonded to a matrix tape, the matrix tape comprising a mixture of particles inert to molten carbonate electrolyte having a particle size less than about 1 micron, ceramic particles having a particle size greater than about 25 microns, and an organic polymeric binder material, the binder material being present in an amount at least about 25% by volume, the matrix tape being flexible, pliable, and compliant at room temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The matrix of claim 1 wherein the inert particles are present in about 40% to about 45% by volume and the ceramic particles are present in an amount at least about 15% by volume.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The matrix of claim 1 wherein the polymer is polyvinyl butyral.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The matrix of claim 1 wherein the inert material is lithium aluminate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The matrix of claim 1 wherein the ceramic particles are alumina.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The matrix of claim 1 wherein the metal layer is about 3 mils to about 5 mils thick and the matrix tape is about 10 mils to about 15 mils thick.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The matrix of claim 1 wherein the metal layer is nickel containing about 2% to about 10% by weight chromium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The matrix of claim 1 wherein the metal layer has about 40% by volume porosity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
110 words
A molten carbonate fuel cell containing an anode section, a cathode section, a matrix and electrolyte, wherein the improvement comprises as the matrix a fine pore, gas permeable, anode stable metal layer having about 40% to about 50% by volume porosity bonded to a matrix tape, the matrix tape comprising a mixture of particles inert to molten carbonate electrolyte having a particle size less than about 1 micron, ceramic particles having a particle size greater than about 25 microns, and an organic polymeric binder material, the binder material being present in an amount at least about 25% by volume, the matrix tape being flexible, pliable and compliant at room temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
110 words
A molten carbonate fuel cell containing an anode section, a cathode section, a matrix and electrolyte, wherein the improvement comprises as the matrix a fine pore, gas permeable, anode stable metal layer having about 40% to about 50% by volume porosity bonded to a matrix tape, the matrix tape comprising a mixture of particles inert to molten carbonate electrolyte having a particle size less than about 1 micron, ceramic particles having a particle size greater than about 25 microns, and an organic polymeric binder material, the binder material being present in an amount at least about 25% by volume, the matrix tape being flexible, pliable and compliant at room temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The molten carbonate fuel cell of claim 9 wherein the inert particles are present in about 40% to about 45% by volume and the ceramic particles are present in an amount at least about 15% by volume.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The molten carbonate fuel cell of claim 9 wherein the polymer is polyvinyl butyral.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The molten carbonate fuel cell of claim 9 wherein the inert material is lithium aluminate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The molten carbonate fuel cell of claim 9 wherein the particles are alumina.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The molten carbonate fuel cell of claim 9 wherein the metal layer is about 3 mils to about 5 mils thick and the matrix tape is about 10 mils to about 15 mils thick.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The molten carbonate fuel cell of claim 9 wherein the metal layer is nickel containing about 2% to about 10% by weight chromium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The molten carbonate fuel cell of claim 9 wherein the metal layer has about 40% by volume porosity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4411968A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-07-01 | 1988-12-31 | 1989-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-01 | 1992-12-31 | 1993-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-01 | 1996-12-31 | 1997-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |