US4528249A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrochemical cell and method
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1984-10-24
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Granted: 1985-07-09
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Expires: 2004-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for providing electrical energy. The apparatus defines an electrochemical cell having a lithium-containing anode and an air cathode. Electrolyte solution containing soluble oxygen is flowed into contact with one surface of the air cathode. The opposite surface of the air cathode is exposed to ambient atmosphere. A catalytic screen is provided between the anode and cathode where the soluble oxygen is present in the electrolyte in the form of H 2 O 2 for catalyzing decomposition of the H 2 O 2 and the reaction between the H 2 O 2 and the cathode ions. A pump is provided for selectively controlling the rate of flow of the electrolyte, as desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew D. Galbraith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M12/00; H01M12/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
The method of providing electrical energy from an electrochemical cell having a lithium-containing anode and an oxygen-consuming cathode, comprising the steps of: contacting a first surface portion of the cathode with an oxygen-containing gas; and contacting a second surface portion of the cathode with an electrolyte containing soluble oxygen for providing oxidizer to the cathode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
55 words
The method of providing electrical energy from an electrochemical cell having a lithium-containing anode and an oxygen-consuming cathode, comprising the steps of: contacting a first surface portion of the cathode with an oxygen-containing gas; and contacting a second surface portion of the cathode with an electrolyte containing soluble oxygen for providing oxidizer to the cathode.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
78 words
The method of providing electrical energy from an electrochemical cell having a lithium-containing anode and an oxygen-consuming cathode, comprising the steps of: contacting a first surface portion of the cathode with an oxygen-containing gas; and contacting a second surface portion of the cathode with an electrolyte containing soluble oxygen for providing oxidizer to the cathode in the event the cathode reaction with the contacted gas is insufficient to provide a desired rate of electrochemical reaction of the cell.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
78 words
The method of providing electrical energy from an electrochemical cell having a lithium-containing anode and an oxygen-consuming cathode, comprising the steps of: contacting a first surface portion of the cathode with an oxygen-containing gas; and contacting a second surface portion of the cathode with an electrolyte containing soluble oxygen for providing oxidizer to the cathode in the event the cathode reaction with the contacted gas is insufficient to provide a desired rate of electrochemical reaction of the cell.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
75 words
The method of providing electrical energy from an electrochemical cell having a lithium-containing anode and an oxygen-consuming cathode, comprising the steps of: contacting a first surface portion of the cathode with an oxygen-containing gas; contacting a second surface portion of the cathode with an electrolyte containing soluble oxygen for providing oxidizer to the cathode; and catalyzing the decomposition of the soluble oxygen in the electrolyte for increasing the rate of reaction thereof with cathode ions.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
75 words
The method of providing electrical energy from an electrochemical cell having a lithium-containing anode and an oxygen-consuming cathode, comprising the steps of: contacting a first surface portion of the cathode with an oxygen-containing gas; contacting a second surface portion of the cathode with an electrolyte containing soluble oxygen for providing oxidizer to the cathode; and catalyzing the decomposition of the soluble oxygen in the electrolyte for increasing the rate of reaction thereof with cathode ions.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
17 words
The method of providing electrical energy of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said cathode is porous.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
20 words
The method of providing electrical energy of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said electrolyte is flowed through the cell.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
23 words
The method of providing electrical energy of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said electrolyte comprises an aqueous solution containing water soluble oxygen.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
21 words
The method of providing electrical energy of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said electrolyte comprises H 2 O 2 .
Claim 11
Independent Claim
26 words
The method of providing electrical energy of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said electrolyte comprises a solution containing a variable selected concentration of soluble oxygen.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
15 words
The method of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said cathode is an air cathode.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
16 words
The method of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said oxygen containing gas is atmospheric air.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
An electrochemical cell comprising: a lithium-containing anode; a hydrophobic oxygen-consuming cathode comprising a porous element having a first surface portion exposed to a source of oxygen-containing gas; and a fluid electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of soluble oxygen contacted with a second surface portion of the cathode porous element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
An electrochemical cell comprising: a lithium-containing anode; a hydrophobic oxygen-consuming cathode comprising a porous element having a first surface portion exposed to a source of oxygen-containing gas; and a fluid electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of soluble oxygen contacted with a second surface portion of the cathode porous element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
71 words
An electrochemical cell comprising: a lithium-containing anode; a hydrophobic oxygen-consuming cathode comprising a porous element having a first surface portion exposed to a source of an oxygen-containing gas; a fluid electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of soluble oxygen contacted with a second surface portion of the cathode porous element; and, means disposed intermediate said anode and cathode for catalyzing decomposition of the soluble oxygen in the electrolyte and the cathode ions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
An electrochemical cell comprising: a lithium-containing anode; a hydrophobic oxygen-consuming cathode comprising a porous element having a first surface portion exposed to a source of an oxygen-containing gas; a fluid electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of soluble oxygen contacted with a second surface portion of the cathode porous element; and, means disposed intermediate said anode and cathode for catalyzing decomposition of the soluble oxygen in the electrolyte and the cathode ions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrochemical cell of claims 11 or 12 wherein said cathode is porous.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrochemical cell of claims 11 or 12 wherein said electrolyte comprises an aqueous solution containing water soluble oxygen.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrochemical cell of claims 11 or 12 wherein said electrolyte comprises H 2 O 2 .
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrochemical cell of claims 11 or 12 wherein said electrolyte comprises a solution containing a variable selected concentration of soluble oxygen.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrochemical cell of claims 11 or 12 wherein said electrolyte comprises a liquid solution flowed through said cell.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electrochemical cell of claims 11 or 12 further including means for controlling the rate of flow of the electrolyte in contacting said cathode second surface portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrochemical cell of claims 11 or 12 wherein said cathode is an air cathode.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrochemical cell of claims 11 or 12 wherein said oxygen-containing gas is atmospheric air.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrochemical cell of claims 11 or 12 wherein said source of oxygen-containing gas is ambient air.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrochemical cell of claim 12 wherein said catalytic means comprises a screen of a catalytic metal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electrochemical cell of claim 22 wherein said catalytic metal is selected from the group consisting of paladium, ruthenium, and silver plated wire.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrochemical cell of claim 22 wherein said screen is in electrical contact with said cathode.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrochemical cell of claim 24 wherein said screen is in mechanical contact with said anode.
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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) | 1988-07-08 | 1989-01-07 | 1989-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-08 | 1993-01-07 | 1993-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-08 | 1997-01-07 | 1997-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |