US4598029A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Reversal resistant non-aqueous electrochemical cell
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems LLC
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Filing: 1985-10-11
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Granted: 1986-07-01
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Expires: 2005-10-11
Abstract
Abstract Problems associated with voltage reversal hazards in high energy density non-aqueous electrochemical cells are prevented for all except extremely high discharge rates by the provision of a safety separator which is sufficiently porous to allow normal cell operation in the forward direction but which prevents voltage reversal in all but the most extreme cases. The separator may take the form of a thin sheet of ceramic material which need not contact either the anode or the cathode but which forms an ion-permeable mechanical barrier separating the electrodes while allowing normal cell operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Narayan Doddapaneni
- 👤 David L. Chua
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:08
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/14; H01M50/00; H01M50/40; H01M50/409; H01M50/431; H01M50/434; H01M50/489; H01M2200/00; H01M2200/30; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of preventing voltage reversals in an anode-limited, non-aqueous electrochemical cell comprising an active metal anode, an inert cathode collector and an electrolyte comprising a solute dissolved in a compatible non-aqueous solvent depolarizer selected from the group consisting of sulfur dioxide, oxyhalides, and thiohalides, comprising the step of placing a ceramic material between said anode and said cathode providing a physical separator therebetween, wherein said ceramic material consists primarily of alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) and silica (siO 2 ).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of preventing voltage reversals in an anode-limited, non-aqueous electrochemical cell comprising an active metal anode, an inert cathode collector and an electrolyte comprising a solute dissolved in a compatible non-aqueous solvent depolarizer selected from the group consisting of sulfur dioxide, oxyhalides, and thiohalides, comprising the step of placing a ceramic material between said anode and said cathode providing a physical separator therebetween, wherein said ceramic material consists primarily of alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) and silica (siO 2 ).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said separator is in the form of a sheet having a thickness of between 0.005 inches and 0.03 inches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said anode comprises lithium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said anode comprises lithium and wherein said cell contains a liquid oxyhalide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said oxyhalide is thionyl chloride.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said inert cathode collector consists essentially of carbon black.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
In an anode-limited, non-aqueous electrochemical cell having an active metal anode, an inert cathode collector, a separator member disposed between said anode and said cathode and an electrolyte consisting of a solute dissolved in a compatible non-aqueous solvent depolarizer, said solvent depolarizer consisting essentially of a compound selected from the group consisting of sulfur dioxide, oxyhalides and thiohalides, the improvement wherein: said separator member is a ceramic separator said ceramic separator member further being one which allows normal cell operation in the forward direction but prevents voltage reversals in the cell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
In an anode-limited, non-aqueous electrochemical cell having an active metal anode, an inert cathode collector, a separator member disposed between said anode and said cathode and an electrolyte consisting of a solute dissolved in a compatible non-aqueous solvent depolarizer, said solvent depolarizer consisting essentially of a compound selected from the group consisting of sulfur dioxide, oxyhalides and thiohalides, the improvement wherein: said separator member is a ceramic separator said ceramic separator member further being one which allows normal cell operation in the forward direction but prevents voltage reversals in the cell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cell of claim 7 wherein said ceramic separator material consists primarily of alumina and silica.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cell of claim 8 wherein said separator is in the form of a sheet having a thickness of between 0.005 inches and 0.03 inches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The cell of claim 8 wherein said anode comprises lithium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cell of claim 8 wherein said anode comprises lithium and wherein said cell contains a liquid oxyhalide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The cell of claim 8 wherein said oxyhalide is thionyl chloride.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cell of claim 8 wherein said inert cathode collector consists essentially of carbon black.
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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) | 1989-06-30 | 1989-12-30 | 1990-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-30 | 1993-12-30 | 1994-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-30 | 1997-12-30 | 1998-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |