US4704194A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrode formation
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corp
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Filing: 1986-07-28
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Granted: 1987-11-03
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Expires: 2006-07-28
Abstract
Abstract A system and a method useful in the formation of electrodes for use in electrochemical cells are disclosed. The system includes a pair of conductive metallic terminal electrodes spaced apart from one another and disposed in an aqueous electrolyte. The terminal electrodes are in electrical contact with a power supply to effect a flow of current in the electrolyte away from the first of the terminals and toward the second of the terminals. At least one precursor electrode comprising a material to be reduced or oxidized in electrical contact with a conductive backplate is disposed in the electrolyte between the terminals. The precursor electrode is oriented relative to the terminal electrodes so as to effect the reduction or oxidation of the material thereof. Restraining forces are applied to the precursor electrode to substantially maintain the dimensions of the precursor electrode during its reduction/oxidation. The system includes a separator effective in permitting the precursor and terminal electrodes to interface with the electrolyte. The separator permits a substantially uniform application of the restraining forces to the precursor electrode. No electrical contacts are made directly to the electrodes being formed, this process then being a contactless charge.
Inventors
- 👤 Harvey N. Seiger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:58
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M4/04; H01M4/0438; H01M4/044; H01M4/0445; H01M4/0447; H01M4/24; H01M4/26; H01M2004/026; H01M2004/029; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0002; H01M2300/0014; H01M4/36; H01M4/48; H01M4/54; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A system useful in the formation of electrodes for use in electrochemical cells, said system comprising: a power supply; a pair of conductive metallic terminal electrodes spaced apart from one another and disposed in an aqueous electrolyte during operation of said system, said terminal electrodes being in electrical contact with said power supply effecting electric current flow in said electrolyte away from the first of said terminals and toward the second of said terminals; at least one precursor electrode comprising a material to be reduced or oxidized in electrical contact with a conductive backplate, said precursor electrode being disposed in said electrolyte between said terminal electrodes and orientated relative thereto so as to permit said reduction or oxidation of said material; restraining means for applying restraining forces to said precursor electrode substantially maintaining the dimensions of said precursor electrode during said reduction or oxidation; and, separator means disposed between said precursor electrode and said terminal electrodes permitting said precursor electrode and said terminal electrodes to interface with said electrolyte and permitting a substantially uniform application of said restraining forces to said precursor electrode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
183 words
A system useful in the formation of electrodes for use in electrochemical cells, said system comprising: a power supply; a pair of conductive metallic terminal electrodes spaced apart from one another and disposed in an aqueous electrolyte during operation of said system, said terminal electrodes being in electrical contact with said power supply effecting electric current flow in said electrolyte away from the first of said terminals and toward the second of said terminals; at least one precursor electrode comprising a material to be reduced or oxidized in electrical contact with a conductive backplate, said precursor electrode being disposed in said electrolyte between said terminal electrodes and orientated relative thereto so as to permit said reduction or oxidation of said material; restraining means for applying restraining forces to said precursor electrode substantially maintaining the dimensions of said precursor electrode during said reduction or oxidation; and, separator means disposed between said precursor electrode and said terminal electrodes permitting said precursor electrode and said terminal electrodes to interface with said electrolyte and permitting a substantially uniform application of said restraining forces to said precursor electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said conductive backplate forms a substrate upon which said material to be reduced or oxidized is disposed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said material to be oxidized comprises elemental silver.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said substrate comprises a bi-metal silver clad foil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said material to be oxidized comprises elemental silver or NiO.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said conductive backplate comprises elemental nickel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said material to be reduced comprises cadmium hydroxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said precursor electrode comprises a material to be reduced and said conductive backplate comprises a material to be oxidized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 1 comprising a plurality of said precursor electrodes with separator means disposed therebetween, said precursor electrodes being orientated relative to each other and said terminal electrodes permitting said reduction or oxidation of said material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said separator means comprises a rigid, non-conductive porous member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said rigid porous member comprises a rigid plastic screen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said plastic comprises polypropylene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said material to be reduced or oxidized and said conductive backplate are in direct mechanical contact with each other.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
198 words
A method of reduction/oxidation useful in the formation of electrodes for use in electrochemical cells, said method comprising the step of: effecting electric current flow through an aqueous electrolyte in a system comprising; a power supply, a pair of conductive metallic terminal electrodes spaced apart from one another and disposed in said electrolyte during operation of said system, said terminal electrodes being in electrical contact with said power supply effecting current flow in said electrolyte away from the first of said terminals and toward the second of said terminals; at least one precursor electrode comprising a material to be reduced or oxidized in electrical contact with a conductive backplate, said precursor electrode being disposed in said electrolyte between said terminal electrodes and orientated relative thereto so as to permit said reduction or oxidation of said material, restraining means for applying restraining forces to said precursor electrodes substantially maintaining the dimensions of said precursor electrode during said reduction or oxidation, and separator means disposed between said precursor electrode and said terminal electrodes permitting said precursor electrode and said terminal electrodes to interface with said electrolyte and permitting a substantially uniform application of said restraining forces to said precursor electrode.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
198 words
A method of reduction/oxidation useful in the formation of electrodes for use in electrochemical cells, said method comprising the step of: effecting electric current flow through an aqueous electrolyte in a system comprising; a power supply, a pair of conductive metallic terminal electrodes spaced apart from one another and disposed in said electrolyte during operation of said system, said terminal electrodes being in electrical contact with said power supply effecting current flow in said electrolyte away from the first of said terminals and toward the second of said terminals; at least one precursor electrode comprising a material to be reduced or oxidized in electrical contact with a conductive backplate, said precursor electrode being disposed in said electrolyte between said terminal electrodes and orientated relative thereto so as to permit said reduction or oxidation of said material, restraining means for applying restraining forces to said precursor electrodes substantially maintaining the dimensions of said precursor electrode during said reduction or oxidation, and separator means disposed between said precursor electrode and said terminal electrodes permitting said precursor electrode and said terminal electrodes to interface with said electrolyte and permitting a substantially uniform application of said restraining forces to said precursor electrode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said conductive backplate forms a substrate upon which said material to be reduced or oxidized is disposed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said material to be oxidized comprises elemental silver.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said substrate comprises a bi-metal silver clad foil.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said material to be oxidized comprises elemental silver or NiO.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said conductive backplate comprises elemental nickel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said material to be reduced comprises cadmium hydroxide.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said precursor electrode comprises a material to be reduced and said conductive backplate comprises a material to be oxidized.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 14 comprising a plurality of said precursor electrodes with separator means disposed therebetween, said precursor electrodes being orientated relative to each other and said terminal electrodes permitting said reduction or oxidation of said material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said separator means comprises a rigid, non-conductive porous member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said rigid porous member comprises a rigid plastic screen.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said plastic comprises polypropylene.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said material to be reduced or oxidized and said conductive backplate are in direct mechanical contact with each other.
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) | 1990-11-02 | 1991-05-04 | 1991-11-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-02 | 1995-05-04 | 1995-11-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-02 | 1999-05-04 | 1999-11-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |