US4745529A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Battery powered light source
Assignee: Yardney Technical Products Inc
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Filing: 1986-10-06
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Granted: 1988-05-17
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Expires: 2006-10-06
Abstract
Abstract A battery powered light source comprising an electric light bulb; a plurality of air cathodes; a plurality of metal anodes, one for each cathode; a plurality of electrically nonconductive housings disposed adjacent to each other, wherein each housing encloses a respective chamber containing one cathode and one anode which are spaced from each other and form an anode-cathode pair and also encloses a cavity which is below the anode-cathode pair and is in fluid flow communication with the chamber, each housing having a portion defining at least one air passage from its chamber to an adjacent housing, and an opening through which a surface of the contained cathode is exposed to air in the passage. The housings are secured to each other in such arrangement that their respective air-passage-defining portions cooperatively define at least one common air passage. Circuit elements are provided for electrically connecting the anode-cathode pairs to each other and to the electric light bulb.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert P. Hamlen
- 👤 Thomas J. Zoltner
- 👤 William Kobasz
- 👤 Michael V. Rose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:30
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/02; H01M12/00; H01M12/04; H01M12/06; H01M12/065; F; F21; F21L; F21L2/00; H01M4/00; H01M4/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A battery powered light source comprising: (a) an electric light bulb; (b) a plurality of air cathodes; (c) a plurality of metal anodes, one for each cathode; (d) a plurality of electrically nonconductive housings disposed adjacent to each other; (e) wherein each housing encloses a respective chamber for holding liquid electrolyte, said chamber containing one cathode and one anode which are spaced from each other and form an anode-cathode pair, for electrolytic reaction with said electrolyte producing an insoluble reaction product, the chamber in each said housing further defining a cavity below the anode-cathode pair and in fluid flow communication with the chamber for collecting said reaction product, and the housings being connected to form at least one air passage connected exteriorly with the atmosphere and extending from one side of said housing to the opposite side, and an opening in a side of each housing through which a surface of the cathode contained in the housing is exposed to air in said passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A battery powered light source comprising: (a) an electric light bulb; (b) a plurality of air cathodes; (c) a plurality of metal anodes, one for each cathode; (d) a plurality of electrically nonconductive housings disposed adjacent to each other; (e) wherein each housing encloses a respective chamber for holding liquid electrolyte, said chamber containing one cathode and one anode which are spaced from each other and form an anode-cathode pair, for electrolytic reaction with said electrolyte producing an insoluble reaction product, the chamber in each said housing further defining a cavity below the anode-cathode pair and in fluid flow communication with the chamber for collecting said reaction product, and the housings being connected to form at least one air passage connected exteriorly with the atmosphere and extending from one side of said housing to the opposite side, and an opening in a side of each housing through which a surface of the cathode contained in the housing is exposed to air in said passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A battery powered light source as in claim 1, wherein the bulb is a fluorescent, strobe, flash light or incandescent bulb.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A battery powered light source as in claim 1, including a cover surrounding the bulb to direct light from the light source in a generally horizontal direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A battery powered light source as in claim 1, wherein the air cathode is formed using a porous carbon plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A battery powered light source as in claim 1, wherein said metal is selected from the class consisting of aluminum, magnesium, and alloys thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A battery powered light source as in claim 1, wherein the metal anode is a plate having one or more slots.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A battery powered light source as in claim 1, wherein the anode and the cathode of each pair are separated by a distance of about one-sixteenth inch to about two inches apart.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A battery powered light source as in claim 1, including means formed in each said housing for supporting the contained anode entirely above said cavity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A battery powered light source as in claim 1, wherein said anode and cathode cooperatively define a gap opening directly downwardly into said cavity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A battery powered light source as in claim 1, wherein the liquid electrolyte is water containing an additive to enhance electrical conductivity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A battery powered light source as in claim 10, wherein the additive is sodium chloride, potassium chloride, ammonium chloride, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A battery powered light source as in claim 10, wherein the additive is sodium chloride.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
A battery powered light source as in claim 1, in which each housing has a vertical wall having an interior side and means to support each anode in its respective chamber comprising one or more platforms which project from said interior side of the vertical wall of the housing and form flat horizontal surfaces on which the anode rests.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A battery powered light source as in claim 1, wherein each electrically nonconductive housing comprises two electrically nonconductive shells having vertical edges joined to form a vertical seam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
131 words
A battery powered light source comprising: (a) two air cathodes; (b) two metal anodes, one for each cathode; (c) two electrically nonconductive housings disposed adjacent to each other; (d) wherein each housing encloses a respective chamber for holding liquid electrolyte, said chamber containing one of the cathodes and one of the anodes spaced from each other and forming an anode-cathode pair for electrolytic reaction with said electrolyte producing an insoluble reaction product, said chamber including a cavity below the anode-cathode pair for collecting said reaction product, said housings being connected together to form an external air passage extending from one side of said housing to an opposite side; each housing having an opening, facing said passage through which a surface of the contained cathode is exposed to air in said passage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
131 words
A battery powered light source comprising: (a) two air cathodes; (b) two metal anodes, one for each cathode; (c) two electrically nonconductive housings disposed adjacent to each other; (d) wherein each housing encloses a respective chamber for holding liquid electrolyte, said chamber containing one of the cathodes and one of the anodes spaced from each other and forming an anode-cathode pair for electrolytic reaction with said electrolyte producing an insoluble reaction product, said chamber including a cavity below the anode-cathode pair for collecting said reaction product, said housings being connected together to form an external air passage extending from one side of said housing to an opposite side; each housing having an opening, facing said passage through which a surface of the contained cathode is exposed to air in said passage.
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) | 1991-05-17 | 1991-11-16 | 1992-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-17 | 1995-11-16 | 1996-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-17 | 1999-11-16 | 2000-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |