US4788111A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Efficient electrical power generation system
Assignee: Eltech Systems Corp
•
Filing: 1987-08-24
•
Granted: 1988-11-29
•
Expires: 2007-08-24
Abstract
Abstract Batteries comprising an anode and liquid electrolyte produce an electrolyte effluent which may contain a solid particulate discharge. This discharge product inhibits the efficient generation of electrical power by the battery. It has been discovered that this solid particulate discharge may be effectively and economically separated from the electrolyte on a continuous basis by a solids separation means comprising a container having an axis and an impeller. This system provides for the efficient generation of electrical power.
Inventors
- 👤 Marilyn J. Niksa
- 👤 Kenneth J. Branchick
- 👤 Thomas R. Turk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M50/00; H01M50/70; H01M50/77; H01M6/00; H01M6/50; H01M6/5077; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An efficient, electrical power source comprising: at least one battery comprising a metal electrode and a liquid electrolyte containing solid particulate; a solid separation means comprising a container having an axis and an impeller; means for conveying said liquid electrolyte to said container; means for withdrawing solids concentrated effluent from an annulus zone of fluid within said container opposite from the end of said container containing said impeller; and means for withdrawing supernatent liquids from said container from a zone removed from said annuls zone, coupled with means for recycling withdrawn supernatent liquid to said battery.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
An efficient, electrical power source comprising: at least one battery comprising a metal electrode and a liquid electrolyte containing solid particulate; a solid separation means comprising a container having an axis and an impeller; means for conveying said liquid electrolyte to said container; means for withdrawing solids concentrated effluent from an annulus zone of fluid within said container opposite from the end of said container containing said impeller; and means for withdrawing supernatent liquids from said container from a zone removed from said annuls zone, coupled with means for recycling withdrawn supernatent liquid to said battery.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The power source according to claim 1, wherein said metal electrode is aluminum and the cathode is an air cathode, and said solid particulate comprises a metal hydroxy complex.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The power source according to claim 2, wherein said electrolyte comprises an unstable precursor to said complex and said solid separation means accelerates the instability of said precursor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The power source according to claim 2, wherein said electrolyte is alkaline and comprises hydrargillite for separation by said solid separation means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The power source according to claim 4, wherein said impeller is operated at a speed sufficient to concentrate said particulate in an annulus zone of fluid within said container opposite from the end of said container containing said impeller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The power source according to claim 1, wherein said source comprises a stack of multiple batteries.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The power source according to claim 1, wherein aid solid separation means is self-pumping whereby the system may operate without any additional pumps.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The power source according to claim 1 wherein said solids separation means is substantially unaffected by changes in flow rate, changes in solids concentration and relatively minor changes in the specific gravity of the liquid phase.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3129066A
Cited
US3359136A
Cited
US3513031A
Cited
US3708345A
Cited
US4147839A
Cited
US4246325A
Cited
US4254190A
Cited
US4354958A
Cited
US4308322A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-29 | 1992-05-30 | 1992-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-29 | 1996-05-30 | 1996-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-29 | 2000-05-30 | 2000-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |