US4797379A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrode structure and method of making same
Assignee: Fuelcell Energy Inc
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Filing: 1985-09-20
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Granted: 1989-01-10
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Expires: 2005-09-20
Abstract
Abstract An electrode provided with an alkali or alkaline earth hydroxide constituent which upon heat treatment in the presence of carbon dioxide is converted to a carbonate constituent.
Inventors
- 👤 Pinakin S. Patel
- 👤 Lawrence M. Paetsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:43
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M4/00; H01M4/86; H01M4/88; H01M4/8825; H01M4/8846; H01M4/8605; H01M4/8621; H01M4/8803; H01M4/8878; H01M4/8882; H01M4/8885; H01M8/00; H01M8/14; H01M8/141; H01M8/142; H01M2004/8678; H01M2004/8684; H01M2008/147; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0048; H01M2300/0051; H01M4/8647; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of fabricating a molten carbonate fuel cell electrode from an electrode structure having pores, the method comprising: preselecting an amount of carbonate constituent for said electrode; selecting a stabilizing constituent for said electrode; incorporating a ceramic oxide into said pores of said electrode structure; incorporating an alkaline hydroxide in solution form into said pores of said electrode sturcture at about room temperature, said step of incorporating said alkaline hydroxide constituent including selecting the amount of alkaline hydroxide to be sufficient to enable said alkaline hydroxide and said ceramic oxide in the pores of said electrode structure to be converted to said preselected amount of carbonate constituent and said stabilizing constituent upon subjecting said electrode structure to carbon dioxide; and subsequent to said incorporation steps, subjecting the electrode structure carrying said alkaline hydroxide and said ceramic oxide in the pores of the electrode structure to carbon dioxide to convert the alkaline hydroxide and said ceramic oxide to said preselected amount of carbonate constituent and said stabilizing constituent.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of fabricating a molten carbonate fuel cell electrode from an electrode structure having pores, the method comprising: preselecting an amount of carbonate constituent for said electrode; selecting a stabilizing constituent for said electrode; incorporating a ceramic oxide into said pores of said electrode structure; incorporating an alkaline hydroxide in solution form into said pores of said electrode sturcture at about room temperature, said step of incorporating said alkaline hydroxide constituent including selecting the amount of alkaline hydroxide to be sufficient to enable said alkaline hydroxide and said ceramic oxide in the pores of said electrode structure to be converted to said preselected amount of carbonate constituent and said stabilizing constituent upon subjecting said electrode structure to carbon dioxide; and subsequent to said incorporation steps, subjecting the electrode structure carrying said alkaline hydroxide and said ceramic oxide in the pores of the electrode structure to carbon dioxide to convert the alkaline hydroxide and said ceramic oxide to said preselected amount of carbonate constituent and said stabilizing constituent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said incorporation of said alkaline hydroxide and said ceramic oxide is by impregnation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said hydroxide is one of an alkali hydroxide and an alkaline earth hydroxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein: said hydroxide is one of lithium, potassium and sodium hydroxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said ceramic oxide incorporation is prior to said hydroxide incorporation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said ceramic oxide is one of alumina, zirconia and iron oxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said hydroxide is lithium hydroxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said alkaline hydroxide constituent comprises an alkali hyrdoxide and an alkaline earth hydroxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising: heating said electrode in the presence of said carbon dioxide subsequent to said electrode being incorporated into a fuel cell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising: heating said electrode in the presence of said carbon dioxide prior to said electrode being incorporated into a fuel cell.
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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) | 1992-01-10 | 1992-07-11 | 1993-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-10 | 1996-07-11 | 1997-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-10 | 2000-07-11 | 2001-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |