US4816352A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrochemical cell aqueous electrolyte and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-06-21
•
Granted: 1989-03-28
•
Expires: 2004-06-21
Abstract
Abstract An electrochemical cell and a method of controllably generating electricity with the cell wherein the cell comprises an anode of a metal which is highly reactive with water, a cathode of a nonreactive, electrically conductive material spaced from the anode, and an electrolyte which is an aqueous solution of a negatively charged electrolytic ionic specie and which is saturated with respect to the electrochemical reaction product between the anodic metal and the electrolytic ionic specie. The cell advantageously operates at elevated temperatures, is stable and safe, generates high current densities, provides a readily manageable electrolyte system and is controllable by control of the operating temperature alone.
Inventors
- 👤 Arnold Z. Gordon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/26; H01M12/00; H01M12/04; H01M12/06; H01M6/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 84
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An electrochemical cell, comprising: (a) an anode of an anodic metal which is reactive with water; and, (b) a non-reactive electrically conductive cathode spaced from said anode, each of said anode and said cathode being at least partially immersed during operation in a liquid electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of a negatively charged electrolytic ionic specie, said electrolyte being saturated at the interface region between the electrolyte and the anode with respect to the product formed between said ionic specie and said anodic metal as a result of the electrochemical reaction at said anode, said cell being adapted to operate at an elevated temperature sufficiently high to produce useful electrical current at a preselected rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
An electrochemical cell, comprising: (a) an anode of an anodic metal which is reactive with water; and, (b) a non-reactive electrically conductive cathode spaced from said anode, each of said anode and said cathode being at least partially immersed during operation in a liquid electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of a negatively charged electrolytic ionic specie, said electrolyte being saturated at the interface region between the electrolyte and the anode with respect to the product formed between said ionic specie and said anodic metal as a result of the electrochemical reaction at said anode, said cell being adapted to operate at an elevated temperature sufficiently high to produce useful electrical current at a preselected rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein said anode comprises said anodic metal in compound, alloy or amalgam form.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein said anode comprises said anodic metal in elemental form.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein said anodic metal comprises an alkali metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The cell of claim 4 wherein said metal is sodium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The cell of claim 4 wherein said metal is lithium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
The cell of claim 4 wherein said metal is potassium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein said cathode comprises a metal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein said cathode is a gas diffusion cathode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cell of claim 9 wherein said cathode is an air cathode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein said ionic specie is selected from the group consisting of hydroxide, halide, phosphate and carbonate ions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein said ionic specie comprises hydroxide ions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The cell of claim 12 wherein said anodic metal comprises lithium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte further comprises a dissolved salt providing said ionic specie and a cation other than the cationic form of said anodic metal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein saturation of said electrolyte is effected by the presence of excess solid anode reaction product.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cell of claim 15 further comprising means for physically separating excess solid reaction product from said electrolyte.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cell of claim 16 wherein said separating means comprises a filter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cell of claim 16 wherein said separating means comprises a centrifuge.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte temperature is less than the boiling point of said electrolyte at the pressure of operation of said cell.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cell of claim 19 wherein said temperature is greater than the melting point of said anodic metal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cell of claim 19 wherein said anode comprises elemental lithium and said temperature is greater than about 55° C.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cell of claim 21 wherein said temperature is greater than about 90° C.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cell of claim 19 further including associated heat exchange means for maintaining said electrolyte temperature at a desired level.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
85 words
An electrochemical cell, comprising: (a) a lithium anode; and, (b) a non-reactive electrically conductive cathode spaced from said anode, each of said anode and said cathode being at least partially immersed during operation in a liquid electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of lithium hydroxide, said electrolyte being saturated at the interface region between the electrolyte and the anode with respect to said lithium hydroxide, said cell being adapted to operate at an elevated temperature sufficiently high to produce useful electrical current at a preselected rate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
85 words
An electrochemical cell, comprising: (a) a lithium anode; and, (b) a non-reactive electrically conductive cathode spaced from said anode, each of said anode and said cathode being at least partially immersed during operation in a liquid electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of lithium hydroxide, said electrolyte being saturated at the interface region between the electrolyte and the anode with respect to said lithium hydroxide, said cell being adapted to operate at an elevated temperature sufficiently high to produce useful electrical current at a preselected rate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cell of claim 24 wherein said anode comprises said lithium in compound, alloy or amalgam form.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cell of claim 24 wherein said anode comprises said lithium in elemental form.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
11 words
The cell of claim 24 wherein said cathode comprises a metal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cell of claim 24 wherein said cathode is a gas diffusion cathode.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cell of claim 24 wherein said cathode is an air cathode.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cell of claim 24 wherein said electrolyte further comprises a dissolved salt providing hydroxide ions and a metal cation other than lithium cation.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cell of claim 30 wherein said electrolyte comprises dissolved sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide in addition to said lithium hydroxide.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cell of claim 24 wherein saturation of said electrolyte is effected by the presence of excess solid lithium hydroxide.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cell of claim 32 further comprising means for physically separating excess solid lithium hydroxide from said electrolyte.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cell of claim 33 wherein said separating means comprises a filter.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cell of claim 33 wherein said separating means comprises a centrifuge.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cell of claim 24 wherein said electrolyte temperature is less than the boiling point of said electrolyte at the pressure of operation of said cell.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cell of claim 36 wherein said temperature is greater than the melting point of said lithium anode.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cell of claim 36 wherein said anode comprises elemental lithium and said temperature is greater than about 55° C.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cell of claim 38 wherein said temperature is greater than about 90° C.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cell of claim 36 further including associated heat exchange means for maintaining said electrolyte temperature at a desired level.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of generating electricity in an electrochemical cell, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an anode of an anodic metal which is reactive with water, and a cathode of a nonreactive, electrically conductive material; (b) at least partially immersing each of said anode and said cathode in an aqueous liquid electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of a negatively charged electrolytic ionic specie, said electrolyte being saturated with respect to the product formed between said ionic specie and said anodic metal as a result of the electrochemical reaction at said anode; (c) maintaining said cell at an elevated temperature sufficiently high to produce a useful electrical current at a preselected rate; and (d) withdrawing electrical current from a circuit connecting said anode and said cathode.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of generating electricity in an electrochemical cell, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an anode of an anodic metal which is reactive with water, and a cathode of a nonreactive, electrically conductive material; (b) at least partially immersing each of said anode and said cathode in an aqueous liquid electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of a negatively charged electrolytic ionic specie, said electrolyte being saturated with respect to the product formed between said ionic specie and said anodic metal as a result of the electrochemical reaction at said anode; (c) maintaining said cell at an elevated temperature sufficiently high to produce a useful electrical current at a preselected rate; and (d) withdrawing electrical current from a circuit connecting said anode and said cathode.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 41 wherein said anode comprises said anodic metal in compound, alloy or amalgam form.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 41 wherein said anode comprises said anodic metal in elemental form.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 41 wherein said anodic metal comprises an alkali metal.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 44 wherein said metal is sodium.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 44 wherein said metal is lithium.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 44 wherein said metal is potassium.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 41 wherein said cathode comprises a metal.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 41 wherein said cathode is a gas diffusion cathode.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 49 wherein said cathode is an air cathode.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 41 wherein said ionic specie is selected from the group consisting of hydroxide, halide, phosphate and carbonate ions.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 41 wherein said ionic specie comprises hydroxide ions.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 52 wherein said anodic metal comprises lithium.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 41 wherein said electrolyte further comprises a dissolved salt providing said ionic specie and a cation other than the cationic form of said anodic metal.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 41 wherein saturation of said electrolyte is effected by the presence of excess solid anode reaction product.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 55 wherein excess solid reaction product formed by said reaction is separated from said electrolyte by physical separating means.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 56 wherein said separating means comprises a filter.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 56 wherein said separating means comprises a centrifuge.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 41 wherein said electrolyte temperature is maintained at less than the boiling point of said electrolyte at the pressure of operation of said cell.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 59 wherein said temperature is greater than the melting point of said anodic metal.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 59 wherein said anode comprises elemental lithium and said temperature is greater than 55° C.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 61 wherein said temperature is greater than about 90° C.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 59 wherein said electrolyte temperature is maintained by heat exchange means associated with said cell.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of generating electricity in an electrochemical cell, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a lithium anode and a cathode of a nonreactive, electrically conductive material; (b) at least partially immersing each of said anode and said cathode in an aqueous liquid electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of lithium hydroxide, said electrolyte being saturated with respect to said lithium hydroxide; (c) maintaining said cell at an elevated temperature sufficiently high to produce a useful electrical current at a preselected rate; and (d) withdrawing electrical current from a circuit connecting said anode and said cathode.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of generating electricity in an electrochemical cell, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a lithium anode and a cathode of a nonreactive, electrically conductive material; (b) at least partially immersing each of said anode and said cathode in an aqueous liquid electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of lithium hydroxide, said electrolyte being saturated with respect to said lithium hydroxide; (c) maintaining said cell at an elevated temperature sufficiently high to produce a useful electrical current at a preselected rate; and (d) withdrawing electrical current from a circuit connecting said anode and said cathode.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 64 wherein said anode comprises said lithium in compound, alloy or amalgam form.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 64 wherein said anode comprises said lithium in elemental form.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 64 wherein said cathode comprises a metal.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 64 wherein said cathode is a gas diffusion cathode.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 68 wherein said cathode is an air cathode.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 64 wherein said electrolyte further comprises a dissolved salt providing hydroxide ions and a metal cation other than lithium cation.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 70 wherein said electrolyte comprises dissolved sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide in addition to said lithium hydroxide.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 64 wherein saturation of said electrolyte is effected by the presence of excess solid lithium hydroxide.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 72 wherein excess solid lithium hydroxide is separated from said electrolyte by physical separating means.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 73 wherein said separating means comprises a filter.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 73 wherein said separating means comprises a centrifuge.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 64 wherein said electrolyte temperature is maintained at less than the boiling point of said electrolyte at the pressure of operation of said cell.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 76 wherein said temperature is greater than the melting point of said anode.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 76 wherein said anode comprises elemental lithium and said temperature is greater than about 55° C.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 78 wherein said temperature is greater than about 90° C.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 76 wherein said electrolyte temperature is maintained by heat exchange means associated with said cell.
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) | 1992-03-27 | 1992-09-26 | 1993-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-27 | 1996-09-26 | 1997-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-27 | 2000-09-26 | 2001-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |