Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A rechargeable battery comprising positive electrode means including a first metal species, negative electrode means including a second metal species, and a solid electrolyte including protonically conducting hydrated aluminum oxide between and in contact with said positive and negative electrode means, said negative electrode means being responsive to an external charging source connected to said positive and negative electrode means to form a metal hydride and capable, during a discharging cycle, to supply protons to said solid electrolyte and to supply electrons to an external load connected to said positive and negative electrode means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A rechargeable battery comprising positive electrode means including a first metal species, negative electrode means including a second metal species, and a solid electrolyte including protonically conducting hydrated aluminum oxide between and in contact with said positive and negative electrode means, said negative electrode means being responsive to an external charging source connected to said positive and negative electrode means to form a metal hydride and capable, during a discharging cycle, to supply protons to said solid electrolyte and to supply electrons to an external load connected to said positive and negative electrode means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A battery as in claim 1 in which said hydrated aluminum oxide comprises pseudoboemite.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A battery as in claim 2 in which said second metal species is capable of reversibly combining with hydrogen or with protons and electrons.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A battery as in claim 3 in which said second metal species is a hydride-forming metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A battery as in claim 4 wherein said second metal species is selected from the group consisting of palladium, nickel/titanium alloys and nickel/lanthanum alloys.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A battery as in claim 3 wherein said first metal species is a catalyst for oxygen reduction reactions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A battery as in claim 6 wherein said first metal species is selected from the group consisting of platinum, gold, nickel and alloys of platinum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A battery as in claim 7 wherein said positive electrode means is permeable to oxygen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A battery as in claim 8 wherein said positive electrode means comprises an apertured layer of material including said first metal species.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A battery as in claim 9 wherein said apertured layer is exposed to a source of oxygen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A battery as in claim 10 wherein said apertured layer is exposed to air.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A battery as in claim 3 wherein said first metal species is a transition metal element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A battery as in claim 12 wherein said positive electrode means comprises an oxide or hydroxide of a transition metal element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A battery as in claim 13 wherein said positive electrode comprises a material selected from the group consisting of nickel hydroxide, titanium oxide, molybdenum oxide and vanadium oxide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A battery as in claim 3 fabricated in thin-film form on an integrated-circuit chip and adapted to serve as a rechargeable power supply for devices included on said chip.