Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A process of making an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of intercalating an alkali metal into a composition including carbon having a degree of graphitization above about 0.40, at least a portion of said intercalating step being performed at a temperature above about 50° C., forming said composition into a first electrode and assembling said first electrode with a counterelectrode capable of reversibly incorporating said alkali metal and an electrolyte including a salt of said alkali metal in a cell housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A process of making an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of intercalating an alkali metal into a composition including carbon having a degree of graphitization above about 0.40, at least a portion of said intercalating step being performed at a temperature above about 50° C., forming said composition into a first electrode and assembling said first electrode with a counterelectrode capable of reversibly incorporating said alkali metal and an electrolyte including a salt of said alkali metal in a cell housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said intercalating step is conducted after said electrode-forming and assembling steps, whereby said alkali metal is intercalated into said composition while said composition is in said first electrode in said cell housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein said alkali metal consists essentially of lithium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein said composition includes carbonaceous particles each consisting essentially of carbon having a degree of graphitization above about 0.40.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the entire step of intercalating said alkali metal into said composition is conducted at a temperature above about 50° C., or higher.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process as claimed in claim 5 wherein the entire step of intercalating said alkali metal into said composition is conducted at a temperature between about 55° C. and about 70° C.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of making an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of assembling within a cell housing a mass of an alkali metal, a first electrode including a carbonaceous composition in particulate form and an electrically conductive filamentary material interspersed with said particulate composition, a counterelectrode capable of reversibly incorporating said alkali metal and an electrolyte incorporating a salt of said alkali metal in an organic solvent, said mass of alkali metal being electrically connected to said first electrode and electrically isolated from said counterelectrode whereby said alkali metal in said mass will be transferred from said mass and intercalated into said carbonaceous composition, said transfer being continued until said mass is substantially consumed.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of making an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of assembling within a cell housing a mass of an alkali metal, a first electrode including a carbonaceous composition in particulate form and an electrically conductive filamentary material interspersed with said particulate composition, a counterelectrode capable of reversibly incorporating said alkali metal and an electrolyte incorporating a salt of said alkali metal in an organic solvent, said mass of alkali metal being electrically connected to said first electrode and electrically isolated from said counterelectrode whereby said alkali metal in said mass will be transferred from said mass and intercalated into said carbonaceous composition, said transfer being continued until said mass is substantially consumed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said assembling step includes the steps of placing said mass of said alkali metal in contact with said first electrode and placing a porous, electrically non-conductive separator between said electrodes.