US5162166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Devices providing electrical energy from fuel/oxygen mixtures
Assignee: Kerr McGee Corp
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Filing: 1991-07-19
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Granted: 1992-11-10
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Expires: 2011-07-19
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides improved devices for the production of electrical energy from mixtures of oxygen (i.e., pure oxygen, air, or a similar source of free oxygen) and fuel (i.e., hydrogen and/or a hydrogen-yielding fuel). The devices generally comprise: a first electrode means for receiving electrons; a second electrode means for supplying electrons; and an electrolytic diffusion means, positioned between the two electrode means, for conducting ions from one electrode means to the other electrode means and for conducting oxygen and fuel, oxygen and hydrogen, or oxygen and a combination of fuel and hydrogen from one electrode means to the other electrode means (FIG. 1). At least one of the electrode means is permeable. Additionally, the first electrode means comprises a catalytic material which is a highly active catalyst for the formation of H 2 O 2 from H 2 and O 2 .
Inventors
- 👤 Paul C. Ellgen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/10; H01M4/00; H01M4/86; H01M4/90; H01M4/92; H01M8/08; H01M2004/8678; H01M2004/8684; H01M2004/8689; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0065; H01M2300/0082; H01M4/921; H01M8/1004; H01M8/1007; H01M8/1009; H01M8/1016; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A device for producing electrical current from a mixture of oxygen and fuel, said fuel being selected from hydrogen, a hydrogen-yielding fuel, or a mixture thereof, comprising: a first electrode means for receiving electrons, said first electrode means comprising a catalytic material which is a highly active catalyst for the formation of H 2 O 2 from H 2 and O 2 ; a second electrode means for supplying electrons, said second electrode means being less catalytically active than said first electrode means for the formation of H 2 O 2 from H: and O 2 ; and an electrolytic diffusion means, between said first electrode means and said second electrode means, for conducting ions from one of said electrode means to the other of said electrode means and for conducting oxygen and hydrogen-yielding fuel, oxygen and hydrogen, or oxygen and a combination of hydrogen-yielding fuel and hydrogen from one of said electrode means to the other of said electrode means, wherein at least one of said electrode means is permeable.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
A device for producing electrical current from a mixture of oxygen and fuel, said fuel being selected from hydrogen, a hydrogen-yielding fuel, or a mixture thereof, comprising: a first electrode means for receiving electrons, said first electrode means comprising a catalytic material which is a highly active catalyst for the formation of H 2 O 2 from H 2 and O 2 ; a second electrode means for supplying electrons, said second electrode means being less catalytically active than said first electrode means for the formation of H 2 O 2 from H: and O 2 ; and an electrolytic diffusion means, between said first electrode means and said second electrode means, for conducting ions from one of said electrode means to the other of said electrode means and for conducting oxygen and hydrogen-yielding fuel, oxygen and hydrogen, or oxygen and a combination of hydrogen-yielding fuel and hydrogen from one of said electrode means to the other of said electrode means, wherein at least one of said electrode means is permeable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said catalytic material comprises platinum and palladium with said platinum being present in said catalytic material in an amount in the range of from about 0.5% to about 60% by weight based on the total weight of said platinum and palladium present in said catalytic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said platinum is present in said catalytic material in an amount in the range of from about 1% to about 50% by weight based on the total weight of said platinum and palladium present in said catalytic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said platinum is present in said catalytic material in an amount in the range of from about 2% to about 20% by weight based on the total weight of said platinum and palladium present in said catalytic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said second electrode means is an electrode consisting essentially of platinum or palladium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first electrode means comprises: an electrode comprised of said catalytic material and a layer of promoter material adjacent to said electrode, said promoter material being a promoter of the catalytic formation of H 2 O 2 from H 2 and O 2 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first electrode means comprises: an electrode and a catalytic means, adjacent to said electrode, for catalyzing the formation of H 2 O 2 from H 2 and O 2 , said catalytic means comprising said catalytic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said second electrode means comprises: an electrode and a layer of inhibitor material adjacent to said electrode, said inhibitor material being an inhibitor of the formation of H 2 O 2 .
Claim 10
Independent Claim
132 words
A device for producing electrical current from a mixture of oxygen and fuel, said fuel being selected from hydrogen, a hydrogen-yielding fuel, or a mixture thereof, comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode; an electrolytic diffusion means, between said first electrode and said second electrode, for conducting ions from one of said electrodes to the other of said electrodes and for conducting oxygen and hydrogen-yielding fuel, oxygen and hydrogen, or oxygen and a combination of hydrogen-yielding fuel and hydrogen from one of said electrodes to the other of said electrodes; and a layer of a promoter material adjacent to said second electrode, said promoter material being a promoter of the formation of H 2 O 2 from H 2 and O 2 , wherein at least one of said electrodes is permeable.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
132 words
A device for producing electrical current from a mixture of oxygen and fuel, said fuel being selected from hydrogen, a hydrogen-yielding fuel, or a mixture thereof, comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode; an electrolytic diffusion means, between said first electrode and said second electrode, for conducting ions from one of said electrodes to the other of said electrodes and for conducting oxygen and hydrogen-yielding fuel, oxygen and hydrogen, or oxygen and a combination of hydrogen-yielding fuel and hydrogen from one of said electrodes to the other of said electrodes; and a layer of a promoter material adjacent to said second electrode, said promoter material being a promoter of the formation of H 2 O 2 from H 2 and O 2 , wherein at least one of said electrodes is permeable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said layer of promoter material comprises said promoter material deposited on one surface of said second electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said layer of promoter material comprises said promoter material dispersed in electrolyte.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said promoter material is selected from: carbonates, chloride salts, or bromide salts of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium; hydrochloric acid; or phosphoric acid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said second electrode is more catalytically active than said first electrode for the formation of H 2 O 2 from H 2 and O 2 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said second electrode is comprised of a catalytic material which is a highly active catalyst for the formation of H 2 O 2 from H 2 and O 2 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device of claim 14 wherein said catalytic material comprises platinum and palladium with said platinum being present in said catalytic material in an amount in the range of from about 0.5% to about 60% by weight based on the total weight of said platinum and palladium present in said catalytic material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 15 wherein said platinum is present in said catalytic material in an amount in the range of from about 1% to about 50% by weight based on the total weight of said platinum and palladium present in said catalytic material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 15 wherein said platinum is present in said catalytic material in an amount in the range of from about 2% to about 20% by weight based on the total weight of said platinum and palladium present in said catalytic material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 9 further comprising a layer of an inhibitor material adjacent to said first electrode, said inhibitor material being an inhibitor of the formation of H 2 O 2 .
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 18 wherein said inhibitor material is selected from: ethanolamine; triphenyl amine; thiophenol; or triphenyl arsenite.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
133 words
A device for producing electrical current from a mixture of oxygen and fuel, said fuel being selected from hydrogen, a hydrogen-yielding fuel, or a mixture thereof, comprising: a permeable first electrode; a second electrode having a first surface and a second surface; an electrolytic diffusion means, between said first electrode and said first surface of said second electrode, for conducting ions from one of said electrodes to the other of said electrodes and for conducting oxygen and hydrogen-yielding fuel, oxygen and hydrogen, or oxygen and a combination of hydrogen-yielding fuel and hydrogen from one of said electrodes to the other of said electrodes; and a catalytic means, adjacent to one of said surfaces of said second electrode, for catalyzing the formation of H 2 O 2 from H 2 and O 2 .
Claim 23
Independent Claim
133 words
A device for producing electrical current from a mixture of oxygen and fuel, said fuel being selected from hydrogen, a hydrogen-yielding fuel, or a mixture thereof, comprising: a permeable first electrode; a second electrode having a first surface and a second surface; an electrolytic diffusion means, between said first electrode and said first surface of said second electrode, for conducting ions from one of said electrodes to the other of said electrodes and for conducting oxygen and hydrogen-yielding fuel, oxygen and hydrogen, or oxygen and a combination of hydrogen-yielding fuel and hydrogen from one of said electrodes to the other of said electrodes; and a catalytic means, adjacent to one of said surfaces of said second electrode, for catalyzing the formation of H 2 O 2 from H 2 and O 2 .
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said second electrode is permeable and said catalytic means is adjacent to said second surface of said second electrode.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said catalytic means comprises a layer of a permeable inert material having dispersed therein a catalytic material for catalyzing the formation of H 2 O 2 from H 2 and O 2 .
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device of claim 22 wherein said catalytic material comprises platinum and palladium with said platinum being present in said catalytic material in an amount in the range of from about 0.5% to about 60% by weight based on the total weight of said platinum and palladium present in said catalytic material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 23 wherein said platinum is present in said catalytic material in an amount in the range of from about 1% to about 50% by weight based on the total weight of said platinum and palladium present in said catalytic material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 23 wherein said platinum is present in said catalytic material in an amount in the range of from about 2% to about 20% by weight based on the total weight of said platinum and palladium present in said catalytic material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 22 wherein said permeable inert material is selected from: silica gel; quartz; gamma alumina; alpha alumina; silicon carbide; graphite; zeolite; zirconia; titania; or a combination thereof.
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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) | 1995-11-10 | 1996-05-11 | 1996-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-10 | 2000-05-11 | 2000-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-10 | 2004-05-11 | 2004-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |