US5173376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metal oxide hydrogen battery having sealed cell modules with electrolyte containment and hydrogen venting
Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Co
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Filing: 1991-10-28
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Granted: 1992-12-22
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Expires: 2011-10-28
Abstract
Abstract A metal oxygen-hydrogen battery having sealed cell modules with electrolyte containment and hydrogen venting. The battery includes an outer pressure vessel containing a plurality of cell modules, each having a positive and negative terminal and containing a liquid electrolyte such as potassium hydroxide. Each cell module is enclosed in a flexible sealed bag which is impervious to the flow of the electrolyte. The bag is a multi layer structure preferably composed of thermoplastic film. Each bag is provided with a vent which is permeable to the flow of hydrogen gas but impermeable to the flow of the electrolyte. Electrical leads are connected to the terminals of each cell module and extend in sealed relation through the bag.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian M. Page
- 👤 Paul J. Kaprelian
- 👤 Kenneth R. Jones
- 👤 Jeffrey P. Zagrodnik
- 👤 James T. Daley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/34; H01M10/345; H01M50/00; H01M50/30; H01M50/394; H01M6/00; H01M6/42; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
In a metal oxide-hydrogen battery, a pressure vessel, a plurality of cell modules disposed in the pressure vessel and each cell module having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a liquid electrolyte contained in each cell module, a sealed container composed of an electrically insulating material enclosing each cell module, said container being impervious to the flow of said liquid electrolyte, vent means disposed in each container, said vent means being permeable to the flow of hydrogen gas and impermeable to the flow of said liquid electrolyte, and electrical conductor means extending in sealed relation into each container and connecting said electrodes in an exterior circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a metal oxide-hydrogen battery, a pressure vessel, a plurality of cell modules disposed in the pressure vessel and each cell module having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a liquid electrolyte contained in each cell module, a sealed container composed of an electrically insulating material enclosing each cell module, said container being impervious to the flow of said liquid electrolyte, vent means disposed in each container, said vent means being permeable to the flow of hydrogen gas and impermeable to the flow of said liquid electrolyte, and electrical conductor means extending in sealed relation into each container and connecting said electrodes in an exterior circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The battery of claim 1, wherein each cell module includes a pair of positive electrodes and a pair of negative electrodes, said positive electrodes being disposed in back-to-back insulated relation and said negative electrodes being disposed adjacent the outer surface of said cell module, said vent means being disposed adjacent a negative electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The battery of claim 1, wherein a portion of the container is out of contact with the corresponding cell module to provide a space therebetween for the flow of gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The battery of claim 1, wherein said container is provided with a fused seam, said seam being spaced from said cell to provide a space therebetween for the flow of gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The battery of claim l, wherein each cell module includes a pair of opposed faces, said container having a pair of generally parallel side surfaces each disposed in generally contiguous relation to a face of said cell module.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The battery of claim 1, wherein each cell module is generally semi-cylindrical in configuration and includes a curved peripheral surface, a portion of said container being spaced from said peripheral surface to provide a chamber for the flow of gas therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a metal oxide-hydrogen battery, an outer pressure vessel, a plurality of cell modules disposed in said pressure vessel with each cell module having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a liquid electrolyte disposed within each cell module, a pair of sealed containers disposed in superimposed relation around each cell module, each container being composed of an electrically insulating material and being impervious to the flow of said liquid electrolyte, a vent disposed in each container with said vents being permeable to the flow of hydrogen and impermeable to the flow of said liquid electrolyte, and electrical conductor means extending in sealed relation through said containers and into contact with said electrodes for connecting said electrodes in an exterior circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a metal oxide-hydrogen battery, an outer pressure vessel, a plurality of cell modules disposed in said pressure vessel with each cell module having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a liquid electrolyte disposed within each cell module, a pair of sealed containers disposed in superimposed relation around each cell module, each container being composed of an electrically insulating material and being impervious to the flow of said liquid electrolyte, a vent disposed in each container with said vents being permeable to the flow of hydrogen and impermeable to the flow of said liquid electrolyte, and electrical conductor means extending in sealed relation through said containers and into contact with said electrodes for connecting said electrodes in an exterior circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The battery of claim 7, wherein said vents are out of direct alignment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The battery of claim 7, wherein each container comprises a flexible plastic bag.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The battery of claim 9, wherein each bag is composed of a film of nylon sandwiched between outer films of polyethylene
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The battery of claim 7, wherein said vents are disposed at opposite surfaces of the respective cell module.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The battery of claim 7, wherein each vent is composed of polytetrafluoroethylene fibers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The battery of claim 7, wherein a portion of the inner bag is spaced from said cell module to provide a chamber for the flow of hydrogen gas.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
117 words
A metal oxide-hydrogen battery, comprising an outer pressure vessel, a cell module disposed within the pressure vessel and having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a liquid electrolyte impregnated within said cell module, a flexible sealed bag composed of thermoplastic material encapsulating said cell module, said thermoplastic material being impermeable to the flow of liquid electrolyte, vent means disposed in the bag and characterized by being permeable to the flow of hydrogen gas and impermeable to the flow of said liquid electrolyte, said negative electrode being disposed adjacent said vent means, and electrical conductor means extending in sealed relation through said bag and into contact with said electrodes to connect said electrodes in an exterior circuit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
117 words
A metal oxide-hydrogen battery, comprising an outer pressure vessel, a cell module disposed within the pressure vessel and having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a liquid electrolyte impregnated within said cell module, a flexible sealed bag composed of thermoplastic material encapsulating said cell module, said thermoplastic material being impermeable to the flow of liquid electrolyte, vent means disposed in the bag and characterized by being permeable to the flow of hydrogen gas and impermeable to the flow of said liquid electrolyte, said negative electrode being disposed adjacent said vent means, and electrical conductor means extending in sealed relation through said bag and into contact with said electrodes to connect said electrodes in an exterior circuit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
64 words
The battery of claim 14, and including a second flexible sealed bag disposed around said first bag, and second vent means in said second bag, said second vent means being characterized by being impermeable to the flow of hydrogen gas and impermeable to the flow of the liquid electrolyte, said second vent means being disposed out of direct alignment with said first vent means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The battery of claim 1, wherein said container is a flexible plastic bag.
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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) | 1995-12-22 | 1996-06-22 | 1996-12-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-22 | 2000-06-22 | 2000-12-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-22 | 2004-06-22 | 2004-12-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |