US5314765A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective lithium ion conducting ceramic coating for lithium metal anodes and associate method
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Systems Inc
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Filing: 1993-10-14
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Granted: 1994-05-24
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Expires: 2013-10-14
Abstract
Abstract A battery structure including a cathode, a lithium metal anode and an electrolyte disposed between the lithium anode and the cathode utilizes a thin-film layer of lithium phosphorus oxynitride overlying so as to coat the lithium anode and thereby separate the lithium anode from the electrolyte. If desired, a preliminary layer of lithium nitride may be coated upon the lithium anode before the lithium phosphorous oxynitride is, in turn, coated upon the lithium anode so that the separation of the anode and the electrolyte is further enhanced. By coating the lithium anode with this material lay-up, the life of the battery is lengthened and the performance of the battery is enhanced.
Inventors
- 👤 John B. Bates
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:58
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/05; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M4/13; H01M4/36; H01M4/38; H01M2004/026; H01M2004/028; H01M50/00; H01M50/40; H01M50/409; H01M50/431; H01M50/46; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49108; Y10T29/49115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
In a battery including a cathode, a lithium anode, and an electrolyte interposed between the cathode and anode, the improvement comprising: a protective film including a layer of lithium phosphorus oxynitride overlying and coating the lithium anode so that the lithium anode is separated from the electrolyte by the lithium phosphorus oxynitride layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
In a battery including a cathode, a lithium anode, and an electrolyte interposed between the cathode and anode, the improvement comprising: a protective film including a layer of lithium phosphorus oxynitride overlying and coating the lithium anode so that the lithium anode is separated from the electrolyte by the lithium phosphorus oxynitride layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein the thickness of the layer of lithium phosphorus oxynitride of the protective film is between about 0.1 and 0.5 μm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein the protective film further includes a layer of lithium nitride (Li 3 N) disposed between the surface of the lithium anode and the layer of lithium phosphorus oxynitride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein the thickness of the layer of lithium nitride of the protective film is between about 0.05 and 0.1 μm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement as defined in claim 4 wherein the thickness of the layer of lithium phosphorus oxynitride of the protective film is between about 0.1 and 0.5 μm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A battery structure comprising: a cathode; a lithium anode; an electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the lithium anode; and a layer of lithium phosphorus oxynitride overlying and coating the lithium anode so that the lithium anode is prevented from contacting the electrolyte by the lithium phosphorus oxynitride layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A battery structure comprising: a cathode; a lithium anode; an electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the lithium anode; and a layer of lithium phosphorus oxynitride overlying and coating the lithium anode so that the lithium anode is prevented from contacting the electrolyte by the lithium phosphorus oxynitride layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein the thickness of the layer of lithium phosphorus oxynitride of the protective film is between about 0.1 and 0.5 μm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein the protective film further includes a layer of lithium nitride (Li 3 N) disposed between the surface of the lithium anode and the layer of lithium phosphorus oxynitride.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein the thickness of the layer of lithium nitride of the protective film is between about 0.05 and 0.1 μm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure as defined in claim 9 wherein the thickness of the layer of lithium phosphorus oxynitride of the protective film is between about 0.1 and 0.5 μm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
In a battery-forming operation involving the positioning of a lithium anode and an electrolyte material adjacent to one another, the improvement comprising: coating the lithium anode by depositing a film of lithium phosphorus oxynitride over and coating the lithium anode prior to the positioning of the lithium anode and electrolyte material adjacent one another so that when the lithium anode and electrolyte material are positioned adjacent one another in the resultant battery, the lithium phosphorous oxynitride is interposed between the lithium anode and the electrolyte.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
In a battery-forming operation involving the positioning of a lithium anode and an electrolyte material adjacent to one another, the improvement comprising: coating the lithium anode by depositing a film of lithium phosphorus oxynitride over and coating the lithium anode prior to the positioning of the lithium anode and electrolyte material adjacent one another so that when the lithium anode and electrolyte material are positioned adjacent one another in the resultant battery, the lithium phosphorous oxynitride is interposed between the lithium anode and the electrolyte.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement as defined in claim 11 wherein the depositing step effects the formation of a lithium phosphorus oxynitride film having a thickness of between about 0.1 and 0.5 μm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
The improvement as defined in claim 11 wherein the step of depositing a film of lithium phosphorus oxynitride is preceded by a step of depositing a film of lithium nitride (Li 3 N) over so as to coat the lithium anode so that the subsequent step of depositing the film of lithium phosphorus oxynitride coats the Li 3 N with the lithium phosphorus oxynitride film.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement as defined in claim 13 wherein the step of depositing the film of Li 3 N effects the formation of the Li 3 N film having a thickness of between about 0.05 and 0.1 μm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement as defined in claim 14 wherein the step of depositing a film of lithium phosphorus oxynitride effects the formation of the lithium phosphorus film of between about 0.1 and 0.5 μm.
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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) | 1997-05-23 | 1997-11-22 | 1998-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-23 | 2001-11-22 | 2002-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-23 | 2005-11-22 | 2006-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |