Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A process for producing porous metal oxide dispersion-strengthened anodes for use in fuel cells comprising the steps of: forming a "green" cohesive structure comprising a fine metal alloy powder comprising at least one metal powder and at least one oxide forming phase; and simultaneously sintering said "green" cohesive structure and internally oxidizing said oxide forming phase within said "green" cohesive structure, forming an oxide dispersion-strengthened porous anode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A process for producing porous metal oxide dispersion-strengthened anodes for use in fuel cells comprising the steps of: forming a "green" cohesive structure comprising a fine metal alloy powder comprising at least one metal powder and at least one oxide forming phase; and simultaneously sintering said "green" cohesive structure and internally oxidizing said oxide forming phase within said "green" cohesive structure, forming an oxide dispersion-strengthened porous anode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at least one metal powder is selected from the group consisting of nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu) and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process in accordance with claim 2, wherein said at least one oxide forming phase is selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), zirconium (Zr), titanium (Ti), yttrium (Y) and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process in accordance with claim 3, wherein said fine metal powder alloy is a Ni--Al alloy powder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein said oxide forming phase is internally oxidized with an oxidizing agent that is at least one of disposed within said "green" cohesive structure and covers the exterior of said "green" cohesive structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process in accordance with claim 5, wherein said oxidizing agent is an oxide which is readily reduced by said oxide forming phase.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process in accordance with claim 6, wherein said oxide powder is selected from the group consisting of NiO, Cu 2 O, CuO, FeO, Fe 2 O 3 , Fe 3 O 4 , CoO and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein said "green" cohesive structure is sintered in one of a dry, inert atmosphere and a vacuum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process in accordance with claim 8, wherein said dry, inert atmosphere comprises a gas selected from the group consisting of N 2 , Ar, He, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein said oxide forming phase comprises between about 0.1% and about 10% by weight of said metal alloy powder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process in accordance with claim 5, wherein the amount of said oxidizing agent is between about one-half of a stoichiometric equivalent of oxygen and about 100 times said stoichiometric equivalent of oxygen required for complete oxidation of said oxide forming phase.