Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus – product – and – Fuel cell – subcombination thereof – or method of making or... – Fuel cell with molten electrolyte
Reexamination Certificate
1994-10-27
2001-07-24
Chaney, Carol (Department: 1745)
Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and
Fuel cell, subcombination thereof, or method of making or...
Fuel cell with molten electrolyte
C429S006000, C429S235000, C429S236000, C429S472000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06265112
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to the field of batteries. The nickel electrode has been identified as the most critical and heaviest component of any nickel-based battery system. The state-of-the-art (SOA) nickel electrode has been made conventionally by sintering fine nickel powder onto a wire screen at elevated temperatures, (1000° C.) in a reduced atmosphere. The nickel hydroxide active material is then deposited into the pores of the substrate either by chemical or electrochemical methods. This process creates a material that has a highly conductive and porous substrate, but also has the disadvantage of being heavy in weight.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to produce a lightweight nickel fiber electrode that will increase the specific energy of the prior art nickel-based battery system.
It is another object of the present invention to develop a lightweight nickel electrode using a 2-micron diameter nickel fiber.
It is a further object of the present invention to treat the nickel electrodes prior to the formation and cycle life procedure.
Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,392 by Oswin relates to a high capacity, low weight nickel based storage battery including a nickel electrode structure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,124 by Maskalick relates to the production of nickel plaques. U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,318 by Oshitani is directed to a nickel electrode and method of making in which a porous metal fiber is impregnate with active nickel hydroxide. U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,155 by Charkey is directed to a coating process for nickel electrodes using boron to improve the discharge current density and improve the number of recharge cycles during the batteries life. U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,282 to Ohnishi is directed to a nickel electrode consisting of a wire mesh to provide high porosity allowing high current densities and improved performance characteristics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The most recent advance in the nickel electrode that are expected to have a positive effect on the cycle life, weight, cost and performance, is the use of a lightweight nickel substrate in place of the heavy-sintered nickel substrate.
The present invention is directed to a method of developing a high specific energy nickel electrode for any nickel-based battery system such as the nickel-hydrogen (NiH
2
), nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel-zinc (NiZn). The main goal is to produce a lightweight nickel electrode which can be cycled at deep depths of discharge. This can be accomplished by depositing the required amount of nickel hydroxide active material into a lightweight nickel fiber substrate.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3507699 (1970-04-01), Pell et al.
patent: 4224392 (1980-09-01), Oswin
patent: 4269670 (1981-05-01), Smith
patent: 4337124 (1982-06-01), Maskalick
patent: 4370214 (1983-01-01), Kadija
patent: 4863484 (1989-09-01), Beauchamp et al.
patent: 4985318 (1991-01-01), Oshitani et al.
patent: 5023155 (1991-06-01), Charkey et al.
patent: 5100748 (1992-03-01), Doniat et al.
patent: 5200282 (1993-04-01), Ohnishi et al.
patent: 5248510 (1993-09-01), Lim et al.
Chaney Carol
Reinecke Susan D.
Shook Gene E.
Stone Kent N.
The United States of America as represented by the Adminstrator
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