US3980501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Use of hydrogen-absorbing electrode in alkaline battery
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1974-06-19
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Granted: 1976-09-14
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Expires: 1994-06-19
Abstract
Abstract Alkaline batteries are described in which a special electrode is incorporated in the positive electrode in order to give added protection against electrochemical damage due to battery reversal. This special electrode contains a hydrogen-absorbing material which also acts as a hydrogen electrode for the conversion of hydrogen ions into elemental hydrogen. Such alkaline batteries are particularly well protected against hydrogen overpressure due to battery reversal with only a small penalty in energy density. Particularly suitable for this application is the use of a hydrogen-absorbing material with nominal formula LnM5 in which Ln represents a lanthanide metal and M is either cobalt or nickel.
Inventors
- 👤 David Oscar Feder
- 👤 Dean William Maurer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:42
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/34; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A sealed alkaline battery package comprising at least two cells connected in series, said cells comprising a negative cadmium electrode, a positive nickel electrode and electrolyte characterized in that a material with nominal formula LnM 5 is electrically connected to the positive electrode so that on battery reversal said LnM 5 material is converted into a hydride with nominal formula LnM 5 H 6 so as to maintain electrochemical balance between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and to prevent evolution of hydrogen from the positive electrode where Ln is lanthanide metal and M is a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel and cobalt and mixtures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A sealed alkaline battery package comprising at least two cells connected in series, said cells comprising a negative cadmium electrode, a positive nickel electrode and electrolyte characterized in that a material with nominal formula LnM 5 is electrically connected to the positive electrode so that on battery reversal said LnM 5 material is converted into a hydride with nominal formula LnM 5 H 6 so as to maintain electrochemical balance between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and to prevent evolution of hydrogen from the positive electrode where Ln is lanthanide metal and M is a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel and cobalt and mixtures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The battery of claim 1 in which LnM 5 is selected from the group consisting of LaNi 5 , LaCo 5 and SmCo 5 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 in which Ln is a mixture of lanthanide metals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The battery of claim 1 in which the hydrogen-absorbing material in the positive electrode has an electro-chemical capacity of between 5 and 30% of the capacity of the positive electrode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-14 | 1980-03-15 | 1980-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-14 | 1984-03-15 | 1984-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-14 | 1988-03-15 | 1988-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |