US4405416A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molten salt lithium cells
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1981-09-15
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Granted: 1983-09-20
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Expires: 2001-09-15
Abstract
Abstract Lithium-based cells are promising for applications such as electric vehicles and load-leveling for power plants since lithium is very electropositive and light weight. One type of lithium-based cell utilizes a molten salt electrolyte and is operated in the temperature range of about 400°-500° C. Such high temperature operation accelerates corrosion problems and a substantial amount of energy is lost through heat transfer. The present invention provides an electrochemical cell (10) which may be operated at temperatures between about 100°-170° C. Cell (10) comprises an electrolyte (16), which preferably includes lithium nitrate, and a lithium or lithium alloy electrode (12).
Inventors
- 👤 Ian D. Raistrick
- 👤 Jaime Poris
- 👤 Robert A. Huggins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/36; H01M10/39; H01M10/399; C; C25; C25C; C25C3/00; C25C3/02; H01M6/00; H01M6/14; H01M8/00; H01M8/06; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of processing lithium comprising the steps of: providing a quantity of an electrolyte, said electrolyte including lithium moieties and a mixture of nitrate moieties, and said electrolyte having a melting point in the range of about 100° to about 170° C.; contacting said electrolyte with a quantity of elemental lithium; and, selectively conducting lithium ions between said quantity of electrolyte and said quantity of elemental lithium heating said quantity of electrolyte to a temperature in the range of about 100° to about 170° C. to form a molten state thereof, and maintaining said temperature and said molten state during the selectively conducting step.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of processing lithium comprising the steps of: providing a quantity of an electrolyte, said electrolyte including lithium moieties and a mixture of nitrate moieties, and said electrolyte having a melting point in the range of about 100° to about 170° C.; contacting said electrolyte with a quantity of elemental lithium; and, selectively conducting lithium ions between said quantity of electrolyte and said quantity of elemental lithium heating said quantity of electrolyte to a temperature in the range of about 100° to about 170° C. to form a molten state thereof, and maintaining said temperature and said molten state during the selectively conducting step.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as in claim 1 wherein the temperature is maintained in the range of about 100° to about 150° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as in claim 1 wherein the nitrate moieties are a mixture of about 41% lithium nitrate and about 59% potassium nitrate and the temperature is maintained in the range of about 130° to about 135° C.
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) | 1986-09-19 | 1987-03-21 | 1987-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-19 | 1991-03-21 | 1991-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-19 | 1995-03-21 | 1995-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |