Electrochemical device and methods for energy conversion
First Claim
1. An electrochemical device comprising:
- an anode constructed of a material such that the anode is a chemically rechargeable anode; and
a source of fuel exposable to the anode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to an electrochemical device. The device features an anode constructed of materials such that the device can be chemically recharged. In addition, the device is capable of switching between operating as a fuel cell or as a battery. The switch can occur without cessation of electrical output. In certain aspects of the invention, the device is capable of operating at a temperature of less than 1000° C. Other aspects feature a liquid anode which allows higher output, dispersion of fuel and minimal stresses in an interface comprising the anode. Preferably the anode is a liquid at a temperature of less than 1000° C. The invention also relates to methods for energy conversion in which a continual electrical output can be produced in both the presence of fuel without anode consumption or the absence of fuel.
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Citations
113 Claims
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1. An electrochemical device comprising:
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an anode constructed of a material such that the anode is a chemically rechargeable anode; and
a source of fuel exposable to the anode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. An anode being constructed of a material such that the anode is a chemically rechargeable anode 44.
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53. An electrochemical device, comprising:
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an anode comprising a liquid, the device being operable at a temperature of no more than 1000°
C.; and
a source of a fuel exposable to the anode. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 57, 59)
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56. An electrochemical device, comprising:
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an anode; and
an intermittent fuel source deliverable to the anode to produce a continuous electrical output from the device.
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58. An electrochemical device, comprising:
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an anode; and
a source of a fuel exposable to the anode, the anode being constructed of a material such that the device is capable of producing electricity by using the anode in both the presence of fuel without anode consumption, and in the absence of the fuel.
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60. A stack of electrochemical devices, comprising:
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a first and second electrochemical device, each device including an anode comprising a liquid, the anode being in ionic communication with an electrolyte and the electrolyte being in ionic communication with a cathode; and
an interconnect positioned intermediate and adjacent both the anode of the first device and the cathode of the second device. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73)
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74. A method for energy conversion, comprising:
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providing an electrochemical device comprising an anode;
causing electricity to be produced in the presence of a fuel provided to the anode without anode consumption; and
causing electricity to be produced in the device in the absence of the fuel provided to the anode. - View Dependent Claims (75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87)
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88. A method for energy conversion, comprising:
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providing an anode; and
delivering a fuel to the anode intermittently while producing a continuous electrical output by using the anode. - View Dependent Claims (90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100)
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89. A method comprising:
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providing an anode;
causing a portion of the anode to be oxidized such that electricity is produced; and
exposing the oxidized portion of the anode to a chemical reductant to reduce the oxidized portion.
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101. An electrochemical device, comprising:
a liquid anode comprising an alloy, each metal in the alloy comprising a standard reduction potential greater than −
0.70 V versus the Standard Hydrogen Electrode.
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102. An electrochemical device, comprising:
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an anode; and
means for exposing a fuel to the anode, the anode being constructed of a material such that the device is capable of producing electricity involving the anode in both the presence of fuel without anode consumption, and in the absence of the fuel.
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103. An electrochemical device, comprising:
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an anode; and
means for intermittently exposing fuel to the anode to produce a continuous electrical output from the device.
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104. An electrochemical device comprising:
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a battery comprising an anode;
a fuel cell comprising the anode; and
a fuel comprising a material different from the anode. - View Dependent Claims (105)
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106. A method for energy conversion, comprising:
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providing a battery; and
supplying a fuel to an anode in the battery, the fuel being of a different material than the anode. - View Dependent Claims (107)
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108. A method for energy conversion, comprising:
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providing a fuel cell; and
switching the fuel cell to a battery by ceasing a supply of a fuel to an anode in the fuel cell.
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109. An electrochemical device comprising at least two fuel sources for supplying at least two different types of fuel to the device, the two fuel sources being interchangeable to allow selection of a type of fuel.
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110. A housing comprising a solid-state electrolyte material, the housing containing a liquid anode.
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111. A method for energy conversion, comprising:
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providing a device comprising a liquid metal anode; and
oxidizing a portion of the anode to form a metal oxide concurrent with the generation of electricity. - View Dependent Claims (112, 113)
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Specification