Self pumping electrochemical cell

• US 4,035,554 A
• Filed: 01/16/1976
• Issued: 07/12/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Space Operations Company (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Space Operations Company (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Rowley, Leroy S., Halberstadt, Harry J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Skapars, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US05/649,591
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 429/51, 429/94, 429/105, 429/122, 429/188, 429/207, 429/72, 429/63, 429/218, 429/80, 429/81
• US Class Current: 429/80
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/70 Arrangements for stirring or circulating the electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/26 Cells without oxidising active material, e.g. Volta cells

Abstract

In a reactive metal-water electrochemical cell, a configuration utilizing waste heat and evolved hydrogen gas for pumping electrolyte through the cell. More particularly, the cell is in a vertical, hollow tubular configuration with the reactive anode being bonded to the interior surface of the tube casing and a coiled metal screen cathode being positioned within the tubular cell and containing the anode over essentially its full working surface. As the anode is consumed in operation, by reaction with an aqueous electrolyte filling the interior cavity of the tubular configuration, the coil configuration of the cathode forces it to expand and maintain contact with the anode. During operation, evolved waste heat and gas cause a flow of electrolyte through the interior of the cell.

Claims

1. A self-pumping reactive metal anode-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell consisting essentially of a vertical hollow tubular casing, a reactive anode bonded to the interior surface of said casing, said anode naturally forming on its surface a protective insulating film in the presence of water, an expandable coiled metal open-mesh screen cathode positioned within the interior of said tubular casing and contacting said insulating film over substantially all of the anode surface facing said cathode, said cathode pressing continuously against said insulating film during operation of said cell, and an aqueous electrolyte flowing through and filling the interior cavity of said hollow tubular casing, said electrolyte flow from the bottom to the top of said cell being caused solely by evolved heat and gas generated during the operation of said cell.

2. A plurality of electrochemical cells in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cells are connected to a common electrolyte reservoir.