Methods for assembling an electrochemical cell

• US 6,866,806 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2002
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lynntech Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lynntech International, Ltd.
• Inventors: Hitchens, G. Duncan, Murphy, Oliver J., Andrews, Craig C.
• Primary Examiner(s): ORTIZ, ANGELA Y
• Application Number:
  US10/262,558
• Publication Number:
  US 20030080467A1
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 264/102, 264/250, 264/251, 264/254, 264/259, 264/261, 264/263, 264/267, 264/268, 264/271.1, 264273-275, 264/277, 429/35, 429/38, 429/39, 204/257, 204/258
• US Class Current: 264/250
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/283 using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/44 by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis general membrane separation processes B01D61/00, membrane modules B01D63/00, electrodialysis C02F1/4693, combination of membrane modules and bioreactors C02F3/1268
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4672 by electrooxydation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/78 with ozone C02F1/4672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46142 Catalytic coating
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46155 Heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/782 Ozone generators
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 Disinfection
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/18 Removal of treatment agents after treatment
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/13 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/19 with diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy

Abstract

A method for securing an anode, a cathode and an ion exchange membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode within a premolded thermoplastic frame. The frame both secures the anode the cathode and the ion exchange membrane within the frame and further maintain the anode, cathode and membrane in intimate contact. Additionally, injection molding around the premolded thermoplastic frame may be performed or alternatively, injection molding around a plurality of thermoplastic frames.

Claims

1. A method of making an electrochemical cell comprising:

securing an anode, a cathode and an ion exchange membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode between opposing members of a premolded thermoplastic frame, wherein the thermoplastic frame maintains the anode, the cathode, and the membrane in intimate contact,

wherein the step of securing further comprises securing the opposing members face to face without a separator plate.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing the opposing members face to face comprises:

injection molding around the premolded thermoplastic frame.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing the opposing members face to face comprises:

injection molding around a plurality of premolded thermoplastic frames.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing the opposing members face to face comprises:

clamping the opposing members of the frame.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing the opposing members face to face comprises:

latching the opposing members of the frame.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing the opposing members face to face comprises:

threadedly securing the opposing members of the frame.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of injection molding around the premolded frame comprises:

forming a housing around at least a perimeter of the frame.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of injection molding around the premolded frame comprises:

forming a housing around the frame, wherein the housing comprises an anode reservoir in fluid communication with the anode arid a cathode reservoir in fluid communication with the cathode.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

forming a means for securing the housing to an associated system.

10. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

preventing molten thermoplastic from contacting an active area of the cathode and the anode during the step of injection molding around the assembly.