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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Electrochemical cell with high conductivity glass electrolyte

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6553375

A secondary electrochemical cell is described with chalcogen containing positive electrode material and alkali metal containing negative electrode material comprising: an electrically conductive housing having a first portion thereof at negative electrode polarity, a second portion thereof at positive electrode polarity and an electrically insulative seal between the first and second portions; a plurality of elongated tubes of ionically conductive glass electrolyte affixed lengthwise along substantially parallel axes within the first portion of the housing, the tubes containing the positive electrode material; a plurality of elongated electrical conductors, each axially disposed in one of the plurality of glass electrolyte tubes, the conductors extending lengthwise beyond the glass electrolyte tubes into common electrical contact with the second portion of the housing; a plurality of curved protective shields placed lengthwise in the first portion of the housing at least partially encompassing individual glass electrolyte tubes to form columnar annuli for containing the negative electrode material, the shields placed sufficiently close to the outer surfaces of the glass electrolyte tubes to permit molten negative electrode material to wick therebetween, and each shield contacting adjacent shields at lengthwise surface portions to define columnar regions of molten negative electrode material, electrical terminal means coupled to first and second housing portions for charging and withdrawing the electrical energy of the cell.

Assignee:
United States Department of Energy, Washington, DC
Patent Number(s):
US 4659637
OSTI ID:
6553375
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English